Jason Schwartzman

Despite being a part of a Hollywood legacy, actor Jason Schwartzman squarely earned his own regard as an actor with his knack for thoughtful, melancholy characters with a dry sense of humor. His unique screen presence was apparent from his debut as an oddly adult prep school student in Wes Anderson's "Rushmore" (1998). After the release of that critical darling, he would reteam repeatedly with the director, even co-scripting "The Darjeeling Limited" (2007). Schwartzman also had supporting roles in a mainstream studio films, but his sensibility leaned towards more inventive, character-driven projects like, "I (Heart) Huckabees" (2004), in which he played an idealistic young activist, and "Shopgirl" (2005), Steve Martin's novella adaptation that pitted Schwartzman as a ragtag roadie and aspiring artist against Martin as the sophisticated older man vying for the love of a woman. Schwartzman also found creative success as a musician with the indie band Phantom Planet and as a composer whose work appeared on well-known film and television soundtracks. His first outing as a television cast member was short-lived but he found more success when he was cast in the lead in HBO's "Bored to Death" (HBO, 2009-), a quirky comedy well tailored to the actor's talent for frustrated artists with an offbeat, intellectual charm.