80s Star Who Played Madonna’s Leading Man and Starred in Scorsese Film Looks Unrecognizable in New York

Griffin Dunne: From 80s Heartthrob to Hollywood Multihyphenate Spotted in NYC

[Image: Griffin Dunne walking his dog and bike in NYC, caption: "Griffin Dunne, 70, enjoys a casual stroll in Manhattan with his dog and bicycle."]

Once known as Madonna’s leading man in Who’s That Girl (1987) and the star of An American Werewolf in London (1981), actor-director Griffin Dunne, now 70, looked relaxed during a low-key summer walk in New York City. Sporting a red “Beefsteak Charlie’s” T-shirt, shorts, Nike sneakers, and AirPods, the Hollywood veteran multitasked by walking his dog and maneuvering a bright red bike.

A Storied Career
Dunne’s breakout role came in John Landis’ cult horror-comedy An American Werewolf in London, which he credits as his “unexpected big break.” He later starred in Martin Scorsese’s dark comedy After Hours (1985) and shared the screen with Madonna during her meteoric rise. Reflecting on their collaboration, Dunne told Closer, “She was hilarious… I’d never seen [fame] like that. Helicopters followed us like we were O.J. Simpson!”

[Image: Griffin and Madonna in Who’s That Girl, caption: "Dunne played Madonna’s love interest in the 1987 comedy."]

Behind the camera, Dunne directed films like Practical Magic (1998), starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock, and Addicted to Love (1997) with Meg Ryan. His acting résumé spans Dallas Buyers Club, Succession, and Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch. Up next, he’ll appear in Caught Stealing, a thriller featuring Austin Butler.

Hollywood Roots and Personal Triumphs
Born into a creative dynasty, Dunne’s father, Dominick Dunne, was a producer-turned-crime journalist, while his aunt, Joan Didion, was a legendary writer. Tragedy struck in 1982 when his sister, actress Dominique Dunne, was murdered by her ex-boyfriend—a event that propelled Dominick into investigative journalism. Griffin later honored his aunt with the Netflix documentary Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (2017) and penned a memoir, The Friday Afternoon Club.

[Image: Griffin directing on set, caption: "Dunne directed the beloved witchy classic Practical Magic."]

Life Beyond the Spotlight
Married three times, Dunne has been with wife Anna Bingemann since 2009. He shares a daughter, actress Hannah Dunne, with ex Carey Lowell. Despite family hardships, he remains grounded, telling Closer his relatives’ “brutal honesty” shaped his storytelling: “They wrote about personal struggles… a big influence.”

[Image: Griffin in An American Werewolf in London, caption: "Dunne’s iconic role as David Naughton’s ill-fated friend Jack."]

Now splitting time between acting, writing, and leisurely NYC strolls, Dunne embodies the resilience of a Hollywood legacy—one that continues to evolve.

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