Dan Butler
Biography
Daniel Eugene Butler is an American actor and playwright born on December 2, 1954, in Huntington, Indiana, and raised in Fort Wayne. He is the son of homemaker Shirley and pharmacist Andrew Butler. Butler is known for his role as Bob Bulldog Briscoe on the television series Frasier. He starred in Terrence McNallys 1989 play The Lisbon Traviata and wrote an Off Broadway play about his life titled The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me..., which derives its title from a comment his father allegedly made when Butler came out to him. Openly gay, Butler publicly disclosed his homosexuality on Entertainment Tonight in 1994 while playing a heterosexual character on Frasier.
Career overview
Daniel Eugene Butler is an American actor and playwright born on December 2, 1954, in Huntington, Indiana, and raised in Fort Wayne. He is the son of Shirley, a homemaker, and Andrew Butler, a pharmacist. Butler is well known for his television role as Bob Bulldog Briscoe on the series Frasier.
As a stage actor and playwright, Butler starred in Terrence McNally's 1989 play The Lisbon Traviata. He also wrote an Off Broadway play about his life titled The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me..., which takes its title from a comment Butler's father allegedly made when Butler came out to him.
Although Butler never hid his homosexuality, he publicly disclosed it on Entertainment Tonight in 1994 while he was playing a swaggering heterosexual role on Frasier. Across his career, Butler has accumulated 73 known acting credits listed on the Movie Database.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Dan Butler.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
83 titles- All Boys (2024) as Father Frank
- Frasier (2023) as Bulldog Briscoe
- Blonde (2022) as I.E. Shinn
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- All My Life (2020) as Dr. Alan Mendelson
- Tales of the City (2019) as Dan
- Hey Arnold! The Jungle Movie (2018) as Mr. Simmons (voice)
- The Mist (2017) as Father Romanov
- Blindspot (2015) as Sheriff Paul Bolton
- The Mysteries of Laura (2014) as Calvin Gold
- The Blacklist (2013) as Stromberg
- Banshee (2013) as Senator Mitchum
- Elementary (2012) as Denny Mulgrew
- Pearl (2012) Writer
- Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011) as Cal's Boss
- Prayers for Bobby (2009) as Reverend Whitsell
- Cashmere Mafia (2008)
- Chronic Town (2008) as Blow Job
- Karl Rove, I Love You (2007)
- Karl Rove, I Love You (2007) Director
- 'Til Death (2006) as Paul
- Supernatural (2005) as Reverend Sorenson
- House (2004) as Dr. Philip Weber
- Quintuplets (2004) as Francis Helberg
- Miss Match (2003) as Chuck Webb
- Monk (2002) as Dr. Davis Scott
- Without a Trace (2002) as David Wilkins
- American Dreams (2002) as Coach Ambros
- Sniper 2 (2002) as Eckles
- The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest (2002) as Lloyd Acheson
- Fixing Frank (2002) as Dr. Arthur Apsey
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Congressman Price
- Crossing Jordan (2001) as Arnold Hummer
- Malcolm in the Middle (2000) as Norm
- Rocket Power (1999)
- The Sissy Duckling (1999) as Drake (voice)
- From the Earth to the Moon (1998) as Gene Kranz
- Enemy of the State (1998) as Shaffer
- More Tales of the City (1998) as Edward Bass Matheson
- King of the Hill (1997) as Attorney (voice)
- King of the Hill (1997) as Daniel (voice)
- Just Shoot Me! (1997) as Bill Slatton
- Ally McBeal (1997) as Attorney Bender
- The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender (1997) as Host / Narrator
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons (voice)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons / Lila's Father (voice)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons / Scientist (voice)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons (voice; uncredited)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons / Dispatcher (voice)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons / Publisher (voice)
- Hey Arnold! (1996) as Mr. Simmons / Houseboy (voice)
- Suddenly Susan (1996) as Dr. Richards
- The Fan (1996) as Garrity
- The Assassination File (1996) as Harvey Young
- Star Trek: Voyager (1995) as Steth
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Kenneth Arabian
- The Single Guy (1995)
- Live to Tell: The First Gay and Lesbian Prom in America (1995) as Self - Actor, "Frasier"
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Dr. Ivar Kroneberger
- I Love Trouble (1994) as Wilson Chess
- The X-Files (1993) as Jim Ausbury
- Frasier (1993) as Bulldog Briscoe
- Frasier (1993) Director
- Dave (1993) as Reporter
- Rising Sun (1993) as Ken Shubik
- Captain Ron (1992) as Zachery
- Frannie's Turn (1992) as Father Anthony
- From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One (1992) as Asst. DA Mendelson
- The Silence of the Lambs (1991) as Roden
- The Rape of Doctor Willis (1991) as Styvesant
- The Long Walk Home (1990) as Charlie
- Quantum Leap (1989) as Jake Dorleac
- Quantum Leap (1989) as Mutta
- Life Goes On (1989)
- Longtime Companion (1989) as Walter
- Monsters (1988) as David
- Roseanne (1988)
- The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (1987) as Blaise
- Leg Work (1987) as Peter Solinski
- The Manhattan Project (1986) as SWAT
- Manhunter (1986) as Jimmy Price
- Columbo (1971) as Sergeant Goodman
- Silver Fox
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dan Butler best known for?
Dan Butler is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Blonde (2022), Stars in the House (2020), All My Life (2020), The Mist (2017).
When and where was Dan Butler born?
Dan Butler was born on December 2, 1954 in Huntington, Indiana, USA.
How many credits does Dan Butler have?
Dan Butler has accumulated over 83 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1971 to 2024.
What is Dan Butler's background in cinema and television?
Daniel Eugene Butler is an American actor and playwright born on December 2, 1954, in Huntington, Indiana, and raised in Fort Wayne. He is the son of homemaker Shirley and pharmacist Andrew Butler. Butler is known for his role as Bob Bulldog Briscoe on the television series Frasier. He starred in Terrence McNallys 1989...