Brian Dennehy
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- July 9, 1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
- Died
- April 15, 2020
- Active Years
- 1944–2021 (78 Years)
- Total Credits
- 230 credits in database
Acting Born Jul 9, 1938 Died Apr 15, 2020 Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA 230 credits
Biography
Brian Dennehy was an American actor of film, stage, and television. Born on July 9, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he was active in the entertainment industry. Dennehy's breakthrough film role was as sheriff Will Teasle in First Blood. He displayed versatility in various roles, including a corrupt sheriff in the western Silverado and a benevolent alien leader in Cocoon. Other notable films featuring Dennehy include Gorky Park, Never Cry Wolf, Legal Eagles, F/X, Tommy Boy, Romeo + Juliet, and Ratatouille. Dennehy was also known for his work in theater, particularly in the latter part of his career. He passed away on April 15, 2020, at the age of 81.
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Career overview
Brian Dennehy was an American actor who appeared in film, stage, and television. He is known for his versatility in playing complex roles, often taking on villainous and virtuous characters. Dennehy's breakthrough film role was as sheriff Will Teasle in the 1982 film First Blood. He went on to appear in a range of notable films, including Gorky Park and Never Cry Wolf, both released in 1983.
Dennehy's filmography also includes the western Silverado, released in 1985, as well as Cocoon, also released that year. He continued to work in film throughout the 1980s and 1990s, appearing in titles such as Legal Eagles and F/X, both released in 1986, and Tommy Boy in 1995. Dennehy's career also extended to the stage, with him being a prominent figure in the theater world.
In addition to his film work, Dennehy appeared in the 1996 film Romeo + Juliet and the 2007 animated film Ratatouille. Throughout his career, Dennehy demonstrated his range and ability to take on a variety of roles. He is remembered for his contributions to film and theater.
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Frequent co-stars
Susan Ruttan
6 shared titles
Michael Talbott
5 shared titles
Lesley Ann Warren
4 shared titles
Charles S. Dutton
4 shared titles
Justin Burnette
4 shared titles
Michael C. Gwynne
3 shared titles
Joe Grifasi
3 shared titles
Xander Berkeley
3 shared titles
Kathleen Dennehy
3 shared titles
Amber Benson
3 shared titles
Career timeline
Son of the South
Penny Dreadful: City of AngelsDriveways
The Song of Sway LakeAlan Pakula: Going for Truth3 Days with Dad
TagThe Seagull
A Very Merry Toy Store
Hap and Leonard
Public MoralsKnight of CupsThe Ultimate LegacyCocked
The BlacklistThe Blacklist · In Memory OfThe Challenger Disaster
Twelfth Night
The Big Year
Rizzoli & IslesThe Big CThe Next Three DaysEvery DayMeet Monica Velour
The Good WifeLove and ValorBunker HillLost Road of the Popes: Via Papale
Righteous KillCat City
RatatouilleRules of EngagementMasters of Science FictionThe Ultimate GiftMarco Polo
30 Rock10th & WolfEveryone's HeroThe Exonerated
Assault on Precinct 13Our Fathers
The 4400She Hate MeCategory 6: Day of DestructionCategory 6: Day of Destruction
The Roman Spring of Mrs. StoneAmerican ValorThe Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About EnronBehind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company'
Founding BrothersStolen SummerA Season on the BrinkCode Yellow: Hospital at Ground ZeroMaking 'The Misfits'
The AgencyNight VisionsNight Visions · DirectorAnimated Tales of the WorldSummer Catch
Arrest & TrialFail SafeFounding FathersDish DogsDeath of a Salesman
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitThe West WingToo Rich: The Secret Life of Doris DukeNetForceSirens
Voyage of TerrorThanks of a Grateful Nation
Just Shoot Me!NostromoIndefensible: The Truth About Edward BranniganIndefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan · DirectorIndefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan · Executive Producer
Romeo + JulietE! True Hollywood StoryUndue InfluenceDead Man's WalkA Season in Purgatory
Tommy BoyJack Reed: One of Our OwnJack Reed: One of Our Own · DirectorJack Reed: One of Our Own · Co-Executive ProducerJack Reed: One of Our Own · Writer
BirdlandJack Reed: A Search for JusticeJack Reed: A Search for Justice · Co-Executive ProducerJack Reed: A Search for Justice · WriterJack Reed: A Search for Justice · Director
Late Night with Conan O'BrienMurder in the HeartlandForeign AffairsJack Reed: Badge of HonorJack Reed: Badge of Honor · Co-Executive Producer
GladiatorDeadly MatrimonyThe Diamond FleeceThe Burden of ProofTo Catch a Killer
F/X2In Broad DaylightZebras: Patterns in the Grass
Full Filmography
230 titles- Son of the South (2021) as Grandfather
- Penny Dreadful: City of Angels (2020) as Jerome Townsend
- Driveways (2020) as Del
- The Song of Sway Lake (2019) as Hal Sway
- Alan Pakula: Going for Truth (2019) as Self
- 3 Days with Dad (2019) as Bob
- Tag (2018) as Mr. Cilliano
- The Seagull (2018) as Pjotr Sorin
- A Very Merry Toy Store (2017) as Joe Haggarty
- Hap and Leonard (2016) as Sheriff Valentine Otis
- Public Morals (2015) as Joe Patton
- Knight of Cups (2015) as Joseph
- The Ultimate Legacy (2015) as Gus
- Cocked (2015) as Wade
- The Blacklist (2013) as Dominic Wilkinson
- The Blacklist (2013) In Memory Of
- The Challenger Disaster (2013) as Rogers
- Twelfth Night (2012) as Sir Toby Belch
- The Big Year (2011) as Raymond Harris
- Rizzoli & Isles (2010) as Ret. Det. Kenny Leahy
- The Big C (2010) as Dad
- The Next Three Days (2010) as George Brennan
- Every Day (2010) as Ernie
- Meet Monica Velour (2010) as Pop Pop
- Alleged (2010) as Clarence Darrow
- Caesar and Otto meet Dracula’s Lawyer (2010) as Steve Dracula’s More Famous Brother
- The Good Wife (2009) as Bucky Stabler
- Love and Valor (2009) as Narrator (voice)
- Bunker Hill (2009) as Martin 'Mutt' Kelsey
- Lost Road of the Popes: Via Papale (2009) as Narrator
- Righteous Kill (2008) as Hingis
- Cat City (2008) as Harold
- Ratatouille (2007) as Django (voice)
- Rules of Engagement (2007) as Roy
- Masters of Science Fiction (2007) as Bedzyk
- The Ultimate Gift (2007) as Gus
- Marco Polo (2007) as Kublai Khan
- Welcome to Paradise (2007) as Bobby Brown
- Marco Polo (2007) as Kublai Khan
- War Eagle, Arkansas (2007) as Pop, Enochs Father
- Trumbo (2007) as Self
- Andrew Jackson: Good, Evil & The Presidency (2007) as Andrew Jackson (voice)
- 30 Rock (2006) as Mickey J
- 10th & Wolf (2006) as Agent Horvath
- Everyone's Hero (2006) as Babe Ruth (voice)
- The Exonerated (2006) as Gary Gauger
- Assault on Precinct 13 (2005) as Sargeant Jasper O'Shea
- Our Fathers (2005) as Father Dominic Spagnolia
- The 4400 (2004) as Mitch Baldwin
- She Hate Me (2004) as Billy Church
- Category 6: Day of Destruction (2004) as Andy Goodman
- Category 6: Day of Destruction (2004) as Andy Goodman
- The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (2003) as Tom Stone
- American Valor (2003) as Narrator
- The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron (2003) as Mr. Blue
- Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of 'Three's Company' (2003) as Fred Silverman
- Founding Brothers (2002)
- Stolen Summer (2002) as Father Kelly
- A Season on the Brink (2002) as Bobby Knight
- Code Yellow: Hospital at Ground Zero (2002) as Narrator
- Making 'The Misfits' (2002) as Narrator
- The Agency (2001) as James Graydon
- Night Visions (2001) as Camper Ben (segment "Quiet, Please")
- Night Visions (2001) Director
- Animated Tales of the World (2001) as Captain (voice)
- Summer Catch (2001) as John Schiffner
- Warden of Red Rock (2001) as Sheriff Selwyn Church
- Warden of Red Rock (2001) Executive Producer
- The Fighting Fitzgeralds (2001) as Mr. Fitzgerald
- Three Blind Mice (2001) as Matthew Hope
- Three Blind Mice (2001) Executive Producer
- Arrest & Trial (2000) as Self - Host
- Fail Safe (2000) as Gen. Bogan
- Founding Fathers (2000) as George Washington (voice)
- Dish Dogs (2000) as Frost
- Death of a Salesman (2000) as Willy Loman
- Death of a Salesman (2000) Executive Producer
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Judson Tierney
- The West Wing (1999) as Rafe Framingham
- Too Rich: The Secret Life of Doris Duke (1999) as Louis Bromfield
- NetForce (1999) as Lowell Davidson
- Sirens (1999) as Lt. Denby
- Netforce (1999) as Lowell Davidson
- Silicon Towers (1999) as Tom Warner
- Out of the Cold (1999) as David Bards
- Voyage of Terror (1998) as The President
- Thanks of a Grateful Nation (1998) as Sen. Donald Riegle
- Just Shoot Me! (1997) as Red Finch
- Nostromo (1997) as Joshua C. Holroyd
- Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997) as Eddie Brannigan
- Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997) Director
- Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (1997) Executive Producer
- Romeo + Juliet (1996) as Ted Montague
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Undue Influence (1996) as Paul Madriani
- Dead Man's Walk (1996) as Major Chevallier
- A Season in Purgatory (1996) as Gerald Bradley
- A Season in Purgatory (1996) as Gerald Bradley
- Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (1996) as Jack Reed
- Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (1996) Co-Executive Producer
- Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (1996) Writer
- Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (1996) Director
- Shadow of a Doubt (1996) as Charley Sloan
- Shadow of a Doubt (1996) Writer
- Shadow of a Doubt (1996) Director
- Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us (1996) as Jack Reed
- Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us (1996) Director
- Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us (1996) Writer
- Tommy Boy (1995) as Thomas 'Big Tom' Callahan
- Jack Reed: One of Our Own (1995) as Jack Reed
- Jack Reed: One of Our Own (1995) Director
- Jack Reed: One of Our Own (1995) Co-Executive Producer
- Jack Reed: One of Our Own (1995) Writer
- The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995) as Big Dave McDermot
- Birdland (1994) as Dr. Brian McKenzie
- Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (1994) as Jack Reed
- Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (1994) Co-Executive Producer
- Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (1994) Writer
- Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (1994) Director
- Leave of Absence (1994) as Sam
- Midnight Movie (1994) as James Boyce
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Murder in the Heartland (1993) as John McArthur
- Foreign Affairs (1993) as Chuck Mumpson
- Jack Reed: Badge of Honor (1993) as Jack Reed
- Jack Reed: Badge of Honor (1993) Co-Executive Producer
- Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story (1993) as Ervil LeBaron
- Final Appeal (1993) as Perry Sundquist
- Gladiator (1992) as Jimmy Horn
- Deadly Matrimony (1992) as Jack Reed
- The Diamond Fleece (1992) as Inspector Outlaw
- The Burden of Proof (1992) as Dixon Hartnell
- To Catch a Killer (1992) as John Wayne Gacy
- To Catch a Killer (1992) as John Wayne Gacy
- Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (1992) as Jackie Presser
- F/X2 (1991) as Leo McCarthy
- In Broad Daylight (1991) as Len Rowan
- Zebras: Patterns in the Grass (1991) as Narrator (voice)
- Presumed Innocent (1990) as Raymond Horgan
- The Last of the Finest (1990) as Frank Daly
- Rising Son (1990) as Gus Robinson
- A Killing in a Small Town (1990) as Ed Reivers
- Pride and Extreme Prejudice (1990) as Bruno Morenz
- Seven Minutes (1989) as Wagner
- Perfect Witness (1989) as James Falcon
- Indio (1989) as Whitaker
- Day One (1989) as Gen. Leslie Groves
- American Experience (1988) as Aaron Burr (voice)
- Cocoon: The Return (1988) as Walter (uncredited)
- The Man From Snowy River II (1988) as Harrison
- Miles from Home (1988) as Frank Roberts Sr.
- A Father's Revenge (1988) as Paul Hobart
- Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (1987) as (voice)
- Best Seller (1987) as Dennis Meechum
- The Belly of an Architect (1987) as Stourley Kracklite
- The Lion of Africa (1987) as Sam Marsh
- The Little Mermaid (1987) as King Neptune (Narrator) (voice)
- F/X (1986) as Lt. Leo McCarthy
- Legal Eagles (1986) as Cavanaugh
- Acceptable Risks (1986) as Don Sheppard
- The Check is in the Mail... (1986) as Richard Jackson
- Screen Two (1985) as James Boyce
- Tall Tales & Legends (1985) as Buffalo Bill
- Cocoon (1985) as Walter
- Silverado (1985) as Cobb
- Evergreen (1985) as Matthew Malone
- The Last Place on Earth (1985) as Frederick Cook
- Twice in a Lifetime (1985) as Nick
- Annie Oakley (1985) as Buffalo Bill
- Miami Vice (1984) as Reverend Billy Bob Proverb
- Hunter (1984) as Dr. Bolin
- The River Rat (1984) as Doc Cole
- Finders Keepers (1984) as Frizzoli
- The Pigs vs. The Freaks (1984) as Sergeant Cheever
- Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Gorky Park (1983) as William Kirwill
- Never Cry Wolf (1983) as Rosie
- Blood Feud (1983) as Edward Grady Partin
- I Take These Men (1983) as Phil Zakarian
- Blood Feud (1983) as Edward Grady Partin
- Cagney & Lacey (1982) as Michael Magruder
- First Blood (1982) as Hope Sheriff Will Teasle
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as King Neptune / Narrator (voice)
- Split Image (1982) as Kevin Stetson
- Star of the Family (1982) as Leslie 'Buddy' Krebs
- The Man Who Married a French Wife and Other Stories (1982) as Grimmet
- Dynasty (1981) as Jake Dunham
- Darkroom (1981) as Roland
- Skokie (1981) as Police Chief Arthur Buchanan
- The Girls in Their Summer Dresses and Other Stories (1981) as Grimmet
- Fly Away Home (1981) as Tim Arnold
- A Rumor of War (1980) as Sgt. Ned Coleman
- Little Miss Marker (1980) as Herbie
- The Jericho Mile (1980) as Dr. D
- The Seduction of Miss Leona (1980) as Bliss Dawson
- Knots Landing (1979) as James Cargill
- 10 (1979) as Donald
- Big Shamus, Little Shamus (1979) as Arnie Sutter
- Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979) as O.C. Hanks
- Dummy (1979) as Ragoti
- Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story (1979) as John O'Neil
- Dallas (1978) as Luther Frick
- Foul Play (1978) as Fergie
- A Real American Hero (1978) as Buford Pusser
- F.I.S.T. (1978) as Frank Vasko
- Pearl (1978) as Sgt. Otto Chain
- A Death in Canaan (1978) as Barney Parsons
- Ruby and Oswald (1978) as George Paulsen
- Lou Grant (1977) as Wilson
- Lucan (1977) as Fisher
- The Fitzpatricks (1977) as Coach Hatfield
- Looking for Mr. Goodbar (1977) as Surgeon
- Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye (1977) as Longshoreman
- Semi-Tough (1977) as T.J. Lambert
- It Happened at Lakewood Manor (1977) as Fire Chief
- Lanigan's Rabbi (1977) as Burton Tree
- The Tony Randall Show (1976) as Brian Sr.
- Serpico (1976) as Jody
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Playhouse (1974) as Grimmet
- Police Woman (1974) as Burrows
- Kojak (1973) as Peter Connor
- M*A*S*H (1972) as M.P. Ernie Connors
- Great Performances (1971) as Grimmet
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter / Performer / Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Winner
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Presenter
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- The Making of 'First Blood'
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Brian Dennehy best known for?
Brian Dennehy is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Tulpanmysteriet (1996), Driveways (2020), The Song of Sway Lake (2019), 3 Days with Dad (2019).
When and where was Brian Dennehy born?
Brian Dennehy was born on July 9, 1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. They passed away on April 15, 2020.
How many credits does Brian Dennehy have?
Brian Dennehy has accumulated over 230 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2021.
What is Brian Dennehy's background in cinema and television?
Brian Dennehy was an American actor of film, stage, and television. Born on July 9, 1938, in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he was active in the entertainment industry. Dennehy's breakthrough film role was as sheriff Will Teasle in First Blood. He displayed versatility in various roles, including a corrupt sheriff in the wes...
Brian Dennehy by the numbers
230credits
156films
74TV series
1944–2021active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Dummy (1979) as Ragoti — aged about 40
- The West Wing (1999) as Rafe Framingham — aged about 60
- Reading Rainbow (1983) as Self - Narrator (voice) — aged about 44
- Faerie Tale Theatre (1982) as King Neptune / Narrator (voice) — aged about 43
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Judson Tierney — aged about 60
- Rizzoli & Isles (2010) as Ret. Det. Kenny Leahy — aged about 71
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