|
Attending Elliot Junior High School in Glendale, California, Furlong went on to South Pasadena Junior High School in Pasadena, California.
A talented performer with
angular looks and a fragile yet hardened personna, Edward Furlong has built up an impressive list of accomplishments in a relatively short career in both mainstream and independent films.
Born in
Glendale, California, Furlong hadn't even considered acting until he was approached by casting agent Mali Finn, who recognized his abilities at the Pasadena Boys Club in his native California. Thinking
Furlong was perfectly suited for portraying troubled youth, Finn suggested him for the role of 'John Connor' in the 1991 movie ''Terminator 2: Judgement Day'' opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger and Linda
Hamilton. Furlong proved an asset to the film with his work as spunky John Connor standing up well alongside performances by the principal stars. "T2" resulted in the actor's idol status, with
fans swooning over the talented and striking dark-haired teen.
In 1991, Furlong won the Youth in Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer for his performance in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and in
1992, the MTV Movie Award: Breakthrough Performance, again for Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
After "T2", Furlong made his mark in independent films. These included starring opposite Jeff
Bridges in ''American Heart'' for which he won an IFP Spirit Award for Best Supporting Actor, ''A Home of Our Own'' with Kathy Bates, ''Little Odessa,'' with Tim Roth, ''The Grass Harp,'' with Walter
Matthau, and Barbet Schroeder's ''Before and After,'' starring opposite Meryl Streep and Liam Neeson. Most recently, he starred opposite Edward Norton in Tony Kaye's controversial and gripping drama,
''American History X'' and the hit Fine Line comedy ''Pecker'' for director John Waters.
Furlong went on to star in ''Detroit Rock City,'' which details the strange adventures of four Pittsburgh
teens in the late 70's who are in desperate need of Kiss concert tickets. Furlong has also been cast in the coveted role opposite William Dafoe in the powerful prison drama, ''Animal Factory,'' directed
by Steve Buscemi for Franchise Pictures.
Active in People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), he has also released a pop album in Japan that was popular with teen girls. He considers
himself to be both an actor and a musician.
|
