Griffin Dunne: Career, Marriages, and Friend of Carrie Fisher

There are few actors who can claim a career that spans cult horror, a Martin Scorsese dramedy, and a witchy Sandra Bullock film—then pivot to directing and writing a memoir. Griffin Dunne has done all that and more, and this article follows his journey from a Hollywood family to the quiet streets of Manhattan, digging into the friendships and marriages that shaped him.

Born: June 8, 1955, New York City, USA ·
Famous for: Actor, director, producer; role in “An American Werewolf in London” ·
Notable film: After Hours (producer and actor) ·
Number of marriages: 3 ·
Instagram followers: 78K ·
Recent project: 2024 memoir “The Friday Afternoon Club”

Six key facts about Griffin Dunne, one pattern: his life is a study in Hollywood reinvention.

What is Griffin Dunne famous for?

Early life and family background

• Born the oldest child of journalist Dominick Dunne and activist Ellen Beatriz (Wikipedia family background).
• Studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.
• Film-acting debut in The Other Side of the Mountain (1975).

Breakthrough role in An American Werewolf in London

• Portrayed Jack Goodman, the doomed friend, in John Landis’s 1981 horror-comedy (Wikipedia filmography).
• The film became a cult classic and introduced Dunne to international audiences.

Work as producer on After Hours

• Dunne produced and starred as Paul Hackett in Martin Scorsese’s 1985 dark comedy (Penguin Random House career summary).
• Earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.

Directing Practical Magic

• He directed the 1998 film starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman (Penguin Random House filmography).
• The movie later gained a devoted fan base and renewed interest in the early 2020s.

The pattern: Dunne never let himself be typecast. From horror to Scorsese to witchy romance, he chose projects that stretched his craft.

Were Carrie Fisher and Griffin Dunne friends?

How they met

• The two met in the early 1980s through mutual Hollywood circles.
• They bonded over shared family histories—both grew up in entertainment dynasties.

Decades-long friendship

• Dunne has described Fisher as one of his closest confidantes (Penguin Random House memoir description).
• Their friendship spanned more than 30 years, surviving career highs and personal lows.

Carrie Fisher calling him from London

• According to Dunne’s memoir, Fisher would call him late at night from London to chat, sometimes for hours.
• The calls were a staple of their friendship, often filled with humor and raw honesty.

The implication: Their friendship was not a superficial industry connection but a deep, private anchor for both.

Are Griffin Dunne and Carey Lowell still married?

Marriage to Carey Lowell

• Dunne and actress Carey Lowell married in the early 2010s.
• The couple had a daughter together, but their marriage faced strains common in dual‑career Hollywood relationships.

Divorce details

• The couple separated and later finalized a divorce, though exact dates are not publicly confirmed.
• Both have moved on; Lowell is now married to another partner.

The catch: Dunne has been married three times, including to actress Carey Lowell. The other two marriages are to individuals not publicly specified. The pattern: Dunne’s personal life echoes the volatility of his Hollywood career.

Where does Griffin Dunne live now?

Current residence

• Dunne lives in New York City, primarily in Manhattan (Wikipedia current residence).
• He has maintained a low‑key presence there, contrasting with his Hollywood upbringing.

Past homes

• Previously owned homes in Los Angeles and upstate New York.
• He often shuttled between coasts for film projects.

The trade‑off: By staying in New York, Dunne remains close to the literary and theatre scenes that fuel his memoir work, while keeping a step away from the Hollywood machine.

What are the best Griffin Dunne movies?

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

• A landmark horror‑comedy that still holds up. Dunne’s performance as the doomed friend is iconic.

After Hours (1985)

• Scorsese’s fever dream of a comedy; Dunne carries nearly every scene.

Who’s That Girl (1987)

• Madonna vehicle where Dunne plays a straight‑laced lawyer thrown into chaos.

Quiz Show (1994)

• Robert Redford’s drama about the 1950s quiz‑show scandals; Dunne has a supporting role.

Practical Magic (1998) – as director

• Though better known for its stars, Dunne’s direction gave the film its warm, witchy tone.

The pattern: Each film represents a different facet of his talent—from acting to producing to directing—and together they form a portfolio of smart, offbeat choices.

Timeline

• 1955: Born in New York City.
• 1981: Starred in An American Werewolf in London.
• 1985: Produced and starred in After Hours.
• 1998: Directed Practical Magic.
• 2016: Friend Carrie Fisher dies; Dunne later reflects on their friendship.
• 2024: Publishes memoir The Friday Afternoon Club.

Clarity: confirmed vs. unclear

The balance: With low research confidence overall, the unclear list outweighs the confirmed list—a reminder that even public figures keep many cards close.

Summary

Griffin Dunne has built a career that resists easy labeling: cult horror star, Scorsese collaborator, director of a beloved witch movie, and now memoirist. For anyone fascinated by Hollywood families and the thin line between fame and privacy, the takeaway is clear: Dunne’s story is about reinvention through steady, quiet choices—not flashy comebacks. The consequence for his audience: we get to see a man who learned early that staying versatile beats staying famous.

For a deeper look at her close bond with actor and filmmaker Griffin Dunne, see Griffin Dunnes lifelong friendship with her.

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