--- name: "Anthony Zerbe" canonical: "https://film.one/person/anthony-zerbe" fi1m_id: "anthony-zerbe" imdb_id: "nm0001875" tmdb_id: 2516 wikidata_id: "Q574190" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 May 1936" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 68 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-05T02:48:44.961178+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Anthony Zerbe ## Identity Anthony Zerbe - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/anthony-zerbe - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** anthony-zerbe - **IMDb ID:** nm0001875 - **TMDB ID:** 2516 - **Wikidata ID:** Q574190 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Zerbe, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q574190, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001875/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2516 Actor. Born 20 May 1936 in Long Beach, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 May 1936, Long Beach, California, USA - **Active:** 1967–2013 - **Also known as:** Anthony Jared Zerbe, آنتونی زربه - **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 84 (1), 1970s 72 (2), 1980s 76 (2), 1990s 58 (1), 2000s 53 (2), 2010s 72 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 66 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Thriller 5, Action 4, Adventure 4, Drama 4, Science Fiction 4, Crime 3 - **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,774m across 8 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Zerbe, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q574190, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001875/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2516 ## Streaming the US now - **Pluto TV:** [*The Dead Zone*](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md) (82) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Papillon*](https://film.one/film/papillon.md) (74) - **Hulu:** [*Star Trek: Insurrection*](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md) (58) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Anthony Zerbe > Anthony Zerbe can make a narrow gaze and a smirk do the work of a threat. We rate the precise voice as highly, though his familiar villainous mannerisms can make him too easy to read. Zerbe's narrow gaze and unsettling smirk can put us on our guard before the dialogue does. The voice deserves equal attention: sonorous and carefully enunciated, it gives a supporting character weight without requiring him to raise it. We value that precision, particularly in parts which need to establish someone quickly. The reservation is that the expression sometimes does its job too soon. Once we have been told to distrust a character, repeating the warning adds little. His screen debut as Dog Boy in *Cool Hand Luke* (1967) led into frequent film and television work through the 1970s, including the sinister Matthias in *The Omega Man* (1971). In *Papillon* (1973), he plays Toussaint in a prison drama carried by Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman. It is the sort of supporting assignment on which his reputation rests: a distinct character within a story that belongs chiefly to other men. The oppressive penal colony gives the performances force, although the episodic storytelling and insistent music make an already slow film feel longer. We recommend it for the actors, with patience for the pace. *The Dead Zone* (1983) is the stronger recommendation, with Zerbe as Roger Stuart in David Cronenberg's psychic thriller. We were moved by Christopher Walken's sadness, which makes the supernatural dangers feel personal. Cronenberg's restrained handling gives the performances room without requiring them to compete with the premise. Zerbe is part of that supporting company rather than the film's principal attraction, and there is no need to pretend otherwise to value his presence. The storytelling can be disjointed, but the actors keep it worth following. Television offers a useful corrective to the villains: he played Lt. K.C. Trench alongside David Janssen in *Harry O*, and brought a paternal quality to Teaspoon Hunter in *The Young Riders*. Later film work includes Councillor Hamann in *The Matrix Reloaded* and *The Matrix Revolutions* (both 2003), continuing a career built on supporting roles. We prefer to treat that suspicious look as something he can use, rather than something every part requires. Make time for *The Young Riders* if the villains are all that come to mind. ## Biography Anthony Zerbe is an American actor known for character roles in film and television. Born on 20 May 1936 in Long Beach, California, he attended Pomona College and studied drama at the Stella Adler Studio in New York after serving in the United States Air Force. Zerbe made his screen debut in *Will Penny* (1968) and appeared in *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), *Papillon* (1973) and *The Dead Zone* (1983) as Roger Stuart. Other film credits include *Licence to Kill* (1989), *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), *The Matrix Reloaded* (2003) and *The Matrix Revolutions* (2003), and *American Hustle* (2013). He won an Emmy Award for his role in the television series *Harry O*. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *American Hustle* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Senator Horton Mitchell — [page](https://film.one/film/american-hustle.md) - *The Matrix Reloaded* (2003), Fi1m 60, as Councillor Hamann — [page](https://film.one/film/the-matrix-reloaded.md) - *The Matrix Revolutions* (2003), Fi1m 46, as Councillor Hamann — [page](https://film.one/film/the-matrix-revolutions.md) - *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), Fi1m 58, as Vice-Adm. Dougherty — [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md) - *Licence to Kill* (1989), Fi1m 70, as Milton Krest — [page](https://film.one/film/licence-to-kill.md) - *The Dead Zone* (1983), Fi1m 82, as Roger Stuart — [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md) - *The Turning Point* (1977), Fi1m 70, as Rosie — [page](https://film.one/film/the-turning-point.md) - *Papillon* (1973), Fi1m 74, as Toussaint — [page](https://film.one/film/papillon.md) - *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), Fi1m 84, as Dog Boy — [page](https://film.one/film/cool-hand-luke.md) ## Complete filmography (106) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks* (2014), as Mr. Crumwald - *American Hustle* (2013), as Senator Horton Mitchell — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/american-hustle.md) - *Veritas, Prince of Truth* (2007), as Porterfield - *The Burly Man Chronicles* (2004), Actor - *Century City* (2004), series, as TJ Petowski - *The Matrix Revolutions* (2003), as Councillor Hamann — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/the-matrix-revolutions.md) - *The Matrix Reloaded* (2003), as Councillor Hamann — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/the-matrix-reloaded.md) - *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Judge Henry Sobel - *True Crime* (1999), as Henry Lowenstein - *Total Recall 2070* (1999), series, Actor - *Star Trek: Insurrection* (1998), as Vice-Adm. Dougherty — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/star-trek-insurrection.md) - *Asteroid* (1997), as Dr. Charles Napier - *Touch* (1997), as Father Donahue - *Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance* (1996), as Sanford Miller - *On Seventh Avenue* (1996), as Roger Aiken - *Treasure Island: The Adventure Begins* (1994), as Long John Silver - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Clifford — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Joey Galloway - *Jack's Place* (1992), series, Actor - *To Save a Child* (1991), Actor - *The Young Riders* (1989), series, as Teaspoon Hunter - *Licence to Kill* (1989), as Milton Krest — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/licence-to-kill.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Arnie Grunwald - *See No Evil, Hear No Evil* (1989), as Sutherland - *Listen to Me* (1989), as Senator McKellar - *Memories of Manon* (1989), as Phillip Marcel - *Onassis: The Richest Man in the World* (1988), as Livanos - *Baja Oklahoma* (1988), as Ole Jeemy Williams - *Steel Dawn* (1987), as Damnil - *P.I. Private Investigations* (1987), as Charles Bradley, Joey's Father - *Independence* (1987), as General Grey - *One Police Plaza* (1986), as Yakov Anderman - *Opposing Force* (1986), as Becker - *Dream West* (1986), series, as Bill Williams - *Off Beat* (1986), as Mr. Wareham - *North and South* (1985), series, as Gen. Ulysses S. Grant - *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Phillipe Marcel - *A.D.* (1985), series, as Pontius Pilatus - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Mat Matthews - *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, as Jabez Stone - *George Washington* (1984), series, as General St. Pierre - *The Dead Zone* (1983), as Roger Stuart — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-dead-zone.md) - *The Return of the Man from U.N.C.L.E.: The Fifteen Years Later Affair* (1983), as Justin Sepheran - *A Question of Honor* (1982), as Captain Marcus - *Rascals and Robbers: The Secret Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn* (1982), as Arco the Magnificent - *Soggy Bottom, U.S.A.* (1981), as Morgan - *Nurse* (1981), series, as Sam Mancuso - *The First Deadly Sin* (1980), as Captain Broughton - *The Seduction of Miss Leona* (1980), as Clem Steggman - *Attica* (1980), as William Kunstler - *KISS Meets the Phantom of the Park* (1978), as Abner Devereaux - *Centennial* (1978), series, as Mervin Wendell - *Who'll Stop the Rain* (1978), as Antheil - *Child of Glass* (1978), as Amory Timmons - *The Court-Martial of George Armstrong Custer* (1977), as Jefferson - *The Turning Point* (1977), as Rosie — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-turning-point.md) - *In the Glitter Palace* (1977), as Roy Danko - *How the West Was Won* (1977), series, as Martin Grey - *Once an Eagle* (1976), series, as David Shifkin - *Rooster Cogburn* (1975), as Breed - *The Secret of the Pond* (1975), as Sam - *Farewell, My Lovely* (1975), as Brunette - *Up From The Ape* (1975), Actor - *The Rockford Files* (1974), series, as Jack Skowron — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-rockford-files.md) - *Harry O* (1974), series, as Lt. K.C. Trench - *Paper Moon* (1974), series, Actor - *Little House on the Prairie* (1974), series, as Dr. Joshua McQueen - *The Parallax View* (1974), as Prof. Nelson Schwartzkopf (uncredited) - *The Healers* (1974), as Dr. Albert Scanlon - *The Laughing Policeman* (1973), as Lt. Nat Steiner SFPD - *Papillon* (1973), as Toussaint — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/papillon.md) - *The Magician* (1973), series, as Brad Nicholson - *She Lives!* (1973), as Dr. Wellman - *Carola* (1973), as Campan - *Snatched* (1973), as Boone - *The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean* (1972), as Hustler - *Kung Fu* (1972), series, as Paul Klempt, Rafe - *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Actor - *The Rookies* (1972), series, Actor - *The Strange Vengeance of Rosalie* (1972), as Fry - *The Hound of the Baskervilles* (1972), as Dr. John Mortimer - *Nichols* (1971), series, as Quinn - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Max Dyson — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor - *The Priest Killer* (1971), as Vincent Wiertel - *The Omega Man* (1971), as Matthias - *They Call Me Mister Tibbs!* (1970), as Rice Weedon - *The Liberation of L.B. Jones* (1970), as Willie Joe Worth - *The Molly Maguires* (1970), as Dougherty - *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Cord McKenzie - *It Takes a Thief* (1968), series, as Johnny O'Farrel - *Will Penny* (1967), as Dutchy - *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), as Dog Boy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/cool-hand-luke.md) - *Mannix* (1967), series, as James Conway, Little Ned, Chief Walt Finlay, Quint - *Ironside* (1967), series, as Vincent Wiertel - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as David Redding, Colonel Helmut Kellerman, Col. Alex Vorda, Eric Schilling — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Brimmer - *The Wild Wild West* (1965), series, as Deke Montgomery - *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as Gil Condon - *12 O'Clock High* (1964), series, as Captain Burgdorf - *Route 66* (1960), series, Actor - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as John Spain - *Naked City* (1958), series, as Philip Karshow - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Nick Skouras, Heraclio Cantrell and Father Hernando Cantrell, Talbot - *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Amory Timmons - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, Actor ## Gallery - ![Anthony Zerbe in trailer for The Laughing Policeman (1973) (2013)](https://film.one/media/person/118060/gallery-0e0251346e8a.jpg) Anthony Zerbe in trailer for The Laughing Policeman (1973) (2013) — Trailer for "The Laughing Policeman" (1973), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Anthony-zerbe-trailer.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Anthony Zerbe](https://film.one/media/person/118060/gallery-5ce8ec341f78.jpg) Anthony Zerbe — Image via TMDB - ![Anthony Zerbe](https://film.one/media/person/118060/gallery-009c2c1d73a2.jpg) Anthony Zerbe — Image via TMDB - ![Anthony Zerbe](https://film.one/media/person/118060/gallery-a674eedb1857.jpg) Anthony Zerbe — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won - 1976: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Harry O* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/anthony-zerbe