---
name: "Craig T. Nelson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/craig-t-nelson"
fi1m_id: "craig-t-nelson"
imdb_id: "nm0005266"
tmdb_id: 8977
wikidata_id: "Q329807"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "4 April 1944"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-04T16:35:05.360247+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."
---

# Craig T. Nelson

## Identity

Craig T. Nelson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/craig-t-nelson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** craig-t-nelson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005266
- **TMDB ID:** 8977
- **Wikidata ID:** Q329807
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_T._Nelson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329807, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005266/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8977

Actor. Born 4 April 1944 in Spokane, Washington, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 4 April 1944, Spokane, Washington, USA
- **Active:** 1980–2018
- **Also known as:** Craig Nelson, کریگ تی. نلسون, Craig Theodore Nelson
- **Frequently works with:** [Brad Bird](https://film.one/person/brad-bird.md), [Holly Hunter](https://film.one/person/holly-hunter.md), [JoBeth Williams](https://film.one/person/jobeth-williams.md), [John Walker](https://film.one/person/john-walker.md), [Sarah Vowell](https://film.one/person/sarah-vowell.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 72 (4), 2000s 88 (1), 2010s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 76 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 2, Adventure 2, Animation 2, Comedy 2, Family 2, Crime 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,202m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craig_T._Nelson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q329807, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005266/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8977

## Coming up

- *Incredibles 3* (2028-06-14), as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Incredibles*](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md) (88), [*Incredibles 2*](https://film.one/film/incredibles-2.md) (80)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Killing Fields*](https://film.one/film/the-killing-fields.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Stir Crazy*](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md) (60)

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

## Fi1m on Craig T. Nelson

> Craig T. Nelson makes a father’s dissatisfaction funny without making it attractive. We rate him most when his authority is open to challenge, as it is in *The Incredibles*, rather than treated as sufficient reason to cast him.

Bob Parr has grievances, and Craig T. Nelson does not ask us to approve of them. Voicing Bob in *The Incredibles* (2004), he gives the dissatisfied father enough humour to keep us listening, without suggesting that the family owes him its undivided attention. We laughed at Bob’s complaints because Nelson lets their self-importance show. That balance is worth noticing in an actor so frequently asked to play fathers, coaches and police chiefs.

*Poltergeist* (1982) established him as a leading man, with the everyman credibility that supernatural horror needs if it is going to disturb us. *Coach* (1989–1997) made a longer commitment to his comedy, casting him as Hayden Fox and making use of his deadpan delivery. By *The District* (2000–2004), where he played Chief Jack Mannion, authority had become a familiar assignment. Those jobs suit him, though their recurrence also suggests how narrowly casting can define an actor.

Brad Bird’s writing gives Nelson something better than another opportunity to sound aggrieved. Holly Hunter’s Helen has impatience of her own, and the marriage in *The Incredibles* never becomes an extended request to sympathise with Bob. Nelson’s performance works because he leaves room for that resistance; we can enjoy him while remaining aware that Helen has a point. Sarah Vowell’s Violet and Spencer Fox’s Dash also have frustrations that matter, which prevents the children from becoming mere interruptions to the father’s story.

*Parenthood* (2010–2015) gave him another patriarch, Zeek Braverman, and *Incredibles 2* (2018) brought him back as Mr. Incredible. There is a limitation here: casting him as the senior man can become too easy a decision. The coach role in *Blades of Glory* (2007) is another example of the familiar assignment. We would welcome more parts that ask something other than authority of him.

Start with *The Incredibles*, allowing for a running time that stretches a little. Our reservation is not about Nelson: Bob’s grievances are handled more persuasively than the film’s awkward ideas about who deserves to stand out. If the next part is another father, give him someone as capable of answering back as Hunter.

## Biography

Craig T. Nelson is an American actor. He was born on 4 April 1944 in Spokane, Washington. He studied at Central Washington University and the University of Arizona before beginning his career as a gag writer and comic in Los Angeles. He made his acting debut in 1971.

Nelson is known for his Emmy-winning performance as Hayden Fox in the sitcom *Coach* (1989–1997). He voiced Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible in the animated films *The Incredibles* (2004) and *Incredibles 2* (2018). His other notable film roles include Steve Freeling in *Poltergeist* (1982), Joe Paxton in *The Proposal* (2009) and Alexander Cullen in *The Devil's Advocate* (1997). On television he has appeared as Zeek Braverman in *Parenthood* (2010–2015) and Dale Ballard in *Young Sheldon* (2017–2024).

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

## On Fi1m (6)

- *Incredibles 2* (2018), Fi1m 80, as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/incredibles-2.md)
- *The Incredibles* (2004), Fi1m 88, as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *The Killing Fields* (1984), Fi1m 82, as Military Attaché — [page](https://film.one/film/the-killing-fields.md)
- *Poltergeist* (1982), Fi1m 84, as Steve Freeling — [page](https://film.one/film/poltergeist.md)
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Capt. William Wooldridge — [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), Fi1m 60, as Deputy Ward Wilson — [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)

## Complete filmography (94)

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

- *Incredibles 3* (2028), as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice)
- *Incredicoaster | Disneyland Resort* (2025), as Mr. Incredible (voice)
- *Green and Gold* (2025), as Buck
- *Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage* (2024), series, as Dale
- *LEGO Pixar: BrickToons* (2024), series, as Bob Parr (voice)
- *Book Club: The Next Chapter* (2023), as Bruce
- *Pixar Popcorn* (2021), series, as Bob Parr (voice)
- *Auntie Edna* (2018), as Bob Parr (voice)
- *Incredibles 2* (2018), as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/incredibles-2.md)
- *Book Club* (2018), as Bruce
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as Dale Ballard
- *Gold* (2016), as Kenny Wells
- *Grace and Frankie* (2015), series, as Guy
- *Get Hard* (2015), as Martin
- *Soul Surfer* (2011), as Dr. David Rovinsky
- *The Company Men* (2010), as Salinger
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Tyler Cain — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Parenthood* (2010), series, as Zeek Braverman
- *The Proposal* (2009), as Joe Paxton
- *The Pixar Story* (2007), as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice) (archive footage)
- *All Over Again* (2007), as Cole
- *Blades of Glory* (2007), as Coach
- *The Family Stone* (2005), as Kelly Stone
- *My Name Is Earl* (2005), series, as Warden Jerry Hazelwood — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/my-name-is-earl.md)
- *Mr. Incredible and Pals* (2005), as Mr. Incredible (commentary voice)
- *The Incredibles* (2004), as Bob Parr / Mr. Incredible (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredibles.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Robert Dunbrook
- *The Curse of Poltergeist* (2002), Actor
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Ethan Rickover
- *The Agency* (2001), series, as Chief Jack Mannion
- *The District* (2000), series, as Jack Mannion · Director, Consulting Producer, Co-Executive Producer, Story
- *Dirty Pictures* (2000), as Sheriff Simon Leis
- *The Skulls* (2000), as Litten Mandrake
- *The Huntress* (2000), as Ralph Thorson
- *SpongeBob SquarePants* (1999), series, as Coach Cod (voice)
- *To Serve and Protect* (1999), as Tom Carr
- *To Serve and Protect* (1999), series, as Tom Carr
- *Creature* (1998), series, as Dr. Simon Chase
- *Wag the Dog* (1997), as Senator John Neal (uncredited) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md)
- *The Devil's Advocate* (1997), as Alexander Cullen
- *I'm Not Rappaport* (1996), as The Cowboy
- *Ghosts of Mississippi* (1996), as Ed Peters
- *If These Walls Could Talk* (1996), as Jim Harris
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *The Lies Boys Tell* (1994), as Larry
- *Probable Cause* (1994), as Lieutenant Louis Whitmire
- *Ride with the Wind* (1994), as Frank Shelby · Teleplay, Executive Producer
- *The Fire Next Time* (1993), series, as Drew Morgan
- *The Switch* (1993), as Russ Fine
- *The Josephine Baker Story* (1991), as Walter Winchell
- *Extreme Close-Up* (1990), as Philip Toll
- *Drug Wars: The Camarena Story* (1990), series, as Harley Steinmetz
- *Turner & Hooch* (1989), as Howard Hyde
- *Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story* (1989), as Major Bill Harcourt
- *Troop Beverly Hills* (1989), as Freddy Nefler
- *Coach* (1989), series, as Hayden Fox · Director, Producer
- *Rachel River* (1989), as Marlyn Huutula
- *Me and Him* (1988), as Peter Aramis
- *Action Jackson* (1988), as Peter Dellaplane
- *Red Riding Hood* (1987), as Godfrey
- *The Ted Kennedy Jr. Story* (1986), as Senator Edward Kennedy
- *Poltergeist II: The Other Side* (1986), as Steve Freeling
- *Alex: The Life of a Child* (1986), as Frank Deford
- *The Killing Fields* (1984), as Military Attaché — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/the-killing-fields.md)
- *Call to Glory* (1984), series, as Col. Raynor Sarnac
- *Call to Glory* (1984), as Colonel Raynor Sarnac
- *Silkwood* (1983), as Winston
- *All the Right Moves* (1983), as Nickerson
- *The Osterman Weekend* (1983), as Bernard Osterman
- *Man, Woman and Child* (1983), as Bernie Ackerman
- *Poltergeist* (1982), as Steve Freeling — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/poltergeist.md)
- *Paper Dolls* (1982), as Michael Caswell
- *Chicago Story* (1982), series, as Kenneth A. Dutton
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Marlyn Huutula
- *Murder in Texas* (1981), series, as Jack Ramsey
- *Private Benjamin* (1981), series, as Col. Hogan, Capt. Braddock
- *Chicago Story* (1981), as Kenneth A. Dutton
- *Inmates: A Love Story* (1981), as Daniels
- *The Formula* (1980), as Geologist #2
- *Stir Crazy* (1980), as Deputy Ward Wilson — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/stir-crazy.md)
- *The Promise of Love* (1980), as Major Landau
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), as Capt. William Wooldridge — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Rage!* (1980), as Ray
- *Where the Buffalo Roam* (1980), as Cop on Stand
- *...And Justice for All* (1979), as Frank Bowers
- *Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker* (1979), as Claims Adjuster
- *WKRP in Cincinnati* (1978), series, Actor
- *Charlie's Angels* (1976), series, as Stone
- *Wonder Woman* (1975), series, as Sam
- *Flesh Gordon* (1974), as The Monster (voice) (uncredited)
- *Scream Blacula Scream* (1973), as Sarge
- *The Return of Count Yorga* (1971), as Sgt. O'Connor
- *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* (1970), series, as Charlie (as Craig Nelson) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mary-tyler-moore-show.md)
- *The Families Stone*, as Kelly Stone

## Gallery

- ![Craig T. Nelson at the premiere for The Proposal](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-258b6eaf4123.jpg) Craig T. Nelson at the premiere for The Proposal — Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/CraigTNelsonMay09.jpg/1280px-CraigTNelsonMay09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Craig T. Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-cddb34ba92d3.jpg) Craig T. Nelson — Genevieve, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Craig_T._Nelson_Paleyfest_2013.jpg/1280px-Craig_T._Nelson_Paleyfest_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Actor Craig T. Nelson at PaleyFest 2013's panel for "Parenthood"](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-03c6d9e1375c.jpg) Actor Craig T. Nelson at PaleyFest 2013's panel for "Parenthood" — iDominick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Craig_T._Nelson_at_PaleyFest_2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Actor Craig T. Nelson, signs autographs for Sailors stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nelson visited the Nimitz to meet with Sailors an (2004)](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-23f6331fc7e1.jpg) Actor Craig T. Nelson, signs autographs for Sailors stationed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nelson visited the Nimitz to meet with Sailors an (2004) — Elisabeth Ann Saccotelli, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Craig_T_Nelson_signs_autographs.jpg/1280px-Craig_T_Nelson_signs_autographs.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Craig T. Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-73bc042c91c0.jpg) Craig T. Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![Craig T. Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-a069f47aaadf.jpg) Craig T. Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![Craig T. Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-d77aa621b7db.jpg) Craig T. Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- For the fifth consecutive year, service members from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and Coast Guard Stat (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/98430/gallery-e09ebf953693.jpg) PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. -- For the fifth consecutive year, service members from the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center and Coast Guard Stat (2015) — Presidio of Monterey, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Military_at_AT%26T_Pebble_Beach_Pro_Am_%2816548316796%29.jpg/1280px-Military_at_AT%26T_Pebble_Beach_Pro_Am_%2816548316796%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1992: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Coach*

*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/craig-t-nelson