Lyle Kanouse was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas and graduated from Castleberry High School. He earned a B.A. degree from Texas Wesleyan University where he was honored with the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998 and has his Masters degree from Indiana University. A former college administrator, he was on the faculty at Miami University (Ohio).
Lyle’s acting career spans 42 years and reflects work in every existing medium. His acting credits include : 5 Broadway shows (2004 Tony Award Honor, 1990 Tony Award, 1990 Drama Desk Award, 1990 Outer Critic’s Circle Award), 10 National Tours of Broadway musicals, over 75 regional theatre productions, 73 feature films and over 130 television episodes.
BROADWAY credits include: 2008 revival of COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA; 2004 Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theatre for his roles in the Broadway Revival of BIG RIVER; 1990 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award as a member of CITY OF ANGELS ; CHAPLIN in 1983 opposite Anthony Newley; and critical acclaim as Maitre Jacques in the musical of Moliere’s THE MISER in 1981.
NATIONAL TOURS: GUYS AND DOLLS, CITY OF ANGELS, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CRAZY FOR YOU, 1776, OKLAHOMA!, CHESS, SOUTH PACIFIC, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.
REGIONAL THEATRE: Over 75 regional theatre credits including THE CHERRY ORCHARD opposite Annette Bening and Alfred Molina at The Mark Taper Forum, AS YOU LIKE IT with Sigourney Weaver, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST opposite author Ken Kesey, Sir Peter Hall’s ROMEO and JULIET, COMEDY of ERRORS at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, GUYS AND DOLLS at Denver Center, starred as Big Daddy in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Sierra Repertory Theatre (CA) and played Peachum in THREE PENNY OPERA at San Diego Rep.
Lyle has appeared twice at the Hollywood Bowl playing opposite Eric McCormack and Kristin Chenoweth in THE MUSIC MAN and opposite Dick Van Patten in SHOWBOAT. He played H.C. Curry in 110 IN THE SHADE with Marin Mazzie and the Ol’ Cap’n in PURLIE opposite Loretta Devine at the Pasadena Playhouse (CA) and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
TELEVISION: Over 130 TV episodes include recurring roles on CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, 9-1-1, BAD TEACHER, BIG LOVE, SONS OF ANARCHY, LAS VEGAS, TELL ME YOU LOVE ME, J.R.’s Cousin Sims on DALLAS, inmate/informant Brett Blakey on HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and rival pizza owner Tessio on TWO GUYS, A GIRL AND A PIZZA PLACE.
Some additional TV Guest Star appearances include JANE THE VIRGIN, THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, GILMORE GIRLS, NEWSREADERS, C.S.I., PARKS & RECREATION, DOG WITH A BLOG, UP ALL NIGHT, FIREFLY, FREAKS AND GEEKS, THE TONIGHT SHOW with both Johnny Carson & Jay Leno.
FEATURE FILMS: He has 73 films to his credit including Woody Allen's WHATEVER WORKS, Spike Jonze's I'M HERE, SEX, DEATH & BOWLING opposite Adrian Grenier, Selma Blair and directed by Ally Walker, SWEET CORN, THE TRIALS OF CATE McCALL opposite Kate Beckinsale, FRACTURE opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, MR. WOODCOCK opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Susan Sarandon, AMERICA'S STILL THE PLACE co-starring with Mike Colter, UNION FURNACE opposite Keith David, WYATT EARP’S REVENGE oppsosite Val Kilmer, HESHER, CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, AUTO FOCUS playing Sgt. Schultz of "Hogan's Heroes" opposite Greg Kinnear, LAUREL CANYON opposite Frances McDormand, Kate Beckinsale and Christian Bale, WHIPPED, DRIVE, TEMPTATION opposite Annette O'Toole, LOVE OBJECT opposite Rip Torn, FAMILY ATTRACTION with Martin Sheen and Chris Penn, TOUGH ENOUGH with Dennis Quaid, NORTH DALLAS FORTY opposite Nick Nolte, SEMI-TOUGH with Burt Reynolds.
As a Producer, along with his wife Audrey Wasilewski, he has MYSTERY SPOT filming in August and September, 2019, had his film BLISS World Premiere at Tribeca 2019 and his first feature SEQUENCE BREAK sold at Cannes Film Festival in 2017 which was written/directed by Lyle's Godson Graham Skipper.
SEQUENCE BREAK had its world premiere at the CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL 2017 where it won Best Film and picked up for distribution by Shudder Entertainment with a release announced for 2018. Lyle is both an actor and producer for SEQUENCE BREAK and for MYSTERY SPOT.
Lyle once wrestled a 400-pound black bear, fought a bull in Mexico, played in 11 Softball World Series winning two World Championships and was personally #3 in Homeruns in the World in 1986, televised on CBS Sports. In addition, he had a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in 1977-78. Lyle shares homes in Texas and Hollywood, CA with his wife, actress Audrey Wasilewski.
Lyle’s acting career spans 42 years and reflects work in every existing medium. His acting credits include : 5 Broadway shows (2004 Tony Award Honor, 1990 Tony Award, 1990 Drama Desk Award, 1990 Outer Critic’s Circle Award), 10 National Tours of Broadway musicals, over 75 regional theatre productions, 73 feature films and over 130 television episodes.
BROADWAY credits include: 2008 revival of COME BACK LITTLE SHEBA; 2004 Tony Award Honor for Excellence in Theatre for his roles in the Broadway Revival of BIG RIVER; 1990 Tony Award, Drama Desk Award and Outer Critics Circle Award as a member of CITY OF ANGELS ; CHAPLIN in 1983 opposite Anthony Newley; and critical acclaim as Maitre Jacques in the musical of Moliere’s THE MISER in 1981.
NATIONAL TOURS: GUYS AND DOLLS, CITY OF ANGELS, THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CRAZY FOR YOU, 1776, OKLAHOMA!, CHESS, SOUTH PACIFIC, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF.
REGIONAL THEATRE: Over 75 regional theatre credits including THE CHERRY ORCHARD opposite Annette Bening and Alfred Molina at The Mark Taper Forum, AS YOU LIKE IT with Sigourney Weaver, ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST opposite author Ken Kesey, Sir Peter Hall’s ROMEO and JULIET, COMEDY of ERRORS at Actor’s Theatre of Louisville, GUYS AND DOLLS at Denver Center, starred as Big Daddy in CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF at Sierra Repertory Theatre (CA) and played Peachum in THREE PENNY OPERA at San Diego Rep.
Lyle has appeared twice at the Hollywood Bowl playing opposite Eric McCormack and Kristin Chenoweth in THE MUSIC MAN and opposite Dick Van Patten in SHOWBOAT. He played H.C. Curry in 110 IN THE SHADE with Marin Mazzie and the Ol’ Cap’n in PURLIE opposite Loretta Devine at the Pasadena Playhouse (CA) and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago.
TELEVISION: Over 130 TV episodes include recurring roles on CRAZY EX-GIRLFRIEND, 9-1-1, BAD TEACHER, BIG LOVE, SONS OF ANARCHY, LAS VEGAS, TELL ME YOU LOVE ME, J.R.’s Cousin Sims on DALLAS, inmate/informant Brett Blakey on HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET and rival pizza owner Tessio on TWO GUYS, A GIRL AND A PIZZA PLACE.
Some additional TV Guest Star appearances include JANE THE VIRGIN, THE MIDDLE, MODERN FAMILY, GILMORE GIRLS, NEWSREADERS, C.S.I., PARKS & RECREATION, DOG WITH A BLOG, UP ALL NIGHT, FIREFLY, FREAKS AND GEEKS, THE TONIGHT SHOW with both Johnny Carson & Jay Leno.
FEATURE FILMS: He has 73 films to his credit including Woody Allen's WHATEVER WORKS, Spike Jonze's I'M HERE, SEX, DEATH & BOWLING opposite Adrian Grenier, Selma Blair and directed by Ally Walker, SWEET CORN, THE TRIALS OF CATE McCALL opposite Kate Beckinsale, FRACTURE opposite Sir Anthony Hopkins and Ryan Gosling, MR. WOODCOCK opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Susan Sarandon, AMERICA'S STILL THE PLACE co-starring with Mike Colter, UNION FURNACE opposite Keith David, WYATT EARP’S REVENGE oppsosite Val Kilmer, HESHER, CAUGHT IN THE CROSSFIRE, HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN, AUTO FOCUS playing Sgt. Schultz of "Hogan's Heroes" opposite Greg Kinnear, LAUREL CANYON opposite Frances McDormand, Kate Beckinsale and Christian Bale, WHIPPED, DRIVE, TEMPTATION opposite Annette O'Toole, LOVE OBJECT opposite Rip Torn, FAMILY ATTRACTION with Martin Sheen and Chris Penn, TOUGH ENOUGH with Dennis Quaid, NORTH DALLAS FORTY opposite Nick Nolte, SEMI-TOUGH with Burt Reynolds.
As a Producer, along with his wife Audrey Wasilewski, he has MYSTERY SPOT filming in August and September, 2019, had his film BLISS World Premiere at Tribeca 2019 and his first feature SEQUENCE BREAK sold at Cannes Film Festival in 2017 which was written/directed by Lyle's Godson Graham Skipper.
SEQUENCE BREAK had its world premiere at the CHATTANOOGA FILM FESTIVAL 2017 where it won Best Film and picked up for distribution by Shudder Entertainment with a release announced for 2018. Lyle is both an actor and producer for SEQUENCE BREAK and for MYSTERY SPOT.
Lyle once wrestled a 400-pound black bear, fought a bull in Mexico, played in 11 Softball World Series winning two World Championships and was personally #3 in Homeruns in the World in 1986, televised on CBS Sports. In addition, he had a tryout with the Dallas Cowboys in 1977-78. Lyle shares homes in Texas and Hollywood, CA with his wife, actress Audrey Wasilewski.