--- name: "Keir Dullea" canonical: "https://film.one/person/keir-dullea" fi1m_id: "keir-dullea" imdb_id: "nm0001158" tmdb_id: 245 wikidata_id: "Q692979" roles: ["Actor"] born: "30 May 1936" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-10-09T19:25:11.360302+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." --- # Keir Dullea ## Identity Keir Dullea - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/keir-dullea - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** keir-dullea - **IMDb ID:** nm0001158 - **TMDB ID:** 245 - **Wikidata ID:** Q692979 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keir_Dullea, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q692979, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001158/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/245 Actor. Born 30 May 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 30 May 1936, Cleveland, Ohio, USA - **Active:** 1968–2006 - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 2 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1960s 92 (1), 2000s 64 (1) - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keir_Dullea, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q692979, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001158/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/245 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*2001: A Space Odyssey*](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) (92) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Keir Dullea > Keir Dullea makes composure worth watching: a steady voice and controlled movement can suggest a man keeping much to himself. Kubrick puts that restraint to exceptional use in *2001: A Space Odyssey*, though it can leave us at a distance. Keir Dullea keeps his voice steady as Dr. David Bowman in *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), leaving us to search for signs of what the man feels. We learn his professional manner much more readily than we get to know him. That is a limitation, but Dullea's restraint serves Stanley Kubrick's unsettling film exceptionally well. His precise physical control makes the composure convincing. There is no effort to make this astronaut agreeable company, and we do not need him to be. His earlier casting helps explain why that reserve need not mean a lack of feeling. *David and Lisa* (1962), in which he played David Clemens, brought him notice for a sensitive portrayal; introspective young men became familiar territory. *Bunny Lake Is Missing* (1965) also preceded Kubrick's film, so Bowman was a turn within an established screen career rather than its beginning. He makes sense as a casting choice for a director who needs us to watch a character closely without expecting to be told everything he feels. We felt uneasy watching *2001* because Douglas Rain's HAL 9000 offered a stronger sense of another mind at work than either human lead. Rain's carefully measured voice invites trust, while Dullea and Gary Lockwood, as Dr. Frank Poole, are deliberately less welcoming. Dullea lets that comparison stand without trying to win our affection back. Kubrick gets something valuable from an actor prepared to remain difficult to read. It helps make a slow film absorbing, even when its human company remains remote. The later career gives us reason to look beyond Bowman, without pretending that our enthusiasm rests equally on everything Dullea has done. He played Don Baker in the Broadway production of *Butterflies Are Free* (1969), and theatre became a substantial part of his working life. His screen work included Peter in *Black Christmas* (1974) and a return as Bowman in Peter Hyams's *2010* (1984). Treating everything after Kubrick as an afterthought would mean overlooking that sustained commitment to the stage. Start with *2001*, but watch Dullea as closely as you listen to HAL. ## Biography Keir Dullea is an American actor. He was born on 30 May 1936 in Cleveland, Ohio, and raised in New York City's Greenwich Village, where his parents ran a bookstore. He studied at Rutgers University and San Francisco State University before training at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. Dullea is best known for portraying astronaut Dr. David Bowman in Stanley Kubrick's *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968) and its sequel *2010* (1984). His other film roles include *David and Lisa* (1962), *Bunny Lake Is Missing* (1965) and *Black Christmas* (1974). He has worked extensively in theatre, appearing on Broadway and in regional productions, and has said he prefers stage work despite his film recognition. He has also appeared in television series including *Law & Order* and *Castle*. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, encyclopedia.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), Fi1m 64, as Senator John Russell, Sr. — [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), Fi1m 92, as Dr. David Bowman — [page](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) ## Complete filmography (87) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Amigos do Helton* (2026), as David Bowman (Archive footage) - *Halo* (2022), series, as Fleet Admiral Hood — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/tv/halo.md) - *April Flowers* (2020), as Mr. X - *Jailbird* (2020), as Dr. David Bowman - *Valley of the Gods* (2020), as Ulim - *Hunters* (2020), series, as Klaus Rhinehart - *Fahrenheit 451* (2018), as Historian - *2001: Sparks in the Dark* (2018), as Stanley Kubrick - *Space Station 76* (2014), as Mr. Marlowe - *Infinitely Polar Bear* (2014), as Murray Stuart - *Isn't It Delicious* (2013), as Bill Weldon - *HENRi* (2013), as Henri (voice) - *Immersive Cocoon* (2011), as Unnamed - *Fortune* (2009), as Jonah Pryce - *Castle* (2009), series, as Jonathan Tisdale — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *The Accidental Husband* (2008), as Mr. Carl Bollenbecker - *Damages* (2007), series, as Julius — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/damages.md) - *The Good Shepherd* (2006), as Senator John Russell, Sr. — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-good-shepherd.md) - *A Lonely Sky* (2006), as Stan Curtis - *Alien Hunter* (2003), as Secretary Bayer - *Witchblade* (2001), series, Actor - *Songs In Ordinary Time* (2000), as Sam Fermoyle - *Ed* (2000), series, as Robert Stanley - *The Audrey Hepburn Story* (2000), as Joseph Hepburn - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Judge Walter Thornburg - *Oh, What a Night* (1992), as Thorvald - *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Defense Attorney Paul Lyman, Andrew Keener — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) - *2010* (1984), as Dr. David Bowman - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Jason Reynard - *The Time Traveller* (1984), as Glenn / The Next One - *Blind Date* (1984), as Dr. Steiger - *BrainWaves* (1983), as Julian Bedford - *No Place to Hide* (1983), Actor - *No Place to Hide* (1981), as Cliff Letterman - *The Hostage Tower* (1980), as Mr. Smith - *Brave New World* (1980), as Thomas Grambell - *The Starlost: The Alien Oro* (1980), as Devon - *The Starlost: The Beginning* (1980), as Devon - *The Legend of the Golden Gun* (1979), as General Custer - *Leopard in the Snow* (1979), as Dominic Lyall - *Because He's My Friend* (1978), as Eric - *Full Circle* (1978), as Magnus Lofting - *Three Dangerous Ladies* (1977), as Dr. David Priestly - *Welcome to Blood City* (1977), as Lewis - *The Mannikin* (1977), as Dr. David Priestly - *Law and Order* (1976), as Johnny Morrison - *Switch* (1975), series, as Anthony Kirk - *Black Christmas* (1974), as Peter - *Paul and Michelle* (1974), as Garry - *The Starlost* (1973), series, as Devon - *Paperback Hero* (1973), as Rick Dylan - *Pope Joan* (1972), as Dr. Stevens - *Devil in the Brain* (1972), as Oscar Minno - *Montserrat* (1971), as Montserrat - *A Primer for '2001: A Space Odyssey'* (1970), Actor - *Black Water Gold* (1970), as Christofer Perdeger - *De Sade* (1969), as Marquis de Sade - *2001: A Space Odyssey* (1968), as Dr. David Bowman — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/2001-a-space-odyssey.md) - *The Fox* (1967), as Paul Grenfell - *Madame X* (1966), as Clay Anderson Jr. - *Bunny Lake Is Missing* (1965), as Steven - *The Wednesday Play* (1964), series, as Adam - *12 O'Clock High* (1964), series, as Lt. Muller - *Le ore nude* (1964), as Aldo - *The Thin Red Line* (1964), as Pvt. Doll - *Mail Order Bride* (1964), as Lee Carey - *David and Lisa* (1962), as David Clemens - *Going My Way* (1962), series, Actor - *Alcoa Premiere* (1961), series, Actor - *The New Breed* (1961), series, as Frank - *Cain's Hundred* (1961), series, as Alec Benson - *The DuPont Show of the Week* (1961), series, as Lieutenant - *Kraft Mystery Theatre* (1961), series, as Tim Dryden - *The Hoodlum Priest* (1961), as Billy Lee Jackson - *Give Us Barabbas!* (1961), as Elisha - *Route 66* (1960), series, Actor - *Checkmate* (1960), series, as Eddie Phillips - *Mrs. Miniver* (1960), as German Pilot - *Play of the Week* (1959), series, Actor - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Bob Jolley - *Naked City* (1958), series, as Les Gerrick, Joseph Ross - *The United States Steel Hour* (1953), series, Actor - *Hallmark Hall of Fame* (1951), series, as Elisha - *Sonder*, as Eli - *The Starlost: The Invasion*, as Devon - *The Starlost: The Return*, as Devon - *The Starlost: Deception*, as Devon ## Gallery - ![Keir Dullea](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-5b042940e308.jpg) Keir Dullea — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Keir_Dullea_Denver_Pyle_1962_%28cropped%29.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Theatre advertisement for the film, Black Christmas under the U.S title, Silent Night, Evil Night. 14 May, 1975.](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-e1b58f7f3098.jpg) Theatre advertisement for the film, Black Christmas under the U.S title, Silent Night, Evil Night. 14 May, 1975. — Warner Bros., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Black_Christmas_ad_-_May_14%2C_1975.jpg/1280px-Black_Christmas_ad_-_May_14%2C_1975.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![festival de Cannes (2018)](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-b8b65bbb7aed.jpg) festival de Cannes (2018) — Georges Biard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Cannes_2018_4.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Keir Dullea (David Bowman) dans une scène de 2001, l'Odyssée de l'espace (1968).](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-0b1a53b29b75.jpg) Keir Dullea (David Bowman) dans une scène de 2001, l'Odyssée de l'espace (1968). — Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer., CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fd/Dave_Bowman_-_trailer%2C_correction_exposition.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Keir Dullea](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-2441143c1ec4.jpg) Keir Dullea — Image via TMDB - ![Keir Dullea](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-7c96ecc2d762.jpg) Keir Dullea — Image via TMDB - ![Photo of Keir Dullea (left) and Denver Pyle from the television program Kraft Mystery Theatre. The episode is "Cry Ruin".](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-afb9a0d2c1b8.jpg) Photo of Keir Dullea (left) and Denver Pyle from the television program Kraft Mystery Theatre. The episode is "Cry Ruin". — NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Keir_Dullea_Denver_Pyle_1962.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Keir Dullea dans une scène du film Les Heures nues (1964).](https://film.one/media/person/1/gallery-dbc7ef6edbc0.jpg) Keir Dullea dans une scène du film Les Heures nues (1964). — Spinoziano, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Le_ore_nude_%281964%29_Keir_Dullea%2C_correction_exposition_recadr%C3%A9e.jpg/1280px-Le_ore_nude_%281964%29_Keir_Dullea%2C_correction_exposition_recadr%C3%A9e.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/keir-dullea