Tom McCarthy
An American actor and Oscar-winning filmmaker born in New Jersey, Tom McCarthy is known on both sides of the camera. As an actor he appeared in '2012' (2009) and 'Meet the Parents' (2000), and memorably played a duplicitous reporter on 'The Wire'. He later won the Academy Award for writing and directing 'Spotlight' (2015). A steady, unshowy screen presence in supporting parts, he is best known today as a director, but his understated acting background informs the grounded, actor-driven films he makes.
Tom McCarthy
27 Movies
9 Series
An American actor and Oscar-winning filmmaker born in New Jersey, Tom McCarthy is known on both sides of the camera. As an actor he appeared in '2012' (2009) and 'Meet the Parents' (2000), and memorably played a duplicitous reporter on 'The Wire'. He later won the Academy Award for writing and directing 'Spotlight' (2015). A steady, unshowy screen presence in supporting parts, he is best known today as a director, but his understated acting background informs the grounded, actor-driven films he makes.
Movies
Plays Gordon Silberman
2012
2009
Plays Michael the Robot
Pixels
2015
Plays Principal Caden
The Lovely Bones
2009
Director
Spotlight
2015
Plays Dr. Bob Banks
Meet the Parents
2000
Plays Dr. Bob
Little Fockers
2010
Director
Stillwater
2021
Plays Jeff
Fair Game
2010
Plays Helicopter Spotter
Conspiracy Theory
1997
Director
The Cobbler
2014
Plays James Bradley
Flags of Our Fathers
2006
Director
The Station Agent
2003
Plays Dr. Warren
The Friend
2025
Plays Jeff Bauer
Duplicity
2009
Plays Waiter (voice)
Michael Clayton
2007
Plays Fred Franks
Syriana
2005
Plays Kate's Date
Baby Mama
2008
Plays Palmer Williams
Good Night, and Good Luck.
2005
Director
Win Win
2011
Plays Lars (as Thomas McCarthy)
The Guru
2002
Director
The Visitor
2008
Plays Editor
All the King's Men
2006
Director
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
2020
Plays Agent Pike
The Last Shot
2004
Plays William Messerman (Older)
Beautiful Ohio
2006
Plays Pier
Year of the Dog
2007
Plays Davie Burbage
The Great New Wonderful
2005
Plays Bob Sanders
Mammoth
2009
Plays Dr. Bob
Jack Goes Boating
2010
Plays Bartender
Rift
1993
Plays Major Hanks
The Situation
2007
TV Shows
Plays Kevin Riley
Boston Public
2000
Plays Scott Templeton
The Wire
2002
Director
13 Reasons Why
2017
Plays Peter Hanks
Ally McBeal
1997
Plays Kevin Riley
The Practice
1997
Plays Ian Bedloe
Hallmark Hall of Fame
1951
Plays Frank Errington
The Rivals of Sherlock Holmes
1971
Plays Priest
Spin City
1996
Plays Donald Housman
Law & Order
1990
Plays Trip Keating
The Lowdown
2025
Director
Alaska Daily
2022
Creator
The Loudest Voice
2019
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
The Friend
Full Filmography
Anima
Pete
2026
Film
The Lowdown
Trip Keating · 1 episode
2025
TV
The Friend
Dr. Warren
2025
Film
Alaska Daily
Director
2022
TV
Stillwater
Director
2021
Film
Timmy Failure: Mistakes Were Made
Director
2020
Film
The Loudest Voice
Creator
2019–
TV
13 Reasons Why
Director
2017
TV
Spotlight
Director
2015
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tom McCarthy and where are they from?
Tom McCarthy is 60 years old, born on June 7, 1966 in New Providence, New Jersey, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Tom McCarthy?
Tom McCarthy is best known for roles in 2012, Pixels, Meet the Parents.
How many movies has Tom McCarthy been in?
Over a 36-year career (since 1990), Tom McCarthy has appeared in 27 movies and 9 TV shows.
What was Tom McCarthy's first movie?
The career of Tom McCarthy began with Roast Suckling (1990).
What is Tom McCarthy's most recent movie or series?
Tom McCarthy's most recent release is Anima, which premiered on March 12, 2026.
What TV shows has Tom McCarthy appeared in?
On television, Tom McCarthy has appeared in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Wire, Law & Order, Ally McBeal.
Tom McCarthy
1966-06-07 · New Providence, New Jersey, USA
Thomas Joseph McCarthy (born 1966) is an American actor, writer, and film director who has appeared in several movies, including Meet the Parents and Good Night, and Good Luck, and television shows such as The Wire, Boston Public, Law & Order, and the Hallmark Hall of Fame presentation of Saint Maybe. McCarthy has received critical acclaim for his writing/direction work for the independent films The Station Agent, The Visitor, and Win Win. He currently resides in Manhattan. He is the silent partner in a chain of successful Papaya Dogs throughout the greater metropolitan area.Thomas McCarthy (actor), licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.