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Tom Atkins

Tom Atkins

Actor · Born November 13, 1935 (90) · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Tom Atkins (born November 13, 1935) is an American television and film actor. He is primarily known for his work in the horror film genre, having worked with writers and directors such as John Carpenter, Stephen King, and George A. Romero. He is also a familiar face to mainstream viewers, often playing police officers.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 13, 1935 (90)
From
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
43 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 17% in 30 days

What are Tom Atkins' films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 61st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 90th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
44%
Bonds
16%
Society
12%
Survival
10%
Power
7%
Self
6%
Ideas
5%
Justice12 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 8 · Heightened 3

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 2 · Charged 9 · Intense 11

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

Steady 10 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 4

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 14 · Full focus 3

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

Easy watch 8 · Affecting 11 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 2 of 8 analyzed roles.

Shadow
2 of 8
Hero
2 of 8
Ally
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Mentor
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Dread
9
Thrilling
6
Warm
5
Melancholic
6
Other
15

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous7

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 Tom Atkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Tom Atkins' 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, 43 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Polybius (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Sheriff Atkins

  • Trick(2019)

    as Talbott

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Creepshow(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank (segment "Something Burrowed, Something Blue")

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • City on a Hill(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joe Congemi

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Encounter(2018)

    as Professor Herbert Westlake

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Judy's Dead (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Roy

  • Apocalypse Kiss(2014)

    as Captain John Vogle

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Drive Angry(2011)

    as Cap

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • The Chief (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Art Rooney

  • Trapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Detective Abbott

  • Amazing Racer(2009)

    as Captain Martin

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • My Bloody Valentine(2009)

    as Burke

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Jury (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Boyd Kingman

  • Turn of Faith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Charlie Ryan

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy Monahan

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Out of the Black (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Eugene Carter

  • Bruiser(2000)

    as Det. McCleary

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Rockford Files: If It Bleeds... It Leads(1999)

    as Cmdr. Alex Diehl

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Dying to Be Perfect: The Ellen Hart Pena Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Henry Hart

  • The Rockford Files: If the Frame Fits...(1996)

    as Cmdr. Alex Diehl

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Xena: Warrior Princess(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Atrius

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Fortune Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Bennet

  • Striking Distance(1993)

    as Uncle Fred

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Wade

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Sworn to Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Ed Barry

  • Homicide: Life on the Street(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Grenville Rollins

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Bob Roberts(1992)

    as Dr. Caleb Mneck

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Shades of Gray(1992)

    as Roy

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Cry in the Wild: The Taking of Peggy Ann (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Jamieson

  • Against the Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Walter Littlefield

  • Two Evil Eyes(1990)

    as Det. Grogan

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Kojak: Flowers for Matty(1990)

    as Lt. Ian Conner

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Heist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Det. Leland

  • Dead Man Out (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Berger

  • Maniac Cop(1988)

    as Frank McCrae

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Lemon Sky (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Douglas

  • The Equalizer - The Movie: Blood & Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Detective Frank Standish

  • A Stranger Waits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sheriff Collier

  • Lethal Weapon(1987)

    as Michael Hunsaker

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Night of the Creeps(1986)

    as Det. Ray Cameron

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Blind Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Kramer

  • The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Lieutenant

  • Spenser: For Hire(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Hatch

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Demonstrator · as Detective Frank Standish

  • Stingray(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Donald Dixon

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The New Kids(1985)

    as Col. John MacWilliams

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Masquerade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent John

  • Murder Me, Murder You(1983)

    as Jack Vance

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Mississippi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenyon

  • Skeezer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Dr. Chanless

  • Creepshow(1982)

    as Stan (segments "Prologue" / "Epilogue") (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Lonnicker

  • Halloween III: Season of the Witch(1982)

    as Daniel Challis

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil Parker / Tommy D'Amico

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as John Cameron

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Douglas

  • Escape from New York(1981)

    as Rehme

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Ninth Configuration(1980)

    as Sgt. Krebs

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Fog(1980)

    as Nick Castle

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Buck Buchanan

  • Skag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Dr. Moscone

  • A Death in Canaan(1978)

    as Lt. Bragdon

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Tarantulas: The Deadly Cargo(1977)

    as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr Sorensen · as Frank Dunning · as Jim Bronsky

  • Standing Room Only (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Craigin

  • Visions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Dayka

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Gene Butler · as John Todd

  • Special Delivery(1976)

    as Cop on Beat

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Serpico (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 16 episodes · as Tom Sullivan

  • Serpico: The Deadly Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Lt. Tom Sullivan

  • Shell Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Stoker Frye

  • Baretta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Vic

  • Miles to Go Before I Sleep(1975)

    as O'Dell

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 7 episodes · as Alex Diel · as Thomas Diehl

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Harry O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 6 episodes · as Sgt. Frank Cole

  • Rhoda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Vic Rhodes

  • Get Christie Love! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Peterson

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Major Weems

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Brad Gifford

  • Where's Poppa?(1970)

    as Policeman in apartment

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • The Owl and the Pussycat(1970)

    as Kid in Car (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Koko Apaleka

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • One Life to Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Pike Buchanan

  • The Detective(1968)

    as Harmon

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Doctors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dylan Levein

  • Look up and Live (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    Show 1 episode · as Doctor

  • The Collected (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Arkin’s father

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 87 titles, 86 of them dated from 1953 to 2020; peak year 1981.

Biggest box office

Lethal Weapon (1987)

$120M worldwide

Highest rated

In Search of Darkness (2019)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

The Rockford Files (1974)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19532020

Peak 1981 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 7 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting87 of 87: 87 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score60th

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s4 · acting1970s20 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s15 · acting2000s8 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 9% of 22 roles
688393

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Tom Atkins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 54th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

54thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 43 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Encounter (2018)

83rd percentile spread · 48% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Lethal Weapon (1987)

Midcredits 96th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 36. 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 Tom Atkins' work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles63–94 · median 84 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles9–73 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity11 titles52–89 · median 59 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles33–61 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense10 titles57–86 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian 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 Tom Atkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Tom Atkins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Carpenter shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles