---
name: "Ben Gazzara"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/ben-gazzara"
fi1m_id: "ben-gazzara"
imdb_id: "nm0001262"
tmdb_id: 856
wikidata_id: "Q296287"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "28 August 1930"
died: "3 February 2012"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 80
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-09-26T00:03:49.885374+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."
---

# Ben Gazzara

## Identity

Ben Gazzara

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ben-gazzara
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** ben-gazzara
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001262
- **TMDB ID:** 856
- **Wikidata ID:** Q296287
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Gazzara, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296287, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001262/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/856

Actor and director. Born 28 August 1930 in Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA. Died 3 February 2012.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 28 August 1930, Manhattan, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 3 February 2012
- **Active:** 1959–2003
- **Also known as:** Biagio Anthony Gazzarra, Biagio Anthony Gazzara 
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 directing
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 80, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 87 (1), 1970s 82 (2), 1990s 80 (3), 2000s 74 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 69 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Crime 4, Comedy 3, Thriller 2, Mystery 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $77m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Gazzara, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296287, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001262/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/856

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Anatomy of a Murder*](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder.md) (87), [*Buffalo '66*](https://film.one/film/buffalo-66.md) (77)
- **Peacock:** [*Columbo*](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) (86)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Killing of a Chinese Bookie*](https://film.one/film/the-killing-of-a-chinese-bookie.md) (78)
- **MUBI:** [*Dogville*](https://film.one/film/dogville.md) (74)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Ben Gazzara

> Ben Gazzara made difficult men worth watching without asking us to like them. We rate his pared-down intensity, especially with John Cassavetes, though his presence alone is no guarantee of a film worth an evening.

The family visit in *Buffalo '66* (1998) puts us among people who are difficult company and asks us to stay. It is a fitting setting for Ben Gazzara, playing Jimmy Brown: an actor whose gritty, naturalistic manner made intense, often amoral men worth attending to. We winced at that visit, because the humour never quite removes the discomfort of being with these people. Gazzara's appeal depends on that willingness to watch someone without first being reassured that we ought to like him.

The early film breakthrough was *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), with Gazzara as Lieutenant Frederick 'Manny' Manion, followed by television stardom in *Run for Your Life* (1965–68). The important turn for us is the work with John Cassavetes, beginning with Harry in *Husbands* (1970). As Cosmo Vitelli in *The Killing of a Chinese Bookie* (1976), his pared-down performance shows how little he needed to do to hold our attention. *Opening Night* (1977), in which he played Manny Victor, completed their three-film collaboration.

He looked for creative freedom in less conventional productions, and for idiosyncratic supporting parts when working in the mainstream. His later career included extensive work in Italy and character roles such as Lenny Jordan in *Happiness* (1998), one of the independent films that brought renewed attention to him. The quality of the films was uneven, so the attraction of a difficult character is no guarantee that the surrounding work deserves an evening. We would follow him selectively.

*Buffalo '66* earns an evening, with reservations that matter. Christina Ricci and the family visit make Vincent Gallo's abrasive comedy worth seeing, while the romance asks for more indulgence than we can comfortably give it. It is a sensible introduction to Gazzara's later character work, though we would not pretend he alone explains why it works. For a fuller encounter with his acting, start with *The Killing of a Chinese Bookie*.

## Biography

Ben Gazzara was an American actor and director of film, stage and television. Born Biagio Anthony Gazzara in New York City on 28 August 1930, he trained at the Actors Studio and made his professional breakthrough on Broadway in the original production of Tennessee Williams's *Cat on a Hot Tin Roof* (1955–56).

He appeared in numerous films, including *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), several collaborations with John Cassavetes such as *Husbands* (1970) and *The Killing of a Chinese Bookie* (1976), *Road House* (1989), *The Big Lebowski* (1998), *Buffalo '66* (1998) as Jimmy Brown, *Happiness* (1998) as Lenny Jordan, *Dogville* (2003) and *Paris, je t'aime* (2006). On television he starred in the series *Run for Your Life* (1965–68) and won a Primetime Emmy Award for the film *Hysterical Blindness* (2002). Gazzara died in New York City on 3 February 2012.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, latimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *Dogville* (2003), Fi1m 74, as Jack McKay — [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *Buffalo '66* (1998), Fi1m 77, as Jimmy Brown — [page](https://film.one/film/buffalo-66.md)
- *Happiness* (1998), Fi1m 78, as Lenny Jordan — [page](https://film.one/film/happiness.md)
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), Fi1m 85, as Jackie Treehorn — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *The Killing of a Chinese Bookie* (1976), Fi1m 78, as Cosmo Vittelli — [page](https://film.one/film/the-killing-of-a-chinese-bookie.md)
- *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), Fi1m 87, as Lt. Frederick Manion — [page](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Columbo* (1971), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)

## Complete filmography (122)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Il camorrista - Una serie di Giuseppe Tornatore* (2025), series, as 'O Professore di Vesuviano
- *Pupetta, Woman of Honor* (2013), series, as Don Otello Di Bella
- *Ristabbanna* (2012), Actor
- *Chez Gino* (2011), as Oncle Giovanni
- *Christopher Roth* (2010), as Paul Andersen
- *Il Volo* (2010), Actor
- *13* (2010), as Schlondorff
- *Holy Money* (2009), as Vatican's Banker
- *Eve* (2008), as Joe
- *Empire State Building Murders* (2008), as Paulie Genovese
- *Looking for Palladin* (2008), as Jack Palladin
- *Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies* (2008), Actor
- *Donne sbagliate* (2007), as Franco Maresco
- *Quiet Flows The Don* (2006), as Secretov
- *Quiet Flows the Don* (2006), series, as General Secretov
- *L'onore e il rispetto* (2006), series, as Don Fred Di Venanzio
- *Paris Je T'aime* (2006), as Ben (Quartier Latin)
- *Pope John Paul II* (2005), series, as Kardinal Agostino Casaroli
- *The Shore* (2005), as Mr. Bob Harris
- *Bonjour Michel* (2005), as michele Terranova
- *Dogville* (2003), as Jack McKay — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *L'ospite segreto* (2003), as Ispettore di Polizia Solomos
- *Hysterical Blindness* (2002), as Nick
- *Home Sweet Hoboken* (2001), Actor
- *Brian's Song* (2001), as Coach Halas
- *Jack of Hearts* (2000), as Batossa
- *The List* (2000), as D.A. Bernard Salman
- *Nella terra di nessuno* (2000), as L'avvocato Scalzi
- *Piovuto dal cielo* (2000), Actor
- *Undertaker's Paradise* (2000), as Jim
- *Shark in a Bottle* (2000), as The Arranger
- *Very Mean Men* (2000), as Gino Minetti
- *Believe* (2000), Actor
- *Blue Moon* (2000), as Frank Cavallo
- *Poor Liza* (2000), as The Narrator
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as E.A.D.A.
- *The Thomas Crown Affair* (1999), as Andrew Wallace
- *Summer of Sam* (1999), as Luigi
- *Paradise Cove* (1999), as Duke Mantee
- *Happiness* (1998), as Lenny Jordan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/happiness.md)
- *Il tesoro di Damasco* (1998), as Gregorio Kos
- *Too Tired to Die* (1998), as John Sage
- *Angelo Nero* (1998), as Padre Guelfi
- *Illuminata* (1998), as Old Flavio
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), as Jackie Treehorn — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *Buffalo '66* (1998), as Jimmy Brown — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/buffalo-66.md)
- *Valentine's Day* (1998), as Joe Buddha
- *The Spanish Prisoner* (1997), as Mr. Klein
- *Stag* (1997), as Frank Grieco
- *Shadow Conspiracy* (1997), as Vicepresident Saxon
- *Farmer & Chase* (1997), as Farmer
- *Vicious Circles* (1997), as March
- *Ladykiller* (1996), as Lt. Jack 'Jigsaw' Lasky
- *Strangers* (1996), series, as Doctor
- *The Zone* (1995), as Dick Althorp
- *Convict Cowboy* (1995), as Warden Ferguson
- *Bandits* (1995), as Amos
- *Parallel Lives* (1994), as Charlie Duke
- *Swallows Never Die in Jerusalem* (1994), as Moshe
- *Nefertiti: Daughter of the Sun* (1994), as Amenophis III
- *Love, Honor & Obey: The Last Mafia Marriage* (1993), as Joseph Bonanno
- *Blindsided* (1993), as Ira Gold
- *The Window Over the Way* (1993), Actor
- *Forever* (1991), as Marcelo
- *Lies Before Kisses* (1991), as Grant Sanders
- *People Like Us* (1990), as Gus Bailey
- *Beyond the Ocean* (1990), as John Tana · Writer, Director
- *Quicker Than the Eye* (1989), as Ben Norell
- *Road House* (1989), as Brad Wesley
- *Don Bosco* (1988), as Don Giovanni Bosco
- *Police Story: The Freeway Killings* (1987), as Capt. Tom Wright
- *Control* (1987), as Mike Zella
- *Downpayment on Murder* (1987), as Harry Cardell
- *The Professor* (1986), as 'O Professore di Vesuviano
- *Bitter Champagne* (1986), as Paul Rivière
- *A Letter to Three Wives* (1985), as Porter Holloway
- *My Dearest Son* (1985), as Antonio Morelli
- *Woman of Wonders* (1985), as Alberto
- *An Early Frost* (1985), as Nick Pierson
- *Uno scandalo perbene* (1984), as The man with no memory
- *The Girl from Trieste* (1982), as Dino Romani
- *A Question of Honor* (1982), as Detective Joe DeFalco
- *They All Laughed* (1981), as John Russo
- *Tales of Ordinary Madness* (1981), as Charles Serking
- *Inchon* (1981), as Maj. Frank Hallsworth
- *Bloodline* (1979), as Rhys Williams
- *Saint Jack* (1979), as Jack Flowers
- *Opening Night* (1977), as Manny Victor
- *The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald* (1977), series, as Anson 'Kip' Roberts
- *The Death of Richie* (1977), as George Werner
- *Voyage of the Damned* (1976), as Morris Troper
- *High Velocity* (1976), as Clifford Baumgartner
- *The Killing of a Chinese Bookie* (1976), as Cosmo Vittelli — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-killing-of-a-chinese-bookie.md)
- *Capone* (1975), as Al Capone
- *QB VII* (1974), series, as Abe Cady
- *Maneater* (1973), as Nick Baron
- *The Neptune Factor* (1973), as Cmdr. Adrian Blake
- *The Sicilian Connection* (1972), as Joseph Coppola
- *Pursuit* (1972), as Steven Graves
- *The Family Rico* (1972), as Eddie Rico
- *Fireball Forward* (1972), as Maj. Gen Joe Barrett
- *When Michael Calls* (1972), as Doremus Connelly
- *Columbo* (1971), series, Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md)
- *Husbands* (1970), as Harry
- *The Bridge at Remagen* (1969), as Sgt. Angelo
- *If It's Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium* (1969), as Card Player
- *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, Director
- *A Rage to Live* (1965), as Roger Bannon
- *Run for Your Life* (1965), series, as Paul Bryan · Director
- *Carol for Another Christmas* (1964), as Fred
- *Kraft Suspense Theatre* (1963), series, as Paul Bryan
- *Arrest and Trial* (1963), series, as Nick Anderson
- *Conquered City* (1962), as Captain George Stubbs
- *Convicts 4* (1962), as John Resko
- *The Young Doctors* (1961), as Dr. David Coleman
- *The Passionate Thief* (1960), as Lello
- *You'll Never See Me Again* (1959), as Jim Mason
- *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), as Lt. Frederick Manion — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/anatomy-of-a-murder.md)
- *Three Plays by Tennessee Williams* (1958), as Moony (Segment "Moony's Kid Don't Cry")
- *The Troublemakers* (1957), as Stanley Carr
- *The Strange One* (1957), as Jocko de Paris
- *Armchair Theatre* (1956), series, as Jim Mason

## Gallery

- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-1467ee488ea9.jpg) Ben Gazzara — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Barbara_Hershey_Ben_Gazzara_Run_for_Your_Life.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of Ben Gazarra](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-ebb2746cde5e.jpg) Publicity photo of Ben Gazarra — Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Ben_Gazarra_-_still.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ben Gazzara at the premiere of "Looking for Palladin," Oct. 30, 2009, Greenwich Village I am the author of this photo.](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-b8b75ffeb71b.jpg) Ben Gazzara at the premiere of "Looking for Palladin," Oct. 30, 2009, Greenwich Village I am the author of this photo. — Tenebrae (talk) (Uploads), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/Ben_Gazzara_-_Oct_30_2009.jpeg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Ben Gazzara as Paul Bryan and guest star Joan Collins from the television program Run For Your Life.](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-a343d1e0c6fa.jpg) Photo of Ben Gazzara as Paul Bryan and guest star Joan Collins from the television program Run For Your Life. — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Ben_Gazzara_Joan_Collins_Run_For_Your_Life.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-2e66b9c807e3.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-a5cf3b6f4bef.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-d5b0d78139fa.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Gazarra in the Strange One (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-e3935b2b0550.jpg) Ben Gazarra in the Strange One (2015) — Fanjenn, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2f/Ben_Gazzarra_in_the_Strange_One.jpg/1280px-Ben_Gazzarra_in_the_Strange_One.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-80cc0d80096e.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-8c6c784952bc.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB
- ![Ben Gazzara](https://film.one/media/person/87752/gallery-c0d6711153cf.jpg) Ben Gazzara — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2003: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Hysterical Blindness*

### Other awards — 2 won, 5 nominated

- Donostia Award 2005: Donostia Award (won)
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1990: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Road House*
- Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award 1983: Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Supporting Actor - Razzie Award (nominated), for *Inchon*
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1977: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1975: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1956: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Theatre World Award 1954: Theatre World Award (won)

*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/ben-gazzara