Playing a sadistic businessman in Neil LaBute's black comedy, "In the Company of Men."
August 25, 2004 - With numerous credits to his name, Aaron Eckhart ('Thomas Mackelway' in "Suspect Zero") has distinguished himself among the industry’s finest. Most recently, he was seen in “The Missing,” opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Cate Blanchett, and in “Paycheck,” alongside Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman. Last year he starred in “The Core,” with Hilary Swank, and he also starred opposite Gwyneth Paltrow in “Possession,” for director Neil LaBute. Currently, he can be seen on stage in London in the David Mamet play “Oleanna,” for director Lindsay Posner, co-starring Julia Stiles.
Eckhart has earned considerable acclaim for his roles in films, including the award-winning “Erin Brockovich,” opposite Julia Roberts, for director Steven Soderbergh. Yet, it was his portrayal of a love-scorned, vengeful man in Neil LaBute’s controversial film “In the Company of Men” which first catapulted him into stardom. This incendiary satire, in which Eckhart made his notable film debut, became one of the highest grossing independent movies of 1997.
Originally from Northern California, Eckhart studied film and theater at Brigham Young University, where he met Neil LaBute and appeared in many of his plays. In addition to “Possession” and “In the Company of Men,” Eckhart has starred in two other LaBute films: “Nurse Betty,” opposite Renee Zellweger, and “Your Friends & Neighbors.” Eckhart’s other film credits include Sean Penn’s “The Pledge,” with Jack Nicholson, Oliver Stone’s “Any Given Sunday” and “Molly,” with Elisabeth Shue. He has also worked and studied in New York, and his theater credits include Michael Cristofer’s “Amazing Grace,” opposite Marsha Mason.
