--- name: "Bill Smitrovich" canonical: "https://film.one/person/bill-smitrovich" fi1m_id: "bill-smitrovich" imdb_id: "nm0810488" tmdb_id: 17200 wikidata_id: "Q862481" roles: ["Actor"] born: "16 May 1947" reviewed_on_fi1m: 10 average_fi1m_score: 70 average_as: "actor" average_over: 10 updated: "2026-10-05T12:33:44.285292+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 Smitrovich ## Identity Bill Smitrovich - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bill-smitrovich - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** bill-smitrovich - **IMDb ID:** nm0810488 - **TMDB ID:** 17200 - **Wikidata ID:** Q862481 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Smitrovich, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862481, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810488/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17200 Actor. Born 16 May 1947 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 16 May 1947, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Also known as:** William Smitrovich , Bill Smitrovitch, William Stanley Zmitrowicz Jr., William Zmitrowicz - **Frequently works with:** [Giovanni Ribisi](https://film.one/person/giovanni-ribisi.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 10 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 82 (2), 1990s 74 (2), 2000s 75 (2), 2010s 63 (3), 2020s 54 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 70 to 66 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Thriller 4, Action 3, Comedy 3, Drama 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2 - **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $2,612m across 9 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Smitrovich, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q862481, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0810488/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/17200 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Iron Man*](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md) (80) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Thirteen Days*](https://film.one/film/thirteen-days.md) (70) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Bill Smitrovich > Bill Smitrovich makes authority figures believable with a grounded, unshowy manner. We value his steadiness, but the repeated generals and judges are only part of an actor whose television work gave him more to do. A general, a detective, a judge: Bill Smitrovich is often the person the other characters are supposed to take seriously. His grounded, stoic manner makes that casting plausible without much fuss. We value that steadiness, though the recurring uniforms can make him seem a narrower actor than his television work suggests. *Crime Story* (1986–88) gave him an early prominent role as Detective Sergeant Danny Krychek, alongside Dennis Farina. The important change came with *Life Goes On* (1989–93), which brought wider recognition through Drew Thatcher, a working-class father. Here was a regular role with more to it than a job title. His later film work returned repeatedly to military and law-enforcement parts, although Frank in *Ted* (2012) provided a comic supporting assignment. In *Iron Man* (2008), he plays General Gabriel for Jon Favreau, whose attention to the actors is a substantial reason the film works. We enjoyed it because Robert Downey Jr.'s abrasive humour gives us a hero worth spending time with, even when the fighting becomes routine. Smitrovich's casting fits the steadier side of that arrangement: a recognisable authority figure beside the less predictable central attraction. It is a sensible use of him, rather than a particularly adventurous one. *Joker: Folie à Deux* (2024) finds him behind the bench as Judge Herman Rothwax, another role built around institutional authority. Todd Phillips's sequel is a much less satisfying film, and its courtroom material gives us little reason to recommend it. There is an honest idea in Arthur Fleck failing to match his fans' expectations, but the film takes too long to say it. Giving a judge credibility cannot, by itself, make those proceedings interesting; the limitation here belongs to the film around the actor. We would welcome more parts that ask something beyond his familiar professional steadiness. *Life Goes On* is the useful place to look for the working-class father behind all those later officers and officials. Another uniform would hardly tell us much we do not already know. ## Biography Bill Smitrovich is an American actor. Born Stanley William Zmitrowicz Jr. on 16 May 1947 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, he holds an MFA from Smith College and previously taught acting at the University of Massachusetts. He began his professional career in the early 1980s after stage work that included an understudy role in the Broadway production of Arthur Miller's *The American Clock*. Smitrovich has appeared in numerous television series, including recurring or regular roles in *Crime Story* (1986–88), *Life Goes On* (1989–93), *Millennium* (1996–97), *The Practice* and *Without a Trace*. His film credits include *Silver Bullet* (1985), *Air Force One* (1997), *Iron Man* (2008), *Ted* (2012) and *Ted 2* (2015). In 2024 he played Judge Herman Rothwax in *Joker: Folie à Deux*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (10) - *Joker: Folie à Deux* (2024), Fi1m 54, as Judge Herman Rothwax — [page](https://film.one/film/joker-folie-a-deux.md) - *The Last Ship* (2014), Fi1m 67, as Jed Chandler — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-last-ship.md) - *Ted* (2012), Fi1m 64, as Frank — [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md) - *The Rum Diary* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Zimburger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-rum-diary.md) - *Iron Man* (2008), Fi1m 80, as General Gabriel — [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md) - *Thirteen Days* (2000), Fi1m 70, as Gen. Maxwell Taylor — [page](https://film.one/film/thirteen-days.md) - *Air Force One* (1997), Fi1m 72, as General Northwood — [page](https://film.one/film/air-force-one.md) - *Independence Day* (1996), Fi1m 75, as Captain Watson — [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) - *Manhunter* (1986), Fi1m 84, as Lloyd Bowman — [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md) - *Splash* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Ralph Bauer — [page](https://film.one/film/splash.md) ## Complete filmography (100) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Joker: Folie à Deux* (2024), as Judge Herman Rothwax — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/joker-folie-a-deux.md) - *We Are Gathered Here Today* (2022), as Jack Weir - *Penny Dreadful: City of Angels* (2020), series, as Anton Chevic - *Magnum P.I.* (2018), series, as Sam Carlyle - *Valley of Bones* (2017), as Bill - *Bitch* (2017), as Papa - *MacGyver* (2016), series, as Joshua - *Designated Survivor* (2016), series, as Nate Butcher - *Ted 2* (2015), as Frank - *The November Man* (2014), as Hanley - *The Last Ship* (2014), series, as Jed Chandler — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-last-ship.md) - *Intelligence* (2014), series, as Stanwick Finnegan - *Ted* (2012), as Frank — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ted.md) - *The Rum Diary* (2011), as Zimburger — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-rum-diary.md) - *Harry's Law* (2011), series, as Mike Horace - *The Event* (2010), series, as Raymond Jarvis - *Black Widow* (2010), Actor - *Castle* (2009), series, as Ben Davidson — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *Seven Pounds* (2008), as George Ristuccia - *Eagle Eye* (2008), as Admiral Thompson - *Flash of Genius* (2008), as Judge Franks - *Iron Man* (2008), as General Gabriel — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man.md) - *The Last Lullaby* (2008), as Martin - *Eli Stone* (2008), series, as Judge Oliver Doyle - *Californication* (2007), series, as Jack — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md) - *The Nine* (2006), series, Actor - *Brothers and Sisters* (2006), series, as Ben Ridge - *Heavens Fall* (2006), as George Chamlee - *The Contract* (2006), as Wainwright - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Det. Farraday — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Mrs. Harris* (2005), as Joel Arnou - *The Game of Their Lives* (2005), as Admiral Higgins - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Therapist, Walter Carr — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *Fat Actress* (2005), series, as John McGuire - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as David Croft - *While I Was Gone* (2004), as Daniel Beckett - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Reverend Green — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as D.A. Jack Fitzhugh — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *LAX* (2004), series, as Nick's Supervisor - *The Reagans* (2003), as Alexander Haig - *The Reagans* (2003), series, as Alexander Haig - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Rick — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Alexander Olczyk - *24* (2001), series, as Gene McLennen — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md) - *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001), series, as Inspector Cramer - *Thirteen Days* (2000), as Gen. Maxwell Taylor — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/thirteen-days.md) - *Fail Safe* (2000), as Gen. Stark - *God, the Devil and Bob* (2000), series, Actor - *The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2000), as Inspector Cramer - *Kiss Toledo Goodbye* (1999), as T. Bud - *Futuresport* (1999), as Coach Douglas - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Liam Weller - *The '60s* (1999), as Bill Herlihy - *The '60s* (1999), series, as Bill Herlihy - *Batman Beyond* (1999), series, as Frank Watt (voice), Ronny Boxer (voice) - *Batman Beyond: The Movie* (1999), as Frank Watt (voice) - *Around the Fire* (1998), as Matt Harris - *Fantasy Island* (1998), series, as Ezra - *Mr. Murder* (1998), as Lt. Lowbock - *Air Force One* (1997), as General Northwood — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/air-force-one.md) - *The Practice* (1997), series, as A.D.A. Kenneth Walsh - *Ghosts of Mississippi* (1996), as Jim Kitchens - *Millennium* (1996), series, as Lt. Bob 'Bletch' Bletcher - *The Trigger Effect* (1996), as Steph - *Independence Day* (1996), as Captain Watson — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) - *The Phantom* (1996), as Uncle Dave Palmer - *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Ray Urbanski - *Nick of Time* (1995), as Officer Trust - *Bodily Harm* (1995), as Lt. Darryl Stewart - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Lt. Joseph Dane - *Texas Justice* (1995), as Mitch Conlon - *Fantastic Four* (1994), series, as Matt Murdock/Daredevil (voice) - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Bill McNabb - *Children of the Dark* (1994), as Milos Janecek - *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Dr. Peter Shennon — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md) - *Labor of Love: The Arlette Schweitzer Story* (1993), as Dan Schweitzer - *Gregory K* (1993), as George Russ - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Webb — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Ernie — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Crazy People* (1990), as Bruce - *Life Goes On* (1989), series, as Andrew "Drew" Thatcher · Director - *Renegades* (1989), as Finch - *Her Alibi* (1989), as Farrell - *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Sgt. Danny Krychek - *Crime Story: Pilot* (1986), as Det. Danny Krychek - *Manhunter* (1986), as Lloyd Bowman — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md) - *Band of the Hand* (1986), as Chavez - *A Killing Affair* (1985), as Pink Gresham - *Silver Bullet* (1985), as Andy Fairton - *Key Exchange* (1985), as Lenny - *The Beniker Gang* (1984), as Laundry Truck Driver - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Larry Armstrong / Leonard Atkins - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Lt. Scott Wheeler — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Miami Vice: Brother's Keeper* (1984), as Scott Wheeler - *Maria's Lovers* (1984), as Bartender - *Splash* (1984), as Ralph Bauer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/splash.md) - *Born Beautiful* (1982), as Jake O'Neill - *A Little Sex* (1982), as Technician - *Muggable Mary: Street Cop* (1982), as Charlie Hock - *Not Dead Yet*, as Mike ## Gallery - ![Bill Smitrovich](https://film.one/media/person/10856/gallery-5ed9fc93e6f7.jpg) Bill Smitrovich — U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Daniel Martinez, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/23/Bill_Smitrovich_thumbs_up_at_Schriever_AFB.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Bill Smitrovich](https://film.one/media/person/10856/gallery-75b7985c8cfc.jpg) Bill Smitrovich — 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-smitrovich