James Karen Picture
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Up 1,420 this week

James Karen


Veteran Broadway, TV and film actor James Karen was encouraged as a young man to take up an acting career by U.S. Congressman Daniel J. Flood, who was an amateur actor himself. In 1947 Karen made his Broadway debut in "A Streetcar Named Desire", which led to appearances in over 20 Broadway productions... See full bio »

More at IMDbPro » Contact Info on IMDbPro Contact Info: View agent
Add or change photos on IMDbPro Represent James Karen? Add or change photos

Related Lists

a list of 58 people by i_am_gez created 05 Dec 2011
 
a list of 266 people by Bob_the_Hobo created 11 May 2011
 
a list of 122 people by alirioaguero2 created 01 Mar 2011
 
a list of 300 people by aladdinsane85 created 23 Jan 2011
 
a list of 201 people by Dan Ashley created 11 Nov 2011
 

Do you have a demo reel?

Connect with IMDb


Take The Quiz!

Test your knowledge of James Karen.
1 win & 1 nomination See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActor (191 titles)
2012 America's Most Haunted (completed)
Ralph George
 
2012 Dark Canyon
Seymour Redfield
 
2012 American Dad! (TV series)
Killer Vacation (2012) (voice)
 
2012 The Butterfly Room
Sales Clerk
 
2012 Drew Peterson: Untouchable (TV movie)
Pastor Tom Keller
 
2011/III Pride (short)
Anthony
 
2011 The Cleveland Show (TV series)
 
2010 Sympathy for Delicious
Father Rohn
 
2009 Dark and Stormy Night
Seyton Ethelquake
 
2008 Cold Case (TV series)
Steve Pratt '08
Glory Days (2008) … Steve Pratt '08
 
2007 Heart Medicine (short)
Mac
 
2006 Superman Returns
Ben Hubbard (scenes deleted)
 
2005 Office Court (short)
Judge Jimmy
 
2005 Unscripted (TV series)
Dante's Friend
Episode #1.10 (2005) … Dante's Friend
Episode #1.9 (2005) … Dante's Friend
Episode #1.5 (2005) … Dante's Friend
 
2004 Flickering Blue (short)
Al
 
2003 Judging Amy (TV series)
Dr. Irwin Garner
Rumspringa (2003) … Dr. Irwin Garner
 
2003 A House on a Hill
Sy
 
2000-2002 JAG (TV series)
Former COMSUBPAC / Senator Barrington
Need to Know (2002) … Former COMSUBPAC
Real Deal SEAL (2000) … Senator Barrington
 
2002 Fatal Kiss (TV movie)
Larry Jacobs
 
2001 Jane Bond (short)
Z
 
2001 The Nightmare Room (TV series)
Tobias Langley
School Spirit (2001) … Tobias Langley (uncredited)
 
1998-2001 The Practice (TV series)
Judge Knapp / Judge in Tobacco Case
The Thin Line (2001) … Judge Knapp
Payback (2001) … Judge Knapp
Another Day (1998) … Judge in Tobacco Case
 
2000 Walker, Texas Ranger (TV series)
Senator
Winds of Change (2000) … Senator
 
2000 The Parkers (TV series)
Rupert Van Lowe
Moving on Out (2000) … Rupert Van Lowe
 
1999 Any Given Sunday
Christina's Advisor
 
1999 One Last Flight
Gramps
 
1999 My Last Love (TV movie)
Phil Morton
 
1998 Apt Pupil
Victor Bowden
 
1998 Freedom Strike
President Mitchell
 
1998 The Cowboy and the Movie Star (TV movie)
Brad Peters
 
1998 Beverly Hills, 90210 (TV series)
Minister
The Wedding: Part 1 (1998) … Minister
The Wedding: Part 2 (1998) … Minister
 
1998 Girl
Dad
 
1998 Seinfeld (TV series)
Mr. Canterman
The Puerto Rican Day (1998) … Mr. Canterman
 
1998 Shadow of Doubt
Norman Calloway
 
1997 NightMan (TV movie)
 
1997 Joyride
The Client
 
1997 NightMan (TV series)
Secretary of Defense Laughton
Pilot: Part 1 (1997) … Secretary of Defense Laughton
 
1997 Behind Enemy Lines
TV Reporter
 
1997 Dark Skies (TV series)
Harry Carruthers
To Prey in Darkness (1997) … Harry Carruthers
 
1996 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
Mark Abernathy
Something Blue (1996) … Mark Abernathy
 
1996 Up Close & Personal
Tom Orr
 
1996 Sisters (TV series)
Judge
A Sudden Change of Heart (1996) … Judge
 
1996 Spycraft: The Great Game (Video Game)
DDO Gene Warhurst
 
1996 Always Say Goodbye (video)
William Tager
 
1995 Nixon
Bill Rogers
 
1995 Piranha (TV movie)
Governor
 
1995 Congo
College President/Elliot's Boss
 
1995 Tough and Deadly (video)
Winston Briggers
 
1995 The Commish (TV series)
Jimmy Malloy
The Golden Years (1995) … Jimmy Malloy
 
1995 Bonanza: Under Attack (TV movie)
 
1994 Hearts Afire (TV series)
Norman Lynch
 
1994 The Companion (TV movie)
Peter Franklin
 
1994 Melrose Place (TV series)
Judge Mike Thomas
It's a Bad World After All (1994) … Judge Mike Thomas
 
1992-1994 Coach (TV series)
James Armstrong
Vows (1992) … James Armstrong
 
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love (TV movie)
Mylan Whitfield
 
1994 Future Shock
Kefka
 
1994 Tick, Tick, Tick (short)
 
1994 A Kiss Goodnight (TV movie)
Sam Mosbach
 
1993 Staying Afloat (TV movie)
George
 
1993 A Walton Thanksgiving Reunion (TV movie)
Assistant District Attorney Al Sampson
 
1992-1993 The Larry Sanders Show (TV series)
Sheldon Davidoff
The Guest Host (1992) … Sheldon Davidoff (uncredited)
 
1993 Class of '96 (TV series)
Prof. Drake
See You in September (1993) … Prof. Drake
 
1993 Designing Women (TV series)
Kearney
 
1993 Bodies of Evidence (TV series)
Gil Murphy
The Formula (1993) … Gil Murphy
 
1993 Stone Soup
Paul
 
1991 Absolute Strangers (TV movie)
Dr. X
 
1991 The Unborn
Dr. Richard Meyerling
 
1991 L.A. Law (TV series)
Dr. Wilson
Good to the Last Drop (1991) … Dr. Wilson
 
1991 Lies Before Kisses (TV movie)
Arthur
 
1991 Matlock (TV series)
Ed Billings
The Formula (1991) … Ed Billings
 
1990 The Closer
Ned Randall
 
1990 The Willies
Uncle Harry/Mr. Jenkins
 
1990 Thanksgiving Day (TV movie)
Averill Crandall
 
1987-1990 Charles in Charge (TV series)
Austin Miller / Mr. Bartlett
Pizza Parlor Protest (1987) … Mr. Bartlett
 
1990 Shattered Dreams (TV movie)
Charles O'Donnell
 
1990 Vital Signs
Dean of Students
 
1990 Rich Men, Single Women (TV movie)
 
1990 Drug Wars: The Camarena Story (TV mini-series)
Aide
 
1990 Road Lawyers and Other Briefs
Judge Bowelmore (segment "Road Lawyers")
 
1989 Mancuso, FBI (TV series)
Nagan
Weapons-Grade (1989) … Nagan
 
1989 Booker (TV series)
Jack Wingate
Bête Noir (1989) … Jack Wingate
 
1989 The New Lassie (TV series)
Officer Stanley
Dangerous Party (1989) … Officer Stanley
 
1989 Highway to Heaven (TV series)
Mr. Simenton
Goodbye, Mr. Zelinka (1989) … Mr. Simenton
 
1989 Murphy Brown (TV series)
Arvin
The Summer of '77 (1989) … Arvin
 
1989 Girlfriend from Hell
Carl's Dad
 
1987-1989 Jake and the Fatman (TV series)
The Mayor
Wish You Were Here (1989)
Fatal Attraction (1987) … The Mayor
 
1989 MacGyver (TV series)
Papillon / Robert Sanborn
Fraternity of Thieves (1989) … Robert Sanborn/Papillon
 
1988 The Golden Girls (TV series)
Raymond
And Ma Makes Three (1988) … Raymond
 
1988 Sledge Hammer! (TV series)
Governor Fritz La Chatte
The Secret of My Excess (1988) … Governor Fritz La Chatte
 
1987 Wall Street
Lynch
 
1987 Billionaire Boys Club (TV movie)
Mr. Fairmont Sr.
 
1987 Magnum, P.I. (TV series)
Andrew Clifton, the IAD Cop
Tigers Fan (1987) … Andrew Clifton, the IAD Cop
 
1987 Who's the Boss? (TV series)
Jerry
Two on a Billboard (1987) … Jerry
 
1987 Amazing Stories (TV series)
Richard Whelan
Miss Stardust (1987) … Richard Whelan
 
1987 Square One TV (TV series)
Prosecutor
Episode #1.20 (1987) … Prosecutor
Episode #1.19 (1987) … Prosecutor
 
1987 Mathnet (TV series)
Prosecutor
The Trial of George Frankly (1987) … Prosecutor
 
1986 Hardbodies 2
Logan
 
1986 Melba (TV series)
My Shadow and Me (1986)
 
1986 Invaders from Mars
Gen. Climet Wilson
 
1985 227 (TV series)
Lawyer
Pilot (1985) … Lawyer
 
1985 Jagged Edge
Andrew Hardesty
 
1985 Webster (TV series)
Dr. Rosencrantz
The Best Thing I Can Be (1985) … Dr. Rosencrantz
 
1985 Moonlighting (TV series)
Alan
Moonlighting (Pilot) (1985) … Alan
 
1985 Cheers (TV series)
Dr. Bennett Ludlow
Whodunit? (1985) … Dr. Bennett Ludlow
 
1984 Three's a Crowd (TV series)
Dr. Richard Kimberley
Jack's Problem (1984) … Dr. Richard Kimberley
 
1984 The Boy Who Loved Trolls (TV movie)
Richman
 
1984 Dynasty (TV series)
Avril Dawson
The Mortgage (1984) … Avril Dawson
The Engagement (1984) … Avril Dawson
 
1984 Sam's Son
Mr. Collins
 
1984 The Paper Chase (TV series)
Mr. Pearson
Hart Goes Home (1984) … Mr. Pearson
 
1983-1984 Emerald Point N.A.S. (TV series)
Admiral Lovell
The Wedding (1984) … Admiral Lovell
Episode #1.3 (1983) … Admiral Lovell
 
1984 Little House: The Last Farewell (TV movie)
Nathan Lassiter
 
1984 Family Ties (TV series)
Harold
'M' Is for the Many Things (1984) … Harold
 
1984 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV series)
C. Calvin Moore
Third Down and Twenty Years to Life (1984) … C. Calvin Moore
 
1983 Trapper John, M.D. (TV series)
Krewitt
...And for Loyal and Devoted Service (1983) … Krewitt
 
1983 Simon & Simon (TV series)
Insurance Agent
Grand Illusion (1983) … Insurance Agent
 
1983 Tucker's Witch (TV series)
Earl Crayton
Dye Job (1983) … Earl Crayton
 
1983 The Powers of Matthew Star (TV series)
Major Wymore / Maj. Wymore
The Road Rebels (1983) … Major Wymore
Brain Drain (1983) … Major Wymore
36 Hours (1983) … Major Wymore
Dead Man's Hand (1983) … Major Wymore
 
1983 ABC Afterschool Specials (TV series)
Mr. Fairchild
Have You Ever Been Ashamed of Your Parents? (1983) … Mr. Fairchild
 
1983 M*A*S*H (TV series)
Dr. Stephen Chesler
Say No More (1983) … Dr. Stephen Chesler
 
1982-1983 Dallas (TV series)
Elton Lawrence
The Reckoning (1983) … Elton Lawrence
Mama Dearest (1982) … Elton Lawrence
 
1982 Kiss Me Goodbye
Lawyer (uncredited)
 
1982 Frances
Judge Hillier
 
1982 Time Walker
Dr. Wendell J. Rossmore
 
1982 Knots Landing (TV series)
Max Craig
Acts of Love (1982) … Max Craig
 
1977-1982 Quincy M.E. (TV series)
Dr. Chet Rawlings / Dr. Lench / Dr. Tom Pierce
The Flight of the Nightingale (1982) … Dr. Tom Pierce
For the Benefit of My Patients (1979) … Dr. Chet Rawlings
 
1982 The Day the Bubble Burst (TV movie)
 
1981 The Violation of Sarah McDavid (TV movie)
Dr. Spandler
 
1981 The Jeffersons (TV series)
Herbert Purcell
Sorry, Wrong Meeting (1981) … Herbert Purcell
 
1980 The Jazz Singer
Barney Callahan
 
1980 Once Upon a Family (TV movie)
Alvin Heller
 
1979 Topper (TV movie)
Fred Korbell
 
1979 Eight Is Enough (TV series)
Eliot Randolph
 
1979 Blind Ambition (TV mini-series)
Earl Silbert
 
1979 The China Syndrome
Mac Churchill
 
1979 The Ordeal of Patty Hearst (TV movie)
Psychologist
 
1977-1979 The Rockford Files (TV series)
John LaPointe / Martin Horvath
The Deuce (1979) … Martin Horvath
 
1979 Institute for Revenge (TV movie)
Power Broker
 
1978 One Day at a Time (TV series)
Fred
Ann's Friend (1978) … Fred
 
1978 F.I.S.T
Andrews
 
1978 Lou Grant (TV series)
Tyler Armitage
Renewal (1978) … Tyler Armitage
 
1977 Opening Night
Bellboy
 
1977 Family (TV series)
Dr. Addison
A Child Is Given (1977) … Dr. Addison
 
1977 Capricorn One
Vice President Price
 
1977 The Gathering (TV movie)
Bob Block
 
1977 Rafferty (TV series)
The Epidemic (1977)
 
1977 Mary Jane Harper Cried Last Night (TV movie)
Dr. Sutterman
 
1977 Something for Joey (TV movie)
Dr. Wingreen
 
1976 Delvecchio (TV series)
Porter
APB: Santa Claus (1976) … Porter
 
1976 Serpico (TV series)
Ed Demarest
Every Man Must Pay His Dues (1976) … Ed Demarest
 
1976 Executive Suite (TV series)
Carter
Re: The Secret (1976) … Carter
 
1976 All the President's Men
Hugh Sloan's Lawyer
 
1976 Police Woman (TV series)
Driver
Task Force: Cop Killer: Part 2 (1976) … Driver
 
1976 McMillan & Wife (TV series)
George Pauling
Point of Law (1976) … George Pauling
 
1976 Hawaii Five-O (TV series)
Wingfield
Love Thy Neighbor, Take His Wife (1976) … Wingfield
 
1976 The Bionic Woman (TV series)
George Morehouse
Angel of Mercy (1976) … George Morehouse
 
1976 The Streets of San Francisco (TV series)
Frank Batz
Police Buff (1976) … Frank Batz
 
1976 The Blue Knight (TV series)
Talford
A Matter of Justice (1976) … Talford
 
1975 The Waltons (TV series)
Martin Walters
The Abdication (1975) … Martin Walters
 
1975 Starsky and Hutch (TV series)
Carter
The Bait (1975) … Carter
 
1975 The Invisible Man (TV series)
Hotel Manager
The Klae Resource (1975) … Hotel Manager
 
1974 Amazing Grace
Annenberg
 
1972 Rivals
Child Psychiatrist
 
1970 All My Children (TV series)
Lincoln 'Linc' Tyler #1 (1970) (original cast)
 
1970 I Never Sang for My Father
Mr. Tucker (old age home director)
 
1969 Hercules in New York
Professor Camden
 
1967-1970 As the World Turns (TV series)
Dr. Burke
 
1966 Directions (TV series)
The 11th Man (1966)
 
1965 Frankenstein Meets the Spacemonster
Dr. Adam Steele (as Jim Karen)
 
1965 Film (short)
Passerby
 
1964 The Defenders (TV series)
Paul Damon / Rabbi Fine
The Man Who (1964) … Rabbi Fine
Who'll Dig His Grave? (1964) … Paul Damon
 
1962 Car 54, Where Are You? (TV series)
Bird Owner
I Hate Captain Block (1962) … Bird Owner (uncredited)
 
1951 Lux Video Theatre (TV series)
Llewellyn
Inside Story (1951) … Llewellyn
 
Show ShowMiscellaneous Crew (1 title)
1998 Universal Horror (TV documentary) (source: stills)
 
Show ShowThanks (6 titles)
2004 So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM (TV documentary) (acknowledgment: still photographs provided by, special thanks)
 
2004 A Moment of Grace (short) (special thanks)
 
2004 The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
2004 The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy (video documentary short) (special thanks)
 
2004 Cecil B. DeMille: American Epic (TV documentary) (thanks)
 
2000 Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces (TV documentary) (grateful thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (21 titles)
2011 They Won't Stay Dead: A Look at Return of the Living Dead Part II (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2011 More Brains! A Return to the Living Dead (video documentary)
Himself
 
2010 When the World Breaks (documentary)
Himself
 
2010 Let It Begin! A Filmmaker's Journey (documentary short)
 
2007 Return of the Living Dead: The Dead Have Risen (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2007 Secret's Out (TV series)
Himself - Guest
Miss Potter (2007) … Himself - Guest
 
2006 Requiem for Krypton: Making 'Superman Returns' (video documentary)
Himself (uncredited)
 
2005 Movies That Shook the World (TV series documentary)
Himself
China Syndrome (2005) … Himself
 
2005 I'm King Kong!: The Exploits of Merian C. Cooper (documentary)
Himself - Interviewee
 
2005 Garbo (documentary)
Himself - Interviewee
 
2004 So Funny It Hurt: Buster Keaton & MGM (TV documentary)
Himself - Host/Narrator
 
2004 The China Syndrome: Creating a Controversy (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2004 The China Syndrome: A Fusion of Talent (video documentary short)
Himself
 
2001 CBS News Sunday Morning (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 20 May 2001 (2001) … Himself
 
1998 Universal Horror (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1997 E! True Hollywood Story (TV series documentary)
Himself
Michael Landon (1997) … Himself
 
1995 Biography (TV series documentary)
Himself
Buster Keaton: Genius in Slapshoes (1995) … Himself
 
1987 Sinister Image (TV series)
Himself
 
1987 Buster Keaton: A Hard Act to Follow (TV mini-series documentary)
Himself
 
1987 Drive-In Madness! (documentary)
Himself
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (2 titles)
2007 They Are Here: The Real World of the Poltergeists (video documentary short)
Mr. Teague (uncredited)
 
1989 Cult People (video documentary)
Himself
 

Related Videos

Joyride -- Three slacker kids out for kicks decide to nab a car, only to discover that their new wheels are the rightful property of a crack female assassin -- and she's hot on their trail. MacGyver: Season 4: Episode 10 -- MacGyver learns that Pete Thornton's son, Michael, is involved in an international espionage ring stealing secrets from the Phoenix Foundation. Sympathy for Delicious -- Clip: I Want My Sight
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

Stage: Appeared in the touring company of "Merton of the Movies", 1950s. Also in cast: Buster Keaton. See more »

Publicity Listings:

2 Interviews  | See more »

Alternate Names:

Jim Karen
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia:

In 2001, he received the "Buster" award, an annual honour given to one who demonstrates professional excellence in the tradition of Buster Keaton. He was a close friend of Buster Keaton and Eleanor Keaton and toured with the legendary comedian on the 1950s stage with "Merton of the Movies" and in the Samuel Beckett film entitled Film. See more »

Nickname:

Tinch See more »

Star Sign:

Sagittarius