Reid Scott (actor)
A master of the smarmy, self-serving political aide, he stole scenes for seven seasons as the hilariously ambitious Dan Egan on the hit series 'Veep'.
Born 1977 (age 49)·American actor·Birthday: November 19·Generation X
Biography
Reid Scott built a career on being the guy you love to hate, perfecting a brand of slick, opportunistic charm. While he had early success as the lovelorn Brando on 'My Boys,' it was his casting as Dan Egan on HBO's 'Veep' that defined his place in the cultural firmament. As the ruthlessly ambitious, morally flexible communications director, Scott delivered lines with a deadpan sincerity that made the character's naked careerism both horrifying and hysterically funny. He held his own in an ensemble of comedy heavyweights, earning critical praise for his timing and commitment. This role opened doors to a wider range of work, from blockbuster films like 'Venom' to nuanced dramatic turns in 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,' proving his versatility beyond the political snake pit of Selina Meyer's office.
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.
Reid was born in 1977, 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 Reid Was Born
The biggest hits of 1977
#1 Movie
Star Wars
Best Picture
Annie Hall
#1 TV Show
Happy Days
Reid's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1977Born
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1982Started school
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1990Became a teenager
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1993Could drive
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1995Could vote
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Turned 21
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2007Turned 30
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2017Turned 40
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 49 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the scheming political aide Dan Egan across all seven seasons of the acclaimed HBO comedy series 'Veep'.
- Starred as Brendan 'Brando' Dorff, a central character in the TBS ensemble comedy series 'My Boys' for its entire run.
- Played television host Gordon Ford in the final season of Amazon's award-winning series 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'.
- Joined the long-running 'Law & Order' franchise in 2024 as a series regular, playing Detective Vincent Riley.
Did You Know?
He is a trained stage actor and performed in off-Broadway and regional theatre productions early in his career.
Scott provided the voice for the character Deacon in the popular video game 'The Last of Us Part II'.
He studied film and television at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.
His first major film role was in the 2004 comedy 'The Girl Next Door,' playing a supporting role as a college student.
“Ambition is just insecurity with a better wardrobe.”
