---
name: "David Clennon"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-clennon"
fi1m_id: "david-clennon"
imdb_id: "nm0166359"
tmdb_id: 15412
wikidata_id: "Q118763"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 May 1943"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 8
average_fi1m_score: 80
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-09T19:29:46.858282+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."
---

# David Clennon

## Identity

David Clennon

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-clennon
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-clennon
- **IMDb ID:** nm0166359
- **TMDB ID:** 15412
- **Wikidata ID:** Q118763
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clennon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118763, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0166359/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15412

Actor. Born 10 May 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 May 1943, Waukegan, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 1976–2014
- **Also known as:** Dave Clennon
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 80, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 77 (3), 1980s 85 (3), 2000s 72 (1), 2010s 84 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 80 to 77 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Mystery 3, Thriller 3, Comedy 1, History 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $583m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Clennon, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q118763, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0166359/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/15412

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Thing*](https://film.one/film/the-thing.md) (88), [*Being There*](https://film.one/film/being-there.md) (84)
- **Netflix:** [*Gone Girl*](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md) (84)

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

## Biography

David Clennon is an American actor. He was born on 10 May 1943 in Waukegan, Illinois, and studied at the University of Notre Dame and the Yale School of Drama.

Clennon is known for his role as Palmer in the film *The Thing* (1982) and as Rand Elliott in *Gone Girl* (2014). He played Miles Drentell in the series *Thirtysomething* and reprised the character in *Once and Again*. He won a Primetime Emmy Award for a guest appearance in *Dream On* (1993).

He has appeared in films directed by Hal Ashby and Costa-Gavras, and has had recurring roles in series including *The Agency* and *House of Cards*.

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

## On Fi1m (8)

- *Gone Girl* (2014), Fi1m 84, as Rand Elliott — [page](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md)
- *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Donald — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *The Right Stuff* (1983), Fi1m 86, as Liaison Man — [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md)
- *Missing* (1982), Fi1m 80, as Consul Phil Putnam — [page](https://film.one/film/missing-1982.md)
- *The Thing* (1982), Fi1m 88, as Palmer — [page](https://film.one/film/the-thing.md)
- *Being There* (1979), Fi1m 84, as Thomas Franklin — [page](https://film.one/film/being-there.md)
- *Coming Home* (1978), Fi1m 76, as Tim — [page](https://film.one/film/coming-home.md)
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), Fi1m 71, as Carl — [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)

## Complete filmography (126)

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

- *The Sound* (2025), as Kurt
- *Lars Shrike Walks The Night* (2024), as Richard Kendred
- *The 11th Green* (2020), as Peaches
- *Creepshow* (2019), series, as Calvin (segment "Doodles")
- *Welcome to the Men's Group* (2016), Actor
- *Dr. Del* (2016), as Mr. Stone
- *Reversion* (2015), as Ciespy
- *Vacation* (2015), as Harry Co-Pilot
- *Amigo Undead* (2015), as Old Man Schumer
- *Gone Girl* (2014), as Rand Elliott — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/gone-girl.md)
- *Farmed and Dangerous* (2014), series, as Bob Sears
- *Ghost Phone* (2013), as Hamilton Pierce
- *Mr. Jones* (2013), as The Curator
- *House of Cards* (2013), series, as Ted Havemeyer
- *J. Edgar* (2011), as Senator Friendly
- *The Good Doctor* (2011), as Dr. Harbison
- *Extraordinary Measures* (2010), as Dr. Renzler
- *1945A* (2010), as General
- *Breaking Out* (2010), as Boss
- *The Philanthropist* (2009), series, Actor
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Judge Dellinger — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Saving Sarah Cain* (2007), as Homeless Man
- *October Road* (2007), series, Actor
- *Constellation* (2007), as Bear
- *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006), as White House Official
- *Saved* (2006), series, as Dr. Martin Cole
- *Syriana* (2005), as Donald — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Carl Sessick
- *Close to Home* (2005), series, as Arthur Stanton
- *Prison Break* (2005), series, as Conrad Dallow — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/prison-break.md)
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Charles — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Jack Shandley — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Mel Oliver
- *Life of the Party* (2005), as Jack
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Attorney Braxton Mason — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Silver City* (2004), as Mort Seymour
- *LAX* (2004), series, as Ralph Gravis
- *Joan of Arcadia* (2003), series, as Health Spa Owner
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Max Ellswood — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *The Agency* (2003), as Joshua Nankin
- *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Dr. Turner
- *The Agency* (2001), series, as Joshua Nankin
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Charles Gibson
- *The Visit* (2001), as Parole Board Member Brenner
- *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, as Judge
- *Mission Hill* (1999), series, Actor
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Jim — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Once and Again* (1999), series, Actor
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Andrew Weller
- *Playing by Heart* (1998), as Martin (uncredited)
- *The Thing: Terror Takes Shape* (1998), Thanks
- *Maximum Bob* (1998), series, as Nathan Cahill
- *The Staircase* (1998), as Simon Filger
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Dr. Lee Silver
- *Mad City* (1997), as Street Preacher
- *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Martin Spancer
- *Grace of My Heart* (1996), as Dr. "Jonesy" Jones
- *Almost Perfect* (1995), series, as Neal Luder
- *Tecumseh: The Last Warrior* (1995), as William Henry Harrison
- *Two Crimes* (1995), as Jim
- *Original Sins* (1995), as Jimbo
- *NewsRadio* (1995), series, as Judge
- *Star Trek: Voyager* (1995), series, as Dr. Crell Moset
- *Cybill* (1995), series, as Barry
- *ER* (1994), series, as Jared Morgan — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Nurses on the Line: The Crash of Flight 7* (1993), as Dr. Rulon Beesley
- *And the Band Played On* (1993), as Mr. Johnstone
- *Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story* (1993), as Dwight Moore
- *Matinee* (1993), as Jack
- *Light Sleeper* (1992), as Robert
- *The Panama Deception* (1992), Thanks
- *Man Trouble* (1992), as Lewie Duart
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Peter Brewer
- *The Image* (1990), as Dr. Sigmond Grampton
- *Downtown* (1990), as Jerome Sweet
- *Betrayed* (1988), as Jack Carpenter
- *The Couch Trip* (1988), as Lawrence Baird
- *thirtysomething* (1987), series, Actor
- *Beauty and the Beast* (1987), series, as Cullen
- *He's My Girl* (1987), as Mason Morgan
- *Conspiracy: The Trial of the Chicago 8* (1987), as Richard Schultz
- *The Trouble with Dick* (1987), as Lars
- *Sledge Hammer!* (1986), series, as Harold Bell
- *Legal Eagles* (1986), as Blanchard
- *Blood & Orchids* (1986), series, as Phillip Murray
- *Sweet Dreams* (1985), as Randy Hughes
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Professor John Tate
- *Falling in Love* (1984), as Brian Gilmore
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Wilton Tibbles
- *Best Kept Secrets* (1984), as Rev. Warner
- *Star 80* (1983), as Martin "Geb" Gebber
- *The Right Stuff* (1983), as Liaison Man — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-right-stuff.md)
- *Hanna K.* (1983), as Ammon
- *Special Bulletin* (1983), as Bruce Lyman
- *Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains* (1982), as Dave Robell
- *The Thing* (1982), as Palmer — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-thing.md)
- *The Escape Artist* (1982), as Newspaper Editor
- *Missing* (1982), as Consul Phil Putnam — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/missing-1982.md)
- *The Day the Bubble Burst* (1982), Actor
- *Park Place* (1981), series, Actor
- *Reward* (1980), as Steve Rawlin
- *Gideon's Trumpet* (1980), as James Fitzpatrick
- *Hide in Plain Sight* (1980), as Richard Fieldston
- *Marriage Is Alive and Well* (1980), as David
- *Being There* (1979), as Thomas Franklin — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/being-there.md)
- *Billy in the Lowlands* (1979), as Social Worker
- *WKRP in Cincinnati* (1978), series, as Norris Breeze
- *On the Yard* (1978), as Psychiatrist
- *Go Tell the Spartans* (1978), as Lt. Finley Wattsberg
- *Gray Lady Down* (1978), as USS Neptune Crewmember
- *Coming Home* (1978), as Tim — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/coming-home.md)
- *Panic in Echo Park* (1977), Actor
- *The Greatest* (1977), as Captain
- *Danger in Paradise* (1977), as Hobart
- *Bound for Glory* (1976), as Carl — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/bound-for-glory.md)
- *Helter Skelter* (1976), as Harry Jones
- *Crime Club* (1975), as Peter Karpf
- *Barney Miller* (1975), series, as Bodhisattva, Jeffrey Stevens, Howard Weckler, Howard Speer · Justice Department Counsel Chester Monahan
- *The Seagull* (1975), as Medvedenko
- *The Migrants* (1974), as Tom Trimpin
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as George Martin — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *The Paper Chase* (1973), as Toombs
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Medvedenko
- *Story Theatre* (1969), as Ensemble Member
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as James Fitzpatrick
- *Days with Dandekar*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![David Clennon](https://film.one/media/person/95377/gallery-80cde76b0f89.jpg) David Clennon — Image via TMDB
- ![David Clennon](https://film.one/media/person/95377/gallery-3a1420998ca0.jpg) David Clennon — Image via TMDB
- ![David Clennon](https://film.one/media/person/95377/gallery-7957f673c83c.jpg) David Clennon — Image via TMDB
- ![David Clennon](https://film.one/media/person/95377/gallery-52ee716a6fef.jpg) David Clennon — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1993: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Dream On*

*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/david-clennon