---
name: "Rex Linn"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/rex-linn"
fi1m_id: "rex-linn"
imdb_id: "nm0513010"
tmdb_id: 16937
wikidata_id: "Q463285"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 November 1956"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 6
average_fi1m_score: 68
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T01:18:16.917754+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."
---

# Rex Linn

## Identity

Rex Linn

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/rex-linn
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** rex-linn
- **IMDb ID:** nm0513010
- **TMDB ID:** 16937
- **Wikidata ID:** Q463285
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Linn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q463285, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0513010/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16937

Actor. Born 13 November 1956 in Spearman, Texas, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 November 1956, Spearman, Texas, USA
- **Active:** 1993–2014
- **Also known as:** Rex Maynard Linn, Rex M. Linn, Rex Lynn, رکس لین, رِکس لین
- **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 73 (3), 2010s 64 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 65 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 0 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 2 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Action 3, Drama 3, Comedy 2, Thriller 2, Western 2, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 11 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,227m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Linn, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q463285, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0513010/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/16937

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Cliffhanger*](https://film.one/film/cliffhanger.md) (74)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Rush Hour*](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md) (70)

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

## Fi1m on Rex Linn

> Rex Linn's imposing presence and raspy voice make authority come easily. We value the steadiness he brings to supporting parts, though too many scripts give him a job title and little chance to do anything beyond it.

In *Rush Hour* (1998), Linn's Agent Whitney is there to be wrong, alongside Mark Rolston's fellow agent. That is the job Brett Ratner's comedy gives them while its two leads get on with the entertainment. Linn's imposing presence makes sense for such a part: the official needs to look as though he ought to know better. We like the film, but there is little opportunity here to discover what Linn might do with a less functional character.

His early break, *Cliffhanger* (1993), puts him in Renny Harlin's action ensemble as Travers, with Sylvester Stallone the solid centre. We were tense during the climbing sequences because Harlin makes the height convincing, even when the dialogue is poor. Linn fits a film which needs forceful supporting presences more than it needs subtle conversation. It is a good place to start with his film work, provided the attraction is the mountain action rather than a substantial character study.

Television gave that authority more time to become familiar, most obviously through Sergeant Frank Tripp in *CSI: Miami* (2002–2012). The long-running regular part made practical use of the stern manner and raspy voice that recur across his law-enforcement roles. His later recurring work includes corporate executive Kevin Wachtell in *Better Call Saul* (2016–2022) and Principal Tom Petersen in *Young Sheldon* (2017–2024). The move into comedy with *Young Sheldon* is welcome; his sternness need not always be put to work on another investigation.

The limitation is how often dependable casting becomes an excuse to leave an actor with nothing else to do. *Rush Hour* is a clear example: Linn supplies an agent, and the film is content to leave matters there. We would welcome a comedy that lets him be wrong for reasons more interesting than the plot requiring it.

## Biography

Rex Linn is an American actor. He was born on 13 November 1956 in Spearman, Texas, and raised partly in Oklahoma City, where he attended Casady School.

Linn began acting in the late 1980s after working in banking and other fields. His early film roles include appearances in *Night Game* (1989) and *Cliffhanger* (1993), in which he played Richard Travers.

He is known for recurring television roles including Sgt. Frank Tripp in *CSI: Miami* (2002–2012), Kevin Wachtell in *Better Call Saul* (2015–2022) and Principal Tom Petersen in *Young Sheldon* (2017–2024). Other film credits include *Rush Hour* (1998), *Django Unchained* (2012) and *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014).

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

## On Fi1m (6)

- *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), Fi1m 40, as Sheriff / Narrator — [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md)
- *Django Unchained* (2012), Fi1m 78, as Tennessee Harry — [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md)
- *Nashville* (2012), Fi1m 74, as Bill Lexington — [page](https://film.one/tv/nashville-2012.md)
- *Rush Hour* (1998), Fi1m 70, as Agent Whitney — [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *Clear and Present Danger* (1994), Fi1m 75, as Washington Detective — [page](https://film.one/film/clear-and-present-danger.md)
- *Cliffhanger* (1993), Fi1m 74, as Travers — [page](https://film.one/film/cliffhanger.md)

## Complete filmography (87)

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

- *Happy's Place* (2024), series, as Emmett
- *Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage* (2024), series, as Principal Petersen
- *Reba McEntire's The Hammer* (2023), as Bart Crawford
- *MVP* (2022), as Security Guard
- *Roar* (2022), series, as Sheriff
- *Big Shot* (2021), series, as Coach Bert
- *Big Sky* (2020), series, as Buck Barnes
- *The L Word: Generation Q* (2019), series, as Jeff Milner
- *The Drone* (2019), as Baker
- *An Acceptable Loss* (2019), as The President
- *The Kominsky Method* (2018), series, as Ed
- *Under the Silver Lake* (2018), as Manager
- *Waco* (2018), series, as Dick DeGuerin
- *Young Sheldon* (2017), series, as Tom Petersen
- *Cupid's Proxy* (2017), as Clive
- *Lethal Weapon* (2016), series, as Nathan Riggs
- *The Ranch* (2016), series, as Coach Shaw
- *Better Call Saul* (2015), series, as Kevin Wachtell — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md)
- *Zombeavers* (2014), as Smythe
- *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), as Sheriff / Narrator — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md)
- *Flutter* (2014), as Sheriff Cole
- *Devil's Knot* (2013), as Chief Inspector Gitchell
- *Hot Bath an' a Stiff Drink* (2013), as Agent Shane Walsh
- *Django Unchained* (2012), as Tennessee Harry — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/django-unchained.md)
- *Atlas Shrugged: Part II* (2012), as Kip Chalmers
- *Nashville* (2012), series, as Bill Lexington — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/nashville-2012.md)
- *Key & Peele* (2012), series, as Detective — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md)
- *The Macabre World of Lavender Williams* (2009), as Sheriff Murdstone
- *Trial by Fire* (2008), as Chief
- *Appaloosa* (2008), as Clyde Stringer
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as Wiley
- *Abominable* (2006), as Farmer Hoss
- *Two Tickets to Paradise* (2006), as Karl
- *American Gun* (2005), as Earl
- *The Zodiac* (2005), as Jim Martinez
- *After the Sunset* (2004), as Agent Kowalski
- *Cheaper by the Dozen* (2003), as Coach Bricker
- *Dry Cycle* (2003), as Jeddidah
- *The Hunted* (2003), as Powell
- *Monte Walsh* (2003), as Hat Henderson
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Frank Tripp
- *The Round and Round* (2002), as Sheriff
- *The Salton Sea* (2002), as Detective Bookman
- *Ghosts of Mars* (2001), as Yared
- *Crossfire Trail* (2001), as Luke Taggart
- *Y2K* (1999), as Nuclear Plant Foreman
- *Snoops* (1999), series, as Jasper
- *Instinct* (1999), as Gurad Alan
- *Murder on Shadow Mountain* (1999), as Det. Bonney
- *The Jack Bull* (1999), as Shelby Dykes
- *Blast from the Past* (1999), as Dave
- *Rush Hour* (1998), as Agent Whitney — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/rush-hour.md)
- *Black Cat Run* (1998), as Sheriff Ben Bronte
- *The Odd Couple II* (1998), as JayJay
- *The Postman* (1997), as Mercer
- *Alone* (1997), as Travis Floyd
- *Ecce Pirate* (1997), as Captain Spot
- *Breakdown* (1997), as Sheriff Boyd
- *Last Stand at Saber River* (1997), as Bill Dancy
- *Ghosts of Mississippi* (1996), as Martin Scott
- *The Long Kiss Goodnight* (1996), as Man in Bed
- *Profiler* (1996), series, as Agent Ellis Talbot
- *The Pretender* (1996), series, as Agent Ellis Talbot
- *Tin Cup* (1996), as Dewey
- *Public Enemies* (1996), as Al Spencer
- *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Chuck, Webber
- *Cutthroat Island* (1995), as Mr. Blair
- *JAG* (1995), series, as Mark 'Falcon' Sokol, Submarine Skipper
- *Perfect Alibi* (1995), Actor
- *Drop Zone* (1994), as Bobby
- *Jack Reed: A Search for Justice* (1994), Actor
- *Clear and Present Danger* (1994), as Washington Detective — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/clear-and-present-danger.md)
- *Wyatt Earp* (1994), as Frank McLaury
- *Confessions: Two Faces of Evil* (1994), as Gleason
- *Iron Will* (1994), as Joe McPherson
- *The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.* (1993), series, as Mountain McClain
- *Cliffhanger* (1993), as Travers — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/cliffhanger.md)
- *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Lester Stahl / Sheriff Leland Stahl
- *Sniper* (1993), as Colonel (uncredited)
- *Thunderheart* (1992), as FBI Agent
- *In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion* (1992), as Sheriff Ron Gray
- *The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw* (1991), as Henry
- *My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys* (1991), as Guest at Barbeque
- *Cop Rock* (1990), series, as Deputy, Officer Cerruto
- *Northern Exposure* (1990), series, as Martin — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/northern-exposure.md)
- *Night Game* (1989), as Epps
- *Shadows on the Wall* (1986), as Jason Townsend

## Gallery

- ![Rex Linn](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-1daad18a9f83.jpg) Rex Linn — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Rex_Linn_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Rex_Linn_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Nikon D5100 at 70 mm 1/100 at f/2.8 Processed in Photoshop The cast of Devil's Knot stands onstage before its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Fe](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-ae721532749b.jpg) Nikon D5100 at 70 mm 1/100 at f/2.8 Processed in Photoshop The cast of Devil's Knot stands onstage before its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Fe — Mr. Bombdiggity, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Devil%27s_Knot_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Devil%27s_Knot_2013_Toronto_International_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please ](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-c6a6848c6085.jpg) Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please  — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/44/Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851935656397%29.jpg/1280px-Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851935656397%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please ](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-86e5d0584887.jpg) Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please  — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851935656737%29.jpg/1280px-Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851935656737%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Rex Linn](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-26142d81f68d.jpg) Rex Linn — Image via TMDB
- ![Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please ](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-ba6772640185.jpg) Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please  — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851936959369%29.jpg/1280px-Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851936959369%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please ](https://film.one/media/person/92855/gallery-6f431c68bf5a.jpg) Reba McEntire and Rex Linn on the red carpet at 2022 Gateway Celebrity Fight Night at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa in Phoenix, Arizona. Please  — Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cd/Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851937253590%29.jpg/1280px-Reba_McEntire_%26_Rex_Linn_%2851937253590%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/rex-linn