Brian Dennehy Picture
STARmeter
Top 5000
Up 230 this week

Brian Dennehy


Imposing, barrel-chested and now silver-haired Brian Dennehy is a prolific US actor, well respected on both screen and stage for the best part of 25 years. He was born in July 1938 in Bridgeport, CT, and attended Columbia University in New York City on a football scholarship. He majored in history, before moving onto to Yale to study dramatic arts... See full bio »

Related News

Review: The Best of Both Worlds
29 April 2013 12:09 PM, PDT | Comicmix
The Big C Hereafter: 7 Reasons to Watch
29 April 2013 7:30 AM, PDT | TVfanatic

Projects In Development help

Details only on IMDbPro »

Related Lists

a list of 251 people by Yves Porters created 10 Oct 2010
 
a list of 139 people by mythie-me created 4 months ago
 
a list of 35 people by MsSmartass created 20 Apr 2011
 
a list of 265 people by nscivoletto created 04 Jun 2011
 

Connect with IMDb


Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of Brian Dennehy.
Won Golden Globe. Another 3 wins & 10 nominations See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActor (162 titles)
2013 73 Seconds: The Challenger Investigation (TV movie)
Rogers
 
2012 The Good Wife (TV series)
Bucky Stabler
A Defense of Marriage (2012) … Bucky Stabler
The Art of War (2012) … Bucky Stabler
 
2012 Kinect Fun Labs: Kinect Rush - A Disney Pixar Adventures: Snapshot (Video Game)
Django (voice: English version)
 
2010 The Next Three Days
George Brennan
 
2010 Rizzoli & Isles (TV series)
Detective Kenny Leahy
 
2010 Meet Monica Velour
Pop Pop
 
2010 Every Day
Ernie
 
2009 Rules of Engagement (TV series)
Roy
Dad's Visit (2009) … Roy
 
2009 Bunker Hill (TV movie)
Martin Kelsey
 
2008 Righteous Kill
Hingis
 
2008 Cat City
Harold
 
2008 30 Rock (TV series)
Mickey J
Sandwich Day (2008) … Mickey J
 
2007 War Eagle, Arkansas
Pop
 
2007 Masters of Science Fiction (TV mini-series)
Bedzyk
The Discarded (2007) … Bedzyk
 
2007 Ratatouille (Video Game)
Django (voice)
 
2007 Ratatouille
Django (voice)
 
2007 Marco Polo (TV movie)
Kublai Khan
 
2007 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV series)
Judson Tierney
Scheherazade (2007) … Judson Tierney
 
2006 The Ultimate Gift
Gus
 
2006 Everyone's Hero
Babe Ruth (voice)
 
2006 The 4400 (TV series)
Mitch Baldwin
Blink (2006) … Mitch Baldwin
 
2006 10th & Wolf
Agent Horvath
 
2005 The West Wing (TV series)
Sen. Rafe Framingham
Ninety Miles Away (2005) … Sen. Rafe Framingham
 
2005 The Exonerated (TV movie)
Gary Gauger
 
2004 Category 6: Day of Destruction (TV movie)
Andy Goodman
 
2004 She Hate Me
Chairman Billy Church
 
1998-2003 Just Shoot Me! (TV series)
Red Finch
Pass the Salt (1998) … Red Finch (uncredited)
 
2003 The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone (TV movie)
Tom Stone
 
2003 The Agency (TV series)
James Graydon
Debbie Does Djakarta (2003) … James Graydon
 
1981-2002 Great Performances (TV series)
Grimmet (story 'The Monument') / Narrator
Making 'The Misfits' (2002) … Narrator
The Girls in Their Summer Dresses and Other Stories (1981) … Grimmet (story 'The Monument')
 
2002 A Season on the Brink (TV movie)
Bobby Knight
 
2002 Stolen Summer
Father Kelly
 
2001 Three Blind Mice (TV movie)
Matthew Hope
 
2001 Night Visions (TV series)
Camper Ben (segment "Quiet Please")
A View Through the Window/Quiet Please (2001) … Camper Ben (segment "Quiet Please")
 
2001 Warden of Red Rock (TV movie)
Sheriff Selwyn Church
 
2000 Dish Dogs (video)
Frost
 
2000 Fail Safe (TV movie)
Gen. Bogan
 
2000 The American Experience (TV series documentary)
Burr
The Duel (2000) … Burr (voice)
 
2000 Death of a Salesman (TV movie)
Willy Loman
 
1999 Silicon Towers
Tom Warner
 
1999 Sirens (TV movie)
Lt. Denby
 
1999 Out of the Cold
David Bards
 
1999 NetForce (TV movie)
Lowell Davidson
 
1998 Voyage of Terror (TV movie)
The President
 
1998 Thanks of a Grateful Nation (TV movie)
Sen. Donald Riegle
 
1997 Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (TV movie)
Eddie Brannigan
 
1997 Nostromo (TV mini-series)
Joshua C. Holroyd
 
1996 Undue Influence (TV movie)
Paul Madriani
 
1996 Dead Man's Walk (TV mini-series)
Major Chevallier
 
1996 A Season in Purgatory (TV movie)
Gerald Bradley
 
1995 Shadow of a Doubt (TV movie)
Charley Sloan
 
1995 The Stars Fell on Henrietta
Big Dave McDermot
 
1995 Tommy Boy
Big Tom
 
1994 Midnight Movie (TV movie)
James Boyce
 
1994 Leave of Absence (TV movie)
Sam
 
1994 Birdland (TV series)
Dr. Brian McKenzie
Lower Than the Angels (1994) … Dr. Brian McKenzie
Grand Delusion (1994) … Dr. Brian McKenzie
Plan B (1994) … Dr. Brian McKenzie
Crazy for You (1994) … Dr. Brian McKenzie
 
1993 Final Appeal (TV movie)
Perry Sundquist
 
1993 Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story (TV movie)
Ervil LeBaron
 
1993 Murder in the Heartland (TV movie)
John McArthur
 
1993 Foreign Affairs (TV movie)
Chuck Mumpson
 
1992 Deadly Matrimony (TV movie)
Sergeant John Reed
 
1992 Teamster Boss: The Jackie Presser Story (TV movie)
Jackie Presser
 
1992 The Diamond Fleece (TV movie)
Inspector Outlaw
 
1992 To Catch a Killer (TV movie)
John Wayne Gacy
 
1992 Gladiator
Jimmy Horn
 
1992 The Burden of Proof (TV movie)
Dixon Hartnell
 
1991 F/X2
Leo McCarthy
 
1991 In Broad Daylight (TV movie)
Len Rowan
 
1990 Rising Son (TV movie)
Gus Robinson
 
1990 A Killing in a Small Town (TV movie)
Ed Reivers
 
1990 The Last of the Finest
Frank Daly
 
1990 Pride and Extreme Prejudice (TV movie)
Bruno Morenz
 
1989 Perfect Witness (TV movie)
James Falcon
 
1989 Seven Minutes
Wagner
 
1989 Indio
Whytaker
 
1989 Day One (TV movie)
Gen. Leslie Groves
 
1988 Cocoon: The Return
Walter - Alien Leader (uncredited)
 
1988 Miles from Home
Frank Roberts Sr.
 
1988 Return to Snowy River
Harrison
 
1988 A Father's Revenge (TV movie)
Paul Hobart
 
1988 The Lion of Africa (TV movie)
Sam Marsh
 
1987 Miami Vice (TV series)
Reverend Billy Bob Proverb
Amen... Send Money (1987) … Reverend Billy Bob Proverb
 
1987 Best Seller
Dennis Meechum
 
1987 The Belly of an Architect
Stourley Kracklite
 
1987 Faerie Tale Theatre (TV series)
King Neptune / Narrator
The Little Mermaid (1987) … King Neptune (voice) / Narrator (voice)
 
1986 Legal Eagles
Cavanaugh
 
1986 The Check Is in the Mail...
Richard Jackson
 
1986 Acceptable Risks (TV movie)
Don Sheppard
 
1985 Tall Tales & Legends (TV series)
Buffalo Bill
Annie Oakley (1985) … Buffalo Bill
 
1985 Twice in a Lifetime
Nick
 
1985 Silverado
Cobb
 
1985 Cocoon
Walter
 
1985 Evergreen (TV mini-series)
Matthew Malone
Episode #1.1 (1985) … Matthew Malone
Episode #1.2 (1985) … Matthew Malone
Episode #1.3 (1985) … Matthew Malone
 
1985 The Ferret (TV movie)
 
1985 The Last Place on Earth (TV mini-series)
Frederick Cook
Poles Apart (1985) … Frederick Cook
Rejoice (1985) … Frederick Cook
 
1984 The River Rat
Doc Cole
 
1984 Hunter (TV series)
Dr. Bolin
Hunter (1984) … Dr. Bolin
 
1984 Pigs vs. Freaks (TV movie)
Sergeant Cheever
 
1984 Finders Keepers
Frizzoli
 
1984 Cagney & Lacey (TV series)
Michael Magruder
The Bounty Hunter (1984) … Michael Magruder
 
1983 Never Cry Wolf
Rosie
 
1983 Blood Feud (TV movie)
Edward Grady Partin (Hoffa aide and head of Teamsters Local 5, Baton Rouge)
 
1983 I Take These Men (TV movie)
Phil Zakarian
 
1982 Split Image
Kevin Stetson
 
1981 Darkroom (TV series)
Roland
Make-Up (1981) … Roland
 
1981 Skokie (TV movie)
Police Chief Arthur Buchanan
 
1981 Dynasty (TV series)
D.A. Jake Dunham
The Verdict (1981) … D.A. Jake Dunham
The Beating (1981) … D.A. Jake Dunham
 
1981 Fly Away Home (TV movie)
Tim
 
1980 Knots Landing (TV series)
James Cargill
Chance of a Lifetime (1980) … James Cargill
 
1980 A Rumor of War (TV movie)
Sgt. Ned Coleman
 
1980 The Seduction of Miss Leona (TV movie)
Bliss Dawson
 
1980 Little Miss Marker
Herbie
 
1979 Big Shamus, Little Shamus (TV series)
Arnie Sutter
The Abduction (1979) … Arnie Sutter
The Canary (1979) … Arnie Sutter
 
1979 10
Donald
 
1979 Dummy (TV movie)
Ragoti
 
1979 The Jericho Mile (TV movie)
Dr. D
 
1979 Silent Victory: The Kitty O'Neil Story (TV movie)
Mr. O'Neil
 
1978 A Real American Hero (TV movie)
Buford Pusser
 
1978 Pearl (TV mini-series)
Sgt. Otto Chain
Episode #1.3 (1978) … Sgt. Otto Chain
Episode #1.2 (1978) … Sgt. Otto Chain
Episode #1.1 (1978) … Sgt. Otto Chain
 
1978 Foul Play
Fergie
 
1978 Dallas (TV series)
Luther Frick
 
1978 F.I.S.T
Frank Vasko
 
1978 A Death in Canaan (TV movie)
Barney Parsons
 
1978 Ruby and Oswald (TV movie)
George Paulsen
 
1978 The Tony Randall Show (TV series)
Brian Sr.
Bobby and Brian (1978) … Brian Sr.
 
1977 Ants (TV movie)
Fire Chief
 
1977 Semi-Tough
T.J. Lambert
 
1977 Looking for Mr. Goodbar
Surgeon
 
1977 Lou Grant (TV series)
Wilson
Nazi (1977) … Wilson
 
1977 The Fitzpatricks (TV series)
Coach Hatfield
Superman (1977) … Coach Hatfield
 
1977 Lucan (TV series)
Fisher
 
1977 Bumpers (TV movie)
Ernie Stapp
 
1977 Handle with Care (TV movie)
Col. Marvin Richardson
 
1977 M*A*S*H (TV series)
M.P. Ernie Connors
Souvenirs (1977) … M.P. Ernie Connors
 
1977 Lanigan's Rabbi (TV series)
Burton Tree
Corpse of the Year (1977) … Burton Tree
 
1977 Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye (TV movie)
Longshoreman
 
1977 Serpico (TV series)
Jody
Sanctuary (1977) … Jody
 
1977 Kojak (TV series)
Peter Connor
The Godson (1977) … Peter Connor
 
Show ShowProducer (10 titles)
2001 Three Blind Mice (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
2001 Warden of Red Rock (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
2001 The Fighting Fitzgeralds (TV series) (co-executive producer)
 
2000 Death of a Salesman (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1997 Indefensible: The Truth About Edward Brannigan (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1996 Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (TV movie) (co-executive producer)
 
1995 Shadow of a Doubt (TV movie) (executive producer)
 
1995 Jack Reed: One of Our Own (TV movie) (co-executive producer)
 
1994 Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (TV movie) (co-executive producer)
 
1993 Jack Reed: Badge of Honor (TV movie) (co-executive producer)
 
Show ShowDirector (7 titles)
2001 Night Visions (TV series)
Dead Air/Renovation (2001) (segment "Renovation")
 
1996 Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (TV movie)
 
1996 Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us (TV movie)
 
1995 Shadow of a Doubt (TV movie)
 
1995 Jack Reed: One of Our Own (TV movie)
 
1994 Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (TV movie)
 
Show ShowWriter (5 titles)
1996 Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance (TV movie) (written by)
 
1996 Jack Reed: A Killer Among Us (TV movie) (written by)
 
1995 Shadow of a Doubt (TV movie) (teleplay)
 
1995 Jack Reed: One of Our Own (TV movie) (written by)
 
1994 Jack Reed: A Search for Justice (TV movie) (written by)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
1995 Tommy Boy (performer: "What'd I Say")
 
Show ShowThanks (4 titles)
2010 Caesar and Otto meet Dracula's Lawyer (short) (special thanks)
 
2009 Caesar & Otto in the House of Dracula (short) (thanks)
 
2007 Son of Rambow (thanks - as Brian Dennehey)
 
2002 Drawing First Blood (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (47 titles)
2008-2011 The Hour (TV series)
Himself
Episode #8.16 (2011) … Himself
Episode dated 9 June 2008 (2008) … Himself
 
2011 The Men of The Next Three Days (video short)
Himself
 
2009 Lost Road of the Popes: Via Papale (documentary)
Narrator
 
2009 Love and Valor: The Intimate Civil War Letters (documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2008 Death or Canada (TV documentary)
Narrator
 
2008 8:Ivy League Football and America (TV documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2008 The Immortal Beaver (TV documentary)
Rosie
 
2007 Trumbo (documentary)
Himself
 
2007 Sex, Censorship and the Silver Screen (TV series documentary)
Quote Reader
Forward Into the Past (2007) … Quote Reader (voice)
 
2007 The 61st Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Himself - Presenter
 
2007 Working in the Theatre (TV series)
Himself - Actor
Leading Men (2007) … Himself - Actor
 
2005 'Tommy Boy': Behind the Laughter (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2005 HBO First Look (TV series documentary)
Himself
 
2004 Uncle Sam Wants You (TV documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2004 Joyce to the World (video documentary)
Himself
 
2003 American Valor (TV documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2003 Columbia: A Celebration (TV documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2003 The 57th Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Himself - Winner: Best Actor in a Play
 
2002 Founding Brothers (TV documentary)
George Washington (voice)
 
2002 Code Yellow: Hospital at Ground Zero (documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
2000-2002 Arrest & Trial (TV series documentary)
Himself - Host
Girl's Murder Caught on Tape (2002) … Himself - Host
Trick or Treat Murders (2001) … Himself - Host
Fugitives on a Rampage (2001) … Himself - Host
The Genital Slicer (2001) … Himself - Host
Teenage Prostitut (2001) … Himself - Host
 
2001 Project Greenlight (TV series)
Himself
 
2001 The 12th Annual Golden Laurel Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Presenter
 
2001 The 58th Annual Golden Globe Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Winner: Best Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV
 
2000 Founding Fathers (TV mini-series documentary)
George Washington
 
1999 The Howard Stern Radio Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 19 June 1999 (1999) … Himself
 
1999 The 53rd Annual Tony Awards (TV special)
Himself - Presenter, Performer & Winner: Best Actor in a Play
 
1999 The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 17 March 1999 (1999) … Himself
 
1999 E! True Hollywood Story (TV series documentary)
Himself
Chris Farley (1999) … Himself
 
1998 Gunfighters of the West (TV series)
Himself - Narrator
 
1995 Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 29 May 1995 (1995) … Himself
 
1995 Saturday Night Live (TV series)
Himself
John Goodman/Tragically Hip (1995) … Himself (uncredited)
 
1994 The 16th Annual CableACE Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Audiece Member
 
1992-1994 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV series)
Himself
Episode #3.3 (1994) … Himself
Episode #1.68 (1992) … Himself
 
1993 The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Nominee: Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special & Presenter: Best Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
 
1993 Canceled Lives: Letters from the Inside (video documentary)
Himself (voice)
 
1992 The 44th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Nominee: Best Lead Actor/Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special
 
1991 Reading Rainbow (TV series)
Himself
Kate Shelley and the Midnight Express (1991) … Himself (voice)
 
1991 Zebras: Patterns in the Grass (documentary)
Narrator (voice)
 
1990 America This Morning (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 2 August 1990 (1990) … Himself
 
1987 Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam (TV documentary) (voice)
 
1987 The Last Resort with Jonathan Ross (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.5 (1987) … Himself
 
1983 The Making of 'Never Cry Wolf' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1983 The Making of 'Gorky Park' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1982 The Making of 'First Blood' (TV documentary)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2003 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1999 Biography (TV series documentary)
 

Related Videos

Undue Influence -- Paul Madriani becomes embroiled in his most baffling case at a most difficult time. His wife Nikki has died of cancer and he's caring for his daughter Sarah while negotiating a custody settlement between his sister-in-law and her ex-husband. Undue Influence -- Undue Influence continues as Paul Madriani becomes embroiled in his most baffling case at a most difficult time. Ratatouille -- Clip: Creating Collette, post
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

TV commercial: Maytag washing machines (1977) See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Interviews  | 2 Articles  | 1 Magazine Cover Photo  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Brian Dennehey

Height:

6' 2" (1.88 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

[in 1993, on his quitting drinking] I used to be a pretty serious drinker. Heavy in defiance of knowing my family situation, which is chock-full of alcoholism. For a long time I was a functional alcoholic, though it never got in the way of my work. But it affected relationships. I never killed anybody... See more »

Trivia:

Participated in OCLC's "Geek the Library" advocacy campaign, appearing on a poster that reads "I geek schooners". See more »

Trademark:

Playing men of power who in addition to being corrupt, are just plain mean See more »

Star Sign:

Cancer