--- name: "Dick Miller" canonical: "https://film.one/person/dick-miller" fi1m_id: "dick-miller" imdb_id: "nm0588241" tmdb_id: 102441 wikidata_id: "Q1209753" roles: ["Actor","Director"] born: "25 December 1928" died: "30 January 2019" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-09-26T16:43:01.676548+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." --- # Dick Miller ## Identity Dick Miller - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/dick-miller - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** dick-miller - **IMDb ID:** nm0588241 - **TMDB ID:** 102441 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1209753 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Miller, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1209753, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588241/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/102441 Actor and director. Born 25 December 1928 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. Died 30 January 2019. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Director - **Born:** 25 December 1928, The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA - **Died:** 30 January 2019 - **Active:** 1983–1993 - **Also known as:** Richard Miller, ディック・ミラー, Richard Dick Miller - **Titles on Fi1m:** 8: 6 acting, 1 directing, 1 other - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 82 (1), 1980s 78 (5), 1990s 77 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 82 to 78 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 2, Crime 2, Drama 2, Fantasy 2, Horror 2, Mystery 2 - **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $277m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dick_Miller, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1209753, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0588241/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/102441 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*Batman: Mask of the Phantasm*](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) (82), [*Gremlins*](https://film.one/film/gremlins.md) (80) - **AMC+:** [*The Terminator*](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md) (88) - **Tubi:** [*Miami Vice*](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) (81) - **The Roku Channel:** [*After Hours*](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) (80) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Dick Miller > Dick Miller is worth watching even when he has little to do: his Bronx voice and aggrieved working men give small roles a distinct character. Joe Dante uses him particularly well, though familiarity sometimes has to compensate for thin writing. In *Gremlins* (1984), Dick Miller's Murray Futterman is the paranoid neighbour, a useful man to have around when a film means to make ordinary life unpleasant. Miller's familiar working-class manner fits Joe Dante's nasty Christmas comedy without making him seem a visitor recruited for a joke. We like the sense that Futterman has complaints which would exist even without the creatures. There is a limit, though: the humans can be underwritten, and an actor this recognisable can be asked to do the writer's work for him. Miller's screen career began in Roger Corman productions in the mid-1950s, with *Apache Woman* (1955) his first credited role. *A Bucket of Blood* (1959) gave him an early starring part as Walter Paisley, a name later reused as an in-joke in other films. In small parts, that Bronx accent and the air of a working man being put upon were enough to establish him quickly. By the late 1970s he was working regularly with Dante, whose *The Howling* (1981) cast him as an occult bookshop owner, again called Walter Paisley. In James Cameron's *The Terminator* (1984), he is the pawnshop clerk supplying weapons to the cyborg, a brief encounter in a film that rarely pauses. We smiled at the transaction because Miller's everyday manner makes this alarming customer seem, for a moment, like routine business. Cameron's pursuit thriller is frightening and fast, and Miller fits its pace by making the clerk legible without needing a separate story. He gives us enough to recognise the sort of man behind the counter, then lets the film get on with it. His appeal depends partly on repetition: the accent, the put-upon working man, the pleasure of a face we already know. The risk is that recognition becomes the whole attraction, and we stop asking how much the part actually gives him to play. Dante gives him enough in *Gremlins* to make Futterman worth watching, even if the creatures remain the main reason to see it. Start there, then try *A Bucket of Blood* for the less common sight of Miller in a starring role. ## Biography Dick Miller (1928–2019) was an American character actor. He appeared in more than 180 films, including many produced by Roger Corman, and in every film directed by Joe Dante. He later worked with directors including James Cameron and Martin Scorsese. Miller is known for roles such as Murray Futterman in *Gremlins* (1984) and *Gremlins 2: The New Batch* (1990), the pawnshop clerk in *The Terminator* (1984), and the voice of Chuckie Sol in *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993). Other credits include *The 'Burbs* (1989), *Small Soldiers* (1998) and *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987). Born Richard Miller in the Bronx, New York, he attended Columbia University and the City College of New York, and served in the US Navy. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) ### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these - *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), Fi1m 82, as Chuckie Sol (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) - *Fallen Angels* (1993), Fi1m 72, as Carl — [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md) - *After Hours* (1985), Fi1m 80, as Waiter — [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) - *Gremlins* (1984), Fi1m 80, as Murray Futterman — [page](https://film.one/film/gremlins.md) - *The Terminator* (1984), Fi1m 88, as Pawnshop Clerk — [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md) - *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), Fi1m 63, as Walter Paisley — [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md) ### Directed (1) - *Miami Vice* (1984), Fi1m 81, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Targets* (1968), Fi1m 82, as Stefan (archive footage) (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/targets.md) ## Complete filmography (176) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *The AGFA Mystery Mixtape Vault* (2020), as (archive footage) - *Hanukkah* (2019), as Rabbi Walter Paisley - *Hideouser and Hideouser* (2019), as Waitress (voice) (archive footage) - *The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster* (2015), as Walter - *Burying the Ex* (2014), as Grumpy Cop - *Cutaways* (2013), Actor - *The Hole* (2009), as Pizza Delivery Guy - *3rd Shift: Michael's Lament* (2009), as The Sculptor - *Trail of the Screaming Forehead* (2007), as Eddie - *Trapped Ashes* (2006), as Max (segment "Wraparound") - *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Oberon (voice) - *Looney Tunes: Back in Action* (2003), as Security Guard - *Maximum Surge* (2003), as Boxing Cornerman - *Unleashing the Beast: Making ‘The Howling’* (2003), Actor - *Route 666* (2001), as Bartender - *Time of Your Life* (1999), series, Actor - *Snoops* (1999), series, as Jolie - *SportsCentury* (1999), series, Actor - *Small Soldiers* (1998), as Joe - *The Second Civil War* (1997), as Eddie O'Neill - *Clueless* (1996), series, as Ralph - *The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy* (1996), as Peddler - *Number One Fan* (1995), as Night Manager - *Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight* (1995), as Uncle Willy - *ER* (1994), series, as Mr. Ackerman — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 Women* (1994), as Officer Murphy - *Shake, Rattle and Rock!* (1994), as Officer Paisley - *Runaway Daughters* (1994), as Roy Farrell - *Rebel Highway* (1994), series, as Roy Farrell, Officer Paisley - *Mona Must Die* (1994), as Father Stilicato - *Sister, Sister* (1994), series, as Mr. Eichelberger - *Midnight Run Around* (1994), as O'Doul - *Weird Science* (1994), series, Actor - *Batman: Mask of the Phantasm* (1993), as Chuckie Sol (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/batman-mask-of-the-phantasm.md) - *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Carl Bode — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md) - *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Mike Lane - *Fallen Angels* (1993), series, as Carl, Morris Hornbeck — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md) - *Matinee* (1993), as Herb - *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Vin — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md) - *The Flash III: Deadly Nightshade* (1992), as Fosnight - *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Boxy Bennett (voice) - *Amityville 1992: It's About Time* (1992), as Mr. Anderson - *Unlawful Entry* (1992), as Impound Clerk - *Quake* (1992), as Storekeeper - *Body Waves* (1992), as Mr. Matthews - *Evil Toons* (1992), as Burt Wentworth - *The Woman Who Sinned* (1991), as Thomas - *Halloween Monster Bash* (1991), as Stefan (archive footage) - *Eerie, Indiana* (1991), series, as Al - *Motorama* (1991), as Horseshoe Player - *The Flash* (1990), series, as Fosnight - *Mob Boss* (1990), as Mike - *Gremlins 2: The New Batch* (1990), as Murray Futterman - *Ghost Writer* (1989), as Club Manager - *Far from Home* (1989), as Sheriff Bill Childers - *Under the Boardwalk* (1989), as Official - *The 'Burbs* (1989), as Vic, Garbageman #1 - *Angel III: The Final Chapter* (1988), as Nick Pellegrini - *Face Like a Frog* (1988), as Max (voice) - *Freddy's Nightmares* (1988), series, as Al Kramer - *Elvira: Mistress of the Dark* (1988), as Sgt. Neill - *Dead Heat* (1988), as Cemetery Security Guard (uncredited) - *Sonny Spoon* (1988), series, Director - *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Vendor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md) - *Amazon Women on the Moon* (1987), as Danny Clayton (segment "The French Ventriloquist's Dummy") (uncredited) - *Innerspace* (1987), as Cab Driver - *Project X* (1987), as Max King - *Chopping Mall* (1986), as Walter Paisley - *Armed Response* (1986), as Steve - *Night of the Creeps* (1986), as Walt - *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, as Fred - *After Hours* (1985), as Waiter — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) - *Explorers* (1985), as Charlie Drake - *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Pickup Guy — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md) - *The Terminator* (1984), as Pawnshop Clerk — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-terminator.md) - *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Seymour Furman - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, Director — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *Gremlins* (1984), as Murray Futterman — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/gremlins.md) - *V: The Final Battle* (1984), series, as Dan Pascal - *11th Victim* (1984), as Investigator Ned - *Swing Shift* (1984), as Wallflower at the Swing Shift Jamboree (uncredited) - *All the Right Moves* (1983), as Teacher in Auditorium - *Get Crazy* (1983), as Susie's Dad - *Space Raiders* (1983), as Crazy Mel - *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), as Walter Paisley — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md) - *Lies* (1983), as Producer - *Heart Like a Wheel* (1983), as Mickey White - *Vortex* (1982), as Bit Part - *White Dog* (1982), as Animal Trainer - *National Lampoon's Movie Madness* (1982), as Dr. Hans Kleiner ("Success Wanters") - *The Aftermath* (1982), as Broadcaster (voice) - *Police Squad!* (1982), series, as Vic - *Fame* (1982), series, Actor - *Heartbeeps* (1981), as Factory Watchman - *Smokey Bites the Dust* (1981), as Owner of Vehicle - *The Howling* (1981), as Walter Paisley - Bookstore Owner - *Dr. Heckyl and Mr. Hype* (1980), as Irsil / Orson - *Used Cars* (1980), as Man In Bed - *The Happy Hooker Goes Hollywood* (1980), as New York Cop - *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Al Spanky - *1941* (1979), as Officer Miller - *The Lady in Red* (1979), as Patek - *Rock 'n' Roll High School* (1979), as Police Chief - *Taxi* (1978), series, as Ernie the Waiter, Fergie — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md) - *Piranha* (1978), as Buck Gardner - *Corvette Summer* (1978), as Mr. Lucky - *I Wanna Hold Your Hand* (1978), as Sergeant Brenner - *Starhops* (1978), as Jerry - *Game Show Models* (1977), as Joe Lippin - Game Show Host - *New York, New York* (1977), as Palm Club Owner - *Mr. Billion* (1977), as Bernie - *Hunter* (1977), series, Actor - *Vigilante Force* (1976), as Pianist (uncredited) - *Moving Violation* (1976), as Mac - *Cannonball* (1976), as Bennie Buckman - *Hollywood Boulevard* (1976), as Walter Paisley - *Darktown Strutters* (1975), as Officer Hugo - *White Line Fever* (1975), as Birdie - *Crazy Mama* (1975), as Wilbur Janeway - *Capone* (1975), as Joe Pryor - *Big Bad Mama* (1974), as Bonney - *Police Woman* (1974), series, as Matt - *Summer School Teachers* (1974), as Sam - *Truck Turner* (1974), as Fogarty - *TNT Jackson* (1974), Writer - *Candy Stripe Nurses* (1974), as Spectator - *Executive Action* (1973), as Rifleman - Team B - *The Slams* (1973), as Taxi Driver - *The Student Teachers* (1973), as Coach Harris - *Fly Me* (1973), as Taxi Driver - *The Young Nurses* (1973), as Cop - *Night Call Nurses* (1972), as Mr. Jensen - *The Grissom Gang* (1971), as Reporter - *Which Way to the Front?* (1970), Story - *The Andersonville Trial* (1970), as Sketch Artist - *McCloud* (1970), series, Actor - *Four Rode Out* (1969), Writer - *The Legend of Lylah Clare* (1968), as Reporter at Press Party - *Targets* (1968), as Stefan (archive footage) (uncredited) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/targets.md) - *The Wild Racers* (1968), as Pit Crew Mechanic - *Mannix* (1967), series, as Fashion Photographer (uncredited) · Photographer - *The Trip* (1967), as Cash - *A Time for Killing* (1967), as Zollicoffer - *The St. Valentine's Day Massacre* (1967), as Gangster Dressed as a Cop (uncredited) - *The Dirty Dozen* (1967), as MP at Hanging (uncredited) - *Dragnet* (1967), series, as Harry Johnson - *The Wild Angels* (1966), as Oil Rigger - *Wild, Wild Winter* (1966), as Rilk - *Beach Ball* (1965), as Cop #1 - *Ski Party* (1965), as Taxi Driver (uncredited) - *The Girls on the Beach* (1965), as First Waiter - *Branded* (1965), series, Actor - *X: The Man with the X-Ray Eyes* (1963), as John Trask (uncredited) - *The Terror* (1963), as Stefan - *Combat!* (1962), series, as Young Soldier - *The Virginian* (1962), series, as Jon Blake - *The Premature Burial* (1962), as Mole - *Capture That Capsule* (1961), as Ed Nowak - *Atlas* (1961), as Greek Soldier (uncredited) - *The Little Shop of Horrors* (1960), as Burson Fouch - *A Bucket of Blood* (1959), as Walter Paisley - *The Lawless Years* (1959), series, Actor - *War of the Satellites* (1958), as Dave Boyer - *Sorority Girl* (1957), as Mort - *M Squad* (1957), series, as Pete Castro - *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Michel - *Carnival Rock* (1957), as Benny - *Rock All Night* (1957), as Shorty - *The Undead* (1957), as The Leper - *Not of This Earth* (1957), as Joe Piper - *Naked Paradise* (1957), as Mitch - *It Conquered the World* (1956), as Sgt. Neil - *The Oklahoma Woman* (1956), as Bartender - *Gunslinger* (1956), as Jimmy Tonto - *Apache Woman* (1955), as Tall Tree - *Dragnet* (1951), series, Actor ## Gallery - ![Baseline Drive-In theater advertisement for the double feature, Teen crime/exploitation films: Dragstrip Girl (1957) and Rock All Night (1957). From the 1 May, ](https://film.one/media/person/93010/gallery-a019cc3bcdaf.jpg) Baseline Drive-In theater advertisement for the double feature, Teen crime/exploitation films: Dragstrip Girl (1957) and Rock All Night (1957). From the 1 May, — American International Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Baseline_Drive-in_Ad_-_1_May_1957%2C_Highland%2C_CA.jpg/1280px-Baseline_Drive-in_Ad_-_1_May_1957%2C_Highland%2C_CA.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Dick Miller](https://film.one/media/person/93010/gallery-abdfd8aad364.jpg) Dick Miller — Image via TMDB - ![Dick Miller](https://film.one/media/person/93010/gallery-cf98b630d48d.jpg) Dick Miller — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Time Machine Award 2014: Time Machine 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/dick-miller