Biography
Tall and dark actor Ty Burrell has the kind of deep-set eyes and sharp features that make him ideal for roles such as the self-absorbed yuppie who cast a cold gaze in
Zack Snyder's
Dawn of the Dead and the authoritative yet undeniably vain plastic surgeon on the CBS sitcom
Out of Practice. And while Burrell's background may indeed be in repertory theater, it is in the worlds of film and television that he has truly come into his own.
Equally comfortable on screens both large and small, Burrell found his footing before the camera thanks to walk-on roles on
Ellen and
The West Wing before supporting performances in
Ivan Reitman's
Evolution and
Ridley Scott's
Black Hawk Down singled him out as a talent to watch for on the big screen. Never one to stay away from the stage for too long a stretch, the Ashland, Oregon, native subsequently returned to the boards to star in the Signature Theatre off-Broadway production of Burn This opposite
Edward Norton and
Catherine Keener.
While subsequent television roles in Law & Order and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit served well to prepare Burrell for his regular role in the comedy series
Out of Practice -- a lighthearted affair about a dysfunctional family of physicians -- big-screen roles in
Dawn of the Dead,
In Good Company, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, and National Treasure: Book of Secrets virtually ensured a lasting career in film as well. In 2007, he was cast as a regular on the
Kelsey Grammer/
Patricia Heaton local-news sitcom
Back to You as field reporter Gary Crezyzewski, but the show only lasted one season. Burrell bounced back in a big way with a prominent supporting role as Dr. Samson in the summer 2008 release
The Incredible Hulk. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide