Dreyfuss, Richard (1947– )

US film actor. His entry into the film industry coincided with that of the American New Wave film-makers and saw him produce work for John Milius (Dillinger, 1973), George Lucas (American Graffiti, 1973), and Steven Spielberg (Jaws in 1975 and Close Encounters of the Third Kind in 1977). His performance in The Goodbye Girl (1977) earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor; he was also nominated for his role in Mr Holland's Opus (1995).

Among his other films are Tin Men (1987), The Big Fix (1978), the Neil Simon adaptation Lost in Yonkers (1993), The Crew (2000), and Silver City (2004). His work for television has included roles in The Education of Max Bickford and The Day Nixon was Shot (both 2001), and Coast to Coast (2003).