Bradley Whitford's credits in film, television and theater include work with some of the most noted writers, directors and playwrights in the arts, and constitute a career worthy of a Juilliard-trained actor -- which he is. But stardom is something else altogether, and it remained elusive, at least until 1999 and his appearance on NBC's acclaimed political drama, The West Wing.

Growing up in Wisconsin, Whitford spent his youth at a decidedly slower pace. He went on to study theater and English literature at Wesleyan University and earned a master's degree in theater from the prestigious Juilliard Theater Center. Whitford's first professional performance was in the off-Broadway production of "Curse of the Starving Glass," with Kathy Bates. Ironically, he also starred in the Broadway production of "The West Wing" and in creator Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men." His additional theater credits include "Three Days of Rain" at the Manhattan Theatre Club, "Measure for Measure" at the Lincoln Center, and the title role in "Coriolanus" at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Some of Whitford's most memorable performances include roles in such films as The Muse with Albert Brooks and Bicentennial Man with Robin Williams. He has also appeared in Scent of a Woman, A Perfect World, Philadelphia, The Client, My Life, Red Corner, Presumed Innocent and My Fellow Americans.

Whitford lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) and their children, Frances, George, and Mary. His birthday is October 10.
The West Wing (1999): $70,000/episode(2001)
Graduated June 4, 1977 from Madison East High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Graduated Wesleyan University (Middletown, Connecticut), 1981. Attended Juilliard. Waited tables at "Panarellas" at 84th & Columbus, New York City. He and wife Jane Kaczmarek have three children: Frances Whitford (b. 1997), George Whitford (b. 1999), and Mary Louisa Whitford (b. 2002). Welcomed daughter Mary Louisa on November 25, 2002. The baby weighed 10 lbs. 3oz. Actor Daniel von Bargen has coincidentally appeared with husband and wife actors Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford in four different projects. Along with Kaczmarek, he appeared in Malcolm in the Middle. With Whitford, he was in RoboCop 3, Philadelphia and The West Wing. Founded the charity "Clothes off our Back" (http://www.clothesoffourback.org) with his wife, Jane Kaczmarek, in 2002. Clothes off our Back run on-line auctions after major awards shows where celebrities' gowns and tuxedos, and other articles of clothing, are auctioned off. The proceeds go to children's charities such as Cure Autism Now (http://www.cureautismnow.org) and The Children's Defense Fund (http://www.childrensdefense.org/) His college roommate and best friend was the brother of his future co-star on The West Wing, Richard Schiff. If he could change one thing about his life he would have started dancing when he was young. Gave the commencement speech at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in May 2004. His wife is a distinguished alumnus of UW-Madison; he graduated from Madison East High School. Was in The Client with Mary-Louise Parker, who later played his love interest on The West Wing. Son of Genevieve Smith Whitford.