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Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill
Age 79 years (May 29, 1947)
Birthplace Montgomery, Alabama, USA
Movies 34
TV Shows 54

Michael O'Neill

An American character actor with a long list of authority-figure roles, Michael O'Neill built a steady career in film and television. The Alabama native is remembered for a wrenching arc as the shooter in the medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' (2005) and appeared in films such as 'Dallas Buyers Club' (2013), 'Seabiscuit' (2003) and 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' (2011). A familiar face often cast as officials, agents and fathers, he brought understated conviction to supporting parts across decades of steady, unshowy work.
An American character actor with a long list of authority-figure roles, Michael O'Neill built a steady career in film and television. The Alabama native is remembered for a wrenching arc as the shooter in the medical drama 'Grey's Anatomy' (2005) and appeared in films such as 'Dallas Buyers Club' (2013), 'Seabiscuit' (2003) and 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' (2011). A familiar face often cast as officials, agents and fathers, he brought understated conviction to supporting parts across decades of steady, unshowy work.
Latest Trailers
War of the Worlds
Watch Trailer
War of the Worlds
Full Filmography 88
Tracker
Buck Avery
★ 7.6
2025Season 3
TV
War of the Worlds
Secretary of Defense Walter Crystal
★ 4.0
2025
Film
Bride Hard
Frank
★ 5.4
2025
Film
Happy Face
D.A. Craig Calloway
★ 6.8
2025Season 1
TV
Happy's Place
Jim Jackoway
★ 6.7
2024Season 1
TV
Air
Joe Dean
★ 7.3
2023
Film
S.W.A.T.
Carl Luca
★ 8.0
2022Season 6
TV
Fire Country
Harlan Denbo
★ 8.0
2022Season 1
TV
Echoes
Victor McCleary · 7 episodes
★ 6.6
2022–
TV
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Michael O'Neill and where are they from?
Michael O'Neill is 79 years old, born on May 29, 1947 in Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Michael O'Neill?
Michael O'Neill is best known for roles in Transformers, Dallas Buyers Club, J. Edgar.
How many movies has Michael O'Neill been in?
Over a 45-year career (since 1981), Michael O'Neill has appeared in 34 movies and 54 TV shows.
What was Michael O'Neill's first movie?
The career of Michael O'Neill began with Ghost Story (1981).
What is Michael O'Neill's most recent movie or series?
Michael O'Neill's most recent release is War of the Worlds, which premiered on July 29, 2025.
What TV shows has Michael O'Neill appeared in?
On television, Michael O'Neill has appeared in Grey's Anatomy, Prison Break, The Mentalist, Criminal Minds.
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Michael O'Neill
Michael O'Neill
1947-05-29 · Montgomery, Alabama, USA

​ Michael O'Neill (born May 29, 1951) is an American actor. With a career stretching through three decades, he usually portrays senior law enforcement or military officers. He is perhaps best known for his role as Special agent Ron Butterfield, the head of President Josiah Bartlet's Secret Service detail, on The West Wing. He played CTU Administrative Director Richard Walsh in the first two episodes of 24. He played Sgt. Maj. Ron Cheals in the CBS action-drama series The Unit. He starred in the Season Six 2 part Finale of Grey's Anatomy as the broken widower who holds the hospital hostage with a 9mm while pursuing the doctors responsible for unplugging his wife. His most notable film performances occur in Seabiscuit, Secondhand Lions, Transformers, Dancer, Texas Pop 81, Traffic, Sea of Love, A Quiet Little Marriage, Nothing But the Truth, and Green Zone. O'Neill graduated from Auburn University in 1974. After attending Auburn he spent time under the tutelage of actor Will Geer and his daughter, Ellen, at Theatricum Botanicum in Los Angeles before moving to New York to pursue his career there.

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