--- name: "Michael Bowen" canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-bowen" fi1m_id: "michael-bowen" imdb_id: "nm0100889" tmdb_id: 2234 wikidata_id: "Q604762" roles: ["Actor"] born: "21 June 1958" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-09-19T17:02:36.181217+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." --- # Michael Bowen ## Identity Michael Bowen - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/michael-bowen - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** michael-bowen - **IMDb ID:** nm0100889 - **TMDB ID:** 2234 - **Wikidata ID:** Q604762 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bowen_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q604762, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0100889/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2234 Actor. Born 21 June 1958 in Houston, Texas, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 21 June 1958, Houston, Texas, USA - **Active:** 1990–2012 - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 79 (4), 2000s 74 (2), 2010s 78 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 77 to 74 across 7 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Crime 5, Drama 5, Thriller 4, Action 2, Comedy 1, Mystery 1 - **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,040m across 7 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Bowen_(actor), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q604762, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0100889/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2234 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Kill Bill: Vol. 2*](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-2.md) (77), [*Kill Bill: Vol. 1*](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-1.md) (72) - **HBO Max:** [*Magnolia*](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md) (84) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Michael Bowen > Michael Bowen makes threatening men seem untroubled by their own behaviour. We rate him as a supporting actor, particularly in an ensemble, but the repeated casting as heavies can leave too little for him to do. Michael Bowen's Buck treats the hospital as a place to conduct his own business in *Kill Bill: Vol. 1* (2003). The orderly sells the comatose Bride to men, and Tarantino gives him a novelty truck and treats the abuse with a grin. We were horrified by what was being done to her, and wanted the film to share our disgust. Bowen is well cast for this casual cruelty, but the writing leaves him little to play beyond it. Tommy, the smug antagonist of *Valley Girl* (1983), established the sort of part that would keep coming his way. From the mid-1990s, the supporting roles grew more substantial, with *Jackie Brown* (1997) beginning his collaboration with Quentin Tarantino. He also played Rick Spector in Paul Thomas Anderson's *Magnolia* (1999), another large ensemble in which he could contribute without having to carry the story. These films suit him, though the repeated casting as heavies has given him fewer opportunities to surprise us. *Jackie Brown* gives us the better use of him. His Mark Dargus joins Michael Keaton's Ray Nicolette in pressing Pam Grier's flight attendant to help them reach Ordell Robbie, played by Samuel L. Jackson. Bowen fits among these men who expect their authority to do the work, while Grier's Jackie has decisions of her own to make. Tarantino lets the encounter serve her predicament rather than turning Dargus into a display of nastiness. We prefer this patience, despite the film's length, to the hospital chapter's eagerness to get a reaction. Television gave him a more sustained opportunity to be threatening. His recurring role as Uncle Jack in *Breaking Bad* ran from 2012 to 2013, and his cold-bloodedness there is chilling. The affable streak he can bring to dangerous men helps explain why this casting keeps working, even when the choice of actor is unsurprising. Start with *Jackie Brown* for the ensemble work; choose *Breaking Bad* if it is the villain you want to watch. ## Biography Michael Bowen is an American actor. He is known for his roles as Buck in *Kill Bill: Vol. 1* (2003) and *Kill Bill: Vol. 2* (2004), and as Mark Dargus in *Jackie Brown* (1997). He has appeared in numerous films including *Magnolia* (1999), *Django Unchained* (2012) and *The Godfather Part III* (1990). On television, Bowen has had recurring roles as Danny Pickett in *Lost* and as Uncle Jack in *Breaking Bad*. Bowen is the son of actress Sonia Sorel and Beat painter Michael Bowen. He is the half-brother of actors Robert Carradine and Keith Carradine, and half-uncle of actresses Martha Plimpton and Ever Carradine. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, tarantino.info.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Django Unchained* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Tracker — [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md) - *Kill Bill: Vol. 2* (2004), Fi1m 77, as Buck — [page](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-2.md) - *Kill Bill: Vol. 1* (2003), Fi1m 72, as Buck — [page](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-1.md) - *Magnolia* (1999), Fi1m 84, as Rick Spector — [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md) - *Jackie Brown* (1997), Fi1m 83, as Mark Dargus — [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) - *The Player* (1992), Fi1m 85, as Michael Bowen — [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md) - *The Godfather Part III* (1990), Fi1m 63, as Mask #2 — [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-iii.md) ## Complete filmography (117) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Law & Order: Organized Crime* (2021), series, as Guard - *A Soldier's Revenge* (2021), as Feldman - *Beef House* (2020), series, as Brad - *9-1-1* (2018), series, as Cecil - *House by the Lake* (2017), as Harry - *Gotham* (2014), series, as Matches Malone - *All Cheerleaders Die* (2013), as Larry - *Ironside* (2013), series, as John Covich - *Duke* (2013), as Sgt. Roman - *Deep Dark Canyon* (2013), as Randy Cavanaugh - *Django Unchained* (2012), as Tracker — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md) - *Triple Fisher: The Lethal Lolitas of Long Island* (2012), as Paul Makely (archive footage from "Casualties of Love") - *Revolution* (2012), series, as Ray Kinsey - *Slumber Party Slaughter* (2012), as Mod Man - *Soda Springs* (2012), as Larry - *Brawler* (2011), as Rex Baker - *Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair* (2011), as Buck - *Apart* (2011), as Teddy Berg - *The Perfect Student* (2011), as Detective Walker - *Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever* (2009), as Principal Sinclair - *Dark Blue* (2009), series, as Dan Kemp - *The Last House on the Left* (2009), as Morton - *Castle* (2009), series, as Joseph Ortiz — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/castle.md) - *The Hessen Affair* (2009), as Ben Cassidy - *Deadgirl* (2008), as Clint - *Autopsy* (2008), as Travis - *Dear Me* (2008), as Andre Marceau - *The Box Collector* (2008), as Burt - *Breaking Bad* (2008), series, as Uncle Jack — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/breaking-bad.md) - *Permanent Vacation* (2007), as Hollerenshaw - *The Death and Life of Bobby Z* (2007), as Duke - *Drive* (2007), series, as Officer Poole - *The Work and the Glory III: A House Divided* (2006), as Robert Johnson - *The Lost* (2006), as Detective Charlie Schilling - *The Work and the Glory II: American Zion* (2005), as Robert Johnson - *Chandler Hall* (2005), as Richard - *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Tommy Anderson — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md) - *Bones* (2005), series, as Ray Sparks — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) - *The Inside* (2005), series, as Bill Strong - *Self Medicated* (2005), as Dan Jones - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Roy Davis — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *Lethal Eviction* (2005), as Lewis - *After the Sunset* (2004), as FBI Driver - *Lost* (2004), series, as Danny Pickett — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md) - *Kill Bill: Vol. 2* (2004), as Buck — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-2.md) - *Walking Tall* (2004), as Sheriff Stan Watkins - *Kill Bill: Vol. 1* (2003), as Buck — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/kill-bill-vol-1.md) - *The Pennsylvania Miners' Story* (2002), as Robert 'Boogie' Pugh - *The Guardian* (2001), series, as Bobby Hinkins - *Hostage Negotiator* (2001), as Frank Foley - *The Division* (2001), series, as Ray - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Marty Cooperman, Jason Richter - *How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale* (2000), as Franklyn - *The Huntress* (2000), as Henry Fowler - *Magnolia* (1999), as Rick Spector — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md) - *Me and Will* (1999), as George - *The Monster Hunter* (1999), as Willie Dickenson - *Gideon* (1998), as Billy Ray Turner - *Brimstone* (1998), series, as Lee Varner - *Letters from a Killer* (1998), as Parker - *Jackie Brown* (1997), as Mark Dargus — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) - *Don King: Only in America* (1997), as Boxing Spectator - *Brooklyn South* (1997), series, as Paul Taglia - *Excess Baggage* (1997), as Gus - *Cupid* (1997), as Mike Logan - *Pacific Blue* (1996), series, as Simpson - *True Crime* (1995), as Earl Parkins - *Trial by Fire* (1995), as Roger Gill - *JAG* (1995), series, as Denny - *New Eden* (1994), as Kyne - *Love and a .45* (1994), as Ranger X - *ER* (1994), series, as Boy's Father — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md) - *Beverly Hills Cop III* (1994), as Fletch - *Christy* (1994), series, as Jarvis Tatum - *Mysteries of the Ancient World* (1994), as Nostradamus - *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Dwight Cooper — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md) - *The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.* (1993), series, as Bishop Brackman - *Visions of Murder* (1993), as Policeman #2 - *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Roy Dolan, J.C. Beal - *Murder So Sweet* (1993), as Detective Culbertson - *Kung Fu: The Legend Continues* (1993), series, as Macklin - *Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story* (1993), as Paul Makely - *Adventures in Spying* (1992), as Slater - *Bonnie & Clyde: The True Story* (1992), as Buck Barrow - *The Waterdance* (1992), as Biker #1 - *The Player* (1992), as Michael Bowen — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-player.md) - *Perfect Crimes* (1991), as Jack O'Neill - *The Taking of Beverly Hills* (1991), as L.A. Cop at Roadblock - *Shoot First: A Cop's Vengeance* (1991), Actor - *The Godfather Part III* (1990), as Mask #2 — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/the-godfather-part-iii.md) - *Kid* (1990), as Harlan Clanton - *Bar Girls* (1990), as Troy Cavendish - *Mortal Passions* (1989), as Berke - *Season of Fear* (1989), as Mick Drummond - *The Ryan White Story* (1989), as Harley - *China Beach* (1988), series, Actor - *Less Than Zero* (1987), as Hop - *Jake and the Fatman* (1987), series, Actor - *Amazing Grace and Chuck* (1987), as Hot Dog - *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Charlie Sharp - *The Abduction of Kari Swenson* (1987), as Dan Nichols - *On Fire* (1987), as Joe Leary, Jr. - *The Check is in the Mail...* (1986), as Gary Jackson - *Matlock* (1986), series, as Jay Reynolds - *Iron Eagle* (1986), as Knotcher - *Echo Park* (1985), as August - *Private Resort* (1985), as Scott - *Night of the Comet* (1984), as Larry - *The Wild Life* (1984), as Vince - *Highway to Heaven* (1984), series, Actor - *Valley Girl* (1983), as Tommy - *The A-Team* (1983), series, as Rusty Blackburn - *Knight Rider* (1982), series, as Bobby Shell - *Forbidden World* (1982), as Jimmy Swift - *Falcon Crest* (1981), series, as Bill Reed - *Knots Landing* (1979), series, as Roy Thompson - *CHiPs* (1977), series, as Dennis ## Gallery - ![Michael Bowen](https://film.one/media/person/9094/gallery-1277c3ba10fb.jpg) Michael Bowen — Image via TMDB - ![Michael Bowen](https://film.one/media/person/9094/gallery-cbed0a8dda3d.jpg) Michael Bowen — Image via TMDB - ![Michael Bowen](https://film.one/media/person/9094/gallery-de8ba4ad2e94.jpg) Michael Bowen — Image via TMDB - ![Michael Bowen](https://film.one/media/person/9094/gallery-eb12199bb980.jpg) Michael Bowen — 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/michael-bowen