Paul McCrane
Biography
Paul David McCrane is an American actor, director, and singer. Born on January 19, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he is known for his work in both film and television. His film appearances include Fame, Robocop, and The Shawshank Redemption. In television, he is possibly best known for his role as Robert Romano on the NBC medical drama series ER, on which he appeared from 1997 to 2008. Across his career, he has accumulated eighty-three known acting credits. His professional name is sometimes written as Paul Mc Crane.
Career overview
Paul David McCrane is an American actor, director, and singer who was born on January 19, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Active in both film and television, his acting career includes appearances in several notable motion pictures such as Fame, Robocop, and The Shawshank Redemption.
In addition to his film work, McCrane is also recognized for his television career. He is possibly best known for his television role as Robert Romano on the NBC medical drama series ER, on which he appeared from 1997 to 2008. Across his career in the entertainment industry, he has accumulated eighty-three known acting credits on the screen.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
86 titles- Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026) as Judge Andrew Spence
- I Don't Love You Anymore (2026) as Detective
- RoboDoc: The Creation of RoboCop (2023) as Self
- The Terminal List (2022) as Mike Tedesco
- The Offer (2022) as Jack Ballard
- All Rise (2019) as Jonas Laski
- All Rise (2019) Director
- The Movies That Made Us (2019) as Self
- The Resident (2018) Director
- Barry (2018) as Mark
- Star (2016) Director
- Shades of Blue (2016) Director
- Empire (2015) Director
- Chicago P.D. (2014) Director
- Extant (2014) Director
- Under the Dome (2013) as Patrick Walters
- Betrayal (2013) Director
- Chicago Fire (2012) Director
- Nashville (2012) Director
- Atlas Shrugged: Part II (2012) as Wesley Mouch
- Harry's Law (2011) as Josh Peyton
- The Defenders (2010) Director
- Miami Medical (2010) Director
- Chase (2010) Director
- Detroit 1-8-7 (2010) Director
- Glee (2009) Director
- Lie to Me (2009) Director
- The Forgotten (2009) Director
- Eleventh Hour (2008) Director
- Life (2007) Director
- Ugly Betty (2006) as District Attorney Weitz
- Shark (2006) Director
- Jericho (2006) Director
- Justice (2006) Director
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) Director
- The Closer (2005) Director
- Close to Home (2005) Director
- House (2004) Director
- New Suit (2003) as Braggy Shoot
- Without a Trace (2002) Director
- NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002) as Self
- 24 (2001) as Graem Bauer
- Citizen Baines (2001) as Sherman Bloom
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Phil Carpenter
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) Director
- The Last Producer (2000) as Austin Greene
- Last Mistake (2000) as Jimmy
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) Director
- The West Wing (1999) Director
- Third Watch (1999) Director
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- From the Earth to the Moon (1998) as Pete Conrad
- The Practice (1997) as Martin Parks
- Champs (1996) as Dr. Herb Barton
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) as Guard Trout
- ER (1994) as Robert Romano
- ER (1994) Director
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Bob Broussard
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Grant Abbott
- Under Suspicion (1994) as Det. Patrick Clarke
- RoboCop: The Future of Law Enforcement (1994) as Emil Antonowsky
- The X-Files (1993) as Leonard Morris Betts
- RoboCop 3 (1993) as Emil M. Antonowsky (archive footage)
- The Portrait (1993) as Bartel
- Strapped (1993) as Mitch Corman
- With Murder in Mind (1992)
- The Commish (1991)
- Law & Order (1990) as James Lee Pawl
- Cop Rock (1990) as Detective Bob McIntyre
- Money, Power, Murder. (1989) as Billy Lynn
- The Blob (1988) as Deputy Bill Briggs
- Superboy (1988)
- Deadline: Madrid (1988) as Doug Dugan
- Wiseguy (1987)
- RoboCop (1987) as Emil Antonowsky
- The Equalizer (1985) as Crocker
- Purple Hearts (1984) as Brenner
- The Hotel New Hampshire (1984) as Frank Berry
- Hill Street Blues (1981)
- Nurse (1981) as George Nicholas
- We're Fighting Back (1981) as Preacher
- Fame (1980) as Montgomery MacNeil
- On Location with: FAME (1980) as Self - ‘Montgomery’
- Baby Comes Home (1980) as Bobby Moore
- Death Penalty (1980) as Joey Rodick
- Rocky II (1979) as Young Patient (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Paul McCrane best known for?
Paul McCrane is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026), The Terminal List (2022), The Offer (2022), All Rise (2019).
When and where was Paul McCrane born?
Paul McCrane was born on January 19, 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
How many credits does Paul McCrane have?
Paul McCrane has accumulated over 86 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1979 to 2026.
What is Paul McCrane's background in cinema and television?
Paul David McCrane is an American actor, director, and singer. Born on January 19, 1961, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he is known for his work in both film and television. His film appearances include Fame, Robocop, and The Shawshank Redemption. In television, he is possibly best known for his role as Robert Romano o...
Paul McCrane by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994) as Guard Trout — aged about 33
- The X-Files (1993) as Leonard Morris Betts — aged about 32
- From the Earth to the Moon (1998) as Pete Conrad — aged about 37
- The Terminal List (2022) as Mike Tedesco — aged about 61
- The Offer (2022) as Jack Ballard — aged about 61
- Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026) as Judge Andrew Spence — aged about 65
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