Peter Berg
Biography
Peter Berg is an American actor, director, writer, and producer. His first role was in the Adam Rifkin road movie Never on Tuesday (1989). He went on to star in the World War 2 film A Midnight Clear (1992). Roles in Fire in the Sky (1993) and Cop Land (1997) followed, and the Tom Cruise films Collateral (2004) and Lions for Lambs (2007).
Peter has since moved behind the camera, directing films such as as Very Bad Things (1998) and Hancock (2008). He has also turned pen-to-paper and scripted many projects including Friday Night Lights (2004) and The Losers (2010). He is best known on-screen for his role as Dr. Billy Kronk in Chicago Hope (1994).
Elizabeth Rogers (28 August 1993 - 2002) ( 1 child)
Trivia
Worked as a dock worker in San Pedro, California prior to getting his "big break".
Attended Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Worked as Domino's delivery boy while at Macalaster.
Peter grew up in Chappaqua, New York and attended a private high school in Watertown, Connecticut.
Is a second cousin of writer Buzz Bissinger, who wrote the book Friday Night Lights (Peter later directed the film based on the book). Buzz's paternal grandmother, Gertrude Louise Winkler, and Peter's maternal grandfather, Robert Eli Winkler, were siblings.
Appeared in local theater productions while attending college in Minnesota.
Moved to Los Angeles in 1985.
Attended the Guthrie Theater Drama School, Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
He and three others were ambushed and robbed in the Brazilian jungle while doing research for The Rundown (2003). They were held for 15 minutes and lost cash and a laptop computer. Nobody was injured.
His best friend and roommate from Macalester College, is his agent, Ari Emanuel, inspiration for Entourage (2004)'s "Ari Gold".
One of 115 people invited to join AMPAS in 2007.
Guest-starred in a two part Alias (2001), episode where he played Jennifer Garner's ex-boyfriend. Based on this experience, he decided to cast and direct her in The Kingdom (2007).
[re his prep school years, and learning to box] I was on fire,a seething ball of energy moving at a speed I couldn't explain...and diagnosed as a troublemaker. Today it'd be A.D.H.D., and I'd be Ritalined up...You can't box angry. You have to be disciplined. Before boxing, I was this angry kid ready to fight if someone said, 'Hello.'
[re making Lone Survivor (2013)] I'm a patriot. I admire our military, their character, code of honor, belief systems. I lived with the SEALs, their families, went to their funerals. I went to Iraq. Did you ever see anyone killed? I did.
[re 'Battleship (2012)] I couldn't say no to that challenge. I felt I had a new understanding of what went into making a blockbuster. I got a taste of a film's global power. But I discounted the effect of Will Smith on _Hancock (20100_'s success. I thought I could pull off Battleship (2012) without a big star...[Though] the perception wasn't that Peter Berg screwed up.Where do you go to buy back your reputation when you lose it?
[re beginnings in college theater] It was a family thing, and there were hot girls...For some reason I fit in. I'm not sure why. I guess I was intrigued as much by misfits as by heroes...I love actors. I'm empathetic to them. I understand what they go through. But I didn't want to be an actor.