Nicholas David Rowland Cassavetes (born May 21, 1959) is an American actor, director, and writer. He has directed such films as She's So Lovely (1997), John Q. (2002), The Notebook (2004), Alpha Dog (2006), and My Sister's Keeper (2009). His acting credits include an uncredited role in Husbands (1970)—which was directed by his father, John Cassavetes—as well as roles in the films The Wraith (1986), Face/Off (1997), and Blow (2001).
Early life and career Cassavetes was born in New York City,"Nick Cassavetes." Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Vol. 76. Gale, 2007. Gale Biography In Context. Web. March 21, 2011. the son of Greek-American actor and film director John Cassavetes and actress Gena Rowlands. As a child, he appeared in his father's film Husbands (1970). After spending so much of his youth surrounded by the film industry, Cassavetes initially decided he did not want to go into the field. He instead attended Syracuse University on a basketball scholarship, but after an injury effectively ended his athletic career, he decided to rethink his aspirations, ultimately deciding to attend his parents' alma mater, the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York.
He has appeared in the films Face/Off, The Wraith, Life, Class of 1999 II: The Substitute, Backstreet Dreams and The Astronaut's Wife, among others. He has directed several films, including John Q, Alpha Dog, She's So Lovely, Unhook the Stars, The Notebook, and My Sister's Keeper. He also adapted the screenplay for Blow and wrote the dialogue for the Justin Timberlake music video "What Goes Around... Comes Around".
Cassavetes finished in fifth place in the World Poker Tour Invitational Season 5, attempting a bluff. He also appeared on season 5 of The Game Show Network's High Stakes Poker.
He also has played himself in the season 7 opener of Entourage on HBO and Tattoo Joe as a cameo in The Hangover: Part II, replacing Liam Neeson from the cast due to scheduling conflicts.
Personal life In 1985, Cassavetes married Isabelle Rafalovich. They had two daughters together before divorcing. Their daughter Sasha was born with a heart defect and underwent substantial surgery; Cassavetes' film John Q. was dedicated to Sasha, and his later adaptation of My Sister's Keeper was based in part on Sasha's medical experience.Dedications at the end of movies, and what they mean
Cassavetes later married Heather "Queenie" Wahlquist, and they have a daughter together. Wahlquist has appeared in several of his films, including a small role in The Notebook as Sara, a secondary character and best friend to the female lead Allie Hamilton, portrayed by Rachel McAdams. Cassavetes' mother, Gena Rowlands, appears as the older, married Allie (Hamilton) Calhoun.
Filmography Actor Film Year Film Role Notes 1970 Husbands Nick Uncredited 1985 Mask T.J. 1986 The Wraith Packard Walsh Black Moon Rising Luis Quiet Cool Valence 1988 Under the Gun Tony Braxton Assault of the Killer Bimbos Wayne-O 1989 Blind Fury Lyle Pike 1990 Backstreet Dreams Mikey 1991 Delta Force 3: The Killing Game Charlie Direct-to-DVD 1992 Twogether Wolfgang Amadeus "John" Madler 1993 Sins of Desire Barry Mitchum Sins of the Night Jack Neitsche Broken Trust Alan Brogan 1994 Class of 1999 II: The Substitute Emmett Grazer Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle Robert Sherwood 1996 Black Rose of Harlem Johnny 1997 Face/Off Dietrich Hassler Farticus Adonis Papadapadopounopoulopoulos 1999 Life Sergeant Dillard The Astronaut's Wife Capt. Alex Streck 2001 Blow Man in Derek's Salon Uncredited 2011 The Hangover Part II Tattoo Joe 2013 Love and Skin Uncle Nicky Short film 2021 Prisoners of the Ghostland Psycho Queenpins Captain Pain
Television Year Film Role Notes 1980 Reunion Steve Cowan TV movie 1987 Matlock Foley Episode: "The Convict" L.A. Law Richard Bertrand Episode: "Sparky Brackman R.I.P. ????-1987" 1988 Shooter Tex TV movie 1989 Quantum Leap Primo La Palma Episode: "Double Identity - November 8, 1965" 1990 The Marshall Chronicles Gus Episode: "Do the Write Thing" 2010 Entourage Nick Cassavetes 2 episodes 2017 Tales Rodney King Episode: "F*ck the Police"
Director and writer Year Title Director Writer Notes 1996 Unhook the Stars Directorial debut 1997 She's So Lovely 2001 Blow Co-writer with David McKenna; directed by Ted Demme 2002 John Q. Also songwriter: "The Voice Inside My Heart" 2004 The Notebook 2006 Alpha Dog Also soundtrack producer and songwriter: "At The Site/Driving To The Site" 2009 My Sister's Keeper Co-writer with Jeremy Leven 2012 Yellow Co-writer with Heather Wahlquist 2014 The Other Woman 2023 God Is a Bullet 2025 Marked Men: Rule + Shaw
References
External links
Interview with UGO.com