He’s one of the most recognisable faces (and laughs) in Hollywood, but Jeff Goldblum is much more than your average movie star. He’s a musician, a fashion icon, a dad and a Spanish-speaking chess player. So read on to find out everything you need to know about Jurassic Park star, Jeff Goldblum!

For more great celebrity facts, take a peek at these Indiana Jones facts, these Nina Simone facts, or even these Dua Lipa facts! What a mixed bag of facts!

Alright, let’s get into it!

1. A Star is Born (in Pittsburgh)!

Jeff Goldblum was born on October 22, 1952, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His dad was a doctor and his mum was a radio broadcaster, so from a young age Jeff was surrounded by clever people and performers! He grew up with three siblings and loved performing from a young age, and decided at 17 to move to New York City to study acting.

2. Goldblum means…

His last name, “Goldblum,” is German and means “gold flower.” His family has Jewish roots, and Jeff is proud of his heritage. He even celebrated his Bar Mitzvah, a special Jewish tradition for 13-year-old boys, with a theme inspired by James Bond! Even from that age he was obsessed with movies!

3. Jurassic Goldblum

Jeff Goldblum became an icon playing Dr. Ian Malcolm, the snarky mathematician, in Jurassic Park. His famous line, “Life, uh, finds a way,” became a classic movie quote. It’s a fact that the movie just wouldn’t have been the hit it was without him! And as Jeff loved dinosaurs as a kid, starring in this legendary film was perfect for him, too!

4. Independence Day was one of his best roles

In Independence Day, Jeff played David Levinson, the genius scientist who saved the world by uploading a computer virus into an alien mothership. He said filming the movie was “explosively fun.” His performance alongside Will Smith, might be one of the best sci-fi duos ever!

5. He’s an award-winning director too!

Jeff Goldblum isn’t just a great actor; he’s also a filmmaker! In 1996, he was nominated for an Academy Award for a short film called Little Surprises, which he directed. It’s about a very weird dinner party and shows how creative and talented Jeff is behind the camera, as well as in front of it!

6. He’s an amazing jazz musician!

Jeff has been playing piano since he was a kid and is a fantastic jazz musician. He plays with his band, Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, performing around the world – including at Glastonbury in 2019! They even released albums, like The Capitol Studios Sessions! Just in case you didn’t have enough proof of how amazing Jeff is!

7. Él puede hablar español!

Jeff can speak Spanish! And he’s pretty good at it, too! He picked it up partly for fun and partly because he loves learning. He has given media interviews in Spanish, and even starred in Spanish language films! Maybe Dr. Ian Malcolm could have charmed dinosaurs en español!

8. BAHAHAHA!

Jeff’s laugh is legendary – from his sudden loud outbursts to his Jurassic Park chuckle, which has become a viral meme. It’s a mix of a giggle and a belly laugh, and his fans love it! Most of his fans will be able to identify him just from his laugh – you should watch Jurassic Park blindfolded and see for yourself!

9. He’s very fashionable

Jeff Goldblum is known for his fun sense of style. He wears shiny suits, purple fur shawls, hawaain shirts and funky glasses. He’s been featured in magazines like GQ and is considered one of Hollywood’s most stylish men. He also seems to genuinely enjoy wearing unusual things, too!

10. He started off on the stage

Before becoming a movie star, Jeff started his career on Broadway. He acted in plays like The Two Gentlemen of Verona and many others. He says theater helped him understand acting in a deeper way, and gave him plenty of useful experiences. Watching live shows is one of his favourite hobbies, and he goes to the theatre whenever he gets the chance.

11. He’s a big nerd

Jeff is super curious and loves learning about everything, from science to philosophy. He once said he reads “like a maniac.” This love of learning is one reason he gets cast as such smart characters on-screen, like Dr. Malcolm in Jurassic Park or David in Independence Day. As someone that’s starred in plenty of sci-fi movies, understanding the issues behind the storylines really helps him get into each role.

12. He almost died in Jurassic Park!

Well, his character almost did! Phew! In Michael Crichton’s original Jurassic Park novel, Dr. Ian Malcolm dies. But when Steven Spielberg adapted the story into a movie, he decided to keep Jeff’s character alive because he was just so good at that role. Imagine Jurassic Park without him… Agh!

13. He’s a red carpet regular

Jeff’s been nominated for tons of awards throughout his career. He won a Saturn Award for his performance in The Fly and was nominated for an Emmy for his role in the TV movie Will & Grace. He’s even got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame! Go on, Jeff.

14. He has some cool hobbies

As well as acting, playing music and learning languages, Jeff loves collecting vintage watches and classic vinyl records. He’s also a huge fan of architecture and spends time exploring interesting buildings when he travels. He also loves playing chess! That’s plenty of hobbies for one person!

15. The World According to Jeff Goldblum

Despite Jeff now being in his 70s, he’s still making stuff! In his Disney+ series, The World According to Jeff Goldblum, he explores topics like ice cream, sneakers, and tattoos. His sense of humour and curiosity make the show super fun to watch. So here’s to many more years of Jeff!