NetflixMovies
Dennis Dugan

Biography

Dennis Dugan is an American actor, director, and comedian who moved to Hollywood in 1972 and started out on television before becoming better known for his work behind the camera. Born in Wheaton, Illinois, he appeared in The Girl Most Likely to..., a 1973 television film, and in Night Moves (1975), Smile (1975), Harry and Walter Go to New York (1976) and Unidentified Flying Oddball (1979), then in Joe Dante's The Howling (1981). Alongside guest roles on 1970s series and a recurring part on Hill Street Blues, he acted in Water (1985), Can't Buy Me Love (1987), She's Having a Baby (1988), The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking (1988) and Ron Howard's Parenthood (1989). He turned to directing with Problem Child (1990) and later made comedies such as Happy Gilmore (1996) and Big Daddy (1999) with Adam Sandler. He was nominated four times for the Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Director, winning once.

80years old

Turns 81 on September 5in 342 days

  • Born Wheaton
  • Star sign: VirgoThe sign runs August 23 to September 22
  • Also credited as Dennis Barton Dugan

Movie Career

Films
15
Career span
52 years1973 to 2025

Genres

Did you know?!

  1. Behind the camera

    In 2020, Dennis Dugan took on writing, directing and acting duties for Love, Weddings & Other Disasters. He also wrote the film's songs, which Elle King sang, and helped compose its score.

  2. First role

    Dennis Dugan relocated to Hollywood in 1972, the same year he made his first appearance on a television show, The Sixth Sense.

Dennis Dugan movies on Netflix

Best known for

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

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  1. Happy Gilmore1996 Comedy, Sportas Doug Thompson

    IMDb rating 7.0312K votes

  2. Problem Child1990 Comedy, Familyas All American Dad

    IMDb rating 5.536K votes

  3. The Howling1981as Chris

    IMDb rating 6.545K votes

  4. Happy Gilmore 22025as Doug Thompson

    IMDb rating 6.1123K votes

  5. Can't Buy Me Love1987as David Miller

    IMDb rating 6.847K votes

  6. Parenthood1989as David Brodsky

    IMDb rating 7.160K votes

  7. Knox Goes Away2024as Philo Jones

    IMDb rating 7.031K votes

  8. The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking1988as Mr. Settigren

    IMDb rating 5.95.0K votes

Most often with

Five actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Films together

Box office

What Dennis Dugan's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$310 million

8 of the 15 films have a worldwide figure, in dollars of the day.

Of the 15 films: 8 worldwide figure; 1 us gross only; 1 never in cinemas; 1 streaming, short cinema run; 4 figure not found.

  • 8Worldwide figure
  • 1US gross only
  • 1Never in cinemas
  • 1Streaming, short cinema run
  • 4Figure not found

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 100% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

  1. 1
    Parenthood1989as David Brodsky
    $126M40.8% of the total
  2. 2
    Problem Child1990as All American Dad
    $72M23.2% of the total
  3. 3
    Happy Gilmore1996as Doug Thompson
    $41M13.4% of the total
  4. 4
    Can't Buy Me Love1987as David Miller
    $32M10.2% of the total
  5. 5
    The Howling1981as Chris
    $18M5.8% of the total
  6. 6
    $16M5.2% of the total
  7. 7
    $3.6M1.2% of the total
  8. 8
    Knox Goes Away2024as Philo Jones
    $964K0.3% of the total