---
name: "Bill Duke"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-duke"
fi1m_id: "bill-duke"
imdb_id: "nm0004886"
tmdb_id: 1103
wikidata_id: "Q722312"
roles: ["Director","Actor"]
born: "26 February 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 78
average_as: "director"
average_over: 5
updated: "2026-10-23T04:07:47.807725+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."
---

# Bill Duke

## Identity

Bill Duke

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-duke
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** bill-duke
- **IMDb ID:** nm0004886
- **TMDB ID:** 1103
- **Wikidata ID:** Q722312
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Duke, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q722312, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004886/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1103

Director and actor. Born 26 February 1943 in Poughkeepsie, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Director, Actor
- **Born:** 26 February 1943, Poughkeepsie, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1973–present
- **Also known as:** William Henry Duke Jr.
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 17: 11 acting, 5 directing, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Gabrielle Beaumont](https://film.one/person/gabrielle-beaumont.md), [Georg Stanford Brown](https://film.one/person/georg-stanford-brown.md), [Robert Crais](https://film.one/person/robert-crais.md), [Stan Lathan](https://film.one/person/stan-lathan.md), [Alexander Singer](https://film.one/person/alexander-singer.md), [Anthony Yerkovich](https://film.one/person/anthony-yerkovich.md), [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://film.one/person/arnold-schwarzenegger.md), [Christian I. Nyby II](https://film.one/person/christian-i-nyby-ii.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as director, over 5 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 80 (1), 1980s 78 (6), 1990s 70 (5), 2000s 67 (3), 2010s 78 (1), 2020s 76 (1)
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Genres:** Crime 5, Drama 3, Action 1, Comedy 1, Thriller 1
- **Screen time:** 4 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $27m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Duke, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q722312, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004886/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1103

## Streaming the US now

- **Tubi:** [*Miami Vice*](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) (81), [*Commando*](https://film.one/film/commando.md) (74)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Cagney & Lacey*](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md) (81), [*Deep Cover*](https://film.one/film/deep-cover.md) (72)
- **Netflix:** [*High Flying Bird*](https://film.one/film/high-flying-bird.md) (78)
- **HBO Max:** [*No Sudden Move*](https://film.one/film/no-sudden-move.md) (76)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Bird on a Wire*](https://film.one/film/bird-on-a-wire.md) (44)

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

## Fi1m on Bill Duke

> Bill Duke needs few words to make us believe he knows what he is doing. Tough-guy parts have made use of that authority, but the thoughtful coach in *High Flying Bird* gives us more reason to care.

In *High Flying Bird* (2019), Bill Duke's Spence runs a gym for children and insists on a spoken penance from anyone who compares the league to slavery. The rule gets a laugh once, then becomes uncomfortable. Duke sits still and says little, allowing the coach's rules to tell us what matters to him. Steven Soderbergh's film is sharp and a little cold, but these scenes give us someone to care about.

His film acting began with *Car Wash* (1976), before *Commando* (1985) and *Predator* (1987) established his place in action films. In John McTiernan's *Predator*, his Mac Eliot belongs to a platoon whose members seem accustomed to one another. Alongside Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers and Jesse Ventura, Duke helps establish that familiarity without much biographical help from the script. We care where these men are even when the dialogue mistakes aggression for wit. The suspense works partly because the group feels worth worrying about.

Those tough men and authority figures have also been a limitation. Casting Duke to look formidable is an efficient choice, but it can leave the character unwritten. His career developed beyond those parts, taking in directing work such as *A Rage in Harlem* (1991) and supporting performances across genres. The later Soderbergh films find more specific uses for his quietness.

In *No Sudden Move* (2021), Aldrick Watkins says almost nothing, and Duke makes us believe all of it. Soderbergh's crime story becomes less interesting when it starts explaining what the papers mean. Duke does not need that sort of explanation to hold our attention. We would happily trade some of the plotting for longer in his company.

*High Flying Bird* gives that economy more to work with. Tarell Alvin McCraney's script is full of quick, dense talk, which makes Duke's stillness particularly welcome. We were moved by Spence's conversation with Ray about what the game has cost them, because Duke makes us attend to every word. Start there if the action films have persuaded you that his chief qualification is looking difficult to argue with.

## Biography

Bill Duke is an American actor and director, also credited as William Henry Duke Jr. He was born on 26 February 1943 in Poughkeepsie, New York. He trained at Boston University and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts before beginning his career in theatre and making his film debut in *Car Wash* (1976).

Duke is known for supporting roles in action and crime films, including Cooke in *Commando* (1985), Mac Eliot in *Predator* (1987), and appearances in *Menace II Society* (1993), *Payback* (1999) and *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006). He has also acted in *High Flying Bird* (2019) as Spence and *No Sudden Move* (2021) as Aldrick Watkins. As a director his credits include *A Rage in Harlem* (1991) and *Hoodlum* (1997), as well as numerous television episodes.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

### Performed in (11)

- *No Sudden Move* (2021), Fi1m 76, as Aldrick Watkins — [page](https://film.one/film/no-sudden-move.md)
- *High Flying Bird* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Spence — [page](https://film.one/film/high-flying-bird.md)
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), Fi1m 54, as Trask — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Battlestar Galactica* (2004), Fi1m 83, as Phelan — [page](https://film.one/tv/battlestar-galactica.md)
- *Red Dragon* (2002), Fi1m 64, as Police Chief — [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *Menace II Society* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Detective — [page](https://film.one/film/menace-ii-society.md)
- *Bird on a Wire* (1990), Fi1m 44, as Albert Diggs — [page](https://film.one/film/bird-on-a-wire.md)
- *Predator* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Mac Eliot — [page](https://film.one/film/predator.md)
- *Commando* (1985), Fi1m 74, as Cooke — [page](https://film.one/film/commando.md)
- *American Gigolo* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Leon James — [page](https://film.one/film/american-gigolo.md)
- *Kojak* (1973), Fi1m 80, as Sylk — [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)

### Directed (5) — the average rests on these

- *Deep Cover* (1992), Fi1m 72, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/deep-cover.md)
- *A Rage in Harlem* (1991), Fi1m 71, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/a-rage-in-harlem.md)
- *Miami Vice* (1984), Fi1m 81, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), Fi1m 81, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), Fi1m 86, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *The Limey* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Head DEA Agent (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-limey.md)

## Complete filmography (110)

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

- *The Journey* (2024), Director
- *Gaslit* (2022), series, as Charles Anderson
- *The Vandal* (2021), as Harold
- *No Sudden Move* (2021), as Aldrick Watkins — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/no-sudden-move.md)
- *Hollow Point* (2019), as Senior Guard James
- *High Flying Bird* (2019), as Spence — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/high-flying-bird.md)
- *Mandy* (2018), as Caruthers
- *Black Lightning* (2018), series, as Agent Percy Odell
- *Clipped Wings, They Do Fly* (2018), as D.A. Adam Stevenson
- *American Satan* (2017), as Gabriel
- *Created Equal* (2017), Director
- *Restored Me* (2016), as Officer Brantley
- *Light Girls* (2015), Director
- *Preying for Mercy* (2014), Director, Executive Producer
- *Bad Country* (2014), as John Nokes
- *Battledogs* (2013), as President Donald Sheridan
- *Freaky Deaky* (2012), as Wendell Robinson
- *Dark Girls* (2011), Director
- *The Big Bang* (2011), as Drummer
- *Henry's Crime* (2010), as Frank
- *Not Easily Broken* (2009), Director, Producer
- *Prince Among Slaves* (2008), Director
- *Cover* (2007), Director
- *Yellow* (2006), as Miles Emory
- *X-Men: The Last Stand* (2006), as Trask — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men-the-last-stand.md)
- *Get Rich or Die Tryin'* (2005), as Levar
- *The Boondocks* (2005), series, Actor
- *Deacons for Defense* (2005), Director
- *Miracle's Boys* (2005), series, Director
- *Battlestar Galactica* (2004), series, as Phelan — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/battlestar-galactica.md)
- *Lost* (2004), series, as Warden Harris — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md)
- *Karen Sisco* (2003), series, as Amos Andrews
- *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Grover Boone
- *National Security* (2003), as Lieutenant Washington
- *Red Dragon* (2002), as Police Chief — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *Fastlane* (2002), series, as Capt. Bob Parish · Director
- *Love and a Bullet* (2002), as Mysterious Voice on Phone
- *Partners of the Heart* (2002), Director
- *DMX: Angel* (2001), Director
- *Justice League* (2001), series, as Detective (voice)
- *Exit Wounds* (2001), as Chief Hinges
- *Never Again* (2001), as Earl
- *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, Director
- *Who Killed Atlanta's Children?* (2000), as Sheriff Chirumenga Jenga
- *The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2000), Director
- *The Limey* (1999), as Head DEA Agent (uncredited) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-limey.md)
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Ed Pastrino
- *Fever* (1999), as Detective Glass
- *Foolish* (1999), as Studio Producer
- *Payback* (1999), as Det. Hicks
- *Susan's Plan* (1998), as Detective Scott
- *Always Outnumbered* (1998), as Blackbird Wills
- *Hoodlum* (1997), Director, Executive Producer
- *America's Dream* (1996), Director
- *New York Undercover* (1994), series, Director
- *Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit* (1993), as Mr. Johnson · Director
- *Menace II Society* (1993), as Detective — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/menace-ii-society.md)
- *The Cemetery Club* (1993), Director
- *Deep Cover* (1992), Director — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/deep-cover.md)
- *A Rage in Harlem* (1991), Director — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/a-rage-in-harlem.md)
- *Bird on a Wire* (1990), as Albert Diggs — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/bird-on-a-wire.md)
- *The Outsiders* (1990), series, Director
- *Street of No Return* (1989), as Lieutenant Borel
- *The Meeting* (1989), Director
- *Gideon Oliver* (1989), series, Director
- *A Raisin in the Sun* (1989), Director
- *A Man Called Hawk* (1989), series, Director
- *HeartBeat* (1988), series, Director
- *Action Jackson* (1988), as Capt. Earl Armbruster
- *No Man's Land* (1987), as Malcolm
- *Tour of Duty* (1987), series, Director
- *Predator* (1987), as Mac Eliot — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/predator.md)
- *Johnnie Mae Gibson: FBI* (1986), Director
- *Amen* (1986), series, Director
- *Crime Story* (1986), series, Director
- *Starman* (1986), series, Director
- *Dallas: The Early Years* (1986), as Seth Foster
- *Matlock* (1986), series, Director
- *Commando* (1985), as Cooke — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/commando.md)
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, Director
- *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Director
- *Hell Town* (1985), series, Director
- *Berrenger's* (1985), series, Director
- *Hunter* (1984), series, Director
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, Director — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Call to Glory* (1984), series, Director
- *Maximum Security* (1984), series, Director
- *The Killing Floor* (1984), Director
- *Emerald Point N.A.S.* (1983), series, Director
- *Trauma Center* (1983), series, Director
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, Director — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as FBI Agent #2 · Director
- *Fame* (1982), series, Director
- *Falcon Crest* (1981), series, Director
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Director — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Flamingo Road* (1981), series, Director
- *Palmerstown, U.S.A.* (1980), series, as Luther Freeman
- *American Gigolo* (1980), as Leon James — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/american-gigolo.md)
- *Knots Landing* (1979), series, Director
- *Sergeant Matlovich vs. the U.S. Air Force* (1978), as Sgt. Langford
- *Love Is Not Enough* (1978), as 'Happy' Jordan
- *Dallas* (1978), series, Director
- *Car Wash* (1976), as Duane – Abdullah
- *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as David Pearl
- *Starsky & Hutch* (1975), series, as Officer Dryden
- *Santiago's America* (1975), as Mr. Sands
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Sylk — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *Santiago's Ark* (1972), as Mr. Sands
- *Scavenger Hunt*, as Joe
- *Redd Foxx Biopic*, Director

## Gallery

- ![Bill Duke](https://film.one/media/person/9229/gallery-511535991772.jpg) Bill Duke — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Bill_Duke_%2847003170452%29.jpg/1280px-Bill_Duke_%2847003170452%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Bill Duke interviewed by the San Francisco Public Library about his film Dark Girls in 2015](https://film.one/media/person/9229/gallery-80d7dad25598.png) Bill Duke interviewed by the San Francisco Public Library about his film Dark Girls in 2015 — San Francisco Public Library Youtube Channel, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/BillDuke2015.png/1280px-BillDuke2015.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![On the Red Carpet with The Actor's Choice, Correspondent Sydney Chandler (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/9229/gallery-a7a1989de0e0.jpg) On the Red Carpet with The Actor's Choice, Correspondent Sydney Chandler (2019) — Sydthewriter10, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/16/Bill_Duke.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Bill Duke](https://film.one/media/person/9229/gallery-0debf1131959.jpg) Bill Duke — Image via TMDB
- ![Bill Duke](https://film.one/media/person/9229/gallery-a6f4b2fdff2a.jpg) Bill Duke — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/bill-duke