Real name: Wallace Michael Shawn

Wallace Shawn is an American actor and writer who has appeared in a range of films and TV series. He made his film debut playing Diane Keaton's ex-husband in Woody Allen's "Manhattan". Arguably his best-known film role is as the evil Vizzini in "The Princess Bride". His TV roles have included Ferengi Grand Nagus Zek on "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine", a comic ex-reporter on "Murphy Brown", the Huxtables' neighbor on "The Bill Cosby Show", a psychiatrist on "Crossing Jordan", and on many other shows.

He is also a playwright whose work is often dark, politically charged and controversial. His brother, Allen Shawn, is a composer of classical music.