Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Actor
Occupations
Actor, Military personnel, Television producer, Screenwriter
Birthday
(Saturday)
Died
Birthplace
Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
Nationality
Citizenship
United States
Languages
English
Children
5 children: Elizabeth Dennehy, Kathleen Dennehy
Education
Yale School of Drama, Chaminade High School, Columbia University
Zodiac Sign
♋ Cancer
Chinese Zodiac
虎 Tiger
Name Origin
English < Irish < Breton (Brien)
Popularity
Tier B -- 79,584 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Career
Career spanning 55 years (1963-2018)
Tom Hanks →
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 25
Bryan Brown →
Year context
Born in 1938 -- Munich Agreement; Germany annexes Austria; Franklin D. Roosevelt was US president
Year 1938 →
DROPTHE GOOD_
15
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
52
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
Be the first to vote
Filmography (50)
The Seagull
Pjotr Sorin
The Good Wife
TV Series
Marco Polo
Kublai Khan
Ratatouille
Django (voice)
Our Fathers
Father Dominic Spagnolia
Assault on Precinct 13
Sargeant Jasper O'Shea
She Hate Me
Film
Category 6: Day of Destruction
Film
The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron
Film
Stolen Summer
Father Kelly
AWARDS (5)
G
Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play
2003
WON
B
Laurence Olivier Awards
WON
B
honorary doctor of the Hofstra University
WON
B
John Jay Award
WON
Biography
Brian Manion Dennehy (July 9, 1938 – April 15, 2020) was an American actor of film, stage, and television. His breakthrough film role was as the overzealous sheriff Will Teasle in First Blood (1982). Typically a character actor, Dennehy displayed versatility in varying and often complex roles ranging from villainous (such as a corrupt sheriff in the 1985 western Silverado) to virtuous (such as a benevolent alien leader in Cocoon, also released in 1985). Other notable films featuring Dennehy include Gorky Park (1983), Never Cry Wolf (1983), Legal Eagles (1986), F/X (1986), Tommy Boy (1995), Romeo + Juliet (1996), and Ratatouille (2007).
A prominent figure in the theater world (especially in Chicago), Dennehy won two Tony Awards for Best Lead Actor, for Death of a Salesman (1999) and Long Day's Journey into Night (2003). He starred in numerous television films and miniseries, garnering six Emmy Award nominations, and had memorable supporting and guest roles in many series including Just Shoot Me, The Good Wife, and The Blacklist.
Connections (2)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Brian Dennehy?
Brian Dennehy was born on and passed away on at the age of 81.
Where was Brian Dennehy born?
Brian Dennehy was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA.
What movies or shows has Brian Dennehy been in?
Brian Dennehy has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include The Seagull (2018), The Good Wife (2009), Marco Polo (2007), Ratatouille (2007), Our Fathers (2005).
What is Brian Dennehy known for?
Brian Dennehy is primarily known as an actor. Brian Manion Dennehy (July 9, 1938 – April 15, 2020) was an American actor of film, stage, and television. His breakthrough film role was as…
Where can I find more information about Brian Dennehy?
You can find more about Brian Dennehy on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.