Dan Lauria

Aired: 9/28/11 Episode 13002 "Personal Fouls"

Dan Lauria is known to millions as the gruff dad on the Emmy Award-winning ABC series "The Wonder Years," and he has played more than 70 roles on television, including "CSI," "The Ghost Whisperer," "ER," "The Bronx Is Burning," "From Earth to the Moon" and "Law and Order: SVU."

In addition to his recent starring role in "The Spirit," Dan's score of film credits include "Independence Day," both "Stakeout" films and "Big Momma's House 2."

In 2008, Chris Carter ("X-Files") cast Brooks as the lead in his soon to be released dramatic feature "Fencewalker." Brooks' performance in the film is garnering much buzz and excitement throughout the industry. His additional film credits include the Paul Haggis film "In the Valley of Elah" opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron and the Jerry Bruckheimer film for Disney "Glory Road," which debuted at No. 1 at the box office.

Dan is a familiar face to theatergoers, having performed, written or directed over 50 productions. New York area appearances include "Ears on a Beatle," "The Winning Streak," "Inspecting Carol" and "A Stone Carver." He has appeared with Jack Klugman in Arthur Miller's "The Price" and "The Value Of Names" and with Charles Durning in "Men in Suits," as well as "Leading Ladies." Dan continues to appear in benefit performances of "The Guys," Anne Nelson's tribute to the brave firefighters who lost their lives on 9/11.

For 10 years, Dan served as artistic director of The Playwright's Kitchen Ensemble of Los Angeles, which produced over 450 public readings of new plays with the finest actors in the business, in order to promote the development of emerging American playwrights. Dan began acting while attending Southern Connecticut State University on a football scholarship and is a former football coach.