Richard Jenkins
Known for
Richard Jenkins, born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1947, is one of the great supporting players of American cinema, a familiar face for years before receiving the recognition he deserved. After a long career in support, he earned an Oscar nomination as the lead of 'The Visitor', which revealed his enormous dramatic depth. He is memorable as the deceased patriarch in the series 'Six Feet Under' and was again an Oscar nominee for Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water'. His acting rests on sobriety and on small gestures that reveal entire inner worlds.
Richard Jenkins
88 Movies
10 Series
Richard Jenkins, born in DeKalb, Illinois, in 1947, is one of the great supporting players of American cinema, a familiar face for years before receiving the recognition he deserved. After a long career in support, he earned an Oscar nomination as the lead of 'The Visitor', which revealed his enormous dramatic depth. He is memorable as the deceased patriarch in the series 'Six Feet Under' and was again an Oscar nominee for Guillermo del Toro's 'The Shape of Water'. His acting rests on sobriety and on small gestures that reveal entire inner worlds.
Movies
Plays Senator Al Willis
Kong: Skull Island
2017
Plays D.A. Alex Rodin
Jack Reacher
2012
Plays Art Teacher (voice)
IF
2024
Plays Ezra Grindle
Nightmare Alley
2021
Plays Giles
The Shape of Water
2017
Plays Richard
Eat Pray Love
2010
Plays Richard from Texas
Eat Pray Love
2010
Plays Bobby (voice)
Turbo
2013
Plays Agent Boshane
Me, Myself & Irene
2000
Plays Richard Sitterson
The Cabin in the Woods
2012
Plays Mr. Harper
Friends with Benefits
2011
Plays Raphelson
White House Down
2013
Plays Dr. Robert Doback
Step Brothers
2008
Plays The Father
Let Me In
2010
Plays Gen. Thomas Purcell
The Core
2003
Plays Gruber
Sea of Love
1989
Plays Chicory
Bone Tomahawk
2015
Plays Earl Huttinger
Rumor Has It...
2005
Plays Michael McCarty
Absolute Power
1997
Plays Clyde Alden
The Witches of Eastwick
1987
Plays Robert Grace
The Kingdom
2007
Plays Kelly
Silverado
1985
Plays Lotterman
The Rum Diary
2011
Plays Ted
Burn After Reading
2008
Plays Mr. Tyree
Dear John
2010
Plays Shake
Cheaper by the Dozen
2003
Plays Frank Bascombe
Fun with Dick and Jane
2005
Plays Coakley
Hall Pass
2011
Plays Devine
Shall We Dance?
2004
Plays Walter Arnell
Changing Lanes
2002
Plays Principal (voice)
The Tale of Despereaux
2008
Plays Driver
Killing Them Softly
2012
Plays C. Vernon Hale
It Could Happen to You
1994
Plays Dr. Wilkes
Hannah and Her Sisters
1986
Plays Freddy Bender
Intolerable Cruelty
2003
Plays Hank Aimes
North Country
2005
Plays Walter Abundas
The Man Who Wasn't There
2001
Plays Victor
The Indian in the Cupboard
1995
Plays Erik
The Humans
2021
Plays Jed Lewis
The Company You Keep
2012
Plays Detective Carl Bridger
Wolf
1994
Plays Truman Trainor
Random Hearts
1999
Plays Attorney Mel Dawson
Blue Steel
1990
Plays Hank Chandler
Stealing Home
1988
Plays Sen. Richard Russell
LBJ
2017
Plays Prof. Walter Vale
The Visitor
2008
Plays Robert
Kajillionaire
2020
Plays Don Hollar
The Hollars
2016
Plays Professor Peter Hoberg
Liberal Arts
2012
Plays Howell
How to Make an American Quilt
1995
TV Shows
Plays Steven Frost
Berlin Station
2016
Plays Nathaniel Fisher
Six Feet Under
2001
Producer
Plays Lionel Dahmer
DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
2022
Plays Donoghue Homer
DTF St. Louis
2026
Plays Henry Kitteridge
Olive Kitteridge
2014
Plays Ivan
Criminal
Plays Mr. Benson
Alex Haley's Queen
1993
Plays DEA Agent Ed Waters
Miami Vice
1984
Plays Sheriff
Great Performances
1971
Plays Mr. Bo
Ally McBeal
1997
Plays Roger Davis
American Playhouse
1982
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
IF
Full Filmography
DTF St. Louis
Donoghue Homer · 7 episodes
2026
TV
IF
Art Teacher (voice)
2024
Film
DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story
Lionel Dahmer · 10 episodes
2022
TV
Nightmare Alley
Ezra Grindle
2021
Film
The Humans
Erik
2021
Film
Kajillionaire
Robert
2020
Film
The Last Shift
Stanley
2020
Film
The Shape of Water
Giles
2017
Film
LBJ
Sen. Richard Russell
2017
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Richard Jenkins and where are they from?
Richard Jenkins is 79 years old, born on May 4, 1947 in DeKalb, Illinois, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Richard Jenkins?
Richard Jenkins is best known for roles in The Shape of Water, Kong: Skull Island, Spotlight.
How many movies has Richard Jenkins been in?
Over a 52-year career (since 1974), Richard Jenkins has appeared in 88 movies and 9 TV shows.
What was Richard Jenkins's first movie?
The career of Richard Jenkins began with Feasting with Panthers (1974).
What is Richard Jenkins's most recent movie or series?
Richard Jenkins's most recent release is DTF St. Louis, which premiered on March 1, 2026.
What TV shows has Richard Jenkins appeared in?
On television, Richard Jenkins has appeared in DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Six Feet Under, Miami Vice, Ally McBeal.
Richard Jenkins
1947-05-04 · DeKalb, Illinois, USA
Richard Dale Jenkins (born May 4, 1947) is an American actor. Jenkins began his acting career in theater at the Trinity Repertory Company and later made his film debut in 1974. He has worked steadily in film and television since the 1980s, mostly in supporting roles. His first major role did not come until the early 2000s, when he portrayed the deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on the HBO funeral drama series Six Feet Under (2001–2005). He is also known for his roles in the films Burn After Reading (2008), Step Brothers (2008), Let Me In (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), and The Cabin in the Woods (2012).
Jenkins was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the drama film The Visitor (2007). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for the limited drama series Olive Kitteridge (2014). For his performance in the fantasy drama film The Shape of Water (2017), Jenkins received Academy Award, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.