--- name: "Wayne Knight" canonical: "https://film.one/person/wayne-knight" fi1m_id: "wayne-knight" imdb_id: "nm0001431" tmdb_id: 4201 wikidata_id: "Q311976" roles: ["Actor"] born: "7 August 1955" reviewed_on_fi1m: 12 average_fi1m_score: 78 average_as: "actor" average_over: 12 updated: "2026-10-21T04:26:43.081250+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." --- # Wayne Knight ## Identity Wayne Knight - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/wayne-knight - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** wayne-knight - **IMDb ID:** nm0001431 - **TMDB ID:** 4201 - **Wikidata ID:** Q311976 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Knight, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311976, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001431/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4201 Actor. Born 7 August 1955 in New York City, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 7 August 1955, New York City, New York, USA - **Active:** 1987–present - **Also known as:** Wayne Eliot Knight, وین نایت - **Average Fi1m score:** 78, as actor, over 12 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 79 (1), 1990s 79 (8), 2000s 77 (1), 2010s 72 (2) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 78 to 71 across 11 titles - **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 9 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 5 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Animation 5, Comedy 5, Family 5, Adventure 4, Mystery 4, Drama 3 - **Screen time:** 20 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $4,285m across 11 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Knight, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q311976, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001431/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4201 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*Toy Story 2*](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) (89), [*Tarzan*](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md) (77) - **AMC+:** [*Jurassic Park*](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md) (91) - **Apple TV:** [*Dead Again*](https://film.one/film/dead-again.md) (78) - **Hulu:** [*Basic Instinct*](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md) (72) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Wayne Knight > Wayne Knight makes nervous supporting characters funny and memorable, with comic timing that works in a thriller as well as a sitcom. We rate him, but too many parts have asked for the same sweaty schemer. In the interrogation scene in *Basic Instinct* (1992), Wayne Knight makes the sweat on his brow worth watching. As John Correli, he supplies a nervous presence in Paul Verhoeven’s thriller, where composure is not always easy to maintain. We were amused by his discomfort; the perspiration does rather undermine any appearance of professional composure. Knight is a good supporting actor because he can make that sort of reaction register without needing the scene to stop for him. *Dead Again* (1991), in which he plays Piccolo Pete, puts him in a different kind of extravagant thriller. Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson’s chemistry is what makes that romantic mystery work, despite plotting that asks for too much indulgence. Knight is not the reason we recommend it, nor does he need to be. These early parts are a useful reminder that his work extends beyond the schemers who became his speciality. Steven Spielberg saw the possibilities in that *Basic Instinct* performance and cast Knight as Dennis Nedry in *Jurassic Park* (1993). It became his breakthrough film role. The connection makes sense: nervous energy can make us laugh, but it also makes a character useful in a thriller. Knight does not have to become a different actor for the same habits to serve another director. On television, those habits had a longer run, with Newman in *Seinfeld* (1992–1998) and Officer Don Orville in *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996–2001). Newman’s development drew on Knight’s knack for magnifying an unflattering personal trait into a character’s defining quirk. His timing is precise enough to keep such figures funny, although repeated casting as schemers and hapless men has narrowed his opportunities. We would welcome more parts that do not require him to arrive already marked as a nuisance. Animation also uses his comic timing, notably as the voice of Al McWhiggin in *Toy Story 2* (1999). That work is a reason not to attribute every laugh to his physical presence. Try *Dead Again* for a less familiar appearance, but go for the romantic mystery rather than expecting a Knight vehicle. ## Biography Wayne Elliot Knight is an American actor. He was born in New York City on 7 August 1955 and raised in Cartersville, Georgia. He attended the University of Georgia before joining the Barter Theatre company in Virginia, where he earned his Actors' Equity card. He made his Broadway debut in the comedy *Gemini* in 1979 and later worked as a private investigator for five years. Knight's film roles include Stan in *Dirty Dancing* (1987), Pete 'Piccolo' Dugan in *Dead Again* (1991), John Correli in *Basic Instinct* (1992) and Dennis Nedry in *Jurassic Park* (1993), for which he received a Saturn Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He voiced Al McWhiggin in *Toy Story 2* (1999) and Tantor in *Tarzan* (1999). On television he played Newman in *Seinfeld* (1992–1998) and Officer Don Orville in *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996–2001). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, themoviedb.org.* ## On Fi1m (12) - *Hail, Caesar!* (2016), Fi1m 72, as Lurking Extra — [page](https://film.one/film/hail-caesar.md) - *Kung Fu Panda 3* (2016), Fi1m 73, as Big Fun / Hom-Lee (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-3.md) - *Kung Fu Panda* (2008), Fi1m 77, as Gang Boss (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda.md) - *Tarzan* (1999), Fi1m 77, as Tantor (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md) - *Toy Story 2* (1999), Fi1m 89, as Al McWhiggin (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) - *Hercules* (1997), Fi1m 75, as Demetrius the Pot Maker (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md) - *Fallen Angels* (1993), Fi1m 72, as Leo Cunningham — [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md) - *Jurassic Park* (1993), Fi1m 91, as Nedry — [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md) - *Basic Instinct* (1992), Fi1m 72, as John Correli — [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md) - *Dead Again* (1991), Fi1m 78, as Piccolo Pete — [page](https://film.one/film/dead-again.md) - *JFK* (1991), Fi1m 80, as Numa Bertel — [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md) - *Dirty Dancing* (1987), Fi1m 79, as Stan — [page](https://film.one/film/dirty-dancing.md) ## Complete filmography (112) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Among Us* (2026), series, as Lime (voice) - *GOAT* (2026), as Frank (voice) - *Five Nights at Freddy's 2* (2025), as Mr. Berg - *St. Denis Medical* (2024), series, as Dr. Axler - *The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie* (2024), as Mayor (voice) - *Bookie* (2023), series, as The Cowboy - *Urkel Saves Santa: The Movie!* (2023), as Mr. Hodges (voice) - *What Ever Happened to Jonny Faith* (2023), as Larry Cohen - *That '90s Show* (2023), series, as Bruce - *Darby and the Dead* (2022), as Mel - *Batwheels* (2022), series, as King Tut (voice) - *Monster High* (2022), series, as Ralph (voice) - *Back to the Outback* (2021), as Platypus (voice) - *12 Mighty Orphans* (2021), as Frank Wynn - *Them* (2021), series, as Lieutenant Schiff - *The Very Excellent Mr. Dundee* (2020), as Wayne - *9-1-1: Lone Star* (2020), series, as Milton - *Harley Quinn* (2019), series, as The Penguin (voice) - *Legend of the Three Caballeros* (2019), series, as Baron Von Sheldgoose (voice) - *Infinity Train* (2019), series, as Marcel (voice) - *The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair* (2018), series, as Benjamin Roth - *Blindspotting* (2018), as Patrick - *StartUp* (2016), series, as Benedict "Benny" Blush - *Panda Paws* (2016), as Big Fun (voice) - *Hail, Caesar!* (2016), as Lurking Extra — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/hail-caesar.md) - *Kung Fu Panda 3* (2016), as Big Fun / Hom-Lee (voice) — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda-3.md) - *Tom and Jerry: The Lost Dragon* (2014), as The Elf Elder (voice) - *Sirens* (2014), series, as Richard - *New Partner* (2014), Actor - *Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness - Good Croc, Bad Croc* (2013), as Jong / Jong's Son (voice) - *Excuse Me for Living* (2012), as Albert - *Doc McStuffins* (2012), series, as Viewy Stewie (voice) - *The Exes* (2011), series, as Haskell Lutz - *Green Lantern: The Animated Series* (2011), series, as Captain Goray (voice) - *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Theodore Blumer - *Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness* (2011), series, as Jong / Jong's Son (voice) - *Woke Up Dead* (2010), as Andrew Batten - *Pound Puppies* (2010), series, as Ralphie / Construction Worker #1 (voice) - *Regular Show* (2010), series, as Guardian of the Friend Zone (voice), God of Street Performing (voice) - *Hot in Cleveland* (2010), series, as Rick - *The Good Guys* (2010), series, as Perry Black - *Woke Up Dead* (2009), series, as Andrew Batten - *Punisher: War Zone* (2008), as Linus Lieberman / Micro - *The Penguins of Madagascar* (2008), series, as Max (voice), Max - *Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King* (2008), as The Amazing Krudsky (voice) - *Kung Fu Panda* (2008), as Gang Boss (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/kung-fu-panda.md) - *Who's Your Monkey?* (2007), as Officer Brooks - *Torchwood* (2006), series, as Brian Friedkin — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/torchwood.md) - *Bones* (2005), series, as Jimmy Walpert III — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/bones.md) - *Catscratch* (2005), series, as Mr. Blik (voice) - *Dinotopia: Quest for the Ruby Sunstone* (2005), as Thudd (voice) - *Robot Chicken* (2005), series, as Nutsy Goldberg (voice) - *Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi* (2004), series, Actor - *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Truman Bosch - *Listen Up!* (2004), series, as Buddy - *Brandy & Mr. Whiskers* (2004), series, as Mr. Cantarious (voice) - *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Abnegazar (voice) - *Black Cloud* (2004), as Mr. Tipping - *Cheaper by the Dozen* (2003), as Electrician (uncredited) - *Xiaolin Showdown* (2003), series, as Dojo Kanojo Cho (voice) - *Billy & Mandy's Jacked-Up Halloween* (2003), as Jack (voice) - *I'm with Her* (2003), series, as Kevin - *Nip/Tuck* (2003), series, as Jason Blum — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/tv/nip-tuck.md) - *Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story* (2002), as Walter Ballou - *Master Spy: The Robert Hanssen Story* (2002), series, as Walter Ballou - *The Twilight Zone* (2002), series, as Nick Dark - *Bleacher Bums* (2001), as Zig - *The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy* (2001), series, as Jack O'Lantern - *Rat Race* (2001), as Zack Mallozzi - *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Wayne Knight — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md) - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Terrence Lombard - *Buzz Lightyear of Star Command* (2000), series, as Emperor Zurg (voice) - *Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins* (2000), as Evil Emperor Zurg (voice) - *Toy Story 2* (1999), as Al McWhiggin (voice) — Fi1m 89, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-2.md) - *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Grigor - *Hercules: Zero to Hero* (1999), as Cyclops Head #2 (voice) (archive sound) - *Tarzan* (1999), as Tantor (voice) — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/tarzan.md) - *My Favorite Martian* (1999), as Zoot (uncredited) - *Dilbert* (1999), series, as The Security Guard (voice) - *Pros & Cons* (1999), as Wayne the Guard - *Hercules* (1998), series, as Cyclops Head #2 (voice) - *That '70s Show* (1998), series, as Angel - *The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars* (1998), as Microwave (voice) - *Toonsylvania* (1998), series, as Igor - *For Richer or Poorer* (1997), as Bob Lachman - *Hercules* (1997), as Demetrius the Pot Maker (voice) — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/hercules.md) - *Space Jam* (1996), as Stan Podolak - *Chameleon* (1996), as Stuart Langston - *3rd Rock from the Sun* (1996), series, as Don Orville - *To Die For* (1995), as Ed Grant - *The Drew Carey Show* (1995), series, as Owen - *Against the Grain* (1993), series, as Froggy Wilson - *The Second Half* (1993), series, as Robert Piccolo - *Fallen Angels* (1993), series, as Leo Cunningham — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/fallen-angels-1993.md) - *Jurassic Park* (1993), as Nedry — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/jurassic-park.md) - *T Bone N Weasel* (1992), as Roy Kramp - *Double Edge* (1992), as Tommy White - *Basic Instinct* (1992), as John Correli — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/basic-instinct.md) - *JFK* (1991), as Numa Bertel — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/jfk.md) - *Dead Again* (1991), as Piccolo Pete — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/dead-again.md) - *V.I. Warshawski* (1991), as Smeissen - *Born on the Fourth of July* (1989), as Official #2 - Democratic Convention — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/born-on-the-fourth-of-july.md) - *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Newman — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) - *Everybody's All-American* (1988), as Fraternity Pisser - *Dirty Dancing* (1987), as Stan — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/dirty-dancing.md) - *Forever, Lulu* (1986), as Stevie - *The Sex O'Clock News* (1985), as Bill Wright - *Double Negative* (1985), as Max - *The Burning Bed* (1984), as Juror (uncredited) - *For Lovers Only* (1982), as Video Game Fanatic (uncredited) - *The Wanderers* (1979), as Waiter (uncredited) - *One in a Million*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Wayne Knight at SDCC 2013](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-47ae6832b11e.jpg) Wayne Knight at SDCC 2013 — jennybento, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/96/Wayne_Knight2013.jpg/1280px-Wayne_Knight2013.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2026](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-8186031667c2.jpg) Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2026 — Tim Blackmon for Galaxy Con, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/56/Wayne_Knight_%2855267705449%29.jpg/1280px-Wayne_Knight_%2855267705449%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Columbus in 2025](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-768999e08add.jpg) Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Columbus in 2025 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/95/Wayne_Knight_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Columbus_2025.jpg/1280px-Wayne_Knight_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Columbus_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-9198cd4ee5dc.jpg) Wayne Knight — Super Festivals, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Wayne_Knight_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Raleigh_2025.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-38dbc4ec5d23.jpg) Wayne Knight — Image via TMDB - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-1ead4e336f5a.jpg) Wayne Knight — Image via TMDB - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-864f321dc249.jpg) Wayne Knight — Image via TMDB - ![Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2026](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-003f5f28d4d7.jpg) Wayne Knight at GalaxyCon Richmond in 2026 — Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Wayne_Knight_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Richmond_2026.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-589dcb7447b7.jpg) Wayne Knight — Image via TMDB - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-8b3c8df642e6.jpg) Wayne Knight — Image via TMDB - ![Wayne Knight](https://film.one/media/person/79750/gallery-9dd3eae09216.jpg) Wayne Knight — 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/wayne-knight