Dennis Quaid was born in Houston, Texas, the son of an electrician. He studied drama in high school and in college, but dropped out before completing his studies, moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career. His brother, Randy Quaid, had already began to build a successful career, but Dennis initially had trouble finding work. He began to gain notice when he appeared in Breaking Away (1979) and earned strong reviews for his role in The Right Stuff (1983). Aside from acting, Quaid is also a musician, and plays with his band, the Sharks.

Younger brother of Randy Quaid.Son, with Meg Ryan, Jack Henry Quaid (b. 24 April 1992).Is also a musician and occasionally performs with his band, "Dennis Quaid and the Sharks".Wrote songs for 3 of his films: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981), Tough Enough (1983), and The Big Easy (1986).His favorite director of all time is David Lean.Lived with and was engaged to Lea Thompson for three years. The couple met on the set of Jaws 3-D (1983).When singing with his band, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks, he always plays with bare feet in order to feel comfortable as if playing in his living room.Separated from wife Meg Ryan on 28 June 2000 and finalized divorced papers [that said Meg Ryan was able to keep all her jewelry and have joint custody of son Jack and the family car, a Jeep Cherokee] on 16 July 2001.Was scheduled to appear in the David Lean-directed "Nostromo" in 1991, before Lean died, and the production came to a halt.Loves golf, and his handicap is 6.His parents are William (Buddy Quaid) & Nita Quaid.He has a half-brother called Buddy Quaid (born in 1974).Was asked to play the role of Bob in Halloween (1978) because his then- girlfriend P.J. Soles was in the film, but he was working on another project and had to decline.Attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas.Became engaged to Kimberly Buffington in 2004.He attended Pershing Middle School in Houston, Texas.He is a licensed private pilot with single and multiengine instrument ratings. He also has a type rating for the Cessna Citation 500 series twin engine light jet. He regularly flies the jet to his property in Montana.Brother-in-law of Evi Quaid.His drama teacher at Bellaire High School and, then, the University of Houston was Cecil Pickett, father of Cindy Pickett.Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his roles in the films The Alamo (2004) and The Day After Tomorrow (2004), he did not receive a nomination however.Tested for the part of Luke Duke on "The Dukes of Hazzard" (1979).Turned down the role of Thomas Wayne in Batman Begins (2005).Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [November 16, 2005]Third cousin of Gene Autry.He and his ex-wife, Meg Ryan, have both appeared in remakes of films starring James Stewart. Quaid played Stewart's part in the remake of The Flight of the Phoenix (1965). Meg Ryan appeared in You've Got Mail (1998), which was a remake of The Shop Around the Corner (1940).Announced that he & his wife, Kimberly, are expecting twins via gestational surrogate at the end of 2007.Dennis and his wife, Kimberly, became the parents of twins, a boy and a girl, on November 8, 2007 in Santa Monica, California. Thomas Boone weighed in at 6 lbs. 12 oz. and Zoe Grace weighed in at 5 lbs. 9 oz.His newborn twins have been placed in an intensive care unit in a Los Angeles-area hospital after they were reportedly given an accidental drug overdose on November 18, 2007.His wife, Kimberly Buffington, is a real estate agent in Austin, Texas for Buffington Signature Homes. His father-in-law, Thomas B. Buffington, is the CEO of the company.Uncle of Amanda Quaid.Cousin of Corbett Tuck and Hillary Tuck.He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in march 2005 in Austin, Texas.Was considered for the role of B.J. McKay in "B.J. and the Bear" (1979).With Lea Thompson from 1983-1989.