--- name: "John C. McGinley" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-c-mcginley" fi1m_id: "john-c-mcginley" imdb_id: "nm0001525" tmdb_id: 11885 wikidata_id: "Q316032" roles: ["Actor"] born: "3 August 1959" reviewed_on_fi1m: 8 average_fi1m_score: 71 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-09-17T13:08:27.857333+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." --- # John C. McGinley ## Identity John C. McGinley - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-c-mcginley - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-c-mcginley - **IMDb ID:** nm0001525 - **TMDB ID:** 11885 - **Wikidata ID:** Q316032 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._McGinley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316032, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001525/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11885 Actor. Born 3 August 1959 in New York City, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 3 August 1959, New York City, New York, USA - **Active:** 1986–present - **Also known as:** John McGinley, John Christopher McGinley - **Frequently works with:** [Charlie Sheen](https://film.one/person/charlie-sheen.md), [Oliver Stone](https://film.one/person/oliver-stone.md), [Sean Connery](https://film.one/person/sean-connery.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 79 (2), 1990s 70 (5), 2020s 57 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 66 across 8 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Action 4, Comedy 3, Adventure 2, Crime 2, Drama 2, Thriller 2 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $629m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._McGinley, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316032, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001525/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11885 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Platoon*](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) (84) - **AMC+:** [*Point Break*](https://film.one/film/point-break.md) (82) - **HBO Max:** [*Rooster*](https://film.one/tv/rooster.md) (57) - **Hulu:** [*Highlander II: The Quickening*](https://film.one/film/highlander-ii-the-quickening.md) (24) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on John C. McGinley > John C. McGinley brings intensity to supporting parts and finds room for comic invention, as in Dr. Cox’s improvised nicknames. We value his company, though *Rooster* shows why an appealing ensemble still needs better writing. In *Scrubs* (2001–2010), Dr. Perry Cox’s nicknames and mannerisms give John C. McGinley’s intensity something particular to do. Those improvisational contributions are a useful clue to his appeal, giving an authoritative character details beyond his job title. We rate him as an ensemble player, though the doctor gave him room to develop one character over nine seasons. That is a more promising use of his forcefulness than simply asking for another stern authority figure. His breakthrough came as Sergeant Red O’Neill in *Platoon* (1986), followed by Marvin in Oliver Stone’s *Wall Street* (1987). The repeated work with Stone helped establish an intense supporting presence that remained useful through his 1990s action roles. Bob Slydell in *Office Space* (1999) made room for comedy before *Scrubs* became the sustained television role. The move makes sense for an actor whose authority can also supply the joke, without requiring him to abandon what makes him distinctive. In Michael Bay’s *The Rock* (1996), McGinley’s Marine Captain Hendrix is a familiar fit for that forceful supporting presence. The film is loud, implausible and good company, chiefly because Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris make the nonsense worth following. McGinley is part of the ensemble, and there is no need to exaggerate his importance to recommend the film. The editing sometimes makes following it harder than necessary, but the actors give the evening enough pleasures to justify the effort. *Rooster* (2026), with McGinley as Walter Mann, gives us less reason to persist. We enjoyed the company because McGinley, Danielle Deadwyler and Phil Dunster help make the encounters appealing before the writing has given us much reason to care about the people involved. Steve Carell’s awkwardness is the main attraction, but familiar jokes and an underwritten father-daughter relationship keep the series from doing enough with its cast. McGinley remains a welcome presence, even when the scripts give us little reason to return. For a single evening, *The Rock* is the safer choice. ## Biography John C. McGinley is an American actor. He was born on 3 August 1959 in New York City. McGinley is known for film roles including Sergeant O'Neill in *Platoon* (1986), Marvin in *Wall Street* (1987), SAIC Ben Harp in *Point Break* (1991), California in *Se7en* (1995), Marine Captain Hendrix in *The Rock* (1996), Bob Slydell in *Office Space* (1999) and George in *Identity* (2003). He collaborated several times with director Oliver Stone. On television he played Dr. Perry Cox in *Scrubs* (2001–2010) and appeared in *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013) and *Chicago P.D.* (2014). In 2026 he portrayed college dean Walter Mann in the HBO series *Rooster*. *Sources: people.com, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (8) - *Rooster* (2026), Fi1m 57, as Walter Mann — [page](https://film.one/tv/rooster.md) - *Office Space* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Bob Slydell — [page](https://film.one/film/office-space.md) - *The Rock* (1996), Fi1m 78, as Marine Captain Hendrix — [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md) - *Frasier* (1993), Fi1m 88, as Danny Kriezel — [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Highlander II: The Quickening* (1991), Fi1m 24, as David Blake — [page](https://film.one/film/highlander-ii-the-quickening.md) - *Point Break* (1991), Fi1m 82, as SAIC Ben Harp — [page](https://film.one/film/point-break.md) - *Wall Street* (1987), Fi1m 74, as Marvin — [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md) - *Platoon* (1986), Fi1m 84, as Sergeant O'Neill — [page](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) ## Complete filmography (103) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Rooster* (2026), series, as Walter Mann — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/rooster.md) - *Scrubs* (2026), series, as Dr. Perry Cox · Executive Producer - *Holidazed* (2024), series, as Chuck Manetti-Hanahan - *Dragons: Rescue Riders: Secrets of the Songwing* (2020), as Grumblegard (voice) - *Benched* (2018), as Don - *Battle of the Sexes* (2017), as Herb - *The Good Catholic* (2017), as Ollie - *Genius* (2017), series, as Lyndon B. Johnson - *The Belko Experiment* (2017), as Wendell Dukes - *Stan Against Evil* (2016), series, as Stanley Miller - *The Drowning* (2016), as Teddy - *Get a Job* (2016), as Diller - *The Discoverers* (2014), as Bill Birch - *Kid Cannabis* (2014), as John Grefard - *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Brian Kelton - *Ground Floor* (2013), series, as Remington Stewart Mansfield - *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, as Frank O'Sullivan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md) - *42* (2013), as Red Barber - *Watercolor Postcards* (2013), as Merlin - *Alex Cross* (2012), as Richard Brookwell - *Superman/Batman: Public Enemies* (2009), as Metallo (voice) - *The Face is Familiar* (2009), Actor - *Back* (2009), as Tom Barnes - *Scrubs: Interns* (2009), series, as Perry Cox - *American Crude* (2008), as Jim - *WordGirl* (2007), series, Actor - *Burn Notice* (2007), series, as Tom Card - *Are We Done Yet?* (2007), as Chuck Mitchell, Jr. - *Wild Hogs* (2007), as Highway Patrolman - *World Trade Center* (2006), as Fireman (uncredited) - *Puff, Puff, Pass* (2006), as Jerry Dupree - *Two Tickets to Paradise* (2006), as Mark - *The Boondocks* (2005), series, Actor - *Alien Planet* (2005), as Narrator - *American Dragon: Jake Long* (2005), series, as Dr. Diente (voice) - *Lil' Pimp* (2005), as Man Cub Master (voice) - *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as The Atom / Ray Palmer (voice), The Atom (voice) - *Spider-Man: The New Animated Series* (2003), series, as Richard Damien (voice) - *Identity* (2003), as George - *It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie* (2002), as Dr. Perry Cox - *Clone High* (2002), series, as Creepy Trucker (voice) - *Crazy As Hell* (2002), as Parker - *Stealing Harvard* (2002), as Detective Charles - *Kim Possible* (2002), series, as Rudolph Farnsworth / White Stripe (voice) - *Highway* (2002), as Johnny the Fox - *Justice League* (2001), series, as Executive / Bookie (voice) - *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Perry Cox - *The Nightmare Room* (2001), series, as Dr. Young - *Summer Catch* (2001), as Hugh Alexander - *The Animal* (2001), as Sgt. Sisk - *Get Carter* (2000), as Con McCarty - *Sole Survivor* (2000), as Victor Yates - *Any Given Sunday* (1999), as Jack Rose - *Three to Tango* (1999), as Strauss - *Flypaper* (1999), as Joe - *The Jack Bull* (1999), as Woody · Executive Producer - *Office Space* (1999), as Bob Slydell — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/office-space.md) - *The Pentagon Wars* (1998), as Colonel J.D. Bock - *Target Earth* (1998), as FBI Agent Vincent Naples - *Intensity* (1997), as Edgler Foreman Vess - *Intensity* (1997), series, as Edgler Foreman Vess - *Nothing to Lose* (1997), as Davis "Rig" Lanlow - *Truth or Consequences, N.M.* (1997), as Eddie Grillo - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Leonard Goode - *Colin Fitz* (1997), as Groundskeeper · Producer - *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as One-Armed Ronnie / Ranger (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md) - *Mother* (1996), as Carl - *Johns* (1996), as Danny Cohen - *Set It Off* (1996), as Detective Strode - *The Rock* (1996), as Marine Captain Hendrix — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md) - *Nixon* (1995), as Earl in Training Film - *Se7en* (1995), as California — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/se7en.md) - *Born to Be Wild* (1995), as Max Carr - *The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A.* (1995), as Det. Sgt. Harry McBride - *Wagons East!* (1994), as Julian - *Surviving the Game* (1994), as Griffin - *On Deadly Ground* (1994), as MacGruder - *Car 54, Where Are You?* (1994), as Officer Francis Muldoon - *The Last Outlaw* (1993), as Wills - *Mother's Boys* (1993), as Mr. Fogel, Teacher - *Frasier* (1993), series, as Danny Kriezel — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Hear No Evil* (1993), as Mickey O'Malley - *Watch It* (1993), as Rick · Producer - *Fathers & Sons* (1992), as Gary (uncredited) - *Cruel Doubt* (1992), series, as Attorney Jim Vos Burgh - *A Midnight Clear* (1992), as Major Griffin - *Little Noises* (1992), as Stu Slovack - *Article 99* (1992), as Dr. Rudy Bobrick - *Point Break* (1991), as SAIC Ben Harp — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/point-break.md) - *Highlander II: The Quickening* (1991), as David Blake — Fi1m 24, [page](https://film.one/film/highlander-ii-the-quickening.md) - *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), as Official #1 - Democratic Convention, Pushing Wheelchair — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md) - *Suffering Bastards* (1989), as Buddy Johnson · Writer - *Fat Man and Little Boy* (1989), as Richard Schoenfield - *Lost Angels* (1989), as Dr. Farmer - *Prisoners of Inertia* (1989), as Ogden - *Talk Radio* (1988), as Stu - *Shakedown* (1988), as Sean Phillips - *Clinton and Nadine* (1988), as Turner - *Wall Street* (1987), as Marvin — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/wall-street.md) - *Leg Work* (1987), series, as Denny - *Platoon* (1986), as Sergeant O'Neill — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/platoon.md) - *Sweet Liberty* (1986), as Floyd - *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Ogden ## Gallery - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-bab933d98c7f.png) John C. McGinley — CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8c/JohnMcGinleyJanetVarneySDCC2017_%28edited%29.png/1280px-JohnMcGinleyJanetVarneySDCC2017_%28edited%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-ff86ce7f40f4.png) John C. McGinley — U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Kevin T. Brown Jr., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c7/Germann_with_Sircar_and_McGinley_2022_%28edited%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![John C. McGinley and Janet Varney speaking at a Stan Against Evil panel during the 2017 Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center.](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-b984a6dd35f3.jpg) John C. McGinley and Janet Varney speaking at a Stan Against Evil panel during the 2017 Comic-Con International at the San Diego Convention Center. — Nehrams2020, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/JohnMcGinleyJanetVarneySDCC2017.JPG/1280px-JohnMcGinleyJanetVarneySDCC2017.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-a88249ac11f6.jpg) John C. McGinley — Image via TMDB - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-90ecf2575a8c.jpg) John C. McGinley — Image via TMDB - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-37e1731cfb88.jpg) John C. McGinley — Image via TMDB - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-a76328d5be81.jpg) John C. McGinley — Image via TMDB - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-79990a6cac9c.jpg) John C. McGinley — Image via TMDB - ![John C. McGinley](https://film.one/media/person/22563/gallery-479579be7eac.jpg) John C. McGinley — 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/john-c-mcginley