---
name: "James Rebhorn"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/james-rebhorn"
fi1m_id: "james-rebhorn"
imdb_id: "nm0714310"
tmdb_id: 8986
wikidata_id: "Q726140"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "1 September 1948"
died: "21 March 2014"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-07T19:11:47.191158+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."
---

# James Rebhorn

## Identity

James Rebhorn

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/james-rebhorn
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** james-rebhorn
- **IMDb ID:** nm0714310
- **TMDB ID:** 8986
- **Wikidata ID:** Q726140
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Rebhorn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q726140, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714310/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8986

Actor. Born 1 September 1948 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Died 21 March 2014.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 1 September 1948, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- **Died:** 21 March 2014
- **Active:** 1992–2011
- **Also known as:** James R. Rebhorn, James Robert Rebhorn , Τζέιμς Ρέμπχορν, Τζειμς Ρεμπχορν, 詹姆斯·瑞布霍恩, جیمز ربهورن
- **Frequently works with:** [Al Pacino](https://film.one/person/al-pacino.md), [Martin Bregman](https://film.one/person/martin-bregman.md), [Michael Bregman](https://film.one/person/michael-bregman.md), [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://film.one/person/philip-seymour-hoffman.md), [Sean Penn](https://film.one/person/sean-penn.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 75 (7), 2000s 65 (4), 2010s 78 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 67 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 9 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Thriller 4, Action 3, Crime 3, Romance 3, Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 24 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,152m across 11 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Rebhorn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q726140, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0714310/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8986

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Wind*](https://film.one/film/wind.md) (60), [*The Adventures of Pluto Nash*](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md) (32)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Carlito's Way*](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md) (86)
- **Hulu:** [*The Talented Mr. Ripley*](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*Independence Day*](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md) (75)

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

## Fi1m on James Rebhorn

> James Rebhorn was unusually good at making an official seem credible and unwelcome. We rate the poker-faced precision of his supporting work, while wishing films had called on him for something other than authority more often.

James Rebhorn’s Mr Trask in *Scent of a Woman* (1992) is a headmaster whose punctilious manner makes it difficult to relax. We were irritated by him, because his poker-faced certainty makes the exercise of school authority feel so self-satisfied. Martin Brest lets the film run too long, but Rebhorn needs little explanation to establish what sort of man we are dealing with. Al Pacino’s abrasive Frank Slade and Chris O’Donnell’s patient Charlie remain the reason to stay; Rebhorn makes his smaller contribution count.

Roland Emmerich puts that official manner to use in *Independence Day* (1996), with Rebhorn as Albert Nimzicki, the defence secretary. Rebhorn suits a film which needs its people to be recognisable quickly, even as it takes its time building the menace. We recommend it for that patience and its cheerful cast, with due allowance for a foolish script. His bureaucratic gravity is useful here, though this sort of casting asks him for something we already know he can provide.

His wider recognition came with several film roles in 1992, including the expert witness George Wilbur in *My Cousin Vinny* (1992). The district attorney Norwalk in *Carlito’s Way* (1993) and shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf in *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999) kept him close to professional and social authority. His later television work included recurring roles in *Law & Order*, *White Collar* and *Homeland*. The steady employment is understandable: his precise manner gives such characters credibility before we have decided whether to trust them. It is still fair to wish that so reliable an actor had been given more chances to surprise us.

Our reservation concerns the jobs he was given more than the care he took with them. His unsmiling manner could make a small part register without requiring a larger one, and that is a skill worth noticing. Start with *Scent of a Woman* for the headmaster, provided there is patience for Brest’s leisurely telling. Then try *Independence Day* if an alien invasion with more cheer than sense sounds like a reasonable evening.

## Biography

James Rebhorn was an American character actor. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 1 September 1948 and died in South Orange, New Jersey, on 21 March 2014.

Rebhorn studied at Wittenberg University and received an MFA from Columbia University. He appeared in over 100 films, television series and plays from the mid-1970s onwards, often in supporting roles as lawyers, officials or authority figures.

His film credits include Mr. Trask in *Scent of a Woman* (1992), Norwalk in *Carlito's Way* (1993), Albert Nimzicki in *Independence Day* (1996), Dr. Larry Banks in *Meet the Parents* (2000) and Marvin in *Real Steel* (2011). On television he had recurring roles as Frank Mathison in *Homeland* and Reese Hughes in *White Collar*.

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

## On Fi1m (12)

- *Homeland* (2011), Fi1m 78, as Frank Mathison — [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Cold Mountain* (2003), Fi1m 62, as Doctor — [page](https://film.one/film/cold-mountain.md)
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), Fi1m 87, as Dr. Bowman — [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), Fi1m 32, as Belcher — [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *Meet the Parents* (2000), Fi1m 78, as Dr. Larry Banks — [page](https://film.one/film/meet-the-parents.md)
- *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Herbert Greenleaf — [page](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md)
- *The Game* (1997), Fi1m 76, as Jim Feingold — [page](https://film.one/film/the-game.md)
- *Independence Day* (1996), Fi1m 75, as Albert Nimzicki — [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *Carlito's Way* (1993), Fi1m 86, as Norwalk — [page](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md)
- *Basic Instinct* (1992), Fi1m 72, as Dr. McElwaine — [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md)
- *Scent of a Woman* (1992), Fi1m 75, as Mr. Trask — [page](https://film.one/film/scent-of-a-woman.md)
- *Wind* (1992), Fi1m 60, as George — [page](https://film.one/film/wind.md)

## Complete filmography (113)

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

- *Before I Sleep* (2013), as Priest
- *The Ordained* (2013), as Stan Feingold
- *Coma* (2012), series, as Oren
- *Sleepwalk with Me* (2012), as Frank
- *The Odd Life of Timothy Green* (2012), as Joseph Crudstaff
- *The Perfect Wedding* (2012), as Richard Fowler
- *Homeland* (2011), series, as Frank Mathison — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/homeland.md)
- *Real Steel* (2011), as Marvin
- *The Sparrow and the Tigress* (2010), Actor
- *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Archbishop McGovern
- *Big Lake* (2010), series, as Carl Franklin
- *A Little Help* (2010), as Dr. Bronstein
- *The Box* (2009), as Norm Cahill
- *White Collar* (2009), series, as Reese Hughes
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Wilkes Ingersol — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Royal Pains* (2009), series, as Will
- *Don McKay* (2009), as Dr. Lance Pryce
- *Spinning Into Butter* (2009), as President Winston Garvey
- *The International* (2009), as New York D.A.
- *An American Affair* (2008), as Lucian Carver
- *Baby Mama* (2008), as Judge
- *Canterbury's Law* (2008), series, Actor
- *Anamorph* (2007), as Chief Lewellyn Brainard
- *The Knights of Prosperity* (2007), series, Actor
- *Candles on Bay Street* (2006), as Farmer Frieden
- *30 Rock* (2006), series, as Dr. Kaplan — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/30-rock.md)
- *Bernard and Doris* (2006), as Waldo Taft
- *How to Eat Fried Worms* (2006), as Boiler Head
- *The Book of Daniel* (2006), series, as Bertrum Webster
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Wade Mathis — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *The Last Shot* (2004), as Abe White
- *Reversible Errors* (2004), as Erno Erdai
- *Cold Mountain* (2003), as Doctor — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/cold-mountain.md)
- *Head of State* (2003), as Senator Bill Arnot
- *Stealing Bess* (2003), as Dirk Bentley
- *The Trade* (2003), as John Torman
- *Far from Heaven* (2002), as Dr. Bowman — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/far-from-heaven.md)
- *Hack* (2002), series, as Richard Farrell
- *The Adventures of Pluto Nash* (2002), as Belcher — Fi1m 32, [page](https://film.one/film/the-adventures-of-pluto-nash.md)
- *UC: Undercover* (2001), series, Actor
- *Last Ball* (2001), as Mr. Corcoran
- *Scotland, PA* (2001), as Norm Duncan
- *Amy & Isabelle* (2001), as Avery Clark
- *Meet the Parents* (2000), as Dr. Larry Banks — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/meet-the-parents.md)
- *The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle* (2000), as President Signoff
- *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999), as Herbert Greenleaf — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md)
- *Snow Falling on Cedars* (1999), as Alvin Hooks
- *Madonna: The Video Collection 93:99* (1999), as Stranger (segment "Bad Girl")
- *Now and Again* (1999), series, Actor
- *Third Watch* (1999), series, as Captain Elchisak
- *All of It* (1999), as Bill Holbeck
- *A Bright Shining Lie* (1998), as Ambassador
- *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Harrison Storms
- *The Game* (1997), as Jim Feingold — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/the-game.md)
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Attorney John Rapherson
- *My Fellow Americans* (1996), as Charlie Reynolds
- *Mistrial* (1996), as Mayor Taylor
- *Independence Day* (1996), as Albert Nimzicki — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/independence-day.md)
- *If Lucy Fell* (1996), as Simon Ackerman
- *Up Close & Personal* (1996), as John Merino
- *White Squall* (1996), as Tyler
- *The Buccaneers* (1995), series, as Mr. Closson
- *I Love Trouble* (1994), as The Thin Man
- *Guarding Tess* (1994), as Howard Shaeffer
- *8 Seconds* (1994), as Clyde Frost
- *Blank Check* (1994), as Fred Waters
- *The Adventures of Pete & Pete* (1993), series, as Mr. McFlemp
- *JFK: Reckless Youth* (1993), series, as St. John
- *Carlito's Way* (1993), as Norwalk — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/carlitos-way.md)
- *Skylark* (1993), as William Wheaton
- *Lorenzo's Oil* (1992), as Ellard Muscatine
- *Scent of a Woman* (1992), as Mr. Trask — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/scent-of-a-woman.md)
- *Deadly Matrimony* (1992), as Lieutenant Lloyd Butler
- *Wind* (1992), as George — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/wind.md)
- *White Sands* (1992), as FBI Agent Flynn
- *Basic Instinct* (1992), as Dr. McElwaine — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md)
- *My Cousin Vinny* (1992), as George Wilbur
- *Shadows and Fog* (1991), as Vigilante
- *Dead and Alive: The Race for Gus Farace* (1991), as Timothy Lanigan
- *Regarding Henry* (1991), as Dr. Sultan
- *Plymouth* (1991), as Ezra
- *Sarah, Plain and Tall* (1991), as William Wheaton
- *Desperate Hours* (1990), as Prosecutor
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Albert Lawrence Cheney, Charles Garnett, Horace Garrison — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *A Town's Revenge* (1989), as Dan Jensen
- *Kojak: Ariana* (1989), as Slusher
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as D.A Hoyt — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Our Town* (1989), as Dr. Gibbs
- *Heart of Midnight* (1988), as Richard
- *An Empire of Reason* (1988), as Jesse Woodhull
- *The House on Carroll Street* (1988), as The Official
- *Wiseguy* (1987), series, Actor
- *Kojak: The Price of Justice* (1987), as Quibro
- *Barbecue Death Squad From Hell* (1986), Actor
- *A Deadly Business* (1986), as Corbett
- *Whatever it Takes* (1986), as Michael Manion
- *Rockabye* (1986), as Arthur Reardon
- *Kane & Abel* (1985), series, as Federal Prosecutor
- *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Eric, Gant
- *The Adventures of Con Sawyer and Hucklemary Finn* (1985), as Charlie Riley, Pamela Sawyer
- *Cat's Eye* (1985), as Drunk Businessman
- *He's Fired, She's Hired* (1984), as Man on Phone
- *Kate & Allie* (1984), series, Actor
- *Silkwood* (1983), as Los Alamos Doctor
- *Sessions* (1983), as Harry
- *Soup for One* (1982), as Lawyer
- *Will: G. Gordon Liddy* (1982), as Peter Maroulis
- *He Knows You're Alone* (1980), as Prof. Carl Mason
- *Texas* (1980), series, Actor
- *The Yum Yum Girls* (1976), as Casting Director
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Dr. Gibbs
- *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as William Wheaton, Farmer Frieden

## Gallery

- ![James Rebhorn as Mr. Trask in Scent of a Woman (1992)](https://film.one/media/title/4146/still-d64f2bff0ef4.jpg) James Rebhorn as Mr. Trask in *Scent of a Woman* (1992) — Image via TMDB
- ![James Rebhorn at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Don McKay.](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-30c56c16e790.jpg) James Rebhorn at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Don McKay. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/James_Rebhorn_2_Shankbone_2009_Tribeca.jpg/1280px-James_Rebhorn_2_Shankbone_2009_Tribeca.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Rebhorn at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Don McKay.](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-dfb4bfc5981a.jpg) James Rebhorn at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Don McKay. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/James_Rebhorn_Shankbone_2009_Tribeca.jpg/1280px-James_Rebhorn_Shankbone_2009_Tribeca.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Rebhorn](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-c90b21180ff7.jpg) James Rebhorn — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/19/James_Rebhorn_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-James_Rebhorn_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![James Rebhorn](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-a8bb126016d2.jpg) James Rebhorn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Rebhorn](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-b77816649a3c.jpg) James Rebhorn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Rebhorn](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-3b962a6c0d8a.jpg) James Rebhorn — Image via TMDB
- ![James Rebhorn](https://film.one/media/person/81658/gallery-44611c0b17f0.jpg) James Rebhorn — 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/james-rebhorn