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David Strathairn

Acting

Born January 26, 1949 · San Francisco, California, USA

Also known as David Russell Strathairn

Biography

David Russell Strathairn (born January 26, 1949) is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of journalist Edward R. Murrow in the feature film Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. He also starred in L.A. Confidential (1997), Godzilla (2014), and the Bourne franchise (2007–2012). Strathairn appeared in supporting roles in many notable films such as A League of Their Own (1992), Sneakers (1992), The Firm (1993), The River Wild (1995), Lincoln (2012), Nomadland (2020), and Nightmare Alley (2021). He is a frequent collaborator with director John Sayles, who is a fellow graduate of Williams College. On television, Strathairn is known for his recurring roles in The Sopranos (2004), Alphas (2011–2012), The Blacklist (2015–2016), Billions (2017–2019), and The Expanse (2018–2019). He received a Primetime Emmy Award win and a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance in the HBO television film Temple Grandin (2010).

Awards & recognition

  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie · 2010
  • Satellite AwardBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film · 2010
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest Supporting Male · 1992
  • Volpi CupBest Actor
  • Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · 2013 · nominated
Show all 20 awards →
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie · 2012 · nominated
  • Primetime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie · 2010 · nominated
  • Satellite AwardBest Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film · 2010 · nominated
  • Academy AwardBest Actor · 2006 · nominated
  • BAFTA AwardBest Actor in a Leading Role · 2006 · nominated
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest Male Lead · 2006 · nominated
  • Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · 2006 · nominated
  • Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role · 2006 · nominated
  • Critics' Choice Movie AwardBest Actor · 2005 · nominated
  • Golden Globe AwardBest Actor – Motion Picture Drama · 2005 · nominated
  • Satellite AwardBest Actor – Motion Picture · 2005 · nominated
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest Male Lead · 2000 · nominated
  • Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture · 1998 · nominated
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest Supporting Male · 1993 · nominated
  • Independent Spirit AwardBest Supporting Male · 1992 · nominated

Filmography50+ titles

The Sopranos

1999as Robert Wegler

CIA

2026as Sanford 'Sandy' Harrison

House

2004as Nash

The Expanse

2015as Klaes Ashford

The Sensation of Sight

2006as Finn

Monk

2002as Patrick Kloster

Temple Grandin

2010as Professor Carlock

Billions

2016as Black Jack Foley

L.A. Confidential

1997as Pierce Patchett

Zootopia 2

2025as Milton Lynxley (voice)

The Blacklist

2013as Peter Kotsiopulos

Los Angeles Plays Itself

2003as Pierce Patchett in L.A. Confidential (archive footage)

Where the Crawdads Sing

2022as Tom Milton

Miami Vice

1984as Marty Lang

A Man on the Inside

2024as Dr. Benjamin Cole

Darkest Hour

2017as President Roosevelt (voice)

Lincoln@Gettysburg

2013as Self - Narrator (voice)

The Bourne Ultimatum

2007as Noah Vosen

McMafia

2018as Semiyon Kleiman

Fracture

2007as Joe Lobruto

Dolores Claiborne

1995as Joe St. George

Nomadland

2020as Dave

The People Speak

2009as Self

The Miracle Worker

2000as Captain Keller

A League of Their Own

1992as Ira Lowenstein

Good Night, and Good Luck.

2005as Edward R. Murrow

Nightmare Alley

2021as Pete

An Interview with God

2018as God

Song of Hiawatha

1997as Marcel

Passion Fish

1992as Rennie

Without Warning: The James Brady Story

1991as Dr. Arthur Kobrine

UFO

2018as Franklin Ahls

Z: The Beginning of Everything

2015as Anthony Sayre

We Are Marshall

2006as President Dedmon

Sneakers

1992as Whistler

Eight Men Out

1988as Eddie Cicotte

Spenser: For Hire

1985

Silkwood

1983as Wesley

Lincoln

2012as William Seward

Alphas

2011as Lee Rosen

Simon Birch

1998as Reverend Russell

City of Hope

1991as Asteroid

Heat Wave

1990as Bill Thomas

At Close Range

1986as Tony Pine

Godzilla: King of the Monsters

2019as Admiral William Stenz

The Whistleblower

2010as Peter Ward

The Spiderwick Chronicles

2008as Arthur Spiderwick

Trumbo

2007as Self

The Firm

1993as Ray McDeere

Memphis Belle

1990as Craig Harriman