Career Timeline of John Cusack: Major Achievements and Milestones
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how John Cusack made an impact.
John Cusack is a prolific American actor whose career spans over four decades and includes more than 80 films. He rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in coming-of-age films like Sixteen Candles, Better Off Dead, The Sure Thing, Stand by Me, and Say Anything... Cusack successfully transitioned beyond his teen idol status, showcasing his versatility in genres ranging from crime thrillers like The Grifters and The Paperboy to black comedies such as Bullets Over Broadway and Grosse Pointe Blank, and even psychological horror with 1408. He is known for his diverse roles and consistent presence in the film industry.
1984: Role in Sixteen Candles and Gift of First Car
In 1984, John Cusack appeared in 'Sixteen Candles'. Also in 1984, Jamie Lee Curtis gifted Cusack his first car, a 1974 Chevrolet Impala named 'La Bamba'.
1985: Breakthrough Performance in The Sure Thing
In 1985, John Cusack had his breakthrough performance in Rob Reiner's teen comedy 'The Sure Thing'.
1985: Better Off Dead Release
In 1985, John Cusack starred in the teen dark comedy 'Better Off Dead'. Initially, Cusack was not fond of the film.
1986: Brief Appearance in Stand by Me
In 1986, John Cusack had a brief appearance in Rob Reiner's 'Stand by Me'.
1986: One Crazy Summer
In 1986, John Cusack worked with director Savage Steve Holland on 'One Crazy Summer'.
1988: Starring in Eight Men Out and Tapeheads
In 1988, John Cusack starred in the independent film 'Eight Men Out' and appeared in the cult comedy 'Tapeheads'.
1989: Starring in Say Anything...
In 1989, John Cusack starred in Cameron Crowe's 'Say Anything...', playing Lloyd Dobler, known for the boombox scene.
1990: Role in The Grifters
In 1990, John Cusack played a con artist in Stephen Frears' neo-noir film 'The Grifters'.
1991: Appearance in True Colors
In 1991, John Cusack appeared in the independent film 'True Colors'.
1993: Appearance in Money for Nothing
In 1993, John Cusack appeared in the independent film 'Money for Nothing'.
1994: Declining Role in Pulp Fiction
In 1994, John Cusack declined the role of Lance in Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction'.
1997: Roles in Grosse Pointe Blank, Con Air, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, and Anastasia
In 1997, John Cusack starred in 'Grosse Pointe Blank', 'Con Air', and 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'. He also voiced Dimitri in the animated film 'Anastasia'.
1999: Role in Being John Malkovich
In 1999, John Cusack starred in the critically acclaimed film 'Being John Malkovich'.
2000: Golden Globe Nomination for High Fidelity
In 2000, John Cusack was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance in 'High Fidelity'.
2001: Roles in America's Sweethearts and Serendipity
In 2001, John Cusack appeared in the romantic comedies 'America's Sweethearts' and 'Serendipity'.
2003: Roles in Identity and Runaway Jury
In 2003, John Cusack starred in the thriller films 'Identity' and 'Runaway Jury'.
2005: Role in The Ice Harvest
In 2005, John Cusack appeared in the action comedy 'The Ice Harvest'.
2005: Role in Must Love Dogs
In 2005, John Cusack starred in the romantic comedy 'Must Love Dogs'.
2006: Role in The Contract
In 2006, John Cusack starred in the thriller film 'The Contract'.
2007: Roles as a Writer in Martian Child and 1408
In 2007, John Cusack played writer roles in 'Martian Child' and '1408'.
2007: Roles in 1408 and Grace Is Gone
In 2007, John Cusack starred in '1408' and 'Grace Is Gone'.
June 2008: Appearance in MoveOn.org Advertisement
In June 2008, John Cusack appeared in a MoveOn.org advertisement criticizing George W. Bush and John McCain.
2008: Role in War, Inc.
In 2008, John Cusack appeared in the action comedy 'War, Inc.'.
2009: Starring in 2012
In 2009, John Cusack starred in Roland Emmerich's epic disaster film '2012'.
2010: Starring in and Producing Hot Tub Time Machine
In 2010, John Cusack starred in and produced the comedy film 'Hot Tub Time Machine'.
2012: Supporting Freedom of the Press Foundation
In 2012, John Cusack became an initial supporter of the Freedom of the Press Foundation.
2012: Portraying Edgar Allan Poe in The Raven
In 2012, John Cusack played Edgar Allan Poe in the biopic film 'The Raven'.
2012: Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 2012, John Cusack received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, marking a significant honor in his career.
2013: Playing Richard Nixon in The Butler
In 2013, John Cusack starred as Richard Nixon in Lee Daniels' 'The Butler'.
2013: Roles in The Numbers Station, The Frozen Ground, and Grand Piano
In 2013, John Cusack starred in 'The Numbers Station', 'The Frozen Ground', and 'Grand Piano'.
2014: Roles in Love & Mercy and Maps to the Stars
In 2014, John Cusack appeared in 'Love & Mercy' as older Brian Wilson and in 'Maps to the Stars'.
2014: Roles in Drive Hard, The Prince, and Reclaim
In 2014, John Cusack starred in 'Drive Hard', 'The Prince', and 'Reclaim'.
2015: Meeting with Edward Snowden
In 2015, John Cusack met Edward Snowden in a Moscow hotel room, which was later documented in a book.
2015: Release of Hot Tub Time Machine 2
In 2015, the sequel 'Hot Tub Time Machine 2' was released, but John Cusack did not feature in it.
2016: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders
In 2016, John Cusack endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in his presidential bid.
2016: Role in Cell
In 2016, John Cusack starred in the video on demand film 'Cell'.
2017: Roles in Arsenal, Blood Money, and Singularity
In 2017, John Cusack starred in 'Arsenal', 'Blood Money', and 'Singularity'.
2020: Endorsement of Bernie Sanders
In 2020, John Cusack endorsed Senator Bernie Sanders in his presidential bid for a second time.
2020: First TV Series in Utopia
In 2020, John Cusack starred in his first TV series, 'Utopia'.
January 29, 2025: Release of Detective Chinatown 1900
On January 29, 2025, the film Detective Chinatown 1900, featuring John Cusack as Congressman Grant, was released.
