Jimmy Noonan
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Despite a successful career in both Hollywood and Broadway, actor Jimmy Noonan is probably best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment, appearing regularly on all WWE programming, including Raw, Smackdown and ECW in his capacity as Security Director. His familiar features have been a fixture of the weekly WWE programming for the past six years. He is also the younger brother of newspaper columnist and television personality Peggy Noonan, who has stepped outside the shadow of her more famous brother and achieved significant success in political circles.
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[edit] Early life
James Joseph Noonan was born January 31, 1958 in Massapequa, New York. He spent most of his childhood in Rutherford, New Jersey, where he developed into a fairly troublesome teen. Although he avoided any serious trouble, his rowdy behavior did result in his expulsion from St. Mary’s High School in his junior year. He graduated from St. John’s High School in Plattsburgh, New York in 1976, and after several unrewarding attempts at college, he worked at a variety of jobs, including carpet cleaner, furniture salesman, warehouse order placer, skyscraper window tinter, truck driver, Limo driver, bouncer, bartender, messenger and personal trainer. It was a lifelong dream to act, so after "working the boards" in high school, college and some dinner theater Jimmy went to Los Angeles to pursue a career. It was a smart move. He got his break in 1990. He quickly devoted himself to acting.
[edit] Hollywood and Television
Jimmy Noonan’s movie debut came in the 1990 release of “The Grifters"[film]. His most famous role is undoubtedly the character of Frank Galikanokus in the cult hit “Super Troopers.” His first role on Broadway was in “An Inspector Calls,” which was followed by the Workshop production of "MUSCLE", helmed by James Lapine and William Finn, and he has also appeared in several television roles. In 2001, Mr. Noonan was hired by World Wrestling Entertainment as the Security Director for their live and televised wrestling performances. In this capacity, he has been a conspicuous presence on WWE live, televised and pay-per-view events, and the public face of WWE around the world.
[edit] Today
Jimmy Noonan left World Wrestling Entertainment at the end of February, 2007. Mr. Noonan is currently working on a project entitled “Muscle Bound USA,” a candid look at the effect of anabolic steroids and human growth hormone in the world of today. Shot over a 14 day cross-country trip to the mecca of bodybuilding, Venice Beach, CA., the project deals with athletes who use steroids and their stories, and chronicles Noonan's own usage along the way. This will be his directing and producing debut, and plans are also in the works for a companion book. He is also working on his first book, "A Letter To Cecily: The Memoirs of a Nobody", about his life.
[edit] Personal life
In private life, Jimmy Noonan is known for his wicked sense of humor and his collection of sports memorabilia. He has travelled around the world, and still enjoys travel. He has a grown son, Jim, and a young daughter, Cecily. Having put his younger days behind him, he is very proud of having been sober for 20 years. He lives life one day at a time, mostly happy, joyous and free.
[edit] Credits
Movies
- 1990 The Grifters
- 1997 Childhood’s End
- 1998 The Naked Man
- 1998 Somewhere in the City
- 2000 He Outta Be Committed
- 2001 Super Troopers
- 2001 Acts of Worship
- 2001 Never Again
Television
- 1995 Goldilocks
- 1995 The Cosby Mysteries
- 1997 New York Undercover
- 1999 Four Women and a Funeral
- 1999 Sex and the City
Broadway
- 1994 An Inspector Calls
