Anecdotes

Battled anorexia in the mid-1990s, which started when he shed 40 pounds to play Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp (1994). Quaid comments that "I'd look in the mirror and still see a 180-lb. guy, even though I was 138 pounds." He eventually sought treatment and recovered.

He is a licensed private pilot with single and multiengine instrument ratings. He also has a type rating for the Cessna Citation 500 series twin engine light jet. He regularly flies the jet to his property in Montana.

He and brother Randy Quaid have both played Doc Holliday: Dennis in Wyatt Earp (1994) and Randy in Purgatory (1999).

When singing with his band, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks, he always plays with bare feet in order to feel comfortable as if playing in his living room.

He has appeared in four films that have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: La bande des quatre (1979), L'étoffe des héros (1983), Trafic (2000) and La Substance (2024).

Wrote songs for three of his films: The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia (1981), L'homme le plus fort (1983) and Le flic de mon coeur! (1986).

Separated from wife Meg Ryan on June 28, 2000 and finalized divorced papers [that said Meg Ryan was able to keep all her jewelry and have joint custody of son Jack Quaid and the family car, a Jeep Cherokee, on July 16, 2001.

Lived with and was engaged to Lea Thompson for three years. The couple met on the set of Les dents de la mer 3 (1983).

Tested for the role of Luke Duke on The Dukes of Hazzard (1979), which went to Tom Wopat.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7018 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on November 16, 2005.

Inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in Austin, Texas. (mars 2005)

His newborn twins have been placed in an intensive care unit in a Los Angeles-area hospital after they were reportedly given an accidental drug overdose on November 18, 2007.

He and brother Randy Quaid are first cousins, twice removed, of performer Gene Autry. Gene's maternal grandparents, Andrew Clinton Ozment and Margaret Malinda Pierce, were also Dennis and Randy's paternal great-great-grandparents.

Was asked to play the role of Bob in La Nuit des masques (1978) because his then-girlfriend P.J. Soles was in the film, but he was working on another project and had to decline.

Turned down the role of Thomas Wayne in Batman: Le commencement (2005), which went to Linus Roache.

Is also a musician and occasionally performs with his band, "Dennis Quaid and the Sharks".

With Lea Thompson from 1983-1989.

Has 3 children: son, Jack Quaid (b. April 24, 1992) with 2nd ex-wife, Meg Ryan and son, Thomas Boone Quaid & daughter, Zoe Grace Quaid (b. November 8, 2007) with 3rd ex-wife, Kimberly Buffington.

Younger brother of Randy Quaid.

He and his ex-wife, Meg Ryan, have both appeared in remakes of films starring James Stewart. Quaid played Stewart's part in the remake of Le vol du Phoenix (1965). Meg Ryan appeared in Vous avez un message (1998), which was a remake of Rendez-vous (1940).

His wife, Kimberly Buffington, is a real estate agent in Austin, Texas for Buffington Signature Homes. His father-in-law, Thomas B. Buffington, is the CEO of the company.

Uncle of Amanda Quaid.

Was considered for the role of B.J. McKay in B.J. and the Bear (1978), which went to Greg Evigan.

Has a half-brother, Buddy Quaid, and a half-sister, Brandy Quaid.

Longtime friends with Brett Cullen. They both attended the University of Houston and were drama students of Cecil Pickett, father of Cindy Pickett.

His favorite director of all time is David Lean.

He recently began doing voice-overs for commercials (radio and television) for the Visa credit card. (juin 2007)

Friends with Bradley Cooper.

Became engaged to Kimberly Buffington in 2004.

His parents are William (Buddy Quaid) and Nita Quaid.

Loves golf, and his handicap is 6.

He lost 44 lbs. for the role of Doc Holliday in Wyatt Earp, The director had said for him to lose10 -11 but Dennis felt he needed to lose more as Doc suffered from TB.

Has played a military pilot twice: L'étoffe des héros (1983) & L'aventure intérieure (1987).

Attended Bellaire High School in Bellaire, Texas.

Was scheduled to play the title role in David Lean's adaptation of Joseph Conrad's Nostromo in 1991. Lean's death in April 1991 brought the project to an end.

His drama teacher at Bellaire High School and, then, the University of Houston was Cecil Pickett, father of Cindy Pickett.

On October 18, 2019, Quaid announces his engagement, after a four-month relationship, with Laura Savoie.

He has appeared in one film that has been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: L'étoffe des héros (1983).

He attended Pershing Jr. High School in Houston, Texas.

Was listed as a potential nominee on the 2005 Razzie Award nominating ballot. He was suggested in the Worst Actor category for his roles in the films Alamo (2004) and Le jour d'après (2004), he did not receive a nomination however.

Brother-in-law of Evi Quaid.

He first went to Hollywood when he was 21 before which he had a band and toured around on a bus.

Endorsed Donald Trump for president in 2024.

Cousin of Bo Brinkman. First cousin once removed of Corbett Tuck and Dakota Brinkman.