Versatile character actor and Emmy Award nominee John Spencer plays Chief of Staff Leo McGarry, on Aaron Sorkin and John Wells' NBC drama "The West Wing." His work on the show was rewarded with an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series both in 2001 and 2002.       With scores of television, film and stage credits, Spencer began his career as an actor on "The Patty Duke Show." However, he is best known to television audiences as the tough and funny New York attorney Tommy Mullaney on the hit series "L.A. Law" (1990-94).

Spencer also appeared in one of NBC's most highly rated television movies, "The Tangled Web" and starred in Joseph Wambaugh's "A Jury of One." He has also guest-starred on NBC's "Law & Order," and "Miami Vice," as well as "Spenser: For Hire," "Early Edition," "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" and "Tracey Takes On..."

      Spencer's film credits include the thriller "The Negotiator," with Samuel L. Jackson and Kevin Spacey, "Twilight" with Paul Newman and Susan Sarandon, "Copland" with Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro and Harvey Keitel, and "The Rock" with Nicolas Cage, Sean Connery and Ed Harris. Spencer also appeared in the comedies "Forget Paris" with Billy Crystal, "Green Card" with Gerard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell, and "Albino Alligator," with Matt Dillon and Faye Dunaway.

      Spencer�s work on Broadway and off-Broadway earned him an Obie Award for his performance in "A Still Life." He received critical acclaim plus a Drama League Award for his portrayal of Dan White in the Broadway production of "Execution of Justice." Also, he received a Drama Desk nomination for his role in "The Day Room." Other stage appearances include "LakeBoat," "Amulets Against the Dragon Forces," "Frankie & Johnny in the Clair de Lune," "Good as New" and "Pera Palas." Spencer recently appeared in the Broadway production of "Glimmer, Glimmer, Shine."

      A native of New Jersey, Spencer now resides in New York when not working on "The West Wing." His birthday is December 20.

Bio pilfered from NBC: The West Wing.

Trivia

- Appeared in the video game "Wing Commander IV: The Price of Freedom" with Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell, John Rhys-Davies, and Casper Van Dien

- Appeared in the movie "Presumed Innocent" (1990) with Bradley Whitford.

- Born as John Speshock.

- His other great love is gardening.

- Appeared on John Wells' short-lived series "Trinity" with Tate Donovan.