Skip to content
MovieCove
Joe Regalbuto

Joe Regalbuto

Actor and director · Born August 24, 1949 (77) · New York City, New York, USA

Joe Regalbuto is an American actor and director. He is known for his role as Frank Fontana on the CBS television sitcom Murphy Brown, which earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 1989.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 24, 1949 (77)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor and director
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 87 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 65 days to Oct 28Down 15% in 30 days

What are Joe Regalbuto's films like?

Across their 19 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
40%
Bonds
19%
Survival
16%
Self
13%
Power
9%
Society
3%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 1 · Serious 9 · Dark 5

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 10 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 6 · Intense 9

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 0

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 3 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 9 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 5
Trickster
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
9
Dread
6
Thrilling
5
Absurd
4
Other
14

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous6
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Joe Regalbuto's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 36 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joe Regalbuto's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

87 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: an Almost History of America(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor Carlton

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 13 episodes · as Frank Fontana

  • Fire Twister(2015)

    as Mitch

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Partners(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Saint George(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • Next Stop Murder(2010)

    as Warren

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan O'Grady

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Bottle Shock(2008)

    as Bill

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Wizards of Waverly Place(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Twenty Good Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Bradford

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Commander Marks

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Out of Practice(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Unscripted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Regalbuto

  • The Big House (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • I'm with Her (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as George Ellis

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Like Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • All About the Andersons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Greetings from Tucson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 12 episodes · Director

  • George Lopez(2002)

    Show 43 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • The Agency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as CIA Tech

  • Mockingbird Don't Sing(2001)

    as Dr. Norm Glazer

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Sal

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Nikki (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Titus (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • Katie Joplin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Fontana / Bull / Editor (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Jesse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Maggie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • For Your Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Harvey Hall

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Smart Guy(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Ink (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Bodily Harm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Stan Geffen

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Donnie Mancuso

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Other Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ren Henson

  • Writer's Block (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Det. Mark Browning

  • Leona Helmsley: The Queen of Mean(1990)

    as Paul Summerton

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat: A Valentine Voyage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Tony Blanchard

  • Prime Target(1989)

    as Tom Janssen

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Deadly Weapon(1989)

    as Fuller

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 247 episodes · Director · as Frank Fontana

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Grady Dolin

  • Police Story: Cop Killer(1988)

    as Grady Dolin

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Fatal Judgement(1988)

    as Charlie Capute

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • J.J. Starbuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Steven Capstone

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • That Secret Sunday (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Throb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Raw Deal(1986)

    as Marvin Baxter

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Fuzzbucket (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Dad

  • All Is Forgiven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Elliott Fusco

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Arthur Prescott

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Merle

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Scene of the Crime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Perkins

  • Love Lives On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Dr. Dan

  • Street Hawk(1985)

    Show 13 episodes · as Norman Tuttle

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Who's the Boss?(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Don

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Invitation to Hell(1984)

    as Tom Peterson

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Lassiter(1984)

    as Peter Breeze

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Street Hawk: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Norman Tuttle

  • Night Court(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Bert Felch

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Hardcastle and McCormick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Star Chamber(1983)

    as Arthur Cooms

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • The Other Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jeff Marisol

  • Ace Crawford... Private Eye(1983)

    Show 5 episodes · as Toomey

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Six Weeks(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Honkytonk Man(1982)

    as Henry Axle

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney Michaelson

  • The Sword and the Sorcerer(1982)

    as Darius

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Divorce Wars: A Love Story(1982)

    as Barry Fields

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Missing(1982)

    as Frank Teruggi

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Best of the West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cheaper to Keep Her(1980)

    as Chuck

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Magnum, P.I.(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Don Eddie Rice

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Bosom Buddies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Schizoid(1980)

    as Jake

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 6 episodes · as Harry Fisher

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Associates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Mork & Mindy(1978)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Goodbye Girl(1977)

    as Richard III Cast

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Eight Is Enough(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all shows

  • Barney Miller(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Earl Slatic-Sanitation Police · as Peter Rankin

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles from 1975 to 2026; peak year 1983.

Biggest box office

Lassiter (1984)

$18M worldwide

Highest rated

Missing (1982)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Street Hawk (1985)

Film career

19752026

Peak 1983 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting66 of 86: 65 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting21 of 86: 20 only directing, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1970s6 · acting1980s40 · 39 acting · 2 crew1990s15 · 8 acting · 7 crew2000s20 · 10 acting · 10 crew2010s4 · 2 acting · 2 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Joe Regalbuto's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 21; across their 15 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Approval · how many liked their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 50 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · director

Saint George (2014)

93rd percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · director

Friends (1994)

Midcredits 97th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 46. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Joe Regalbuto's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 4 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles24–57 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 29 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 63 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Joe Regalbuto work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joe Regalbuto's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Raymond Singer shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers

Producers