---
name: "Michael Cudlitz"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-cudlitz"
fi1m_id: "michael-cudlitz"
imdb_id: "nm0191044"
tmdb_id: 52415
wikidata_id: "Q930937"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "29 December 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 65
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 8
updated: "2026-10-07T15:54:41.487846+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 Cudlitz

## Identity

Michael Cudlitz

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/michael-cudlitz
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** michael-cudlitz
- **IMDb ID:** nm0191044
- **TMDB ID:** 52415
- **Wikidata ID:** Q930937
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Cudlitz, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q930937, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191044/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52415

Actor and director. Born 29 December 1964 in Long Island, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 29 December 1964, Long Island, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1994–present
- **Also known as:** 迈克尔·库立兹, مایکل کودلیتز
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 8 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Damian Lewis](https://film.one/person/damian-lewis.md), [Guy Ferland](https://film.one/person/guy-ferland.md), [Ron Livingston](https://film.one/person/ron-livingston.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 65, as actor, over 8 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 64 (2), 2000s 69 (4), 2010s 68 (1), 2020s 59 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 78 across 4 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 4 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Crime 3, Action & Adventure 2, Thriller 2, Action 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 3 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $31m across 2 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Cudlitz, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q930937, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0191044/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/52415

## Streaming the US now

- **Netflix:** [*Southland*](https://film.one/tv/southland.md) (76), [*The Walking Dead*](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md) (68)
- **HBO Max:** [*Band of Brothers*](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md) (89)

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

## Fi1m on Michael Cudlitz

> Michael Cudlitz is a persuasive man to put in uniform, but his usefulness extends beyond looking authoritative. We rate him for the individuality he brings to an ensemble, especially in *Band of Brothers*, where he matters without needing the foreground.

In *Band of Brothers* (2001), Michael Cudlitz’s Bull Randleman remains recognisable when somebody else has the scene. That is a substantial skill in a drama with so many men to keep track of. Cudlitz gives us enough of a particular person that we need not wait for the dialogue to remind us who he is. His physical presence helps, but the performance does not depend on being the centre of attention. We notice him without feeling that he is interrupting.

The early supporting work includes Bob Destepello in *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), before Randleman became his breakthrough. *Southland* (2009–2013) moved him into a leading role as Officer John Cooper, with John Wells among its executive producers. Military and police characters recur across his work, helped by a physical presence and delivery that readily suggest authority. Cooper also gave him ethical difficulties to play, which matters: being convincing in uniform is only the beginning of an acting job. There needs to be something for the actor to do once we have accepted that he belongs in it.

Our strongest recommendation remains *Band of Brothers*, where Cudlitz works alongside Rick Gomez and Scott Grimes within the ensemble anchored by Damian Lewis. We were moved by these men because the performances give us individuals to care about even when they are not the focus of a scene. Cudlitz contributes to that without needing the series to stop and announce his importance. The action and music occasionally overstate things; the quieter achievement is keeping so many separate characters worth following. His contribution helps make ten episodes feel like time well spent.

The later casting continues the emphasis on authority: Sergeant Abraham Ford in *The Walking Dead*, from 2014 to 2018, then Lex Luthor in *Superman & Lois*, in 2023–2024. Those parts offer obvious uses for his formidable presence. We would be wary of any role that asks him merely to look tough and issue instructions. Start with Randleman, where being one of the men gives him plenty to do.

## Biography

Michael Cudlitz is an American actor and director. Born on 29 December 1964 on Long Island, New York, he was raised in New Jersey and graduated from the California Institute of the Arts with a BFA in 1990. Before establishing himself as an actor he worked in television and film production, including as a set carpenter and construction coordinator on *Beverly Hills, 90210*.

His breakthrough came with the role of Sergeant Denver "Bull" Randleman in the 2001 HBO miniseries *Band of Brothers*. He is also known for portraying John Cooper in the series *Southland* (2009–2013), for which he received the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2013, and Sergeant Abraham Ford in *The Walking Dead* (2014–2018). Other credits include appearances in *Lost*, *Prison Break* and *Superman & Lois*, where he played Lex Luthor. He has directed episodes of *The Walking Dead* and related series.

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

## On Fi1m (9)

### Performed in (8) — the average rests on these

- *Marshals* (2026), Fi1m 44, as Randall Clegg — [page](https://film.one/tv/marshals.md)
- *INVINCIBLE* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Josef / Red Rush (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md)
- *Southland* (2009), Fi1m 76, as Officer John Cooper — [page](https://film.one/tv/southland.md)
- *Stolen* (2009), Fi1m 40, as Jonas — [page](https://film.one/film/stolen.md)
- *Bones* (2005), Fi1m 70, as Lucky — [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Band of Brothers* (2001), Fi1m 89, as Denver (Bull) Randleman — [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md)
- *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), Fi1m 55, as Bob Destepello — [page](https://film.one/film/grosse-pointe-blank.md)
- *Party of Five* (1994), Fi1m 73, as Schuyler — [page](https://film.one/tv/party-of-five.md)

### Directed (1)

- *The Walking Dead* (2010), Fi1m 68, as Abraham Ford — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)

## Complete filmography (100)

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

- *She Dances* (2026), as Kat’s Dad
- *Marshals* (2026), series, as Randall Clegg — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/tv/marshals.md)
- *Unspoken* (2026), as Paul Widen
- *The Walking Dead: The Return* (2024), as Abraham Ford (archive footage)
- *Dark Blue* (2023), Actor
- *Beautiful Disaster* (2023), as Jim Maddox
- *On Earth, as it is in Heaven* (2023), Director
- *Manifest West* (2022), as Eric Lind
- *Bosch: Legacy* (2022), series, as Edge
- *Red Stone* (2021), as Jed Haywood
- *INVINCIBLE* (2021), series, as Josef / Red Rush (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/invincible-2021.md)
- *Superman & Lois* (2021), series, as Lex Luthor · Director
- *Clarice* (2021), series, as Paul Krendler
- *The Walking Dead: World Beyond* (2020), series, Director
- *Five Women in the End* (2020), as PJ Weller
- *Driven* (2019), as Morgan Hetrick
- *Return to Hardwick* (2019), as Narrator
- *The Kids Are Alright* (2018), series, as Mike Cleary
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as NASA Director
- *The Day Will Come When You Won't Be* (2016), as Abraham Ford
- *Ballers* (2015), series, as Dan Balsamo
- *The Grief Tourist* (2013), as Jim · Producer
- *Pawn Shop Chronicles* (2013), as Ben
- *Rogue River* (2012), as Sherrif Boyd
- *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Kohl Brother
- *Silent Witness* (2011), as Sam Robb
- *Inside Out* (2011), as Detective Calgrove
- *Satin* (2011), as Kip Tanner
- *The Walking Dead* (2010), series, as Abraham Ford · Director — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)
- *Tenure* (2010), as Tim
- *Stolen* (2009), as Jonas — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/stolen.md)
- *Surrogates* (2009), as Colonel Brendon
- *Southland* (2009), series, as Officer John Cooper — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/southland.md)
- *Sex Drive* (2008), as Rick
- *Eleventh Hour* (2008), series, as Ben Finney
- *The Cleaner* (2008), series, Actor
- *Life* (2007), series, as Mark Rawls
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Donald Gilmore
- *Standoff* (2006), series, as Frank Rogers
- *Running Scared* (2006), as Sal "Gummy Bear" Franzone
- *Over There* (2005), series, as Colonel Ryan
- *Criminal Minds* (2005), series, as Francis Goehring — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/tv/criminal-minds.md)
- *Close to Home* (2005), series, as Dan Johnson
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Lucky — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Prison Break* (2005), series, as Robert "Bob" Hudson — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/prison-break.md)
- *Wanted* (2005), series, as Dep. Reed
- *Dr. Vegas* (2004), series, Actor
- *Lost* (2004), series, as Mike Walton — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Vern Dox
- *Medical Investigation* (2004), series, as Lt. Troy Adams
- *Homeland Security* (2004), as Agent Tango 12
- *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Brian Carlton Venturi - the Kidnapper
- *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Brody — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md)
- *Live from Baghdad* (2002), as Tom Murphy
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Mark Casey, Freddy Katan
- *MDs* (2002), series, Actor
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as 'Mac' MacKern
- *Fastlane* (2002), series, as Det. Ray Cornwright
- *The Dead Zone* (2002), series, as Herb Smith
- *24* (2001), series, as Rick Phillips — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/24.md)
- *The Agency* (2001), series, Actor
- *Philly* (2001), series, Actor
- *Band of Brothers* (2001), series, as Denver (Bull) Randleman — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/tv/band-of-brothers.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Dennis, Crossroads Leader — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Josh Barston, William Spencer
- *American Virgin* (2000), as Bob
- *A Question of Faith* (2000), as James
- *Love & Money* (1999), series, Actor
- *Snoops* (1999), series, as Michel Keppler
- *Family Law* (1999), series, as Darren Carson
- *Forces of Nature* (1999), as Bartender
- *Lured Innocence* (1998), as Harry Kravitz
- *Thirst* (1998), as Andy
- *The Negotiator* (1998), as Palermo
- *Grosse Pointe Blank* (1997), as Bob Destepello — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/grosse-pointe-blank.md)
- *Buffy the Vampire Slayer* (1997), series, as Bob — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/buffy-the-vampire-slayer.md)
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Russell Hampton
- *Savage* (1997), as Spillane
- *D3: The Mighty Ducks* (1996), as Cole
- *Last Exit to Earth* (1996), as Hardester
- *Follow the Bitch* (1996), as Ty
- *Pacific Blue* (1996), series, as Brett Andrews
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Sergeant Tesla
- *Touched by an Angel* (1994), series, as Pvt. 'Chug' Landau
- *ER* (1994), series, as Injured Fireman — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/er.md)
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Octodad
- *Party of Five* (1994), series, as Schuyler — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-of-five.md)
- *The Liars' Club* (1994), as Jimbo
- *Against the Grain* (1993), series, as Bud Hardeman
- *Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story* (1993), as Tad Overton
- *A River Runs Through It* (1992), as Chub
- *Renegade* (1992), series, as Patch
- *Picket Fences* (1992), series, as White Teenager #1
- *Step by Step* (1991), series, as Ed
- *Home Improvement* (1991), series, as Kyle
- *Beverly Hills, 90210* (1990), series, as Tony Miller — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/beverly-hills-90210.md)
- *Hull High* (1990), series, Actor
- *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Dennis Richards
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Passerby
- *Growing Pains* (1985), series, as Chucksteak

## Gallery

- ![Michael Cudlitz](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-8a7f6c1f9fc1.jpg) Michael Cudlitz — John Manard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Michael_Cudlitz_GalaxyCon_Oklahoma_City_052026.jpg/1280px-Michael_Cudlitz_GalaxyCon_Oklahoma_City_052026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michael Cudlitz and Christian Serra (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-c8e43d422902.jpg) Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michael Cudlitz and Christian Serra (2016) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Andrew_Lincoln%2C_Norman_Reedus%2C_Danai_Gurira%2C_Chandler_Riggs%2C_Steven_Yeun%2C_Lauren_Cohan%2C_Ross_Marquand%2C_Sonequa_Martin-Green%2C_Michael_Cudlitz_%26_Christian_Serratos_%2828291657820%29.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michael Cudlitz and Christian Serra (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-178913e08ffd.jpg) Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand, Sonequa Martin-Green, Michael Cudlitz and Christian Serra (2016) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Andrew_Lincoln%2C_Norman_Reedus%2C_Danai_Gurira%2C_Chandler_Riggs%2C_Steven_Yeun%2C_Lauren_Cohan%2C_Ross_Marquand%2C_Sonequa_Martin-Green%2C_Michael_Cudlitz_%26_Christian_Serratos_%2828291657820%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christian Serratos, Michael Cudlitz and Josh McDermitt at San Diego Comic Con (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-efc0903278ef.jpg) Christian Serratos, Michael Cudlitz and Josh McDermitt at San Diego Comic Con (2016) — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Christian_Serratos_Josh_McDermitt_Michael_Cudlitz_2016.jpg/1280px-Christian_Serratos_Josh_McDermitt_Michael_Cudlitz_2016.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Cudlitz](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-026de6aec8a1.jpg) Michael Cudlitz — Image via TMDB
- ![Michael Cudlitz](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-2f987c7525fb.jpg) Michael Cudlitz — Image via TMDB
- ![Josh McDermitt and Michael Cudlitz at Florida SuperCon (2017)](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-b500b25e3d1f.jpg) Josh McDermitt and Michael Cudlitz at Florida SuperCon (2017) — Florida Supercon, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Dermitt_and_Cudlitz_July_2017.jpg/1280px-Dermitt_and_Cudlitz_July_2017.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand and Sonequa Martin-Green speaking at  (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/63394/gallery-3a7b57a1697a.jpg) Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Ross Marquand and Sonequa Martin-Green speaking at  (2016) — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Jeffrey_Dean_Morgan%2C_Andrew_Lincoln%2C_Norman_Reedus%2C_Danai_Gurira%2C_Chandler_Riggs%2C_Steven_Yeun%2C_Lauren_Cohan%2C_Ross_Marquand_%26_Sonequa_Martin-Green_%2828575996445%29.jpg/1280px-thumbnail.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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-cudlitz