# Eric Thal

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American film and stage actor (born 1965)

**Eric Thal** [1] is an American film and stage actor, perhaps best known as Ariel in [Sidney Lumet](/source/Sidney_Lumet)'s *[A Stranger Among Us](/source/A_Stranger_Among_Us)*; Sam Nivens in *[The Puppet Masters](/source/The_Puppet_Masters_(film))*; Samson in *[Samson and Delilah](/source/Samson_and_Delilah_(1996_film))*; Meade Howell in *[The Wedding](/source/The_Wedding_(TV_miniseries))*; and Rick in *[Six Degrees of Separation](/source/Six_Degrees_of_Separation_(film))*.

## Youth

Born in [Niskayuna, New York](/source/Niskayuna%2C_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](/source/The_Main_Line) of Philadelphia.[2] He began performing as a magician[1] and started studying acting at age 14, with Richard Brewer,[3] formerly of the [Hedgerow Theatre](/source/Hedgerow_Theatre). He graduated from [The Haverford School](/source/The_Haverford_School) and attended [Lafayette College](/source/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.[4]

## Career

Thal's film career started with the 1992 thriller *[A Stranger Among Us](/source/A_Stranger_Among_Us)*, when [Sidney Lumet](/source/Sidney_Lumet) cast him in the lead role of Ariel opposite [Melanie Griffith](/source/Melanie_Griffith), after he auditioned for a smaller role.[5][6] The film, written by [Robert J. Avarech](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Robert_J._Avarech&action=edit&redlink=1), portrays a murder that takes place in a [Hasidic](/source/Hasidic_Judaism) community, with Thal playing the role of the son of The Rebbe.[7][8] He went on to play Alex Perkins, opposite [Penelope Ann Miller](/source/Penelope_Ann_Miller), in *[The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag](/source/The_Gun_in_Betty_Lou's_Handbag)*[9][10] and the character Rick in the film *Six Degrees of Separation*, alongside [Heather Graham](/source/Heather_Graham) and [Will Smith](/source/Will_Smith).[11] 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*,[12] directed by Stuart Orme. He also worked alongside [Drew Barrymore](/source/Drew_Barrymore), [Jennifer Beals](/source/Jennifer_Beals), [James LeGros](/source/James_LeGros) and [Jon Stewart](/source/Jon_Stewart) in *[Wishful Thinking](/source/Wishful_Thinking_(1997_film))*.[13] He starred opposite [Sarah Polley](/source/Sarah_Polley) in *Joe's So Mean to Josephine*,[14] directed by Peter Wellington. He co-starred alongside [Karyn Parsons](/source/Karyn_Parsons) and [Isaiah Washington](/source/Isaiah_Washington) in *[Mixing Nia](/source/Mixing_Nia)*.[15] Other lead roles include Carl Heine, Jr. in *[Snow Falling on Cedars](/source/Snow_Falling_on_Cedars_(film))*,[16] directed by [Scott Hicks](/source/Scott_Hicks_(director)), and the role of Harry opposite [Elliot Page](/source/Elliot_Page) in *[Mouth to Mouth](/source/Mouth_to_Mouth_(2005_British_film))*.[17] He also appeared in the romantic comedy film *[The Good Guy](/source/The_Good_Guy_(film))*,[18] which premièred at the [Tribeca Film Festival](/source/Tribeca_Film_Festival).

Thal also appeared in a number of TV mini-series and shows. He starred opposite Elizabeth Hurley and alongside [Dennis Hopper](/source/Dennis_Hopper), [Diana Rigg](/source/Diana_Rigg), and [Michael Gambon](/source/Michael_Gambon) in the TV movie *Samson and Delilah*.[19] He played opposite Halle Berry in the TV movie *The Wedding*,[20] produced by [Oprah Winfrey](/source/Oprah_Winfrey), directed by [Charles Burnett](/source/Charles_Burnett_(director)), and based on the book by [Dorothy West](/source/Dorothy_West). On February 16, 1998 [Jet](/source/Jet_(magazine)) Magazine's cover featured Halle Berry between Thal and [Carl Lumbly](/source/Carl_Lumbly), with the title, "Halle Berry Must Choose Between A Black Man And White Man In TV Movie 'The Wedding.'"[21] Thal played Detective John Cahill in the unaired American pilot of *[Ultraviolet](/source/Ultraviolet_(TV_serial))*, which was produced by [Howard Gordon](/source/Howard_Gordon) and [Chip Johannessen](/source/Chip_Johannessen). He appeared in *[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit](/source/Law_%26_Order%3A_Special_Victims_Unit)* as Tommy Hedges, and twice in *[Law & Order: Criminal Intent](/source/Law_%26_Order%3A_Criminal_Intent)* as Didier Foucault (alias Dennis Dupont)[22] and Don Craddock. He was a guest star in the final episode of *[Hack](/source/Hack_(American_TV_series))*,[23] alongside David Morse.

Thal originated the role of The Special Witness in [Christopher Durang](/source/Christopher_Durang)'s *Sex and Longing* on Broadway at The Cort Theatre in 1996.[24]

## Filmography

Date Title Role 1992 A Stranger Among Us Ariel 1992 The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag Alex Perkins 1993 Six Degrees of Separation Rick 1994 The Puppet Masters Sam Nivens 1996 Joe's So Mean to Josephine Joe 1996 Samson and Delilah (TV movie) Samson 1997 Wishful Thinking Jack 1998 The Wedding (TV miniseries) Meade Howell 1998 Mixing Nia Matt 1999 Shift (TV movie) Eddie 1999 Snow Falling on Cedars Carl Heine, Jr. 1999 Prisoner of Love Johnny 2000 The $treet (TV series – "Rebound") Mike 2001 The Shaft Jeffrey 2001 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV series – "The Extra Man") Didier Foucault (alias Dennis Dupont) 2002 Ed (TV series – "The Road") Frank 2003 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV series – "Appearances") Tommy Hedges 2004 Hack (TV series – "The Reckoning") Danny Jannik 2005 Mouth to Mouth Harry 2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV series – "Dollhouse") Don Craddock 2006 Looking for Sunday Jared 2008 Paper Angels (short) Frank Rice 2009 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.[2] He is the owner and founder of American English Master and works as a [dialect coach](/source/Dialect_coach).

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-imdb_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-imdb_1-1) ["Eric Thal Biography"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856908/). *Internet Movie Data Base*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Feighner_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Feighner_2-1) Feighner, Jan (February 19, 1998). "Haverford Grad Thal in Oprah miniseries "[The Wedding](/source/The_Wedding_(TV_miniseries))"". *The Suburban Publications*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-webb_3-0)** Webb, Pamela (January 20, 1994). "Ten Minutes With Actor Eric Thal". *The Mainliner*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Burke_4-0)** Burke-Block, Candace (August 24, 1992). "Jack-of-all-trades Makes Mark in Movies". *The Columbus Dispatch/New York Times Special Features*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Brennan_5-0)** Brennan, Sandra (2007). ["Eric Thal: About This Person"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071110185036/http://movies.nytimes.com/person/70425/Eric-Thal). Movies & TV Dept. *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Archived from [the original](https://movies.nytimes.com/person/70425/Eric-Thal) on November 10, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Yahoo_Thal_Bio_6-0)** ["Yahoo! Movies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20070221011917/http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800175585/bio). *Eric Thal Biography*. Archived from [the original](https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800175585/bio) on 2007-02-21.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Sterritt_7-0)** Sterritt, David (July 23, 1992). "Despite Flaws, "A Stranger" Aptly Visits Family Values". *The Christian Science Monitor*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Toppman_8-0)** Toppman, Lawrence (July 17, 1992). "Lumet recycles the Apple but finds community". *The Times Union*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Rea_9-0)** Rea, Steven (February 6, 1992). ["Moore Has a Hand in Film's Success"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/02/06/moore-has-a-hand-in-films-success/). *The Chicago Tribune*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** "Movie Stars". *The Oxford Eagle*. February 20, 1992.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Six_Degrees_Photos_11-0)** ["MGM's Six Degrees of Separation 1993"](https://movies.yahoo.com/movie/contributor/1800018677/photo/970474233). *Yahoo! Movies*.[*[permanent dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*]

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Holden_12-0)** Holden, Stephen (October 22, 1994). ["The Puppet Masters FILM REVIEW; Suspense? Yes. Horror? Of Course"](https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9A01E1DA163FF931A15753C1A962958260). *The New York Times*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Putman_13-0)** Putman, Dustin. ["The Movie Boy"](http://www.themovieboy.com/reviews/w/98_wishfulthinking.htm). *Dustin's Review: Wishful Thinking*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ralske_14-0)** Ralske, Josh (2007). ["Joe's So Mean to Josephine: Review Summary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20071109093941/http://movies.nytimes.com/movie/154618/Joe-s-So-Mean-to-Josephine/overview). Movies & TV Dept. *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. Archived from [the original](https://movies.nytimes.com/movie/154618/Joe-s-So-Mean-to-Josephine/overview) on November 9, 2007. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Feinstein_15-0)** Feinstein, Howard (September 27, 1998). ["Film Reviews: Mixing Nia"](https://www.variety.com/review/VE1117477904/). *Variety*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Deming_16-0)** Deming, Mark. ["Snow Falling on Cedars Summary"](https://web.archive.org/web/20111108193237/http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Snow_Falling_On_Cedars/). *Starpulse.com*. Archived from [the original](http://www.starpulse.com/Movies/Snow_Falling_On_Cedars/) on November 8, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Antani_17-0)** Antani, Jay. ["On DVD: Mouth to Mouth"](http://www.filmcritic.com/reviews/2006/mouth-to-mouth/). *AMC Film Critic*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_deprecated_archival_service))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-zimbio_good_guy_18-0)** [""Good Guy" After Party at the Tribeca Film Festival (Eric Thal)"](http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/jUwpJPSsemn/Good+Guy+After+Party+2009+Tribeca+Film+Festival/YySpe5wKOKq/Eric+Thal). *Zimbio*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** O'Connor, John J. (December 6, 1996). ["Lansbury as Santa's Neglected, Determined Wife"](https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/06/arts/lansbury-as-santa-s-neglected-determined-wife.html?n=Top%2fReference%2fTimes%20Topics%2fSubjects%2fT%2fTelevision). *The New York Times*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Stewart_20-0)** Stewart, Bhob. ["AMG AllMovie Guide: Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding"](http://www.answers.com/topic/oprah-winfrey-presents-the-wedding). *answers.com*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-White_21-0)** White, Timothy (February 16, 1998). "Halle Berry Must Choose Between a Black Man and White Man in TV Movie". *Jet*: Cover, 54–58.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Vineberg_22-0)** Vineberg, Steve (March 3, 2002). ["Exercising a Genius for Shaking Loose the Truth"](http://www.thereelvincentdonofrio.com/filmography/articles/nytimes03032002.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Hack_23-0)** ["Hack: Cast & Details"](https://www.tvguide.com/tvshows/hack/cast/100195). *TV Guide*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ibdb_24-0)** ["Eric Thal Performer Credits"](http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=69481). *Internet Broadway Database*. Retrieved September 21, 2011.

## External links

- [Eric Thal](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0856908/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Eric Thal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Thal) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Thal?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.