Ethan Embry
An American actor whose career evolved from a ubiquitous 90s teen presence into a respected character actor specializing in nuanced, often troubled roles.
Born 1978 (age 48)·American actor·Birthday: June 13·Generation X
Biography
Ethan Embry played the lovably desperate Mark in 'Empire Records' and captured breezy optimism in 'That Thing You Do!' He started acting as Ethan Randall, appearing in family films like 'Dutch' and 'All I Want for Christmas' in the early 1990s. Born in 1978, he deliberately shed his boy-next-door image as teen roles dried up. Embry embraced complex, darker characters in independent films and television. He delivered memorable performances in 'Cheap Thrills' and 'The Devil's Candy'. His role as Special Agent Gordon in 'Blindspot' showed steady, grounded authority. Embry valued creative reinvention over mere fame. His career performed a metamorphosis from fresh-faced kid to a character actor who earned respect through deliberate choices and a willingness to explore darker material.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Ethan was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ethan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Ethan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as Mark in the cult classic film 'Empire Records', a defining role for 90s cinema.
- Played bass player T.B. Player in Tom Hanks's directorial debut, 'That Thing You Do!'.
- Portrayed the lead role of Coye in the horror-thriller 'The Devil's Candy'.
- Had a recurring role as FBI Special Agent Gordon in the NBC series 'Blindspot'.
- Played a central role in the dark comedy thriller 'Cheap Thrills'.
Did You Know?
He changed his professional name from Ethan Randall to Ethan Embry in the mid-1990s.
Embry is an accomplished musician and plays several instruments, including guitar and bass.
He turned down the role of Sean in 'The Brady Bunch Movie' which later went to Christopher Daniel Barnes.
He is married to actress Sunny Mabrey, whom he met on the set of the film 'The Locket'.
“I think the best actors are the ones who are willing to look foolish.”
