Wallace Shawn, born Wallace Michael Shawn on November 12, 1943, in New York City, is a distinctive and highly respected American actor, essayist, and playwright whose unmistakable voice and intellectual presence have made him a beloved figure in film, television, and theater for over four decades. He is best known to mainstream audiences for his iconic roles as the scheming Sicilian Vizzini in the classic The Princess Bride, the exasperated teacher Mr. Hall in Clueless, and as the voice of the anxious dinosaur Rex in the Toy Story franchise. His television work has been equally memorable, including a recurring role as Dr. John Sturgis on the hit sitcom Young Sheldon and as the enigmatic Father Frank Ignatius on the supernatural drama Evil.

Shawn was born into a prominent cultural family; his father, William Shawn, was the legendary editor of The New Yorker magazine. He attended the prestigious Dalton School and later graduated from Harvard University, where he studied history and literature, before earning a master's degree in philosophy at Oxford University. Initially pursuing a career as a writer and teacher, Shawn began acting in the late 1970s, his unconventional appearance and high-pitched, nasal voice quickly setting him apart. His breakthrough came with the 1981 film My Dinner with Andre, which he co-wrote with Andre Gregory and in which he starred as a fictionalized version of himself. The film, a nearly two-hour conversation between two friends, became an art-house sensation and established Shawn as a serious theatrical and cinematic force.

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Shawn built a prolific career, appearing in a wide range of films. He collaborated multiple times with Woody Allen, featuring in Manhattan, Radio Days, and Rifkin's Festival, among others. He also delivered acclaimed performances in The Bostonians, Prick Up Your Ears, and Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills. On television, he had a recurring role as Jeff Engels on The Cosby Show and lent his distinctive voice to the character of Grand Nagus Zek on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. In the 2000s, he found a new generation of fans as the scheming but ultimately lovable Cyrus Rose on the teen drama Gossip Girl. His later film work includes roles in The Incredibles, The Haunted Mansion, The Double, and Marriage Story.

Beyond his acting, Shawn is a highly regarded playwright and essayist. His Obie Award-winning play Aunt Dan and Lemon was a provocative examination of morality and power, and he continued to write challenging works such as The Designated Mourner and Grasses of a Thousand Colors. He adapted and starred in the film version of Henrik Ibsen's A Master Builder, directed by Jonathan Demme. His literary output also includes two books of essays, "Essays" and "Night Thoughts," published by Haymarket Books, which showcase his sharp intellect and leftist political views. Even in his eighties, Wallace Shawn remains an active and vital presence in entertainment, continuing to take on both comedic and dramatic roles while maintaining his reputation as one of the most singular and thoughtful voices in American culture.