Ken Olin
Biography
Ken Olin was born Kenneth Edward Olin in Chicago, Illinois, on July 30, 1954. He is an actor with known credits in fifty-seven projects. After starting with bit parts, he secured regular roles on television shows including Hill Street Blues and Falcon Crest. He later starred as Michael Steadman on the television series Thirtysomething, which ran for four seasons. His other television and film credits include The Paper Chase, Freaks and Geeks, and This Is Us.
Career overview
Actor and television figure Ken Olin was born in Chicago, Illinois, on July 30, 1954, and attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia before moving to Hollywood in the late 1970s. After beginning his career with bit parts, he steadily increased his presence on television during the 1980s. His television work includes regular roles during single seasons on the series Hill Street Blues and Falcon Crest.
Following these roles, Olin was cast as Michael Steadman on the series Thirtysomething, which ran for four seasons. Alongside his acting credits, which number 57 known credits on the Movie Database, he is also considered a notable force behind the camera. His known film and television projects also include work associated with titles such as The Paper Chase, Freaks and Geeks, and This Is Us.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- Paradise (2025) Director
- Tracker (2024) Executive Producer
- Tracker (2024) Director
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- The Story of Soaps (2020) as Self
- Grand Hotel (2019) Director
- This Is Us (2016) Director
- This Is Us (2016) Executive Producer
- The Man in the High Castle (2015) Director
- Zoo (2015) as Professor Robert Oz
- The Slap (2015) Director
- Sleepy Hollow (2013) Director
- Sleepy Hollow (2013) Executive Producer
- The Mob Doctor (2012) Director
- Americana (2012) as Martin Garano
- Eli Stone (2008) Director
- Eli Stone (2008) Producer
- Brothers & Sisters: Family Album (2007) Executive Producer
- Brothers and Sisters (2006) as David Caplan
- Brothers and Sisters (2006) Producer
- Brothers and Sisters (2006) Director
- The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie (2005) as Ken Olin
- Phenomenon II (2003) Director
- Phenomenon II (2003) Executive Producer
- Breaking News (2002)
- Breaking News (2002) Producer
- Alias (2001) as David McNeil (uncredited)
- Alias (2001) Director
- Alias (2001) Co-Executive Producer
- Alias (2001) Executive Producer
- The West Wing (1999) Director
- Judging Amy (1999) Director
- Freaks and Geeks (1999) Director
- Evolution's Child (1999)
- Y2K (1999) as Nick Cromwell
- Felicity (1998) Director
- L.A. Doctors (1998) as Roger Cattan
- L.A. Doctors (1998) Director
- 'Til There Was You (1997) as Gregory
- The Advocate's Devil (1997) as Abe Ringel
- EZ Streets (1996) as Cameron Quinn
- EZ Streets (1996) Director
- In Pursuit of Honor (1995) Director
- Dead by Sunset (1995)
- Nothing But the Truth (1995) as Dr. Peter Clayman
- Kansas (1995) Executive Producer
- White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf (1994) Director
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- Telling Secrets (1993) as Det. Jay Jensen
- Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992) Director
- The Broken Cord (1992) Director
- Queens Logic (1991) as Ray
- Goodnight Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston (1990) as Charles Stuart
- Police Story (1988) as Officer Manny Mandell
- Police Story: Cop Killer (1988) as Officer Manny Mandell
- A Stoning in Fulham County (1988) as Jim Sandler
- thirtysomething (1987) as Michael Steadman
- thirtysomething (1987) Director
- I'll Take Manhattan (1987) as Nat Lammerman
- Tonight's the Night (1987) as Henry Fox
- There Must Be a Pony (1986) as Jay Savage
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Perry Revere
- Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac (1984) as David Frank
- The Hitchhiker (1983) as Steve
- Bay City Blues (1983) as Rocky Padillo
- Hotel (1982)
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Harry Garibaldi
- Hill Street Blues (1981) as Det. Harry Garibaldi
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Christopher Rossini
- Ghost Story (1981) as Young Sears James
- Women at West Point (1979) as Board Member
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Audience Member
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Presenter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Ken Olin best known for?
Ken Olin is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Paradise (2025), Tracker (2024), Tracker (2024), Stars in the House (2020).
When and where was Ken Olin born?
Ken Olin was born on July 30, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Ken Olin have?
Ken Olin has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2025.
What is Ken Olin's background in cinema and television?
Ken Olin was born Kenneth Edward Olin in Chicago, Illinois, on July 30, 1954. He is an actor with known credits in fifty-seven projects. After starting with bit parts, he secured regular roles on television shows including Hill Street Blues and Falcon Crest. He later starred as Michael Steadman on the television series...