Noah Wyle
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Noah Wyle, born June 4th, 1971, is an American actor, writer, producer, and director who first captured our attention as Dr. John Carter in the iconic NBC medical drama *ER*. His portrayal earned him five consecutive Emmy nominations, three Golden Globe nominations, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. Wyle has since garnered further acclaim for his work on the HBO Max medical drama *The Pitt*, winning two Emmy Awards for his leading role as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch and his contributions as an executive producer.
Beyond the hospital corridors, Wyle has left his mark on TNT, embodying Steve Jobs in the television film *Pirates of Silicon Valley*, bringing to life Flynn Carsen in *The Librarian* franchise, and commanding attention as Tom Mason in the sci-fi series *Falling Skies*. His performance in the CBS miniseries *The Red Line* earned him a Critics' Choice Award nomination, and he's currently a key member of the ensemble cast in the Prime Video crime dramedy *Leverage: Redemption*. Wyle's film career includes notable supporting roles in *A Few Good Men*, *Donnie Darko*, and *Enough*. For over two decades, he also served as the artistic producer of the Blank Theatre Company in Los Angeles, showcasing his deep commitment to the arts.
Born in Hollywood, Los Angeles, Wyle's upbringing was a blend of "half-city, half-country mice." His paternal grandparents were influential figures in Los Angeles, with his grandfather founding aerospace company Wyle Laboratories and his grandmother establishing the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum. Wyle spent considerable time at their sprawling cattle ranch, a stark contrast to his parents' urban careers. While his mother was Episcopalian and his father Jewish, Wyle grew up feeling "culturally" Jewish without formal religious practice.
His parents' divorce at age six and subsequent remarriages introduced him to influential stepparents, a film preservationist and producer among them. Young Noah gained early exposure to the industry by working in craft services and appearing as an uncredited extra on movie sets. He is the eldest of his parents' children, with a sister and a brother, and has a younger half-sister and three step-siblings from his father's second marriage.
Wyle's education included stints at Gardner Street Elementary and Oakwood School, followed by four years at The Thacher School, a preparatory boarding school known for its horseback riding program. Despite academic struggles, particularly in math and science, he graduated with a respectable GPA, later musing that undiagnosed mild ADHD might have played a role. His passion for show business ignited on stage during his sophomore year, leading him to write, act in, and direct school plays. A summer program at Northwestern University solidified his resolve to become a professional actor, making him the first in his family "in generations" not to attend college.
After graduating high school in 1989, Wyle moved to Hollywood, secured an agent, and began honing his craft. Supporting himself as a busboy and waiter, he also participated in Los Angeles stage productions and made a brief appearance in the NBC miniseries *Blind Faith*. His first credited film role was in the family drama *Crooked Hearts*, followed by roles in *Swing Kids*, *There Goes My Baby*, and as Lancelot in the Lifetime movie *Guinevere*. A significant early role was his "small, featured role as an endearingly dimwitted Marine corporal" in the critically acclaimed courtroom drama *A Few Good Men*.
At 22, while focused on film and theater, Wyle was convinced by his agent to audition for the pilot of *ER*. The role of medical student John Carter, initially conceived as comic relief, perfectly suited Wyle's knack for physical comedy, and he felt a personal connection to the character's privileged background. After filming the *ER* pilot, he auditioned for the role of Ross Geller in *Friends*, but *ER*'s success and subsequent series order took precedence. *ER* premiered on September 19, 1994, quickly becoming the second most-watched show on television. Wyle, alongside co-stars Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Eriq La Salle, Sherry Stringfield, and Julianna Margulies, became household names, with Wyle crediting his older castmates as invaluable role models.
*ER* became a cultural phenomenon, dominating television ratings for three years and drawing an average of over 30 million viewers at its peak. Wyle and Clooney even guest-starred as doctors on an episode of *Friends*. Wyle's performance on *ER* earned him five consecutive Emmy nominations and three Golden Globe nominations, along with four Screen Actors Guild Awards as part of the ensemble. By 2001, he was one of the highest-paid actors in television drama, earning an estimated nine million dollars per season.
Between *ER* seasons, Wyle pursued film work, though commitments prevented him from accepting roles in Steven Spielberg's *Saving Private Ryan* and George Clooney's *Good Night, and Good Luck*. He starred in the independent family drama *The Myth of Fingerprints* and made a cameo in *Can't Stop Dancing*. In 1999, he portrayed Steve Jobs in TNT's *Pirates of Silicon Valley*, a role he initially hesitated about but ultimately embraced, earning praise for his uncanny resemblance and portrayal of Jobs' mannerisms. Jobs himself acknowledged Wyle's dedication, even inviting him to address the 1999 NY Macworld Expo audience in character. Wyle also took on supporting roles in *Fail Safe*, *Donnie Darko*, *Scenes of the Crime*, *White Oleander*, and *Enough*. He starred in TNT's *The Librarian: Quest for the Spear* and the independent drama *The Californians*.
Wyle remained deeply involved with the Blank Theatre Company, starring in productions and becoming artistic producer in 1997. His leadership involved fundraising and grant writing, and he personally funded the acquisition of the 2nd Stage Theatre. He considered his work on the annual Young Playwrights Festival one of the most gratifying experiences of his career, and in 2005, he won an NAACP Theatre Award for producing *The Wild Party*.
In 2005, Wyle became the last original cast member to depart *ER*. The demanding schedule, after the birth of his first child, proved incompatible with his desire to be the parent he wanted to be. He stated that leaving was only worthwhile if it meant a significant life change, as the show offered exceptional material, colleagues, and crew. His final episode was lauded as a "heart and soul" performance, with critics praising his ability to make John Carter relatable and compelling even amidst plot contrivances. Wyle returned for guest appearances in later seasons, ultimately appearing in 254 episodes, more than any other major cast member. He never felt pigeonholed by the role, noting Carter's growth mirrored his own. He often cited Alan Alda as an inspiration for his balanced career trajectory.
In 2006, Wyle returned to the stage as Salvador Dalí in *Lobster Alice* at his Blank Theatre Company. He reprised his role as Flynn Carsen in two more *Librarian* sequels and acknowledged the character's embodiment of his acting aspirations. He also took on supporting roles in films like *Nothing but the Truth*, *An American Affair*, and Oliver Stone's *W.*. A notable collaboration was starring alongside Alan Alda in a production of *L'Histoire du soldat*. His lead performance in the satirical comedy *Queen of the Lot* also received positive reviews.
Six years after leaving *ER*, Wyle sought a return to regular television with TNT's *Falling Skies* (2011–2015), hoping for a better work-life balance. He played Tom Mason, a history professor turned resistance leader fighting aliens. Producer Steven Spielberg, who had previously tried to cast Wyle, considered him the "first choice." Wyle also served as a producer and directed an episode, though he found the demanding schedule and frequent showrunner changes challenging. He also guest-starred on *Lab Rats* and *Drunk History*, and appeared in the films *Snake & Mongoose* and *The World Made Straight*. In 2015, he co-wrote a WWII limited series with *Falling Skies* executive producer Graham Yost, gaining confidence in his writing abilities.
Wyle described the TNT series *The Librarians* (2014–2018) as his "film school," producing, writing two episodes, and directing five. He opted for a recurring role as Flynn Carsen, allowing new librarians to take center stage. He appeared in *Angie Tribeca* and made a cameo in *Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House*. His lead performance in the independent drama *Shot* was praised for its strength and empathy. In 2018, he starred in an episode of Matthew Weiner's anthology series *The Romanoffs*.
Wyle's performance as a grieving husband in the 2019 CBS miniseries *The Red Line* was critically acclaimed, with critics highlighting his "career-capping performance" and "knockout performance," earning him a Critics' Choice Award nomination.
By 2020, Wyle had spent fifteen years largely in genre television, feeling content with his career path. Dean Devlin invited him to join the ensemble cast of the Prime Video crime dramedy *Leverage: Redemption* (since 2021), playing Harry Wilson, a corporate lawyer seeking redemption. Wyle directed five episodes and joined the writer's room in season two.
A significant career resurgence came with his starring role as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch in the HBO Max medical drama *The Pitt* (since 2025). The show became a breakout hit, and Wyle also served as an executive producer and writer. The series originated from Wyle's suggestion to *ER* showrunner John Wells about developing a show based on Dr. Carter's pandemic experiences. When negotiations with Michael Crichton's estate faltered, the concept evolved into a new show, with Wyle portraying a Jewish character for the first time, using his great-grandmother's maiden name.
Wyle's performance in *The Pitt* earned widespread acclaim, including the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – his first nomination in the lead category and his first win. Critics lauded his "commanding performance" and "lead performance that feels truly lived-in," with David Sims of *The Atlantic* calling him "one of TV’s most underrated actors."
Wyle resides between Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and the Santa Ynez Valley, California, where he owns a ranch. He was married to make-up artist Tracy Warbin from 2000 to 2010, with whom he has a son, Owen, and a daughter, Auden. He is currently married to actress Sara Wells, with whom he has a daughter, Frances Harper.
Wyle has been an active advocate throughout his career. He served on the Hollywood executive board of the Screen Actors Guild and was a frequent picket during recent strikes. He has championed healthcare reform, raising awareness for guinea worm disease with President Jimmy Carter, observing work in a Macedonian refugee camp, and advocating for universal healthcare coverage. He has also supported disability rights, leading to his arrest during a protest against Medicaid cuts, and joined the board of KultureCity, advocating for sensory-inclusive spaces. Wyle also works with animal rights charities and has narrated a documentary for a local charity supporting low-income families.
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Noah Strausser Speer Wyle (; born June 4, 1971) is an American actor, writer, producer, and director. He rose to fame as Dr. John Carter in the NBC medical drama ER (1994–2005), receiving five consecutive Emmy Award nominations, three consecutive Golden Globe Award nominations, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards. He won two Emmy Awards for his work on the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt (since 2025), earning recognition both for his lead performance as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch and as an executive producer.
Wyle is also known for his work on TNT, portraying Steve Jobs in the television film Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999), Flynn Carsen in The Librarian franchise (2004, 2006, 2008, 2014–2018), and Tom Mason in the sci-fi series Falling Skies (2011–2015). He was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award for his performance in the CBS miniseries The Red Line (2019). He is part of the ensemble cast of the Prime Video crime dramedy Leverage: Redemption (since 2021). In addition to his television career, Wyle had supporting roles in films such as A Few Good Men (1992), Donnie Darko (2001), and Enough (2002). He served as artistic producer of the Blank Theatre Company in Los Angeles for over 20 years.
== Early life ==
Wyle was born at Cedars of Lebanon Hospital in Hollywood, Los Angeles on June 4, 1971. His mother, Marjorie "Marty" Speer, worked as a nurse at East Hollywood's Kaiser Hospital. His father, Stephen Wyle, was an electrical engineer and entrepreneur. Wyle's paternal grandparents were prominent figures in Los Angeles; his grandfather, Frank Wyle, was a mechanical engineer who founded the aerospace company Wyle Laboratories and his grandmother, Edith R. Wyle, was a painter who established the Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art Museum. Wyle spent a lot of time as a child at his grandparents' 4,000-acre cattle ranch in North Fork, California and described his family as "half-city, half-country mice". Wyle's mother is Episcopalian and was raised in Kentucky. His father is Jewish; the Wyle surname was originally Weil and his ancestors were Ukrainian and Russian Jews. Wyle grew up feeling "culturally" Jewish but did not practice any religion.
Wyle's parents divorced in 1977, when he was six years old, and both remarried. Wyle was "greatly influenced" by his stepparents; his stepmother, Deborah, was a teacher while his stepfather, James C. Katz, was a film preservationist and producer. In the 1980s, Katz worked as a senior executive at Universal Studios and a young Wyle worked in craft services on movie sets and appeared as an uncredited extra in Paul Bartel's Lust in the Dust (1985). From his parents' marriage, Wyle has an older sister, Alexandra, and a younger brother, Aaron. He has a younger half-sister, Jessica, from his father's second marriage and three step-siblings from Katz's first marriage; Tabitha, Natasha and Matthew Frost were raised between the French Riviera and Los Angeles.
Wyle was educated at Gardner Street Elementary School in Hollywood and Oakwood School in North Hollywood. He then spent four years at The Thacher School, a preparatory boarding school in Ojai, California known for its compulsory horseback riding program. He struggled academically, particularly in math and science, and was placed on probation in his freshman year. He ultimately graduated with a "decent" GPA and later wondered whether undiagnosed mild ADHD had contributed to his difficulties. Wyle had always been "enamored" with show business growing up in Hollywood and he first acted on stage in his sophomore year at Thacher. Encouraged by the audience response, he went on to act in, write and direct school plays. He attended the Cherubs Theatre Arts program at Northwestern University in the summer of his junior year and returned to high school "really focused" on becoming a professional actor. He was the first person in his family "in generations" to not attend college.
== Career ==
=== 1990–94: Early roles and rise to fame on ER ===
After graduating high school in 1989, Wyle moved into an apartment on Hollywood Boulevard, signed with an agent and began taking acting classes. His parents were only willing to financially support a college education and he worked as a busboy and then waiter at the Bel Age Hotel's Diaghilev restaurant. He appeared in Los Angeles stage productions and made a one-line appearance in the NBC miniseries Blind Faith (1990). His first credited movie role was in the family drama Crooked Hearts (1991), with Peter Rainer of the Los Angeles Times remarking upon his "appealingly awe-struck innocence". He appeared as a Hitler Youth leader in the historical drama Swing Kids (1993), as a high school student in the coming-of-age ensemble There Goes My Baby (1994) and as Lancelot in the Lifetime movie Guinevere (1994). His most notable casting in this period was in the courtroom drama A Few Good Men (1992), directed by Rob Reiner and written by Aaron Sorkin. Wyle had what Sorkin described as "a small, featured role as an endearingly dimwitted Marine corporal." The film was a box office success and was nominated for Best Picture at the 1993 Academy Awards.
At the age of 22, Wyle was focused on appearing in "movies and plays" but was persuaded by his agent to audition for the television pilot of an NBC medical drama called ER, created by Michael Crichton and executive-produced by Steven Spielberg. The character of medical student John Carter was initially conceived of as comic relief and the casting director was impressed by Wyle's facility for "physical comedy" during the audition process. Wyle himself felt a personal connection: "I identified with him being born with a silver spoon in his mouth and it never quite fitting." After filming the ER pilot, Wyle auditioned for the part of Ross Geller in another NBC pilot, Friends; producers wanted him to film a screen test for the network but had to first wait to see whether ER would get picked up for a full season. ER tested highly with audiences, was ordered for a full season and began airing on September 19, 1994. In an early review, Tom Shales of the Washington Post described Carter as the "point of entry" character and praised Wyle's "achingly ingenuous performance as the young doctor-to-be." Within weeks, ER became the second most-watched show on television after Seinfeld. The main cast - Wyle, Anthony Edwards, George Clooney, Eriq La Salle, Sherry Stringfield and Julianna Margulies - rose to fame and Wyle, the youngest ensemble member, later credited the others as "role models ... I feel very fortunate to have started exactly when I did in the company of those actors. They taught me an incredible amount."
=== 1995–2005: Continued ER success ===
ER was a cultural phenomenon and is now considered one of the all-time greatest television shows. It was the most-watched show in television for three years - in its second, third and fifth seasons - and average viewing figures often exceeded 30 million. At its peak, the show attracted 47.8 million viewers. Wyle and Clooney guest-starred as doctors in an episode of Friends (1995) and Wyle played an exaggerated version of himself in the sitcom The Larry Sanders Show (1995), sharing scenes with Mandy Patinkin, a family friend. He appeared as a doctor in Sesame Street (1996) and as a veterinarian in a Margulies-hosted episode of Saturday Night Live (2000). For his performance in ER, Wyle was nominated for five consecutive Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and three consecutive Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actor. As part of the ensemble cast, he won four Screen Actors Guild Awards, with a further three nominations. By 2001, Wyle had become one of the highest-paid actors in history for a television drama, earning an estimated $9 million per season.
In between seasons of ER, Wyle continued to do film work. He was offered parts in Spielberg's Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Clooney's Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) but was unable to accept either due to ER's nine-month filming schedule. He starred in the independent family drama The Myth of Fingerprints (1997) and made a cameo in the comedy Can't Stop Dancing (1999). He portrayed Steve Jobs in TNT's Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999), which was filmed concurrently with ER. Wyle was apprehensive about the role until he watched the documentary Triumph of the Nerds and then "knew I'd kick myself for the rest of my life if I didn't play this part." Caryn James of The New York Times said the role was "savvily" played while Steve Silberman of Wired found the resemblance "uncanny" and noted that the actor "nails Steve Jobs' body language." Jobs himself considered the television movie "brutal" and "mean-spirited": "But as an actor, Noah Wyle definitely had done his homework on me in terms of my mannerisms and my quirks. So I called him the next day, just to tell him I thought he did a nice job." At Jobs' invitation, Wyle addressed the 1999 NY Macworld Expo audience in character. He then had a series of supporting roles; playing the President's interpreter in the televised broadcast play Fail Safe (2000), a science teacher in the thriller Donnie Darko (2001), a mob enforcer in Scenes of the Crime (2001), an unsupportive husband in White Oleander (2002) and a corrupt police officer in Enough (2002). Wyle had starring roles in the TNT adventure movie The Librarian: Quest for the Spear (2004) and the independent drama The Californians (2005).
During his time on ER, Wyle remained involved with the Los Angeles-based Blank Theatre Company, where he had first worked as a teenage actor. He starred in the 1995 production of The 24th Day at the Coronet Theatre. In 1997, he became the company's artistic producer. His leadership role involved "constant fundraising" and "grant writing"; he personally donated the money for the acquisition of the 2nd Stage Theatre premises. Over the years, he acted in many entries for the annual Young Playwrights Festival, describing the experience as one of the "most gratifying" of his career. For his work as a producer of The Wild Party in 2005, he won an NAACP Theatre Award.
In 2005, in ER's eleventh season, Wyle became the final cast member from the original ensemble to leave. Following the birth of his first child in late 2002, he had taken extended paternity leave. However, he ultimately found the gruelling work schedule incompatible with "the kind of parent I want to be": "I’ve always said about our show that there’s really no point in leaving unless you’re ready to change your life. You can’t find better material or work with nicer people or a better crew." In reviewing his final episode, Matt Zoller Seitz of the Star-Ledger described Wyle as the "heart and soul of ER" and praised a performance "without a false note": "Even when the show's plot contrivances were laughable, you took John Carter seriously, because Wyle's performance demanded it ... Together with the show's writing staff, chiefly executive producer John Wells, who wrote some of Carter's best scenes, Wyle gave the character an emotional, intellectual and philosophical consistency, and a depth that let us deduce what he was thinking and feeling even when he wasn't speaking."
Wyle returned in 2006 to guest star in four episodes of the twelfth season and again in 2009 for five episodes of the show's fifteenth and final season, including the series finale. By the end of the show's run, he had appeared in 254 episodes, more than any other major cast member. Wyle later said he never felt "pigeonholed" by Carter: "If I'd stayed being the comic relief character who was always screwing up, that may have been frustrating but he kept growing as I kept growing." Wyle regularly cited Alan Alda - who portrayed a doctor for eleven seasons on M*A*S*H and later guest-starred on ER - as a source of inspiration. He described Alda as "a hero to me as a kid, and he still is ... He is the model I have in my head of an actor who's had a really beautiful career but for the most part is identified with one role. That doesn't scare me when I think about it in those terms."
=== 2006–2019: Falling Skies and The Librarians ===
Wyle returned to the stage in 2006, playing Salvador Dalí in a well-reviewed production of Lobster Alice at his Blank Theatre Company's 2nd Stage Theatre. (Wyle would remain in his role as artistic producer of the Blank Theatre Company for over twenty years before stepping down.) He reprised the role of unlikely action hero Flynn Carsen in two TNT television film sequels, The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines (2006) and The Librarian: Curse of the Judas Chalice (2008), and has said the character "encapsulates all the reasons I wanted to be an actor." He had supporting roles in three 2008 movies; he played a lawyer in the political thriller Nothing but the Truth, a journalist in the coming-of-age drama An American Affair and Donald Evans in Oliver Stone's W. (2008). Also in 2008, Wyle and Alan Alda starred in an Alda-directed production of L'Histoire du soldat at New York's 92nd Street Y, having previously worked together on ER and in the film Nothing But the Truth. Wyle later described the experience as "one of the highlights of my life and career." His lead performance in the satirical comedy Queen of the Lot (2010) was well-reviewed.
Six years after leaving ER, Wyle felt “an itch” to return to regular television work and began starring in TNT's sci-fi series Falling Skies (2011–2015). He hoped that its much shorter seasons would allow for a better work-life balance than his time on ER. He portrayed Tom Mason, a former history professor who became the second-in-command of an army regiment fighting aliens in post-apocalyptic Boston. He was producer Steven Spielberg's "first choice" for the role: "I tried to get him for Private Ryan, but his schedule didn't permit that. I've been determined to work with Noah." Wyle was a producer in later seasons and directed an episode of the show's fifth and final season. He later said that, while "grateful" for the introduction to filmmaking, it had been "hard" to work away from family in Canada on a show that "in five seasons had six show runners." He guest-starred in episodes of Lab Rats (2013) and Drunk History (2015). He appeared as a business executive in the sports film Snake & Mongoose (2013) and as a pot dealer in the Appalachian thriller The World Made Straight (2015). In 2015, Wyle and Graham Yost, an executive producer on Falling Skies, wrote a limited series set during World War II. Although the project did not move beyond development at FX, Wyle later said working with Yost gave him the confidence to further pursue writing.
Wyle likened the TNT series The Librarians (2014–2018) to his "film school"; he produced the show and was part of the writer's room, writing two episodes and directing five. Hesitant to take on a leading role so soon after Falling Skies, Wyle opted for a recurring role as Flynn Carsen, with the series introducing three new librarians as central characters. He appeared more regularly in later seasons. He appeared in an episode of the sitcom Angie Tribeca (2016) and made a cameo appearance as John Stanley Pottinger in the political thriller Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017). His lead performance as a gunshot victim in the independent drama Shot (2017) was praised. Rex Reed of Observer described him as an "always excellent and under-valued actor" while Gary Goldstein of the Los Angeles Times wrote of a "strong and empathetic turn". In 2018, Wyle starred in an episode of Matthew Weiner's anthology drama series The Romanoffs.
Wyle's performance as a grieving husband in the eight-part limited CBS series The Red Line (2019) was critically acclaimed. Matt Zoller Seitz of New York Magazine praised "a career-capping performance": "It’s easy to take his brand of unfussy, direct acting for granted, but he’s so moving here [that] it’s impossible not to appreciate all the excellent work he’s done over the decades, and continues to do." Amy Amatangelo of Paste Magazine found the show "clunky" but said it served as a reminder of "how great an actor Wyle is": "He brings depth and nuance to a man who is in deep, deep grief." Hank Stuever of the Washington Post described it as a "knockout performance": "[He] fearlessly weeps, rages and broods from scene to scene, lending particular depth to playing a gay widower doing his best to raise a child and recover. He embraces the role with an energy and sense of dignity that might surprise more than a few viewers." Wyle was nominated for a Critics' Choice Award.
=== 2020–present: Resurgence with The Pitt ===
By 2020, Wyle had worked largely in genre television for fifteen years and felt “kind of at peace" with no longer appearing in shows that were part of "the zeitgeist". Dean Devlin, show runner of The Librarians, invited Wyle to join the ensemble cast of the Prime Video crime dramedy Leverage: Redemption (since 2021). He plays Harry Wilson, a New Orleans corporate lawyer who seeks redemption after a career spent representing morally questionable clients. In the show's first two seasons, Wyle directed five episodes. He joined the writer's room in season two, writing one episode. Due to other work commitments, his character did not appear in some episodes of the third season and he was instead credited as a special guest star. In 2022, he starred in the independent thriller At The Gates.
Wyle experienced a career resurgence when he began starring as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch in the HBO Max medical drama The Pitt (since 2025). The show became a breakout hit, with an average of 18 million viewers per episode. Wyle is also an executive producer of the show and part of the writing staff. He wrote two episodes in the first season and will write two episodes of the second season, directing one. The idea originated when Wyle suggested to ER showrunner John Wells and executive producer R. Scott Gemmill that they develop a television show about Dr. Carter's experiences as a frontline worker during the pandemic. When negotiations with the estate of ER creator Michael Crichton broke down in early 2023, the creative team conceived of a new show, with Wyle using his great-grandmother's maiden name to portray a Jewish character for the first time in his career.
Wyle's performance was widely acclaimed. He won the Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Drama and the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series; it was the sixth Emmy nomination of his career, his first nomination in the lead actor category, and his first win overall. David Sims of The Atlantic described him as "one of TV’s most underrated actors." Richard Lawson of Vanity Fair praised a "commanding performance": "Wyle is an endlessly compelling lead ... His bedside tone, personable and clinically distant at once, is a precise depiction of the guarded compassion of a real doctor. Wyle deftly manages the shifts in emotional temperature as each hour unfolds, selling us on the relentless roller coaster of it all." Laura Bogart of The A.V. Club described it as "a lead performance that feels truly lived-in": "Wyle is remarkable at giving empathy a dramatic alacrity, making the act of listening rich with purpose and potential." Kristen Baldwin of Entertainment Weekly described him as "a master at compassionate calm" and said the emotional unravelling of his character was "executed with breathtaking skill."
== Personal life ==
=== Family ===
Wyle lives between Los Feliz, Los Angeles and the Santa Ynez Valley, California, where he purchased a ranch in 1999.
Wyle was married to make-up artist Tracy Warbin from 2000 to 2010. They met on the set of The Myth of Fingerprints in early 1996, became engaged in 1999 and married in 2000. They have a son, Owen Strausser Wyle (born November 9, 2002), and a daughter, Auden Wyle (born October 15, 2005). Wyle and Warbin separated in late 2009 and later divorced.
Wyle is married to actress Sara Wells. They met in late 2010 and were married in June 2014 at their home in the Santa Ynez Valley, California. The ceremony was officiated by Jan Dance, the wife of David Crosby, with whom Wyle had formed a close friendship in the late 1990s. Their daughter, Frances Harper Wyle, was born on June 22, 2015.
=== Activism ===
From 2002 to 2005, Wyle served as a director on the Hollywood executive board of the Screen Actors Guild. In 2023, he was a frequent picketer during both the Writers Guild of America strike and the SAG-AFTRA strike. In 2025, he supported the Stay in LA awareness campaign to keep Hollywood production in Los Angeles and spoke in support of Los Angeles-based crew members at a press conference organized by California Governor Gavin Newsom to mark the passing of a bill to expand the state’s film tax credit program.
During and after his time on ER, Wyle advocated for healthcare reform and other health-related causes. In 1998, he and President Jimmy Carter filmed a public service announcement on the set of ER to raise awareness about eradicating guinea worm disease. During the Kosovo War in 1999, Wyle was invited by Doctors of the World to spend three weeks observing work in a Macedonian refugee camp. Upon his return to the United States, Wyle joined the executive committee of Human Rights Watch and became the spokesperson for MPT (Moving Past Trauma). He encouraged ER's writing staff to include a storyline on international triage medicine, which led to episodes in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Darfur. In 2004, Wyle was the spokesperson for the Cover the Uninsured campaign and advocated for universal coverage; he filmed PSAs, visited Washington and New York, and wrote an op-ed for the Los Angeles Times. In 2012, Wyle supported the disability rights group ADAPT and was arrested during a protest on Capitol Hill to fight against Medicaid cuts for the elderly and people with disabilities. In 2019, Wyle joined the board of KultureCity, a non-profit organisation that advocates for sensory-inclusive public spaces. In 2025, Wyle wrote an op-ed for USA Today and spoke alongside healthcare professionals at a panel on Capitol Hill, advocating for three bills to support frontline workers in the areas of mental health resources, pay disparity and administrative burdens.
Additionally, Wyle has worked with animal rights charities including the World Wildlife Fund and the Return to Freedom wild horse sanctuary. He narrated a documentary for People Helping People, a local charity which supports low-income families in the Santa Ynez Valley.
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
=== Television ===
== Awards and nominations ==
== References ==
== External links ==
Noah Wyle at IMDb
Noah Wyle and Steve Jobs at 1999 Macworld NY (video clip)
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