---
name: "W. Earl Brown"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/w-earl-brown"
fi1m_id: "w-earl-brown"
imdb_id: "nm0114868"
tmdb_id: 6951
wikidata_id: "Q2572165"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "7 September 1963"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-04T22:47:50.563351+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."
---

# W. Earl Brown

## Identity

W. Earl Brown

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/w-earl-brown
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** w-earl-brown
- **IMDb ID:** nm0114868
- **TMDB ID:** 6951
- **Wikidata ID:** Q2572165
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Earl_Brown, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2572165, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114868/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6951

Actor. Born 7 September 1963 in Murray, Kentucky, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 7 September 1963, Murray, Kentucky, USA
- **Active:** 1991–2019
- **Also known as:** William Earl Brown, Earl Brown, У. Эрл Браун
- **Frequently works with:** [Cameron Diaz](https://film.one/person/cameron-diaz.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (5), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 72 (7)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 70 across 16 titles
- **Score spread:** 7 at 80+, 6 at 60–79, 3 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 10, Crime 7, Mystery 4, Comedy 3, Romance 3, Action 2
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,272m across 9 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W._Earl_Brown, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2572165, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0114868/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/6951

## Streaming the US now

- **Hulu:** [*Scream*](https://film.one/film/scream.md) (86), [*The Sessions*](https://film.one/film/the-sessions.md) (79)
- **HBO Max:** [*Deadwood*](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md) (91)
- **Netflix:** [*The Highwaymen*](https://film.one/film/the-highwaymen.md) (55)

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

## Fi1m on W. Earl Brown

> W. Earl Brown makes an enforcer’s loyalty count, and can be just as useful in an unruly comedy. We rate his changes of voice and bearing, and wish casting directors were less inclined to ask him to repeat himself.

W. Earl Brown looks at home among the enforcers, but the loyalty of Dan Dority in *Deadwood* (2004–2006) matters as much as the toughness. He changes voice and physical manner to fit the character rather than asking every part to accommodate the same recognisable personality. We rate that willingness to disappear into an ensemble. It can also make his work easy to take for granted, particularly when casting directors keep asking for a version of something he has already done.

*Scream* (1996) followed earlier supporting work with director Wes Craven and cast him as Kenny. The film makes a useful introduction to Brown because its supporting cast has a job beyond supplying possible victims: these people have to earn our concern. They do, even while the script occasionally holds up a fright to explain the rules of horror. We recommend the film warmly, and Brown belongs to the ensemble that keeps its cleverness from making the danger feel trivial.

*There's Something About Mary* (1998) gave him his comic breakthrough as Warren Jensen, the brother of Cameron Diaz’s Mary. We laughed helplessly at the film because the sharp comic performances make its bad manners work. Warren is a useful corrective to the idea that Brown’s natural place is always among the heavies; his eccentric comedy deserves attention too. Our affection for the film has limits: Mary needs more attention, and two hours could have used firmer cutting.

David Milch’s *Deadwood* gave him the sustained work of Dan Dority across three seasons, along with a writing credit. He went further with *Bloodworth* (2010), writing and producing the film as well as playing Brady Bloodworth. He has nevertheless faced typecasting after both Warren and Dan, which makes us wary of mistaking repeated casting for an actor’s limitations. Start with *Scream*; approach *There's Something About Mary* with a tolerance for bad manners and a slightly generous evening.

## Biography

W. Earl Brown is an American actor, screenwriter, producer, musician and songwriter. He was born on 7 September 1963 in Kentucky and trained at Murray State University and DePaul University Theatre School.

He is best known for playing Dan Dority in the HBO series *Deadwood* (2004–2006), a role he reprised in the 2019 television film; he also wrote one episode of the series. Other film credits include *Scream* (1996), *There's Something About Mary* (1998), *Being John Malkovich* (1999) and *The Master* (2012). On television he has appeared in *The Mandalorian* (2019), *American Horror Story* (2011) and *Preacher* (2016–2017).

Brown received a Writers Guild of America nomination for his work on *Deadwood* and a Screen Actors Guild nomination for ensemble cast performance.

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

## On Fi1m (16)

- *The Highwaymen* (2019), Fi1m 55, as Ivy Methvin — [page](https://film.one/film/the-highwaymen.md)
- *The Mandalorian* (2019), Fi1m 76, as Weequay Proprietor — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md)
- *Wild* (2014), Fi1m 70, as Frank — [page](https://film.one/film/wild.md)
- *Rectify* (2013), Fi1m 87, as The Stranger — [page](https://film.one/tv/rectify.md)
- *The Lone Ranger* (2013), Fi1m 55, as Mustached Ranger — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lone-ranger.md)
- *The Master* (2012), Fi1m 84, as Fighting Businessman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-master.md)
- *The Sessions* (2012), Fi1m 79, as Rod — [page](https://film.one/film/the-sessions.md)
- *The Mentalist* (2008), Fi1m 71, as Rulon Farnes — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Deadwood* (2004), Fi1m 91, as Dan Dority — [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), Fi1m 86, as Pete — [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Vanilla Sky* (2001), Fi1m 58, as Barman — [page](https://film.one/film/vanilla-sky.md)
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), Fi1m 89, as First J.M. Inc. Customer — [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *There's Something About Mary* (1998), Fi1m 78, as Warren Jensen — [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md)
- *Scream* (1996), Fi1m 86, as Kenny — [page](https://film.one/film/scream.md)
- *The X-Files* (1993), Fi1m 84, as Robert M. Fassl — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Backdraft* (1991), Fi1m 62, as Paramedic — [page](https://film.one/film/backdraft.md)

## Complete filmography (115)

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

- *Sheriff Country* (2025), series, as Wes Fox
- *The Dead Don't Hurt* (2024), as Alan Kendall
- *Shirley* (2024), as George Wallace
- *Hello Tomorrow!* (2023), series, as Big Fred
- *Paul T. Goldman* (2023), series, as Royce Rocco
- *Fire Country* (2022), series, as Wes Fox
- *The Book of Boba Fett* (2021), series, as Weequay Proprietor
- *The Unforgivable* (2021), as Mac Whelan
- *The Ghost and Molly McGee* (2021), series, as Lord Doom (voice)
- *American Sausage Standoff* (2021), as Jimmy Jerry Lee Jones Jr.
- *No Man of God* (2021), as Warden Wilkenson
- *Hacks* (2021), series, as Michael — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/hacks.md)
- *Reprisal* (2019), series, as Witt
- *The Mandalorian* (2019), series, as Weequay Proprietor — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mandalorian.md)
- *The Boys* (2019), series, as Reverend Greg Dupree — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-boys.md)
- *I Lost My Mother's Ashes* (2019), as Mortician
- *Deadwood: The Movie* (2019), as Dan Dority
- *The Highwaymen* (2019), as Ivy Methvin — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-highwaymen.md)
- *Yellowstone* (2018), series, as Deputy Spears
- *Dad Band* (2018), as Jimbo · Producer, Writer
- *Superstition* (2017), series, as The Dredge
- *Spaceman* (2016), as Dick Dennis
- *Preacher* (2016), series, as Hugo Root
- *Wicked City* (2015), series, as Captain Dan Wilkinson
- *Black Mass* (2015), as John Martorano — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/black-mass.md)
- *American Crime* (2015), series, as Tom Carlin
- *Wild* (2014), as Frank — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/wild.md)
- *Draft Day* (2014), as Ralph Mowry
- *Chasing Ghosts* (2014), as Roger Simons
- *True Detective* (2014), series, as Detective Teague Dixon — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-detective.md)
- *A Single Shot* (2013), as Puffy
- *Beneath the Harvest Sky* (2013), as Roger Cyr
- *The Lone Ranger* (2013), as Mustached Ranger — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lone-ranger.md)
- *The Sixth Gun* (2013), as General Oliander Hume
- *Rectify* (2013), series, as The Stranger — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/rectify.md)
- *Brother's Keeper* (2013), as Turner Monroe
- *Alice in Chains: AIC 23* (2013), as Alan Poole McLard · Writer
- *Bates Motel* (2013), series, as Keith Summers
- *Chicago Fire* (2012), series, as Dave Bloom
- *The Master* (2012), as Fighting Businessman — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-master.md)
- *Perception* (2012), series, as Frank Prentice
- *Longmire* (2012), series, as R.J. Watts — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/longmire.md)
- *The Sessions* (2012), as Rod — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/the-sessions.md)
- *Blue-Eyed Butcher* (2012), as Thomas Dean
- *American Horror Story* (2011), series, as Phil Critter
- *The Last Rites of Ransom Pride* (2010), as Matthew
- *Pickin' and Grinnin'* (2010), as Parson
- *Miami Medical* (2010), series, Actor
- *Justified* (2010), series, as Cal Wallace — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/justified.md)
- *Bloodworth* (2010), as Brady Bloodworth · Producer, Screenplay
- *Archer* (2009), series, as Head Biker (voice)
- *Hawthorne* (2009), series, as Mr. Deegan
- *1%* (2008), as Sailor
- *The Mentalist* (2008), series, as Rulon Farnes — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-mentalist.md)
- *Burn Notice* (2007), series, as Zechariah
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Dwayne Tancana
- *The Big White* (2005), as Jimbo
- *Kids in America* (2005), as Boss McGinn
- *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Herb Cramer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md)
- *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Abner Stone
- *The Last Shot* (2004), as Willie Gratzo
- *The Alamo* (2004), as David Burnet
- *Deadwood* (2004), series, as Dan Dority · Writer — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/deadwood.md)
- *Killer Diller* (2004), as Holister
- *Cold Case* (2003), series, as Victor Lake
- *Dunsmore* (2003), as Ronny Roy Pritcher
- *Pauly Shore Is Dead* (2003), as Bucky from Kentucky
- *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Jesse Kramer
- *Push, Nevada* (2002), series, Actor
- *Vanilla Sky* (2001), as Barman — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/vanilla-sky.md)
- *Dancing at the Blue Iguana* (2001), as Bobby
- *Wolf Lake* (2001), series, as Bruce Cates
- *Six Feet Under* (2001), series, as Pete — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/six-feet-under.md)
- *Sugar & Spice* (2001), as Hank 'Terminator' Rogers
- *Lost Souls* (2000), as William Kelson
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Thomas Pickens / Roger Peet, Slick
- *FreakyLinks* (2000), series, Actor
- *Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back* (2000), as Meat Loaf
- *Being John Malkovich* (1999), as First J.M. Inc. Customer — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/being-john-malkovich.md)
- *Angel* (1999), series, as Menlo
- *Charmed* (1998), series, as Shadow / Warlock
- *Martial Law* (1998), series, as Larry Gambozza
- *There's Something About Mary* (1998), as Warren Jensen — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md)
- *Deep Impact* (1998), as McCloud (uncredited)
- *Bella Mafia* (1997), as Fredrico Luciano
- *Kiss the Girls* (1997), as Locksmith
- *Smart Guy* (1997), series, as Sonny
- *Scream* (1996), as Kenny — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/scream.md)
- *The Cherokee Kid* (1996), as Calloway
- *Profiler* (1996), series, as Raymond Boudreaux
- *A Season in Purgatory* (1996), series, as Fatty Malloy
- *Wiseguy* (1996), as Dubois
- *Project: ALF* (1996), as Ernie
- *Vampire in Brooklyn* (1995), as Thrasher
- *Without Evidence* (1995), as Grace
- *Caroline in the City* (1995), series, as Floyd Gerber
- *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Cabbie
- *Nowhere Man* (1995), series, as Roy
- *Lily in Winter* (1994), as Sheriff Boyd
- *Wes Craven's New Nightmare* (1994), as Morgue Attendant
- *Dead Air* (1994), as Ken
- *Chicago Hope* (1994), series, as Harry Cram
- *Ellen* (1994), series, as Customer
- *Diagnosis: Murder* (1993), series, as Dusty Wilton
- *The X-Files* (1993), series, as Robert M. Fassl — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-x-files.md)
- *Rookie of the Year* (1993), as Billy Frick
- *Excessive Force* (1993), as Vinnie DiMarco
- *The Woman Who Loved Elvis* (1993), as Pete
- *The Untouchables* (1993), series, Actor
- *The Babe* (1992), as Herb Pennock
- *Backdraft* (1991), as Paramedic · Dialect Coach — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/backdraft.md)
- *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Al — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md)
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Guard
- *Roadside Picnic*, series, as Buzzard
- *Red Blooded*, as Deputy Joe Paul

## Gallery

- ![W. Earl Brown](https://film.one/media/person/61235/gallery-02882aaef23a.jpg) W. Earl Brown — Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/07/W._Earl_Brown_GalaxyCon_Louisville_2011.jpg/500px-W._Earl_Brown_GalaxyCon_Louisville_2011.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![W. Earl Brown at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2011](https://film.one/media/person/61235/gallery-a7ac253b00a7.jpg) W. Earl Brown at GalaxyCon Louisville in 2011 — Super Festivals, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/W._Earl_Brown_GalaxyCon_Louisville_2019_%28cropped%29.jpg/500px-W._Earl_Brown_GalaxyCon_Louisville_2019_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![W. Earl Brown](https://film.one/media/person/61235/gallery-e91d45a1f95a.jpg) W. Earl Brown — Image via TMDB

---
© 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/w-earl-brown