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Dan Butler

Dan Butler

Actor · Born December 2, 1954 (71) · Huntington, Indiana, USA

Daniel Eugene Butler (born December 2, 1954) is an American playwright and actor known for his role as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe on the TV series Frasier. Butler was born in Huntington, Indiana and raised in Fort Wayne; the son of Shirley, a homemaker, and Andrew Butler, a pharmacist. Openly gay, he starred in Terrence McNally's 1989 play The Lisbon Traviata and wrote an Off Broadway play about his life, The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me..., which derives its title from a comment Butler's father allegedly made when Dan came out to him. Though Butler never hid his homosexuality, he disclosed it publicly on Entertainment Tonight in 1994 during his run as a swaggering heterosexual on Frasier. His partner is acting teacher and director, Richard Waterhouse.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 2, 1954 (71)
From
Huntington, Indiana, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 71 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 157 days to Oct 28Down 60% in 30 days

What are Dan Butler's films like?

Across their 8 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
25%
Bonds
23%
Self
19%
Society
16%
Survival
10%
Ideas
7%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 7 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 0 · Dark 3

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

Grounded 6 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 3 · Intense 3

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 0

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

A split, not a type: Casual 3 · Engaged 4 · Full focus 0

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 2 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
5
Joyful
3
Warm
3
Melancholic
2
Contemplative
2
Other
6

How their films linger

Feel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet3
  • Ambiguous1

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 Dan Butler's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 40 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (11).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dan Butler'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

71 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • All Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Father Frank

  • Frasier(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Bulldog Briscoe

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Blonde(2022)

    as I.E. Shinn

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • All My Life(2020)

    as Dr. Alan Mendelson

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Tales of the City(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Hey Arnold: The Jungle Movie(2017)

    as Mr. Simmons (voice)

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Mist(2017)

    Show 4 episodes · as Father Romanov

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Blindspot(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Paul Bolton

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Mysteries of Laura(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Calvin Gold

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Stromberg

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Banshee(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Senator Mitchum

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Denny Mulgrew

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Writer

  • Crazy, Stupid, Love.(2011)

    as Cal's Boss

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Prayers for Bobby(2009)

    as Reverend Whitsell

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Chronic Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Blow Job

  • Cashmere Mafia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Karl Rove, I Love You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Director · Actor

  • 'Til Death(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Sorenson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Philip Weber

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Quintuplets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Francis Helberg

  • Miss Match (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Chuck Webb

  • Sniper 2(2002)

    as Eckles

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • American Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · as Coach Ambros

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as David Wilkins

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Fixing Frank (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Dr. Arthur Apsey

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Davis Scott

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest(2002)

    as Lloyd Acheson

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Congressman Price

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnold Hummer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Norm

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Sissy Duckling(1999)

    as Drake (voice)

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Rocket Power (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Enemy of the State(1998)

    as Shaffer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • More Tales of the City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Bass Matheson

  • From the Earth to the Moon(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gene Kranz

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender(1997)

    as Host / Narrator

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney Bender

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Slatton

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • King of the Hill(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney (voice) · as Daniel (voice)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Hey Arnold!(1996)

    Show 17 episodes · as Mr. Simmons (voice; uncredited) · as Mr. Simmons (voice) · as Mr. Simmons / Dispatcher (voice) · as Mr. Simmons / Houseboy (voice) · as Mr. Simmons / Lila's Father (voice) · as Mr. Simmons / Publisher (voice) · as Mr. Simmons / Scientist (voice)

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Suddenly Susan(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Richards

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • The Fan(1996)

    as Garrity

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Assassination File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Harvey Young

  • Caroline in the City(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Kenneth Arabian

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • The Single Guy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Star Trek: Voyager(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Steth

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Ivar Kroneberger

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • I Love Trouble(1994)

    as Wilson Chess

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 47 episodes · Director · as Bulldog Briscoe

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Ausbury

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Rising Sun(1993)

    as Ken Shubik

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Dave(1993)

    as Reporter

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One(1992)

    as Asst. DA Mendelson

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Captain Ron(1992)

    as Zachery

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Frannie's Turn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Father Anthony

  • The Rape of Doctor Willis(1991)

    as Styvesant

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Silence of the Lambs(1991)

    as Roden

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • The Long Walk Home(1990)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Longtime Companion(1989)

    as Walter

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Jake Dorleac · as Mutta

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Monsters(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as David

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Roseanne(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Leg Work (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Solinski

  • The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Blaise

  • Manhunter(1986)

    as Jimmy Price

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Manhattan Project(1986)

    as SWAT

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Goodman

  • Silver Fox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles, 70 of them dated from 1971 to 2024; peak year 1991.

Biggest box office

Captain Ron (1992)

$23M worldwide

Highest rated

Prayers for Bobby (2009)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Frasier (1993)

Film career

19712024

Peak 1991 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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 71: 68 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thDirecting2 of 71: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting1 of 71: 1 only writing, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s9 · acting1990s28 · 28 acting · 1 crew2000s18 · 18 acting · 1 crew2010s10 · 9 acting · 1 crew2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
8696

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 Dan Butler's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 22; across their 7 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Reach · how many have seen their films

74thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 7

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up24
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

The Sissy Duckling (1999)

88th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 58/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 37. 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 Dan Butler's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 30 · mildMedian of all films: 36

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

Who does Dan Butler work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dan Butler's MovieCove titles; Tom McGowan shares the most, 2.