---
name: "Tim Blake Nelson"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/tim-blake-nelson"
fi1m_id: "tim-blake-nelson"
imdb_id: "nm0625789"
tmdb_id: 1462
wikidata_id: "Q515095"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 May 1964"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 20
average_fi1m_score: 71
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 20
updated: "2026-10-09T19:29:46.827155+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."
---

# Tim Blake Nelson

## Identity

Tim Blake Nelson

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/tim-blake-nelson
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** tim-blake-nelson
- **IMDb ID:** nm0625789
- **TMDB ID:** 1462
- **Wikidata ID:** Q515095
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Blake_Nelson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q515095, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0625789/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1462

Actor. Born 11 May 1964 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 May 1964, Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA
- **Active:** 1997–present
- **Also known as:** تیم بلیک نلسون
- **Frequently works with:** [Ethan Coen](https://film.one/person/ethan-coen.md), [Joel Coen](https://film.one/person/joel-coen.md), [Kevin Feige](https://film.one/person/kevin-feige.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 71, as actor, over 20 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 84 (2), 2000s 70 (7), 2010s 71 (5), 2020s 69 (6)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 69 across 20 titles
- **Score spread:** 8 at 80+, 8 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 13 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 13, Crime 6, Thriller 6, Action 4, Adventure 4, Comedy 4
- **Screen time:** 34 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $2,436m across 14 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Blake_Nelson, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q515095, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0625789/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1462

## Coming up

- *The Rescue* (2027-01-28)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*The Lowdown*](https://film.one/tv/the-lowdown.md) (80), [*The Testament of Ann Lee*](https://film.one/film/the-testament-of-ann-lee.md) (73), [*The Incredible Hulk*](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md) (58), [*Captain America: Brave New World*](https://film.one/film/captain-america-brave-new-world.md) (46), [*Fantastic Four*](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four.md) (38)
- **Netflix:** [*Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio*](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md) (80), [*The Ballad of Buster Scruggs*](https://film.one/film/the-ballad-of-buster-scruggs.md) (79)
- **HBO Max:** [*Watchmen*](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md) (84)
- **Apple TV:** [*Minority Report*](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md) (81)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Homesman*](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md) (72)

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

## Fi1m on Tim Blake Nelson

> Tim Blake Nelson makes eccentric supporting characters funny without asking us to look down on them. We like him best with company: *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* lets his comedy strengthen the actors beside him.

George Clooney’s Everett is pleased with himself in *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000), and Tim Blake Nelson’s Delmar O’Donnell helps keep him from becoming the whole show. Alongside John Turturro’s Pete Hogwallop, Nelson gives Clooney someone to respond to, keeping the comedy sociable rather than letting it become a succession of solo turns. We laughed at Everett’s solemn concern for his dignity, and the pleasure depends partly on having this company around him. Nelson’s contribution is easy to undervalue because it is shared with the other actors.

Delmar was the breakthrough, followed by steady supporting work in studio and independent films. The parts include Samuel Sterns in *The Incredible Hulk* (2008) and Richard Schell in Steven Spielberg’s *Lincoln* (2012), a useful reminder that eccentric comedy is only part of his working life. But Joel and Ethan Coen remain the clearest place to start with him, making use of his singing and physical comedy. *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs* (2018) gives him the title role in an anthology segment, a change from being the man beside the lead.

The limitation is the frequency with which he is asked to play an eccentric or a rural oddity. Casting him that way can make his presence seem more predictable than the performance deserves; he distinguishes these people by allowing them sincerity. We value the absence of condescension, especially in comedy that could settle for laughing at somebody’s peculiarities. In *O Brother, Where Art Thou?*, the supporting players help make the film welcoming even when its wandering story leaves some characters short of attention.

His Pastor Reuben Wight in *The Testament of Ann Lee* (2025) belongs to a carefully chosen supporting cast around Amanda Seyfried. Our reasons for recommending that film are chiefly Seyfried and the congregation’s singing and stamping; Nelson’s appearance is a smaller pleasure. There is no need to turn every supporting credit into a claim that the whole film rests on him. Start with *O Brother, Where Art Thou?*, forgive the loose storytelling, and watch how much Clooney gains from having Nelson beside him.

## Biography

Tim Blake Nelson is an American actor, director and writer. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he studied at Brown University and trained at the Juilliard School.

He is known for roles including Delmar O'Donnell in *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000), Gideon in *Minority Report* (2002), Samuel Sterns in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Richard Schell in *Lincoln* (2012), the title character in *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs* (2018), and Pastor Reuben Wight in *The Testament of Ann Lee* (2025). He has directed films such as *Eye of God* (1997), *O* (2001) and *The Grey Zone* (2001), the first and last adapted from his own plays. Nelson published his debut novel, *City of Blows*, in 2023.

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

## On Fi1m (20)

- *Captain America: Brave New World* (2025), Fi1m 46, as Samuel Sterns — [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-brave-new-world.md)
- *Task* (2025), Fi1m 67, as Denny Coughlin — [page](https://film.one/tv/task.md)
- *The Lowdown* (2025), Fi1m 80, as Dale Washberg — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-lowdown.md)
- *The Testament of Ann Lee* (2025), Fi1m 73, as Pastor Reuben Wight — [page](https://film.one/film/the-testament-of-ann-lee.md)
- *Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio* (2022), Fi1m 80, as Black Rabbits (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md)
- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), Fi1m 66, as Carny Boss — [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *Watchmen* (2019), Fi1m 84, as Wade Tillman / Looking Glass — [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md)
- *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs* (2018), Fi1m 79, as Buster Scruggs (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs") — [page](https://film.one/film/the-ballad-of-buster-scruggs.md)
- *Fantastic Four* (2015), Fi1m 38, as Dr. Allen — [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four.md)
- *The Homesman* (2014), Fi1m 72, as The Freighter — [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *Lincoln* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Richard Schell — [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Modern Family* (2009), Fi1m 77, as Hank — [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), Fi1m 58, as Samuel Sterns — [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md)
- *Syriana* (2005), Fi1m 72, as Danny Dalton — [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *Meet the Fockers* (2004), Fi1m 52, as Officer LeFlore — [page](https://film.one/film/meet-the-fockers.md)
- *Minority Report* (2002), Fi1m 81, as Gideon — [page](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md)
- *Hamlet* (2000), Fi1m 68, as Flight Captain — [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-2000.md)
- *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000), Fi1m 82, as Delmar O'Donnell — [page](https://film.one/film/o-brother-where-art-thou.md)
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), Fi1m 84, as Pvt. Brian Tills — [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Donnie Brasco* (1997), Fi1m 84, as FBI Technician — [page](https://film.one/film/donnie-brasco.md)

## Complete filmography (110)

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

- *The Rescue* (2027), Actor
- *The Life and Deaths of Wilson Shedd* (2026), Director, Writer, Producer
- *The Leader* (2026), as Marshall Applewhite · Executive Producer
- *The Testament of Ann Lee* (2025), as Pastor Reuben Wight — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/the-testament-of-ann-lee.md)
- *Atropia* (2025), as Mr. Speaker (voice)
- *On the End* (2025), as Tom Ferreira
- *The Lowdown* (2025), series, as Dale Washberg — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-lowdown.md)
- *Bang Bang* (2025), as Bernard 'Bang Bang' Rozyski
- *Task* (2025), series, as Denny Coughlin — Fi1m 67, [page](https://film.one/tv/task.md)
- *Eddington* (2025), Thanks — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/eddington.md)
- *Captain America: Brave New World* (2025), as Samuel Sterns — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/captain-america-brave-new-world.md)
- *Greedy People* (2024), as Wallace
- *The Invisibles* (2024), as Charlie
- *Asleep in My Palm* (2024), as Tom · Producer
- *The Bricklayer* (2023), as O'Malley
- *Ghosted* (2023), as Borislov
- *Poker Face* (2023), series, as Kyle Owens — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/poker-face.md)
- *George & Tammy* (2022), series, as Roy Acuff
- *Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio* (2022), as Black Rabbits (voice) — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio.md)
- *Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities* (2022), series, as Nick Appleton
- *Lost Ollie* (2022), series, as Zozo (voice)
- *Ninety-Five Senses* (2022), as Coy (voice)
- *Ghosts of the Ozarks* (2022), as Torb
- *Slugfest* (2021), series, as Steve Englehart
- *National Champions* (2021), as Rodger Cummings
- *Nightmare Alley* (2021), as Carny Boss — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/nightmare-alley-2021.md)
- *Old Henry* (2021), as Henry
- *Naked Singularity* (2021), as Angus
- *Monster* (2021), as Leroy Sawicki
- *Sequestrada* (2019), as Thomas
- *Just Mercy* (2019), as Ralph Myers
- *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Wade Tillman / Looking Glass — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md)
- *The Jesus Rolls* (2019), as Doctor
- *The True Don Quixote* (2019), as Don Quixote
- *The Report* (2019), as Raymond Nathan
- *Angel Has Fallen* (2019), as VP Kirby
- *Joseph Pulitzer: Voice of the People* (2019), as Teddy Roosevelt (voice)
- *The Ballad of Buster Scruggs* (2018), as Buster Scruggs (segment "The Ballad of Buster Scruggs") — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/the-ballad-of-buster-scruggs.md)
- *Dallas & Robo* (2018), series, as The Woodsman
- *The Vanishing of Sidney Hall* (2018), as Johan
- *Wormwood* (2017), series, as Sidney Gottlieb
- *Wormwood* (2017), as Sidney Gottlieb
- *Colossal* (2017), as Garth
- *The Institute* (2017), as Dr. Lemelle
- *Deidra & Laney Rob a Train* (2017), as Truman
- *Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk* (2016), as Wayne Foster
- *The Confirmation* (2016), as Vaughn
- *Anesthesia* (2016), as Adam Zarrow · Director, Writer, Producer
- *The Sound and the Fury* (2015), as Father
- *Fantastic Four* (2015), as Dr. Allen — Fi1m 38, [page](https://film.one/film/fantastic-four.md)
- *Black Dog, Red Dog* (2015), as Bob
- *Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt* (2015), series, as Randy — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/unbreakable-kimmy-schmidt.md)
- *Rickover: The Birth of Nuclear Power* (2014), as Admiral Rickover
- *Kill the Messenger* (2014), as Alan Fenster
- *The Homesman* (2014), as The Freighter — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-homesman.md)
- *Child of God* (2014), as Sheriff Fate
- *Klondike* (2014), series, as Joe Meeker
- *As I Lay Dying* (2013), as Anse
- *Blue Caprice* (2013), as Ray
- *Snake & Mongoose* (2013), as Mike McAllister
- *Lincoln* (2012), as Richard Schell — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/lincoln.md)
- *Adventures in the Sin Bin* (2012), as Officer Totsch
- *Big Miracle* (2012), as Pat Lafaytette
- *The Big Year* (2011), as Fuchs
- *Flypaper* (2011), as Peanut Butter
- *Detachment* (2011), as Mr. Wiatt
- *CHAOS* (2011), series, as Casey Malick
- *Yelling To The Sky* (2011), as Coleman
- *Saint John of Las Vegas* (2010), as Ned
- *Modern Family* (2009), series, as Hank — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/modern-family.md)
- *Leaves of Grass* (2009), as Bolger · Director, Writer, Producer
- *American Violet* (2008), as David Cohen
- *The Incredible Hulk* (2008), as Samuel Sterns — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/the-incredible-hulk.md)
- *The Darwin Awards* (2007), as Perp
- *The Astronaut Farmer* (2007), as Kevin Munchak
- *Hoot* (2006), as Curly
- *Fido* (2006), as Mr. Theopolis
- *The Amateurs* (2006), as Barney Macklehatton
- *Come Early Morning* (2006), as Uncle Tim
- *Haskett's Chance* (2006), Director
- *Syriana* (2005), as Danny Dalton — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/syriana.md)
- *The Big White* (2005), as Gary
- *Warm Springs* (2005), as Tom Loyless
- *Crazy for Love* (2005), as Doctor, Chief Nakahoma, Minister, Roger Bob
- *Meet the Fockers* (2004), as Officer LeFlore — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/meet-the-fockers.md)
- *The Last Shot* (2004), as Marshal Paris
- *Bereft* (2004), as Dennis
- *Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed* (2004), as Jacobo
- *Wonderland* (2003), as Billy Deverell
- *A Foreign Affair* (2003), as Jake Adams
- *Holes* (2003), as Dr. Pendanski
- *The Good Girl* (2002), as Bubba
- *Minority Report* (2002), as Gideon — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/minority-report.md)
- *Cherish* (2002), as Daly
- *The Grey Zone* (2001), Director, Writer, Editor, Producer
- *O* (2001), Director
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Paulie Krill
- *O Brother, Where Art Thou?* (2000), as Delmar O'Donnell — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/o-brother-where-art-thou.md)
- *Hamlet* (2000), as Flight Captain — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/hamlet-2000.md)
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), as Pvt. Brian Tills — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Eye of God* (1997), Director, Screenplay
- *Prix Fixe* (1997), as Busboy
- *Donnie Brasco* (1997), as FBI Technician — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/donnie-brasco.md)
- *Joe's Apartment* (1996), as Cockroach (voice)
- *Heavyweights* (1995), as Camp Hope Salesman
- *Amateur* (1994), as Young Detective
- *Hardcore TV* (1992), series, Writer, Creator
- *This Is My Life* (1992), as Dennis
- *Michael Zero*, Director
- *The Long Home*, as Hovington

## Gallery

- ![Tim Blake Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-da76760ccc00.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Tim_Blake_Nelson_Leaves_of_Grass_Premiere.jpg/1280px-Tim_Blake_Nelson_Leaves_of_Grass_Premiere.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Ahna O'Reilly and Tim Blake Nelson attending a party held at Circa in Jackson on October 4, 2012.](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-df16047ae6ce.jpg) Ahna O'Reilly and Tim Blake Nelson attending a party held at Circa in Jackson on October 4, 2012. — Natalie Maynor, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Ahna_O%27Relly_and_Tim_Blake_Nelson.jpg/1280px-Ahna_O%27Relly_and_Tim_Blake_Nelson.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tim Blake Nelson at the press conference of Just Mercy, 2019 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-fc2c23a21dcd.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson at the press conference of Just Mercy, 2019 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Just_Mercy_PC_14_%2848734735451%29.jpg/1280px-Just_Mercy_PC_14_%2848734735451%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tim Blake Nelson at the premiere of Colossal, 2016 Toronto Film Festival](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-6f2c818b8421.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson at the premiere of Colossal, 2016 Toronto Film Festival — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Tim_Blake_Nelson_%2829485733770%29.jpg/1280px-Tim_Blake_Nelson_%2829485733770%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Tim Blake Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-4619d8f4f1bb.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![Tim Blake Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-47eda1dee723.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![Tim Blake Nelson](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-a6120b297097.jpg) Tim Blake Nelson — Image via TMDB
- ![from <a href="https://www.popularfitness.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.popularfitness.com</a> Close-ups of Tim Blake Nelson signing a lot autog (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-8f37a9a63b9c.jpg) from <a href="https://www.popularfitness.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.popularfitness.com</a> Close-ups of Tim Blake Nelson signing a lot autog (2019) — Peter Kudlacz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Tim_Blake_Nelson_%2848705209613%29.jpg/1280px-Tim_Blake_Nelson_%2848705209613%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![from <a href="https://www.popularfitness.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.popularfitness.com</a> Close-ups of Tim Blake Nelson signing a lot autog (2019)](https://film.one/media/person/7321/gallery-74ab55cf34b5.jpg) from <a href="https://www.popularfitness.com" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.popularfitness.com</a> Close-ups of Tim Blake Nelson signing a lot autog (2019) — Peter Kudlacz, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Tim_Blake_Nelson_-_Close-Up_%2848705542681%29.jpg/1280px-Tim_Blake_Nelson_-_Close-Up_%2848705542681%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/tim-blake-nelson