Richard Crenna
Biography
Richard Crenna was an American actor. He was born on November 30, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Crenna's acting credits include various motion pictures and television shows. He played notable roles in films such as The Sand Pebbles, Wait Until Dark, Body Heat, and the first three Rambo movies. Crenna also appeared in television series including Our Miss Brooks, The Real McCoys, and Slattery's People. He portrayed Colonel Trautman in the first three Rambo movies. Crenna's acting career spanned multiple genres and platforms, resulting in a total of 145 known credits. He passed away on January 17, 2003, at the age of 76.
Career overview
Richard Crenna was a prolific American actor with a diverse film and television career. He began his career in radio, starring in the CBS series Our Miss Brooks, where he played the role of Walter Denton. He transitioned to television, appearing in the ABC series The Real McCoys, which later moved to CBS-TV, and the CBS series Slattery's People.
Crenna's film career spanned multiple genres, with notable roles in The Sand Pebbles, Wait Until Dark, Body Heat, and The Flamingo Kid. He also appeared in the first three Rambo movies, where he played a significant character. His versatility as an actor allowed him to take on a wide range of roles, from drama to comedy. Crenna's extensive filmography includes a variety of notable films, showcasing his ability to adapt to different genres and characters.
Throughout his career, Crenna accumulated a significant number of acting credits, with over 145 known credits. His contributions to film and television have left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Crenna's body of work continues to be recognized and appreciated by audiences and critics alike, a testament to his enduring legacy as a talented and versatile actor.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
147 titles- Rambo (2008) as Col. Samuel Trautman (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Out of the Ashes (2003) as Jake Smith
- We Get to Win This Time (2002) as Self
- Guts and Glory (2002) as Self
- Drawing First Blood: 20 Years Later (2002) as Self
- Afganistan: Land in Crisis (2002) as Self
- The Day Reagan Was Shot (2001) as Ronald Reagan
- By Dawn's Early Light (2001) as Ben Maxwell
- Murder, She Wrote: A Story to Die For (2000) as Warren Pierce
- Judging Amy (1999) as Jared Duff
- To Serve and Protect (1999) as Howard Carr
- To Serve and Protect (1999) as Howard Carr
- Wrongfully Accused (1998) as Fergus Falls
- Atlantis: In Search of a Lost Continent (1997) as Himself / Narrator
- Deep Family Secrets (1997) as Clay Chadway
- Heart Full of Rain (1997) as Arliss Dockett
- 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1997) as Professor Aronnax
- E! True Hollywood Story (1996)
- Race Against Time: The Search for Sarah (1996) as John Porter
- The Real Las Vegas (1996) as Narrator (voice)
- JAG (1995) as Harmon Rabb Sr. (voice)
- Sabrina (1995) as Patrick Tyson
- Jade (1995) as Governor Edwards
- A Pyromaniac's Love Story (1995) as Tom Lumpke (uncredited)
- In the Name of Love: A Texas Tragedy (1995) as Luke Constable Sr.
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Martin Rockwell
- The Forget-Me-Not Murders (1994) as Frank Janek
- Jonathan Stone: Threat of Innocence (1994) as Jonathan Stone
- Janek: The Silent Betrayal (1994) as Frank Janek
- Hot Shots! Part Deux (1993) as Col. Denton Walters
- Hearts of Hot Shots! Part Deux—A Filmmaker's Apology (1993)
- A Place to Be Loved (1993) as George Russ
- Intruders (1992) as Dr. Neil Chase
- Terror on Track 9 (1992) as Det. Frank Janek
- And the Sea Will Tell (1991) as Vincent Bugliosi
- And the Sea Will Tell (1991) as Vincent Bugliosi
- Pros and Cons (1991) as Mitch O'Hannon
- Gabriel's Fire (1990)
- Murder in Black and White (1990) as Frank Janek
- Montana (1990) as Hoyce Guthrie
- Last Flight Out (1990) as Dan Hood
- Murder Times Seven (1990) as Frank Janek
- Leviathan (1989) as Dr. Glen 'Doc' Thompson
- The Case of the Hillside Stranglers (1989) as Sgt. Bob Grogan
- Stuck with Each Other (1989) as Bert Medwick
- Mort Sahl: The Loyal Opposition (1989) as Narrator
- Rambo III (1988) as Trautman
- Internal Affairs (1988) as Frank Janek
- Plaza Suite (1987) as Roy Hubley
- Kids Like These (1987) as Bob Goodman
- Police Story: The Freeway Killings (1987) as Deputy Chief Bob Devers
- A Case of Deadly Force (1986) as Lawrence O'Donnell Sr.
- On Wings of Eagles (1986) as H. Ross Perot
- The High Price of Passion (1986) as Williams Douglas
- Rambo: First Blood Part II (1985) as Col. Samuel Trautman
- The Rape of Richard Beck (1985) as Richard Beck
- Summer Rental (1985) as Al Pellet
- Doubletake (1985) as Frank Janek
- Passions (1984) as Richard Kennerly
- The Flamingo Kid (1984) as Phil Brody
- Squaring the Circle (1984) as The Narrator
- Table for Five (1983) as Mitchell
- Allison Sydney Harrison (1983) Director
- First Blood (1982) as Col. Samuel Trautman
- It Takes Two (1982) as Dr. Sam Quinn
- The Day the Bubble Burst (1982) as Jesse Livermore
- The Magic Statue (1982) Director
- Body Heat (1981) as Edmund Walker
- The Ordeal of Bill Carney (1981) as Mason Rose
- Daniel Boone (1981) as Daniel Boone
- Musical Comedy Tonight II (1981) as Self
- Death Ship (1980) as Trevor Marshall
- Joshua's World (1980) as Dr. Joshua Torrance
- Fugitive Family (1980) as Brian Roberts
- Wild Horse Hank (1979) as Pace Bradford
- Better Late Than Never (1979) Director
- Stone Cold Dead (1979) as Sgt. Boyd
- Turnabout (1979) Director
- Mayflower: The Pilgrims' Adventure (1979) as William Brewster
- Centennial (1978) as Colonel Frank Skimmerhorn
- First, You Cry (1978) as David Towers
- The Evil (1978) as C.J. Arnold
- Grandpa Goes to Washington (1978) Director
- A Fire in the Sky (1978) as Jason Voight
- Devil Dog: The Hound of Hell (1978) as Mike Barry
- Lou Grant (1977) Director
- James at 16 (1977) Director
- Rosetti and Ryan (1977) Director
- The War Between the Tates (1977) as Professor Brian Tate
- All's Fair (1976)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Host
- Breakheart Pass (1975) as Gov. Richard Fairchild
- A Girl Named Sooner (1975) as R.J. 'Mac' McHenry
- The Rockford Files (1974) Director
- Nightmare (1974) as Howard Faloon
- Honky Tonk (1974) as Candy Johnson
- Shootout in a One-Dog Town (1974) as Zack Wells
- Double Solitaire (1974) as Charley Potter
- The Man Called Noon (1973) as Noon
- Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973) as Father (voice)
- Double Indemnity (1973) as Walter Neff
- Un Flic (1972) as Simon
- Footsteps (1972) as Paddy
- Doctors' Wives (1971) as Pete Brennan
- Catlow (1971) as Cowan
- Red Sky at Morning (1971) as Frank Arnold
- Thief (1971) as Neal Wilkinson
- The Deserter (1970) as Major Wade Brown
- Marooned (1969) as Jim Pruett
- Midas Run (1969) as Mike Warden
- Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (1968) as Self
- Star! (1968) as Richard Aldrich
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self
- Wait Until Dark (1967) as Mike Talman
- Made in Paris (1966) as Herb Stone
- The Sand Pebbles (1966) as Captain Collins
- Summer Fun (1966) Director
- John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (1965) as John Goldfarb
- Wendy and Me (1964) Director
- Slattery's People (1964) as James Slattery
- No Time for Sergeants (1964) Director
- Kraft Suspense Theatre (1963) as Edward Smalley
- The Danny Kaye Show (1963) as Self
- Vacation Playhouse (1963) Director
- The Long Lost Life of Edward Smalley (1963) as Edward Smalley
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Andy Griffith Show (1960) Director
- Disneyland '59 (1959) as Self
- The Real McCoys (1957) as Luke McCoy
- The Real McCoys (1957) Director
- Our Miss Brooks (1956) as Walter Denton
- Over-Exposed (1956) as Russell Bassett
- Cheyenne (1955)
- Matinee Theater (1955)
- The Millionaire (1955) as Ralph McKnight
- Frontier (1955)
- Today (1952) as Himself - Actor
- Our Miss Brooks (1952) as Walter Denton
- Red Skies of Montana (1952) as Noxon (uncredited)
- It Grows on Trees (1952) as Ralph Bowen
- The Pride of St. Louis (1952) as Paul Dean
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Arthur Morton
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Nominee
- Golden Globe Awards (1944) as Self - Host
- The Making of 'First Blood'
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Crenna best known for?
Richard Crenna is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Rambo (2008), Hostage (2005), Wrongfully Accused (1998), JAG (1995).
When and where was Richard Crenna born?
Richard Crenna was born on November 30, 1926 in Los Angeles, California, USA. They passed away on January 17, 2003.
How many credits does Richard Crenna have?
Richard Crenna has accumulated over 147 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1944 to 2008.
What is Richard Crenna's background in cinema and television?
Richard Crenna was an American actor. He was born on November 30, 1926, in Los Angeles, California, USA. Crenna's acting credits include various motion pictures and television shows. He played notable roles in films such as The Sand Pebbles, Wait Until Dark, Body Heat, and the first three Rambo movies. Crenna also appe...
Richard Crenna by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- People's Choice Awards (1975) as Self - Host — aged about 48
- I Love Lucy (1951) as Arthur Morton — aged about 24
- Centennial (1978) as Colonel Frank Skimmerhorn — aged about 51
- All's Fair (1976) — aged about 49
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self — aged about 40
- Judging Amy (1999) as Jared Duff — aged about 72
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