--- name: "Dakin Matthews" canonical: "https://film.one/person/dakin-matthews" fi1m_id: "dakin-matthews" imdb_id: "nm0559977" tmdb_id: 43364 wikidata_id: "Q1157743" roles: ["Actor"] born: "7 November 1940" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 70 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-05T00:37:14.804639+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." --- # Dakin Matthews ## Identity Dakin Matthews - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/dakin-matthews - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** dakin-matthews - **IMDb ID:** nm0559977 - **TMDB ID:** 43364 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1157743 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakin_Matthews, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1157743, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559977/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/43364 Actor. Born 7 November 1940 in Oakland, California, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 7 November 1940, Oakland, California, USA - **Active:** 1997–2015 - **Also known as:** Melvin Richard Matthews, Melvin Richard "Dakin" Matthews - **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 55 (2), 2000s 69 (4), 2010s 80 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 70 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Drama 3, Adventure 2, Family 2, History 2, Thriller 2 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,157m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakin_Matthews, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1157743, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0559977/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/43364 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*True Grit*](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md) (84) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Biography Dakin Matthews is an American actor, playwright, theatre director and theatrical scholar. Born Melvin Richard Matthews on 7 November 1940 in Oakland, California, he studied theology before turning to drama. He trained at the Juilliard School, where he later taught, and is an emeritus professor of English at California State University, East Bay. Matthews has appeared in more than twenty feature films, including *True Grit* (2010) as Col. Stonehill, *Lincoln* (2012) as John Usher and *Bridge of Spies* (2015) as Judge Byers. On television he is known for recurring roles such as Herb Kelcher in *My Two Dads* (1987–1989), Hanlin Charleston in *Gilmore Girls* (2000–2007), Joe Heffernan in *The King of Queens* (1998–2007) and Reverend Sikes in *Desperate Housewives* (2004–2012). He has also performed extensively in classical theatre, specialising in Shakespearean roles. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) - *Bridge of Spies* (2015), Fi1m 75, as Judge Byers — [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md) - *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, as John Usher — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md) - *True Grit* (2010), Fi1m 84, as Col. Stonehill — [page](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md) - *Parks and Recreation* (2009), Fi1m 83, as David — [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md) - *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), Fi1m 68, as Santa Claus — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md) - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Father Shaunassey — [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *Thirteen Days* (2000), Fi1m 70, as Arthur Lundahl — [page](https://film.one/film/thirteen-days.md) - *Bean* (1997), Fi1m 60, as Passenger Tucker — [page](https://film.one/film/bean.md) - *Flubber* (1997), Fi1m 50, as Minister — [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md) ## Complete filmography (125) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *New Old Friends* (2024), as William - *Waitress: The Musical* (2023), as Joe - *The Gilded Age* (2022), series, as Joshua Winterton - *Evil* (2019), series, as Father Augustus - *The Resident* (2018), series, as Howie Green - *Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life* (2016), series, as Hanlin Charleston - *Chicago Med* (2015), series, as Art Hubbard - *Bridge of Spies* (2015), as Judge Byers — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/bridge-of-spies.md) - *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as Ambassador Roy Curtis - *Zero Charisma* (2013), as Greg Goran · Executive Producer - *Devious Maids* (2013), series, as Alfred Pettigrove - *Lincoln* (2012), as John Usher — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md) - *Elementary* (2012), series, as James Connaughton - *Veep* (2012), series, as Balloon Salesman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md) - *The Eagle* (2011), as Claudius Marcellus - *True Grit* (2010), as Col. Stonehill — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/true-grit.md) - *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Dr. David Zarevich — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) - *Parks and Recreation* (2009), series, as David — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/parks-and-recreation.md) - *Better Off Ted* (2009), series, as Arthur Wells — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-off-ted.md) - *Castle* (2009), series, as Dave Dunne — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Christo Papadakis — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md) - *True Blood* (2008), series, as Dr. Robideaux — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md) - *Eli Stone* (2008), series, as Banker - *The Big Bang Theory* (2007), series, as Santa Claus — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-big-bang-theory.md) - *Dexter* (2006), series, as Dr. Pittman — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md) - *Shark* (2006), series, as Judge Warren Cleary — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/shark.md) - *The Closer* (2005), series, as Mr. Mitchell - *Medium* (2005), series, as Arthur Brock - *House* (2004), series, as Marvin — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md) - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Reverend Sikes — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Judge Harvey Fletcher — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *Jack & Bobby* (2004), series, as Merle Horstradt - *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Father Shaunassey — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md) - *The Fighting Temptations* (2003), as Mr. Fairchild - *The Big Time* (2002), Actor - *Leap of Faith* (2002), series, Actor - *Thirteen Days* (2000), as Arthur Lundahl — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/thirteen-days.md) - *The Michael Richards Show* (2000), series, as Steve - *The Geena Davis Show* (2000), series, as Reverend Meadows - *Gilmore Girls* (2000), series, as Hanlin Charleston — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md) - *An Extremely Goofy Movie* (2000), as Judge (voice) (uncredited) - *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Simon Blye — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md) - *Family Law* (1999), series, Actor - *The Muse* (1999), as Dr. Jacobson - *The Siege* (1998), as Senator Wright - *Charmed* (1998), series, as Angel of Destiny - *The King of Queens* (1998), series, as Joe Heffernan - *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Dr. Floyd Thompson - *Best Friends for Life* (1998), as Mr. Burnham - *Flubber* (1997), as Minister — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/flubber.md) - *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Mr. Stark — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md) - *Stargate SG-1* (1997), series, as Maz'rai - *Rough Riders* (1997), series, as Wadsworth, Sr. - *Bean* (1997), as Passenger Tucker — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/bean.md) - *Soul Man* (1997), series, as Bishop Peter Jerome - *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Les - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Judge William Aldrich, Judge Lander - *EZ Streets* (1996), series, Actor - *The Jeff Foxworthy Show* (1995), series, as Elliot - *Virus* (1995), as Dr. Dubcheck - *Stuart Saves His Family* (1995), as Intervention Counselor - *The Office* (1995), series, as Frank Gerard - *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Admiral Patterson - *The Swan Princess* (1994), as King William (voice) - *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as The Colonel - *The Enemy Within* (1994), as Vice President Walter Kelly - *Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills* (1994), as Dean Barrow - *White Mile* (1994), as Andy Thornell - *Staying Afloat* (1993), as Henry Ashley - *The Nanny* (1993), series, as Dean Sterrett - *Hart to Hart Returns* (1993), as Ted Avery - *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Elton Malone, Monsignor D'Amico - *And the Band Played On* (1993), as Congressman Phil Burton - *Undercover Blues* (1993), as Police Captain - *Rio Shannon* (1993), Actor - *Rising Sun* (1993), as Professor Sanders - *Cutters* (1993), series, as Harry Polachek - *The Temp* (1993), as Dr. Feldman - *Love & War* (1992), series, Actor - *Criminal Behavior* (1992), as Albee Ferguson - *Revolver* (1992), as Tom McCall - *Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive* (1992), as Attorney - *For Richer, for Poorer* (1992), as Larry - *In a Stranger's Hand* (1991), as Francis Haynes - *Drexell's Class* (1991), series, Actor - *Herman's Head* (1991), series, as Mr. Brooks - *Child's Play 3* (1991), as Colonel Cochrane - *Jailbirds* (1991), as Sheriff - *White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd* (1991), as D.A. Buron Fitts - *The Perfect Tribute* (1991), as Dr. Thomas - *The Whereabouts of Jenny* (1991), as Cox - *Under Cover* (1991), as Director Waugh - *Ghost Dad* (1990), as Mr. Seymour - *Down Home* (1990), series, as Walt McCrorey - *Capital News* (1990), series, Actor - *My Brother's Wife* (1989), as Charles Rusher - *Christine Cromwell* (1989), series, Actor - *Cross of Fire* (1989), series, as Hiram Evans - *The Fabulous Baker Boys* (1989), as Charlie - *Wired* (1989), as Washington Post Editor - *Doctor Doctor* (1989), series, Actor - *Out on the Edge* (1989), as Dr. Cutler - *Coach* (1989), series, as William Thornton - *Naked Lie* (1989), as Adam Berger - *Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami* (1988), as Catlett - *TV 101* (1988), series, as Tanner - *Dear John* (1988), series, as David, David Hennessey - *Clean and Sober* (1988), as Bob - *Funny Farm* (1988), as Marion Corey Jr. - *Baby M* (1988), series, as Judge Sorkow - *Sunset* (1988), as William Singer - *Permanent Record* (1988), Actor - *Aaron's Way* (1988), series, Actor - *The Silence at Bethany* (1988), as Sam Mitgang - *Nuts* (1987), as Judge Lawrence Block - *Like Father Like Son* (1987), as Old Man Morrison - *Fresno* (1986), series, as Prosecutor - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Marshall Hygate - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Prosecutor - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Neal Gillen, Dennis Moylan, Buford Hazlitt - *Brothers* (1984), series, as J. Thomas Briggs - *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Todd Sweeney — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md) - *Remington Steele* (1982), series, as Michael Fleming - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Sam Mitgang - *Dallas* (1978), series, as Detective Kane ## Gallery - ![Dakin Matthews](https://film.one/media/person/119666/gallery-71477dcd9f7e.png) Dakin Matthews — Tiger Aspect Productions Limited, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/Dakin_Matthews_in_Bean.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Dakin Matthews](https://film.one/media/person/119666/gallery-39afe7d1cc85.jpg) Dakin Matthews — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Drama Desk Special Award 2004: Drama Desk Special Award (won) *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/dakin-matthews