Maguire, Tobey (1975- )

US actor. Known for his understated performances of offbeat, often sardonic coming-of-age characters, he appeared in several acclaimed dramas during the late 1990s before starring in the title role of the huge box-office success Spider-Man (2002) and its sequel Spider-Man II (2004).

His unique appeal combines an introspective maturity with boyish good looks and vulnerability. Other starring roles include the intelligent, brooding teen Paul Hood in US director Ang Lee's The Ice Storm (1997), the earnest orphan Homer Wells in the film adaptation of US writer John Irving's The Cider House Rules (1999), and the precocious student James Leer in the film adaptation of US writer Michael Chabon's Wonder Boys (2000).

He was born in Santa Monica, California, and grew up on the West Coast in California, Washington, and Oregon. He appeared on the sitcoms Roseanne and Blossom before achieving his first major television role in the Fox Network's series Great Scott! (1992), which was cancelled after six episodes. He appeared in the Academy Award-nominated short film Duke of Groove (1996) and made his feature film debut in This Boy's Life (1993), with off-screen friend US actor Leonardo DiCaprio. Other films include Deconstructing Harry (1997), Pleasantville (1998), Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998), Ride with the Devil (1999), and Seabiscuit (2003).