---
name: "Sam Rockwell"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/sam-rockwell"
fi1m_id: "sam-rockwell"
imdb_id: "nm0005377"
tmdb_id: 6807
wikidata_id: "Q316446"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 November 1968"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 18
average_fi1m_score: 67
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 18
updated: "2026-10-23T04:11:36.366555+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."
---

# Sam Rockwell

## Identity

Sam Rockwell

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/sam-rockwell
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** sam-rockwell
- **IMDb ID:** nm0005377
- **TMDB ID:** 6807
- **Wikidata ID:** Q316446
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Rockwell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316446, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005377/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6807

Actor. Born 5 November 1968 in Daly City, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 November 1968, Daly City, California, USA
- **Active:** 1990–present
- **Also known as:** Samuel Rockwell
- **Frequently works with:** [Graham Broadbent](https://film.one/person/graham-broadbent.md), [Martin McDonagh](https://film.one/person/martin-mcdonagh.md), [Peter Czernin](https://film.one/person/peter-czernin.md), [Scarlett Johansson](https://film.one/person/scarlett-johansson.md), [Brad Pitt](https://film.one/person/brad-pitt.md), [Bryan Cranston](https://film.one/person/bryan-cranston.md), [Danny DeVito](https://film.one/person/danny-devito.md), [Woody Harrelson](https://film.one/person/woody-harrelson.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar (1 won · 1 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 67, as actor, over 18 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 72 (2), 2000s 79 (4), 2010s 63 (6), 2020s 60 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 67 to 63 across 18 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 10 at 60–79, 5 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 7 of 16 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 10, Drama 9, Action 5, Crime 5, Science Fiction 5, Adventure 4
- **Screen time:** 34 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,101m across 15 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sam_Rockwell, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q316446, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005377/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6807

## Coming up

- *Wild Horse Nine* (2026-11-04), as Lee — [page](https://film.one/film/wild-horse-nine.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Moon*](https://film.one/film/moon.md) (83), [*Frost/Nixon*](https://film.one/film/frost-nixon.md) (81), [*Charlie's Angels*](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels.md) (68), [*Vice*](https://film.one/film/vice.md) (61)
- **Disney+:** [*See How They Run*](https://film.one/film/see-how-they-run.md) (70), [*Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die*](https://film.one/film/good-luck-have-fun-dont-die.md) (64), [*Fosse/Verdon*](https://film.one/tv/fosse-verdon.md) (58), [*Iron Man 2*](https://film.one/film/iron-man-2.md) (56)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford*](https://film.one/film/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford.md) (84)
- **HBO Max:** [*Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*](https://film.one/film/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri.md) (74)
- **Apple TV:** [*Argylle*](https://film.one/film/argylle.md) (45)

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

## Fi1m on Sam Rockwell

> Sam Rockwell can make a dangerous man seem agreeable without making him respectable. We value his physical wit and his interest in flawed people, though his easy company sometimes keeps us watching films that have done little to earn it.

In *Argylle* (2024), Sam Rockwell’s Aidan Wilde sits down opposite Elly looking unshaven and untidy, then proves rather better prepared for a fight than his appearance suggests. Rockwell plays the spy as though his own competence embarrasses him a little. We laughed at the train fight because the film cuts between him and Cavill mid-blow, letting a scruffy man start a punch and a tidy one finish it. His loose manner helps the joke land without looking laboured.

The early independent films *Box of Moonlight* (1996) and *Lawn Dogs* (1997) gave way to a volatile supporting turn as ‘Wild Bill’ Wharton in *The Green Mile* (1999). George Clooney gave him the lead as Chuck Barris in *Confessions of a Dangerous Mind* (2002), and *Moon* (2009) was written for him. The leading roles matter: an actor this physically expressive need not be limited to enlivening someone else’s story.

*The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford* (2007) gives him an ensemble place as Charley Ford in Andrew Dominik’s patient western. We recommend the film for its performances, with a warning that it sometimes repeats what it has already established. Rockwell belongs in that company, but we would not pretend the film is principally his: Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt carry its uncomfortable account of hero worship.

His work with Martin McDonagh gives that interest in damaged people a darker setting. In *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017), he makes Dixon recognisably human without excusing him. There is a risk in such skill: once we enjoy spending time with a character, a screenplay can find it too easy to ask for our sympathy.

*Argylle* shows a simpler limitation. Editors Lee Smith, Col Goudie and Tom Harrison-Read make the train’s swapping bodies work, and Rockwell and Howard find a bickering ease in cars and hotel rooms. But Matthew Vaughn keeps interrupting them with a plot that buries its good idea under reveals, leaving a few enjoyable scenes in a film we cannot recommend. We would rather see what Rockwell does with an uninterrupted conversation.

## Biography

Sam Rockwell is an American actor. He was born on 5 November 1968 in Daly City, California.

Rockwell trained at the William Esper Studio and began his career in independent films before appearing in larger roles. He is known for performances in *The Green Mile* (1999), *Moon* (2009), *Iron Man 2* (2010), *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), *Jojo Rabbit* (2019) and *Argylle* (2024) as Aidan Wilde.

He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017) and received a further nomination for *Vice* (2018). He was also nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for portraying Bob Fosse in the miniseries *Fosse/Verdon* (2019) and for a Tony Award for the Broadway revival of *American Buffalo*.

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

## On Fi1m (18)

- *Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die* (2026), Fi1m 64, as The Man from the Future — [page](https://film.one/film/good-luck-have-fun-dont-die.md)
- *Ray Gunn* (2026), Fi1m 64, as Raymond Gunn (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md)
- *Argylle* (2024), Fi1m 45, as Aidan Wilde — [page](https://film.one/film/argylle.md)
- *IF* (2024), Fi1m 56, as Guardian Dog (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *See How They Run* (2022), Fi1m 70, as Inspector Stoppard — [page](https://film.one/film/see-how-they-run.md)
- *The One and Only Ivan* (2020), Fi1m 64, as Ivan (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-one-and-only-ivan.md)
- *Fosse/Verdon* (2019), Fi1m 58, as Bob Fosse — [page](https://film.one/tv/fosse-verdon.md)
- *Jojo Rabbit* (2019), Fi1m 58, as Captain Klenzendorf — [page](https://film.one/film/jojo-rabbit.md)
- *Vice* (2018), Fi1m 61, as George W. Bush — [page](https://film.one/film/vice.md)
- *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Dixon — [page](https://film.one/film/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri.md)
- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), Fi1m 72, as Billy Bickle — [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *Iron Man 2* (2010), Fi1m 56, as Justin Hammer — [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man-2.md)
- *Moon* (2009), Fi1m 83, as Sam Bell — [page](https://film.one/film/moon.md)
- *Frost/Nixon* (2008), Fi1m 81, as James Reston Jr. — [page](https://film.one/film/frost-nixon.md)
- *The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford* (2007), Fi1m 84, as Charley Ford — [page](https://film.one/film/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford.md)
- *Charlie's Angels* (2000), Fi1m 68, as Eric Knox — [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels.md)
- *The Green Mile* (1999), Fi1m 73, as 'Wild Bill' Wharton — [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1990), Fi1m 71, as Head Thug — [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md)

## Complete filmography (122)

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

- *Wild Horse Nine* (2026), as Lee — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/wild-horse-nine.md)
- *Ray Gunn* (2026), as Raymond Gunn (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/ray-gunn.md)
- *Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die* (2026), as The Man from the Future — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/good-luck-have-fun-dont-die.md)
- *The Bad Guys 2* (2025), as Wolf (voice)
- *Chasing the Party* (2025), Producer
- *Is / Was \ Will* (2025), Actor
- *The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis* (2025), as Wolf (voice)
- *IF* (2024), as Guardian Dog (voice) — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/if.md)
- *Argylle* (2024), as Aidan Wilde — Fi1m 45, [page](https://film.one/film/argylle.md)
- *See How They Run* (2022), as Inspector Stoppard — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/see-how-they-run.md)
- *The Last Movie Stars* (2022), series, as Stuart Rosenberg (voice)
- *Maraschino Ruby* (2022), as Wolf (voice)
- *The Bad Guys* (2022), as Wolf (voice)
- *What If...?* (2021), series, as Justin Hammer (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/what-if.md)
- *The White Lotus* (2021), series, as Frank — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *No Longer Suitable For Use* (2021), Executive Producer
- *Sweet Thing* (2020), Executive Producer
- *The One and Only Ivan* (2020), as Ivan (voice) — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-one-and-only-ivan.md)
- *Home Movie: The Princess Bride* (2020), series, as Westley
- *Trolls World Tour* (2020), as Hickory (voice)
- *Richard Jewell* (2019), as Watson Bryant
- *Jojo Rabbit* (2019), as Captain Klenzendorf — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/jojo-rabbit.md)
- *Fosse/Verdon* (2019), series, as Bob Fosse · Executive Producer — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/tv/fosse-verdon.md)
- *The Best of Enemies* (2019), as Claiborne Paul Ellis
- *Vice* (2018), as George W. Bush — Fi1m 61, [page](https://film.one/film/vice.md)
- *Blue Iguana* (2018), as Eddie · Executive Producer
- *Blaze* (2018), as Oilman 3
- *Woman Walks Ahead* (2018), as Silas Groves
- *Mute* (2018), as Sam Bell
- *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017), as Dixon — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/three-billboards-outside-ebbing-missouri.md)
- *The Dark of Night* (2017), as Officer Witt
- *Axis* (2017), as Sam (voice)
- *Mr. Right* (2016), as Mr. Right
- *F is for Family* (2015), series, as Vic (voice)
- *Don Verdean* (2015), as Don Verdean · Executive Producer
- *Digging for Fire* (2015), as Ray
- *Poltergeist* (2015), as Eric Bowen
- *Take Care* (2014), Thanks
- *Laggies* (2014), as Craig Hunter
- *Loitering with Intent* (2014), as Wayne
- *Better Living Through Chemistry* (2014), as Douglas Varney
- *Marvel One-Shot: All Hail the King* (2014), as Justin Hammer
- *A Case of You* (2013), as Gary
- *Schooled: The Price of College Sports* (2013), as Narrator (voice)
- *A Single Shot* (2013), as John Moon · Executive Producer
- *The Way Way Back* (2013), as Owen
- *Trust Me* (2013), as Aldo
- *Seven Psychopaths* (2012), as Billy Bickle — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/seven-psychopaths.md)
- *The Sitter* (2011), as Karl
- *Cowboys & Aliens* (2011), as Doc
- *Gettysburg* (2011), as Narrator
- *Conviction* (2010), as Kenny Waters
- *Iron Man 2* (2010), as Justin Hammer — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/iron-man-2.md)
- *F--k* (2010), as Sam
- *Everybody's Fine* (2009), as Robert
- *Gentlemen Broncos* (2009), as Bronco / Brutus
- *G-Force* (2009), as Darwin the Guinea Pig (voice)
- *Moon* (2009), as Sam Bell — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/moon.md)
- *The Winning Season* (2009), as Bill · Executive Producer
- *Frost/Nixon* (2008), as James Reston Jr. — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/frost-nixon.md)
- *Choke* (2008), as Victor Mancini
- *Woman In Burka* (2008), as Sam
- *The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford* (2007), as Charley Ford — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-assassination-of-jesse-james-by-the-coward-robert-ford.md)
- *Snow Angels* (2007), as Glenn Marchand
- *Joshua* (2007), as Brad Cairn
- *Zerk and Shirts: Junk Yard Dogs* (2006), as Rod
- *Domino* (2005), Thanks
- *Robin's Big Date* (2005), as The Bat-Man
- *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy* (2005), as Zaphod Beeblebrox
- *The F Word* (2005), as Jeremy
- *Unscripted* (2005), series, as Sam Rockwell
- *Piccadilly Jim* (2004), as Jim Crocker
- *Matchstick Men* (2003), as Frank Mercer
- *Confessions of a Dangerous Mind* (2002), as Chuck Barris
- *Stella Shorts 1998-2002* (2002), as Pizza Guy
- *Welcome to Collinwood* (2002), as Pero
- *13 Moons* (2002), as Rick
- *Heist* (2001), as Jimmy Silk
- *Made* (2001), as Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
- *BigLove* (2001), as Nate
- *Charlie's Angels* (2000), as Eric Knox — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/charlies-angels.md)
- *Galaxy Quest* (1999), as Guy Fleegman
- *The Green Mile* (1999), as 'Wild Bill' Wharton — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-green-mile.md)
- *A Midsummer Night's Dream* (1999), as Francis Flute
- *Jerry and Tom* (1998), as Jerry
- *Celebrity* (1998), as Darrow Entourage
- *Safe Men* (1998), as Samuel
- *Louis & Frank* (1998), as Sam
- *Lawn Dogs* (1997), as Trent Burns
- *Subway Stories* (1997), as Man Eating  (segment "Sax Cantor Riff")
- *Drunks* (1997), as Tony
- *Prince Street* (1997), series, as Donny Hanson
- *Arresting Gena* (1997), as Sonny
- *Box of Moonlight* (1996), as The Kid
- *Basquiat* (1996), as Thug
- *Mercy* (1995), as Matty (Al)
- *Glory Daze* (1995), as Rob
- *The Search for One-eye Jimmy* (1994), as One-eye Jimmy
- *Somebody to Love* (1994), as Polish Guy
- *NYPD Blue* (1993), series, as Billy — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/nypd-blue.md)
- *In the Soup* (1992), as Pauli
- *Light Sleeper* (1992), as Jealous
- *Jack and His Friends* (1992), as Louie
- *Strictly Business* (1991), as Gary
- *Happy Hell Night* (1991), as Young Henry Collins
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Officer Weddeker, Randy Borland — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Clownhouse* (1990), as Randy Collins
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1990), as Head Thug — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md)
- *Over the Limit* (1990), as Jason
- *Last Exit to Brooklyn* (1989), as Al
- *The Equalizer* (1985), series, as Slick
- *ABC Afterschool Special* (1972), series, as Jason
- *The Cackling of the Dodos*, as Executive Producer
- *Reasonable People*, Actor
- *The Heart*, Actor
- *The Smack*, as Producer
- *Stuntnuts: The Movie*, Actor
- *DNA*, as Executive Producer
- *Hellhound*, Actor
- *The Adventures of Drunky*, as Drunky (voice)
- *Tumor*, as Frank Armstrong
- *The Bad Guys 3*, as Wolf (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-1bf833063a8b.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Sam_Rockwell_Talk_Easy_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Sam_Rockwell_Talk_Easy_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Berlin Film Festival 2026](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-440680fcd38f.jpg) Berlin Film Festival 2026 — User:Celestinesucess, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/85/Berlin_Film_Festival_2026%2C_%28P1230043%29.jpg/1280px-Berlin_Film_Festival_2026%2C_%28P1230043%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-da4ee2795ab5.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-437dab5b20ee.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-1ce688234a04.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-93cea245f50a.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-874e9aa8004b.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB
- ![Sam Rockwell](https://film.one/media/person/12094/gallery-c7c707288f2d.jpg) Sam Rockwell — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 1 won, 1 nominated

- 2019: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Vice*
- 2018: Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*

### BAFTA Film Awards — 1 won

- 2018: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (won), for *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri*

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 2018: Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture (won)

### Berlin International Film Festival — 1 won

- 2003: Silver Bear (won)

### Other awards — 3 won

- Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award 2009: Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award (won), for *Moon*
- Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award 2007: Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award (won), for *Joshua*
- Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award 1997: Sitges Film Festival Best Actor award (won), for *Lawn Dogs*

*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/sam-rockwell