Born in Orange, NJ; educated at Franklin & Marshall College, PA (history). Versatile, classically trained lead who made his film debut in the mid-1960s and made his mark with finely nuanced roles in the atmospheric thriller, KLUTE (1971), and the gritty urban action film, THE FRENCH CONNECTION (1971). Scheider received wide attention for his role in Steven Spielberg's box-office success, JAWS (1975), and contributed a powerful turn in MARATHON MAN (1976). He gave what was possibly his richest performance as director Bob Fosse's alter ego in the semi-autobiographical ALL THAT JAZZ (1979). Few of Scheider's roles in the 80s matched up to his earlier triumphs. Other notable screen credits include THE SEVEN-UPS (1973), SORCERER (1977), JAWS 2 (1978), STILL OF THE NIGHT (1982), BLUE THUNDER (1983), 2010 (1984), THE MEN'S CLUB and 52 PICK-UP (both 1986), THE RUSSIA HOUSE (1990), NAKED LUNCH (1991), "SeaQuest DSV" (1993, TV series), ROMEO IS BLEEDING (1993), THE RAINMAKER (1997), SILVER WOLF, EVASIVE ACTION and BETTER LIVING (all 1998), CHAIN OF COMMAND, FALLING THROUGH, THE DOORWAY and DAYBREAK (all 2000), ANGELS DON'T SLEEP HERE (2001), RED SERPENT, LOVE THY NEIGHBOR and TEXAS 46 (all 2002), CITIZEN VERDICT (2003), THE PUNISHER (2004), LAST CHANCE (2006), and THE POET, IF I DIDN'T CARE, DARK HONEYMOON and IRON CROSS (all 2007).  Nominated for Supporting Actor 1971: THE FRENCH CONNECTION  Nominated for Actor 1979: ALL THAT JAZZ 2 nominations