---
name: "Rainn Wilson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rainn-wilson"
fi1m_id: "rainn-wilson"
imdb_id: "nm0933988"
tmdb_id: 11678
wikidata_id: "Q349548"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "20 January 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 10
average_fi1m_score: 63
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-05T14:34:56.048649+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."
---

# Rainn Wilson

## Identity

Rainn Wilson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rainn-wilson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rainn-wilson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0933988
- **TMDB ID:** 11678
- **Wikidata ID:** Q349548
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainn_Wilson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349548, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933988/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11678

Actor and director. Born 20 January 1966 in Seattle, Washington, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 20 January 1966, Seattle, Washington, USA
- **Active:** 2000–present
- **Also known as:** Rainn Dietrich Wilson, Rainn Percival Dietrich Wilson, ריין ווילסון
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 10: 9 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Eric Appel](https://film.one/person/eric-appel.md), [Jason Reitman](https://film.one/person/jason-reitman.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 63, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 63 (6), 2010s 66 (2), 2020s 70 (2)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 63 to 60 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 4, Drama 4, Science Fiction 3, Action 2, Adventure 2, Music 2
- **Screen time:** 13 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,032m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainn_Wilson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q349548, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0933988/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11678

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Weird: The Al Yankovic Story*](https://film.one/film/weird-the-al-yankovic-story.md) (77), [*Lessons in Chemistry*](https://film.one/tv/lessons-in-chemistry.md) (63)
- **Peacock:** [*The Office*](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md) (77), [*Monsters vs Aliens*](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md) (63)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Meg*](https://film.one/film/the-meg.md) (49)

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

## Fi1m on Rainn Wilson

> Rainn Wilson makes difficult people funny by taking them seriously. We rate him most highly in an ensemble, where Dwight Schrute's insistence gives quieter actors something to react to; the risk is being cast as the eccentric and asked for nothing more.

Rainn Wilson keeps a straight face and lets Dwight Schrute's insistence do the work. In *The Office* (2005), his firm presence gives Steve Carell something useful to push against, while John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer can answer with a look. We laughed at how much effort Wilson puts into Dwight's insistence when the quieter actors need do so little. He lets the difference in their responses provide the joke. This is where we rate him most: among actors who need not match his force to hold their own.

His earlier work includes Lahnk in *Galaxy Quest* (1999) and Arthur Martin in *Six Feet Under* (2003–2005), before Dwight became his breakthrough. The recurring attraction is the misfit, played deadpan and with some vulnerability beneath the difficult behaviour. A leading part as Frank Darbo in the dark comedy *Super* (2010) gave that interest more space than a supporting appearance could. The danger is repetition: being the obvious choice for an eccentric can mean being offered little else.

In *Juno* (2007), Wilson's Rollo belongs to another ensemble given room by its director, Jason Reitman. Elliot Page makes the pregnancy comedy affecting even when Diablo Cody's dialogue is working too hard to sound clever. We recommend the film warmly, without treating Wilson's presence as its principal virtue.

Wilson also directed three episodes of *The Office*, but Dwight remains the clearest reason to spend time with his work. The programme's borrowed beginnings and occasional overplaying are real limitations; its ensemble prevents the embarrassment from becoming an endurance test. Carell's painful neediness needs resistance, and Wilson supplies it without requiring Krasinski and Fischer to abandon their restraint. For a first encounter, start there and allow for the unevenness. After that, we would look for parts that ask what makes his difficult people vulnerable, rather than simply giving them more peculiar things to do.

## Biography

Rainn Wilson is an American actor and comedian. He was born Rainn Percival Dietrich Wilson on 20 January 1966 in Seattle, Washington. He trained at the University of Washington and New York University, where he earned an MFA, and began his career in theatre in New York before moving into film and television.

Wilson is best known for playing Dwight Schrute in the American version of *The Office* (2005–2013), for which he received three Emmy Award nominations. His film credits include roles in *Galaxy Quest* (1999), *Almost Famous* (2000), *Juno* (2007) as Rollo, *The Rocker* (2008) and *The Meg* (2018). He has also voiced characters in animated films such as *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009) and directed episodes of *The Office*.

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

## On Fi1m (10)

### Performed in (9) — the average rests on these

- *Lessons in Chemistry* (2023), Fi1m 63, as Phil Lebensmal — [page](https://film.one/tv/lessons-in-chemistry.md)
- *Weird: The Al Yankovic Story* (2022), Fi1m 77, as Dr. Demento — [page](https://film.one/film/weird-the-al-yankovic-story.md)
- *The Meg* (2018), Fi1m 49, as Morris — [page](https://film.one/film/the-meg.md)
- *Transparent* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Arthur — [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), Fi1m 63, as Gallaxhar (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen* (2009), Fi1m 34, as Professor Colan — [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen.md)
- *Juno* (2007), Fi1m 81, as Rollo — [page](https://film.one/film/juno.md)
- *Full Frontal* (2002), Fi1m 40, as First Fired Employee — [page](https://film.one/film/full-frontal.md)
- *Almost Famous* (2000), Fi1m 82, as David Felton — [page](https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md)

### Directed (1)

- *The Office* (2005), Fi1m 77, as Dwight Schrute — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)

## Complete filmography (94)

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

- *Home Delivery* (2026), as Cheyenne
- *Phoenix Jones: The Rise and Fall of a Real Life Superhero* (2026), Actor
- *At the Sea* (2026), as George
- *Code 3* (2025), as Randy · Executive Producer
- *Paradise Records* (2025), as Creepy Guy
- *Hitpig!* (2024), as Leapin' Lord of the Leotard (voice)
- *Empire Waist* (2024), as Mark Miller
- *Rhett & Link's Wonderhole* (2024), series, as TV's Rainn Wilson
- *Rhett & Link's Wonderhole* (2024), as Rainn Wilson
- *Hollywood's Humble Maestro: The Russell Garcia Story* (2024), as Narrator
- *Ezra* (2024), as Nick
- *ILY, BYE* (2024), as Mr. Litchfield
- *Lessons in Chemistry* (2023), series, as Phil Lebensmal — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/lessons-in-chemistry.md)
- *Rainn Wilson and the Geography of Bliss* (2023), series, Executive Producer
- *StoryBots: Answer Time* (2022), series, Actor
- *Jerry & Marge Go Large* (2022), as Bill
- *Weird: The Al Yankovic Story* (2022), as Dr. Demento — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/weird-the-al-yankovic-story.md)
- *Dark Winds* (2022), series, as Dan 'Devoted Dan' DeMarco — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/tv/dark-winds.md)
- *Three Short Plays by Tracy Letts* (2021), as Gary
- *We Are the Champions* (2020), series, as Narrator · Executive Producer
- *Don't Look Back* (2020), as George Reed
- *Utopia* (2020), series, as Michael Stearns
- *Don't Tell a Soul* (2020), as Mr. Hamby / Randy Michael Sadler
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Vizzini
- *Solar Opposites* (2020), series, as Steven (voice)
- *Justice League Dark: Apokolips War* (2020), as Lex Luthor (voice)
- *The Death and Return of Superman* (2019), as Lex Luthor (voice)
- *Transparent: Musicale Finale* (2019), as Arthur
- *Blackbird* (2019), as Michael
- *Batman: Hush* (2019), as Lex Luthor (voice)
- *Reign of the Supermen* (2019), as Lex Luthor (voice)
- *The Death of Superman* (2019), as Lex Luthor (voice)
- *The Rookie* (2018), series, as Rainn Wilson
- *Star Trek: Short Treks* (2018), series, as Harry Mudd · Director
- *The Meg* (2018), as Morris — Fi1m 49, [page](https://film.one/film/the-meg.md)
- *Explained* (2018), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Permanent* (2017), as Jim Dixon
- *Thom Pain* (2017), as Thom Pain
- *Kat* (2017), Executive Producer
- *Star Trek: Discovery* (2017), series, as Harry Mudd
- *Room 104* (2017), series, as Jim
- *Shimmer Lake* (2017), as Andy Sikes
- *Smurfs: The Lost Village* (2017), as Gargamel (voice)
- *Army of One* (2016), as Agent Simons
- *The Boy* (2015), as William Colby
- *Uncanny* (2015), as Castle
- *Backstrom* (2015), series, as Det. Lt. Backstrom
- *Cooties* (2014), as Wade
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Arthur — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Good Samaritan* (2014), as George Reed
- *Annoying Orange: Movie Fruitacular* (2014), as Dr. Po
- *The Stream* (2013), as Adult Ernest
- *Here Comes the Night Time* (2013), as Carl the Roadie
- *Mom* (2013), series, as Trevor
- *Monsters vs Aliens Stories* (2013), Actor
- *The Office: Secret Santa Pack* (2012), as Dwight Schrute
- *Few Options* (2011), as Cousin Don
- *Fight for Your Right Revisited* (2011), as Church Goer
- *Super* (2010), as Frank Darbo · Executive Producer
- *Peep World* (2010), as Joel
- *Hesher* (2010), as Paul Forney
- *Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen* (2009), as Professor Colan — Fi1m 34, [page](https://film.one/film/transformers-revenge-of-the-fallen.md)
- *Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space* (2009), as Wicked Jack (voice)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), as Gallaxhar (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *The Rocker* (2008), as Fish
- *Juno* (2007), as Rollo — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/juno.md)
- *Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!* (2007), series, as Cinco Spokesman, Video Match Client, Blind Man, Bobby Stoan, Bobby Stoan (uncredited)
- *The Last Mimzy* (2007), as Larry White
- *My Super Ex-Girlfriend* (2006), as Vaughn Haige
- *The Life Coach* (2005), as Dr. Watson Newmark
- *Wheelmen* (2005), as Barny
- *Sahara* (2005), as Rudi Gunn
- *The Office* (2005), series, as Dwight Schrute · Director — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Martin Grolsch
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as R.J. Spencer — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Baadasssss!* (2004), as Bill Harris
- *Reno 911!* (2003), series, as Calvin Robin Tomlinson
- *DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection* (2003), series, as Wicked Jack (voice)
- *House of 1000 Corpses* (2003), as Bill Hudley
- *MDs* (2002), series, as John Doe
- *Full Frontal* (2002), as First Fired Employee — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/full-frontal.md)
- *Monk* (2002), series, as Walker Browning
- *America's Sweethearts* (2001), as Dave O'Hanlon
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Arthur Martin — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *When Billie Beat Bobby* (2001), as Dennis Van De Meer
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Guy in Supermarket
- *Dark Angel* (2000), series, as Phil
- *Almost Famous* (2000), as David Felton — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/almost-famous.md)
- *Galaxy Quest* (1999), as Lahnk
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Mr. Baltzer
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Dwight Schrute (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Charmed* (1998), series, as Kierkan
- *MURDER and murder* (1996), as George
- *Weezer: Security Threat*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Rainn Wilson](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-62583b71c38a.jpg) Rainn Wilson — John Manard, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/be/Rainn_Wilson_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_July%2C_25%2C_2026_132.jpg/1280px-Rainn_Wilson_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_July%2C_25%2C_2026_132.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Elliot Page, Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Nathan Fillion at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con.](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-61043e90ee78.jpg) Elliot Page, Rainn Wilson, Liv Tyler, and Nathan Fillion at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con. — Tristan Loper, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Elliot_Page%2C_Rainn_Wilson%2C_Liv_Tyler%2C_Nathan_Fillion_2010.jpg/1280px-Elliot_Page%2C_Rainn_Wilson%2C_Liv_Tyler%2C_Nathan_Fillion_2010.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rainn Wilson at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2025](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-42626048a058.jpg) Rainn Wilson at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2025 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Rainn_Wilson_%2854429153054%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Rainn Wilson at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2025](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-d29776949e92.jpg) Rainn Wilson at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2025 — Tim Blackmon, Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Rainn_Wilson_%2854554907903%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Rainn Wilson](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-80f127450c99.jpg) Rainn Wilson — Image via TMDB
- ![Rainn Wilson](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-248d4ce9f98f.jpg) Rainn Wilson — Image via TMDB
- ![Rainn Wilson speaking with attendees at the 2025 Phoenix Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if u](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-5f8444813bb9.jpg) Rainn Wilson speaking with attendees at the 2025 Phoenix Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if u — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Rainn_Wilson_%2854593230387%29.jpg/1280px-Rainn_Wilson_%2854593230387%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rainn Wilson speaking with attendees at the 2025 Phoenix Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if u](https://film.one/media/person/99606/gallery-d1dd053dbb1d.jpg) Rainn Wilson speaking with attendees at the 2025 Phoenix Fan Fusion at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if u — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f9/Rainn_Wilson_%2854593230432%29.jpg/1280px-Rainn_Wilson_%2854593230432%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/rainn-wilson