David Strathairn is an American actor known for his leading roles on stage and screen. He has often portrayed historical figures such as Edward R. Murrow in "Good Night , and Good Luck" and John Dos Passos in HBO's "Hemingway & Gellhorn". Strathairn was born on January 26 , 1949 in San Francisco, California. He has a prolific body of work, having appeared in a variety of films and television shows throughout his career. He has also collaborated extensively with friend and director John Sayles.