---
name: "Griffin Dunne"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/griffin-dunne"
fi1m_id: "griffin-dunne"
imdb_id: "nm0001162"
tmdb_id: 2171
wikidata_id: "Q470260"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "8 June 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 15
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-04T22:47:48.986106+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."
---

# Griffin Dunne

## Identity

Griffin Dunne

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/griffin-dunne
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** griffin-dunne
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001162
- **TMDB ID:** 2171
- **Wikidata ID:** Q470260
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin_Dunne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470260, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001162/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2171

Actor and director. Born 8 June 1955 in New York City, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 8 June 1955, New York City, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1981–present
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 15: 12 acting, 3 directing
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 80 (2), 1990s 72 (2), 2000s 68 (3), 2010s 69 (6), 2020s 68 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 71 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 8, Drama 8, Crime 3, History 2, Thriller 2, Action 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $595m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Griffin_Dunne, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q470260, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001162/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2171

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*An American Werewolf in London*](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md) (80), [*Movie 43*](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md) (24)
- **Paramount+:** [*The Good Wife*](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*After Hours*](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md) (80)
- **Netflix:** [*Caught Stealing*](https://film.one/film/caught-stealing.md) (68)
- **Disney+:** [*Practical Magic*](https://film.one/film/practical-magic.md) (60)
- **Pluto TV:** [*40 Days and 40 Nights*](https://film.one/film/40-days-and-40-nights.md) (47)

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

## Fi1m on Griffin Dunne

> Griffin Dunne makes alarming situations feel uncomfortably familiar. We value the conversational ease that lets him play alongside horror without softening it, most clearly in *An American Werewolf in London*.

Jack Goodman talks to David Kessler in *An American Werewolf in London* (1981) with the ease of someone who knows his travelling companion well. Dunne brings that conversational ease to the supernatural business, making it harder to keep at a comfortable distance. We were unsettled by the familiarity, because Jack still sounds like someone David might comfortably pass the time with. John Landis's screenplay gives Dunne and David Naughton a friendship to work with, and the humour comes from their continuing to talk as companions. That makes him useful to Landis in two ways: he can sustain the humour between the friends while keeping the supernatural threat uncomfortably close.

We would not confuse the success of Jack with a faultless film: the romance gets less attention than the monster. The ease between Dunne and Naughton is precisely what that side of the film could have used. The other early reference point is Scorsese's *After Hours* (1985), which gives him the lead as Paul Hackett. It is the place to go next for a sustained look at him carrying a nightmarish journey, rather than contributing to someone else's.

Those two early roles remain the clearest starting points, but much of the later career has been spent in supporting and character parts. He is often cast as ordinary men or professionals, where an actor has to establish a recognisable person without having the whole film to do it. *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), in which he plays Dr Vass, belongs to that longer stretch of ensemble work. Directing has taken up part of his working life too, with *Addicted to Love* (1997) and *Practical Magic* (1998) among his features.

*Caught Stealing* (2025) is a reminder not to recommend every film in an actor's credits on the same terms. Dunne appears as Paul, but our qualified liking for Aronofsky's chase rests on its lived-in New York setting, its pace and Austin Butler's likeable punchbag. It is good company and does not linger much afterwards. For Dunne, start with *An American Werewolf in London*, and listen to how little he needs to insist that a strange conversation is strange.

## Biography

Griffin Dunne is an American actor, director and producer. Born Thomas Griffin Dunne on 8 June 1955 in New York City, he trained at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. He made his film debut in *The Other Side of the Mountain* (1975).

Dunne is known for his performances as Jack Goodman in *An American Werewolf in London* (1981) and Paul Hackett in *After Hours* (1985), the latter earning a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. Other film roles include appearances in *My Girl* (1991), *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), *Ocean's Eight* (2018), *The French Dispatch* (2021) and *Caught Stealing* (2025). He has also acted in television series including *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit*, *Only Murders in the Building* and *The Simpsons*.

As a director, Dunne's credits include the short film *Duke of Groove* (1995), nominated for an Academy Award, and feature films such as *Practical Magic* (1998). He has received nominations for an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award.

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

## On Fi1m (15)

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

- *Caught Stealing* (2025), Fi1m 68, as Paul — [page](https://film.one/film/caught-stealing.md)
- *The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun* (2021), Fi1m 68, as Legal Advisor — [page](https://film.one/film/the-french-dispatch-of-the-liberty-kansas-evening-sun.md)
- *Ocean's Eight* (2018), Fi1m 60, as Parole Board Officer — [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md)
- *Succession* (2018), Fi1m 88, as Alon Partif — [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *Search Party* (2016), Fi1m 92, as Richard Wreck — [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *This Is Us* (2016), Fi1m 76, as Nicky Pearson — [page](https://film.one/tv/this-is-us.md)
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), Fi1m 75, as Dr. Vass — [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *40 Days and 40 Nights* (2002), Fi1m 47, as Jerry Anderson — [page](https://film.one/film/40-days-and-40-nights.md)
- *Alias* (2001), Fi1m 74, as Leonid Lisenker — [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Quiz Show* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Account Guy — [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *After Hours* (1985), Fi1m 80, as Paul Hackett — [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md)
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), Fi1m 80, as Jack Goodman — [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)

### Directed (3)

- *Movie 43* (2013), Fi1m 24, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *The Good Wife* (2009), Fi1m 84, Director — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Practical Magic* (1998), Fi1m 60, Director — [page](https://film.one/film/practical-magic.md)

## Complete filmography (115)

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

- *IX XI* (2026), Actor
- *Caught Stealing* (2025), as Paul — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/caught-stealing.md)
- *Ex-Husbands* (2024), as Peter Pearce
- *The Girls on the Bus* (2024), series, Actor
- *Elsbeth* (2024), series, as Elliott Pope
- *Junction* (2024), as Lawrence
- *The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun* (2021), as Legal Advisor — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/the-french-dispatch-of-the-liberty-kansas-evening-sun.md)
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), series, as Professor Milton Dudenoff — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *With/In Volume 2* (2021), as (segment "One Night Stand") · Screenplay, Director
- *The Killers: Imploding the Mirage - Apple Music Film* (2020), as Graham Moore
- *Bittersweet Symphony* (2019), as Griffin
- *The Romanoffs* (2018), series, as Frank Shefflied
- *Ocean's Eight* (2018), as Parole Board Officer — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/oceans-eight.md)
- *Succession* (2018), series, as Alon Partif — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/succession.md)
- *Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold* (2017), Director
- *War Machine* (2017), as Ray Canucci
- *Search Party* (2016), series, as Richard Wreck — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/tv/search-party-2016.md)
- *My Dead Boyfriend* (2016), as Joey Lucas / Nick McCrawley
- *Goliath* (2016), series, as Gene Bennett
- *This Is Us* (2016), series, as Nicky Pearson — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/this-is-us.md)
- *I Love Dick* (2016), series, as Sylvere · Creator
- *Tumbledown* (2016), as Upton
- *Touched with Fire* (2016), as George
- *Billions* (2016), series, as George Pike IV
- *Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll* (2015), series, as Music Therapist
- *Consumed* (2015), as Peter
- *Fugly!* (2014), as Jefferey
- *Red Band Society* (2014), series, as Ruben Garcia · Director
- *Manhattan* (2014), series, as Woodrow Lorentzen
- *The Discoverers* (2014), as Lewis Birch
- *Rob the Mob* (2014), as Dave Lovell
- *Dallas Buyers Club* (2013), as Dr. Vass — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/dallas-buyers-club.md)
- *Blood Ties* (2013), as McNally
- *Movie 43* (2013), Director — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/movie-43.md)
- *Broken City* (2013), as Sam Lancaster
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Marco Pelios
- *Last Night* (2010), as Truman
- *The League* (2009), series, as Burt
- *White Collar* (2009), series, as Wesley Kent
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge Jared Quinn · Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *The Cove* (2009), Thanks
- *Trust Me* (2009), series, as Tony Mink
- *Leverage* (2008), series, as Marcus Starke
- *The Accidental Husband* (2008), Director
- *The Great Buck Howard* (2008), as Jonathan Finerman
- *Damages* (2007), series, as Dean Gullickson — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md)
- *Snow Angels* (2007), as Don Parkinson
- *3 lbs* (2006), series, as Dr. Jerry Cole
- *Your Product Here* (2006), Director
- *Fierce People* (2006), Director, Producer
- *The Bondage* (2006), as Dr. Simon
- *Game 6* (2006), as Elliott Litvak · Producer
- *Marie and Bruce* (2004), as Bert
- *Stuck on You* (2003), as Griffin Dunne
- *Cheats* (2002), as Mr. Davis
- *Warning: Parental Advisory* (2002), as Frank Zappa
- *40 Days and 40 Nights* (2002), as Jerry Anderson — Fi1m 47, [page](https://film.one/film/40-days-and-40-nights.md)
- *Sounds from a Town I Love* (2001), Actor
- *The Concert for New York City* (2001), Actor
- *Alias* (2001), series, as Leonid Lisenker — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Seamus Flaherty, Henry Talbott
- *Blonde* (2001), series, as Playwright
- *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001), series, as Nicolas Losseff
- *Sam the Man* (2001), as Man in Bathroom
- *Lisa Picard Is Famous* (2000), as Andrew · Director
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Benno Gilbert
- *Practical Magic* (1998), Director — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/practical-magic.md)
- *Addicted to Love* (1997), Director
- *Four Tales of Two Cities* (1996), Director
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Joe's Apartment* (1996), Executive Producer
- *Duke of Groove* (1996), Writer, Director
- *Search and Destroy* (1995), as Martin Mirkheim
- *The Android Affair* (1995), as Teach
- *I Like It Like That* (1994), as Stephen Price
- *Quiz Show* (1994), as Account Guy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/quiz-show.md)
- *Partners* (1993), as Dean Robinson
- *Naked in New York* (1993), as Auditioner
- *Love Matters* (1993), as Tom
- *Frasier* (1993), series, as Bob — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md)
- *The Pickle* (1993), as Planet Cleveland Man (uncredited)
- *Hotel Room* (1993), series, as Robert
- *Buying a Landslide* (1992), as Michael Tyne
- *Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even* (1992), as David
- *Straight Talk* (1992), as Alan Riegert
- *My Girl* (1991), as Mr. Jake Bixler
- *Once Around* (1991), as Rob · Producer
- *White Palace* (1990), Producer
- *Secret Weapon* (1990), as Mordechai Vanunu
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Cockaroach Actor (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Lip Service* (1988), as Len Burdette
- *Me and Him* (1988), as Bert Uttanzi
- *Running on Empty* (1988), Producer
- *The Big Blue* (1988), as Duffy
- *A Secret Thing* (1988), Actor
- *Amazon Women on the Moon* (1987), as Doctor (segment "Hospital")
- *Who's That Girl* (1987), as Loudon Trott
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Gerard Samuels
- *ScreenPlay* (1986), series, as Michael Tyne
- *From Here to Maternity* (1986), as Stork Club Doctor
- *Amazing Stories* (1985), series, as Dick
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Knoll
- *After Hours* (1985), as Paul Hackett · Producer — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/after-hours.md)
- *Almost You* (1985), as Alex Boyer
- *Johnny Dangerously* (1984), as Tommy
- *Cold Feet* (1984), as Tom Christo
- *Baby It's You* (1983), Producer
- *The Wall* (1982), as Mordecai Apt
- *Five Minutes For Fighting* (1982), Actor
- *An American Werewolf in London* (1981), as Jack Goodman — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/an-american-werewolf-in-london.md)
- *Making an American Werewolf in London* (1981), Actor
- *The Fan* (1981), as Production Assistant
- *Chilly Scenes of Winter* (1979), as Dr. Mark · Producer
- *The Other Side of the Mountain* (1975), as Herbie Johnson
- *Joy Will Prevail*, as Louis Kahn

## Gallery

- ![Griffin Dunne at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-80b8f5884c3e.jpg) Griffin Dunne at Nightmare Weekend Richmond in 2023 — John Manard for Super Festivals/GalaxyCon from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7d/Griffin_Dunne_%2853298567369%29.jpg/1280px-Griffin_Dunne_%2853298567369%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Griffin Dunne at Tribeca Film Festival 2010](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-15cb2d1065f7.jpg) Griffin Dunne at Tribeca Film Festival 2010 — David Shankbone, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Griffin_Dunne_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-2b2def7848b7.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Griffin_Dunne_Jay_Kelly-69_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Griffin_Dunne_Jay_Kelly-69_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Griffin Dunne at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-6129fea815d3.jpg) Griffin Dunne at the 63rd annual New York Film Festival at Lincoln Center in 2025 for the film Jay Kelly — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/77/Griffin_Dunne_Jay_Kelly-68.jpg/1280px-Griffin_Dunne_Jay_Kelly-68.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-b65849358c88.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Image via TMDB
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-8d81ec57ef45.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Image via TMDB
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-54b2b20c5327.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Image via TMDB
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-76f42e711fca.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Image via TMDB
- ![Griffin Dunne](https://film.one/media/person/8047/gallery-93de535d6d62.jpg) Griffin Dunne — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1996: Best Live Action Short Film (nominated), for *Duke of Groove*

### Other awards — 1 won

- Theatre World Award 1992: Theatre World 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/griffin-dunne