---
name: "Pruitt Taylor Vince"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/pruitt-taylor-vince"
fi1m_id: "pruitt-taylor-vince"
imdb_id: "nm0898546"
tmdb_id: 3201
wikidata_id: "Q1198697"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 July 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 17
average_fi1m_score: 72
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-07T12:20:19.882684+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."
---

# Pruitt Taylor Vince

## Identity

Pruitt Taylor Vince

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/pruitt-taylor-vince
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** pruitt-taylor-vince
- **IMDb ID:** nm0898546
- **TMDB ID:** 3201
- **Wikidata ID:** Q1198697
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt_Taylor_Vince, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1198697, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898546/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3201

Actor. Born 5 July 1960 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 July 1960, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
- **Active:** 1988–present
- **Also known as:** پرویت تیلور وینس
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 17: 16 acting, 1 other
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 72, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 72 (1), 1990s 74 (7), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 65 (3), 2020s 62 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 72 to 63 across 15 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 11, Crime 8, Mystery 5, Thriller 5, Horror 3, Action 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,240m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pruitt_Taylor_Vince, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1198697, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0898546/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3201

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Mississippi Burning*](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md) (72), [*Lady in the Lake*](https://film.one/tv/lady-in-the-lake-2024.md) (57)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Jacob's Ladder*](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md) (80)
- **Disney+:** [*The Mentalist*](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md) (71)
- **HBO Max:** [*Constantine*](https://film.one/film/constantine.md) (62)
- **Netflix:** [*Bird Box*](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md) (53)

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

## Fi1m on Pruitt Taylor Vince

> Pruitt Taylor Vince can make an imposing man seem guileless without making him simple. We value the tenderness he brings to uneasy characters, though casting him chiefly for their nervousness can leave too much of his work unused.

Vince often seems to need reassurance, even when his imposing presence suggests that somebody else ought to be worried. We rate him for the tenderness he can bring to these nervous men, although the casting does not always ask enough of him. Adrian Lyne’s *Jacob’s Ladder* (1990) casts him as Paul, among the supporting players around Tim Robbins. Robbins gives those hallucinations a human cost, though the film’s tangled explanations are less convincing.

Oliver Stone’s *JFK* (1991) gives him Lee Bowers, another supporting role in a film that benefits from astute casting. We recommend it for the grip of that casting and the forceful editing, with a firm reservation about its confidence in its evidence. With both Stone and Lyne, there is a danger of people being lost among the film’s effects and explanations. Vince’s gift for making an uneasy figure emotionally understandable is useful in such company. These films belong to the stretch in which he gained notice, before a lead allowed his sensitivity more room.

*Heavy* (1995) was his first lead, as Victor Modino, a lovelorn cook. We were moved by Victor’s loneliness because Vince makes him seem vulnerable without making him seem foolish. This is an important turn from the earlier supporting roles: he has to sustain our interest in an isolated man, rather than make an impression within somebody else’s story. He is worth the extra attention.

The reservation is the repeated casting as disturbed men, with *Identity* (2003), his second collaboration with director James Mangold, among the examples. When the part asks chiefly for strangeness, there is less space for the tenderness that makes him interesting. His recurring J.J. LaRoche in *The Mentalist* (2010) offers another possibility: a meticulous investigator whose work gives him something more specific to play than unease. For a fuller account of what Vince can do, start with *Heavy*.

## Biography

Pruitt Taylor Vince is an American actor. Born on 5 July 1960 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he attended Louisiana State University. He has had nystagmus, a condition causing involuntary eye movement, for most of his life.

Vince first appeared in supporting roles in films including *Mississippi Burning* (1988), *Jacob's Ladder* (1990) as Paul, and *JFK* (1991) as Lee Bowers. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 1997 for his role as Clifford Banks in *Murder One*. His other credits include *Identity* (2003), *Constantine* (2005), *The Mentalist* (2008–2015) as J.J. LaRoche, and *Superman* (2025) as Pa Kent.

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

## On Fi1m (17)

### Performed in (16) — the average rests on these

- *Superman* (2025), Fi1m 66, as Pa Kent — [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *Lady in the Lake* (2024), Fi1m 57, as Bob Bauer — [page](https://film.one/tv/lady-in-the-lake-2024.md)
- *Bird Box* (2018), Fi1m 53, as Rick — [page](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md)
- *Stranger Things* (2016), Fi1m 77, as Ray — [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md)
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), Fi1m 65, as Richard Branch — [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *The Mentalist* (2008), Fi1m 71, as J.J. LaRoche — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Constantine* (2005), Fi1m 62, as Father Hennessy — [page](https://film.one/film/constantine.md)
- *Deadwood* (2004), Fi1m 91, as Mose Manuel — [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *House* (2004), Fi1m 78, as George — [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Murder One* (1995), Fi1m 82, Actor — [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Natural Born Killers* (1994), Fi1m 64, as Deputy Warden Kavanaugh — [page](https://film.one/film/natural-born-killers.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Gerry Schnauz — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *JFK* (1991), Fi1m 80, as Lee Bowers — [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md)
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), Fi1m 80, as Paul — [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)
- *Wild at Heart* (1990), Fi1m 78, as Buddy — [page](https://film.one/film/wild-at-heart.md)
- *Mississippi Burning* (1988), Fi1m 72, as Lester Cowens — [page](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), Fi1m 50, as Patient at Hammersmith (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)

## Complete filmography (98)

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

- *Superman* (2025), as Pa Kent — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/superman.md)
- *F.U.A.I.* (2024), Producer
- *Lady in the Lake* (2024), series, as Bob Bauer — Fi1m 57, [page](https://film.one/tv/lady-in-the-lake-2024.md)
- *Crime Story* (2021), as Tommy
- *Scripts Gone Wild Zombie Nightmare* (2019), Actor
- *Bird Box* (2018), as Rick — Fi1m 53, [page](https://film.one/film/bird-box.md)
- *ASIA A* (2018), as Noah
- *Gotti* (2018), as Angelo Ruggiero
- *59 Seconds* (2018), as Robert
- *The Devil's Candy* (2016), as Ray
- *Stranger Things* (2016), series, as Ray — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/stranger-things.md)
- *Heroes Reborn* (2015), series, as Casper Abraham
- *13 Sins* (2014), as Vogler
- *Homefront* (2013), as Werks
- *Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* (2013), series, as Grill
- *The Blacklist* (2013), series, as Lawrence Devlin — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-blacklist.md)
- *The Grief Tourist* (2013), as Carl Marznap
- *Broken Blood* (2013), as Earl Wayne
- *Beautiful Creatures* (2013), as Mr. Lee
- *Butter* (2012), as Ned Eaten
- *Brake* (2012), as Driver / Boss Terrorist (voice)
- *Bending The Rules* (2012), as Happy
- *Mysterious Island* (2012), as Gideon Spilett
- *On the Inside* (2011), as Ben Marshal
- *Creature* (2011), as Grover
- *Flypaper* (2011), as Jelly
- *The Smell of Success* (2011), as Cleveland Clod
- *Drive Angry* (2011), as Roy
- *The Cape* (2011), series, as Goggles
- *The Walking Dead* (2010), series, as Otis — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-walking-dead.md)
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Richard Branch — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Justified* (2010), series, as Glen Fogle — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/justified.md)
- *Leaves of Grass* (2009), as Big Joe Sharpe
- *Don McKay* (2009), as Mel
- *In the Electric Mist* (2009), as Lou Girard
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as J.J. LaRoche — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *True Blood* (2008), series, as Finn — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md)
- *The Echo* (2008), as Joseph
- *Canterbury's Law* (2008), series, Actor
- *Captivity* (2007), as Ben Dexter
- *When A Man Falls In The Forest* (2007), as Travis Gilmore
- *Bones* (2005), series, as Haze Jackson — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md)
- *Drop Dead Sexy* (2005), as Spider
- *Constantine* (2005), as Father Hennessy — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/constantine.md)
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Peter Winant
- *House* (2004), series, as George — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *Deadwood* (2004), series, as Mose Manuel — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Monster* (2003), as Gene / Stuttering "John"
- *The Handler* (2003), series, Actor
- *L.A. Confidential* (2003), as Sid Hudgens
- *Identity* (2003), as Malcolm Rivers
- *Trapped* (2002), as Marvin
- *13 Moons* (2002), as Owen
- *S1m0ne* (2002), as Max Sayer
- *Alias* (2001), series, as Campbell / Schapker — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/alias.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Marty Gleason
- *Nurse Betty* (2000), as Ballard
- *The Cell* (2000), as Dr. Reid
- *Mumford* (1999), as Henry Follett
- *The Legend of 1900* (1998), as Max Tooney
- *Love from Ground Zero* (1998), as Walter
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), as Patient at Hammersmith (uncredited) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *Cold Around the Heart* (1997), as Johnny 'Cokebottles' Costello
- *Night Sins* (1997), as Olie Swain
- *The End of Violence* (1997), as Frank Cray
- *Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer* (1997), as Clifford Banks
- *Night Sins* (1997), series, as Olie Swain
- *A Further Gesture* (1997), as Scott
- *Beautiful Girls* (1996), as Stanley "Stinky" Womack
- *The Cottonwood* (1996), as Mark Salli
- *Heavy* (1995), as Victor Modino
- *Under the Hula Moon* (1995), as Bob
- *Murder One* (1995), series, Actor — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/murder-one.md)
- *Nobody's Fool* (1994), as Rub Squeers
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Walter Platt
- *Natural Born Killers* (1994), as Deputy Warden Kavanaugh — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/natural-born-killers.md)
- *City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold* (1994), as Bud
- *China Moon* (1994), as Daryl Jeeters
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Gerry Schnauz — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Highlander: The Series* (1992), series, as Mikey
- *Till Death Us Do Part* (1992), as Michael Brockington
- *JFK* (1991), as Lee Bowers — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md)
- *Dead in the Water* (1991), as Lou Rescetti
- *Sweet Poison* (1991), as Coyle
- *Jacob's Ladder* (1990), as Paul — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jacobs-ladder.md)
- *Wild at Heart* (1990), as Buddy — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/wild-at-heart.md)
- *Come See the Paradise* (1990), as Augie Farrell
- *Fear* (1990), as Jay Anthony Lapedes ("Shadow Man")
- *Homer and Eddie* (1989), as Cashier
- *I Know My First Name Is Steven* (1989), series, as Irving Murphy
- *K-9* (1989), as Benny the Mule
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Hank Pilcher
- *Mississippi Burning* (1988), as Lester Cowens — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/mississippi-burning.md)
- *Red Heat* (1988), as Night Clerk
- *Shy People* (1987), as Paul
- *Barfly* (1987), as Joe
- *Angel Heart* (1987), as Det. Deimos
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Cruz — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)

## Gallery

- ![Pruitt Taylor Vince](https://film.one/media/person/77714/gallery-120a748e3681.jpg) Pruitt Taylor Vince — Tara High School, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dc/Pruitt_Taylor_Vince.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Pruitt Taylor Vince](https://film.one/media/person/77714/gallery-062307bc16d8.jpg) Pruitt Taylor Vince — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 1997: Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *Murder One*

*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/pruitt-taylor-vince