--- name: "Martin Landau" canonical: "https://film.one/person/martin-landau" fi1m_id: "martin-landau" imdb_id: "nm0001445" tmdb_id: 2641 wikidata_id: "Q294641" roles: ["Actor"] born: "20 June 1928" died: "15 July 2017" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 79 average_as: "actor" average_over: 8 updated: "2026-10-05T01:47:34.172107+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." --- # Martin Landau ## Identity Martin Landau - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/martin-landau - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** martin-landau - **IMDb ID:** nm0001445 - **TMDB ID:** 2641 - **Wikidata ID:** Q294641 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Landau, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294641, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001445/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2641 Actor. Born 20 June 1928 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. Died 15 July 2017. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 20 June 1928, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA - **Died:** 15 July 2017 - **Active:** 1959–2012 - **Also known as:** Martin James Landau, مارتین لانداو - **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 8 acting, 1 other - **Frequently works with:** [Tim Burton](https://film.one/person/tim-burton.md) - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 2 nominated) - **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 8 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1950s 89 (1), 1960s 72 (2), 1970s 86 (1), 1980s 84 (1), 1990s 75 (3), 2010s 79 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 72 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 2 of 7 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 5, Comedy 3, Crime 3, History 2, Mystery 2, Science Fiction 2 - **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $366m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Landau, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q294641, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001445/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2641 ## Streaming the US now - **Tubi:** [*North by Northwest*](https://film.one/film/north-by-northwest.md) (89), [*Crimes and Misdemeanors*](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md) (84) - **Apple TV:** [*Mission: Impossible*](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) (82) - **Disney+:** [*Frankenweenie*](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md) (79) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The X-Files*](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md) (64) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Martin Landau > Martin Landau made small changes of voice and expression carry feelings his characters would rather keep private. We value him most when that restraint makes a difficult man worth caring about, as it does in *Ed Wood*. Martin Landau can make stillness look suspicious. As Leonard, James Mason’s right-hand man in Alfred Hitchcock’s *North by Northwest* (1959), he needs little movement or dialogue to suggest that something is being kept back. His intense gaze gives the supporting character weight without requiring much outward display. That is a useful quality in a chase film whose leading man, Cary Grant, makes panic funny without removing the danger: Landau helps Hitchcock keep the threat present alongside the comedy. Television made his versatility conspicuous: he was Rollin Hand, the master of disguise, in *Mission: Impossible* (1966–1969), then Commander John Koenig in *Space: 1999* (1975–1977). A stretch of lower-profile work followed before Francis Ford Coppola’s *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* (1988) returned him to prominent film roles. *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989) gave him Judah Rosenthal, whose moral compromises suited an actor attentive to small internal shifts. The late-career resurgence makes sense when we consider how much Landau could tell us about a man trying to keep his feelings to himself. For Bela Lugosi in Tim Burton’s *Ed Wood* (1994), Landau studied the accent and mannerisms, but the accuracy is only a beginning. Lugosi’s bluster has enough force to put some resistance in the way of Johnny Depp’s optimism. Their friendship gains from that friction, giving Depp someone to respond to beyond his character’s own enthusiasm and giving us a reason to care beyond the next bad film. We were moved by Landau’s Lugosi because the bluster never quite hides how urgently he needs company. There is a limit to what even this performance can repair. Burton’s film still runs long, and its affection sometimes leaves Depp too little to play. Landau supplies uncertainty in their scenes together, but he cannot give the leading role more than the film allows it. That is a reservation about the film, not a reason to pass over the performance. Start with *Ed Wood*, allowing Burton a little more time than the story needs. ## Biography Martin Landau was an American actor. He made his first major film appearance as Leonard in Alfred Hitchcock's *North by Northwest* (1959). He trained at the Actors Studio and had begun his career in the 1950s after working as a cartoonist. Landau played Rollin Hand in the television series *Mission: Impossible* (1966–1969) and Commander John Koenig in *Space: 1999* (1975–1977). He received Emmy Award nominations and a Golden Globe Award for the former. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* (1988) and *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989). His performance as Bela Lugosi in *Ed Wood* (1994) earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) ### Performed in (8) — the average rests on these - *Frankenweenie* (2012), Fi1m 79, as Mr. Rzykruski (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md) - *The X-Files* (1998), Fi1m 64, as Kurtzweil — [page](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md) - *Ed Wood* (1994), Fi1m 84, as Bela Lugosi — [page](https://film.one/film/ed-wood.md) - *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989), Fi1m 84, as Judah Rosenthal — [page](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md) - *Columbo* (1971), Fi1m 86, as Dexter Paris / Norman Paris — [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), Fi1m 82, as Rollin Hand — [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *Cleopatra* (1963), Fi1m 63, as Rufio — [page](https://film.one/film/cleopatra.md) - *North by Northwest* (1959), Fi1m 89, as Leonard — [page](https://film.one/film/north-by-northwest.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), Fi1m 78, as Peter Van Garrett (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) ## Complete filmography (168) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Space: 1999 4K Double Bill - Breakaway and The Metamorph* (2026), as Commander John Koenig - *Prisoners in Space* (2025), as Commander Koenig - *Without Ward* (2022), Actor - *Abe & Phil's Last Poker Game* (2018), as Abe - *The Red Maple Leaf* (2017), as Bernard Florence - *A Fighting Chance* (2016), as Martin Kramer - *Remember* (2015), as Max Rosenbaum - *Entourage* (2015), as Bob Ryan - *Outlaw Prophet: Warren Jeffs* (2014), as Rulon Jeffs - *Anna Nicole* (2013), as J. Howard Marshall - *Frankenweenie* (2012), as Mr. Rzykruski (voice) — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/frankenweenie.md) - *Have a Little Faith* (2011), as Rabbi Albert Lewis - *Mysteria* (2011), as Hotel Manager - *The Return of Victor Bergman* (2010), as Commander John Koenig (archive footage) - *Ivory* (2010), as Leon Spencer - *Lovely, Still* (2009), as Robert · Executive Producer - *9* (2009), as #2 (voice) - *Billy: The Early Years* (2008), as Old Charles Templeton - *City of Ember* (2008), as Sul - *David & Fatima* (2008), as Rabbi Schmulic - *In Plain Sight* (2008), series, as Joseph Thomas / Joseph Tancredi - *Harrison Montgomery* (2008), as Harrison Montgomery - *An Existential Affair* (2006), as The Wedding Doctor - *The Evidence* (2006), series, as Dr. Sol Goldman - *The Aryan Couple* (2004), as Joseph Krauzenberg - *Entourage* (2004), series, as Bob Ryan — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md) - *Wake* (2003), as Older Sebastian Riven - *The Commission* (2003), as Sen. Richard Russell - *Hollywood Homicide* (2003), as Jerry Duran - *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Frank Malone - *Shanghai Ghetto* (2002), as Narrator - *The Majestic* (2001), as Harry Trimble - *Haven* (2001), as Papa Gruber - *Haven* (2001), series, as Papa Gruber - *In the Beginning* (2000), series, as Abraham - *Shiner* (2000), as Frank Spedding - *Very Mean Men* (2000), as Mr. White - *Ready to Rumble* (2000), as Sal Bandini - *Sleepy Hollow* (1999), as Peter Van Garrett (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/sleepy-hollow.md) - *The New Adventures of Pinocchio* (1999), as Geppetto - *Bonanno: A Godfather's Story* (1999), as Joseph Bonanno, age 94 - *The Joyriders* (1999), as Gordon Trout - *EDtv* (1999), as Al - *Carlo's Wake* (1999), as Carlo Torello - *Rounders* (1998), as Abe Petrovsky - *The X-Files* (1998), as Kurtzweil — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-x-files-1998.md) - *The Elevator* (1998), as Roy Tilden - *Merry Christmas, George Bailey* (1997), as Pa Bailey / Mr. Potter - *The Long Way Home* (1997), as (voice) - *Legend of the Spirit Dog* (1997), as Storyteller - *B.A.P.S* (1997), as Mr. Donald Blakemore - *E! True Hollywood Story* (1996), series, Actor - *The Adventures of Pinocchio* (1996), as Geppetto - *City Hall* (1996), as Judge Walter Stern - *Joseph* (1995), series, as Jacob - *Joseph* (1995), as Jacob - *Spider-Man* (1994), series, as Mac Gargan / Scorpion (voice), Scorpion (voice) - *Time is Money* (1994), as Mac - *Ed Wood* (1994), as Bela Lugosi — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/ed-wood.md) - *Intersection* (1994), as Neal - *12:01* (1993), as Dr. Thadius Moxley - *Sliver* (1993), as Alex Parsons - *Eye of the Stranger* (1993), as Mayor Howard Bains - *No Place to Hide* (1992), as Frank McCoy - *Mistress* (1992), as Jack Roth - *Legacy of Lies* (1992), Actor - *Something to Live for: The Alison Gertz Story* (1992), as Jerry Gertz - *Echoes That Remain* (1991), as Narrator (voice) - *Firehead* (1991), as Adm. Pendleton - *Secrets of the Unknown* (1991), as Narrator - *The Color of Evening* (1990), as Max Loeb - *By Dawn's Early Light* (1990), as President - *Paint It Black* (1990), as Daniel Lambert - *Max and Helen* (1990), as Simon Wiesenthal - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as The Great Raymondo (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *The Neon Empire* (1989), as Max - *The Neon Empire* (1989), series, as Max - *Crimes and Misdemeanors* (1989), as Judah Rosenthal — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/crimes-and-misdemeanors.md) - *Run If You Can* (1988), as Malvani - *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* (1988), as Abe - *Real Bullets* (1988), as Sallini - *Delta Fever* (1987), as Bud - *Cyclone* (1987), as Bosarian - *The Return of the Six-Million-Dollar Man and the Bionic Woman* (1987), as Lyle Stenning - *Empire State* (1987), as Chuck - *Sweet Revenge* (1987), as Cicero - *W.A.R.: Women Against Rape* (1987), as Judge Shaw - *Lethal Victims* (1987), as Judge Shaw - *Kung Fu: The Movie* (1986), as John Martin Perkins III - *Blacke's Magic* (1986), series, Actor - *Treasure Island* (1986), as The Captain - *The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents* (1985), series, as Wallace Garrison - *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as William Cooper-Janes (segment "The Beacon") - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Al Drake - *Access Code* (1984), as Agency Head - *The Being* (1983), as Garson Jones - *Buffalo Bill* (1983), series, as Hayden Stone - *Trial by Terror* (1983), Actor - *Cosmic Princess* (1982), as Commander John Koenig - *Alone in the Dark* (1982), as Byron "Preacher" Sutcliff - *Matt Houston* (1982), series, Actor - *Journey Through the Black Sun* (1982), as Commander John Koenig - *Hotel* (1982), series, as Russell Slocum - *The Harlem Globetrotters on Gilligan's Island* (1981), as J.J. Pierson - *Without Warning* (1980), as Fred 'Sarge' Dobbs - *Alien Attack* (1980), as Commander John Koenig - *The Return* (1980), as Niles Buchanan - *Meteor* (1979), as General Adlon - *The Death of Ocean View Park* (1979), as Tom Flood - *The Last Word* (1979), as Captain Garrity - *The Fall of the House of Usher* (1979), as Roderick Usher - *Destination Moonbase-Alpha* (1978), as Commander John Koenig - *Shadows in an Empty Room* (1976), as Dr. George Tracer - *Space: 1999* (1975), series, as John Koenig - *Space: 1999* (1975), as John Koenig - *Savage!* (1973), as Paul Savage - *Black Gunn* (1972), as Capelli - *Welcome Home, Johnny Bristol* (1972), as Johnny Bristol - *A Town Called Bastard* (1971), as The Colonel - *Columbo* (1971), series, as Dexter Paris / Norman Paris — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/columbo.md) - *They Call Me Mister Tibbs!* (1970), as Logan Sharpe - *Operation Snafu* (1970), as Joe Mellone - *Mission: Impossible vs. the Mob* (1969), as Rollin Hard - *Mission: Impossible - The Bunker* (1969), as Rollin Hand - *Mission: Impossible - The Slave* (1967), as Rollin Hand - *Mission: Impossible - Old Man Out* (1966), as Rollin Hand - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Rollin Hand — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *Nevada Smith* (1966), as Jesse Coe - *Get Smart* (1965), series, as Maxwell Smart (uncredited) - *The Wild Wild West* (1965), series, as General Grimm - *The Big Valley* (1965), series, as Mariano Montoya - *I Spy* (1965), series, as Danny Preston - *The Hallelujah Trail* (1965), as Chief Walks-Stooped-Over - *The Greatest Story Ever Told* (1965), as Caiaphas - *Branded* (1965), series, as Edwin Booth - *The Ghost of Sierra de Cobre* (1964), as Nelson Orion - *The Man from U.N.C.L.E.* (1964), series, as Count Ladislaus Zark - *Decision at Midnight* (1963), as Nils - *Mr. Novak* (1963), series, as Victor Rand, Robert Coolidge - *The Greatest Show on Earth* (1963), series, Actor - *The Outer Limits* (1963), series, as Andro, Richard Bellero - *Cleopatra* (1963), as Rufio — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/cleopatra.md) - *Stagecoach to Dancers' Rock* (1962), as Dade Coleman - *The Alfred Hitchcock Hour* (1962), series, as Ned Murray - *The Defenders* (1961), series, as Dr. Daniel Orren - *Special for Women* (1960), series, as The Accused - *The Islanders* (1960), series, as Arnie - *Outlaws* (1960), series, Actor - *The Tall Man* (1960), series, Actor - *Tate* (1960), series, Actor - *The Gazebo* (1959), as The Duke - *The Detectives* (1959), series, Actor - *The Untouchables* (1959), series, as Jerry Fanning, Larry Coombs - *Adventures in Paradise* (1959), series, as Sacheveral Sackett, Miller - *The Twilight Zone* (1959), series, as Dan Hotaling, Major Ivan Kuchenko — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-twilight-zone.md) - *Johnny Ringo* (1959), series, as Wes Tymon - *Bonanza* (1959), series, as Emeliano - *Johnny Staccato* (1959), series, Actor - *North by Northwest* (1959), as Leonard — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/north-by-northwest.md) - *Pork Chop Hill* (1959), as Lt. Marshall - *The Lawless Years* (1959), series, Actor - *Lawman* (1958), series, as Bob Ford - *The Rifleman* (1958), series, Actor - *Wanted: Dead or Alive* (1958), series, as Khorba - *Maverick* (1957), series, as Mike Manning - *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Thorp, Britton - *General Electric Theater* (1953), series, as Apache Indian - *Schlitz Playhouse of Stars* (1951), series, Actor ## Gallery - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-2ae1aab9f434.jpg) Martin Landau — TV studio, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9e/Martin_Landau-Mission-1968.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-63a23fa8e7a6.jpg) Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012) — Anna Hanks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Tim_Burton%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_1.jpg/1280px-Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Tim_Burton%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Allison Abbate at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-29d6b4b162b1.jpg) Tim Burton, Winona Ryder, Martin Landau, Charlie Tahan and Allison Abbate at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012) — Anna Hanks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6c/Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Tim_Burton%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_2.jpg/1280px-Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Tim_Burton%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-6ce937c110c1.jpg) Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Charlie Tahan at the "Frankenweenie" premiere at the Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas. (2012) — Anna Hanks, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_3.jpg/1280px-Frankenweenie_premiere_at_the_Fantastic_Fest%2C_Winona_Ryder%2C_Martin_Landau%2C_Charlie_Tahan_3.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-ef62e6dc3366.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-686f7a409c51.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-a3e2c50860cb.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB - ![January 26, 1983. A closeup, full view photo of actor Martin Landau who guest starred in an episode of the TV series "Matt Houston" that starred actor Lee Horsl (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-ea7877fb70f1.jpg) January 26, 1983. A closeup, full view photo of actor Martin Landau who guest starred in an episode of the TV series "Matt Houston" that starred actor Lee Horsl (2019) — Los Angeles County Arboretum, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/86/Landau-2823.jpg/1280px-Landau-2823.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![January 26, 1983. A closeup, full view photo of actor Martin Landau who guest starred in an episode of the TV series "Matt Houston" that starred actor Lee Horsl (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-bc2f83a848dc.jpg) January 26, 1983. A closeup, full view photo of actor Martin Landau who guest starred in an episode of the TV series "Matt Houston" that starred actor Lee Horsl (2019) — Los Angeles County Arboretum, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Landau-2823_%28Cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-288b82691ac0.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-e233ac3a0c8b.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB - ![Martin Landau](https://film.one/media/person/59219/gallery-035c50c98bc8.jpg) Martin Landau — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 1 won, 2 nominated - 1995: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Ed Wood* - 1990: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Crimes and Misdemeanors* - 1989: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* ### Other awards — 1 won - Mary Pickford Award 2006: Mary Pickford 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/martin-landau