---
name: "Thomas Haden Church"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/thomas-haden-church"
fi1m_id: "thomas-haden-church"
imdb_id: "nm0002006"
tmdb_id: 19159
wikidata_id: "Q311615"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "17 June 1960"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 68
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-19T04:22:30.188071+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."
---

# Thomas Haden Church

## Identity

Thomas Haden Church

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/thomas-haden-church
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** thomas-haden-church
- **IMDb ID:** nm0002006
- **TMDB ID:** 19159
- **Wikidata ID:** Q311615
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Haden_Church, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311615, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002006/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19159

Actor. Born 17 June 1960 in Yolo County, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 17 June 1960, Yolo County, California, USA
- **Active:** 2004–present
- **Also known as:** Thomas Richard McMillen
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 68, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 2000s 70 (4), 2010s 68 (2), 2020s 66 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 68 to 67 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Adventure 4, Drama 3, Science Fiction 3, Action 2, Family 2
- **Screen time:** 19 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,469m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Haden_Church, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311615, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002006/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/19159

## Coming up

- *A Dog’s Perfect Christmas* (2026-11-04), as Winstead (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/a-dogs-perfect-christmas.md)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*We Bought a Zoo*](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md) (58), [*Spider-Man 3*](https://film.one/film/spider-man-3.md) (55)
- **Netflix:** [*Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md) (77)
- **Apple TV:** [*Easy A*](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md) (77)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Over the Hedge*](https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge.md) (73)

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

## Fi1m on Thomas Haden Church

> Thomas Haden Church’s drawl and untroubled confidence make selfish men unusually watchable. We like him best when another actor can push back, as Paul Giamatti does in *Sideways*.

In *Sideways* (2004), Jack leaves the worrying to Miles. Thomas Haden Church’s ease makes Paul Giamatti’s discomfort funnier, but it also explains why these men keep each other company. Miles resents Jack’s lack of self-examination and needs it all the same. We laughed at Church’s calm refusal to join in the worrying; he makes it feel like a habit his friend knows too well. Alexander Payne gets a convincing friendship out of two actors who never insist that spending time together is a pleasure.

His television roles in *Wings* (1990–95), as Lowell Mather, and *Ned & Stacey* (1995–97) established the comic actor before *Sideways* revived his film prospects. The Texas drawl is conspicuous, and so is the ease with which he can make an objectionable man worth watching. The subsequent move to Sandman in *Spider-Man 3* (2007) put that capacity to humanise a difficult character into a villain’s part. He returned to Sandman in *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021). These are different uses for an actor whose strength is keeping us interested in people we have reason to dislike.

What *Sideways* understands is that Church needs another person’s resistance. Giamatti supplies it without turning Miles into a patient minder, and Church never makes Jack’s company an uncomplicated treat. The film is less satisfying when it keeps returning to the men’s troubles at the expense of Virginia Madsen’s Maya and Sandra Oh’s Stephanie. We wanted more time with the women, especially once the men’s charm began to wear. Church’s success makes that choice understandable, but it does not make it the right one.

*Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025) gives him much less to do. As Samson Holt, Church is one of the actors Rian Johnson leaves sitting in pews for long stretches, waiting to become useful to the mystery. The film works well enough to recommend, but its crowded cast leaves him with too little to play. Bob Ducsay’s patient editing suits the first hour better than the second; Church’s presence cannot make those long waits interesting on its own. Start with *Sideways*, and allow Giamatti equal credit for making him so funny.

## Biography

Thomas Haden Church is an American actor, also credited as Thomas Richard McMillen. Born on 17 June 1960 in Yolo County, California, he was raised in Texas and attended the University of North Texas. He began his career in radio as a disc jockey and voice-over announcer before moving into acting.

Church first gained recognition for his role in the sitcom *Wings* and as the lead in *Ned & Stacey* (1995–1997). He received an Academy Award nomination for his performance in *Sideways* (2004) and is known for playing Sandman / Flint Marko in *Spider-Man 3* (2007) and *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021). Other notable film roles include *George of the Jungle* (1997), *Easy A* (2010), *We Bought a Zoo* (2011) and *Hellboy* (2019). He made his directorial debut with *Rolling Kansas* (2003) and starred as Agent Stone in the series *Twisted Metal* (2023). He appears as Samson Holt in *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025).

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

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), Fi1m 77, as Samson Holt — [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), Fi1m 48, Actor — [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), Fi1m 74, as Flint Marko / Sandman — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *We Bought a Zoo* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Duncan Mee — [page](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md)
- *Easy A* (2010), Fi1m 77, as Mr. Griffith — [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *Spider-Man 3* (2007), Fi1m 55, as Sandman / Flint Marko — [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-3.md)
- *Idiocracy* (2006), Fi1m 68, as Brawndo CEO — [page](https://film.one/film/idiocracy.md)
- *Over the Hedge* (2006), Fi1m 73, as Dwayne (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge.md)
- *Sideways* (2004), Fi1m 86, as Jack — [page](https://film.one/film/sideways.md)

## Complete filmography (70)

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

- *A Dog’s Perfect Christmas* (2026), as Winstead (voice) — coming soon, [page](https://film.one/film/a-dogs-perfect-christmas.md)
- *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery* (2025), as Samson Holt — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wake-up-dead-man-a-knives-out-mystery.md)
- *The Legend of the Happy Worker* (2025), Actor
- *Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 2* (2024), Actor — Fi1m 48, [page](https://film.one/film/horizon-an-american-saga-chapter-2.md)
- *Tires* (2024), series, as Phil
- *Accidental Texan* (2024), as Merle
- *Twisted Metal* (2023), series, as Agent Stone
- *Fired on Mars* (2023), series, as Trevor Sullivan (voice)
- *Acidman* (2023), as Lloyd
- *Spider-Man: No Way Home* (2021), as Flint Marko / Sandman — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-no-way-home.md)
- *Big Bend: The Wild Frontier of Texas* (2021), as Narrator (voice)
- *The 24th* (2020), as Col. Norton
- *The Peanut Butter Falcon* (2019), as Salt Water Redneck
- *Hellboy* (2019), as Lobster Johnson
- *Crash Pad* (2017), as Grady
- *Divorce* (2016), series, as Robert DuFresne
- *Cardboard Boxer* (2016), as Willie
- *Daddy's Home* (2015), as Leo Holt
- *Max* (2015), as Ray
- *Heaven Is for Real* (2014), as Jay Wilkins
- *Lucky Them* (2013), as Charlie
- *Whitewash* (2013), as Bruce Landry
- *Killer Joe* (2012), as Ansel Smith
- *John Carter* (2012), as Tal Hajus
- *We Bought a Zoo* (2011), as Duncan Mee — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md)
- *Another Happy Day* (2011), as Paul
- *Zombie Roadkill* (2010), series, as Ranger Chet Masterson
- *Easy A* (2010), as Mr. Griffith — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/easy-a.md)
- *Regular Show* (2010), series, as Quillgin (voice)
- *All About Steve* (2009), as Hartman
- *Aliens in the Attic* (2009), as Tazer (voice)
- *Imagine That* (2009), as Johnny Whitefeather
- *Don McKay* (2009), as Don McKay · Executive Producer
- *Smart People* (2008), as Chuck Wetherhold
- *Spider-Man 3* (2007), as Sandman / Flint Marko — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/spider-man-3.md)
- *Charlotte's Web* (2006), as Brooks the Crow (voice)
- *Idiocracy* (2006), as Brawndo CEO — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/idiocracy.md)
- *Broken Trail* (2006), series, as Tom Harte
- *Over the Hedge* (2006), as Dwayne (voice) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/over-the-hedge.md)
- *Spanglish* (2004), as Mike (Realtor)
- *Sideways* (2004), as Jack — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/sideways.md)
- *George of the Jungle 2* (2003), as Lyle Van de Groot
- *Teen Titans* (2003), series, as Killer Moth (voice)
- *Rolling Kansas* (2003), as Agent Madsen / Trooper (uncredited) · Director, Writer
- *The Badge* (2002), as David Hardwick
- *Lone Star State of Mind* (2002), as Killer
- *Yee Hah & Doo Dah: Bronco Breakin' Boots* (2001), as Doo Dah
- *3000 Miles to Graceland* (2001), as Quigley
- *Monkeybone* (2001), as Death's Assistant
- *Gary & Mike* (2001), series, as (voice)
- *The Specials* (2000), as The Strobe
- *Goosed* (1999), as Steven Troy
- *Free Money* (1998), as Larry
- *Susan's Plan* (1998), as Dr. Chris Stillman
- *Mr. Murder* (1998), as Drew Oslett Jr.
- *Serial Killing 101* (1998), as Grimaldi
- *One Night Stand* (1997), as Don
- *George of the Jungle* (1997), as Lyle Van de Groot
- *Ned & Stacey* (1995), series, as Ned Dorsey
- *Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight* (1995), as Roach
- *Tombstone* (1993), as Billy Clanton
- *Fugitive Nights: Danger in the Desert* (1993), as Nelson Hareem
- *Wings* (1990), series, as Lowell Mather
- *Booker* (1989), series, as Leon Ross
- *Protect and Surf* (1989), as Dwight Jesmer
- *21 Jump Street* (1987), series, as Tony
- *Nature* (1982), series, as Narrator (voice)
- *Cheers* (1982), series, as Gordie Brown — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/cheers.md)
- *Deception Road*, as Hal
- *Behind the Zirkonians*, as Tazer (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Spiderman 3 stars Kirsten Dunst, Bryce Dallas Howard and Thomas Haden Church at a panel for the movie at the 2006 San Diego Comic Con on July 22.](https://film.one/media/person/7583/gallery-f5c8bc19ad74.jpg) Spiderman 3 stars Kirsten Dunst, Bryce Dallas Howard and Thomas Haden Church at a panel for the movie at the 2006 San Diego Comic Con on July 22. — Tostie14, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/Dunst_Howard_Church_2006_Comic_Con.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Thomas Haden Church](https://film.one/media/person/7583/gallery-2c9f62c84e66.jpg) Thomas Haden Church — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Thomas_Haden_Church_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg/1280px-Thomas_Haden_Church_at_the_2009_Tribeca_Film_Festival.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Thomas Haden Church (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/7583/gallery-3668da70b552.jpg) Thomas Haden Church (2007) — David Shankbone, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Thomas_Haden_Church_by_David_Shankbone.jpg/1280px-Thomas_Haden_Church_by_David_Shankbone.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Thomas Haden Church](https://film.one/media/person/7583/gallery-116211d18249.jpg) Thomas Haden Church — Image via TMDB
- ![Thomas Haden Church](https://film.one/media/person/7583/gallery-9d0beab4e34f.jpg) Thomas Haden Church — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2005: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Sideways*

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2007: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie (won), for *Broken Trail*

### SAG Awards — 1 won

- 2005: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (won), for *Sideways*

### Other awards — 5 won

- Independent Spirit Awards 2005: Best Supporting Male (won), for *Sideways*
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast 2004: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast (won), for *Sideways*
- Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor 2004: Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Sideways*
- Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor 2004: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Sideways*
- National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor 2004: National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor (won), for *Sideways*

*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/thomas-haden-church