---
name: "Scott Bakula"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/scott-bakula"
fi1m_id: "scott-bakula"
imdb_id: "nm0000836"
tmdb_id: 2154
wikidata_id: "Q311699"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "9 October 1954"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-09-17T15:15:07.120916+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."
---

# Scott Bakula

## Identity

Scott Bakula

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/scott-bakula
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** scott-bakula
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000836
- **TMDB ID:** 2154
- **Wikidata ID:** Q311699
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Bakula, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311699, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000836/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2154

Actor. Born 9 October 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 9 October 1954, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
- **Active:** 1999–2013
- **Also known as:** Scott Stewart Bakula ,  Скотт Бакула, اسکات باکولا
- **Frequently works with:** [Gregory Jacobs](https://film.one/person/gregory-jacobs.md), [Matt Damon](https://film.one/person/matt-damon.md), [Steven Soderbergh](https://film.one/person/steven-soderbergh.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 76 (1), 2000s 71 (1), 2010s 81 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 77 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 3, Comedy 1, Crime 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $414m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Bakula, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311699, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000836/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/2154

## Streaming the US now

- **HBO Max:** [*Behind the Candelabra*](https://film.one/film/behind-the-candelabra.md) (81)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Informant!*](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md) (71)

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

## Fi1m on Scott Bakula

> Scott Bakula makes decency interesting by showing how readily it can leave a man exposed. We value his patient, watchful acting most when a director gives him something to be wary of.

In *The Informant* (2009), Scott Bakula’s FBI man Brian Shepard listens to a whistleblower and takes him seriously. He has no knowing wink to reassure us that he is ahead of the story. We felt protective of Shepard because Bakula makes his willingness to believe another person seem so unguarded. He is good at making decency interesting without turning the decent man into a fool.

*Quantum Leap* (1989–1993) made that empathy central to a television lead while asking him to play different characters from week to week. Dr Sam Beckett was his breakthrough; Captain Jonathan Archer in *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001–2005) followed. By *NCIS: New Orleans* (2014–2021), the dependable leading man was an established part of his work. The supporting film roles give him opportunities to make that reassuring presence less comfortable, without abandoning the patience that makes it convincing.

Steven Soderbergh finds a particularly useful job for him in *Behind the Candelabra* (2013). As Bob Black, the friend who makes the introduction, Bakula seems familiar enough with the company to be wary. Michael Douglas’s Liberace can be soft and controlling, and Matt Damon’s character can let himself be remade; Bakula supplies a more cautious response to the same company. The part is small, and Soderbergh is right not to insist on more of it. Bakula helps us read the other people in a scene without drawing attention away from them.

The two Soderbergh films do not reward that quietness equally. *The Informant* is clever and brisk, but Hamlisch’s xylophone persists when Bakula’s performance needs the comedy to ease off. *Behind the Candelabra* gives his caution enough space, even if its second half takes a familiar route. His supporting appearance as Jim Olmeyer in Sam Mendes’s *American Beauty* (1999) belongs to another film we recommend for its performances. Its observations about middle-class life are rather less fresh.

We would not ask Bakula to be less reassuring merely for the sake of a surprise. The useful challenge is to give that reassurance something to contend with, rather than leave him confirming that a sensible man has entered the scene. Start with *Behind the Candelabra*, where a small part is enough to show how much he notices.

## Biography

Scott Stewart Bakula is an American actor. Born on 9 October 1954 in St. Louis, Missouri, he studied law at the University of Kansas before leaving to pursue acting. His early professional work included stage roles, beginning with a 1976 production of Shenandoah.

Bakula is known for his lead performance as Sam Beckett in the television series *Quantum Leap* (1989–1993), for which he won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama and received four Primetime Emmy Award nominations. He later played Captain Jonathan Archer in *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001–2005).

His film credits include Brian Shepard in *The Informant!* (2009) and Bob Black in *Behind the Candelabra* (2013). He has also appeared in guest roles on series such as *NCIS* and *Desperate Housewives*.

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

## On Fi1m (3)

- *Behind the Candelabra* (2013), Fi1m 81, as Bob Black — [page](https://film.one/film/behind-the-candelabra.md)
- *The Informant!* (2009), Fi1m 71, as Brian Shepard — [page](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md)
- *American Beauty* (1999), Fi1m 76, as Jim Olmeyer — [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)

## Complete filmography (73)

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

- *Divinity* (2023), as Sterling
- *Only Murders in the Building* (2021), series, as Scott Bakula — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/only-murders-in-the-building.md)
- *What We Do in the Shadows* (2019), series, as Scott Bakula
- *Basmati Blues* (2017), as Eric
- *Summertime* (2016), as padre di Paul
- *Me Him Her* (2016), as Mr. Ehrlick
- *NCIS: New Orleans* (2014), series, as Dwayne Pride · Producer, Executive Producer
- *Star Trek: Enterprise - Storm Front* (2014), as Capt. Jonathan Archer
- *Star Trek: Enterprise - In a Mirror, Darkly* (2014), as Cmdr. Jonathan Archer
- *Elsa & Fred* (2014), as Raymond
- *Sleep Cycle* (2014), as Insomniac #2
- *Caper* (2014), series, as Pete Blue
- *Looking* (2014), series, as Lynn
- *Star Trek: Enterprise - In Conversation: The First Crew* (2013), Actor
- *Behind the Candelabra* (2013), as Bob Black — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/behind-the-candelabra.md)
- *Geography Club* (2013), as Carl Land
- *Star Trek: Enterprise - Shockwave* (2013), as Capt. Jonathan Archer
- *Enter the Dangerous Mind* (2013), as Kevin
- *NFL Training Video: How Not to Murder People* (2013), as Referee
- *Source Code* (2011), as Colter's Father (voice)
- *Men of a Certain Age* (2009), series, as Terry Elliott
- *The Informant!* (2009), as Brian Shepard — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-informant.md)
- *Chuck* (2007), series, as Steve Bartowski — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/chuck.md)
- *Nora Roberts' Blue Smoke* (2007), as John Minger
- *The New Adventures of Old Christine* (2006), series, as Jeff Hunter
- *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2005), series, as Scott Bakula
- *Desperate Housewives* (2004), series, as Trip Weston — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/desperate-housewives.md)
- *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Jack Ross — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md)
- *NCIS* (2003), series, as Dwayne Pride — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md)
- *Two and a Half Men* (2003), series, as Jerry — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/two-and-a-half-men.md)
- *Role of a Lifetime* (2002), as Bobby Cellini / Buck Steele
- *Life as a House* (2001), as Officer Kurt Walker
- *What Girls Learn* (2001), as Nick · Executive Producer
- *Star Trek: Enterprise* (2001), series, as Jonathan Archer
- *A Girl Thing* (2001), series, as Paul Morgan
- *Papa's Angels* (2000), as Grins Jenkins
- *The Trial of Old Drum* (2000), as George Graham Vest
- *Above Suspicion* (2000), as James Stockton
- *Luminarias* (2000), Actor
- *In the Name of the People* (2000), as John Burke
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Kent Webster
- *American Beauty* (1999), as Jim Olmeyer — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/american-beauty.md)
- *Mean Streak* (1999), as Lou Mattoni
- *NetForce* (1999), as Alex Michaels
- *Netforce* (1999), series, as Alex Michaels
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Scott Bakula — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Major League: Back to the Minors* (1998), as Gus Cantrell
- *Cats Don't Dance* (1997), as Danny (voice)
- *The Bachelor's Baby* (1996), as Jake Henry
- *Mr. & Mrs. Smith* (1996), series, as Mr. Smith · Executive Producer
- *The Invaders* (1995), as Nolan Wood
- *The Invaders* (1995), series, as Nolan Wood
- *Lord of Illusions* (1995), as Harry D'Amour
- *My Family* (1995), as David Ronconi
- *Anyone Can Whistle: Live at Carnegie Hall* (1995), as J. Bowden Hapgood
- *A Passion to Kill* (1994), as David
- *Nowhere to Hide* (1994), as Kevin Nicholas
- *Color of Night* (1994), as Dr. Bob
- *Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771* (1993), as Jay Parkins
- *In the Shadow of a Killer* (1992), as Det. David Mitchell
- *Necessary Roughness* (1991), as Paul Blake
- *Sibling Rivalry* (1990), as Harry Turner
- *Dream On* (1990), series, as Aaron Hernick, Kidnapper
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Scott Bakula (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Quantum Leap* (1989), series, as Sam Beckett · Director
- *Murphy Brown* (1988), series, as Peter Hunt — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/murphy-brown.md)
- *Eisenhower and Lutz* (1988), series, as Barnett M. "Bud" Lutz, Jr
- *Infiltrator* (1987), as Dr. Sanderson
- *The Last Fling* (1987), as Drew
- *Gung Ho* (1986), series, as Hunt Stevenson
- *Designing Women* (1986), series, as Ted Shively
- *I-Man* (1986), as Jeffrey Wilder
- *Matlock* (1986), series, as Jed Palmer

## Gallery

- ![Scott Bakula](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-a00d00da7f18.jpg) Scott Bakula — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Scott_Bakula_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Scott_Bakula_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![38th Annual Saturn Awards - Frank Oz and Scott Bakula (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-bd2759162ad3.jpg) 38th Annual Saturn Awards - Frank Oz and Scott Bakula (2012) — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/38th_Annual_Saturn_Awards_-_Frank_Oz_and_Scott_Bakula_%2813971790697%29.jpg/1280px-38th_Annual_Saturn_Awards_-_Frank_Oz_and_Scott_Bakula_%2813971790697%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![38th Annual Saturn Awards - Scott Bakula (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-73b4e3bdfb87.jpg) 38th Annual Saturn Awards - Scott Bakula (2012) — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/61/38th_Annual_Saturn_Awards_-_Scott_Bakula_%2814158575614%29.jpg/1280px-38th_Annual_Saturn_Awards_-_Scott_Bakula_%2814158575614%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![38th Annual Saturn Awards - Scott Bakula (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-1f64468c8288.jpg) 38th Annual Saturn Awards - Scott Bakula (2012) — The Conmunity -  Pop Culture Geek from Los Angeles, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/20/38th_Annual_Saturn_Awards_-_Scott_Bakula_%2814158575614%29_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Scott Bakula](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-84b51ccf0f5e.jpg) Scott Bakula — Image via TMDB
- ![Scott Bakula](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-989fedf96427.jpg) Scott Bakula — Image via TMDB
- ![Scott Bakula](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-ae65eb80d36e.jpg) Scott Bakula — Image via TMDB
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Cary Hoffman, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher, Mike Royce, Ray Romano, and Rory Rosegarten 70th Annual Peabody Award (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-7ff2c791b973.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Cary Hoffman, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher, Mike Royce, Ray Romano, and Rory Rosegarten 70th Annual Peabody Award (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/01/Cary_Hoffman%2C_Scott_Bakula%2C_Andre_Braugher%2C_Mike_Royce%2C_Ray_Romano%2C_Rory_Rosegarten%2C_and_Horace_Newcomb%2C_May_2011_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Cary_Hoffman%2C_Scott_Bakula%2C_Andre_Braugher%2C_Mike_Royce%2C_Ray_Romano%2C_Rory_Rosegarten%2C_and_Horace_Newcomb%2C_May_2011_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Cary Hoffman, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher, Mike Royce, Ray Romano, and Rory Rosegarten 70th Annual Peabody Award (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-cb931fbae1bd.jpg) PHOTO CREDIT: ANDERS KRUSBERG / PEABODY AWARDS Cary Hoffman, Scott Bakula, Andre Braugher, Mike Royce, Ray Romano, and Rory Rosegarten 70th Annual Peabody Award (2011) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/21/Cary_Hoffman%2C_Scott_Bakula%2C_Andre_Braugher%2C_Mike_Royce%2C_Ray_Romano%2C_Rory_Rosegarten%2C_and_Horace_Newcomb%2C_May_2011_%282%29.jpg/1280px-Cary_Hoffman%2C_Scott_Bakula%2C_Andre_Braugher%2C_Mike_Royce%2C_Ray_Romano%2C_Rory_Rosegarten%2C_and_Horace_Newcomb%2C_May_2011_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Scott Bakula](https://film.one/media/person/9375/gallery-dac3705b2d4a.jpg) Scott Bakula — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 1992: Best Actor – Television Series Drama (won), for *Quantum Leap*

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical 1988: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (nominated)

*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/scott-bakula