---
name: "Maury Chaykin"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/maury-chaykin"
fi1m_id: "maury-chaykin"
imdb_id: "nm0001999"
tmdb_id: 7868
wikidata_id: "Q951634"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "27 July 1949"
died: "27 July 2010"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 70
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-07T13:58:39.220267+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."
---

# Maury Chaykin

## Identity

Maury Chaykin

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/maury-chaykin
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** maury-chaykin
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001999
- **TMDB ID:** 7868
- **Wikidata ID:** Q951634
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maury_Chaykin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q951634, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001999/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7868

Actor. Born 27 July 1949 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Died 27 July 2010.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 27 July 1949, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- **Died:** 27 July 2010
- **Active:** 1983–2004
- **Also known as:** Мори Чайкин
- **Average Fi1m score:** 70, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 73 (2), 1990s 67 (5), 2000s 74 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 66 across 8 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Comedy 3, Mystery 2, Romance 2, Thriller 2, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 14 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,244m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maury_Chaykin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q951634, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001999/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7868

## Streaming the US now

- **AMC+:** [*Dances with Wolves*](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md) (80)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Entrapment*](https://film.one/film/entrapment.md) (49)

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

## Fi1m on Maury Chaykin

> Maury Chaykin made eccentric supporting characters difficult to dismiss. We like the unease he brings to a scene, though his repeated casting as outsiders can obscure how convincingly he could take the lead.

In *Dances with Wolves* (1990), Maury Chaykin's Major Fambrough is an unhinged cavalry officer in Kevin Costner's patient Western. We were unsettled by him because the instability belongs to a man with authority. It is a small part, but Chaykin gives it enough force to trouble the film's warmth. The film earns its length by attending to its characters; he makes that attention briefly uncomfortable.

Fambrough brought him international attention after years in Canadian films and television, and Hollywood supporting work became a substantial part of his career. The recurring assignments were eccentrics and outsiders. *Whale Music* (1994) gave him the lead as Desmond Howl, a reclusive former rock star, and the chance to sustain a character across a whole film. His strength in that leading role should make us wary of assuming the smaller parts were all he could do.

We would put *The Sweet Hereafter* (1997), in which he plays Wendell Walker, beside it. Atom Egoyan's drama gives its bereaved town time and silence, with Ian Holm and Sarah Polley carrying much of the weight. Its patience is worth the occasional frustration of fragmented storytelling that makes us notice the arrangement too much. Chaykin is part of the ensemble here, and we recommend it for the chance to watch him within that company. It was one of five projects with Egoyan, a collaboration that also included *The Adjuster* (1991) and *Exotica* (1994).

Television offered another way to see him in *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001–2002), with Chaykin playing the title character. A central, more heroic figure was unusual work for him, and a useful alternative to the succession of difficult men. We would start with *Dances with Wolves*, but not mistake the most immediately memorable kind of part for the limit of his abilities. Give *Whale Music* an evening as well.

## Biography

Maury Chaykin was an American-Canadian actor. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on 27 July 1949, he studied at the University at Buffalo and moved to Toronto in 1974. He appeared in more than 150 film and television roles in Canada and the United States over a career spanning 1968 to 2010.

He is known for his performances as Major Fambrough in *Dances with Wolves* (1990) and Wendell Walker in *The Sweet Hereafter* (1997). Other notable film roles include those in *WarGames* (1983), *Twins* (1988), *My Cousin Vinny* (1992), *The Mask of Zorro* (1998) and *Entrapment* (1999). On television he starred as Nero Wolfe in *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001–2002) and appeared in series including *Stargate SG-1* and *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation*.

Chaykin won a Genie Award for best actor for *Whale Music* (1994) and received two Gemini Awards. He died in Toronto on 27 July 2010.

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

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Entourage* (2004), Fi1m 63, as Harvey Weingard — [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Sex Traffic* (2004), Fi1m 84, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-traffic.md)
- *Entrapment* (1999), Fi1m 49, as Conrad Greene — [page](https://film.one/film/entrapment.md)
- *The Sweet Hereafter* (1997), Fi1m 88, as Wendell Walker — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sweet-hereafter.md)
- *Beethoven's 2nd* (1993), Fi1m 57, as Cliff Klamath — [page](https://film.one/film/beethovens-2nd.md)
- *Sommersby* (1993), Fi1m 63, as Lawyer Dawson — [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Dances with Wolves* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Major Fambrough — [page](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md)
- *Twins* (1988), Fi1m 64, as Burt Klane — [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md)
- *WarGames* (1983), Fi1m 82, as Jim Sting — [page](https://film.one/film/wargames.md)

## Complete filmography (139)

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

- *Conduct Unbecoming* (2011), as Col. Fox
- *The Drunk and On Drugs Happy Fun Time Hour* (2011), series, Actor
- *Barney's Version* (2010), as Wedding Guest
- *Casino Jack* (2010), as Big Tony
- *Cooking With Stella* (2010), as H.E. Mr. Durand
- *Abroad* (2010), as Lord Oldenberg
- *Adoration* (2009), as Passenger & Professor On-Line
- *Hooked on Speedman* (2008), as Dietrich Baum
- *Bull* (2008), as Roland Gow
- *Less Than Kind* (2008), series, as Sam Blecher
- *Static* (2008), as Mr. Linkletter
- *Elijah* (2008), as Howard Pawley
- *Blindness* (2008), as Accountant
- *The Grift* (2008), as Rusty
- *To Each His Own Cinema* (2007), as (segment "Artaud Double Bill") (archive footage)
- *Heavens Fall* (2006), as Lyle Harris
- *Eureka* (2006), series, as Sheriff / Major William Cobb
- *It's a Boy Girl Thing* (2006), as Stan Deane
- *The Hunt for the BTK Killer* (2005), as Robert Beattie
- *Where the Truth Lies* (2005), as Sally Sanmarco
- *Sex Traffic* (2004), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/sex-traffic.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Ryan Myerson — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *Wilby Wonderful* (2004), as Mayor Brent Fisher
- *Being Julia* (2004), as Walter Gibbs
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Harvey Weingard — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Sugar* (2004), as Stanley
- *White Coats* (2004), as Dr. Roger 'Tony' Toussant
- *Tracey Ullman in the Trailer Tales* (2003), as Dan Weisman
- *Owning Mahowny* (2003), as Frank Perlin
- *Hemingway vs. Callaghan* (2003), as Max Perkins
- *Hostage* (2002), as The Kidnapper
- *The Wet Season* (2002), as Uncle Rick
- *Plan B* (2002), as Donald Rossi
- *Crossed Over* (2002), as Ethan Lowry
- *On Their Knees* (2001), as Norman
- *Bleacher Bums* (2001), as Scorekeeper
- *Varian's War* (2001), as Marcello
- *The Hire* (2001), series, as The Kidnapper
- *A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2001), series, as Nero Wolfe
- *Bartleby* (2001), as Ernest
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Joseph Greene / Joe Landers
- *Andromeda* (2000), series, as Citizen Eight
- *The Art of War* (2000), as Frank Capella
- *The Golden Spiders: A Nero Wolfe Mystery* (2000), as Nero Wolfe
- *What's Cooking?* (2000), as Herb 'Herbie' Seelig
- *Jacob Two Two Meets the Hooded Fang* (1999), as Mr. Cooper / Louie Loser
- *Mystery, Alaska* (1999), as Bailey Pruitt
- *Touched* (1999), as Burt
- *Joan of Arc* (1999), series, as Sir Robert de Baudricourt
- *Entrapment* (1999), as Conrad Greene — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/entrapment.md)
- *Let the Devil Wear Black* (1999), as Bruce
- *Jerry and Tom* (1998), as Billy
- *The Mask of Zorro* (1998), as Prison Warden
- *Northern Lights* (1998), as Ben Rubadue
- *Love and Death on Long Island* (1998), as Irving Buckmuller
- *Emily of New Moon* (1998), series, as Lofty John
- *MouseHunt* (1997), as Alexander Falko
- *A Life Less Ordinary* (1997), as Tod Johnson
- *The Sweet Hereafter* (1997), as Wendell Walker — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sweet-hereafter.md)
- *Pale Saints* (1997), as The Pirate
- *Stargate SG-1* (1997), series, as Nerus
- *Gone Fishin'* (1997), as Kirk, Waiter (uncredited)
- *Lexx* (1997), series, as Pa Gollean
- *Strip Search* (1997), as Tomas
- *La Femme Nikita* (1997), series, as Rudy
- *Keeping the Promise* (1997), as Hunter Ben Loomis
- *Psi Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal* (1996), series, Actor
- *Harriet the Spy* (1996), as Holiday Pageant Director (uncredited)
- *If Looks Could Kill* (1996), as Dr. Richard Boggs
- *Cutthroat Island* (1995), as John Reed
- *Sugartime* (1995), as Tony Accardo
- *Devil in a Blue Dress* (1995), as Matthew Terell
- *Unstrung Heroes* (1995), as Arthur Lidz
- *Camilla* (1994), as Harold Cara
- *Whale Music* (1994), as Desmond Howl
- *Exotica* (1994), as Exotica Club Client (uncredited)
- *Due South* (1994), series, as Pike, Jasper Gutman
- *Beethoven's 2nd* (1993), as Cliff Klamath — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/film/beethovens-2nd.md)
- *Josh & S.A.M.* (1993), as Pizza Man
- *Money for Nothing* (1993), as Vincente Goldoni
- *Sommersby* (1993), as Lawyer Dawson — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/sommersby.md)
- *Hero* (1992), as Winston
- *Buried on Sunday* (1992), as Dexter Lexcannon
- *Leaving Normal* (1992), as Leon
- *My Cousin Vinny* (1992), as Sam Tipton
- *Split Images* (1992), as Walter Kouza
- *The Adjuster* (1991), as Bubba
- *Montreal Stories* (1991), as Jurgen van Doom
- *In Passing* (1991), Actor
- *The Pianist* (1991), Actor
- *Dances with Wolves* (1990), as Major Fambrough — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/dances-with-wolves.md)
- *Mr. Destiny* (1990), as Guzelman
- *Where the Heart Is* (1990), as Harry
- *Breaking In* (1989), as Vincent Tucci
- *Cold Comfort* (1989), as Floyd Lucas
- *Millennium* (1989), as Roger Keane
- *George's Island* (1989), as Mr. Droonfield
- *Twins* (1988), as Burt Klane — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/twins.md)
- *Iron Eagle II* (1988), as Sgt. Downs
- *Hot Paint* (1988), as Wilensky
- *Stars & Bars* (1988), as Freeborn Gage
- *Caribe* (1987), as Captain Burdoch
- *Hearts of Fire* (1987), as Charlie Kelso
- *Nowhere to Hide* (1987), as Marchais
- *Wild Thing* (1987), as Jonathan Trask
- *Race for the Bomb* (1987), series, as Général Leslie Groves
- *The Bedroom Window* (1987), as Pool Player
- *Meatballs III: Summer Job* (1986), as Huey, River Rat Leader
- *Act of Vengeance* (1986), as Claude Vealey
- *The Vindicator* (1986), as Burt Arthus
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, Actor
- *Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks* (1985), as Harold Chamberlain Banks
- *In Like Flynn* (1985), as Williams
- *DEFCON-4* (1985), as Vinny
- *Turk 182!* (1985), as Man in wheelchair
- *Night Heat* (1985), series, Actor
- *The Suicide Murders* (1985), as Sid
- *Mrs. Soffel* (1984), as Guard Charlie Reynolds
- *Hockey Night* (1984), as Bum Johnston
- *The Guardian* (1984), as Rudy Simbro
- *Overdrawn at the Memory Bank* (1984), as Gondol
- *Highpoint* (1984), as Falco
- *Harry & Son* (1984), as Lawrence
- *Of Unknown Origin* (1983), as Dan Errol
- *WarGames* (1983), as Jim Sting — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/wargames.md)
- *Curtains* (1983), as Monty
- *Soup for One* (1982), as Dr. Wexler
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Gondol
- *Seeing Things* (1981), series, Actor
- *Death Hunt* (1981), as Clarence
- *The Kidnapping of the President* (1980), as Harvey Cannon
- *Double Negative* (1980), as Rollins
- *Nothing Personal* (1980), as Kanook
- *Jimmy B. & Andre* (1980), as Bruno
- *Riel* (1979), as Howard
- *Teleplay* (1976), series, Actor
- *King of Kensington* (1975), series, Actor
- *Sidestreet* (1975), series, Actor
- *Me* (1975), Actor

## Gallery

- ![Maury Chaykin](https://film.one/media/person/77432/gallery-c242c65a5106.jpg) Maury Chaykin — http://www.wikia.com/Licensing, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/64/Maury_Chaykin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Maury Chaykin](https://film.one/media/person/77432/gallery-4bcf90bad2c1.jpg) Maury Chaykin — 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/maury-chaykin