---
name: "Harry Dean Stanton"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/harry-dean-stanton"
fi1m_id: "harry-dean-stanton"
imdb_id: "nm0001765"
tmdb_id: 5048
wikidata_id: "Q314290"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "14 July 1926"
died: "15 September 2017"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-09T04:02:55.041906+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."
---

# Harry Dean Stanton

## Identity

Harry Dean Stanton

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/harry-dean-stanton
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** harry-dean-stanton
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001765
- **TMDB ID:** 5048
- **Wikidata ID:** Q314290
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Dean_Stanton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314290, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001765/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5048

Actor. Born 14 July 1926 in West Irvine, Kentucky, USA. Died 15 September 2017.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 14 July 1926, West Irvine, Kentucky, USA
- **Died:** 15 September 2017
- **Active:** 1962–2017
- **Also known as:** Χάρι Ντιν Στάντον, Гарри Дин Стентон, Dean Stanton, هری دین استنتون, Dan Stanton
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 17: 16 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [David Lynch](https://film.one/person/david-lynch.md), [Gordon Carroll](https://film.one/person/gordon-carroll.md), [Tom Skerritt](https://film.one/person/tom-skerritt.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 83 (1), 1960s 73 (2), 1970s 88 (3), 1980s 78 (4), 1990s 80 (3), 2000s 79 (1), 2010s 76 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 74 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Crime 5, Comedy 4, Science Fiction 4, Adventure 3, Action 2
- **Screen time:** 32 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,454m across 14 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Dean_Stanton, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q314290, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001765/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5048

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Paris, Texas*](https://film.one/film/paris-texas.md) (88), [*Big Love*](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md) (79)
- **Netflix:** [*Alien*](https://film.one/film/alien.md) (92)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Escape from New York*](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md) (76)
- **Tubi:** [*Private Benjamin*](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md) (64)

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

## Fi1m on Harry Dean Stanton

> Harry Dean Stanton made working men and outsiders convincing with few words and little visible effort. We rate him most when that restraint has a purpose, giving *Alien* a recognisable crew and *Paris, Texas* its quiet sadness.

In *Alien* (1979), Harry Dean Stanton's Brett belongs among the crew before there is much reason to fear for them. Alongside Tom Skerritt and Yaphet Kotto, he suggests the unpolished familiarity of people who have spent too long working together. We found the danger more disturbing because these were people we could recognise. Ridley Scott benefits from Stanton's unshowy acting, which gives us no reason to single Brett out from his colleagues. The crew could be more fully written, but Stanton helps make them worth worrying about.

That usefulness sustained a long stretch of supporting work in Westerns, crime films and television through the 1960s and 1970s. *Cool Hand Luke* (1967) gave him a guitar-playing convict; *Escape from New York* (1981) brought him wider notice. The turn came with leading roles in *Paris, Texas* (1984) and *Repo Man* (1984). As Travis Henderson in the former, his silence carries a broken wanderer's sadness. As Bud in the latter, the same economy serves his deadpan manner alongside Emilio Estevez.

David Lynch made repeated use of him, including as private investigator Johnnie Farragut in *Wild at Heart* (1990). Stanton's charm and vulnerability give us something to respond to without competing with the film's more extravagant behaviour. We like the film, though its detours can become tiresome when Lynch enjoys the oddness too much. Nicolas Cage and Laura Dern's chemistry is what keeps it going; this is not an occasion to pretend the supporting player deserves all the credit. His later Lynch part in *The Straight Story* (1999) again makes use of his quiet dignity.

The caution is that stillness can be mistaken for depth, especially in an actor with so much weariness already in his face. We would not call every small part profound simply because Stanton plays it. What makes *Alien* persuasive is the shared work: his ease fits the other performances and makes the ship feel occupied. Start there, then try *Paris, Texas* for a film that gives him room to be its centre.

## Biography

Harry Dean Stanton was an American actor and musician. Born in West Irvine, Kentucky, he attended the University of Kentucky and trained at the Pasadena Playhouse before beginning his screen career in the 1950s.

Over more than six decades he played supporting roles in films including *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), *Kelly's Heroes* (1970), *The Godfather Part II* (1974), *Alien* (1979) as Brett, *Escape from New York* (1981), *Repo Man* (1984), *Paris, Texas* (1984), *Pretty in Pink* (1986), *The Green Mile* (1999) and *Lucky* (2017). He also appeared in television series such as *Twin Peaks*.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

### Performed in (16) — the average rests on these

- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), Fi1m 72, as Man in Hat — [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *The Avengers* (2012), Fi1m 80, as Security Guard — [page](https://film.one/film/the-avengers.md)
- *Rango* (2011), Fi1m 77, as Balthazar (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/rango.md)
- *Big Love* (2006), Fi1m 79, as Roman Grant — [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *The Green Mile* (1999), Fi1m 73, as Toot-Toot — [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *The Straight Story* (1999), Fi1m 88, as Lyle — [page](https://film.one/film/the-straight-story.md)
- *Wild at Heart* (1990), Fi1m 78, as Johnnie Farragut — [page](https://film.one/film/wild-at-heart.md)
- *Paris, Texas* (1984), Fi1m 88, as Travis — [page](https://film.one/film/paris-texas.md)
- *Repo Man* (1984), Fi1m 83, as Bud — [page](https://film.one/film/repo-man.md)
- *Escape from New York* (1981), Fi1m 76, as Harold 'Brain' Helman — [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md)
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Sgt. Jim Ballard — [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Alien* (1979), Fi1m 92, as Brett — [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md)
- *The Godfather Part II* (1974), Fi1m 92, as F.B.I. Man #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-ii.md)
- *Two-Lane Blacktop* (1971), Fi1m 81, as Oklahoma Hitchhiker — [page](https://film.one/film/two-lane-blacktop.md)
- *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), Fi1m 84, as Tramp — [page](https://film.one/film/cool-hand-luke.md)
- *How the West Was Won* (1962), Fi1m 62, as Gant Henchman — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *The Wrong Man* (1956), Fi1m 83, as Department of Corrections Employee (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md)

## Complete filmography (181)

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

- *Sinatra! Eternity* (2025), as Sherif Lloyd
- *Frank and Ava* (2018), as Sheriff Lloyd
- *Lucky* (2017), as Lucky
- *Sick of it All* (2017), as Harry The News Reporter
- *Fishtail* (2014), as Narrator
- *Carlos Spills the Beans* (2014), as Rhino
- *Getting On* (2013), series, as Leonard Butler
- *9 Full Moons* (2013), as Dimitri
- *The Last Stand* (2013), as Mr. Parson
- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), as Man in Hat — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *The Avengers* (2012), as Security Guard — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-avengers.md)
- *This Must Be the Place* (2011), as Robert Plath
- *Rango* (2011), as Balthazar (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/rango.md)
- *Harry Dean Stanton: Crossing Mulholland* (2011), Actor
- *Mongo Wrestling Alliance* (2011), series, as Baron Kleberkuh (voice)
- *Athena* (2010), as Bill
- *On Holiday* (2010), as Josh the Roommate's Dad
- *Alice* (2009), series, as Caterpillar
- *The Open Road* (2009), as Amon
- *Chuck* (2007), series, as Harry — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *The Good Life* (2007), as Gus
- *Inland Empire* (2006), as Freddie Howard
- *You, Me and Dupree* (2006), as Curly (uncredited)
- *Alien Autopsy* (2006), as Harvey
- *Big Love* (2006), series, as Roman Grant — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *Alpha Dog* (2006), as Cosmo Gadabeeti
- *The Wendell Baker Story* (2005), as Skip Summers
- *Chrystal* (2004), as Pa Da
- *The Big Bounce* (2004), as Bob Rogers, Sr.
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Harry Dean Stanton — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Anger Management* (2003), as Blind Man (uncredited)
- *Ginostra* (2003), as Del Piero
- *Sonny* (2002), as Henry
- *The Animal* (2001), as Hunter (uncredited)
- *The Pledge* (2001), as Floyd Cage
- *Sand* (2000), as Leo
- *The Man Who Cried* (2000), as Felix Perlman
- *The Green Mile* (1999), as Toot-Toot — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *The Straight Story* (1999), as Lyle — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-straight-story.md)
- *Ballad of the Nightingale* (1999), as Jean-Paul
- *A Civil Action* (1998), as Land Watcher (uncredited)
- *The Mighty* (1998), as Grim
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Judge
- *Fire Down Below* (1997), as Cotton Harry
- *She's So Lovely* (1997), as Tony 'Shorty' Russo
- *Midnight Blue* (1997), as Eric
- *Playback* (1996), as Ernie Fontenot
- *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor
- *Dead Man's Walk* (1996), series, as Shadrach
- *Down Periscope* (1996), as Lt. Howard
- *Never Talk to Strangers* (1995), as Max Cheski
- *One Hundred and One Nights* (1995), as Mute Actor in Hollywood (uncredited)
- *Blue Tiger* (1994), as Smith
- *Against the Wall* (1994), as Hal
- *Hotel Room* (1993), series, as Moe Boca
- *Cruise Control* (1992), Actor
- *Hostages* (1992), as Frank Reed
- *Man Trouble* (1992), as Redmond Layls
- *Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me* (1992), as Carl Rodd
- *Payoff* (1991), as Hook
- *Wild at Heart* (1990), as Johnnie Farragut — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/wild-at-heart.md)
- *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Carl Rodd — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md)
- *The Fourth War* (1990), as Gen. Hackworth
- *Twister* (1989), as Cleveland
- *The Jim Henson Hour* (1989), series, as Chancey Bellow
- *Dream a Little Dream* (1989), as Ike Baker
- *Monster Maker* (1989), as Chancey Bellow
- *The Cowboy and the Frenchman* (1988), as Slim
- *The French as Seen by…* (1988), as (Segment "The Cowboy and the Frenchman")
- *Mr. North* (1988), as Henry Simmons
- *The Last Temptation of Christ* (1988), as Paulus
- *Stars & Bars* (1988), as Loomis Gage
- *Slam Dance* (1987), as Det. Benjamin Smiley
- *Faerie Tale Theatre: Rip Van Winkle* (1987), as Rip Van Winkle
- *Pretty in Pink* (1986), as Jack Walsh
- *Fool for Love* (1985), as Old Man
- *One Magic Christmas* (1985), as Gideon
- *The Care Bears Movie* (1985), as Brave Heart Lion (singing voice)
- *The Bear* (1984), as Coach Thomas
- *Red Dawn* (1984), as Mr. Eckert
- *Paris, Texas* (1984), as Travis — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/paris-texas.md)
- *UFOria* (1984), as Brother Bud Sanders
- *Repo Man* (1984), as Bud — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/repo-man.md)
- *Christine* (1983), as Rudolph Junkins
- *I Want to Live* (1983), as Emmett Perkins
- *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as Rip Van Winkle
- *Young Doctors in Love* (1982), as Dr. Oliver Ludwig
- *One from the Heart* (1982), as Moe
- *Escape from New York* (1981), as Harold 'Brain' Helman — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/escape-from-new-york.md)
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), as Sgt. Jim Ballard — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *The Oldest Living Graduate* (1980), as Mike
- *The Black Marble* (1980), as Philo Skinner
- *Death Watch* (1980), as Vincent Ferriman
- *Young Maverick - Dead Man's Hand* (1979), as Pokey Tindle
- *The Rose* (1979), as Billy Ray
- *Wise Blood* (1979), as Asa Hawks
- *Alien* (1979), as Brett — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/alien.md)
- *Flatbed Annie & Sweetie Pie: Lady Truckers* (1979), as C.W. Douglas
- *Straight Time* (1978), as Jerry Schue
- *Renaldo and Clara* (1978), as Lafkezio
- *The Missouri Breaks* (1976), as Calvin
- *Laverne & Shirley* (1976), series, Actor
- *Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman* (1976), series, as Jake Walters
- *The Ransom of Red Chief* (1975), as Sam
- *92 in the Shade* (1975), as Carter
- *Farewell, My Lovely* (1975), as Billy Rolfe
- *The Fortune* (1975), as Prisoner in Holding Cell (uncredited)
- *The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond* (1975), as President Warren G. Harding
- *Rancho Deluxe* (1975), as Curt
- *Rafferty and the Gold Dust Twins* (1975), as Billy Winston
- *Win, Place or Steal* (1975), as Jack
- *The Godfather Part II* (1974), as F.B.I. Man #1 — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-ii.md)
- *Cockfighter* (1974), as Jack Burke
- *Zandy's Bride* (1974), as Songer
- *Where the Lilies Bloom* (1974), as Kiser Pease
- *Dillinger* (1973), as Homer Van Meter
- *Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid* (1973), as Luke
- *Cry for Me, Billy* (1972), as Luke Todd
- *Cisco Pike* (1972), as Jesse Dupre
- *Two-Lane Blacktop* (1971), as Oklahoma Hitchhiker — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/two-lane-blacktop.md)
- *The Intruders* (1970), as Whit Dykstra (as Dean Stanton)
- *Kelly's Heroes* (1970), as Pvt. Willard
- *Rebel Rousers* (1970), as Randolph Halverson
- *Lanton Mills* (1969), as Lanton
- *Adam-12* (1968), series, as Harry Fletcher
- *The Name of the Game* (1968), series, as Joe Joe
- *The Mini-Skirt Mob* (1968), as Spook
- *Day of the Evil Gun* (1968), as Sergeant Parker
- *Cool Hand Luke* (1967), as Tramp — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/cool-hand-luke.md)
- *The Hostage* (1967), as Eddie (as Dean Stanton)
- *Mannix* (1967), series, Actor
- *The High Chaparral* (1967), series, as Johnny Faro
- *The Guns of Will Sonnett* (1967), series, Actor
- *Cimarron Strip* (1967), series, as Luther Happ
- *A Time for Killing* (1967), as Sgt. Dan Way
- *The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones* (1966), as Jelly
- *Ride in the Whirlwind* (1966), as Blind Dick
- *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as Swain
- *Daniel Boone* (1964), series, as Jeb Girty, Crane
- *Petticoat Junction* (1963), series, Actor
- *The Fugitive* (1963), series, as Randy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fugitive-1963.md)
- *The Man from the Diners' Club* (1963), as Beatnik (uncredited)
- *How the West Was Won* (1962), as Gant Henchman — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-west-was-won.md)
- *Combat!* (1962), series, as Pvt. Beecham
- *Stoney Burke* (1962), series, Actor
- *Hero's Island* (1962), as Dixey Gates
- *Cain's Hundred* (1961), series, as Hood
- *Gunslinger* (1961), series, as Stacey
- *The Roaring 20's* (1960), series, Actor
- *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Proprietor
- *Checkmate* (1960), series, as The Singer
- *The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn* (1960), as Slave Catcher
- *Escape to Sonoita* (1960), as Lemon
- *A Dog's Best Friend* (1959), as Roy Janney
- *The Jayhawkers!* (1959), as Deputy Smallwood
- *Johnny Ringo* (1959), series, as Frank Brogger
- *Lock-Up* (1959), series, Actor
- *Laramie* (1959), series, Actor
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Billy, Stiles
- *Pork Chop Hill* (1959), as BAR Soldier (uncredited)
- *The Lawless Years* (1959), series, Actor
- *Rawhide* (1959), series, as Jess Hobson, Dexter, Joe Spanish
- *Man with a Camera* (1958), series, Actor
- *Bat Masterson* (1958), series, as Jay Simms
- *Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse* (1958), series, as Gordon
- *The Rifleman* (1958), series, Actor
- *The Texan* (1958), series, Actor
- *The Further Adventures of Ellery Queen* (1958), series, as George Gilbert
- *The Proud Rebel* (1958), as Jeb Burleigh
- *The Walter Winchell File* (1957), series, Actor
- *Suspicion* (1957), series, as Bill
- *Have Gun, Will Travel* (1957), series, Actor
- *Revolt at Fort Laramie* (1957), as Rinty
- *Tomahawk Trail* (1957), as Pvt. Miller
- *The Wrong Man* (1956), as Department of Corrections Employee (uncredited) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-wrong-man.md)
- *Dick Powell's Zane Grey Theatre* (1956), series, as Robert MacPherson, Toby - Ranch Hand, Fletcher
- *Playwrights '56* (1955), series, Actor
- *Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1955), series, as Lemon
- *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Alvy, Harley, Nate, Leroy, Young Man, Leader, Rainey, Hodge
- *The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin* (1954), series, Actor
- *Inner Sanctum* (1954), series, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Harry Dean Stanton as Travis in Paris, Texas (1984)](https://film.one/media/title/1879/still-ddf0f15ebca3.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton as Travis in *Paris, Texas* (1984) — Image via TMDB
- ![Harry Dean Stanton](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-337963358657.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton — charlie llewellin, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/27/HarryDeanStanton-1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![HDS with LT (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-0433398ddd38.jpg) HDS with LT (2015) — DeanoJD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/Harry_Dean_Stanton_signing_portrait.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Harry Dean Stanton](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-2671255df67b.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton — Image via TMDB
- ![Harry Dean Stanton](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-40bba3a219ad.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton — Image via TMDB
- ![Harry Dean Stanton](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-bc2519f37bcd.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton — Image via TMDB
- ![Harry Dean Stanton](https://film.one/media/person/59541/gallery-605ee38bb68d.jpg) Harry Dean Stanton — 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/harry-dean-stanton