{{short description|American film and stage actor (born 1965)}} '''Eric Thal''' <ref name="imdb">{{cite web|title=Eric Thal Biography|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856908/|work=Internet Movie Data Base|accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> is an American film and stage actor, perhaps best known as Ariel in [[Sidney Lumet]]'s ''[[A Stranger Among Us]]''; Sam Nivens in ''[[The Puppet Masters (film)|The Puppet Masters]]''; Samson in ''[[Samson and Delilah (1996 film)|Samson and Delilah]]''; Meade Howell in ''[[The Wedding (TV miniseries)|The Wedding]]''; and Rick in ''[[Six Degrees of Separation (film)|Six Degrees of Separation]]''.

== Youth ==

Born in [[Niskayuna, New York]], to Joan, a home-maker, and Herbert L. Thal, Jr., an electrical engineer, Thal, the youngest of five children, was raised on [[The Main Line]] of Philadelphia.<ref name="Feighner">{{cite news |last=Feighner|first=Jan|title=Haverford Grad Thal in Oprah miniseries "[[The Wedding (TV miniseries)|The Wedding]]"|newspaper=The Suburban Publications|date=February 19, 1998}}</ref> He began performing as a magician<ref name="imdb" /> and started studying acting at age 14, with Richard Brewer,<ref name="webb">{{cite news|last=Webb|first=Pamela|title=Ten Minutes With Actor Eric Thal|newspaper=The Mainliner |date=January 20, 1994}}</ref> formerly of the [[Hedgerow Theatre]]. He graduated from [[The Haverford School]] and attended [[Lafayette College]] for one year, studying engineering and education, before moving to New York to pursue acting. He worked a variety of jobs including telemarketer, waiter, construction worker, janitor, and massage therapist, before being cast in his first film role in 1991.<ref name="Burke">{{cite news|last=Burke-Block|first=Candace|title=Jack-of-all-trades Makes Mark in Movies |newspaper=The Columbus Dispatch/New York Times Special Features|date=August 24, 1992}}</ref>

== Career ==

Thal's film career started with the 1992 thriller ''[[A Stranger Among Us]]'', when [[Sidney Lumet]] cast him in the lead role of Ariel opposite [[Melanie Griffith]], after he auditioned for a smaller role.<ref name="Brennan">{{cite news|last=Brennan|first=Sandra|title=Eric Thal: About This Person |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/person/70425/Eric-Thal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110185036/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/70425/Eric-Thal|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 10, 2007|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2007|accessdate=September 21, 2011 }}</ref><ref name="Yahoo Thal Bio">{{cite web |title=Yahoo! Movies |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800175585/bio |work=Eric Thal Biography |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070221011917/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800175585/bio |archivedate=2007-02-21 }}</ref> The film, written by [[Robert J. Avarech]], portrays a murder that takes place in a [[Hasidic Judaism|Hasidic]] community, with Thal playing the role of the son of The Rebbe.<ref name=Sterritt>{{cite news |last=Sterritt|first=David|title=Despite Flaws, "A Stranger" Aptly Visits Family Values|newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor|date=July 23, 1992}}</ref><ref name="Toppman">{{cite news |last=Toppman|first=Lawrence|title=Lumet recycles the Apple but finds community|newspaper=The Times Union|date=July 17, 1992}}</ref> He went on to play Alex Perkins, opposite [[Penelope Ann Miller]], in ''[[The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag]]''<ref name="Rea">{{cite news|last=Rea|first=Steven|title=Moore Has a Hand in Film's Success|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/02/06/moore-has-a-hand-in-films-success/ |access-date=September 21, 2011|newspaper=The Chicago Tribune|date=February 6, 1992}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Movie Stars|newspaper=The Oxford Eagle |date=February 20, 1992}}</ref> and the character Rick in the film ''Six Degrees of Separation'', alongside [[Heather Graham]] and [[Will Smith]].<ref name="Six Degrees Photos">{{cite web|title=MGM's Six Degrees of Separation 1993 |url=https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018677/photo/970474233 |work=Yahoo! Movies }}{{dead link|date=December 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Thal had no scenes with Donald Sutherland in ''Six Degrees of Separation'', but went on to play the role of his son in ''The Puppet Masters'',<ref name="Holden">{{cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen|title=The Puppet Masters FILM REVIEW; Suspense? Yes. Horror? Of Course |url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A01E1DA163FF931A15753C1A962958260|accessdate=September 21, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 22, 1994}}</ref> directed by Stuart Orme. He also worked alongside [[Drew Barrymore]], [[Jennifer Beals]], [[James LeGros]] and [[Jon Stewart]] in ''[[Wishful Thinking (1997 film)|Wishful Thinking]]''.<ref name="Putman">{{cite web|last=Putman |first=Dustin|title=The Movie Boy |url=http://www.themovieboy.com/reviews/w/98_wishfulthinking.htm|work=Dustin's Review: Wishful Thinking |accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> He starred opposite [[Sarah Polley]] in ''Joe's So Mean to Josephine'',<ref name="Ralske">{{cite news|last=Ralske|first=Josh|title=Joe's So Mean to Josephine: Review Summary|url=https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/154618/Joe-s-So-Mean-to-Josephine/overview |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071109093941/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/154618/Joe-s-So-Mean-to-Josephine/overview |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2007 |department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=2007|accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> directed by Peter Wellington. He co-starred alongside [[Karyn Parsons]] and [[Isaiah Washington]] in ''[[Mixing Nia]]''.<ref name="Feinstein">{{cite news|last=Feinstein |first=Howard|title=Film Reviews: Mixing Nia |url=https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117477904/|accessdate=September 21, 2011|newspaper=Variety|date=September 27, 1998}}</ref> Other lead roles include Carl Heine, Jr. in ''[[Snow Falling on Cedars (film)|Snow Falling on Cedars]]'',<ref name="Deming">{{cite web|last=Deming|first=Mark|title=Snow Falling on Cedars Summary|url=http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Snow_Falling_On_Cedars/|work=Starpulse.com|accessdate=September 21, 2011|archive-date=November 8, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111108193237/http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Snow_Falling_On_Cedars/|url-status=dead}}</ref> directed by [[Scott Hicks (director)|Scott Hicks]], and the role of Harry opposite [[Elliot Page]] in ''[[Mouth to Mouth (2005 British film)|Mouth to Mouth]]''.<ref name="Antani">{{cite web|last=Antani |first=Jay |title=On DVD: Mouth to Mouth |url=http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2006/mouth-to-mouth/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130123005902/http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2006/mouth-to-mouth/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 23, 2013 |work=AMC Film Critic |accessdate=September 21, 2011 }}</ref> He also appeared in the romantic comedy film ''[[The Good Guy (film)|The Good Guy]]'',<ref name="zimbio good guy">{{cite web|title="Good Guy" After Party at the Tribeca Film Festival (Eric Thal) |url=http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/jUwpJPSsemn/Good+Guy+After+Party+2009+Tribeca+Film+Festival/YySpe5wKOKq/Eric+Thal|work=Zimbio|accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> which premièred at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]].

Thal also appeared in a number of TV mini-series and shows. He starred opposite Elizabeth Hurley and alongside [[Dennis Hopper]], [[Diana Rigg]], and [[Michael Gambon]] in the TV movie ''Samson and Delilah''.<ref>{{cite news |last=O'Connor |first=John J. |title=Lansbury as Santa's Neglected, Determined Wife |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/06/arts/lansbury-as-santa-s-neglected-determined-wife.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fT%2fTelevision |accessdate=September 21, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=December 6, 1996}}</ref> He played opposite Halle Berry in the TV movie ''The Wedding'',<ref name="Stewart">{{cite web|last=Stewart |first=Bhob |title=AMG AllMovie Guide: Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/oprah-winfrey-presents-the-wedding |work=answers.com |accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> produced by [[Oprah Winfrey]], directed by [[Charles Burnett (director)|Charles Burnett]], and based on the book by [[Dorothy West]]. On February 16, 1998 [[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] Magazine's cover featured Halle Berry between Thal and [[Carl Lumbly]], with the title, "Halle Berry Must Choose Between A Black Man And White Man In TV Movie 'The Wedding.'"<ref name=White>{{cite journal|last=White|first=Timothy |title=Halle Berry Must Choose Between a Black Man and White Man in TV Movie |journal=Jet|date=February 16, 1998|pages=Cover, 54–58}}</ref> Thal played Detective John Cahill in the unaired American pilot of ''[[Ultraviolet (TV serial)|Ultraviolet]]'', which was produced by [[Howard Gordon]] and [[Chip Johannessen]]. He appeared in ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' as Tommy Hedges, and twice in ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' as Didier Foucault (alias Dennis Dupont)<ref name="Vineberg">{{cite news|last=Vineberg|first=Steve|title=Exercising a Genius for Shaking Loose the Truth |url=http://www.thereelvincentdonofrio.com/filmography/articles/nytimes03032002.html |accessdate=September 21, 2011|newspaper=The New York Times|date=March 3, 2002}}</ref> and Don Craddock. He was a guest star in the final episode of ''[[Hack (American TV series)|Hack]]'',<ref name="Hack">{{cite web|title=Hack: Cast & Details|url=https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/hack/cast/100195|work=TV Guide |accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref> alongside David Morse.

Thal originated the role of The Special Witness in [[Christopher Durang]]'s ''Sex and Longing'' on Broadway at The Cort Theatre in 1996.<ref name="ibdb">{{cite web |title=Eric Thal Performer Credits |url=http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=69481 |work=Internet Broadway Database |accessdate=September 21, 2011}}</ref>

== Filmography ==

{| class="wikitable" ! width="50px" | Date ! width="400px" | Title ! width="150px" | Role |- | 1992 | ''[[A Stranger Among Us]]'' | Ariel |- | 1992 | ''[[The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag]]'' | Alex Perkins |- | 1993 | ''[[Six Degrees of Separation (film)|Six Degrees of Separation]]'' | Rick |- | 1994 | ''[[The Puppet Masters (film)|The Puppet Masters]]'' | Sam Nivens |- | 1996 | ''[[Joe's So Mean to Josephine]]'' | Joe |- | 1996 | ''[[Samson and Delilah (1996 film)|Samson and Delilah]]'' (TV movie) | Samson |- | 1997 | ''[[Wishful Thinking (1997 film)|Wishful Thinking]]'' | Jack |- | 1998 | ''[[The Wedding (TV miniseries)|The Wedding]]'' (TV miniseries) | Meade Howell |- | 1998 | ''[[Mixing Nia]]'' | Matt |- | 1999 | ''Shift'' (TV movie) | Eddie |- | 1999 | ''[[Snow Falling on Cedars (film)|Snow Falling on Cedars]]'' | Carl Heine, Jr. |- | 1999 | ''[[Prisoner of Love (film)|Prisoner of Love]]'' | Johnny |- | 2000 | ''[[The $treet]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "Rebound") | Mike |- | 2001 | ''[[Down (film)|The Shaft]]'' | Jeffrey |- | 2001 | ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "The Extra Man") | Didier Foucault (alias Dennis Dupont) |- | 2002 | ''[[Ed (TV series)|Ed]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "The Road") | Frank |- | 2003 | ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "Appearances") | Tommy Hedges |- | 2004 | ''[[Hack (American TV series)|Hack]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "The Reckoning") | Danny Jannik |- | 2005 | ''[[Mouth to Mouth (2005 British film)|Mouth to Mouth]]'' | Harry |- | 2006 | ''[[Law & Order: Criminal Intent]]'' (TV series&nbsp;– "Dollhouse") | Don Craddock |- | 2006 | ''Looking for Sunday'' | Jared |- | 2008 | ''Paper Angels'' (short) | Frank Rice |- | 2009 | ''[[The Good Guy (film)|The Good Guy]]'' | Stephens |}

== Personal life ==

Thal lives in New York City. He actively became interested in music in the 1990s and plays guitar, drums, and piano.<ref name="Feighner" /> He is the owner and founder of American English Master and works as a [[dialect coach]].

== References == {{Reflist|2}}

== External links == *{{IMDb name|856908}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Thal, Eric}} [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Haverford School alumni]] [[Category:American male film actors]] [[Category:American male stage actors]] [[Category:20th-century American male actors]] [[Category:21st-century American male actors]] [[Category:People from Niskayuna, New York]] [[Category:Male actors from New York (state)]] [[Category:Lafayette College alumni]] [[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]] [[Category:Actors from Schenectady County, New York]]