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Michael Cavanaugh

Michael Cavanaugh

Actor · Born November 21, 1942 (83) · New York City, New York, USA

Excellent, prolific and versatile character actor Michael Cavanaugh was born on November 21, 1942 in New York. The eldest of nine children, Cavanaugh joined the Navy following his high school graduation and was stationed in Hawaii for three years. After his tour of duty was over, Cavanaugh developed an interest in acting. He began his acting career in children's theater; he made his stage debut in the titular role in a production of "Winnie the Pooh". Michael's other stage credits include "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest", "Merchant of Venice" and "Are You Now or Have You Ever Been?". An accomplished vocalist, Cavanaugh has sung tenor in such musicals as "Oh Calcutta!", "Carousel" and "110 in the Shade". Michael has racked up an extensive list of film and TV show credits alike since the mid-1970s; he often portrays police officers, government agents, stern military types, lawyers, judges and slick businessmen. Cavanaugh has appeared in three Clint Eastwood pictures: The Enforcer (1976), The Gauntlet (1977) and Any Which Way You Can (1980). He was especially memorable as the head nasty bad guy in the exciting Chuck Norris action vehicle Forced Vengeance (1982). Cavanaugh was terrific as obsessive and xenophobic chief federal security agent "George Fox" on the fine and thoughtful science fiction TV series Starman (1986). He also had a recurring part on the short-lived early 90s revival of the popular horror soap opera Dark Shadows (1991). Among the many TV shows Cavanaugh has done guest spots on are Monk (2002), Shark (2006), Bones (2005), The Young and the Restless (1973), The West Wing (1999), The Practice (1997), NYPD Blue (1993), Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993), Matlock (1986), Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987), ER (1994), The X-Files (1993), L.A. Law (1986), Our House (1986), Amazing Stories (1985), MacGyver (1985), Airwolf (1984), Dallas (1978), The A-Team (1983), Cagney & Lacey (1981), Hunter (1984), T.J. Hooker (1982), Vega$ (1978), CHiPs (1977) and Kojak (1973).

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Biography from IMDb.

Born
November 21, 1942 (83)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
75 on MovieCove · 120 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 64 days to Oct 27Down 20% in 30 days

What are Michael Cavanaugh's films like?

Across their 20 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
28%
Survival
26%
Bonds
17%
Self
15%
Society
9%
Power
4%
Ideas
1%
Survival7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 18 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 15 · Intense 4

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

A split, not a type: Steady 10 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 15 · 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 10 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 0

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

Easy watch 7 · Affecting 10 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
16
Melancholic
6
Dread
5
Thrilling
5
Bittersweet
3
Other
17

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3

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 Michael Cavanaugh's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 53 of their 75 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Cavanaugh'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

120 credits, 75 with a MovieCove page.

  • Back to Love(2017)

    as Roger

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Rules Don't Apply(2016)

    as Methodist Minister

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Peep World(2010)

    as Brad Thompkins

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Moonlight Serenade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Beretsky

  • Flashforward(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Warren Moore

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Eli Stone(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as D.A. Lowell Grayson

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Live!(2007)

    as Wilken

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Who's Your Caddy?(2007)

    as John Marshall

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Judge Newman

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • All the King's Men(2006)

    as Mr. Peyton

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Down the P.C.H. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Michael O'Hara

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Committee Chair Locke

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • E-Ring (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Just Legal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Corman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Point Pleasant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Harland

  • Medium(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Defense Attorney

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as David Poole

  • Las Vegas(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Heyman

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Holes(2003)

    as Judge Austin Gorg

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Mister Sterling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Red Dragon(2002)

    as Forensic Dentist

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Conlon

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Ablaze(2001)

    as Chief Sam Davis

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bobby Davenport

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Collateral Damage(2002)

    as Chairman Paul Devereaux

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Stranded (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Admiral Ferrell

  • Epoch(2001)

    as Williams

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 4 episodes · as Joseph O' Laughlin

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Raptor(2001)

    as Colonel Vandamar

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Barnes

  • Poison(2001)

    as Ian McMillan

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Warden of Red Rock(2001)

    as Sen. Paul Townsend

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • When Billie Beat Bobby(2001)

    as Brother John

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Dancing in September (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Harbor

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

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Boilings

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

    as Col. Jim Donaman

  • Escape Under Pressure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Captain

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Pharmaceutical Executive

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Haunting(1999)

    as Dr. Malcolm Keogh

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Heat(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • In Dreams(1999)

    as Judge (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Black Thunder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Barnes

  • FernGully 2: The Magical Rescue(1998)

    Editor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Breast Men(1997)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Operation Cobra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Victor Grayson

  • C-16: FBI (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 13 episodes · as Dennis Grassi

  • Crash Dive(1996)

    as Captain Lange

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Primate Center Director

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Strategic Command(1997)

    as Vice President Charles Baker

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Night Hunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Roy Ward

  • Pacific Blue(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Curtis Bilson

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Eye of the Stalker(1995)

    as Judge Warren Curtis

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Illegal in Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Lt. Lyle

  • A Passion to Kill(1994)

    as Robinson

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Suzanne's Dad

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Tonya & Nancy: The Inside Story(1994)

    as Evy Scotvold

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Vanishing Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 5 episodes · as Marcek

  • Donato and Daughter(1993)

    as Vinnie Stellino

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Carlton

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Jack Withers

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Prophet of Evil: The Ervil LeBaron Story(1993)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Craig Harding

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Somebody's Daughter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Aarons

  • Renegade(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Sgt. Ben Clancy

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Angel Street (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Doherty

  • To The Moon, Alice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Policeman

  • Marilyn and Me(1991)

    as Walter Winchell

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Dark Shadows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 5 episodes · as Andre du Pres · as Sheriff George Patterson · as Sheriff George Patterson / Andre du Pres

  • Kid(1990)

    as Walters

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Full Fathom Five (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Garvin

  • People Like Us(1990)

    as Michael Jordan

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Two to Tango (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Dean Boyle

  • Street of Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Lt. Marcus

  • Promised a Miracle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Robert DeSoto

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Tour of Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 22 episodes · as George Fox

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Richardson

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Joe Bash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Pendleton

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Al Brown / Marvin Latham

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Second Serve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Gene Scott

  • Final Jeopardy(1985)

    as Garage Attendant

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as James Lefferts

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • MacGyver (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Donahue / Viking

  • A Death in California (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gene Brooks

  • Highway to Heaven(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Lester Cain

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • 11th Victim (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Steve

  • Airwolf(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Patrick Stoner

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

  • Night Partners(1983)

    as Roy Henderson

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • For Love and Honor(1983)

    as Pelham

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Heart Like a Wheel(1983)

    as NHRA Boss

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Joseph King

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Matt Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Byron Stevens

  • Tales of the Gold Monkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Forced Vengeance(1982)

    as Stan Raimondi

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

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

    as Manager

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl Hines

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Miracle on Ice(1981)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Any Which Way You Can(1980)

    as Patrick Scarfe

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • A Rumor of War (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Show 2 episodes · as Capt. Lake

  • Gideon's Trumpet(1980)

    as Stocker

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Belle Starr (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Jesse James

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shirley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Portrait of a Stripper(1979)

    as Steve Vector

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Lady in Red(1979)

    as Undercover Cop

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Vega$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Gauntlet(1977)

    as Feyderspiel

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Heroes(1977)

    as Peanuts

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Over-Under Sideways-Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Rich

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Dempsey

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • The Enforcer(1976)

    as Lalo

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Anthony Felber

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Sonny Canavere

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Stocker

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 120 titles from 1951 to 2017; peak year 1976.

Biggest box office

The Haunting (1999)

$177M worldwide

Highest rated

Miracle on Ice (1981)

Midcredits 81st

Most popular right now

The Haunting (1999)

Film career

19512017

Peak 1976 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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
Acting119 of 120: 119 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score45thEditing1 of 120: 1 only editing, 0 with another role

By decade

1950s1 · acting1970s12 · acting1980s35 · acting1990s34 · 33 acting · 1 crew2000s35 · acting2010s3 · acting

Billing

usually 16th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
768101

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 Michael Cavanaugh's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 33rd percentile, the median of all 42; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

31stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 75 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th22
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 75 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned2
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed26

Most divisive · actor

Who's Your Caddy? (2007)

92nd percentile spread · 77% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

24 (2001)

Midcredits 94th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 52/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 67, detractors 31. 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 Michael Cavanaugh's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity6 titles19–65 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32

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 Michael Cavanaugh work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Cavanaugh's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Frank von Zerneck shares the most, 4.

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles