--- name: "John Pankow" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-pankow" fi1m_id: "john-pankow" imdb_id: "nm0659601" tmdb_id: 59872 wikidata_id: "Q961431" roles: ["Actor"] born: "28 April 1954" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 62 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-10-04T20:06:10.804433+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 Pankow ## Identity John Pankow - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-pankow - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-pankow - **IMDb ID:** nm0659601 - **TMDB ID:** 59872 - **Wikidata ID:** Q961431 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pankow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q961431, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0659601/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59872 Actor. Born 28 April 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 28 April 1954, St. Louis, Missouri, USA - **Active:** 1987–1998 - **Average Fi1m score:** 62, as actor, over 2 titles - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Pankow, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q961431, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0659601/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/59872 ## Streaming the US now - **Netflix:** [*The Secret of My Success*](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md) (62) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on John Pankow > John Pankow is a dependable ensemble actor, especially when a leading player needs someone capable of doubt. We value that steadiness; his more abrasive comedy needs writing that gives him something beyond another objectionable remark. Beside William Petersen in *To Live and Die in L.A.* (1985), John Pankow makes doubt useful. His John Vukovich gives William Friedkin's thriller a credible moral counterweight. We felt the tension more keenly because Pankow made misgivings seem reasonable, giving us someone whose doubts we could share. It is a good use of an actor who can contribute without having to dominate. *The Secret of My Success* (1987), in which he plays Fred Melrose, offers a lighter setting for his supporting work. Herbert Ross supplies the polish, and Michael J. Fox supplies more energy than the jokes deserve. The corporate wish fulfilment remains pleasant company, though the laughs are too uncertain to make it an obvious starting point for exploring the cast. Our recommendation rests chiefly on Fox: Pankow's presence should not raise expectations beyond a modestly enjoyable evening. Similar limits apply to *batteries not included* (1987), with Pankow as Kovacs. Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn provide enough feeling to make Matthew Robbins's fantasy worth an evening for the sentimental, helped by the charm of its tiny saucers. Robbins nevertheless asks for more tears than the story earns, which is not a problem a supporting actor can repair. These are useful credits to place beside the stronger dramatic opportunity Friedkin offered, but neither film warrants a detour solely to follow Pankow. Television gave his ensemble skills a longer outing. From 1993 to 1999, he was a regular as Ira Buchman in *Mad About You*, alongside Paul Reiser. His familiar wisecracking manner suited the work of sustaining a character through an established comedy ensemble. There is value in an actor who can keep contributing without requiring the programme to be rebuilt around him. *Episodes* (2011–2017) gave him the offensive network executive Merc Lapidus, in David Crane and Jeffrey Klarik's Hollywood satire. That part puts his abrasive side to work, though sustained unpleasantness can become predictable when each encounter promises another offence. We prefer him with more room for uncertainty. Start with Friedkin; leave Merc for an evening when a disagreeable executive sounds sufficiently different from work. ## Biography John Pankow is an American actor. Born on 28 April 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, he grew up in the Chicago area and trained at the St. Nicholas Theater there after being inspired by a production of David Mamet's *The American Buffalo*. He began his career on stage, appearing in numerous Off-Broadway and Broadway productions including *Amadeus*, *The Iceman Cometh* and *Twelve Angry Men*. Pankow made his film debut in the early 1980s and gained notice for supporting roles in *To Live and Die in L.A.* (1985), *The Secret of My Success* (1987) as Fred Melrose, and *The Object of My Affection* (1998) as Vince McBride. On television he is best known for playing Ira Buchman, cousin to Paul Reiser's character, across all seasons of the sitcom *Mad About You* (1993–1999, revived 2019) and for the recurring role of Merc Lapidus in *Episodes* (2011–2017). He has also guest-starred in series including *Law & Order* and *Lucifer*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, tvinsider.com, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (2) - **batteries not included* (1987), Fi1m 63, as Kovacs — [page](https://film.one/film/batteries-not-included.md) - *The Secret of My Success* (1987), Fi1m 62, as Fred Melrose — [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md) ## Complete filmography (45) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Before/During/After* (2020), as Jim Lonergan - *Mad About You* (2019), series, as Ira Buchman - *Married Young* (2019), as Dr. Levovitz - *Lucifer* (2016), series, as Jimmy Barnes - *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as Adminiral Glenn - *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Tommy Wells - *Doubt* (2013), as Mr. Syd Newman - *Putzel* (2012), as Sid - *Elementary* (2012), series, as Edgar Knowles - *Episodes* (2011), series, as Merc Lapidus - *Morning Glory* (2010), as Lenny Bergman - *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Attorney Byron - *The Extra Man* (2010), as George - *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge Cyril Handley — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) - *Bride Wars* (2009), as John - *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Brian Owen - *Life as a House* (2001), as Bryan Burke - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Phil Lambier - *The Big Tease* (1999), as Waiter at Epicentre (uncredited) - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Lenny Simmons - *The Object of My Affection* (1998), as Vince McBride - *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Barry Dekumbis - *Aaahh!!! Real Monsters* (1994), series, as Blook the Granfaloon (voice) - *Duckman* (1994), series, as Daniel O'Captain (voice) - *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Ira Buchman - *A Stranger Among Us* (1992), as Levine - *Year of the Gun* (1991), as Italo Bianchi - *Mortal Thoughts* (1991), as Arthur Kellogg - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Charles Meadow, Josh Lethem — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *Talk Radio* (1988), as Dietz - *Monkey Shines* (1988), as Geoffrey Fisher - *Johnny Be Good* (1988), as Lou Landers (uncredited), Lou Landers - **batteries not included* (1987), as Kovacs — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/batteries-not-included.md) - *Leg Work* (1987), series, as Chuck Savin - *The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd* (1987), series, as Ron Luchesse - *The Secret of My Success* (1987), as Fred Melrose — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-of-my-success.md) - *To Live and Die in L.A.* (1985), as John Vukovich - *Spenser: For Hire* (1985), series, Actor - *Rambo: First Blood Part II* (1985), as POW #6 - *First Steps* (1985), as Fred - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Floyd Higgins — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *The Hunger* (1983), as 1st Phone Booth Youth - *The Chosen* (1981), as Bully - *Life on the Mississippi* (1980), Actor - *Great Performances* (1971), series, as George Richie --- © 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-pankow