--- name: "Bruce Davison" canonical: "https://film.one/person/bruce-davison" fi1m_id: "bruce-davison" imdb_id: "nm0001117" tmdb_id: 52374 wikidata_id: "Q355163" roles: ["Actor"] born: "28 June 1946" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 72 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-05T02:49:26.589346+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." --- # Bruce Davison ## Identity Bruce Davison - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/bruce-davison - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** bruce-davison - **IMDb ID:** nm0001117 - **TMDB ID:** 52374 - **Wikidata ID:** Q355163 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Davison, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q355163, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001117/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52374 Actor. Born 28 June 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 28 June 1946, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA - **Active:** 1985–present - **Also known as:** Bruce Allen Davison - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 47 (1), 1990s 76 (2), 2000s 77 (4), 2020s 73 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 1 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Adventure 3, Action 2, Action & Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Sci-Fi & Fantasy 2 - **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $778m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Davison, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q355163, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001117/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52374 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Crucible*](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) (68) - **Disney+:** [*X-Men*](https://film.one/film/x-men.md) (67) - **The Roku Channel:** [*Spies Like Us*](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md) (47) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Bruce Davison > Bruce Davison brings quiet feeling to caregivers and a useful complexity to men in authority. We value him most in an ensemble, where his restraint lets a character matter without insisting that everyone else stand back. In *Short Cuts* (1993), Bruce Davison’s Howard Finnigan takes his place among the other characters without demanding special attention. That understated presence is a strength in Robert Altman’s ensemble, whose interconnected stories need actors who can establish themselves without taking over. We like Davison best in this company: he gives a supporting part its due and leaves space for the people beside him. A crowded film soon becomes exhausting when everyone insists on being noticed. The early breakthrough was a lead, Willard Stiles in *Willard* (1971), before a career increasingly built from supporting film roles and television. The more revealing performance is David, a caregiver in *Longtime Companion* (1989), where his quiet emotional depth has a clear purpose. We were moved by his resilience in that part, because the performance keeps our attention on the person doing the caring. It is the performance to seek out if stern authority figures are all that come to mind when his name appears. His later parts often put him in authority: Reverend Samuel Parris in *The Crucible* (1996), Senator Robert Kelly in *X-Men* (2000). Kelly draws on his ability to give an antagonistic figure some complexity. There is useful work for an actor there, though we prefer the parts that let us see more than the office the man holds. That is one reason to return to *Short Cuts*, though our enthusiasm for it comes with a reservation. Altman’s film is funny and absorbing, and its actors justify the long running time, but the writing can be too quick to judge the people it has assembled. Davison’s ability to fit into that cast is worth noticing; restraint should not be confused with having nothing to contribute. Start there for Davison in company, then try *Longtime Companion* for the quieter business of caring for another person. ## Biography Bruce Davison is an American actor and director. He was born on 28 June 1946 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and trained at Pennsylvania State University and New York University. His early film work includes the lead role in *Willard* (1971). He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in *Longtime Companion* (1989). Davison played Howard Finnigan in Robert Altman's *Short Cuts* (1993) and Senator Robert Kelly in *X-Men* (2000) and *X2* (2003). He has appeared in numerous film and television productions since 1968. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *1923* (2022), Fi1m 73, as Arthur — [page](https://film.one/tv/1923.md) - *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008), Fi1m 77, as Dr. Peter Silberman — [page](https://film.one/tv/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles.md) - *Battlestar Galactica* (2004), Fi1m 83, as Dr. Michael Robert — [page](https://film.one/tv/battlestar-galactica.md) - *X2* (2003), Fi1m 80, as Senator Kelly — [page](https://film.one/film/x2.md) - *X-Men* (2000), Fi1m 67, as Senator Kelly — [page](https://film.one/film/x-men.md) - *The Crucible* (1996), Fi1m 68, as Reverend Parris — [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) - *Short Cuts* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Howard Finnigan — [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md) - *Spies Like Us* (1985), Fi1m 47, as Ruby — [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md) ## Complete filmography (251) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Godmother* (2026), as Mr. Martinson - *25 Miles to Normal* (2026), as John - *The American Revolution* (2025), series, as (voice) - *Out of the Woods* (2025), Actor - *The Lightning Code* (2025), as Nikola Tesla - *Universal Basic Guys* (2024), series, as (voice) - *Camera* (2024), as Frank Flynn - *Suitable Flesh* (2023), as Ephraim Waite - *From the Shadows* (2023), as Dr. Joseph Cawl - *Condor's Nest* (2023), as Gerhardt Schrude - *1923* (2022), series, as Arthur — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/1923.md) - *The Good Neighbor* (2022), as Grant - *The Lincoln Lawyer* (2022), series, as Walter Abrams - *Bosch: Legacy* (2022), series, as James Rafferty - *Evil at the Door* (2022), as John Doe - *The Manor* (2021), as Roland - *Glow and Darkness* (2021), series, as Pope Urban III - *My True Fairytale* (2021), as Martin Goodwin - *We Still Say Grace* (2020), as Harold - *The Gift of Christmas* (2020), as Bob Rodgers - *Captors* (2020), as Silas Visler - *Await the Dawn* (2020), as David - *More Beautiful for Having Been Broken* (2020), as Colin - *Influence* (2020), as Walter Klein - *Christmas at the Plaza* (2019), as Reginald Brookwater - *Along Came the Devil II* (2019), as Reverend Michael - *Creepshow* (2019), series, as Avery Whitlock - *Itsy Bitsy* (2019), as Walter - *Wish Man* (2019), as Frank Shankwitz Sr. - *The Great Alaskan Race* (2019), as Governor Bone - *A Violent Man* (2019), as Benjamin Green - *Cemetery Tales: A Tale of Two Sisters* (2018), Actor - *Any Bullet Will Do* (2018), as Jonathan Carrington - *Along Came the Devil* (2018), as Reverend Michael - *A Fairy's Game* (2018), as Spindly (voice) - *Corbin Nash* (2018), as Jack - *Abnormal Attraction* (2018), as Dr. Stanley Cole - *Insidious: The Last Key* (2018), as Christian Rainier - *The Slider* (2017), as Ispector Wiesel - *Last Rampage* (2017), as Cooper - *Yamasong: March of the Hollows* (2017), as P'Torr The Exile (voice) - *9/11* (2017), as Monohan - *Ozark* (2017), series, as Randall Schafer — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/ozark.md) - *The Son* (2017), series, as ENDICOTT - *Love Locks* (2017), as Hugo Blanchet - *Charlie's Gift* (2016), Actor - *La La Land* (2016), as Mia's Father (uncredited) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/la-la-land.md) - *Bender* (2016), as Mayor Prentiss - *Designated Survivor* (2016), series, as Ray Beckett - *Fishes 'n Loaves: Heaven Sent* (2016), as Pastor Ezekiel - *Displacement* (2016), as Prof. Peter Deckard - *The Bronx Bull* (2016), as D.A. Bonomi - *The Curse of Sleeping Beauty* (2016), as Richard - *Get a Job* (2016), as Lawrence Wilheimer - *The Leisure Class* (2015), as Edward - *Blindspot* (2015), series, as Jean-Paul Bruyere - *Oceanus: Act One* (2015), as Commander Mitch Conrad - *Black Beauty* (2015), as Grandpa - *Kingdom* (2014), series, as Ron Prince - *108 Stitches* (2014), as Coach Scott Deshields - *37* (2014), as Psychic - *Sequestered* (2014), series, Actor - *Elwood* (2014), as Congressman Barber - *Words and Pictures* (2014), as Walt - *Persecuted* (2014), as Senator Donald Harrison - *TripTank* (2014), series, as Daytona Jack (voice) - *Those Who Kill* (2014), series, as Howard Burgess - *Mozart in the Jungle* (2014), series, as Hesby Ennis - *Beyond the Heavens* (2013), as Oliver Henry (adult) - *Crossing Lines* (2013), series, as Tactical Leader - *The Fosters* (2013), series, as Stewart Adams - *The Lords of Salem* (2013), as Francis Matthias - *Saving Lincoln* (2013), as William H. Seward - *Return of the Killer Shrews* (2012), as Jerry Farrell - *Bigfoot* (2012), as Sheriff Walt Henderson · Director - *Last Resort* (2012), series, as ARTHUR SHEPARD - *The Millionaire Tour* (2012), as The Roman - *Stealing Roses* (2012), as Mr. Lowell - *The Legend of Korra* (2012), series, as Lord Zuko (voice) - *Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23* (2012), series, as Gabe Sharpe - *God Don't Make the Laws* (2011), as Bud Kelly / Mayor - *3 Holiday Tails* (2011), as Rod Wright - *Coffin* (2011), as Garrison - *Munger Road* (2011), as Chief Kirkhoven - *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Edward Wythe - *A Schizophrenic Love Story* (2011), as Dr. Bob - *Earth's Final Hours* (2011), as Rothman - *The Congregation* (2011), as Amos Christner - *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Steven Carver — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md) - *Camp Hell* (2010), as Fr. Phineas McAllister - *Titanic II* (2010), as James Maine - *Arctic Blast* (2010), as Winslaw - *Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths* (2010), as President Wilson (voice) - *A Golden Christmas* (2009), as Rod Wright - *Christmas Angel* (2009), as Nick Anderson - *MegaFault* (2009), as Dr. Mark Rhodes - *Drop Dead Diva* (2009), series, as Judge Cyrus Maxwell - *The Line* (2009), as Anthony - *Castle* (2009), series, as Lou Karnacki — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Narrator - *Leverage* (2008), series, as Dan Blackwell - *The Librarian: The Curse of the Judas Chalice* (2008), as Professor Lazlo - *Knight Rider* (2008), series, as Charles Graiman - *Knight Rider* (2008), as Charles Graiman - *Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles* (2008), series, as Dr. Peter Silberman — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/terminator-the-sarah-connor-chronicles.md) - *Breach* (2007), as John O'Neill - *The Dead Girl* (2006), as Leah's Father - *Special Ops: Delta Force* (2006), as General Preston Rossdale - *Psych* (2006), series, as Walter Snowden - *The Triangle* (2005), series, as Stan Lathem - *Confession* (2005), as Father Thomas Parker - *8MM 2* (2005), as Ambassador Harrington - *Touched* (2005), as Robert Davis - *Going Shopping* (2005), as Adam - *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Josh Bedford - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Father Davison — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Close to Home* (2005), series, as Doug Hellman - *The Closer* (2005), series, as Russell Clark - *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Peter Betts - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Robert Oliver - *Hate Crime* (2005), as Pastor Boyd - *Battlestar Galactica* (2004), series, as Dr. Michael Robert — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/battlestar-galactica.md) - *Lost* (2004), series, as Douglas Brooks — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md) - *On The Couch* (2004), as Daddy - *Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital* (2004), series, as Dr. Stegman - *Kingdom Hospital* (2004), as Dr. Stegman - *The L Word* (2004), series, as Leonard Kroll - *The Clinic* (2004), as Martin Landrum - *Evergreen* (2004), as Frank - *Runaway Jury* (2003), as Durwood Cable - *X2* (2003), as Senator Kelly — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/x2.md) - *Out of the Ashes* (2003), as Peter Schuman, Interrogator - *Evolution X - The Making of X-Men* (2003), Actor - *ManFast* (2003), as Rupert Iris - *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Paul Cartwright - *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Dane Daniels - *Dahmer* (2002), as Lionel Dahmer - *Too Young to Be a Dad* (2002), as Dan Freeman - *L.A. Law: The Movie* (2002), as Lawrence Diebenkorn - *High Crimes* (2002), as General Bill Marks - *Off Season* (2001), as Dr. Zimmer · Director - *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Menos - *Summer Catch* (2001), as Rand Parrish - *Crazy/Beautiful* (2001), as Tom Oakley - *On the Edge* (2001), as (segment "The Other Side") - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Avery Tinsdale - *X-Men* (2000), as Senator Kelly — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/film/x-men.md) - *X-Men: The Mutant Watch* (2000), as Sen. Robert Kelly - *The King Is Alive* (2000), as Ray - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Dr. Graham Mandell - *Vendetta* (1999), as Thomas Semmes - *A Memory in My Heart* (1999), as Chase Stewart - *At First Sight* (1999), as Dr. Charles Aaron - *Locked in Silence* (1999), as Jim - *Apt Pupil* (1998), as Richard Bowden - *Little Girl Fly Away* (1998), as Frank - *Paulie* (1998), as Dr. Reingold - *LoveLife* (1997), as Bruce - *Color of Justice* (1997), as Frank Gainer - *The Hunger* (1997), series, as New Lighthouse Keeper - *The Trial of Adolf Eichmann* (1997), as Yehiel Dinur (voice) - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Scott Wallace - *Hidden in America* (1996), as Michael - *The Crucible* (1996), as Reverend Parris — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-crucible.md) - *After Jimmy* (1996), as Sam Stapp - *Grace of My Heart* (1996), as John Murray - *It's My Party* (1996), as Rodney Bingham - *Widow's Kiss* (1996), as Justin Sager - *JAG* (1995), series, as Morris Sperling - *Down, Out and Dangerous* (1995), as Brad Harrington - *The Baby-Sitters Club* (1995), as Watson - *Homage* (1995), as Joseph Smith - *The Cure* (1995), as Dr. Stevens - *The Outer Limits* (1995), series, as Dr. 'Mac' McEnerney - *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Jareth - *Far from Home: The Adventures of Yellow Dog* (1995), as John McCormick - *Cybill* (1995), series, as Mark Davis - *The Skateboard Kid II* (1995), as Burt Squires - *Someone Else's Child* (1994), as Nick Callahan - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Jake Weiss - *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Burt Peters - *Six Degrees of Separation* (1993), as Larkin - *A Mother's Revenge* (1993), as Bill Sanders - *Short Cuts* (1993), as Howard Finnigan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/short-cuts.md) - *Stephen King's Golden Tales* (1993), as Richard Hagstrom - *An Ambush of Ghosts* (1993), as Bill Betts - *Desperate Choices: To Save My Child* (1992), as Richard Robbins - *Live! From Death Row* (1992), as Laurence Dvorak - *Steel and Lace* (1991), as Albert Morton - *Harry and the Hendersons* (1991), series, as George Henderson - *Tales from the Darkside* (1990), as Richard Hagstrom - *Stolen: One Husband* (1990), as Dr. Peter Foley - *Lady in a Corner* (1989), as Bill Guthrie - *Longtime Companion* (1989), as David - *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Wyck Thayer — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) - *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Luden Sandelton - *Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story* (1989), series, as Jimmy Donahue - *thirtysomething* (1987), series, Actor - *The Misfit Brigade* (1987), as Porta - *Designing Women* (1986), series, Actor - *The Ladies Club* (1986), as Richard Harrison - *Spies Like Us* (1985), as Ruby — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/spies-like-us.md) - *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, as Richard - *V* (1984), series, as John Langley - *Crimes of Passion* (1984), as Donny Hopper - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as David Carroll - *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Richard Hagstrom - *Hunter* (1984), series, as Wyler - *Lies* (1983), as Stuart Russell - *Ghost Dancing* (1983), as Calvin Oberst - *William Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew* (1983), as Tranio - *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor - *Kiss My Grits* (1982), as Dolin T. Pike - *Tomorrow's Child* (1982), as Cliff Bender - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as David - *Incident at Crestridge* (1981), as Clint Larsen - *The Wave* (1981), as Ben Ross - *High Risk* (1981), as Dan - *The Lathe of Heaven* (1980), as George Orr - *The Gathering, Part II* (1979), as George - *Mind Over Murder* (1979), as Jason - *The Horror Show* (1979), as (archive footage) - *Brass Target* (1978), as Col. Robert Dawson - *Mourning Becomes Electra* (1978), series, as Orin Mannon - *Summer of My German Soldier* (1978), as Anton Reiker - *French Quarter* (1978), as Kid Ross / Inspector Sordik - *Deadman's Curve* (1978), as Dean Torrence - *The Gathering* (1977), as George - *Portrait of Grandpa Doc* (1977), as Bruce - as a Young Man - *Short Eyes* (1977), as Clark Davis - *Lou Grant* (1977), series, as Andrew Raines - *Grand Jury* (1977), as Bobby Allen - *Mother, Jugs & Speed* (1976), as Leroy - *The Last Survivors* (1975), as Michael Larsen - *The Lives of Benjamin Franklin* (1974), series, Actor - *Police Woman* (1974), series, Actor - *Mame* (1974), as Older Patrick - *The Affair* (1973), as Jamie Patterson - *Peege* (1973), Actor - *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor - *Ulzana's Raid* (1972), as Lt. Garnett DeBuin - *The Waltons* (1972), series, as Bob Hill - *The Jerusalem File* (1972), as David Armstrong - *Been Down So Long It Looks Like Up to Me* (1971), as Fitzgore - *Willard* (1971), as Willard Stiles - *The Strawberry Statement* (1970), as Simon - *Last Summer* (1969), as Dan - *The Roommates*, as Arthur - *Don’t Look Inside*, Actor - *The Mystery of Casa Matusita*, as Victor - *Game of Power*, as Ballard Wright ## Gallery - ![Bruce Davison at the 79th Annual Academy Awards Children Uniting Nations/Billboard afterparty. (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-b731b272ae4e.jpg) Bruce Davison at the 79th Annual Academy Awards Children Uniting Nations/Billboard afterparty. (2007) — John B. Mueller, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a8/Academy_Awards_afterparty_CUN_Bruce_Davison.jpg/1280px-Academy_Awards_afterparty_CUN_Bruce_Davison.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES benefit with Madonna and other stars, December, 1990 (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-99a6731dd0b2.jpg) AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES benefit with Madonna and other stars, December, 1990 (2007) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Bruce_Davison_%28far_left%29_%281919975634%29.jpg/1280px-Bruce_Davison_%28far_left%29_%281919975634%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actor Bruce Davison at the 52nd Annual Publicists Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 20, 2015](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-7da44e44670d.jpg) Actor Bruce Davison at the 52nd Annual Publicists Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 20, 2015 — Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Bruce_Davison_52nd_Annual_Publicists_Awards_-_Feb_2015.jpg/1280px-Bruce_Davison_52nd_Annual_Publicists_Awards_-_Feb_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bruce Davison](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-21e3f4106715.jpg) Bruce Davison — Mingle Media TV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Bruce_Davison_52nd_Annual_Publicists_Awards_-_Feb_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Bruce_Davison_52nd_Annual_Publicists_Awards_-_Feb_2015_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Bruce Davison](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-dd83bc16221f.jpg) Bruce Davison — Image via TMDB - ![Bruce Davison](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-5ee4a489abcd.jpg) Bruce Davison — Image via TMDB - ![Bruce Davison](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-2043a4e0916b.jpg) Bruce Davison — Image via TMDB - ![Bruce Davison](https://film.one/media/person/82422/gallery-f9ce4ec4d288.jpg) Bruce Davison — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1991: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Longtime Companion* *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/bruce-davison