---
name: "Bob Gunton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/bob-gunton"
fi1m_id: "bob-gunton"
imdb_id: "nm0348409"
tmdb_id: 4029
wikidata_id: "Q352203"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 November 1945"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-11T23:18:49.745141+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."
---

# Bob Gunton

## Identity

Bob Gunton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bob-gunton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** bob-gunton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0348409
- **TMDB ID:** 4029
- **Wikidata ID:** Q352203
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Gunton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q352203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348409/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4029

Actor. Born 15 November 1945 in Santa Monica, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 November 1945, Santa Monica, California, USA
- **Active:** 1987–present
- **Also known as:** Robert Patrick Gunton Jr.
- **Frequently works with:** [Morgan Freeman](https://film.one/person/morgan-freeman.md), [Steve Oedekerk](https://film.one/person/steve-oedekerk.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (3), 1990s 65 (7), 2000s 65 (3), 2010s 78 (2), 2020s 55 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 65 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 8 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 12, Crime 6, Thriller 6, Action 4, Action & Adventure 3, Adventure 3
- **Screen time:** 27 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,114m across 13 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Gunton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q352203, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0348409/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4029

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Shawshank Redemption*](https://film.one/film/the-shawshank-redemption.md) (84), [*Glory*](https://film.one/film/glory.md) (82)
- **Disney+:** [*Ghostbusters: Afterlife*](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-afterlife.md) (55)

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

## Fi1m on Bob Gunton

> Bob Gunton makes authority feel settled, practised and difficult to challenge. We rate him for the conviction he brings to men in charge, though the repeated casting can make his presence tell us too much too soon.

Bob Gunton's Warden Norton in *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994) seems entirely comfortable having power over other people. Gunton gives him the conviction of a man who takes his own authority for granted, and that makes him a persuasive obstacle to the film's faith in decency. We found Norton unsettling because Gunton makes his severity seem so ordinary to him. There is little sense that the character would recognise himself in our description. It is the performance we would start with, and an example of why casting him as another stern official can feel too easy.

Frank Darabont's film earns its warmth through the friendship played by Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, and our recommendation comes with reservations about how insistently it teaches its moral lessons. Gunton helps make those moral divisions easy to read: we do not spend much time wondering what to think of this warden. The performance has conviction, but the film sometimes makes prison life too tidy. That is a reservation about Darabont's film, not a reason to soften the warden.

His stage work suggests how much that familiar screen job leaves unused. He originated Juan Perón in the Broadway *Evita* (1979), then played the title role in the Broadway revival of *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street* (1989). Those are substantial musical roles, a useful corrective to the habit of thinking of him only as the stern man in charge. From the early 1990s, film and television took greater prominence, with authority figures and antagonists recurring.

His Ethan Kanin in *24* and Cyrus Vance in *Argo* (2012) belong to that continuing run of institutional figures. The usefulness is clear: Gunton makes seniority credible, and a supporting actor who can do that saves a film considerable explanation. The risk is that credibility becomes all he is asked to supply. We would welcome more casting that remembers the musical actor, rather than simply finding another office for the warden.

## Biography

Bob Gunton is an American character actor of stage and screen, also credited as Robert Patrick Gunton Jr. Born in Santa Monica, California, on 15 November 1945, he graduated with a BA in drama from the University of California, Irvine.

He is known for originating the role of Juan Perón in the Broadway premiere of *Evita*, for which he received a Tony Award nomination, and for the title role in the 1989 revival of *Sweeney Todd*. On film and television he has played authoritarian characters including Warden Samuel Norton in *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994), Chief George Earle in *Demolition Man* (1993), and Cyrus Vance in *Argo* (2012). Other credits include Leland Owlsley in *Marvel's Daredevil* (2015).

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

## On Fi1m (16)

- *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* (2021), Fi1m 55, as The Ghost Farmer — [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-afterlife.md)
- *Marvel's Daredevil* (2015), Fi1m 78, as Leland Owlsley — [page](https://film.one/tv/marvels-daredevil.md)
- *Argo* (2012), Fi1m 79, as Cyrus Vance — [page](https://film.one/film/argo.md)
- *Rendition* (2007), Fi1m 54, as Lars Whitman — [page](https://film.one/film/rendition.md)
- *24* (2001), Fi1m 78, as Ethan Kanin — [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), Fi1m 63, as Alexander McAnally III — [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *Patch Adams* (1998), Fi1m 47, as Dean Walcott — [page](https://film.one/film/patch-adams.md)
- *Broken Arrow* (1996), Fi1m 60, as Pritchett — [page](https://film.one/film/broken-arrow.md)
- *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), Fi1m 54, as Burton Quinn — [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md)
- *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Warden Norton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shawshank-redemption.md)
- *Demolition Man* (1993), Fi1m 68, as Chief George Earle — [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *Patriot Games* (1992), Fi1m 61, as Interviewer — [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md)
- *JFK* (1991), Fi1m 80, as TV Newsman #3 — [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md)
- *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Doctor #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md)
- *Glory* (1989), Fi1m 82, as Gen. Charles Garrison Harker — [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Capt. Benjamin Maxwell — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)

## Complete filmography (133)

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

- *The Gettysburg Address* (2025), as William Herndon (voice)
- *Purgatory Station* (2024), as Horatio Grimes
- *The Inheritance* (2024), as Charles Abernathy
- *Scarlett* (2021), as Danny
- *Ghostbusters: Afterlife* (2021), as The Ghost Farmer — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-afterlife.md)
- *Project Blue Book* (2019), series, as Harry S. Truman
- *The Cool Kids* (2018), series, as Colonel Christianson
- *Unbroken: Path to Redemption* (2018), as Major
- *Alex & the List* (2018), as Mr. Stern
- *Trial & Error* (2017), series, as Jeremiah Davis
- *Mountain Top* (2017), as Maxwell Forrest
- *The 33* (2015), as President Sebastián Piñera
- *Larry Gaye: Renegade Male Flight Attendant* (2015), as Flight School Instructor
- *Marvel's Daredevil* (2015), series, as Leland Owlsley — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/marvels-daredevil.md)
- *Decoding Annie Parker* (2014), as Dr. Benton
- *Live at the Foxes Den* (2013), as Tony O'Hara
- *Runner Runner* (2013), as Dean Alex Monroe
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Nicholas Moore — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Highland Park* (2013), as Bert
- *Jimmy* (2013), as Sheriff Brinson
- *Argo* (2012), as Cyrus Vance — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/argo.md)
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Frederick Wentz
- *Trouble with the Curve* (2012), as Watson
- *Get the Gringo* (2012), as Mr. Kaufmann
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Ed — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *Up All Night* (2011), series, as Tom
- *The Least of These* (2011), as Father Thomas Peters
- *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2011), as Cecil Dobbs
- *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Jerry Merke
- *The Trial* (2010), as Joe Whetstone
- *Tenure* (2010), as William Thurber
- *World War Two: Behind Closed Doors* (2008), series, as Franklin Roosevelt
- *The Lazarus Project* (2008), as Father Ezra
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Alexander Harrington — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Player 5150* (2008), as Nick
- *Veronica in the FBI* (2007), as Principal Harris
- *Women's Murder Club* (2007), series, Actor
- *Rendition* (2007), as Lars Whitman — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/rendition.md)
- *Pandemic* (2007), series, as Max Sorkosky
- *Numb* (2007), as Dr. Townshend
- *Fracture* (2007), as Judge Gardner
- *Dead Silence* (2007), as Edward Ashen
- *Believe in Me* (2006), as Hugh Moreland
- *Pepper Dennis* (2006), series, as Dick Dinkle
- *E-Ring* (2005), series, Actor
- *Dallas 362* (2005), as Joe
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Boyd Resnick
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Noah Taylor — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Attorney William Connolly — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *The Batman* (2004), series, as Gorman (voice)
- *I ♥ Huckabees* (2004), as Mr. Silver
- *Judas* (2004), as Caiaphas
- *Iron Jawed Angels* (2004), as President Woodrow Wilson
- *Broadway's Lost Treasures* (2003), as Juan Perón (segment "Evita")
- *Peacemakers* (2003), series, as Mayor Smith
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Agent Sagamore — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Mister Sterling* (2003), series, as California Governor Marino
- *The Pact* (2002), as James Harte
- *Boat Trip* (2002), as Boat Captain
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Dwight Ellison
- *Scenes of the Crime* (2002), as Steven, Jimmy's Partner
- *Greg the Bunny* (2002), series, as 'Junction' Jack Mars
- *The Court* (2002), series, Actor
- *24* (2001), series, as Ethan Kanin — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *61** (2001), as Dan Topping
- *When Billie Beat Bobby* (2001), as Jerry Perenchio
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Robert Carvallo
- *Running Mates* (2000), as Sen. Terrence Randall
- *The Perfect Storm* (2000), as Alexander McAnally III — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-perfect-storm.md)
- *Bats* (1999), as Dr. Alexander McCabe
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Lawrence Hendricks Sr.
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Judge Mason
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Dr. Alan Foster
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Warden (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Patch Adams* (1998), as Dean Walcott — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/patch-adams.md)
- *Buffalo Soldiers* (1997), as Col. Benjamin Grierson
- *Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil* (1997), as Finley Largent
- *A Thousand Acres* (1997), as Judge (uncredited)
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Michaelson — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md)
- *Elvis Meets Nixon* (1997), as Richard M. Nixon
- *Changing Habits* (1997), as Bishop Creighton
- *The Glimmer Man* (1996), as Frank Deverell
- *Spin City* (1996), series, as Governor Riley
- *The Siege at Ruby Ridge* (1996), as Bo Gritz
- *The Siege at Ruby Ridge* (1996), series, as Bo Gritz
- *Broken Arrow* (1996), as Pritchett — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/broken-arrow.md)
- *Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls* (1995), as Burton Quinn — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/ace-ventura-when-nature-calls.md)
- *Courthouse* (1995), series, as Homer Conklin
- *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Clute Nichols
- *Dolores Claiborne* (1995), as Mr. Pease
- *In Pursuit of Honor* (1995), as Col. John Hardesty
- *Kingfish: A Story of Huey P. Long* (1995), as Franklin D. Roosevelt
- *Cosmic Slop* (1994), as President Ellis (segment 'Space Traders')
- *The Shawshank Redemption* (1994), as Warden Norton — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shawshank-redemption.md)
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Sidney Alcott
- *Roswell* (1994), as Frank Joyce
- *Demolition Man* (1993), as Chief George Earle — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/demolition-man.md)
- *Father Hood* (1993), as Lazzaro
- *Wild Palms* (1993), series, as Dr. Tobias Schenkl
- *Sinatra* (1992), series, as Tommy Dorsey
- *Jennifer Eight* (1992), as Goodridge
- *The Public Eye* (1992), as Older Agent
- *Ladykiller* (1992), as Wolkowski
- *Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster* (1992), as Larry Dietrick
- *Patriot Games* (1992), as Interviewer — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/patriot-games.md)
- *Ned Blessing: The True Story Of My Life* (1992), as Texas Preacher
- *Missing Pieces* (1992), as Mr Gabor
- *JFK* (1991), as TV Newsman #3 — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md)
- *A Woman Named Jackie* (1991), series, as Hugh Auchincloss
- *Mission of the Shark: The Saga of the U.S.S. Indianapolis* (1991), as Chaplain
- *Perry Mason: The Case of the Glass Coffin* (1991), as Asst. D.A. Scott Willard
- *The Bride in Black* (1990), as Sydney
- *Judgment* (1990), as Monsignor Beauvais
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Gil Himes — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), as Doctor #1 — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md)
- *Glory* (1989), as Gen. Charles Garrison Harker — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/glory.md)
- *Cookie* (1989), as Richie Segretto
- *Unconquered* (1989), as Gov. George Wallace
- *Hothouse* (1988), series, as Dr. Leonard Schrader
- *Forever James Dean* (1988), as Narrator (voice)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Capt. Benjamin Maxwell — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *The Pick-up Artist* (1987), as Fernando Portacarrero
- *Matewan* (1987), as C.E. Lively
- *Adam: His Song Continues* (1986), as Edgar Milton
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Bob Westin
- *Static* (1986), as Frank
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Cronin
- *Finnegan Begin Again* (1985), as Christian Jameson
- *Soldiers in Hiding* (1984), as Narrator
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Rivas — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Lois Gibbs and the Love Canal* (1982), as Harry Gibbs
- *Rollover* (1981), as Sal Naftari
- *Ghostkiller*, as Fr. Wilson O'Rourke

## Gallery

- ![Bob Gunton](https://film.one/media/person/83723/gallery-ead73c201e72.jpg) Bob Gunton — Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, California), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Bob_Gunton%2C_1963_senior_photo.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Bob Gunton](https://film.one/media/person/83723/gallery-6e7d57428339.jpg) Bob Gunton — Image via TMDB
- ![Bob Gunton](https://film.one/media/person/83723/gallery-28b3db230490.jpg) Bob Gunton — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won, 6 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1990: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical 1989: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 1985: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play 1982: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 1980: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (won)
- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical 1980: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical 1979: Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical (nominated)

*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/bob-gunton