RyeGPT People of Note: Billy Kramer in Kramer vs. Kramer, Actor Justin Henry
RyeGPT People of Note is a series highlighting individuals who have a connection to the City of Rye. In the series we ask OpenAI’s ChatGPT to prepare a biography and explain the individual’s connection to Rye.
We welcome your feedback on this series – the use of artificial intelligence, the accuracy and usefulness of each article and your assistance in understanding other pertinent insights related to the person’s connection to Rye.
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Justin Henry, born on May 25, 1971, in Rye, New York, is an American actor and businessman best known for his breakthrough role in the film Kramer vs. Kramer. His performance as Billy Kramer earned him an Academy Award nomination at the age of eight, making him the youngest Oscar nominee in history.
Early Life and Education
Henry grew up in Rye, New York and attended Brunswick School, an all-boys private day school in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he balanced his early acting career with academics. After experiencing early fame, he continued his education, ultimately earning a degree in psychology from Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, New York in 1993.
Acting Career and Connection to Rye, New York
Henry’s acting career began in 1979 with Kramer vs. Kramer, where his portrayal of a young boy caught in the middle of a custody battle captured the hearts of audiences and critics alike. His role earned him both an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor, achievements that remain notable milestones in Hollywood history.
In an interview with TIME magazine on December 3, 1979, 8-year-old Henry explained that the fame didn’t interfere too much with his sense of normalcy. “People think I’m a big-shot movie star, and some of my friends have started to treat me differently,” he said. “But I tell them I’m just like any other kid on the street. This hasn’t changed me at all.” The article also mentions how Kramer vs. Kramer scouts visited Justin’s school in Rye, looking for children with no previous acting experience.
Following his early success, Henry continued acting throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He starred in the beloved coming-of-age film Sixteen Candles (1984), playing Mike Baker, the younger brother of Molly Ringwald’s character. He also appeared in several independent films and television projects.
As an adult, Henry expanded his professional pursuits into media consulting and digital entertainment initiatives. He co-founded the Slamdunk Film Festival in 1998, a “counter-festival” alternative to the Sundance Film Festival. The event was held for a few years until it was discontinued in 2003.
