---
name: "David Morse"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-morse"
fi1m_id: "david-morse"
imdb_id: "nm0001556"
tmdb_id: 52
wikidata_id: "Q296370"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "11 October 1953"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 77
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T19:50:51.946132+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 Morse

## Identity

David Morse

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-morse
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** david-morse
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001556
- **TMDB ID:** 52
- **Wikidata ID:** Q296370
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Morse, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296370, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001556/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52

Actor and director. Born 11 October 1953 in Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 11 October 1953, Hamilton, Massachusetts, USA
- **Active:** 1982–present
- **Also known as:** David Bowditch Morse
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 12 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Brad Pitt](https://film.one/person/brad-pitt.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 78 (1), 1990s 80 (5), 2000s 79 (4), 2010s 70 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 70 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Crime 4, Mystery 3, Science Fiction 3, Thriller 3, Action 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,583m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Morse, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q296370, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001556/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Escape at Dannemora*](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md) (74), [*Dancer in the Dark*](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md) (71), [*World War Z*](https://film.one/film/world-war-z.md) (55)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Hurt Locker*](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md) (86)
- **HBO Max:** [*John Adams*](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md) (81)

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

## Fi1m on David Morse

> David Morse can make an authority figure seem decent or dangerous without overplaying either. We value his restraint, though repeated casting as an antagonist can make the next part feel too familiar.

David Morse makes a man in authority worth watching before we know whether to trust him. His stoicism can suggest sympathy or menace without much outward fuss, and we rate him for that restraint. It also leaves him vulnerable to casting that asks for the same forbidding presence again. His sympathetic Dr Jack Morrison in *St. Elsewhere* (1982–1988) established a different expectation. The move towards supporting film work in the mid-1990s brought more antagonists, making the warmth easier to overlook.

In Terry Gilliam's *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Morse plays Dr Peters amid restless images and a complicated time-travel story. Gilliam gives us plenty to follow, sometimes more than the overextended script can comfortably manage. An actor with Morse's lack of showiness is welcome here: he does not need to compete with the film's agitation to register. Bruce Willis provides the painful human centre and remains the main reason we recommend it; Morse's supporting presence is a reason to watch the smaller parts as well.

Michael Bay's *The Rock* (1996) puts him in a more familiar position of authority as Major Tom Baxter. We enjoyed its nonsense because Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris make it worth following, even when the editing makes that harder than necessary. Morse's sober manner suits the military role and gives those larger performances something steady to play against. It is a good setting for his ensemble skills, with room for a supporting actor to be noticed without having to compete for every scene.

Frank Darabont's *The Green Mile* (1999) gives that imposing presence a more sympathetic purpose, with Morse bringing humanity to prison guard Brutus 'Brutal' Howell. Michael Tritter in *House* (2006–2007) returns him to the antagonist's job, evidence of how readily television also uses him to make trouble. The repetition can make his casting predictable, even when the acting is careful. We would like more parts that let him be kind. For that side of him, try *The Green Mile*.

## Biography

David Morse is an American actor. He became widely known for playing Dr. Jack 'Boomer' Morrison in the NBC series *St. Elsewhere* (1982–88). His film credits include Dr. Peters in *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Major Tom Baxter in *The Rock* (1996), Ted Arroway in *Contact* (1997), Brutus 'Brutal' Howell in *The Green Mile* (1999), Colonel Reed in *The Hurt Locker* (2008), and roles in *Disturbia* (2007) and *Concussion* (2015).

Morse trained at the William Esper Studio. On television he portrayed Michael Tritter in *House* (2006), for which he received an Emmy Award nomination, and Eliot Bezzerides in *True Detective* (2014). He appeared as Terry Colson in the HBO series *Treme* (2010–13) and in the miniseries *John Adams* (2008), earning a second Emmy nomination for the latter. Stage work includes the Off-Broadway production *How I Learned to Drive*, for which he won a Drama Desk Award and an Obie Award, and the Broadway production of *The Seafarer*.

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

## On Fi1m (13)

### Performed in (12) — the average rests on these

- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), Fi1m 74, as Gene Palmer — [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *World War Z* (2013), Fi1m 55, as Ex-CIA Agent — [page](https://film.one/film/world-war-z.md)
- *Treme* (2010), Fi1m 82, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/treme.md)
- *John Adams* (2008), Fi1m 81, as George Washington — [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *The Hurt Locker* (2008), Fi1m 86, as Colonel Reed — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md)
- *House* (2004), Fi1m 78, as Michael Tritter — [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Dancer in the Dark* (2000), Fi1m 71, as Bill Houston — [page](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md)
- *The Green Mile* (1999), Fi1m 73, as Brutus 'Brutal' Howell — [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *Contact* (1997), Fi1m 76, as Ted Arroway — [page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)
- *The Rock* (1996), Fi1m 78, as Major Tom Baxter — [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Dr. Peters — [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), Fi1m 89, as Jim Bayliss — [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)

### Directed (1)

- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), Fi1m 78, as Jack Morrison — [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)

## Complete filmography (98)

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

- *Mayday* (2026), as Harold Kelly
- *The Gettysburg Address* (2025), as Abraham Lincoln (voice)
- *Looking Through Water* (2025), as Leo
- *We Were Liars* (2025), series, as Harris Sinclair
- *Broken Land* (2024), as Carson Tidwell
- *Cabrini* (2024), as Archbishop Corrigan
- *The Last Thing He Told Me* (2023), series, as Nicholas Bell
- *The Timekeepers of Eternity* (2021), as Captain Brian Enlge (archive footage)
- *The Chair* (2021), series, as Paul Larson
- *The Virtuoso* (2021), as The Deputy
- *Barbecue* (2020), as James T
- *The Good Lord Bird* (2020), series, as Dutch Henry Sherman
- *The Morning Show* (2019), series, as Mr. Jackson
- *Trouble* (2018), as Gerry
- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), series, as Gene Palmer — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *The Deuce* (2017), series, as Matthew Rouse — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-deuce.md)
- *Flowing Water* (2017), as Narrator (voice)
- *Outsiders* (2016), series, as Big Foster
- *Concussion* (2015), as Mike Webster
- *Blindspot* (2015), series, as Hank Crawford
- *The Boy* (2015), as John
- *Yellow* (2014), as Psychologist
- *Winter in the Blood* (2014), as Airplane Man
- *McCanick* (2014), as Eugene 'Mack' McCanick · Producer
- *True Detective* (2014), series, as Eliot Bezzerides — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)
- *Horns* (2013), as Dale Williams
- *World War Z* (2013), as Ex-CIA Agent — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/world-war-z.md)
- *The Odd Life of Timothy Green* (2012), as James Green, Sr.
- *The Pond* (2012), as Adam 11
- *Collaborator* (2011), as Gus
- *Drive Angry* (2011), as Webster
- *Shanghai* (2010), as Richard Astor
- *Mint Julep* (2010), as Karl
- *Treme* (2010), series, as Terry Colson — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/treme.md)
- *Mother and Child* (2009), as Tom
- *The Hurt Locker* (2008), as Colonel Reed — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hurt-locker.md)
- *Passengers* (2008), as Arkin
- *Hounddog* (2008), as Daddy
- *John Adams* (2008), series, as George Washington — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/john-adams.md)
- *Disturbia* (2007), as Mr. Turner
- *Nearing Grace* (2006), as Shep Nearing
- *16 Blocks* (2006), as Frank Nugent
- *Dreamer: Inspired By a True Story* (2005), as Palmer
- *Down in the Valley* (2005), as Wade Sommers
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Douglas Lydecker
- *House* (2004), series, as Michael Tritter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Double Vision* (2002), as Kevin Richter
- *Hack* (2002), series, as Mike Olshansky · Writer
- *The Slaughter Rule* (2002), as Gideon 'Gid' Ferguson
- *Hearts in Atlantis* (2001), as Adult Bobby Garfield
- *Diary of a City Priest* (2001), as Fr. John McNamee
- *Proof of Life* (2000), as Peter Bowman
- *Bait* (2000), as Edgar Clenteen
- *Dancer in the Dark* (2000), as Bill Houston — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/dancer-in-the-dark.md)
- *The Green Mile* (1999), as Brutus 'Brutal' Howell — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *Crazy in Alabama* (1999), as Dove Bullis
- *The Negotiator* (1998), as Cdr. Adam Beck
- *Contact* (1997), as Ted Arroway — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/contact.md)
- *Murder Live!* (1997), as Frank McGrath
- *George B.* (1997), as George
- *The Long Kiss Goodnight* (1996), as Luke / Daedalus
- *Extreme Measures* (1996), as Frank Hare
- *The Rock* (1996), as Major Tom Baxter — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md)
- *Twelve Monkeys* (1995), as Dr. Peters — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/twelve-monkeys.md)
- *Tecumseh: The Last Warrior* (1995), as Galloway
- *The Langoliers* (1995), series, as Captain Brian Engle
- *The Crossing Guard* (1995), as John Booth
- *Magic Kid II* (1994), as Jack
- *The Getaway* (1994), as Jim Deer Jackson
- *The Good Son* (1993), as Jack Evans
- *seaQuest DSV* (1993), series, as Lenny Sutter
- *Big Wave Dave's* (1993), series, as Dave Bell
- *Miracle on Interstate 880* (1993), as Dr. Jim Betts
- *Homicide: Life on the Street* (1993), series, as Jim Bayliss — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/homicide-life-on-the-street.md)
- *Dead Ahead: The Exxon Valdez Disaster* (1992), as Rick Steiner
- *Two-Fisted Tales* (1992), as Tom McMurdo (segment "Showdown")
- *The Indian Runner* (1991), as Joe Roberts
- *Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann* (1991), as Bicycle Pete
- *Desperate Hours* (1990), as Albert
- *Cross of Fire* (1989), series, as Clell Henry
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Tom McMurdo
- *Brotherhood of the Rose* (1989), series, as Remus
- *Winnie* (1988), as Thomas
- *American Experience* (1988), series, as Abraham Lincoln (voice), Abraham Lincoln
- *A Place at the Table* (1988), as Tom Williams
- *Friday the 13th: The Series* (1987), series, Writer, Director
- *Personal Foul* (1987), Actor
- *Six Against the Rock* (1987), as Marvin Hubbard
- *Downpayment on Murder* (1987), as Det. Jackson
- *When Dreams Come True* (1985), as Robert Wynton
- *Shattered Vows* (1984), as Father Tim
- *Prototype* (1983), as Michael
- *Max Dugan Returns* (1983), as Shoe Store Cop
- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Jack Morrison · Director — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)
- *Our Family Business* (1981), as Phil
- *Nurse* (1981), series, as Kevin Mallory
- *Inside Moves* (1980), as Jerry Maxwell
- *Saturn Return*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![David Morse, Rainn Wilson, Elijah Wood at Fast Company Grill SXSW 2015](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-6d1b50cbd2de.jpg) David Morse, Rainn Wilson, Elijah Wood at Fast Company Grill SXSW 2015 — Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d0/David_Morse%2C_Rainn_Wilson%2C_Elijah_Wood_at_Fast_Company_Grill_SXSW_2015.jpg/1280px-David_Morse%2C_Rainn_Wilson%2C_Elijah_Wood_at_Fast_Company_Grill_SXSW_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-abeac83c543b.jpg) David Morse — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/22/David_Morse_%282015%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![David Morse, Rainn Wilson, Elijah Wood at Fast Company Grill SXSW 2015](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-8253e4da7747.jpg) David Morse, Rainn Wilson, Elijah Wood at Fast Company Grill SXSW 2015 — Nan Palmero, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/David_Morse_2015.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-6c51ac993458.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-892289e54934.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-496b8c122c0a.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-7b71c9977886.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-5f1550c7f1fb.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB
- ![David Morse](https://film.one/media/person/86122/gallery-e577d3637a15.jpg) David Morse — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor 1997: Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor (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/david-morse