---
name: "Frankie Faison"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/frankie-faison"
fi1m_id: "frankie-faison"
imdb_id: "nm0265670"
tmdb_id: 13936
wikidata_id: "Q943589"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 June 1949"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 13
updated: "2026-10-05T02:40:36.516700+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."
---

# Frankie Faison

## Identity

Frankie Faison

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/frankie-faison
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** frankie-faison
- **IMDb ID:** nm0265670
- **TMDB ID:** 13936
- **Wikidata ID:** Q943589
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Faison, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q943589, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265670/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13936

Actor. Born 10 June 1949 in Newport News, Virginia, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 June 1949, Newport News, Virginia, USA
- **Active:** 1986–present
- **Also known as:** Frankie Russel Faison, Frankie R. Faison
- **Frequently works with:** [Anthony Hopkins](https://film.one/person/anthony-hopkins.md), [James Earl Jones](https://film.one/person/james-earl-jones.md), [Jodie Foster](https://film.one/person/jodie-foster.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 13 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 76 (5), 1990s 77 (2), 2000s 73 (4), 2010s 72 (1), 2020s 80 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 12 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 9, Crime 7, Thriller 6, Romance 3, Comedy 2, Horror 2
- **Screen time:** 20 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,409m across 10 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankie_Faison, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q943589, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0265670/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13936

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Do the Right Thing*](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md) (93), [*The Silence of the Lambs*](https://film.one/film/the-silence-of-the-lambs.md) (91), [*Sommersby*](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md) (63)
- **Apple TV:** [*Banshee*](https://film.one/tv/banshee.md) (72), [*Mississippi Burning*](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md) (72)
- **AMC+:** [*Coming to America*](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md) (76)
- **Peacock:** [*Red Dragon*](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md) (64)
- **Disney+:** [*Hannibal*](https://film.one/film/hannibal.md) (54)

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

## Fi1m on Frankie Faison

> Frankie Faison makes authority figures and ordinary men believable without much fuss. We value his steadiness in supporting parts, though even a dependable actor cannot make up for a film that gives its characters too little room.

As Ervin Burrell, Baltimore’s police commissioner in *The Wire* (2002–2008), Frankie Faison makes authority look like a daily occupation. We accept the job and the man doing it, without needing a performance that announces his importance. That realistic approach had already served the supporting film work that brought him notice in the late 1980s, including Coconut Sid in Spike Lee’s *Do the Right Thing* (1989). He makes a small part worth attending to without treating it as an audition for a larger one.

His role as the Eulogist in Alan Parker’s *Mississippi Burning* (1988) points to the difficulty for an actor whose work so often supports somebody else’s story. We found the thriller tense and the performances strong, particularly Gene Hackman’s, but its FBI-led account gives the black community too little space to speak or act. Faison’s presence cannot solve that problem. There is a limit to what a convincing supporting actor can do when a film has decided to spend its time elsewhere.

In Jonathan Demme’s *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991), where he plays Barney, the attention is also firmly elsewhere, but the reason is more persuasive. Jodie Foster’s Clarice Starling holds her ground against Anthony Hopkins, and Demme keeps us close to her. We were frightened because that closeness left so little distance between us and her encounters. The investigation sometimes comes second, but this is a film we recommend without hesitation. Faison’s plain, believable manner suits a thriller with such forceful leading performances; he has no need to compete with them on their terms.

Television supplied longer-running parts: Burrell across five seasons of *The Wire*, then former boxer and bar owner Sugar Bates in *Banshee* (2013–2016). His physically and emotionally demanding work in *The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain* (2021) also deserves attention beyond the familiar supporting credits. Those credits can make it easy to take his reliability for granted, particularly when the leading actors have most of the talking to do. For a longer look at what he can do, choose *The Wire*.

## Biography

Frankie Faison is an American actor. He was born Frankie Russel Faison on 10 June 1949 in Newport News, Virginia. He studied drama at Illinois Wesleyan University and received an MFA from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1974.

Faison is known for playing Barney Matthews in *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991), *Hannibal* (2001) and *Red Dragon* (2002), and for his role as Ervin Burrell in the HBO series *The Wire* (2002–2008). He is the only actor to appear in the first four film adaptations of Thomas Harris's Hannibal novels, having also appeared in *Manhunter* (1986). Other credits include *Coming to America* (1988), *Do the Right Thing* (1989) and *White Chicks* (2004). On stage, he received a Tony Award nomination for his performance in the Broadway production of *Fences*.

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

## On Fi1m (13)

- *Till* (2022), Fi1m 80, as John Carthan — [page](https://film.one/film/till.md)
- *Banshee* (2013), Fi1m 72, as Sugar Bates — [page](https://film.one/tv/banshee.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), Fi1m 84, as Pastor Jeremiah Easton — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Red Dragon* (2002), Fi1m 64, as Barney — [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *The Wire* (2002), Fi1m 90, as Ervin Burrell — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *Hannibal* (2001), Fi1m 54, as Barney Matthews — [page](https://film.one/film/hannibal.md)
- *Sommersby* (1993), Fi1m 63, as Joseph — [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991), Fi1m 91, as Barney — [page](https://film.one/film/the-silence-of-the-lambs.md)
- *Do the Right Thing* (1989), Fi1m 93, as Coconut Sid — [page](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md)
- *Coming to America* (1988), Fi1m 76, as Landlord — [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Mississippi Burning* (1988), Fi1m 72, as Eulogist — [page](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md)
- *Manhunter* (1986), Fi1m 84, as Lt. Fisk — [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md)
- *The Money Pit* (1986), Fi1m 54, as James — [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)

## Complete filmography (122)

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

- *Killing Castro* (2026), Actor
- *Ripple* (2025), series, as Walter
- *Ballard* (2025), series, Actor
- *Beyond the Rush* (2024), as Arthur Yearwood
- *Lucille* (2023), as Herman
- *Hello Tomorrow!* (2023), series, as Buck Manzell
- *Till* (2022), as John Carthan — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/till.md)
- *The Rookie: Feds* (2022), series, as Christopher 'Cutty' Clark
- *The Timekeepers of Eternity* (2021), as Don Gaffney (archive footage)
- *The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain* (2021), as Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.
- *Redemption in Cherry Springs* (2021), as Joe
- *Fatherhood* (2021), as Mike
- *The Upshaws* (2021), series, as Clarence
- *I'm Your Woman* (2020), as Art
- *The Oedipus Project* (2020), as Shepherd
- *The Grudge* (2019), as William Matheson
- *The Village* (2019), series, as Ron Davis
- *The Rookie* (2018), series, as Christopher 'Cutty' Clark
- *God Friended Me* (2018), series, as Mr. Johnson
- *An Actor Prepares* (2018), as Deacon Frank Dodge
- *Clipped Wings, They Do Fly* (2018), as Mayor Goode
- *The Case for Christ* (2017), as Joe Dubois
- *The Sounding* (2017), as Roland
- *The Good Fight* (2017), series, as Pastor Jeremiah Easton
- *An American Girl Story - Melody 1963: Love Has to Win* (2016), as Frank Ellison
- *Marvel's Luke Cage* (2016), series, as Henry 'Pop' Hunter
- *Bull* (2016), series, as Lee Donaldson
- *The Expanse* (2015), series, as Charles — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-expanse.md)
- *Forever* (2014), series, as Pepper Evans
- *Trouble & the Shadowy Deathblow* (2014), Actor
- *Away From Here* (2014), as Carl
- *Danger Word* (2013), as Grandpa Joe
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Abraham Moores — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *Tio Papi* (2013), as Gilly
- *Banshee* (2013), series, as Sugar Bates — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/banshee.md)
- *Banshee: Origins* (2013), series, as Sugar Bates
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Judge Brewster O'Hare
- *Cowgirls n' Angels* (2012), as Augustus
- *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Mayor Beverly
- *The Cookout 2* (2011), as JoJo Anderson
- *Mayor Cupcake* (2011), as Lenny Davis
- *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Jeffords
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Leroy Davis — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Breaking Point* (2009), as Richter Green
- *Splinterheads* (2009), as Pope
- *For Sale by Owner* (2009), as Gene Woodman
- *Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant* (2009), as Rhamus Twobellies
- *Brief Interviews with Hideous Men* (2009), as Subject #42
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Pastor Jeremiah Easton — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Adam* (2009), as Harlan
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Teddy
- *Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist* (2008), as Ticket Salesman
- *Meet the Browns* (2008), as L.B.
- *My Blueberry Nights* (2007), as Travis
- *Army Wives* (2007), series, as General Baxter
- *Premium* (2006), as Phil
- *America Brown* (2005), as Coach Bryant
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as William Bailey — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *In Good Company* (2004), as Corwin
- *The Cookout* (2004), as Jojo Andersen
- *Messengers* (2004), as Tom Mabry
- *White Chicks* (2004), as Chief Elliott Gordon
- *The Jury* (2004), series, Actor
- *Highwaymen* (2004), as Will Macklin
- *Gods and Generals* (2003), as Jim Lewis
- *Red Dragon* (2002), as Barney — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/red-dragon.md)
- *The Wire* (2002), series, as Ervin Burrell — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-wire.md)
- *Showtime* (2002), as Lt. Winship
- *A Little Inside* (2002), as Tom Donner
- *Call Me Claus* (2001), as Dwayne
- *Thirteen Conversations About One Thing* (2001), as Dick Lacey
- *Down to Earth* (2001), as Whitney Daniels
- *Hannibal* (2001), as Barney Matthews — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/hannibal.md)
- *The Sleepy Time Gal* (2001), as Jimmy Dupree
- *Gina, An Actress, Age 29* (2001), as Albert
- *Where the Money Is* (2000), as Security Guard
- *Oxygen* (1999), as Phil Kline
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Tom Nickerson
- *The Thomas Crown Affair* (1999), as Det. Paretti
- *Jaded* (1998), as Henry Broker
- *Prey* (1998), series, as Ray Peterson
- *Julian Po* (1997), as Sheriff Leon
- *Oz* (1997), series, as Cornelius Keane — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/oz.md)
- *Albino Alligator* (1997), as Agent Marv Rose
- *Mother Night* (1996), as Robert Sterling Wilson
- *The Rich Man's Wife* (1996), as Detective Ron Lewis
- *The Stupids* (1996), as The Lloyd
- *The Langoliers* (1995), series, as Don Gaffney
- *Heading Home* (1995), as Horace Jones
- *Roommates* (1995), as Professor Martin
- *New York Undercover* (1994), series, Actor
- *I Love Trouble* (1994), as Police Chief
- *The Spider and the Fly* (1994), as Lt. Turner
- *Money for Nothing* (1993), as Madigan
- *Sommersby* (1993), as Joseph — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Freejack* (1992), as Eagle Man
- *City of Hope* (1991), as Levonne
- *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991), as Barney — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/the-silence-of-the-lambs.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Lester Crawford — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *True Colors* (1990), series, as Ron Freeman
- *Betsy's Wedding* (1990), as Zack Monroe
- *Common Ground* (1990), as Otis Debnam
- *Do the Right Thing* (1989), as Coconut Sid — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/do-the-right-thing.md)
- *Mississippi Burning* (1988), as Eulogist — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md)
- *Monsters* (1988), series, as Jack Lyle
- *Coming to America* (1988), as Landlord — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/coming-to-america.md)
- *Manhunter* (1986), as Lt. Fisk — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md)
- *Maximum Overdrive* (1986), as Handy
- *The Money Pit* (1986), as James — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/the-money-pit.md)
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Zudo
- *Exterminator 2* (1984), as Be Gee
- *C.H.U.D.* (1984), as Sgt. Parker
- *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor
- *Sessions* (1983), as Intern
- *Hanky Panky* (1982), as Cop Driver
- *Cat People* (1982), as Det. Brandt
- *A Little Sex* (1982), as Electrician
- *Ragtime* (1981), as Gang Member No. 1
- *Permanent Vacation* (1981), as Man in Lobby
- *King Lear* (1974), as Captain
- *The Sham*, Actor
- *Jacob Beats Up Nate*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![NJ native and star of Luke Cage, Banshee, The Wire, The Langoliers. Montclair, NJ. Oct '16 (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/78334/gallery-32f5ea10ee93.jpg) NJ native and star of Luke Cage, Banshee, The Wire, The Langoliers. Montclair, NJ. Oct '16 (2016) — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Frankie_Faison_%2830608968485%29.jpg/1280px-Frankie_Faison_%2830608968485%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Frankie Faison](https://film.one/media/person/78334/gallery-f4eb12e26623.jpg) Frankie Faison — Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/18/Frankie_Faison_%2830608968485%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Frankie Faison](https://film.one/media/person/78334/gallery-f24d537e65f0.jpg) Frankie Faison — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play 1987: Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (nominated)

*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/frankie-faison