It’s always surprising when you spot a familiar face from the big screen out and about, especially when they look so different from the way you remember them.
That was the case earlier this week in downtown Manhattan, where actor and director Griffin Dunne was seen enjoying a relaxed summer stroll with his dog and bicycle.
The 70-year-old star, who once shared the screen with Madonna and worked alongside Hollywood giants, blended effortlessly into the New York crowd in a casual outfit of shorts, a jacket, sneakers, and a T-shirt promoting the old restaurant chain Beefsteak Charlie’s.
From Horror to Comedy – An Impressive Career
Griffin first made waves back in 1981 with his breakout role in An American Werewolf in London.
He later teamed up with Madonna in the 1987 comedy Who’s That Girl, where he played her leading man during the peak of her superstardom.
Reflecting on those moments, he once admitted that starring in An American Werewolf in London was a turning point.
“I was quite inexperienced,” he recalled.
“One minute I was doing tiny roles, and the next I was co-starring in London, flying on the Concorde, and meeting directors I admired. It was life-changing.”
Working with Madonna was another unforgettable chapter.
“She was hilarious and we had a lot of laughs,” Griffin said, adding that the level of attention around her was unlike anything he had ever seen.
Success Behind the Camera
While Griffin is known for his acting, he has also built a strong reputation as a director and producer.
His credits include Addicted to Love with Matthew Broderick and Meg Ryan, Fierce People with Diane Lane, and the beloved Practical Magic starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock.
More recently, he took on a meaningful personal project, directing the acclaimed Netflix documentary Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold, which honored his late aunt, the legendary writer Joan Didion.
A Family of Storytellers
Storytelling runs deep in Griffin’s family. His father, Dominick Dunne, was a Hollywood producer turned journalist, and his uncle, John Gregory Dunne, was a celebrated writer married to Joan Didion.
Griffin says what tied them all together was their brutal honesty.
“They weren’t afraid to take down hypocrisy or injustice, even in their own lives,” he explained.
Inspired by their legacy, Griffin has also taken to writing himself, penning scripts and even releasing his memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club.
Personal Tragedies and Resilience
Despite his accomplishments, Griffin’s personal life has not been without heartbreak.
His younger sister, actress Dominique Dunne, was tragically killed at just 22 years old in 1982 by an ex-boyfriend.
The loss devastated the family and inspired their father, Dominick, to begin writing about crime, eventually becoming an acclaimed crime journalist.
Griffin has been married three times and since 2009 has shared his life with his wife, Anna Bingemann.
He also has a daughter, actress Hannah Dunne, from his previous marriage to actress Carey Lowell.
Still Active and Looking Ahead
Even at 70, Griffin shows no signs of slowing down.
His acting career continues, with a role in the upcoming film Caught Stealing alongside Austin Butler.
Over the years, his résumé has grown to include standout roles in Dallas Buyers Club, Ocean’s Eight, Succession, This Is Us, The French Dispatch, and After Hours—the 1985 Martin Scorsese film he’s still fondly remembered for.
Griffin Dunne may look different on the streets of New York these days, but his career and family legacy continue to leave a lasting mark on Hollywood.
