---
name: "Jim Beaver"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jim-beaver"
fi1m_id: "jim-beaver"
imdb_id: "nm0064769"
tmdb_id: 29862
wikidata_id: "Q155378"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "12 August 1950"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-22T03:24:20.115411+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."
---

# Jim Beaver

## Identity

Jim Beaver

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jim-beaver
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jim-beaver
- **IMDb ID:** nm0064769
- **TMDB ID:** 29862
- **Wikidata ID:** Q155378
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Beaver, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155378, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0064769/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29862

Actor. Born 12 August 1950 in Laramie, Wyoming, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 12 August 1950, Laramie, Wyoming, USA
- **Active:** 1992–present
- **Also known as:** James Norman Beaver Jr. , James Beaver, Richard Muldoon, John Petlock
- **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 82 (3), 2000s 87 (3), 2010s 81 (3), 2020s 66 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 81 to 75 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Crime 5, Comedy 2, Horror 1, Music 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 8 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $379m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Beaver, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q155378, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0064769/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/29862

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Deadwood*](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md) (91)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Adaptation.*](https://film.one/film/adaptation.md) (83)
- **Netflix:** [*Crimson Peak*](https://film.one/film/crimson-peak.md) (74)

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

## Fi1m on Jim Beaver

> Jim Beaver makes gruff authority feel worth trusting. We value the decency he brings to difficult men, especially in *Deadwood*, though the recurring hunters, sheriffs and father figures can leave him looking too comfortably cast.

In *Deadwood* (2004), Jim Beaver's Whitney Ellsworth makes gruffness seem compatible with being decent company. That matters in a Western whose elaborate speeches can occasionally make us wish someone would get to the point. Beaver gives us an honourable man without making him sound polished, and the series needs that alongside its fascination with violence. We were moved by *Deadwood*'s struggle to make living together possible; Ellsworth's rough-edged decency is one reason it feels worth the effort. The ensemble gives his familiar qualities something substantial to do.

The earlier film work is less useful as a guide. *In Country* (1989), in which he plays Earl Smith, gave him an early substantial part, but *Deadwood* was the break after years of supporting work. In between came Ranger Tony in *Adaptation.* (2002), Spike Jonze and Charlie Kaufman's funny, humane film about being too anxious to write. Nicolas Cage supplies the performance that makes its cleverness matter, even when the final stretch pushes the joke too hard. We recommend it, but the sustained television work is the more revealing place to look for Beaver.

With Bobby Singer, the gruff hunter and father figure of *Supernatural* (2005), that television identity became firmly established. Sheriff Shelby Parlow in *Justified* (2010) fits the recurring pattern of men accustomed to giving orders and carrying responsibility. We like how little sweetness the paternal roles require of him. The affection is allowed to sound impatient. The limitation is predictability: repeated casting as a weathered authority figure gives us fewer opportunities to be surprised by him.

Guillermo del Toro's *Crimson Peak* (2015) gave him Carter Cushing, a part written specifically for him. It is a useful invitation to look beyond the recurring television parts. We would welcome more work that makes his reliability less comfortable to take for granted, rather than simply finding another job for the familiar gruffness. Start with *Deadwood*, where being decent is difficult enough to keep a gruff man interesting.

## Biography

Jim Beaver, also credited as James Norman Beaver Jr., is an American actor, writer and film historian. He is best known for his role as the prospector Whitney Ellsworth in the HBO series *Deadwood* (2004–2006), for which he received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination as part of the ensemble cast.

Beaver has appeared in recurring roles including Bobby Singer in *Supernatural* (2005–2020), Lawson in *Breaking Bad* (2008–2013) and *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022), and Robert A. Singer in *The Boys* (2019–). His other film credits include *Crimson Peak* (2015) and *Magnolia* (1999). He served in the US Marine Corps in Vietnam before beginning his acting career on stage in the early 1970s.

Beaver published the memoir *Life's That Way* in 2009.

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

## On Fi1m (10)

- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), Fi1m 66, as Sheriff Jedediah Judd — [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *Watchmen* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Andy — [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md)
- *Better Call Saul* (2015), Fi1m 84, as Lawson — [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md)
- *Crimson Peak* (2015), Fi1m 74, as Carter Cushing — [page](https://film.one/film/crimson-peak.md)
- *Deadwood* (2004), Fi1m 91, as Whitney Ellsworth — [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Adaptation.* (2002), Fi1m 83, as Ranger Tony — [page](https://film.one/film/adaptation.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Prison Officer — [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *The West Wing* (1999), Fi1m 86, as Carl — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Murder One* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Donald Cleary — [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Sister Act* (1992), Fi1m 78, as Clarkson — [page](https://film.one/film/sister-act.md)

## Complete filmography (107)

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

- *The Winchesters* (2022), series, as Bobby Singer
- *No More Time* (2022), as Radio Host
- *Outer Range* (2022), series, as Harrison Farber
- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), as Sheriff Jedediah Judd — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *Blindfire* (2020), as Sergeant Ward
- *B Positive* (2020), series, as Spencer
- *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Andy — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md)
- *Mama Bear* (2019), as Doctor
- *The Boys* (2019), series, as Secretary of Defense Robert A. Singer — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-boys.md)
- *Deadwood: The Movie* (2019), as Whitney Ellsworth (archive footage)
- *Scripts Gone Wild Zombie Nightmare* (2019), Actor
- *Hospitality* (2018), as The Boss
- *Billy Boy* (2018), as Crabtree
- *Remember the Sultana* (2018), as Joseph Taylor Elliott / First Engineering Officer Nathaniel Wintringer (voice)
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as Kenneth
- *The Frontier* (2016), as Lee
- *Timeless* (2016), series, as NSA Agent Jake Neville
- *Injection* (2016), as Pops
- *The Ranch* (2016), series, as Chuck
- *Crimson Peak* (2015), as Carter Cushing — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/crimson-peak.md)
- *The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster* (2015), as The Captain
- *Better Call Saul* (2015), series, as Lawson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md)
- *Nikki & Nora: The N&N Files* (2014), series, as Arliss Fontenot
- *Night Riders* (2013), Writer, Director, Screenplay, Executive Producer
- *Revolution* (2012), series, as John Franklin Fry
- *Major Crimes* (2012), series, as Donald Beckwith — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/major-crimes.md)
- *Longmire* (2012), series, as Lee Rosky — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/longmire.md)
- *Love Bites* (2011), series, as Trucker
- *The Legend of Hell's Gate: An American Conspiracy* (2011), as J. Wright Mooar
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Frank Loomis
- *Justified* (2010), series, as Shelby Parlow, Shelby Parlow / Drew Thompson, Drew Thompson — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/justified.md)
- *Dark and Stormy Night* (2009), as Jack Tugdon
- *The Middle* (2009), series, as Eddie Stokes
- *Harper's Island* (2009), series, as Charlie Mills
- *Lie to Me* (2009), series, as Gus Sloan
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Cobb Holwell — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Reflections* (2008), as Franck
- *Breaking Bad* (2008), series, as Lawson — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/breaking-bad.md)
- *John from Cincinnati* (2007), series, as Vietnam Joe
- *Next* (2007), as Wisdom
- *Day Break* (2006), series, as 'Uncle' Nick Vukovic
- *Dexter* (2006), series, as Hannah’s father — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/dexter.md)
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Pete Dillingham
- *Big Love* (2006), series, as Carter Reese — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *The Unit* (2006), series, as Lloyd Cole
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Sheriff Williams — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Supernatural* (2005), series, as Bobby Singer — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/supernatural.md)
- *Bones* (2005), series, as George Gibbons — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Care Bears: Big Wish Movie* (2005), Music Coordinator
- *Wheelmen* (2005), as Agent Hammond
- *Deadwood* (2004), series, as Whitney Ellsworth — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *The Lyon's Den* (2003), series, as Hank Ferris
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Captain Tom O'Rourke — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Tremors* (2003), series, as Sheriff Sam Boggs
- *The Life of David Gale* (2003), as Duke Grover
- *Adaptation.* (2002), as Ranger Tony — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/adaptation.md)
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Sheriff Ronald Mathis
- *Joy Ride* (2001), as Sheriff Ritter
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Daniel Leonard
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Ranger Diggory
- *Warden of Red Rock* (2001), as Jefferson Bent
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Prison Officer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *The Division* (2001), series, as Fred Zito
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Stanley Tanner
- *The Trouble with Normal* (2000), series, as Gary
- *Magnolia* (1999), as Smiling Peanut Patron #1 — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md)
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Carl — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Mr. Murder* (1998), as Agent Jason Reiling
- *That '70s Show* (1998), series, as Tony
- *Total Security* (1997), series, as Detective McKissick
- *Wounded* (1997), as Agent Eric Ashton
- *Divided by Hate* (1997), as Danny Leland
- *Bone Chillers* (1996), series, as Edgar Allan Poe
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Happy Doug
- *Murder One* (1995), series, as Donald Cleary — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Bad Girls* (1994), as Pinkerton Detective Graves
- *Thunder Alley* (1994), series, as Leland DuParte
- *Blue Chips* (1994), as Ricky's Father
- *Geronimo: An American Legend* (1993), as Proclamation Officer
- *Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman* (1993), series, as Henry Barnes
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Coroner — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Sliver* (1993), as Detective Ira
- *Gunsmoke: The Long Ride* (1993), as Traveling Blacksmith
- *Twogether* (1992), as Oscar
- *Melrose Place* (1992), series, as Ranger Virgil
- *Sister Act* (1992), as Clarkson — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sister-act.md)
- *Gunsmoke: To the Last Man* (1992), as Deputy Willie Rudd
- *Reasonable Doubts* (1991), series, as Detective Earl Gaddis
- *Home Improvement* (1991), series, as Duke Miller
- *The Court-Martial of Jackie Robinson* (1990), as Maj. Trimble
- *El Diablo* (1990), as Spivey Irick
- *Follow Your Heart* (1990), as Craig Hraboy
- *Nasty Boys* (1990), series, as Wetstone
- *In Country* (1989), as Earl Smith
- *Mothers, Daughters and Lovers* (1989), as Sheriff Jack Edzard
- *Turner & Hooch* (1989), as Plant Manager
- *Defense Play* (1988), as FBI Man
- *Perry Mason: The Case of the Lady in the Lake* (1988), as Motel Manager
- *Jake and the Fatman* (1987), series, as Defense Attorney
- *Tour of Duty* (1987), series, Writer
- *Sweet Revenge* (1987), as Smuggler (uncredited) · Additional Dialogue
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Barney Sutler
- *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, Writer
- *Girls of the White Orchid* (1983), as Pedestrian
- *Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders* (1979), as Cowboy Player (uncredited)
- *The Seniors* (1978), as Client (uncredited)
- *Semi-Tough* (1977), as B.E.A.T. Member (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Jim Beaver](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-f5edb8adbe3d.jpg) Jim Beaver — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Jim_Beaver_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Jim_Beaver_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2011 Comic-Con International](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-79d106f75f3b.jpg) 2011 Comic-Con International — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/2011_Comic-Con_International_%285985808583%29.jpg/1280px-2011_Comic-Con_International_%285985808583%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2011 Comic-Con International](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-66babb793bf6.jpg) 2011 Comic-Con International — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/2011_Comic-Con_International_%285985839841%29.jpg/1280px-2011_Comic-Con_International_%285985839841%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2011 Comic-Con International](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-468a69906bb6.jpg) 2011 Comic-Con International — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986365204%29.jpg/1280px-2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986365204%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jim Beaver](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-04709a6d89f8.jpg) Jim Beaver — Image via TMDB
- ![2011 Comic-Con International](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-be2d73731193.jpg) 2011 Comic-Con International — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986378042%29.jpg/1280px-2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986378042%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![2011 Comic-Con International](https://film.one/media/person/61234/gallery-adf94066c901.jpg) 2011 Comic-Con International — vagueonthehow from Tadcaster, York, England, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/39/2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986398078%29.jpg/1280px-2011_Comic-Con_International_%285986398078%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/jim-beaver