Biography for
Daniel von Bargen More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

Mini Biography

Daniel Von Bargen was born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 5, 1950. He grew up there for most of his childhood, before moving with his family to Southern California. He attended Purdue University, majoring in drama. Daniel joined the Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island after graduation, and worked with them for many years. A breakthrough role in "Mastergate" by Larry Gelbart launched him onto Broadway stages. He has also starred in off-Broadway productions of "Beggars in the House of Plenty," "Macbeth," "The Cherry Orchard," "Hurlyburly," and "Uncle Vanya." On TV, he is best known for his roles in "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000) and "The West Wing" (1999). A seemingly typecast actor, he's often playing a military officer or policeman.

Mini Biography

A character actor who seems to pop up everywhere as the sterotypical cop, military officer and/or tough guy, Von Bargen can nevertheless turn in performances of stunning complexity when given the chance. His role in The Postman as the Pineview sheriff who suspects Kevin Costner's character of being a fraud, was a stand-out as Von Bargen enfused the role with the pathos of a man caught between just trying to survive and wanting to believe in the hope the Postman represents. His performance, which was an amalgam of characters from the Novel, contained just the perfect blend of world-weary skepticism and desperate hope. In an otherwise mediocre film, audiences were moved to tear up as his character shouts "Ride Postman! Ride!" just before being put to death for assisting in the rebellion.

His more evil side was brought out in Clive Barker's Lord Of Illusions as he played an Nix, older, wiser, more magical and supernatuerally gifted type of Charlie Manson charcter rising from the dead to "Murder the world." Many people don't remember him, but do remember his name and recall his characters distinctly and their lines, such as him calling Michael douglas "shooter" all the time in Basic Instinct.

Von Bargen is at his best when he is permitted to layer an otherwise forgettable character with a subtle and poignant humanity he often conveys merely with his eyes or change of voice. By rights, he should be one of our most celebrated character actors. Here's hoping his talents are put to good use in the future!

Trade Mark

Often plays villains

Usually cast as a military or police officer, or other authority figure

Trivia

He has coincidentally appeared with husband and wife actors Jane Kaczmarek and Bradley Whitford in four different projects. Along with Kaczmarek, he appeared in "Malcolm in the Middle" (2000). With Whitford, he was in RoboCop 3 (1993), Philadelphia (1993) and "The West Wing" (1999).

When he was filming The Postman (1997), he was forced to remain on location in Washington State and was unable to go to his parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Kevin Costner, director/star of the film, took time out from filming and helped him make a video for his parents to make up for his absence.

Personal Quotes

"I don't necessarily like going to the movies. It's a little nerve-wracking to see your head the size of a house. I'm getting used to it, but there's still a little uneasiness when you walk into the theater and think "Oh, God, am I going to suck?'"

[on his role in "Seinfeld" (1990)] "When you start becoming a commodity because of your face or your stature or whatever, those opportunities become fewer and fewer. So it's nice to get on a comedy and have people go, "You're funny!'"

[on being typecast as an authority figure] "Thank God for the white male power structure."

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