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David Strathairn

David Strathairn

72 movies on Netflix

Biography

David Strathairn is an American actor who has played leading roles on stage and screen. Born in San Francisco, he made his film debut in John Sayles's Return of the Secaucus 7 (1980) and became a frequent Sayles collaborator, appearing in Matewan (1987), Eight Men Out (1988), City of Hope (1991), Passion Fish (1992), and Limbo (1999), winning an Independent Spirit Award for City of Hope. He also appeared in box-office successes including Sneakers (1992), The Firm (1993), The River Wild (1994), and L.A. Confidential (1997). His portrayal of Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) brought an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. Later credits include The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), Lincoln (2012), Nomadland (2021), Nightmare Alley (2021), and a voice role in Zootopia 2 (2025). On television, he won an Emmy for Temple Grandin (2010) and appeared in The Sopranos, Alphas, The Blacklist, Billions, and The Expanse. He has also performed more than 30 stage roles.

77years old

Turns 78 on January 26in 105 days

Born January 26, 1949San Francisco
Star sign: AquariusThe sign runs January 20 to February 18
David Russell Strathairn (birth name)

Movie Career

Films: 72
Career span: 46 years1980 to 2026

Genres

Drama78%, 56 films
Comedy19%, 14 films
Crime19%, 14 films
Mystery17%, 12 films
Thriller15%, 11 films

First and latest

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Early training
Strathairn trained in clowning at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College in Venice, Florida, and later spent a short time as a clown in a traveling circus.
A first
Strathairn first played J. Robert Oppenheimer in the 1989 CBS TV movie Day One, and later appeared in the PBS documentary The Trials of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
A first
In 2025, Strathairn voiced his first animated role, playing Milton Lynxley, the lead antagonist of Walt Disney Animation Studios' Zootopia 2.
Beyond film
In 1988 and 1989, David Strathairn took the part of Stanley in back-to-back New York Classic Stage Company stagings of Harold Pinter's The Birthday Party.
Beyond film
Strathairn starred in the American premiere of Cherry Docs at the Wilma Theatre in Philadelphia, then played the lead in the 2007 film Steel Toes, based on that play.

David Strathairn movies on Netflix

By Any Means2026IMDb rating 6.8as Special Agent Roy K. Moore
The Luckiest Man in America2025IMDb rating 6.2as Bill
Zootopia 22025IMDb rating 7.3as Milton Lynxley (voice)
A Little Prayer2023IMDb rating 7.0as Bill
Where the Crawdads Sing2022IMDb rating 7.2as Tom Milton
Nightmare Alley2021IMDb rating 7.0as Pete
Nomadland2021IMDb rating 7.3as Dave
Fast Color2019IMDb rating 6.1as Ellis
Godzilla: King of the Monsters2019IMDb rating 6.0as Admiral William Stenz
The Devil Has a Name2019IMDb rating 5.5as Fred Stern
An Interview with God2018IMDb rating 5.8as God
UFO2018IMDb rating 6.2as Franklin Ahls
Darkest Hour2017IMDb rating 7.4as President Roosevelt (voice)
November Criminals2017IMDb rating 5.3as Theo Schacht
American Pastoral2016IMDb rating 6.1as Nathan Zuckerman
Louder Than Bombs2015IMDb rating 6.6as Richard
The Debt2015IMDb rating 6.1as Nathan
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel2015IMDb rating 6.5as Ty Burley
Godzilla2014IMDb rating 6.4as Admiral William Stenz
Hemingway & Gellhorn2012IMDb rating 6.3as John Dos Passos
Lincoln2012IMDb rating 7.3as William Seward
The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6as Noah Vosen
Howl2010IMDb rating 6.6as Ralph McIntosh
Temple Grandin2010IMDb rating 8.2as Dr. Carlock
The Tempest2010IMDb rating 5.3as King Alonso
The Whistleblower2010IMDb rating 7.1as Peter Ward
Cold Souls2009IMDb rating 6.4as Dr. Flintstein
The Uninvited2009IMDb rating 6.3as Steven
The Spiderwick Chronicles2008IMDb rating 6.5as Arthur Spiderwick
Fracture2007IMDb rating 7.2as DA Joe Lobruto
My Blueberry Nights2007IMDb rating 6.6as Arnie
The Bourne Ultimatum2007IMDb rating 8.0as Noah Vosen
Heavens Fall2006IMDb rating 6.6as Judge James Horton
We Are Marshall2006IMDb rating 7.1as President Dedmon
Good Night, and Good Luck.2005IMDb rating 7.4as Edward R. Murrow
Missing in America2005IMDb rating 6.5as Henry R. Hocknell Jr.
The Notorious Bettie Page2005IMDb rating 6.5as Estes Kefauver
Twisted2004IMDb rating 5.3as Dr. Melvin Frank
Blue Car2003IMDb rating 6.6as Auster
Lathe of Heaven2002IMDb rating 5.8as Mannie
The Miracle Worker2000IMDb rating 7.1as Captain Keller
A Map of the World1999IMDb rating 6.5as Howard Goodwin
A Midsummer Night's Dream1999IMDb rating 6.4as Theseus
Limbo1999IMDb rating 6.9as 'Jumpin' Joe Gastineau
Simon Birch1998IMDb rating 6.8as Rev. Russell
With Friends Like These...1998IMDb rating 5.9as Armand Minetti
In the Gloaming1997IMDb rating 7.0as Martin
L.A. Confidential1997IMDb rating 8.2as Pierce Patchett
Dolores Claiborne1995IMDb rating 7.4as Joe St. George
Home for the Holidays1995IMDb rating 6.6as Russell Terziak
Losing Isaiah1995IMDb rating 6.4as Charles Lewin
The River Wild1994IMDb rating 6.5as Tom Hartman
A Dangerous Woman1993IMDb rating 5.7as Getso
Lost in Yonkers1993IMDb rating 6.8as Johnny
The Firm1993IMDb rating 6.9as Ray McDeere
Big Girls Don't Cry... They Get Even1992IMDb rating 6.3as Keith
Bob Roberts1992IMDb rating 7.0as Mack Laflin
Passion Fish1992IMDb rating 7.3as Rennie
Sneakers1992IMDb rating 7.1as Irwin 'Whistler' Emery
City of Hope1991IMDb rating 7.3as Asteroid
Without Warning: The James Brady Story1991IMDb rating 6.3as Dr. Arthur Kobrine
Heat Wave1990IMDb rating 6.8as Bill Thomas
Memphis Belle1990IMDb rating 6.9as Col. Craig Harriman
Day One1989IMDb rating 7.4as J. Robert Oppenheimer
Call Me1988IMDb rating 5.3as Sam
Eight Men Out1988IMDb rating 7.2as Eddie Cicotte
Stars & Bars1988IMDb rating 4.8as Charlie
Matewan1987IMDb rating 7.9as Police Chief Sid Hatfield
At Close Range1986IMDb rating 6.9as Tony Pine
Iceman1984IMDb rating 6.2as Dr. Singe
Silkwood1983IMDb rating 7.1as Wesley
Return of the Secaucus Seven1980IMDb rating 7.0as Ron

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

The Bourne Ultimatum2007 Action, Thrilleras Noah Vosen
IMDb rating 8.0689K votes
Nomadland2021 Dramaas Dave
IMDb rating 7.3222K votes
Lincoln2012as William Seward
IMDb rating 7.3287K votes
Fracture2007as DA Joe Lobruto
IMDb rating 7.2239K votes
Good Night, and Good Luck.2005as Edward R. Murrow
IMDb rating 7.4106K votes
L.A. Confidential1997as Pierce Patchett
IMDb rating 8.2664K votes
Where the Crawdads Sing2022as Tom Milton
IMDb rating 7.2161K votes
Godzilla2014as Admiral William Stenz
IMDb rating 6.4468K votes

Most often with

John Sayles directed six of these films, Curtis Hanson two and Philip Kaufman two. Ten actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Ron Perlman

James Earl Jones

Hal Holbrook

Rachel Weisz

John SaylesDirector, 6 films

Curtis HansonDirector, 2 films

Philip KaufmanDirector, 2 films

Films together

Ron Perlman3 films together, 2005 to 2021
Ron Perlman's page
- Nightmare Alley2021IMDb rating 7.0Strathairn as PetePerlman as Bruno
- The Spiderwick Chronicles2008IMDb rating 6.5Strathairn as Arthur SpiderwickPerlman as Red Capvoice
- Missing in America2005IMDb rating 6.5Strathairn as Henry R. Hocknell Jr.Perlman as Red
James Earl Jones3 films together, 1987 to 1992
James Earl Jones's page
- Sneakers1992IMDb rating 7.1Strathairn as Irwin 'Whistler' EmeryJones as Mr. Bernard Abbott
- Heat Wave1990IMDb rating 6.8Strathairn as Bill ThomasJones as Junius Johnson
- Matewan1987IMDb rating 7.9Strathairn as Police Chief Sid HatfieldJones as 'Few Clothes' Johnson
Hal Holbrook3 films together, 1989 to 2012
Hal Holbrook's page
- Lincoln2012IMDb rating 7.3Strathairn as William SewardHolbrook as Preston Blair
- The Firm1993IMDb rating 6.9Strathairn as Ray McDeereHolbrook as Oliver Lambert
- Day One1989IMDb rating 7.4Strathairn as J. Robert OppenheimerHolbrook as Gen. George Marshall
Bob Gunton3 films together, 1987 to 2007
Bob Gunton's page
- Fracture2007IMDb rating 7.2Strathairn as DA Joe LobrutoGunton as Judge Gardner
- Dolores Claiborne1995IMDb rating 7.4Strathairn as Joe St. GeorgeGunton as Mr. Pease
- Matewan1987IMDb rating 7.9Strathairn as Police Chief Sid HatfieldGunton as C.E. Lively
Rachel Weisz3 films together, 2007 to 2012
Rachel Weisz's page
- The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6Strathairn as Noah VosenWeisz as Dr. Marta Shearing
- The Whistleblower2010IMDb rating 7.1Strathairn as Peter WardWeisz as Kathryn Bolkovac
- My Blueberry Nights2007IMDb rating 6.6Strathairn as ArnieWeisz as Sue Lynne
Joan Allen3 films together, 1991 to 2012
Joan Allen's page
- The Bourne Legacy2012IMDb rating 6.6Strathairn as Noah VosenAllen as Pamela Landy
- The Bourne Ultimatum2007IMDb rating 8.0Strathairn as Noah VosenAllen as Pam Landy
- Without Warning: The James Brady Story1991IMDb rating 6.3Strathairn as Dr. Arthur KobrineAllen as Sarah Brady
John SaylesDirector, 6 films, 1980 to 1999
All films by John Sayles
- Limbo1999IMDb rating 6.9Strathairn as 'Jumpin' Joe Gastineau
- Passion Fish1992IMDb rating 7.3Strathairn as Rennie
- City of Hope1991IMDb rating 7.3Strathairn as Asteroid
- Eight Men Out1988IMDb rating 7.2Strathairn as Eddie Cicotte
- Matewan1987IMDb rating 7.9Strathairn as Police Chief Sid Hatfield
- Return of the Secaucus Seven1980IMDb rating 7.0Strathairn as Ron
Curtis HansonDirector, 2 films, 1994 to 1997
All films by Curtis Hanson
- L.A. Confidential1997IMDb rating 8.2Strathairn as Pierce Patchett
- The River Wild1994IMDb rating 6.5Strathairn as Tom Hartman
Philip KaufmanDirector, 2 films, 2004 to 2012
All films by Philip Kaufman
- Hemingway & Gellhorn2012IMDb rating 6.3Strathairn as John Dos Passos
- Twisted2004IMDb rating 5.3Strathairn as Dr. Melvin Frank
Also three films together4 more actors
- Mary McDonnellPassion Fish (1992), Sneakers (1992) and Matewan (1987)
- Gordon ClappEight Men Out (1988), Matewan (1987) and Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)
- Jace AlexanderCity of Hope (1991), Eight Men Out (1988) and Matewan (1987)
- Maggie RenziPassion Fish (1992), Matewan (1987) and Return of the Secaucus Seven (1980)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What David Strathairn's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

Combined worldwide box office

$5.5 billion

46 of the 71 films have a worldwide figure.

46Worldwide figure
8US gross only
9Never in cinemas
8Figure not found

Top grosser

Zootopia 22025Milton Lynxley$1.9 billion

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 77% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Zootopia 22025as Milton Lynxley (voice)
$1.9B34.0% of the total
2
Godzilla2014as Admiral William Stenz
$525M9.5% of the total
3
The Bourne Ultimatum2007as Noah Vosen
$443M8.1% of the total
4
Godzilla: King of the Monsters2019as Admiral William Stenz
$387M7.0% of the total
5
The Bourne Legacy2012as Noah Vosen
$277M5.0% of the total
6
Lincoln2012as William Seward
$275M5.0% of the total
7
The Firm1993as Ray McDeere
$270M4.9% of the total
8
The Spiderwick Chronicles2008as Arthur Spiderwick
$164M3.0% of the total

Darkest Hour (2017), $151 million

Where the Crawdads Sing (2022), $144 million

L.A. Confidential (1997), $126 million

Sneakers (1992), $105 million

The River Wild (1994), $94.2 million

Fracture (2007), $91.4 million

The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (2015), $86.0 million

Good Night, and Good Luck. (2005), $54.6 million

Dolores Claiborne (1995), $46.4 million

We Are Marshall (2006), $43.5 million

The Uninvited (2009), $41.6 million

Twisted (2004), $41.0 million

Nightmare Alley (2021), $39.6 million

Nomadland (2021), $39.5 million

Silkwood (1983), $35.6 million

Memphis Belle (1990), $27.4 million

$1.3 billionfrom the other 38 films with a worldwide figure, 23% of the total

Awards

Four awards and honors from 1992 to 2010, two of them major.

David Strathairn's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Film	Result
Emmy Awards
2010	Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie	Temple Grandin	Won
Venice Film Festival
	Volpi Cup for Best Actor		Won
Other honors
2010	Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film	Temple Grandin	Won
1992	Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male	City of Hope	Won

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.