--- name: "Robert Forster" canonical: "https://film.one/person/robert-forster" fi1m_id: "robert-forster" imdb_id: "nm0001233" tmdb_id: 5694 wikidata_id: "Q367155" roles: ["Actor"] born: "13 July 1941" died: "11 October 2019" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 71 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-10-05T14:07:17.848915+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." --- # Robert Forster ## Identity Robert Forster - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/robert-forster - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** robert-forster - **IMDb ID:** nm0001233 - **TMDB ID:** 5694 - **Wikidata ID:** Q367155 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Forster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q367155, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001233/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5694 Actor. Born 13 July 1941 in Rochester, New York, USA. Died 11 October 2019. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 13 July 1941, Rochester, New York, USA - **Died:** 11 October 2019 - **Active:** 1997–2018 - **Also known as:** Robert Wallace Foster Jr. - **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination - **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 83 (1), 2000s 71 (2), 2010s 67 (3) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 66 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 2 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Drama 4, Thriller 3, Action 2, Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Crime 2 - **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $737m across 5 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Forster, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q367155, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001233/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/5694 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*London Has Fallen*](https://film.one/film/london-has-fallen.md) (38) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Robert Forster > Robert Forster made capable men worth watching by letting us see how much they kept to themselves. His quiet attention to Pam Grier in *Jackie Brown* is reason enough to seek him out. Robert Forster watches Pam Grier walk towards his car in *Jackie Brown* (1997), and almost nothing changes in his face. He plays a bail bondsman driving her home from jail, and the scene lets a practical errand become something more personal. We were moved by his attention to her, because it makes the first suggestion of attraction feel important without a declaration. Forster does not insist that we find him charming, which helps us warm to him. He began with John Huston's *Reflections in a Golden Eye* (1967) and a starring role in Haskell Wexler's *Medium Cool* (1969). A long stretch of lesser roles in films and television followed before Quentin Tarantino revived his career with *Jackie Brown*. That history is worth remembering when the later performances make his casting look obvious. He was well suited to men who knew their jobs and had disappointments they did not need to discuss, provided someone gave him enough to play. Tarantino's patience does not always serve the film: *Jackie Brown* runs a good half-hour too long, with a middle that explains its scam too often. With Grier and Forster together, though, the unhurried pace lets us notice the respect each gives the other. Grier's level voice and Forster's watchfulness make their scenes feel like conversations between adults who have reasons not to announce everything they want. Forster supplies warmth without making him conspicuously charming, and these exchanges are worth waiting through the unnecessary explanations for. David Lynch used that steadiness more briefly in *Mulholland Drive* (2001), casting him as Detective McKnight, and later gave him Sheriff Frank Truman in *Twin Peaks: The Return* (2017). These authority figures suit an actor whose competence never seems to require a demonstration. There is a limit to what even Forster can do with a brief appearance, and *Mulholland Drive* is not the place to start if he is the reason for watching. Start with *Jackie Brown*, and allow for the stretches when its two most interesting people are elsewhere. ## Biography Robert Forster was an American actor. He played bail bondsman Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino’s *Jackie Brown* (1997), a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Born Robert Wallace Foster Jr. in Rochester, New York, in 1941, Forster made his screen debut in John Huston’s *Reflections in a Golden Eye* (1967) and starred in the New Hollywood film *Medium Cool* (1969). He appeared in over 100 films across a career that spanned more than five decades, including roles in *The Black Hole* (1979), *Alligator* (1980), *The Delta Force* (1986), *The Descendants* (2011), *Olympus Has Fallen* (2013) and *What They Had* (2018). On television he featured in series such as *Banyon*, *Heroes*, *Twin Peaks: The Return* and *Breaking Bad*, winning a Saturn Award for the latter. Forster died in Los Angeles in 2019. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, theguardian.com, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) - *London Has Fallen* (2016), Fi1m 38, as General Edward Clegg — [page](https://film.one/film/london-has-fallen.md) - *Better Call Saul* (2015), Fi1m 84, as Ed — [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md) - *The Descendants* (2011), Fi1m 80, as Scott Thorson — [page](https://film.one/film/the-descendants.md) - *Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle* (2003), Fi1m 50, as Roger Wixon — [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels-full-throttle.md) - *Mulholland Drive* (2001), Fi1m 92, as Detective McKnight — [page](https://film.one/film/mulholland-drive.md) - *Jackie Brown* (1997), Fi1m 83, as Max Cherry — [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) ## Complete filmography (172) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Grave Intentions* (2021), as Don Whalen (segment "The Bridge Partner") - *The Wolf of Snow Hollow* (2020), as Sheriff Hadley Marshall - *Amazing Stories* (2020), series, as Joe Harris - *El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie* (2019), as Ed - *Phil* (2019), as Bing Fisk - *What They Had* (2018), as Burt - *Bigger* (2018), as Joe Weider (2008) - *The Big Take* (2018), as Detective Aborn - *Damsel* (2018), as Old Preacher - *Small Town Crime* (2018), as Steve Yendel - *Acts of Vengeance* (2017), as Chuck - *Small Crimes* (2017), as Joe Denton Sr. - *The Case for Christ* (2017), as Walter Strobel - *Divorce* (2016), series, as Donald - *Bus Driver* (2016), as General Sorbin - *The American Side* (2016), as Sterling Whitmore - *Too Late* (2016), as Gordy Lyons - *The Confirmation* (2016), as Otto - *London Has Fallen* (2016), as General Edward Clegg — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/london-has-fallen.md) - *Home* (2015), as Man - *The Adventures of Biffle and Shooster* (2015), as 'James Burke' as Lt. Frank Murphy - *The Program* (2015), as Michael - *Art of the Prank* (2015), Actor - *Survivor* (2015), as Bill Talbot - *The Bridge Partner* (2015), as Don Whalen - *Better Call Saul* (2015), series, as Ed · In Memory Of — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/better-call-saul.md) - *Automata* (2014), as Robert Bold - *Ironside* (2013), series, as Michael Burke - *Coffee, Kill Boss* (2013), as Walt Ford - *Olympus Has Fallen* (2013), as General Edward Clegg - *Somewhere Slow* (2013), as Chris McConville - *Grimm Fairy Tales Animated* (2012), as Franlin/Death - *Hotel Noir* (2012), as Jim - *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2012), series, as Kurtzman (voice) - *The Soul Man* (2012), series, as Father James Ignatius - *Last Man Standing* (2011), series, as Bud Baxter - *The Descendants* (2011), as Scott Thorson — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/the-descendants.md) - *Girl Walks Into a Bar* (2011), as Dodge - *Transformers: Prime* (2010), series, as General Bryce (voice) - *Kalamity* (2010), as Tom Klepack - *The Trial* (2010), as Ray - *The Bannen Way* (2010), series, as Mr. B - *The Bannen Way* (2010), as Mr. B - *Middle Men* (2009), as Louie LA LA - *Ghosts of Girlfriends Past* (2009), as Sergeant Volkom - *Thick as Thieves* (2009), as Lt. Weber - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Donald - *Would Be Kings* (2008), Actor - *Touching Home* (2008), as Jim "Perk" Perkins - *Jack and Jill vs. The World* (2008), as Norman / Narrator (uncredited) - *Expecting Love* (2008), as George Patten - *Breaking Bad* (2008), series, as Ed — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/breaking-bad.md) - *Grampa's Cabin* (2007), as Grampa - *Cleaner* (2007), as Arlo Grange - *Dragon Wars: D-War* (2007), as Jack - *Army Wives* (2007), series, as General Grayson - *Rise: Blood Hunter* (2007), as Lloyd - *13 Graves* (2006), as Tom Ferris - *Heroes* (2006), series, as Arthur Petrelli — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/heroes.md) - *Lucky Number Slevin* (2006), as Murphy - *Firewall* (2006), as Harry - *Wild Seven* (2006), as Wilson - *The Hunt for the BTK Killer* (2005), as Detective Jason Magida - *The Spaghetti West* (2005), as Narrator - *Tilt* (2005), series, as Jimmy 'Gentleman Jim' Towne - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Agent Thomas Larson - *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Nick Delfino — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md) - *Clubhouse* (2004), series, as Burt Austin - *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as The President (voice) - *Grand Theft Parsons* (2004), as Stanley Parsons - *Karen Sisco* (2003), series, as Marshall Sisco - *Undefeated* (2003), as Scott Green - *Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle* (2003), as Roger Wixon — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels-full-throttle.md) - *Confidence* (2003), as Morgan Price - *Murder in Greenwich* (2002), as Steve Carroll - *Strange Hearts* (2002), as Jack Waters - *Fastlane* (2002), series, as Ray-Ray - *Like Mike* (2002), as Coach Wagner - *Street Time* (2002), series, as Tony DeAngelo - *Lone Hero* (2002), as Gus - *Due East* (2002), as Jesse Rapple - *Human Nature* (2001), as Nathan's Father - *Finder's Fee* (2001), as Campbell - *Mulholland Drive* (2001), as Detective McKnight — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/mulholland-drive.md) - *Like Mother Like Son: The Strange Story of Sante and Kenny Kimes* (2001), as Ken "Pappa" Kimes - *The Magic of Marciano* (2000), as Henry - *Diamond Men* (2000), as Eddie Miller · Executive Producer - *It's the Rage* (2000), as Tyler - *Me, Myself & Irene* (2000), as Colonel Partington - *Lakeboat* (2000), as Joe - *Supernova* (2000), as A.J. Marley - *Kiss Toledo Goodbye* (1999), as Sal Fortuna - *Family Tree* (1999), as Henry Musser - *Outside Ozona* (1998), as Odell Parks - *Psycho* (1998), as Dr. Simon - *Rear Window* (1998), as Detective Moore - *Jackie Brown* (1997), as Max Cherry — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/jackie-brown.md) - *Demolition University* (1997), as Gentry - *American Perfekt* (1997), as Jake - *Night Vision* (1997), as Teak Taylor - *Uncle Sam* (1996), as Congressman Alvin Cummings - *Original Gangstas* (1996), as Detective Slatten - *The Method* (1996), as Christian's father - *Hindsight* (1996), as Michael Donahue - *Guns & Lipstick* (1995), as Captain Dimaggio - *Scanner Cop II* (1995), as Captain Jack Bitters - *One West Waikiki* (1994), series, Actor - *Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry III* (1994), as Bob Sibley - *American Yakuza* (1993), as Littman - *Cover Story* (1993), as Therapist - *South Beach* (1993), as Det. Ted Coleman - *Sex, Love and Cold Hard Cash* (1993), as Sid (uncredited) - *Walker, Texas Ranger* (1993), series, as Ricky Ricketts, Lane Tillman - *Maniac Cop 3: Badge of Silence* (1992), as Dr. Powell - *In the Shadow of a Killer* (1992), as Charles Galbis - *29th Street* (1991), as Sgt. Tartaglia - *P.S. I Luv U* (1991), series, Actor - *Diplomatic Immunity* (1991), as Stonebridge - *Committed* (1991), as Dr. Desmond Moore - *In Between* (1991), as Vinnie - *Checkered Flag* (1990), as Jack Cotton - *Peacemaker* (1990), as Yates - *Twin Peaks* (1990), series, as Frank Truman — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/twin-peaks.md) - *The Banker* (1989), as Dan - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Lucky Jim (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *Satan's Princess* (1989), as Lou Cherney - *Esmeralda Bay* (1989), as Madero - *Jesse Hawkes* (1989), series, Actor - *Crossbow: The Movie* (1989), as Aymong - *Counterforce* (1988), as The Dictator - *Jake and the Fatman* (1987), series, as Ed Delaney - *Once a Hero* (1987), series, as Gumshoe - *Crossbow* (1987), series, as Aymong - *Once a Hero* (1987), as Gumshoe - *Hollywood Harry* (1986), as Harold "Harry" Petry · Producer, Director - *The Delta Force* (1986), as Abdul - *Walking the Edge* (1985), as Jason Walk - *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Gilbert Gaston, Frank Roussel - *Tales from the Darkside* (1984), series, as Garry Cooley - *Vigilante* (1983), as Eddie Marino - *Knight Rider* (1982), series, Executive Producer - *Hotel* (1982), series, as Steve Cameron - *Goliath Awaits* (1981), series, as Comdr. Jeff Selkirk - *The Kinky Coaches and the Pom Pom Pussycats* (1981), as Coach Alan Arnoldi - *Magnum, P.I.* (1980), series, as Tyler Peabody McKinney - *Alligator* (1980), as David - *The Black Hole* (1979), as Captain Dan Holland - *The Lady in Red* (1979), as Turk (uncredited) - *The Darker Side of Terror* (1979), as Prof. Paul Corwin / The Clone - *Avalanche* (1978), as Nick Thorne - *Standing Tall* (1978), as Luke Shasta - *Stunts* (1977), as Glen Wilson - *The City* (1977), as Lt. Matt Lewis - *Gibbsville* (1976), series, Actor - *Royce* (1976), as Royce - *Medical Story* (1975), series, as David Corbin - *Nakia* (1974), series, Actor - *Nakia* (1974), as Deputy Nakia Parker - *The Death Squad* (1974), as Eric Benoit - *The Don Is Dead* (1973), as Frank Regalbuto - *Police Story* (1973), series, Actor - *Banyon* (1972), series, as Miles C. Banyon - *Journey Through Rosebud* (1972), as Frank - *Banyon* (1971), as Miles C. Banyon - *Cover Me Babe* (1970), as Tony Hill - *Pieces of Dreams* (1970), as Gregory Lind - *Medium Cool* (1969), as John - *Justine* (1969), as Narouz - *The Stalking Moon* (1968), as Nick Tana - *Reflections in a Golden Eye* (1967), as Pvt. L.G. Williams - *Judd, for the Defense* (1967), series, Actor - *Kraft Mystery Theatre* (1961), series, Actor ## Gallery - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-8ca81b1a916e.jpg) Robert Forster — Toglenn, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f2/Robert_Forster_2009.jpg/1280px-Robert_Forster_2009.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jonny Coyne and Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-45444d209780.jpg) Jonny Coyne and Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Jonny_Coyne_%26_Robert_Forster_%287001677781%29.jpg/1280px-Jonny_Coyne_%26_Robert_Forster_%287001677781%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jonny Coyne and Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-684b837efdd9.jpg) Jonny Coyne and Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Jonny_Coyne_%26_Robert_Forster_%287002002291%29.jpg/1280px-Jonny_Coyne_%26_Robert_Forster_%287002002291%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Jonny Coyne speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-fd27dbec8eb1.jpg) Jonny Coyne speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Jonny_Coyne_%287001681313%29.jpg/1280px-Jonny_Coyne_%287001681313%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-e1327dab2090.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-3d464180afa9.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-06466ead9bdd.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB - ![Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-c2c34306c1c4.jpg) Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5d/Robert_Forster_%286855556940%29.jpg/1280px-Robert_Forster_%286855556940%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-8c2958d410e1.jpg) Robert Forster speaking at the 2012 WonderCon in Anaheim, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — 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/f1/Robert_Forster_%286855560712%29.jpg/1280px-Robert_Forster_%286855560712%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-5ac850049969.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-d44690a70ea8.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB - ![Robert Forster](https://film.one/media/person/9138/gallery-d5c0a677ab7a.jpg) Robert Forster — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1998: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Jackie Brown* ### Other awards — 2 won, 1 nominated - Saturn Awards 2014: Saturn Awards (won), for *Breaking Bad* - Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor 1998: Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Jackie Brown* - Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor 1997: Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor (won) *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/robert-forster