Bradley Whitford's credits in film, television and theatre allowed him to work with some of the most noted writers, directors and playwrights in the arts, and have benefited the Juilliard-trained actor. But stardom is something else altogether, and it remained elusive � at least until 1999, when he joined NBC's acclaimed political drama and winner of three Emmy Awards for best dramatic series, "The West Wing." Last year, Whitford won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, for his role as Josh Lyman and received another Emmy nomination in 2002.

      Growing up in Wisconsin, Whitford spent his youth at a decidedly slower pace. "I participated in theatre in high school, but I never thought you could actually be an actor for a living," he says. Nevertheless, he went on to study drama and English literature at Wesleyan University and earned a master�s degree in theatre from the prestigious Juilliard Theatre Centre.

      Whitford's first professional performance was in the off-Broadway production of "Curse of the Starving Glass," with Kathy Bates. Ironically, he also starred in the Broadway production of "The West Wing" and in creator Aaron Sorkin's "A Few Good Men." His additional theatre credits include "Three Days of Rain" at the Manhattan Theatre Club, "Measure for Measure" at the Lincoln Centre, and the title role in "Coriolanus" at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

      Some of Whitford's most recognizable performances came in such films as "The Muse" with Albert Brooks and "Bicentennial Man" with Robin Williams. He has also appeared in "Scent of a Woman," "A Perfect World," "Philadelphia," "The Client," "My Life," "Red Corner," "Presumed Innocent" and "My Fellow Americans."

      Whitford guest-starred on such hit series as NBC's "ER" (in the critically acclaimed "Love�s Labour Lost" episode), "The X-Files" and "NYPD Blue."

      Whitford lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle"), and their children, Frances and George. His birthday is October 1