Sean Bridgers
Biography
Sean MacKenzie Bridgers, born March 15 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is an American actor, screenwriter and producer. He began appearing in television and film in 1991 and is best known for playing Johnny Burns on HBO’s western series Deadwood and Trey Willis on the SundanceTV drama Rectify. Bridgers wrote and produced the independent film Paradise Falls, earning critical acclaim and awards for the project. His film credits include lead roles in Lucky McKee’s horror picture The Woman and the Modernciné feature Jug Face, as well as supporting parts in Sweet Home Alabama, Nell, and the 2015 drama Room, where he portrayed Old Nick.
Career overview
Sean MacKenzie Bridgers (born March 15, 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina) is an American actor, screenwriter and producer who began appearing in film and television projects in 1991. He gained early recognition for his portrayal of Johnny Burns on the HBO western series Deadwood, a role that established him as a recurring character in the acclaimed drama. He later returned to television as Trey Willis on the SundanceTV series Rectify, further expanding his presence in serialized storytelling.
In addition to his television work, Bridgers has built a diverse film résumé. He wrote and produced the independent feature Paradise Falls, which earned critical praise and awards. His performance as the lead in Lucky McKee’s horror film The Woman received notable commendation, and he appeared in the Modernciné production Jug Face. Supporting roles include parts in Sweet Home Alabama and the drama Nell, and he portrayed Old Nick in the 2015 film Room.
Across more than two decades, Bridgers has accumulated credits in over seventy productions, demonstrating a range that spans westerns, horror, drama and independent cinema. His combined work as an actor, writer and producer reflects a continued engagement with both mainstream and independent projects.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
74 titles- Primetime (2026)
- Government Cheese (2025)
- Tracker (2024) as Father Ammon
- The Painted (2024) as Adam Elster
- Outlaw Posse (2024) as Mayor
- Test Screening (2024)
- Bones and All (2022) as Barry Cook
- The Thing About Pam (2022) as Mark Hupp
- The Weird Kidz (2022) as Sheriff (Voice)
- The Underground Railroad (2021) as Fletcher
- Your Honor (2020) as Walter Beckwith
- The Righteous Gemstones (2019) as Field Surgeon
- Deadwood: The Movie (2019) as Johnny Burns
- The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot (2019) as Mr. Gardner / Mr. Gardner's Son
- Deathcember (2019) as Uninjured
- The Alienist (2018) as Sheriff Early
- Midnight, Texas (2017) as Sheriff Livingstone
- Get Shorty (2017) as Louis Darnell
- And Then I Go (2017) as Little Kid's Dad
- The Magnificent Seven (2016) as Fanning
- The Whole Truth (2016) as Arthur Westin
- Free State of Jones (2016) as Sumrall
- Midnight Special (2016) as Fredrick (Ranch Member)
- Elsie Hooper (2016) as Ridley Hooper
- Chicago Med (2015) as Detective Benjamin Gonsiorek
- Room (2015) as Old Nick
- Dark Places (2015) as Runner Day
- Trumbo (2015) as Jeff Krandall
- Blue (2015) as Sheriff Hawkes
- Legs (2015)
- The Best of Me (2014) as Tommy Cole
- The Edge of the Woods (2014) as Abe
- The Blacklist (2013) as Nyle Hatcher
- Rectify (2013) as Trey Willis
- Jug Face (2013) as Dawai
- The Graveyard Feeder (2013) as Burke Sawyer
- The Making of The Woman (2012) as himself
- Hart of Dixie (2011) as Leon Mercy
- The Woman (2011) as Chris Cleek
- Blood On My Name (2011) as Thomas
- Justified (2010) as Virgil Corum
- Raising Hope (2010) as Jack
- Lie to Me (2009) as Harold Clark
- The Mentalist (2008) as Ranger Tisdale
- True Blood (2008) as Big Bobby
- Witless Protection (2008) as Norm
- Private Practice (2007) as Frank Dawson
- Saving Grace (2007) as Carl Lafong
- Jake's Closet (2007) as Peter
- Criminal Minds (2005) as James Charles
- Bones (2005) as John Collins
- Deadwood (2004) as Johnny Burns
- 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story (2004) as Neil Bonnett
- Apple Jack (2003) as Les Danyou
- Sweet Home Alabama (2002) as Eldon
- Clover Bend (2002) as Tyler
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) as Art Schuster
- After Diff'rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped (2000) as Robert
- ATF (1999) as Smitty
- Legacy (1998) as William Winters
- Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction (1997) as Martin Spencer (segment "The Prescription")
- Paradise Falls (1997) as Henry Bancroft
- Paradise Falls (1997) Producer
- Paradise Falls (1997) Writer
- Murderous Intent (1995) as Dennis
- Death in Small Doses (1995) as Mr. Carter
- Her Deadly Rival (1995)
- Nell (1994) as Mike Ibarra
- Getting In (1994) as Dumpster Hunter
- Road-Kill U.S.A. (1993) as Josh
- Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice (1992) as Jedediah
- Murder in New Hampshire: The Pamela Wojas Smart Story (1991) as Ralph Welch
- Red Camellia
- The Trophy King as Trip Mahoney
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Sean Bridgers best known for?
Sean Bridgers is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Primetime (2026), Tracker (2024), The Painted (2024), Bones and All (2022).
When and where was Sean Bridgers born?
Sean Bridgers was born on March 15, 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.
How many credits does Sean Bridgers have?
Sean Bridgers has accumulated over 74 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1991 to 2026.
What is Sean Bridgers's background in cinema and television?
Sean MacKenzie Bridgers, born March 15 1968 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, is an American actor, screenwriter and producer. He began appearing in television and film in 1991 and is best known for playing Johnny Burns on HBO’s western series Deadwood and Trey Willis on the SundanceTV drama Rectify. Bridgers wrote and p...