--- name: "David Rasche" canonical: "https://film.one/person/david-rasche" fi1m_id: "david-rasche" imdb_id: "nm0711058" tmdb_id: 33533 wikidata_id: "Q729572" roles: ["Actor"] born: "7 August 1944" reviewed_on_fi1m: 10 average_fi1m_score: 76 average_as: "actor" average_over: 9 updated: "2026-10-05T12:32:03.945380+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 Rasche ## Identity David Rasche - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/david-rasche - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** david-rasche - **IMDb ID:** nm0711058 - **TMDB ID:** 33533 - **Wikidata ID:** Q729572 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rasche, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q729572, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0711058/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/33533 Actor. Born 7 August 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 7 August 1944, St. Louis, Missouri, USA - **Active:** 1979–present - **Also known as:** Ντέιβιντ Ράζέ, دیوید راشه - **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 9 acting, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 9 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 80 (2), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 76 (2), 2020s 76 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 9 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 8, Drama 6, Action 1, Crime 1, History 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $945m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Rasche, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q729572, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0711058/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/33533 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*In the Loop*](https://film.one/film/in-the-loop.md) (92) - **Disney+:** [*Dying for Sex*](https://film.one/tv/dying-for-sex.md) (81) - **Paramount+:** [*Men in Black 3*](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md) (63) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on David Rasche > David Rasche gives officials and executives a direct, credible voice, which makes him particularly useful when their behaviour is absurd. We rate his satirical supporting work most highly, while recognising how often he is asked to supply the same authority. David Rasche can make a man with a job title sound as though that settles the matter. His direct delivery is especially useful in satire, where an official can be ridiculous without the actor announcing the joke. We rate him as a supporting player who makes authority credible enough to be funny. The limitation is how often the job title seems to determine the part. His early television prominence came through a satirical police sitcom lead in 1986–1988, followed by a career largely in supporting roles. Work with David Mamet on stage and an improvisational background at Second City help explain the plainness of his delivery. The Coen brothers used him as a CIA officer in *Burn After Reading* (2008). As corporate executive Karl Muller in *Succession* (2018–2023), he found another sustained use for that habit. There is nothing wrong with a recognisable specialism, though it can make the next casting feel predictable. *In the Loop* (2009) is our clearest recommendation, with Rasche playing Linton Barwick for Armando Iannucci. He is well suited to a farce whose officials let wounded pride shape the prospect of war; a direct delivery helps the absurdity sound worryingly plausible. We laughed at the bullying Peter Capaldi makes so enjoyable, then felt uncomfortable about enjoying it. Iannucci’s barrage of insults does sometimes crowd out the people delivering them, and that matters in an ensemble where we want to watch actors rather than merely wait for the next line. In *Dying for Sex* (2025), Rasche plays Dr. Pankowitz, but our enthusiasm for the series rests chiefly with Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate. Molly and Nikki’s friendship gives the terminal-illness story its emotional weight, even when the writing is too pleased with its frankness. We would recommend it for that friendship, without making a supporting credit bear more weight than it should. For Rasche’s particular comic skill, start with *In the Loop*. ## Biography David Rasche is an American actor born on 7 August 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri. He trained in theatre and appeared in stage productions including a 1980s production of *The Taming of the Shrew* at the American Shakespeare Theatre. Rasche is best known for playing the title character in the satirical sitcom *Sledge Hammer!* (1986–1988). He has frequently portrayed authority figures in both comedy and drama, including Karl Muller in the HBO series *Succession* (2018–2023). His film credits include *Manhattan* (1979), *Cobra* (1986), *Burn After Reading* (2008), *United 93* (2006), *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006), *Just Married* (2003), *Men in Black 3* (2012) and *Kill Your Darlings* (2013). In 2025 he appeared as Dr. Pankowitz in the series *Dying for Sex*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (10) ### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these - *Dying for Sex* (2025), Fi1m 81, as Dr. Pankowitz — [page](https://film.one/tv/dying-for-sex.md) - *Theater Camp* (2023), Fi1m 70, as Dr. Bill Rauch — [page](https://film.one/film/theater-camp.md) - *Succession* (2018), Fi1m 88, as Karl Muller — [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md) - *Men in Black 3* (2012), Fi1m 63, as Agent X — [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md) - *Bored to Death* (2009), Fi1m 50, as Bernard — [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md) - *In the Loop* (2009), Fi1m 92, as Linton Barwick — [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-loop.md) - *Burn After Reading* (2008), Fi1m 72, as CIA Officer — [page](https://film.one/film/burn-after-reading.md) - *United 93* (2006), Fi1m 88, as Donald Freeman Greene — [page](https://film.one/film/united-93.md) - *Manhattan* (1979), Fi1m 78, as Television Actor #3 — [page](https://film.one/film/manhattan.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *An Unmarried Woman* (1978), Fi1m 82, as Man who says, "Hello" (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/an-unmarried-woman.md) ## Complete filmography (116) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Dying for Sex* (2025), series, as Dr. Pankowitz — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/dying-for-sex.md) - *The Hunting Party* (2025), series, as Dr. Sidney Fairfax - *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Monsignor Frank - *Theater Camp* (2023), as Dr. Bill Rauch — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/theater-camp.md) - *About My Father* (2023), as William 'Bill' Collins XII - *The Good House* (2021), as Scott - *Paper Spiders* (2021), as Bill Hoffman - *Swallow* (2020), as Michael Conrad - *Father Figurine* (2019), as Larry Berman - *Succession* (2018), series, as Karl Muller — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md) - *Impastor* (2015), series, as Alden Schmidt - *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as Ambassador Arlen Maxwell - *Freedom* (2014), as Jefferson Monroe - *Amira & Sam* (2014), as Jack - *The Discoverers* (2014), as Cyrus Marshall - *Black Box* (2014), series, as Hunter Black - *Kill Your Darlings* (2013), as Dean - *Petunia* (2013), as Percy Petunia - *Inside Amy Schumer* (2013), series, as CEO - *The Big Wedding* (2013), as Barry O'Connor - *The Strange Case of Wilhelm Reich* (2013), as Public Prosecutor Mr. Hills - *Revenge for Jolly!* (2012), as Eichelberger - *Men in Black 3* (2012), as Agent X — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/men-in-black-3.md) - *Veep* (2012), series, as Jim Marwood — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/veep.md) - *Remembrance* (2011), as Daniel Levine - *Blue Eyes* (2010), as Marshall - *Bored to Death* (2009), series, as Bernard — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/tv/bored-to-death.md) - *In the Loop* (2009), as Linton Barwick — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/in-the-loop.md) - *Peter and Vandy* (2009), as Alan - *Crimes of the Past* (2009), as Thomas Sparrow - *Burn After Reading* (2008), as CIA Officer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/burn-after-reading.md) - *The Girl in the Park* (2007), as Doug - *Flags of Our Fathers* (2006), as Senator - *Ugly Betty* (2006), series, as Calvin Hartley - *United 93* (2006), as Donald Freeman Greene — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/united-93.md) - *The Sentinel* (2006), as President Ballentine - *The Book of Daniel* (2006), series, Actor - *The L.A. Riot Spectacular* (2005), Actor - *Final Approach* (2005), as Gen. Perkins - *Off the Lip* (2004), as Dr. Martin Shutte - *Exposed* (2003), as Warren Ward - *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Tim Valentine - *Just Married* (2003), as Mr. McNerney - *She Spies* (2002), series, as Norton Andrews - *Monk* (2002), series, as Nick Patterson - *Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood* (2002), as Taylor Abbott - *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), as Elliot Chevron - *DAG* (2000), series, as President Whitman - *Malcolm in the Middle* (2000), series, as Lawyer - *The Big Tease* (1999), as Stig - *Hard Time: Hostage Hotel* (1999), as Robert Sinclair - *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Carl Everett — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md) - *Grown Ups* (1999), series, as Walter - *Friends & Lovers* (1999), as Richard 'Richie' Wickham - *The Settlement* (1999), as Denny - *Providence* (1999), series, as Doc Croc - *Pros & Cons* (1999), as Jack Stanford - *Tourist Trap* (1998), as Derek Early - *That Old Feeling* (1997), as Alan - *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Michael Tenzer - *Suddenly Susan* (1996), series, as Evan - *Pie in the Sky* (1996), as Amy's Dad - *Out There* (1995), as Emmett Davis - *High Society* (1995), series, as Peter Thomas - *Dead Weekend* (1995), as Payne - *Magic in the Water* (1995), as Phillip, Patient #4 - *Perry Mason: The Case of the Jealous Jokester* (1995), as Ben Landry - *Signs and Wonders* (1995), series, as Brother Nahum - *Lieberman in Love* (1995), as M.C. at Luau - *A Million to Juan* (1994), as Jeff - *Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die* (1994), as Alfred Raine - *Duckman* (1994), series, as Baron Von Dillweed (voice) - *Burke's Law* (1994), series, as John Ramsey - *Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter* (1994), as Chaz Frederick - *Partners* (1993), as "Grave Squad" Lawyer - *Twenty Bucks* (1993), as Baker - *Barbarians at the Gate* (1993), as Ted Forstmann - *Nurses* (1991), series, as Jack Trenton - *Delirious* (1991), as Dr. Paul Kirkwood / Dennis - *Bingo* (1991), as Hal Devlin - *Silhouette* (1990), as Sheriff Kyle Lauder - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Joe Delaney — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Masters of Menace* (1990), as Buddy Wheeler - *Wedding Band* (1990), as Sloane Vaughn - *An Innocent Man* (1989), as Detective Mike Parnell LBPD - *Wicked Stepmother* (1989), as Steve Fisher - *Empty Nest* (1988), series, as Jack Trenton - *Secret Witness* (1988), as Sandy - *Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall* (1987), as Cal McGinnis - *Made in Heaven* (1987), as Donald Summer - *Native Son* (1986), as Buckley - *Sledge Hammer!* (1986), series, as Sledge Hammer - *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as David McCoy - *Cobra* (1986), as Dan - *Code Name: Foxfire* (1985), as Sam Rawlings - *Sara* (1985), series, Actor - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Surf — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Best Defense* (1984), as Jeff - *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor - *The Lost Honor of Kathryn Beck* (1984), as Donald Catton - *Special Bulletin* (1983), as David McKeeson - *Hellfire* (1983), as Rev Howard Woode - *Fighting Back* (1982), as Michael Taylor - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Buckley, Cal McGinnis (segment 'Ray's Male Heterosexual Dance Hall') - *Honky Tonk Freeway* (1981), as Eddie White - *Just Tell Me What You Want* (1980), as Stopwatch Producer - *Something Short of Paradise* (1979), as David Ritchie - *Manhattan* (1979), as Television Actor #3 — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/manhattan.md) - *Sanctuary of Fear* (1979), as Jack Collins - *Mrs. Columbo* (1979), series, Actor - *An Unmarried Woman* (1978), as Man who says, "Hello" (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/an-unmarried-woman.md) - *The Andros Targets* (1977), series, as Smitty - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Patrick Kinsley — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Roker on the Road*, series, Actor - *A Trace of Murder*, as Patrick Kinsley - *Elderwood*, Actor ## Gallery - ![David Rasche](https://film.one/media/person/46824/gallery-208866042f6e.jpg) David Rasche — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/33/DavidRasche-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-DavidRasche-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![David Rasche](https://film.one/media/person/46824/gallery-f076c021412d.jpg) David Rasche — Image via TMDB - ![David Rasche](https://film.one/media/person/46824/gallery-65b2549b2206.jpg) David Rasche — Image via TMDB --- © 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-rasche