---
name: "Philip Baker Hall"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/philip-baker-hall"
fi1m_id: "philip-baker-hall"
imdb_id: "nm0001311"
tmdb_id: 4492
wikidata_id: "Q447669"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "10 September 1931"
died: "12 June 2022"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 17
updated: "2026-10-05T05:14:31.986505+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."
---

# Philip Baker Hall

## Identity

Philip Baker Hall

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/philip-baker-hall
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** philip-baker-hall
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001311
- **TMDB ID:** 4492
- **Wikidata ID:** Q447669
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Baker_Hall, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447669, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001311/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4492

Actor. Born 10 September 1931 in Toledo, Ohio, USA. Died 12 June 2022.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 10 September 1931, Toledo, Ohio, USA
- **Died:** 12 June 2022
- **Active:** 1972–2009
- **Also known as:** Phillip Hall, Phil Hall, Phillip Baker Hall
- **Frequently works with:** [Arthur M. Sarkissian](https://film.one/person/arthur-m-sarkissian.md), [Brett Ratner](https://film.one/person/brett-ratner.md), [Chris Tucker](https://film.one/person/chris-tucker.md), [Jackie Chan](https://film.one/person/jackie-chan.md), [Jonathan Glickman](https://film.one/person/jonathan-glickman.md), [Philip Seymour Hoffman](https://film.one/person/philip-seymour-hoffman.md), [Roger Birnbaum](https://film.one/person/roger-birnbaum.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 17 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 85 (1), 1980s 80 (4), 1990s 81 (7), 2000s 64 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 70 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 10 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 10, Drama 9, Thriller 7, Crime 6, Action 3, Fantasy 2
- **Screen time:** 33 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,245m across 15 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_Baker_Hall, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447669, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001311/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4492

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*Zodiac*](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md) (91)
- **HBO Max:** [*Magnolia*](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md) (84)
- **Hulu:** [*The Talented Mr. Ripley*](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md) (80)
- **MUBI:** [*Dogville*](https://film.one/film/dogville.md) (74)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Rush Hour*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md) (70)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Contender*](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md) (64)
- **Tubi:** [*Rush Hour 3*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md) (38)

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

## Fi1m on Philip Baker Hall

> Philip Baker Hall made authority sound tired, impatient and worth listening to. We value the seriousness he brought to an ensemble, though casting him as another man behind a desk could waste what made him interesting.

Philip Baker Hall's gravelly voice sounded suited to giving orders, while his weary face suggested that somebody else ought to take a turn. Judges, executives and police captains were familiar assignments; he could make their authority feel credible and burdensome. We rate him most highly when a film allows that tiredness to complicate the job rather than merely identify the man doing it. The risk was that he could supply so much so quickly that a part asked him for nothing more.

The one-man *Secret Honour* (1984) gave that intensity a full film to occupy. Wider recognition came through Paul Thomas Anderson, who cast him as Sydney in his debut feature, *Hard Eight* (1996), then Floyd Gondolli in *Boogie Nights* (1997) and Jimmy Gator in *Magnolia* (1999). That sequence matters because it places a leading role beside substantial ensemble work. Anderson is the director to start with when considering what Hall could do beyond an efficient supporting appearance.

We were moved by *Magnolia*, because its actors made us care about people whose distress could otherwise have become exhausting. As Jimmy Gator, Hall brings seriousness and nuance to a film with plenty of competing demands on our attention. His familiar weary authority helps him register within that crowded company without making his contribution feel like a separate attraction. But Anderson's 189 minutes can leave too little room to breathe, and even acting this good cannot settle every objection to the length. We recommend it with that warning.

The limitation is the casting habit: another judge or executive, another part that needs instant seniority. Hall himself wanted more variety and complained that playing judges gave him no chance to walk around. We agree with the objection; there is only so much an actor can do when the job is to sit there and be believed. Anderson at least gave him a lead as well as places in an ensemble. Give *Magnolia* an evening when you can give its unhappy people your full attention.

## Biography

Philip Baker Hall (1931–2022) was an American character actor. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he began acting in his thirties after earlier work as a teacher and in the US Army. He appeared in numerous films and television series over five decades.

Hall is known for his collaborations with director Paul Thomas Anderson, playing Sydney in *Hard Eight* (1996), Floyd Gondolli in *Boogie Nights* (1997) and Jimmy Gator in *Magnolia* (1999). Other notable film roles include Don Hewitt in *The Insider* (1999), Alvin MacCarron in *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999), and Richard Nixon in *Secret Honor* (1984). He received Independent Spirit Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his performances.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

- *Rush Hour 3* (2007), Fi1m 38, as Capt. William Diel — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md)
- *Zodiac* (2007), Fi1m 91, as Sherwood Morrill — [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *Bruce Almighty* (2003), Fi1m 55, as Jack Baylor — [page](https://film.one/film/bruce-almighty.md)
- *Dogville* (2003), Fi1m 74, as Tom Edison Sr. — [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *The Contender* (2000), Fi1m 64, as Oscar Billings — [page](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md)
- *Magnolia* (1999), Fi1m 84, as Jimmy Gator — [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md)
- *The Insider* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Don Hewitt — [page](https://film.one/film/the-insider.md)
- *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999), Fi1m 80, as Alvin MacCarron — [page](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md)
- *Rush Hour* (1998), Fi1m 70, as Captain Diel — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *The Truman Show* (1998), Fi1m 88, as Network Executive — [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)
- *Air Force One* (1997), Fi1m 72, as Attorney General Ward — [page](https://film.one/film/air-force-one.md)
- *Boogie Nights* (1997), Fi1m 86, as Floyd Gondolli — [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Ghostbusters II* (1989), Fi1m 60, as Police Commissioner — [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii.md)
- *Say Anything...* (1989), Fi1m 81, as IRS Boss — [page](https://film.one/film/say-anything.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), Fi1m 90, as Lt. Joe Bookman — [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Midnight Run* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Sidney, Chicago mobster — [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), Fi1m 85, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)

## Complete filmography (155)

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

- *Messiah* (2020), series, as Zelman Katz
- *Dear Chickens* (2018), as Emil
- *Corporate* (2018), series, as Arthur
- *Room 104* (2017), series, as Charlie
- *Person to Person* (2017), as Jimmy
- *The Last Word* (2017), as Edward
- *Second Chance* (2016), series, as Jimmy Pritchard (75 years old)
- *Playing It Cool* (2014), as Granddad
- *Madam Secretary* (2014), series, as Ezra Helsinger
- *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Hank Hippopopalous (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md)
- *Bad Words* (2013), as Dr. Bowman
- *Clear History* (2013), as McKenzie
- *Argo* (2012), as CIA Director Stansfield Turner (uncredited) — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/argo.md)
- *Ruth & Erica* (2012), series, as Harry
- *People Like Us* (2012), as Ike Rafferty
- *The Newsroom* (2012), series, as Bryce Delancy
- *Dog Eat Dog* (2012), as Old Man
- *Bending The Rules* (2012), as Herb Gold
- *50/50* (2011), as Alan
- *Mr. Popper's Penguins* (2011), as Franklin
- *The Chicago 8* (2011), as Judge Julius Hoffman
- *All Good Things* (2010), as Malvern Bump
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Walt Kleezak — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Fired Up!* (2009), as Coach Byrnes
- *The Lodger* (2009), as Captain Smith
- *Wonderful World* (2009), as The Man
- *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Dr. Joseph Mengele
- *True Jackson, VP* (2008), series, as Mr. Jenkins
- *Rush Hour 3* (2007), as Capt. William Diel — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour-3.md)
- *The TV Set* (2007), as Vernon Maxwell
- *Zodiac* (2007), as Sherwood Morrill — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *You Kill Me* (2007), as Roman Krzeminski
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Irving Parker
- *The Loop* (2006), series, as Russ McDonald
- *Big Love* (2006), series, as Ned Johanssen — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/big-love.md)
- *The Shaggy Dog* (2006), as Lance Strictland
- *Islander* (2006), as Popper
- *Mrs. Harris* (2005), as Arthur Schulte
- *The Zodiac* (2005), as Frank Perkins
- *The Matador* (2005), as Mr. Randy
- *The Amityville Horror* (2005), as Father Callaway
- *Duck* (2005), as Arthur Pratt
- *A Buck's Worth* (2005), Actor
- *In Good Company* (2004), as Eugene Kalb
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Ernie Dell — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *A House on a Hill* (2003), as Harry Mayfield
- *Die, Mommie, Die!* (2003), as Sol Sussman
- *Path to War* (2003), as Everett Dirksen
- *Bruce Almighty* (2003), as Jack Baylor — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/bruce-almighty.md)
- *Dogville* (2003), as Tom Edison Sr. — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/dogville.md)
- *Without a Trace* (2002), series, as Noah Ridder
- *Everwood* (2002), series, as Dr. Donald Douglas
- *A Gentleman's Game* (2002), as Charlie Logan
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Salvatore Lucarelli
- *The Sum of All Fears* (2002), as Defense Secretary Becker
- *Pasadena* (2001), series, as George Reese Greeley
- *Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis* (2000), series, as Aristotle Onassis
- *Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis* (2000), as Aristotle Onassis
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Dr. Morrison — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *The Contender* (2000), as Oscar Billings — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-contender.md)
- *Lost Souls* (2000), as Father James
- *Baby Blues* (2000), series, Actor
- *Rules of Engagement* (2000), as Gen. H. Lawrence Hodges
- *The Talented Mr. Ripley* (1999), as Alvin MacCarron — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-talented-mr-ripley.md)
- *Magnolia* (1999), as Jimmy Gator — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/magnolia.md)
- *Cradle Will Rock* (1999), as Gray Mathers
- *The Insider* (1999), as Don Hewitt — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/the-insider.md)
- *The West Wing* (1999), series, as Senator Matt Hunt — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-west-wing.md)
- *Let the Devil Wear Black* (1999), as Sol Hirsch
- *Implicated* (1999), as Mr. Sawyer
- *Psycho* (1998), as Sheriff Chambers
- *Enemy of the State* (1998), as Mark Silverberg (uncredited) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/enemy-of-the-state.md)
- *L.A. Doctors* (1998), series, as Vincent Cattano
- *Rush Hour* (1998), as Captain Diel — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *Judas Kiss* (1998), as Pobby Malavero
- *The Truman Show* (1998), as Network Executive — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/the-truman-show.md)
- *Witness to the Mob* (1998), as Toddo Aurello
- *Sour Grapes* (1998), as Mr. Bell
- *Tempting Fate* (1998), as Dr. Bardwell
- *Boogie Nights* (1997), as Floyd Gondolli — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/boogie-nights.md)
- *Michael Hayes* (1997), series, as William Vaughn
- *Air Force One* (1997), as Attorney General Ward — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/air-force-one.md)
- *Buddy* (1997), as Minister
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Judge Joseph Vinocour
- *Hard Eight* (1997), as Sydney
- *Millennium* (1996), series, as Group Elder
- *Life's Work* (1996), series, Actor
- *Hit Me* (1996), as Lenny Ish
- *The Rock* (1996), as Chief Justice (uncredited) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/the-rock.md)
- *The Little Death* (1996), as Detective Snyder
- *Eye for an Eye* (1996), as Sidney Hughes
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as President Dewey
- *Kiss of Death* (1995), as Big Junior Brown
- *Without Warning* (1994), as Dr. Kurt Lowden
- *Madman of the People* (1994), series, as Kent
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Mr. Wellington
- *Hardball* (1994), series, as Beanball McGee
- *Roswell* (1994), as Roswell General
- *The Good Life* (1994), series, as Mr. Humphreys
- *M.A.N.T.I.S.* (1994), as 'Smitty'
- *The John Larroquette Show* (1993), series, as Mr. Frank
- *Cigarettes & Coffee* (1993), as Sydney
- *Bob* (1992), series, Actor
- *Live Wire* (1992), as Senator Thyme
- *Stormy Weathers* (1992), as Dr. Comden
- *Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232* (1992), as Sam Gochenour
- *Civil Wars* (1991), series, as Justice Barrier, Judge Barrier
- *Blue Desert* (1991), as Joe
- *Incident at Dark River* (1989), as Dr. Leo Manus
- *An Innocent Man* (1989), as Judge Kenneth Lavet
- *A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story* (1989), as Judge Blumenfeld
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Lt. Joe Bookman — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Ghostbusters II* (1989), as Police Commissioner — Fi1m 60, [page](https://film.one/film/ghostbusters-ii.md)
- *How I Got Into College* (1989), as Dean Patterson
- *Say Anything...* (1989), as IRS Boss — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/say-anything.md)
- *Goddess of Love* (1988), as Detective Charles
- *Midnight Run* (1988), as Sidney, Chicago mobster — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *Three O'Clock High* (1987), as Detective Mulvahill
- *The Spirit* (1987), as Sevrin
- *Mariah* (1987), series, as James Malone
- *Who Is Julia?* (1986), as Dean May
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Tom Baker
- *Nothing in Common* (1986), as Colonial Airlines Executive (uncredited)
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Judge
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Len Costner
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Judge Delaporte — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Secret Honor* (1984), as Richard Milhous Nixon
- *Hardcastle and McCormick* (1983), series, Actor
- *Games Mother Never Taught You* (1982), as Lester Greene
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as City Councilman Kevin Fogerty — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Family Ties* (1982), series, as Dr. Harrison
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, as Lt. Sweeny — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *T. J. Hooker* (1982), series, as Judge Wallace
- *Falcon Crest* (1981), series, as Ed Meyers
- *Dream on!* (1981), Actor
- *This House Possessed* (1981), as Clerk
- *The Man with Bogart's Face* (1980), as Dr. Inman
- *The Night the Bridge Fell Down* (1980), as Warren Meech
- *The Last Reunion* (1980), as Mike Sills
- *Samurai* (1979), as Prof. Owens
- *Terror Out of the Sky* (1978), as Starrett
- *The Bastard* (1978), series, as Shopkeeper
- *Coma* (1978), as Doctor (uncredited)
- *Kill Me If You Can* (1977), as Phillips
- *The Hostage Heart* (1977), as Dr. Harvey Fees
- *The Fitzpatricks* (1977), series, as Bertram
- *Mayday at 40,000 Feet* (1977), as Reporter
- *Quincy, M.E.* (1976), series, as Dep. DA Marty Shell
- *The Last Survivors* (1975), Actor
- *Good Times* (1974), series, Actor
- *Throw Out the Anchor* (1974), as Ryan
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, Actor — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *Emergency!* (1972), series, as Dr. Scott
- *Zabriskie Point* (1970), as Diner Owner (uncredited)
- *Love-In '72* (1970), as Father Reis

## Gallery

- ![Philip Baker Hall](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-dcce0a27d2ce.jpg) Philip Baker Hall — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/04/Philip_Baker_Hall_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Philip_Baker_Hall_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo.](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-68db7f86437a.jpg) Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_Tribeca_portrait.jpg/1280px-Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_Tribeca_portrait.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo.](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-9fe0eb7dd975.jpg) Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_portrait_Tribeca.jpg/1280px-Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_portrait_Tribeca.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo.](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-9dce151fa431.jpg) Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_portrait.jpg/1280px-Philip_Baker_Hall_2009_portrait.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Philip Baker Hall](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-e70c24f11e5e.jpg) Philip Baker Hall — Image via TMDB
- ![Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo.](https://film.one/media/person/88309/gallery-23f330b4975e.jpg) Philip Baker Hall at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival premiere of Wonderful World. Photographers blog post about the event and this photo. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Philip_Baker_Hall_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Philip_Baker_Hall_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival_%28cropped%29.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/philip-baker-hall