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Ron Canada

Ron Canada

Actor · Born May 3, 1949 (77) · New York City, New York, USA

Ron Canada is an American actor and producer who began his acting career in 1978. Canada has had a long career in both television and film, known predominantly for his work in Cinderella Man, Wedding Crashers, and his recurring role as Under Secretary of State Ted Barrow on The West Wing. In 1996, Ron received the Dallas Film Critics Award and significant national attention for his performance as "Otis Payne" in John Sayles's film Lone Star.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 3, 1949 (77)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
91 on MovieCove · 114 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 31% in 30 days

What are Ron Canada's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Action 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
35%
Bonds
32%
Survival
12%
Self
11%
Society
4%
Power
3%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 10 · Intense 5

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

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 11 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 9 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

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 9 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 5

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 11 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 4 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 4
Herald
1 of 4
Mentor
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
11
Melancholic
9
Joyful
5
Hopeful
6
Warm
5
Other
21

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet7
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5

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 Ron Canada's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 66 of their 91 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ron Canada'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

114 credits, 91 with a MovieCove page.

  • This Will Never Work (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Uncle Pete

  • The Irrational(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Eli Mercer

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • East New York(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · as Maurice Haywood

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Girls5eva(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Dana Wiggens

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • The Equalizer(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Curtis Baker

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • The Empty Man(2020)

    as Detective Villiers

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Jack Ryan(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as DNI Bobby Vig

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Bully(2018)

    as 'Action' Jackson

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Seven Seconds(2018)

    Show 3 episodes · as Pastor Adler

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Orville(2017)

    Show 3 episodes · as Admiral Tucker

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Crown Heights(2017)

    as Judge Marcy

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Discovery(2017)

    as Cooper

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Good Fight(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Andrew Hart

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • After Words(2015)

    as Nelson

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Ted 2(2015)

    as Judge

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Affair(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Polk

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Cameroonian Ambassador Jean Aissatou

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Strain(2014)

    Show 6 episodes · as Mayor George Lyle

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • House of Cards(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Vincent Abruzzo

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Manny Rose

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Lake Effects(2012)

    as Winchester

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Grimm(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Stan Kingston

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mason

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Noble Things(2008)

    as Moses

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Bob Funk(2009)

    as Smiley

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Ocean of Pearls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Dr. Wiiliam Ballard

  • The Beneficiary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Detective Jensen

  • The Haunting of Molly Hartley(2008)

    as Mr. Bennett

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Philip Raimey

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Snowglobe(2007)

    as Antonio

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Little Wings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as John

  • Ugly Betty(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Senator Slater

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Brothers & Sisters(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Brigadier General Hendrix

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Paved with Good Intentions(2006)

    as Garrett Balden

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • King Leopold's Ghost(2006)

    as Voice

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • The Jake Effect (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as McConnell

  • Islander(2006)

    as T. Hardy

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Just Like Heaven(2005)

    as Dr. Walsh

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Special Agent Sam Reilly

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Weeds(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · as Joseph

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Wedding Crashers(2005)

    as Randolph

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Gerald Blake

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Cinderella Man(2005)

    as Joe Jeanette

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Office(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Haskins

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian Hellman

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • National Treasure(2004)

    as Guard Woodruff

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 8 episodes · as Judge Willard Reese

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Adult Marcus Ride

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Reversible Errors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Jackson Aires

  • The Human Stain(2003)

    as Herb Keble

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The United States of Leland(2003)

    as Elden

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Hunted(2003)

    as Harry Van Zandt

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Young MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as The General

  • The Shield(2002)

    Show 4 episodes · as Chief of Police Tom Bankston

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Brody

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • One on One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 14 episodes · as Richard Barnes

  • Black River(2001)

    as Chief Salks

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Thank Heaven(2001)

    as Joseph Johnson

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerry Barone

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Apartment Complex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Detective Culver

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · as Theodore Barrow

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Gary Stark

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Coleman Green

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • In Too Deep(1999)

    as Dr. Bratton

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Before He Wakes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Detective Cochran

  • Felicity(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dean Allison

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Nick Fury: Agent of Shield(1998)

    as Gabriel Jones

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Lost in the Bermuda Triangle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Othello (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Iago

  • Clover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Gaten's brother-in-law

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Quartus

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Pinocchio's Revenge(1996)

    as Barry

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • 7th Heaven(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Tsegdye

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all shows

  • Lone Star(1996)

    as Otis Payne

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The American President(1995)

    as Reporter Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Man of the House(1995)

    as Bob Younger

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Voyager(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Fesek

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Without Warning(1994)

    as Terrance Freeman

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Due South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Franco Devlin

  • Getting Even with Dad(1994)

    as Zinn

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Sister, Sister(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Thorington

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Ellen(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Sutterman

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Babylon 5(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Captain Ellis Pierce

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Anderson

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Franklin Potter

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Barbarians at the Gate(1993)

    as Vernon Jordan

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Ch'Pok

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Home Alone 2: Lost in New York(1992)

    as Cop in Times Square

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Play Nice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Coroner

  • Desperate Choices: To Save My Child(1992)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 5 episodes · as Coach Chet Corley

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Honey, I Blew Up the Kid(1992)

    as Marshall Brooks

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Melrose Place(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Minister

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Stat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 6 episodes · as Anderson 'Mary' Roche

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Fuller

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Parker Lewis Can't Lose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Man #1

  • The Last of the Finest(1990)

    as Cregan

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Downtown(1990)

    as Lowell Harris

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Family Matters(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dave McClure

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Doogie Howser, M.D.(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Wilbur

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Hines

  • Unholy Matrimony (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Lt. Jack Tolliver

  • Arthur 2: On the Rocks(1988)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Talk Show Guest

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Benbeck

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Grover James

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Adventures in Babysitting(1987)

    as Greydon

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as David Ellis

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Good to Go (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Stooper #1

  • D.C. Cab(1983)

    as Policeman #4

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Wasn't There(1983)

    as Barker

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent Munson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Dallas(1978)

    Show 5 episodes · as Dave Wallace

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 114 titles from 1978 to 2025; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Wedding Crashers (2005)

$288M worldwide

Highest rated

Lone Star (1996)

Midcredits 91st

Most popular right now

Just Like Heaven (2005)

Film career

19782025

Peak 2004 · 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
Acting114 of 114: 114 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score68th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s15 · acting1990s39 · acting2000s36 · acting2010s17 · acting2020s6 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 28 roles
83939808

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 Ron Canada's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 41; across their 21 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 21

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 91 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up40
  • 50th to 74th18
  • 25th to 49th18
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

38 of their 91 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved18
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser38
  • Broadly Agreed7
  • Mixed23

Most divisive · actor

Paved with Good Intentions (2006)

99th percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The West Wing (1999)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. 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 Ron Canada's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles31–85 · median 50 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles17–69 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles37–70 · median 53 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles30–49 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles21–74 · median 46 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Ron Canada work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ron Canada's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; James Parks shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers