Baldwin of "The Boss Baby" - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Baldwin of 'The Boss Baby'", is a classic example of a pop culture trivia question often found in modern crossword puzzles. It requires the solver to connect a specific actor to one of their prominent roles. For those familiar with contemporary film and television, this clue should be a quick and satisfying fill.

Clue Analysis

The clue is direct and contains two key pieces of information:

1. "Baldwin": This points to a specific family of actors.
2. "The Boss Baby": This is the title of a popular 2017 animated film.

The task is to identify the first name of the Baldwin brother who provided the voice for the title character in this movie. The answer is a four-letter male name.

Thinking Approaches

A solver might approach this clue in a few ways:

1. Direct Recall: If you've seen "The Boss Baby" or are familiar with its cast, the name of the lead voice actor might come to mind immediately. This is the most direct path to the solution.
2. Educated Guessing: The Baldwin family has several famous actors. However, one brother is significantly more prominent in mainstream media, especially in comedic roles and on shows like "Saturday Night Live." If you're going to guess a Baldwin, he is the most likely candidate for a crossword puzzle answer.
3. Using Crossings: If you're unsure, don't hesitate to work on the crossing clues. A four-letter name can often be deduced from just one or two intersecting letters. For example, if you get the 'L' from a down clue, you can test common names like _ L _ _.

Background Context

The clue refers to Alec Baldwin, an American actor, comedian, and producer. He is the eldest and arguably the most famous of the four Baldwin brothers (the others being Daniel, William, and Stephen).

His career is extensive, including an Emmy-winning role as Jack Donaghy on the sitcom 30 Rock, his frequent portrayal of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, and roles in films like The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Departed. In the animated film The Boss Baby, he voices the titular character, a suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying infant.

Conclusion

This clue serves as a straightforward test of modern pop culture knowledge. By identifying the most famous Baldwin brother and connecting him to the specified film, solvers can confidently fill in this entry. It's a great example of how being generally aware of current entertainment can be a huge asset in crossword solving.

Hints

1. Hint 1: The clue refers to a member of a famous acting family.
2. Hint 2: This actor is also known for his role on the TV show '30 Rock'.
3. Hint 3: He is the eldest of four brothers, all of whom are actors.
4. Hint 4: His first name is a common four-letter male name.

The answer is ALEC.