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Denis Arndt

Denis Arndt

Actor · Died March 25, 2025, aged 86 · Issaquah, Washington, USA

Denis Leroy Arndt (February 23, 1939 – March 25, 2025) was an American actor, best known for his starring role as Alex Priest in the play Heisenberg for which he earned a 2017 Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 23, 1939
Died
March 25, 2025 (aged 86)
From
Issaquah, Washington, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on Motif · 70 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 34% in 30 days

What are Denis Arndt's films like?

Across their 16 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies

Their Motif 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
34%
Survival
26%
Bonds
16%
Power
9%
Self
7%
Ideas
6%
Society
2%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTruth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 12 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 9

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 3 · 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 5 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

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

Easy watch 5 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 1

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 6
Herald
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Melancholic
7
Thrilling
6
Contemplative
3
Hopeful
3
Other
5

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

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 Denis Arndt's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 41 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Denis Arndt's titles on Motif; 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

70 credits, 41 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Do Over (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    as Lou

  • The Good Fight(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Ron

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • How to Get Away with Murder(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Justice Strickland

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Dolphin Tale 2(2014)

    as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Shuffle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Big boss

  • Past Life (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry

  • Behind Enemy Lines II: Axis of Evil(2006)

    as CIA Director Weylon Armitage

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Vanished (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Senator Eugene Collins

  • Bandidas(2006)

    as Ashe

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Reynolds

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Colonel Daniel Robbins

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Last Best Chance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2005)

    as Nathan Sheldon

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as A.D.A. Joshua Wendt

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid(2004)

    as CEO

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Sniper 3(2004)

    as William Avery

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • S.W.A.T.(2003)

    as Sgt. Howard

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Dead Heat(2002)

    as Ivan Barnes

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Undisputed(2002)

    as Warden Lipscom

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Ashton

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Public (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as A.D.A. Roland Hill

  • The District (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Owen Mitchell

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry Maddox

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Blast(2000)

    as Sheriff

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Time of Your Life (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Family Law (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Szabo

  • Get Real (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Stewart Green

  • Providence (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 8 episodes · as Dr. Bill Augustine

  • Max Q(1998)

    as Don Mitchum

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Blackout Effect(1998)

    as Frank Wyatt

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Mannix

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • NightScream(1997)

    as Ray Ordwell

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · as A.A.G. Quentin Reynolds · as A.D.A. Roland Hill · as Defense Attorney Robertson

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Asteroid(1997)

    as President

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Payback (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    as Neil Stanfill

  • Metro(1997)

    as Capt. Frank Solis

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Nick Avani

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • The Burning Zone (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Beast (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Osborne Manning

  • How to Make an American Quilt(1995)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard La Porte

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Return of Hunter: Everyone Walks in L.A.(1995)

    as Frank Battaglia

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Darrell

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Jason Sollers

  • Amelia Earhart: The Final Flight(1994)

    as Joseph Laughlin

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story(1994)

    as Jerry Werner

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Sam Lane

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • SeaQuest 2032(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Navy Quartermaster Bickle

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Boy Meets Girl (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ted Jordan

  • Condition: Critical (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Dr. Austin DeGroose

  • Picket Fences(1992)

    Show 12 episodes · as Franklin Dell

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Bodies of Evidence (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 3 episodes · as Harris Devlin

  • Cruel Doubt (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Leith Von Stein

  • Basic Instinct(1992)

    as Lieutenant Walker

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • One Special Victory (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jack Arner

  • Herman's Head (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Russell Boswell

  • Till We Meet Again(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Mancuso, F.B.I. (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Life Goes On (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • TV 101 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Checker

  • Distant Thunder(1988)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Annie McGuire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • The Wonder Years(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Tyler

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Crime Story(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Al Novak

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 9 episodes · as Jack Sollers

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Vincent Palermo

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Dawn Flight (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Runaway on the Rogue River (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1974)

    as John Peterson

  • Columbo (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Mackey

  • The Wonderful World of Disney (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as John Peterson

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 70 titles from 1954 to 2023; peak year 2005.

Biggest box office

Basic Instinct (1992)

$353M worldwide

Highest rated

Basic Instinct (1992)

Midcredits 80th

Film career

19542023

Peak 2005 · 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
Acting70 of 70: 70 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score43rd

By decade

1950s1 · acting1970s3 · acting1980s11 · acting1990s32 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s5 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · 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 Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Denis Arndt's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 20; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 30th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

24thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 41 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser11
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed16

Most divisive · actor

Tears and Laughter: The Joan and Melissa Rivers Story (1994)

92nd percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Crime Story (1986)

Midcredits 95th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 53/100 in their films, across 16 reviewed titles; fans 72, detractors 33. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Denis Arndt's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 Motif titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 65 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Denis Arndt work with?

People who share at least 2 of Denis Arndt's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bradford May shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Producers