An affable actor with all-American good looks, Peter Krause began his television career as part of Carol Burnett's comedic ensemble on "Carol & Company" (CBS, 1990-91). Several guest starring roles followed, allowing the tall, slender light-haired actor to add his charm to programs ranging from "Seinfeld" to "Beverly Hills, 90210" to "Caroline in the City" to "The Drew Carey Show". In 1995, Krause had regular roles on two series that met with a quick demise, Fox's "The Great Defender" and CBS' "If Not For You". In both he played less than likable characters, starring as an arrogant well-born attorney in the former, and the man standing in the way of his fiancee Elizabeth McGovern's love at first sight romance with an equally smitten and attached Hank Azaria. Later that year, the actor began his three-year run on "Cybill" (CBS), which provided a more successful and longer lasting role. As Kevin, the college professor husband of Cybill's straight-laced daughter Rachel (DeDee Pfeiffer), Krause played a naively square but endearing character, often engaging in zany plots at the behest of his unconventional mother-in-law. His most significant television role to date, though, was as anchor Casey McCall on "Sports Night" (ABC, 1998-2000). Set at a fictional sports news program modeled after ESPN's popular "SportsCenter", the series, created by playwright Aaron Sorkin (who once worked as a bartender alongside Krause in NYC), was an unconventional comedy noted for its fast-paced dialogue and lack of a laugh track. Despite struggling in the ratings, the show received critical acclaim, and Krause's sensitive portrayal of the recently divorced reporter was well-played, both for empathy and for laughs.The actor took on a starring role in the widely acclaimed HBO drama "Six Feet Under" (2001-2005), portraying the Job-like Nate Fisher, the somewhat free-spirited prodigal son who returns to his family home and funeral business just in time for his father's accidental death. As the show progressed and Nate was increasingly plagued by the demons of his frustrated life, Krause was able to demonstrate the full range of his rich dramatic talents, and was rewarded with multiple Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG nominations for his work. In the sshow's final season, the producers and Krause shocked loyal fans when Nate was unexpectedly killed off several episodes before the series finale (though Krause continued to reappear as one of the show's signature ghostly visions).
In 2004, the actor branched out into feature films with the indie drama "We Don't Live Here Anymore," playing part of a pair of suburban, academic couples who self-destrcutively engage in extramarital affairs with the neighboring spouses.
Off the success of his television roles, Krause also made his Broadway debut playing Quentin in the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Arthur Miller's play "After the Fall" in the summer of 2004.
Profession(s):
Actor, producer, bartender, laborer, telemarketer
Sometimes Credited As:
Family
son:Roman Krause (born November 2001; mother, Christine King)
Companion(s)
Alicia Witt
, Companion
, ```..dated c. 1995; appeared together on "Cybill"
Christine King
, Companion
, ```..began dating c. 1999
The Actor Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series "Six Feet Under" 2002
2007 Played an accountant obsessed with terrorist plots in "Civic Duty"; also produced
2007 Cast in ABC's drama "Dirty Sexy Money" as lawyer, Nick George
2006 Played the lead role in the Sci Fi Channel miniseries "The Lost Room"
2004 Broadway debut in the revival of the Arthur Miller drama "After the Fall," about Miller's late ex-wife Marilyn Monroe
2004 Starred with Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo and Laura Dern in "We Don't Live Here Anymore"; screened at Sundance
2001 - 2005 Portrayed Nate Fisher, the eldest Fisher sibling in HBO's acclaimed drama, "Six Feet Under"; earned Emmy (2002, 2003, 2006), Golden Globe (2002, 2003) and SAG (2002, 2004) nominations for Best Actor
1998 Had a small role in the acclaimed film "The Truman Show" starring Jim Carrey
1998 - 2000 Starred in the critically lauded ABC series "Sports Night", playing anchorman Casey McCall
1997 Feature film debut in the romantic comedy "Lovelife"
1995 Played an arrogant attorney as a regular on the short-lived Fox legal drama "The Great Defender"
1995 Featured as Elizabeth McGovern's fiance in the short-lived CBS sitcom, "If Not For You"
1995 - 1997 Had a recurring role as the title character's uptight son-in-law on the CBS sitcom "Cybill"
1992 Played Andrea's summer fling on "Beverly Hills, 90210" (Fox)
1990 - 1991 Was a regular in the ensemble of Carol Burnett's sketch comedy series "Carol & Company" (CBS)
Wrote, produced and performed with a traveling puppet show, until he crashed the puppet wagon in a road accident
Worked in New York as a bartender at the Palace Theatre; manager was Aaron Sorkin who would later serve as creator and executive producer of "Sports Night"
