Peter Jason

Biography

Peter Jason was an American character actor who appeared in more than 250 film and television roles. Born in Hollywood and raised in Newport Beach, he began acting on stage in high school and later helped start the South Coast Repertory Theatre. His first credited screen role came in the 1967 TV movie A Bell for Adano, and he went on to play military men, law enforcement agents, and authority figures. He was a regular in John Carpenter's films, including Prince of Darkness (1987), They Live (1988), In the Mouth of Madness (1994), Village of the Damned (1995), and Escape from L.A. (1996). He also worked repeatedly with Walter Hill, appearing in Red Heat (1988), and played Con Stapleton on Deadwood. He received a CAMIE Award for The Christmas Card (2006).

80years old at death

Born July 22, 1944Hollywood
Died February 20, 2025West Hollywood
Star sign: CancerLast day of the sign, on the Leo cusp
Also credited as Peter Edward Ostling

Movie Career

Films: 51
Career span: 52 years1970 to 2022

Genres

Action31%, 16 films
Comedy31%, 16 films
Drama29%, 15 films
Horror29%, 15 films
Sci-Fi27%, 14 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
Jason received his first screen credit playing an unnamed duty officer in A Bell for Adano, a 1967 TV movie based on John Hersey's 1944 novel.

Peter Jason movies on Netflix

We Are Gathered Here Today2022IMDb rating 5.8as Henry Stone
Deep in the Forest2021IMDb rating 2.9as Mark Goodman
The Assent2020IMDb rating 4.3as Father Lambert
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018IMDb rating 6.2as Senator Sherwood
They'll Love Me When I'm Dead2018IMDb rating 7.4as Himself
The Terror of Hallow's Eve2017IMDb rating 5.1as Dr. Hamilton
Sister Cities2016IMDb rating 6.6as Dr. Timmins
Return to Zero2014IMDb rating 6.3as Gerry
Robosapien: Rebooted2013IMDb rating 5.2as Admiral Victor
Willow Creek2013IMDb rating 5.1as Ranger Troy Andrews
Annie Claus Is Coming to Town2011IMDb rating 6.1as Santa
Little Murder2011IMDb rating 5.0as Captain
Son of Morning2011IMDb rating 3.9as Ned Jensen
Falling Up2009IMDb rating 5.6as John O'Shea
Moving McAllister2007IMDb rating 5.2as Mr. Robinson
The Christmas Card2006IMDb rating 7.0as Richard
Alien Apocalypse2005IMDb rating 4.4as President Demsky
Frostbite2005IMDb rating 3.0as Colonel Jaffe
Employee of the Month2004IMDb rating 6.1as Bill Gartin
Hair High2004IMDb rating 6.7as Coach (voice)
Surviving Christmas2004IMDb rating 5.5as Suit
Adaptation.2002IMDb rating 7.6as Defense Attorney
Hard Cash2002IMDb rating 4.5as The Counter Boss
Live from Baghdad2002IMDb rating 7.2as Stu
Ghosts of Mars2001IMDb rating 4.9as McSimms
Dante's Peak1997IMDb rating 6.1as Norman Gates
Escape from L.A.1996IMDb rating 5.7as Duty Sergeant
The Glimmer Man1996IMDb rating 5.4as Millie's Father
Mortal Kombat1995IMDb rating 5.9as Master Boyd
The Demolitionist1995IMDb rating 4.3as Higgins
Village of the Damned1995IMDb rating 5.7as Ben Blum
In the Mouth of Madness1994IMDb rating 7.1as Mr. Paul
Body Bags1993IMDb rating 6.2as Gent
Arachnophobia1990IMDb rating 6.5as Henry Beechwood
Marked for Death1990IMDb rating 5.9as Pete Stone
Johnny Handsome1989IMDb rating 6.1as Mr. Bonet
Alien Nation1988IMDb rating 6.3as Fedorchuk
Red Heat1988IMDb rating 6.2as TV Announcer
They Live1988IMDb rating 7.2as Gilbert
Prince of Darkness1987IMDb rating 6.6as Dr. Paul Leahy
Amazing Stories1986IMDb rating 7.0as Commander
Heartbreak Ridge1986IMDb rating 6.8as Major G.F. Devin
Brewster's Millions1985IMDb rating 6.5as Chuck Fleming
Angel1984IMDb rating 5.8as The John
Dreamscape1984IMDb rating 6.3as Babcock
Impulse1984IMDb rating 5.8as Man in Truck
Oxford Blues1984IMDb rating 5.4as Mr. De Angelo
Starflight One1983IMDb rating 4.9as Schultie
Trick or Treats1982IMDb rating 3.9as Malcolm O'Keefe
Disaster on the Coastliner1979IMDb rating 5.8as LeBoux
Rio Lobo1970IMDb rating 6.7as Lt. Ned Forsythe

Best known for

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

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They Live1988 Action, Horror, Sci-Fias Gilbert
IMDb rating 7.2167K votes
In the Mouth of Madness1994 Fantasy, Horror, Mysteryas Mr. Paul
IMDb rating 7.192K votes
Arachnophobia1990as Henry Beechwood
IMDb rating 6.581K votes
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018as Senator Sherwood
IMDb rating 6.2388K votes
Adaptation.2002as Defense Attorney
IMDb rating 7.6215K votes
Willow Creek2013as Ranger Troy Andrews
IMDb rating 5.115K votes
Village of the Damned1995as Ben Blum
IMDb rating 5.737K votes
Alien Nation1988as Fedorchuk
IMDb rating 6.318K votes

Most often with

John Carpenter directed seven of these films, Walter Hill three and Graham Baker two. Robert Carradine appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Robert Carradine

Keith David

Alfred Molina

Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Root

Cary Elwes

John CarpenterDirector, 7 films

Walter HillDirector, 3 films Graham BakerDirector, 2 films

Films together

Robert Carradine3 films together, 1993 to 2001
Robert Carradine's page
- Ghosts of Mars2001IMDb rating 4.9Jason as McSimmsCarradine as Rodale
- Escape from L.A.1996IMDb rating 5.7Jason as Duty SergeantCarradine as Skinhead
- Body Bags1993IMDb rating 6.2Jason as GentCarradine as Bill
Keith David2 films together, 1988 to 1990
Keith David's page
- Marked for Death1990IMDb rating 5.9Jason as Pete StoneDavid as Max
- They Live1988IMDb rating 7.2Jason as GilbertDavid as Frank
Alfred Molina2 films together, 2014 to 2016
Alfred Molina's page
- Sister Cities2016IMDb rating 6.6Jason as Dr. TimminsMolina as Mort Stone
- Return to Zero2014IMDb rating 6.3Jason as GerryMolina as Robert Royal
Stephen Tobolowsky2 films together, 1996 to 2002
Stephen Tobolowsky's page
- Adaptation.2002IMDb rating 7.6Jason as Defense AttorneyTobolowsky as Ranger Steve Neely (scenes deleted)
- The Glimmer Man1996IMDb rating 5.4Jason as Millie's FatherTobolowsky as Christopher Maynard
Stephen Root2 films together, 2004 to 2011
Stephen Root's page
- Son of Morning2011IMDb rating 3.9Jason as Ned JensenRoot as Senator Lewis
- Surviving Christmas2004IMDb rating 5.5Jason as SuitRoot as Dr. Freeman
Cary Elwes2 films together, 1984 to 2011
Cary Elwes's page
- Little Murder2011IMDb rating 5.0Jason as CaptainElwes as Barry Fitzgerald
- Oxford Blues1984IMDb rating 5.4Jason as Mr. De AngeloElwes as Lionel
John CarpenterDirector, 7 films, 1987 to 2001
All films by John Carpenter
- Ghosts of Mars2001IMDb rating 4.9Jason as McSimms
- Escape from L.A.1996IMDb rating 5.7Jason as Duty Sergeant
- Village of the Damned1995IMDb rating 5.7Jason as Ben Blum
- In the Mouth of Madness1994IMDb rating 7.1Jason as Mr. Paul
- Body Bags1993IMDb rating 6.2Jason as Gent
- They Live1988IMDb rating 7.2Jason as Gilbert
- Prince of Darkness1987IMDb rating 6.6Jason as Dr. Paul Leahy
Walter HillDirector, 3 films, 1985 to 1989
All films by Walter Hill
- Johnny Handsome1989IMDb rating 6.1Jason as Mr. Bonet
- Red Heat1988IMDb rating 6.2Jason as TV Announcer
- Brewster's Millions1985IMDb rating 6.5Jason as Chuck Fleming
Graham BakerDirector, 2 films, 1984 to 1988
All films by Graham Baker
- Alien Nation1988IMDb rating 6.3Jason as Fedorchuk
- Impulse1984IMDb rating 5.8Jason as Man in Truck
Also two films together28 more actors
- David WarnerIn the Mouth of Madness (1994) and Body Bags (1993)
- David CarradineHair High (2004) and Trick or Treats (1982)
- Stacy KeachEscape from L.A. (1996) and Body Bags (1993)
- Steven SeagalThe Glimmer Man (1996) and Marked for Death (1990)
- Kathy BakerSister Cities (2016) and Return to Zero (2014)
- Bokeem WoodbineLittle Murder (2011) and Hard Cash (2002)
- Brion JamesRed Heat (1988) and Amazing Stories (1986)
- Bruce CampbellAlien Apocalypse (2005) and Escape from L.A. (1996)
- Julian SandsArachnophobia (1990) and Oxford Blues (1984)
- Doug JonesThe Terror of Hallow's Eve (2017) and Adaptation. (2002)
- Pam GrierGhosts of Mars (2001) and Escape from L.A. (1996)
- Pat HingleBrewster's Millions (1985) and Disaster on the Coastliner (1979)
- Christina ApplegateEmployee of the Month (2004) and Surviving Christmas (2004)
- George 'Buck' FlowerBody Bags (1993) and They Live (1988)
- Hume CronynBrewster's Millions (1985) and Impulse (1984)
- Stuart PankinDeep in the Forest (2021) and Arachnophobia (1990)
- Frances BayIn the Mouth of Madness (1994) and Arachnophobia (1990)
- Susan TyrrellThe Demolitionist (1995) and Angel (1984)
- Sam PageAnnie Claus Is Coming to Town (2011) and Falling Up (2009)
- Joseph CrossSon of Morning (2011) and Falling Up (2009)
- Sy RichardsonSurviving Christmas (2004) and They Live (1988)
- Allan GrafJohnny Handsome (1989) and Impulse (1984)
- Gail StricklandOxford Blues (1984) and Starflight One (1983)
- Holliston ColemanRobosapien: Rebooted (2013) and Hard Cash (2002)
- J.W. SmithJohnny Handsome (1989) and Red Heat (1988)
- Virginia KiserDreamscape (1984) and Disaster on the Coastliner (1979)
- Arlen Dean SnyderMarked for Death (1990) and Heartbreak Ridge (1986)
- Susan BlanchardThey Live (1988) and Prince of Darkness (1987)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Box office

What Peter Jason's films earned in cinemas worldwide.

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Combined worldwide box office

$2.1 billion

22 of the 51 films have a worldwide figure.

22Worldwide figure
3US gross only
14Never in cinemas
12Figure not found

Top grosser

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018Senator Sherwood$1.3 billion

Highest grossing

The eight biggest films earned 89% of the total. The bars are drawn to scale.

1
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom2018as Senator Sherwood
$1.3B63.7% of the total
2
Dante's Peak1997as Norman Gates
$178M8.7% of the total
3
Mortal Kombat1995as Master Boyd
$122M5.9% of the total
4
Arachnophobia1990as Henry Beechwood
$53M2.6% of the total
5
Marked for Death1990as Pete Stone
$46M2.2% of the total
6
Brewster's Millions1985as Chuck Fleming
$46M2.2% of the total
7
Heartbreak Ridge1986as Major G.F. Devin
$43M2.1% of the total
8
Escape from L.A.1996as Duty Sergeant
$42M2.1% of the total