RATINGS: Cast & Crew

DOB: March 7, 1971

Background: Sarsgaard was born at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; his father was an Air Force engineer. He was originally interested in playing professional soccer, but a series of concussions caused him to give up the sport and pursue writing and theater. At Washington University in St. Louis, he founded an improv comedy troupe called Mama's Pot Roast. He graduated in 1993 with a degree in history and moved to New York.

Filmography: He has appeared in "Dead Man Walking" (1995), "The Man in the Iron Mask" (1998), "Boys Don't Cry" (1999), "Shattered Glass" (2003), "Garden State" (2004), "Kinsey" (2004), "Flightplan" (2005), "Jarhead" (2005), "Rendition" (2007), "An Education" (2009), and "Lovelace" (2012).

Golden Globe Awards:

Best Motion Picture Supporting Actor nomination:
- "Shattered Glass" (2003); lost to Tim Robbins ("Mystic River")

National Society of Film Critics: Win - Best Supporting Actor ("Shattered Glass," 2003)

SAG Awards:

Best Film Ensemble nomination:
- "An Education" (2009); lost to "Inglourious Basterds"