John Spencer
Known for
John Spencer, born in New York City in 1946, was an American actor whose weary charisma made him one of television's great political characters. He is best remembered as Leo McGarry, the White House chief of staff on The West Wing (1999), a role that earned him an Emmy. Before that he had spent years on L.A. Law (1986) as Tommy Mullaney and appeared on film in Presumed Innocent (1990) and The Rock (1996). His death in 2005 during the show's final season made the passing of his character a milestone moment in American television.
John Spencer
24 Movies
14 Series
John Spencer, born in New York City in 1946, was an American actor whose weary charisma made him one of television's great political characters. He is best remembered as Leo McGarry, the White House chief of staff on The West Wing (1999), a role that earned him an Emmy. Before that he had spent years on L.A. Law (1986) as Tommy Mullaney and appeared on film in Presumed Innocent (1990) and The Rock (1996). His death in 2005 during the show's final season made the passing of his character a milestone moment in American television.
Movies
Plays Leo Crasky
Cop Land
1997
Plays FBI Director James Womack
The Rock
1996
Plays Chief Al Travis
The Negotiator
1998
Plays Ko's Pilot
The Protector
1985
Plays General Slauson
Ravenous
1999
Plays Detective Dan Lipranzer
Presumed Innocent
1990
Plays Jerry
WarGames
1983
Plays Oliver
Black Rain
1989
Plays Bill Gunter
All Revved Up
1998
Plays Lieutenant
Sea of Love
1989
Plays Harry
Green Card
1990
Plays Capt. Phil Egan
Twilight
1998
Plays Jack
Albino Alligator
1997
Plays Uncle Mike
Cold Around the Heart
1997
Plays TV Preacher
Far from Home
1989
Plays Jack
Forget Paris
1995
Plays Bakey
Hiding Out
1987
Plays Ray Davioni
Cafe Society
1997
Plays Stephen
Echoes
1982
Plays Record Executive
Key Exchange
1985
Plays Ed
Lesser Prophets
1997
Plays Det. Phil Sullivan
Simple Justice
1989
TV Shows
Plays Leo McGarry
The West Wing
1999
Plays Tommy Mullaney
L.A. Law
1986
Plays Simon McCallister
Trinity
1998
Plays Henry
The Patty Duke Show
1963
Plays Howard Morton
Law & Order
1990
Plays Joe Moran
Spenser: For Hire
1985
Plays Leo
Touched by an Angel
1994
Plays Lt. Lee Atkins
Miami Vice
1984
Plays Howard Banner
Early Edition
1996
Plays Carl Scofeld
FX: The Series
1996
Plays Col. Wallis Thurman
The Outer Limits
1995
Plays Mr. Gadget
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993
Plays Edmund Church
L.A. Doctors
1998
Plays Agent Dennehy (voice)
Duckman
1994
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Ravenous
Full Filmography
The West Wing
Leo McGarry · 154 episodes
1999–
TV
Ravenous
General Slauson
1999
Film
Trinity
Simon McCallister · 9 episodes
1998–
TV
L.A. Doctors
Edmund Church · 1 episode
1998–
TV
The Negotiator
Chief Al Travis
1998
Film
All Revved Up
Bill Gunter
1998
Film
Twilight
Capt. Phil Egan
1998
Film
Lesser Prophets
Ed
1997
Film
Cold Around the Heart
Uncle Mike
1997
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John Spencer still alive?
John Spencer passed away on December 16, 2005 at age 58.
What are the most famous roles of John Spencer?
John Spencer is best known for roles in The Rock, The Negotiator, WarGames.
How many movies has John Spencer been in?
Over a 26-year career (since 1979), John Spencer has appeared in 24 movies and 14 TV shows.
What was John Spencer's first movie?
The career of John Spencer began with The Other Side of Victory (1979).
What is John Spencer's most recent movie or series?
John Spencer's most recent release is Cop Land: The Making of an Urban Western, which premiered on June 1, 2004.
What TV shows has John Spencer appeared in?
On television, John Spencer has appeared in Law & Order, The West Wing, Miami Vice, Saturday Night Live.
John Spencer
1946-12-20 · New York City, New York, USA
John Spencer (December 20, 1946 – December 16, 2005) was an American actor. He first gained recognition for his captivating performances on Broadway, particularly in The Great White Hope (1969). Spencer transitioned to film, showcasing his versatility in movies like The Rock (1996) and The Negotiator (1998). On television, Spencer had one of his first on-screen roles in The Patty Duke Show, and later became known as a main cast member on L.A. Law starting in its fifth season. His portrayal of White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on The West Wing (1999-2006) brought widespread acclaim, earning him five Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 2002. Spencer passed away on December 16, 2005, at the age of 58.