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Frankie Faison

Frankie Faison

Actor · Born June 10, 1949 (77) · Newport News, Virginia, USA

Frankie Faison is an American stage and screen actor, best known for his role as Deputy Commissioner Ervin Burrell in HBO's television series "The Wire", and as Barney Matthews in the "Hannibal Lecter" franchise. He studied Drama at Wesleyan University, Bloomington, Illinois, and graduated from New York Universities' Acting Program.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 10, 1949 (77)
From
Newport News, Virginia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
97 on MovieCove · 123 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 11% in 30 days

What are Frankie Faison's films like?

Across their 52 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Comedy15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Mystery3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Mystery movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Fantasy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Fantasy 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
Self
22%
Bonds
20%
Morality
20%
Survival
18%
Society
11%
Power
6%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity14 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice13 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 49 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 18 · Serious 13 · Dark 18

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 31 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 9

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 14 · Charged 14 · Intense 21

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

Steady 19 · Shifting 27 · Whiplash 3

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 26 · Some laughs 15 · Funny 8

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

Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 25 · Relentless 4

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

A split, not a type: Casual 22 · Engaged 18 · Full focus 9

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 20 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 16

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

Resolved 29 · Open-ended 12 · Ambiguous 8

Roles they play

14 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 6 of 14 analyzed roles.

Ally
6 of 14
Mentor
6 of 14
Hero
2 of 14
Show the 14 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
33
Melancholic
15
Dread
11
Warm
12
Contemplative
13
Other
61

How their films linger

Feel-good15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 11 with a twist

  • Happy18
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous14

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 Frankie Faison's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 70 of their 97 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (23).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Frankie Faison'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

123 credits, 97 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Killing Castro(2026)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Ripple(2025)

    Show 8 episodes · as Walter

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Ballard(2025)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Beyond the Rush (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Arthur Yearwood

  • Lucille (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Herman

  • Hello Tomorrow!(2023)

    Show 4 episodes · as Buck Manzell

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Till(2022)

    as John Carthan

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Rookie: Feds(2022)

    Show 22 episodes · as Christopher 'Cutty' Clark

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • The Timekeepers of Eternity(2021)

    as Don Gaffney (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain(2019)

    as Kenneth Chamberlain Sr.

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Redemption in Cherry Springs(2021)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Fatherhood(2021)

    as Mike

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • The Upshaws(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Clarence

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • I'm Your Woman(2020)

    as Art

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The Oedipus Project (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Shepherd

  • The Grudge(2019)

    as William Matheson

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Village (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Ron Davis

  • The Rookie(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Christopher 'Cutty' Clark

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • God Friended Me(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Johnson

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • An Actor Prepares(2018)

    as Deacon Frank Dodge

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Clipped Wings, They Do Fly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Mayor Goode

  • The Case for Christ(2017)

    as Joe Dubois

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Sounding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Roland

  • The Good Fight(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Pastor Jeremiah Easton

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • An American Girl Story: Melody 1963 - Love Has to Win(2016)

    as Frank Ellison

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Luke Cage(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Henry 'Pop' Hunter

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Bull(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Lee Donaldson

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • The Expanse(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Forever(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Pepper Evans

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Trouble & the Shadowy Deathblow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Away from Here(2014)

    as Carl

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Assumption of Risk(2014)

    as Dr. Paulson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Danger Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Grandpa Joe

  • The Blacklist(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Abraham Moores

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Tio Papi(2013)

    as Gilly

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Banshee(2013)

    Show 38 episodes · as Sugar Bates

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Banshee: Origins (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 41 episodes · as Sugar Bates

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Brewster O'Hare

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Cowgirls 'n Angels(2012)

    as Augustus

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Unforgettable(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Mayor Beverly

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Cookout 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as JoJo Anderson

  • Mayor Cupcake(2011)

    as Lenny Davis

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeffords

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Leroy Davis

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Breaking Point(2009)

    as Richter Green

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Splinterheads(2009)

    as Pope

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • For Sale by Owner(2009)

    as Gene Woodman

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Cirque du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant(2009)

    as Rhamus Twobellies

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Brief Interviews with Hideous Men(2009)

    as Subject #42

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 4 episodes · as Pastor Jeremiah Easton

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Adam(2009)

    as Harlan

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Teddy

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist(2008)

    as Ticket Salesman

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Meet the Browns(2008)

    as L.B.

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • My Blueberry Nights(2007)

    as Travis

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Army Wives(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as General Baxter

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Premium(2006)

    as Phil

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • America Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Coach Bryant

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 4 episodes · as William Bailey

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • In Good Company(2004)

    as Corwin

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Cookout(2004)

    as Jojo Andersen

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

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

    as Tom Mabry

  • White Chicks(2004)

    as Chief Elliott Gordon

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Highwaymen(2004)

    as Will Macklin

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Gods and Generals(2003)

    as Jim Lewis

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Red Dragon(2002)

    as Barney

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Wire(2002)

    Show 47 episodes · as Ervin Burrell

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Showtime(2002)

    as Lt. Winship

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • A Little Inside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Tom Donner

  • Call Me Claus(2001)

    as Dwayne

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • 13 Conversations About One Thing(2001)

    as Dick Lacey

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Down to Earth(2001)

    as Whitney Daniels

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Hannibal(2001)

    as Barney Matthews

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Sleepy Time Gal(2001)

    as Jimmy Dupree

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Gina, An Actress, Age 29 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Albert

  • Where the Money Is(2000)

    as Security Guard

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Oxygen(1999)

    as Phil Kline

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tom Nickerson

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Thomas Crown Affair(1999)

    as Det. Paretti

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Jaded(1998)

    as Henry Broker

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Prey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ray Peterson

  • Julian Po (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sheriff Leon

  • Oz(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Cornelius Keane

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Albino Alligator(1996)

    as Agent Marv Rose

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Mother Night(1996)

    as Robert Sterling Wilson

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Rich Man's Wife(1996)

    as Detective Ron Lewis

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Stupids(1996)

    as The Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Langoliers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Don Gaffney

  • Heading Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Horace Jones

  • Roommates(1995)

    as Professor Martin

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • I Love Trouble(1994)

    as Police Chief

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Spider and the Fly(1994)

    as Lt. Turner

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Money for Nothing(1993)

    as Madigan

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Sommersby(1993)

    as Joseph

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Freejack(1992)

    as Eagle Man

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • City of Hope(1991)

    as Levonne

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The Silence of the Lambs(1991)

    as Barney

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Lester Crawford

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • True Colors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 24 episodes · as Ron Freeman

  • Betsy's Wedding(1990)

    as Zack Monroe

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Common Ground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Otis Debnam

  • Do the Right Thing(1989)

    as Coconut Sid

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Mississippi Burning(1988)

    as Eulogist

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Monsters(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Lyle

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Coming to America(1988)

    as Landlord

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Manhunter(1986)

    as Lt. Fisk

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Maximum Overdrive(1986)

    as Handy

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Money Pit(1986)

    as James

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Zudo

  • Exterminator 2(1984)

    as Be Gee

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • C.H.U.D.(1984)

    as Sgt. Parker

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Kate & Allie(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

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

    as Intern

  • Hanky Panky(1982)

    as Cop Driver

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • A Little Sex(1982)

    as Electrician

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Cat People(1982)

    as Det. Brandt

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Ragtime(1981)

    as Gang Member No. 1

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Permanent Vacation(1980)

    as Man in Lobby

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • King Lear (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Captain

  • Jacob Beats Up Nate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • The Sham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 122 titles, 120 of them dated from 1974 to 2026; peak year 2022.

Biggest box office

Hannibal (2001)

$352M worldwide

Highest rated

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Banshee (2013)

Film career

19742026

Peak 2022 · at the high point of their film career. Top draw in 5 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
Acting122 of 122: 122 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score57th

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s26 · acting2000s33 · acting2010s28 · acting2020s15 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 2% of 51 roles
81869196010611

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 Frankie Faison's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 47th percentile, the median of all 68; across their 49 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 46th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Approval · how many liked their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Reach · how many have seen their films

78thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 49

Midcredits score across 97 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up35
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th26
  • Below 25th16

Shape of the crowd

31 of their 97 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Universally Panned1
  • Loved with Detractors2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser31
  • Broadly Agreed13
  • Mixed31

Most divisive · actor

Killing Castro (2026)

98th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Midcredits 99th · 95% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 46 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 43. 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 Frankie Faison's work okay for kids?

Across up to 21 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore12 titles14–94 · median 74 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity21 titles14–66 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity13 titles42–85 · median 56 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs11 titles8–54 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense12 titles15–92 · median 68 · 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 Frankie Faison work with?

People who share at least 2 of Frankie Faison's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Paul Weitz shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles