---
name: "Lawrence Tierney"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/lawrence-tierney"
fi1m_id: "lawrence-tierney"
imdb_id: "nm0862937"
tmdb_id: 6937
wikidata_id: "Q212532"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "15 March 1919"
died: "26 February 2002"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 80
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-04T17:06:26.756002+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 Tierney

## Identity

Lawrence Tierney

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lawrence-tierney
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** lawrence-tierney
- **IMDb ID:** nm0862937
- **TMDB ID:** 6937
- **Wikidata ID:** Q212532
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Tierney, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212532, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0862937/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6937

Actor. Born 15 March 1919 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. Died 26 February 2002.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 15 March 1919, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- **Died:** 26 February 2002
- **Active:** 1952–1992
- **Also known as:** Lawrence James Tierney
- **Average Fi1m score:** 80, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 56 (1), 1980s 83 (7), 1990s 86 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 74 across 5 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Crime 5, Drama 5, Comedy 4, Romance 3, Thriller 2, Action & Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $317m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawrence_Tierney, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q212532, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0862937/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6937

## Fi1m on Lawrence Tierney

> Tierney played killers and bosses for half a century and never asked to be liked. Large, hoarse and unsmiling, he has the same effect in 1945 as in 1992: the other men on screen lower their voices.

Joe Cabot arrives late in *Reservoir Dogs* (1992), after the men in black suits have spent most of the film shouting at each other in a warehouse, and he does not shout. He barks. Tierney gets his lines out in short hoarse bursts, as if speech were a chore he would rather hand to somebody else, and the crew who have been at each other's throats for an hour do what he says. He is a big man in a bad mood, and Tarantino, who has built the whole film around the wait for him, knows that is all the part needs.

It is also, more or less, the only part Tierney ever played. He came into films in 1943 after stage work and an RKO contract, and the title role in *Dillinger* (1945) made him a screen gangster for good. RKO followed it with *Born to Kill* (1947), in which he is Sam Wild, a jealous conman who kills when crossed, and *The Devil Thumbs a Ride* (1947), in which he is a hitchhiker you should not have stopped for. Max Nosseck directed him twice, Robert Wise once, and the critics of the day did not always approve: the nastiness was thought overdone and the men he played not fit company for an evening. He is never asked to be charming, and he does not try.

The work thinned out from the late 1950s and came only now and then through the sixties and seventies. He moved back to Los Angeles in 1983 and found supporting parts in film and television, among them Lt. Hanley in John Huston's *Prizzi's Honor* (1985), a film we rate and in which he is one more face in a crowded frame. Then Tarantino put him at the top of a crew of younger men and let him quiet them. He kept working in guest roles until *Evicted* (1999), and then stopped.

We felt the warehouse cool when he walked in, and it took us a moment to work out why, because he does so little: he stands, he rasps, and he looks at the men as though he has already decided which of them is lying. The other actors are working hard. He is not, or does not appear to be. That is the strength and the limit together. Fifty years of the same man means fifty years without a surprise, and anyone hoping to find a hidden Tierney in the RKO pictures will find the same face, younger and no kinder.

"I resented those pictures they put me in," he said. "I never thought of myself as that kind of guy." The pictures did not care what he thought of himself, and on the evidence of the screen, neither did we. See *Reservoir Dogs* for the boss, then *Born to Kill* for the same man at twenty-eight with nobody yet to answer to.

## Biography

Lawrence Tierney was an American actor known for portraying gangsters and tough guys. Born Lawrence James Tierney on 15 March 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, he began his screen career in the early 1940s after stage work. His breakthrough came with the title role in the 1945 film *Dillinger*.

Tierney appeared in numerous crime and noir films during the 1940s and 1950s, including *Born to Kill* (1947). He had a long career spanning over fifty years, with roles often mirroring his reputation for off-screen volatility. In 1992 he played crime boss Joe Cabot in Quentin Tarantino's *Reservoir Dogs*.

He was the brother of actor Scott Brady. Tierney died of pneumonia on 26 February 2002 in Los Angeles, aged 82.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, theguardian.com, latimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Reservoir Dogs* (1992), Fi1m 86, as Joe Cabot — [page](https://film.one/film/reservoir-dogs.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), Fi1m 90, as Alton Benes — [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Angels Manager — [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Cyrus Redblock — [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *Prizzi's Honor* (1985), Fi1m 82, as Lt. Hanley — [page](https://film.one/film/prizzis-honor.md)
- *Arthur* (1981), Fi1m 72, as Man in Coffee Shop — [page](https://film.one/film/arthur.md)
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), Fi1m 86, as Sergeant Jenkins — [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Gloria* (1980), Fi1m 78, as Broadway Bartender — [page](https://film.one/film/gloria-1980.md)
- *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1952), Fi1m 56, as Mr. Henderson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-greatest-show-on-earth.md)

## Complete filmography (88)

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

- *Evicted* (2004), as Bob
- *Armageddon* (1998), as Eddie 'Gramp' Stamper (uncredited) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/armageddon.md)
- *Southie* (1998), as Colie Powers
- *EZ Streets* (1996), series, Actor
- *2 Days in the Valley* (1996), as Old Man
- *Portrait in Red* (1995), as Robert Pearlman
- *Starstruck* (1995), as Patron
- *Junior* (1994), as Mover
- *ER* (1994), series, as Jack Johnson — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *A Kiss Goodnight* (1994), as Sergeant Harwood
- *Who Do You Think You're Fooling?* (1994), as Joe Cabot (archive footage)
- *French Intensive* (1994), as Uncle Larry
- *Eddie Presley* (1993), as Joe West
- *Star Trek: Deep Space Nine* (1993), series, as Regent — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-deep-space-nine.md)
- *Red* (1993), as Louis 'Red' Deutsch
- *Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story* (1993), as Joey Buttafucco's Father
- *Midnight 2* (1993), as Bert Johnson (archive footage)
- *Reservoir Dogs* (1992), as Joe Cabot — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/reservoir-dogs.md)
- *City of Hope* (1991), as Kerrigan
- *The Death Merchant* (1991), as Ivan Yates
- *Wizards of the Demon Sword* (1991), as Slave Master
- *The Runestone* (1991), as Chief Richardson
- *Dillinger* (1991), as Sheriff Sarber
- *Why Me?* (1990), as Armenian Robber #1
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Don Brodka (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Alton Benes — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *The Horror Show* (1989), as Warden
- *The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!* (1988), as Angels Manager — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-naked-gun-from-the-files-of-police-squad.md)
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Cyrus Redblock — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *From a Whisper to a Scream* (1987), as Warden
- *Tough Guys Don't Dance* (1987), as Dougy Madden
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Peter Manzo
- *Murphy's Law* (1986), as Cameron
- *Silver Bullet* (1985), as Owen Knopfler
- *Prizzi's Honor* (1985), as Lt. Hanley — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/prizzis-honor.md)
- *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Jack Mills
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as John Doyle
- *Nothing Lasts Forever* (1984), as Carriage Driver
- *Terrible Joe Moran* (1984), as Pico
- *Midnight* (1982), as Bert Johnson
- *Remington Steele* (1982), series, as Al Molinski
- *Fame* (1982), series, Actor
- *The Prowler* (1981), as Maj. Chatham
- *Arthur* (1981), as Man in Coffee Shop — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/arthur.md)
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, as Sergeant Jenkins — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Gloria* (1980), as Broadway Bartender — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/gloria-1980.md)
- *Bloodrage* (1980), as Malone
- *The Kirlian Witness* (1978), as Detective
- *Bad* (1977), as O'Reilly-O'Crapface
- *Abduction* (1975), as FBI Agent
- *Such Good Friends* (1971), as Hospital Guard
- *Killer Without a Face* (1968), as The Mute
- *Custer of the West* (1967), as General Philip Sheridan
- *A Child Is Waiting* (1963), as Douglas Benham
- *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Herbie Lane
- *Bus Stop* (1961), series, Actor
- *The Barbara Stanwyck Show* (1960), series, as Detective
- *The Detectives* (1959), series, Actor
- *Adventures in Paradise* (1959), series, as Gorn
- *New York Confidential* (1959), series, Actor
- *Man with a Camera* (1958), series, Actor
- *Naked City* (1958), series, as Mike Jensen
- *Female Jungle* (1956), as Det. Sgt. Jack Stevens
- *Singing in the Dark* (1956), as Biff Lamont
- *The Steel Cage* (1954), as Chet Harmon, a Ringleader, segment "The Hostages"
- *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1952), as Mr. Henderson — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/the-greatest-show-on-earth.md)
- *The Bushwhackers* (1951), as Sam Tobin
- *Best of the Badmen* (1951), as Jesse James
- *The Hoodlum* (1951), as Vincent Lubeck
- *Shakedown* (1950), as Harry Colton
- *Kill or Be Killed* (1950), as Robert Warren
- *Bodyguard* (1948), as Michael C. 'Mike' Carter
- *Born to Kill* (1947), as Sam Wild
- *The Devil Thumbs a Ride* (1947), as Steve Morgan
- *San Quentin* (1946), as Jim Roland
- *Step by Step* (1946), as Johnny Christopher
- *Badman's Territory* (1946), as Jesse James
- *Sing Your Way Home* (1945), as Reporter in Paris (uncredited)
- *Mama Loves Papa* (1945), as Sharpe
- *Those Endearing Young Charms* (1945), as Lt. Ted Brewster
- *Back to Bataan* (1945), as Lt. Cmdr. Waite
- *Dillinger* (1945), as John Dillinger
- *Birthday Blues* (1945), as Tom Williams - Neighbor
- *Youth Runs Wild* (1944), as Larry Duncan
- *The Falcon Out West* (1944), as Senator (uncredited)
- *The Ghost Ship* (1943), as Seaman Louie Parker
- *Government Girl* (1943), as FBI Man (uncredited)
- *Gildersleeve on Broadway* (1943), as Cab Driver (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![Lawrence Tierney](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-f0bbb8431621.jpg) Lawrence Tierney — trailer screenshot (King Brothers Productions - Monogram Pictures), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b3/Lawrence_Tierney_in_Dillinger_trailer_%281945%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Stuart Randall (left) & Lawrence Tierney in The Hoodlum - cropped screenshot (1951)](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-097c9bbe5a61.jpg) Stuart Randall (left) & Lawrence Tierney in The Hoodlum - cropped screenshot (1951) — Film screenshot (Eagle Lion), Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Stuart_Randall-Lawrence_Tierney_in_The_Hoodlum.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Lawrence Tierney](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-1038c2a48a19.jpg) Lawrence Tierney — Image via TMDB
- ![Lawrence Tierney](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-b0e13c8502fb.jpg) Lawrence Tierney — Image via TMDB
- ![Lawrence Tierney](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-70f7c14e6a5a.jpg) Lawrence Tierney — Image via TMDB
- ![Lawrence Tierney](https://film.one/media/person/9179/gallery-6e8381dae0eb.jpg) Lawrence Tierney — 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/lawrence-tierney