Career Timeline of Crispin Glover: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Crispin Glover, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Crispin Hellion Glover is an American actor, filmmaker, author, and artist, celebrated for his portrayal of eccentric characters. His career began with George McFly in Back to the Future (1985) and a leading role in River's Edge (1986). The 1990s saw him gain further recognition through smaller but significant roles in films such as Wild at Heart (1990), The Doors (1991), What's Eating Gilbert Grape (1993), and Dead Man (1995).
1981: Appearance in "The Best Of Times" Pilot
In 1981, Crispin Glover appeared alongside Nicolas Cage in "The Best Of Times", a television pilot that aired on ABC but was not picked up for a full series.
1983: First Film Role in My Tutor
In 1983, Crispin Glover had his first film role in "My Tutor".
1984: Roles in Teachers and Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter
In 1984, Crispin Glover appeared in both the film "Teachers" and "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter".
1985: Breakthrough Role in Back to the Future
In 1985, Crispin Glover achieved his breakout role as George McFly in Robert Zemeckis's "Back to the Future". During filming, he voiced objections to the ending, leading to disagreements. Due to these disagreements and a salary dispute, Glover did not return for the sequels.
1985: Role in The Orkly Kid
In 1985, Crispin Glover worked with director Trent Harris on the third chapter of the Beaver Trilogy, titled "The Orkly Kid".
1986: Starring Role in River's Edge
In 1986, after the success of "Back to the Future", Crispin Glover starred as Layne in the film "River's Edge", seeking roles that questioned the status quo.
1987: Shooting Short Film "The Backward Swing"
In 1987, Crispin Glover shot a short film on analog video based on his book "The Backward Swing", co-directing with David Brothers. Post-production was never completed.
1989: Release of The Big Problem Does Not Equal the Solution, The Solution Equals Let It Be
In 1989, Crispin Glover released his album, "The Big Problem Does Not Equal the Solution, The Solution Equals Let It Be", produced by Barnes & Barnes.
1989: Rubin Farr Appears in Clowny Clown Clown Music Video
In 1989, The character Rubin Farr, which Crispin Glover also portrayed on Late Night with David Letterman, appears in Glover's music video for his song "Clowny Clown Clown".
1990: Starring in Wild at Heart and Where the Heart Is
In 1990, Crispin Glover starred in "Wild at Heart", directed by David Lynch, and "Where the Heart Is", directed by John Boorman.
1991: Portrayal of Andy Warhol in The Doors
In 1991, Crispin Glover became the first actor to portray Andy Warhol in a widely released film, Oliver Stone's "The Doors".
1993: Role in Hotel Room and What's Eating Gilbert Grape
In 1993, Crispin Glover starred in "Hotel Room", directed by David Lynch, and "What's Eating Gilbert Grape".
1994: Recording The Big Love Recordings
In 1994, Crispin Glover recorded a second album produced by Artie Barnes (Robert Haimer) which was to be titled The Big Love Recordings. It featured original songs and covers of songs such as Madonna's "Like a Virgin". A couple of planned tracks were never recorded, leaving the album unfinished and unreleased.
1994: Role in Chasers
In 1994, Crispin Glover starred in "Chasers", directed by Dennis Hopper.
1996: Role in The People vs. Larry Flynt
In 1996, Crispin Glover starred in "The People vs. Larry Flynt", directed by Miloš Forman.
2000: Role as The Thin Man in Charlie's Angels
In 2000, Crispin Glover began starring in more mainstream films, starting with his role as The Thin Man in "Charlie's Angels".
2000: Essay in Apocalypse Culture II
In 2000, Crispin Glover wrote a short essay titled "What Is It?" for Adam Parfrey's book "Apocalypse Culture II".
2003: Recording and Music Video for "Ben"
In 2003, Crispin Glover recorded a version of the Michael Jackson song "Ben" for his film "Willard" and directed a music video for the song.
2003: Reprising Role in Charlie's Angels and Starring in Willard
In 2003, Crispin Glover reprised his role as The Thin Man in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle" and starred as the titular character in "Willard".
2005: Directorial Debut with What Is It?
In 2005, Crispin Glover made his feature directorial debut with "What Is It?", a surreal film featuring a cast of actors with Down syndrome. It premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival.
2006: YouTube Videos with Stevie Ryan
In 2006, Crispin Glover appeared in two YouTube videos with comedian Stevie Ryan dressed in his Farr costume, denying he is Crispin Glover or Rubin Farr.
2007: Premiere of It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine.
Crispin Glover's second film, "It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine.", written by Steven C. Stewart and co-directed by David Brothers, premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. It was mostly funded by Glover's salary from "Charlie's Angels" and other films.
2007: Role as Grendel in Beowulf
In 2007, Crispin Glover appeared in "Beowulf" as Grendel, using performance capture technology and speaking his dialogue in Old English.
2010: Roles in Alice in Wonderland and Hot Tub Time Machine
In 2010, Crispin Glover played Ilosovic Stayne/the Knave of Hearts in Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland" and Phil in "Hot Tub Time Machine".
2013: Start of Filming No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance
In 2013, Crispin Glover started shooting his third feature film, "No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance", filming intermediately over the next six years on his property in the Czech Republic.
2017: Series Regular Role in American Gods
From 2017 to 2021, Crispin Glover portrayed Mr. World in the Starz television series "American Gods".
2018: Role in We Have Always Lived in the Castle
In 2018, Crispin Glover acted in "We Have Always Lived in the Castle".
2018: Completion of Filming No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance
In 2018, Crispin Glover completed filming his third feature film, "No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance", which he began filming in 2013. It was filmed on his property in the Czech Republic.
2019: Role in Lucky Day
In 2019, Crispin Glover acted in Roger Avery's "Lucky Day".
2020: Role in Smiley Face Killers
In 2020, Crispin Glover acted in the Bret Easton Ellis-scripted slasher film "Smiley Face Killers".
2021: End of Series Regular Role in American Gods
From 2017 to 2021, Crispin Glover portrayed Mr. World in the Starz television series "American Gods".
2022: Role in Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities
In 2022, Crispin Glover appeared in the Netflix horror anthology series "Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities" in the episode "Pickman's Model".
2024: Filming Begins for Glover's Next Feature
In 2024, filming began for Crispin Glover's next feature film, shot on Super 16 mm monochrome film stock.
2025: Premiere of No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance
In 2025, Crispin Glover's film "No! YOU'RE WRONG. or: Spooky Action at a Distance" premiered at the Museum of Modern Art. It marked Bruce Glover's final film appearance.
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