---
name: "Lawrence Pressman"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lawrence-pressman"
fi1m_id: "lawrence-pressman"
imdb_id: "nm0696303"
tmdb_id: 6564
wikidata_id: "Q1341001"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 July 1939"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 2
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 2
updated: "2026-09-26T17:24:47.597033+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."
---

# Lawrence Pressman

## Identity

Lawrence Pressman

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lawrence-pressman
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lawrence-pressman
- **IMDb ID:** nm0696303
- **TMDB ID:** 6564
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1341001
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Pressman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1341001, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696303/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6564

Actor. Born 10 July 1939 in Cynthiana, Kentucky, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 July 1939, Cynthiana, Kentucky, USA
- **Active:** 1971–2005
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 2 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 72 (1), 2000s 70 (1)
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Pressman, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1341001, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0696303/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6564

## Streaming the US now

- **The Roku Channel:** [*Shaft*](https://film.one/film/shaft.md) (72)

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

## Biography

Lawrence Pressman is an American actor. Born David Milton Pressman on 10 July 1939 in Cynthiana, Kentucky, he made his screen debut on the soap opera *The Edge of Night* and appeared as Sergeant Tom Hannon in the 1971 film *Shaft*.

He has an extensive stage career, appearing on Broadway in *The Man in the Glass Booth* (directed by Harold Pinter, and later reprised in the film version), *Play It Again, Sam* and *Never Live Over a Pretzel Factory*, for which he received a Theatre World Award. He trained at the American Shakespeare Festival in Stratford, Connecticut, and at Lincoln Center.

Pressman is known for film roles in *9 to 5* (1980) and *American Pie* (1999), the title role in the series *Mulligan's Stew*, and recurring television parts including Dr Benjamin Canfield in *Doogie Howser, M.D.* and appearances in *Ladies' Man* and *Profiler*.

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

## On Fi1m (2)

- *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Trent Seward — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Shaft* (1971), Fi1m 72, as Sergeant Tom Hannon — [page](https://film.one/film/shaft.md)

## Complete filmography (165)

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

- *No Good Deed* (2024), series, as Victor Friedberg
- *High Potential* (2024), series, as George Donovan — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/high-potential.md)
- *Carol & the End of the World* (2023), series, as Bernard (voice)
- *Reboot* (2022), series, as Jerry
- *Saving Paradise* (2021), as Don Peterson
- *Magnum P.I.* (2018), series, as Gus Urima
- *The Guardian Angel* (2018), as General Omar Bradley
- *9-1-1* (2018), series, as Mitchell
- *Totem* (2017), as Bernard
- *Doubt* (2017), series, as Ivan Sturgill
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Ed Paskowitz — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Beyond the Heavens* (2013), as Pastor Jim
- *Hart of Dixie* (2011), series, as Vernon 'Brando' Wilkes
- *Law & Order: LA* (2010), series, as Justin Conway
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Stanley — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Mother and Child* (2009), as Dr. Morgan
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Fred — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Tickling Leo* (2009), as Warren Pikler
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Chancellor Stern — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Mr. Nesbit
- *Mad Men* (2007), series, as Henry Sloan — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/mad-men.md)
- *The Far Side of Jericho* (2006), as Van Damn
- *Mentor* (2006), as Jonathan Kendall
- *American Dreamz* (2006), as White House Butler
- *Ghost Whisperer* (2005), series, as Old Peter Harrison
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Judge Schuller — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Trent Seward — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Nine Lives* (2005), as Roman
- *Fathers and Sons* (2005), as Max's Father (uncredited)
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Frank Nelson — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Therapist
- *In Good Company* (2004), Associate Producer
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Judge Floyd Hurwitz — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Jack & Bobby* (2004), series, Actor
- *Century City* (2004), series, as Judge
- *Murder Without Conviction* (2004), as Dr. G.K. Sanderson
- *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Robert 'Dobber' Metz (2007)
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Russell Pike · SS Director Mark — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *DC 9/11: Time of Crisis* (2003), as Dick Cheney
- *American Wedding* (2003), as Head Coach
- *Mister Sterling* (2003), series, as Commissioner Jarvis
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Mr. Beckworth
- *The Agency* (2001), series, as Admiral Callan
- *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Donald Sample
- *Crossing Jordan* (2001), series, as Judge Harlan Marshall
- *Dr. Dolittle 2* (2001), as Governor of California (uncredited)
- *Alex in Wonder* (2001), as School Counselor
- *Gilmore Girls* (2000), series, as Floyd Stiles — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/gilmore-girls.md)
- *Dark Angel* (2000), series, as Uncle Jonas Cale
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Ken Cochran — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Judge Owen Mason
- *Judging Amy* (1999), series, as Alan Stetson, Atty. Ackerman
- *American Pie* (1999), as Coach Marshall
- *Providence* (1999), series, as Dr. Clemens
- *Mighty Joe Young* (1998), as Dr. Baker
- *The Hughleys* (1998), series, as Mr. Shuman
- *Very Bad Things* (1998), as Mr. Fisher
- *My Giant* (1998), as Doctor
- *Significant Others* (1998), series, Actor
- *Dawson's Creek* (1998), series, as Dr. Byron Fielding
- *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Judge Harland Smart
- *The Maker* (1997), as Father Minnell
- *Trial and Error* (1997), as Whitfield
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Dr. Milton Leach, Atty. Russell Mathis
- *The Uninvited* (1996), as Winston
- *Dangerous Minds* (1996), series, Actor
- *She Cried No* (1996), as Edward Connell
- *Profiler* (1996), series, as Walter Anderson
- *The Pretender* (1996), series, as Ben Sloane
- *The Sunchaser* (1996), as Agent in Charge Collier
- *The Sentinel* (1996), series, as Brother Jeremy
- *The Late Shift* (1996), as Bob Wright
- *A Case for Life* (1996), as Ross Doria
- *Angus* (1995), as Principal Metcalf
- *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as Dr. Zinneman
- *Partners* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A.* (1994), as Kornblum
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Bill Burke
- *The Enemy Within* (1994), as Atty. General Arthur Daniels
- *To My Daughter With Love* (1994), as Arthur Monroe
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Lawrence Kendall
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Arnold rudman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Mr. Milsap — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Ghemor, Krajensky, Tekeny Ghemor — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman* (1993), series, as Ezra Leonard
- *White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd* (1991), as Roland West
- *Fire and Rain* (1990), as Mr. Hamilton
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Defense Attorney Nicholas Burke, Professor Wesley Burke, Dr. Alan Colter — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Doogie Howser, M.D.* (1989), series, as Benjamin Canfield
- *Breaking Point* (1989), as Gen. Smith
- *She Knows Too Much* (1989), as Robert Hughes
- *Little Girl Lost* (1988), as Lester
- *Honor Bound* (1988), as Maxwell
- *The Hanoi Hilton* (1987), as Cathcart
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Richard Hollis
- *On Wings of Eagles* (1986), series, as Bill Gayden
- *The Deliberate Stranger* (1986), as Ken Wolverton
- *The Deliberate Stranger* (1986), series, as Ken Wolverton
- *A Fighting Choice* (1986), as Dr. Tobin
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Nelson White, Dr. Jeremy Barnes
- *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as Nathan Kraft — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *Street Hawk* (1985), series, as Thomas Miller
- *For Love or Money* (1984), as Herb
- *Victims for Victims: The Theresa Saldana Story* (1984), as Dr. Stein
- *The Three Wishes of Billy Grier* (1984), as Frank
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Tom Dutton, Philip Holt, George Reed
- *The Red-Light Sting* (1984), as Larry Barton
- *The Winds of War* (1983), series, as Bunky Thurston
- *St. Elsewhere* (1982), series, as Denis Nealey — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/st-elsewhere.md)
- *Tucker's Witch* (1982), series, as George Fowler
- *Hotel* (1982), series, Actor
- *Rehearsal for Murder* (1982), as Lloyd Andrews
- *Cry for the Strangers* (1982), as Glen Palmer
- *Darkroom* (1981), series, as Charlie Miller
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, Actor — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Dynasty* (1981), series, Actor
- *Nine to Five* (1980), as Dick Bernly
- *Ladies' Man* (1980), series, as Alan Thackeray
- *The Gathering, Part II* (1979), as Tom
- *Hart to Hart* (1979), series, as Ronald Camp
- *Walk Proud* (1979), as Henry Lassiter
- *Blind Ambition* (1979), series, as H.R. Haldeman
- *Just Friends* (1979), series, Actor
- *Like Mom, Like Me* (1978), as Michael Gruen
- *The Case of the Baltimore Girls* (1978), as Leo Pendleton
- *The Gathering* (1977), as Tom
- *Mulligan's Stew* (1977), series, as Michael Mulligan
- *The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald* (1977), series, as Paul Ewbank
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Ken Miller
- *Mulligan's Stew* (1977), as Michael Mulligan
- *Man from Atlantis* (1977), as Cmdr. Phil Roth
- *Everybody Rides the Carousel* (1976), as Stage 7 (voice)
- *Rich Man, Poor Man* (1976), series, as Bill Denton
- *Switch* (1975), series, as Austin Midler
- *The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant* (1975), as Dr. Konrad Zane
- *The Man in the Glass Booth* (1975), as Charlie Cohn
- *The Crazy World of Julius Vrooder* (1974), as Passki
- *Police Woman* (1974), series, Actor
- *Harry O* (1974), series, as Alex Keller
- *Paper Moon* (1974), series, Actor
- *Murder by Proxy* (1974), Actor
- *Winter Kill* (1974), as Peter Lockhard
- *6 RMS RIV VU* (1974), as Richard Miller
- *The Marcus-Nelson Murders* (1973), as Cabot
- *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Lloyd C. Kellner
- *The Female Instinct* (1972), as Lt. Ostrowski
- *Delphi Bureau* (1972), series, as Patrick
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, Actor
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, Actor — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *The Bob Newhart Show* (1972), series, as Ed Hoffman
- *McMillan & Wife* (1971), series, as Peter Jordan, Alan Joyce
- *Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law* (1971), series, as Frank Latham
- *Cannon* (1971), series, Actor
- *Shaft* (1971), as Sergeant Tom Hannon — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/shaft.md)
- *The Hellstrom Chronicle* (1971), as Dr. Nils Hellstrom
- *Cannon* (1971), as Herb Mayer
- *Making It* (1971), as Mallory
- *The Mary Tyler Moore Show* (1970), series, as Bill Phelps — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mary-tyler-moore-show.md)
- *Marcus Welby, M.D.* (1969), series, as Alex Graham
- *Hawaii Five-O* (1969), series, as Calvin Cutler
- *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Dennis Carey
- *The Edge of Night* (1956), series, Actor
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1954), series, as Dr. Tobin
- *Snowbird*, as Lyle
- *Goodbye Girl*, as Grandpa Mac

## Gallery

- ![Lawrence Pressman](https://film.one/media/person/1343124/gallery-cfc04b443ba2.jpg) Lawrence Pressman — CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/Lawrence_Pressman_%22Ladies%27_Man%22_%281980_CBS_press_photo%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Publicity photo of American actors, Elinor Donahue and Lawrence Pressman promoting the Tuesday, October 25, 1977 premiere of the NBC television series Mulligan'](https://film.one/media/person/1343124/gallery-15156a9a78ba.jpg) Publicity photo of American actors, Elinor Donahue and Lawrence Pressman promoting the Tuesday, October 25, 1977 premiere of the NBC television series Mulligan' — NBC Television Network., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/95/Mulligan%27s_Stew_Elinor_Donahue_Lawrence_Pressman_1977.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lawrence Pressman](https://film.one/media/person/1343124/gallery-e89f48e8d296.jpg) Lawrence Pressman — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 1 won

- Theatre World Award 1964: Theatre World Award (won)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© 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/lawrence-pressman