Jeff Goldblum at 73: from breakout roles to today in 10 photos

After a stint on Broadway and a series of odd jobs before acting, Jeff spent the 1970s carving out a niche as Hollywood’s most intriguing background presence. In early roles like Death Wish (1974), California Split (1974) and Annie Hall (1977), he often played unnamed oddballs or offbeat intellectuals that left a lasting impression despite limited screen time. The actor’s quirky charisma was already unmistakable – an early sign of the star he was about to become.

One of Jeff’s first notable roles was in the comedy-drama flick The Big Chill (1983), where he played the smarmy journalist Michael Gold – the role was packed full of witty one-liners that were expertly delivered by Jeff, cementing his talent for fast-talking, neurotic charm. The film was a critical and commercial success, helping establish him as a standout character actor within ensemble casts.

Jeff’s transformation from eccentric supporting actor to full-fledged leading man came with his unforgettable performance in David Cronenberg’s The Fly (1986). As the oddball scientist Seth Brundle, he delivered a physically intense performance that spiralled from quickly to absolutely grotesque. The film was another big success for Jeff (though definitely not one to watch with a full stomach), and his performance remains a high watermark in both sci-fi cinema and his own career.

“Life finds a way” to get Jeff to household name status – his breakout leading role came as the monochrome-clad mathematician Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park (1993), voicing skepticism about the park and later dodging hungry dinosaurs. The success of the film led to further roles in blockbuster flicks like Independence Day (1996) as satellite engineer David Levinson, and Jurassic sequel The Lost World (1997), with Jeff once again saving the world from prehistoric chaos.

Jeff found a natural home in the whimsical world of Wes Anderson, beginning a string of collaborations with the director after the oceanic adventure flick The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou (2004). The actor went on to appear in the star-studded The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) as the hotel’s deputy Kovacs, and later Isle of Dogs (2018) voicing the canine character Duke. Jeff’s most recent collaboration with Wes was in Asteroid City (2023) alongside Scarlett Johansson and Tom Hanks, where he popped up briefly as an alien.

A trained pianist from a young age, Jeff ventured into the world of professional jazz with the creation of his own band, The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra. He began performing regularly as a vocalist and pianist, bringing his distinct charisma to the lounge scene with gigs at the London Palladium and even Glastonbury in 2019 (in some iconic zebra print trousers). The group’s latest album, Still Blooming, dropped in April 2025, featuring collaborations with the likes of Jeff’s Wicked co-stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Jeff added another unexpected notch to his belt when he became an undisputed internet icon, all stemming from that shirtless still of him in Jurassic Park. Fans latched onto his interviews – filled with trademark pauses, wordplay, and off-the-cuff ramblings – which made him endlessly endearing. Today, you’d be hard-pressed not to find an internet meme or viral video featuring Jeff, whose one-of-a-kind personality has translated effortlessly to the internet world.

After a triumphant return to the silver screen in Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), he followed it up with a stint in the MCU as the eccentric Grandmaster in Thor: Ragnarok (2017). Jeff also reprised another iconic ‘90s role when he returned as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), a highly anticipated role fans were clamouring for after the first reboot came out. Jeff also fronted his own docuseries, The World According to Jeff Goldblum (2019–2022), which follows the actor as he, quite literally, explores the world, armed with his signature arsenal of charisma and curiosity. Most recently, Jeff showcased his singing chops in the movie musical film Wicked (2024), a role he’ll reprise in the sequel, set to drop in November 2025.

From carving out a niche as an offbeat, witty hero, to becoming just as beloved for his real-life personality, Jeff Goldblum is one of the most memorable and endlessly charming figures in pop culture today. From dazzling ‘80s audiences in quirky ensemble roles, to making film history in the ‘90s, to still enchanting viewers to this day, Jeff’s influence transcends a single role – and a single era. 

So what’s next for the actor? While he’s unlikely to make another Jurassic appearance, expressing he’s happy to pass on the baton, he’s set to star in the film adaptation of The Liar, based on the novel by Stephen Fry. The film is currently in post production, but we can get our Jeff fix when Wicked: For Good (2025) drops next month.