---
name: "Joe Turkel"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/joe-turkel"
fi1m_id: "joe-turkel"
imdb_id: "nm0877185"
tmdb_id: 592
wikidata_id: "Q1691628"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 July 1927"
died: "27 June 2022"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 5
average_fi1m_score: 83
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 4
updated: "2026-09-20T04:35:59.757757+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."
---

# Joe Turkel

## Identity

Joe Turkel

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/joe-turkel
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** joe-turkel
- **IMDb ID:** nm0877185
- **TMDB ID:** 592
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1691628
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Turkel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1691628, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877185/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/592

Actor. Born 15 July 1927 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. Died 27 June 2022.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 July 1927, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 27 June 2022
- **Active:** 1957–1982
- **Also known as:** Joseph Turkel, Joseph Turkell, ジョー・ターケル, 조 터켈, 喬·特科爾, Джо Тёркел, Joseph Matthew Arthur Turkel
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 5: 4 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Stanley Kubrick](https://film.one/person/stanley-kubrick.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 83, as actor, over 4 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 82 (2), 1960s 66 (1), 1980s 86 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 89 to 82 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 1 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Thriller 2, War 2, Horror 1, Science Fiction 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $113m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Turkel, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1691628, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0877185/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/592

## Streaming the US now

- **MUBI:** [*Paths of Glory*](https://film.one/film/paths-of-glory.md) (93)

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

## Fi1m on Joe Turkel

> Joe Turkel could make a calm voice sound like a reason to worry. We rate the restraint he brings to *The Shining* and *Blade Runner*, where small parts become a persistent source of unease.

As Lloyd the bartender in *The Shining* (1980), Joe Turkel seems in no hurry to make himself frightening. Opposite Jack Nicholson, his restraint gives Stanley Kubrick another way to make the hotel feel unsafe. We were unnerved by Lloyd's composure beside Nicholson, because it offered no reassurance when the other performance was making the danger so obvious. Turkel suits the patient film around him, giving us time to become suspicious of a man who appears perfectly at ease.

Turkel had spent decades in supporting parts in films and television, often as gangsters or soldiers, before Lloyd and Tyrell brought him wider recognition. Kubrick first cast him as Tiny in the heist ensemble of *The Killing* (1956), then as Private Pierre Arnaud in *Paths of Glory* (1957). With *The Shining*, their third and final film together, Kubrick made particularly good use of the calm authority Turkel brought to supporting work.

In *Blade Runner* (1982), Ridley Scott casts him as Dr Eldon Tyrell, the replicants' creator, and puts that composure to a different use. Turkel's polished manner makes extraordinary power seem routine to the man who holds it. The performance helps us accept the future Scott has built, even when the detective story feels thin. We value that contribution without pretending it is the film's chief attraction: the city, Vangelis's music and Rutger Hauer remain stronger reasons to see it.

His gaunt face and penetrating voice could make him conspicuous without much effort; the pleasure is in how little he seems to force. That restraint can keep us at a distance, and Tyrell offers little warmth in a film whose chilly pace already demands patience. But we would not ask Turkel to become more demonstrative just to make either part larger. Start with *The Shining*, especially if Nicholson's more obvious menace usually puts you off.

## Biography

Joe Turkel was an American character actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he served in the US Army during the Second World War before beginning his screen career in the late 1940s. He appeared in more than 100 film and television roles through the 1990s.

Turkel is best known for three collaborations with Stanley Kubrick: as Tiny in *The Killing* (1956), Private Arnaud in *Paths of Glory* (1957), and Lloyd the bartender in *The Shining* (1980). He also played Dr Eldon Tyrell in *Blade Runner* (1982). He reprised the role in voice form for the 1997 *Blade Runner* video game, his final credit, and retired from acting the following year.

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

## On Fi1m (5)

### Performed in (4) — the average rests on these

- *Blade Runner* (1982), Fi1m 85, as Tyrell — [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner.md)
- *The Shining* (1980), Fi1m 88, as Lloyd — [page](https://film.one/film/the-shining.md)
- *The Sand Pebbles* (1966), Fi1m 66, as Bronson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sand-pebbles.md)
- *Paths of Glory* (1957), Fi1m 93, as Pvt. Pierre Arnaud — [page](https://film.one/film/paths-of-glory.md)

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

- *Friendly Persuasion* (1956), Fi1m 72, as Poor Loser (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/friendly-persuasion.md)

## Complete filmography (105)

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

- *The Dark Side of the Moon* (1990), as Paxton Warner
- *Reel Horror* (1985), as Harry (archive footage)
- *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Kharma
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Levec — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Blade Runner* (1982), as Tyrell — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/blade-runner.md)
- *The Shining* (1980), as Lloyd — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-shining.md)
- *Fantasy Island* (1978), series, as Herb Glazer
- *Which Way Is Up?* (1977), as Harry Boatwright
- *The Commitment* (1976), as Jules
- *The Hindenburg* (1975), as Detective Moore
- *The Prisoner of Second Avenue* (1975), as Man Upstairs (voice) (uncredited)
- *The Sex Symbol* (1974), as Director
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Swampgas — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor
- *Savage Abduction* (1973), as Harry
- *Six Hundred and Sixty-Six* (1972), as Col. Ferguson
- *Wild in the Sky* (1972), as Corazza
- *The Animals* (1970), as Peyote
- *Scream Free!* (1969), Actor
- *The Devil's Eight* (1969), as Sam
- *Land of the Giants* (1968), series, as Sergeant
- *Adam-12* (1968), series, as Vince Warren
- *The St. Valentine's Day Massacre* (1967), as Jake 'Greasy Thumb' Guzik
- *Ironside* (1967), series, as District Attorney
- *The Sand Pebbles* (1966), as Bronson — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sand-pebbles.md)
- *The Rat Patrol* (1966), series, as Capt. Bruener
- *Felony Squad* (1966), series, Actor
- *King Rat* (1965), as Dino
- *Village of the Giants* (1965), as Sheriff
- *Johnny Cool* (1963), as Hoodlum
- *The Yellow Canary* (1963), as Policeman
- *Combat!* (1962), series, as Klimmer
- *Famous Ghost Stories* (1961), as Nick (segment 'Tormented')
- *Ben Casey* (1961), series, Actor
- *Portrait of a Mobster* (1961), as Joe Noe
- *The Asphalt Jungle* (1961), series, Actor
- *Tallahassee 7000* (1961), series, Actor
- *The Roaring 20's* (1960), series, Actor
- *The Andy Griffith Show* (1960), series, as Fred
- *Tormented* (1960), as Nick
- *The Aquanauts* (1960), series, as Danny
- *The Boy and the Pirates* (1960), as Abu the Genie
- *The Purple Gang* (1959), as Eddie Olsen
- *The Detectives* (1959), series, as Charlie
- *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Birdie Yates, Garvin, Gobo Karsh, Deuces Kobler
- *Lock-Up* (1959), series, as Pvt. Givers
- *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Thug #1, Lupe, Private Peters
- *Tightrope* (1959), series, Actor
- *Here Come the Jets* (1959), as Henley
- *Warlock* (1959), as Chet Haggin (uncredited)
- *Verboten!* (1959), as Infantryman
- *Bat Masterson* (1958), series, as Woody Larkin, Joe Turkel
- *The Texan* (1958), series, as Evan McBeem
- *The Case Against Brooklyn* (1958), as Henchman Monte
- *The Bonnie Parker Story* (1958), as Chuck Darrow
- *Jefferson Drum* (1958), series, as Tom
- *The Beast of Budapest* (1958), as Martin
- *Paths of Glory* (1957), as Pvt. Pierre Arnaud — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/paths-of-glory.md)
- *Wagon Train* (1957), series, as Eddie
- *House of Numbers* (1957), as Bradville - Convict
- *Jeanne Eagels* (1957), as Eddie, Reporter (uncredited)
- *The Midnight Story* (1957), as Lothario at Dance (uncredited)
- *Hellcats of the Navy* (1957), as Chick (as Joseph Turkel)
- *The Shadow on the Window* (1957), as Lounger (uncredited)
- *Official Detective* (1957), series, Actor
- *Friendly Persuasion* (1956), as Poor Loser (uncredited) — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/friendly-persuasion.md)
- *The Killing* (1956), as Tiny
- *Inside Detroit* (1955), as Pete Link (as Joseph Turkel)
- *Crossroads* (1955), series, as Frank Perroni
- *Highway Patrol* (1955), series, Actor
- *Navy Log* (1955), series, Actor
- *The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp* (1955), series, as Bob Rellance
- *The Naked Street* (1955), as Shimmy
- *Mad at the World* (1955), as Pete Johnson (as Joseph Turkel)
- *Cell 2455 Death Row* (1955), as Curly
- *The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin* (1954), series, as Stubb Cull
- *The Human Jungle* (1954), as Delinquent Hood
- *Return from the Sea* (1954), as Sailor
- *The Bamboo Prison* (1954), as P.O.W.
- *Gypsy Colt* (1954), as Chuck
- *Duffy of San Quentin* (1954), as Frank Roberts
- *Public Defender* (1954), series, as Leo Jackson
- *Man Crazy* (1953), as Ray
- *Letter to Loretta* (1953), series, as Logan
- *A Slight Case of Larceny* (1953), as Holdup Man
- *The Glass Wall* (1953), as Freddie Zakoyla (as Joseph Turkel)
- *Down Among the Sheltering Palms* (1953), as Pvt. Harris
- *I'm the Law* (1953), series, Actor
- *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, Actor
- *I Led Three Lives* (1953), series, Actor
- *Four Star Playhouse* (1952), series, as Willie
- *Dangerous Assignment* (1952), series, Actor
- *Dragnet* (1951), series, Actor
- *Starlift* (1951), as Litter Case (uncredited)
- *Fixed Bayonets!* (1951), as Soldier (uncredited)
- *Boston Blackie* (1951), series, Actor
- *Halls of Montezuma* (1951), as Marine
- *Southside 1-1000* (1950), as Frankie
- *Triple Trouble* (1950), as Benny the Blood (as Joseph Turkel)
- *Federal Man* (1950), as Jack 'Sneeze' Norton
- *Lucky Losers* (1950), as Johnny Angelo
- *Angels in Disguise* (1949), as Henchman Johnny Martin
- *The Lone Ranger* (1949), series, as Judd
- *Sword in the Desert* (1949), as Haganah Soldier (uncredited)
- *City Across the River* (1949), as Shimmy Stockton

## Gallery

- ![Joe Turkel](https://film.one/media/person/59568/gallery-e7db21dd8cce.png) Joe Turkel — Bert I. Gordon/Allied Artists Pictures, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/39/Joe_Turkel_in_Tormented_%281960%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Joe Turkel](https://film.one/media/person/59568/gallery-f1b204172c10.jpg) Joe Turkel — Image via TMDB
- ![Joe Turkel](https://film.one/media/person/59568/gallery-df58a6e34a51.jpg) Joe Turkel — Image via TMDB
- ![Joe Turkel](https://film.one/media/person/59568/gallery-b326fa9d55e6.jpg) Joe Turkel — 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/joe-turkel