Sean Gunn
May 22, 1974 — St. Louis, Missouri
Sean Gunn is an American actor beloved by two very different fan communities: fans of Gilmore Girls, where he played the quirky, everyman odd-jobs character Kirk Gleason for seven seasons, and Marvel Cinematic Universe fans, for whom he is the on-set motion-capture performer behind Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.
St. Louis, Theater, and the Road to Hollywood
Born on May 22, 1974, in St. Louis, Missouri, Sean Gunn is the younger brother of filmmaker James Gunn — a sibling relationship that would significantly shape both men's careers. He studied theater at Webster University's Conservatory of Theatre Arts, developing a physical comedy sensibility and range that served him well in both the small-screen domestic comedy of Gilmore Girls and the physicality required for motion-capture performance work in Marvel films. He began his career with small television roles and stage work before landing the role that would define his early career.
Kirk Gleason and Gilmore Girls
Gunn joined the cast of Gilmore Girls — Amy Sherman-Palladino's beloved WB/CW dramedy set in the fictional Stars Hollow, Connecticut — in 2000. What began as a small recurring role became one of the series' most beloved running gags: Kirk held an impossible number of jobs over the series' seven seasons, showed up in nearly every episode in increasingly absurd circumstances, and became a cult favorite for his deadpan sincerity and comic timing. Gunn reportedly played over 60 different occupations across the series. When Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life returned on Netflix in 2016, Kirk was one of the most eagerly anticipated returning characters.
Did You Know?
Sean Gunn's connection to the Marvel Cinematic Universe goes beyond motion capture. In the original Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), he also played Kraglin Obfonteri — a Ravager and member of Yondu's crew — a role he has reprised in multiple MCU films and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. This means he has appeared in every Guardians film both as Rocket (on-set performer) and as Kraglin (in costume), making him arguably the most physically present actor in the entire Guardians franchise.
The Guardians Franchise and DC Work
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Gunn serves as the on-set performer for Rocket Raccoon in all three Guardians of the Galaxy films (2014, 2017, 2023) and other MCU appearances, providing the eyeline and physical reference that the other actors interact with on set before Bradley Cooper's voice is added in post-production. He also played Maxwell Lord in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad (2021) and the character Weasel. When James Gunn moved to DC Studios as co-CEO, Sean was cast as the Maxwell Lord/Maxwell Lord in the DCU reboot. His career demonstrates a rare ability to be beloved in two entirely different pop culture universes simultaneously.