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Don Gordon

Don Gordon

Actor · Died April 24, 2017, aged 90 · Los Angeles, California, USA

Don Gordon (November 13, 1926 – April 24, 2017) was an American film and television actor, best known for playing in feature films alongside his friend Steve McQueen, such as "Bullitt", "Papillon" and "The Towering Inferno", as well as the western series "Wanted: Dead or Alive".

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 13, 1926
Died
April 24, 2017 (aged 90)
From
Los Angeles, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
41 on MovieCove · 94 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 37% in 30 days

What are Don Gordon's films like?

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

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 60th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 21st percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Horror 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
34%
Survival
16%
Self
13%
Bonds
13%
Power
11%
Society
9%
Ideas
4%
Justice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 4 · Serious 3 · Dark 14

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 11 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 3 · Charged 6 · Intense 12

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 3

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

Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 13 · 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 6 · Engaged 12 · 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 8 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 12 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 12
Ally
3 of 12
Trickster
2 of 12
Shapeshifter
1 of 12
Herald
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
11
Dread
5
Thrilling
5
Absurd
3
Other
11

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet10
  • Tragic5
  • 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 Don Gordon's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 41 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Don Gordon'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

94 credits, 41 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus Benedict

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The Borrower(1991)

    as Charles Krieger

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Exorcist III(1990)

    as Ryan

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Skin Deep(1989)

    as Curt

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Code Name Vengeance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Harry Applegate

  • Lethal Weapon(1987)

    as Cop #2

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Bonner

  • Cover Up (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Brandon

  • Airwolf(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Colvetti

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Leonard Matlin

  • Confessions of a Married Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Bill Parker

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Anthony Delgetti / Dancer · as Vincent Nash

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Knight Rider(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Lt. Dickerson · as Randy Cavanaugh

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank D'Costa · as Mickey Tavelli

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Beast Within(1982)

    as Judge Curwin

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Out of the Blue(1980)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Final Conflict(1981)

    as Dean

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sparrow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Charles medwick

  • Lucan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 11 episodes · as Prentiss

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Gene Wells

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Spencer's Pilots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Street Killing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Sgt. Bud Schiffman

  • The Bionic Woman(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Matt Helm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Brennan

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Deputy Graylow · as Mickey Costello

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Towering Inferno(1974)

    as Kappy

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • The Education of Sonny Carson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Pigliani

  • Papillon(1973)

    as Julot

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Toma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Alex Keever

  • The Magician (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry Ford

  • The Return of Charlie Chan(1972)

    as Lambert

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Mack(1973)

    as Hank

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Search (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Slaughter(1972)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Fuzz(1972)

    as Anthony La Bresca

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Dead Planet(1972)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Last Movie(1971)

    as Neville

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Monty Nash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Garcia · as Jason Manning

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

    Show 1 episode · as Alvin Deschler

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Tillis · as Joe

  • Cannon for Cordoba(1970)

    as Jackson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • WUSA(1970)

    as Bogdanovich

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Gamblers(1970)

    as Rooney

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bullitt(1968)

    as Lt. Delgetti

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Name of the Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Art Panadero

  • Of Mice and Men(1968)

    as Curly

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Invaders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Gilman

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Lollipop Cover (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Screenplay · as Nick Bartaloni

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · as Aaron Taylor · as Claude Flood · as Sid Alpert · as Stuart Walker Tilden · as Terrence Cober

  • The Wild Wild West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Millard Severin

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Channing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Mario Saccone

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

    Show 1 episode · as Deputy Sheriff Morgan Fallon

  • The Outer Limits(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Crowell · as Luis B. Spain

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Combat!(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Pvt. Stevens

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • True Gang Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Narrator

  • Target: The Corruptors! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Defenders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joey Tassili

  • The Blue Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Show 39 episodes · as Lieutenant Hank Bertelli

  • Mr. Lucky(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • The Untouchables (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Bick Cassandros

  • Hawaiian Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Twilight Zone(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Andy Marshak · as Salvadore Ross

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Johnny Staccato (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cry Tough(1959)

    as Incho

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • 77 Sunset Strip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Man with a Camera(1958)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Wanted: Dead or Alive (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Buff Cole · as Morley Teton

  • Trackdown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Walter Winchell File (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Sugarfoot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Show 1 episode · as Ed Rowland · as Willie Barnes

  • Revolt at Fort Laramie(1957)

    as Jean Salignac

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Rudy Stickney

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Navy Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Millionaire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Rameau

  • Marty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Young Man

  • Girls in the Night(1953)

    as Irv Kellener

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • It's a Big Country: An American Anthology(1951)

    as Mervin (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Halls of Montezuma(1951)

    as Marine (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Robert Montgomery Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Twelve O'Clock High(1949)

    as First patient in base hospital

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Studio One (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Al Rossi · as Eddie Smith

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 94 titles from 1948 to 1993; peak year 1972.

Biggest box office

Papillon (1973)

$53M worldwide

Highest rated

Papillon (1973)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

The Exorcist III (1990)

Film career

19481993

Peak 1972 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 3 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
Acting94 of 94: 93 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score53rdWriting1 of 94: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1940s2 · acting1950s21 · acting1960s19 · 19 acting · 1 crew1970s33 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s3 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
4974

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 Don Gordon's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 26; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 41 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

14 of their 41 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser14
  • Broadly Agreed9
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

The Return of Charlie Chan (1972)

74th percentile spread · 27% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Papillon (1973)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 76, 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 Don Gordon's work okay for kids?

Across up to 9 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles68–81 · median 76 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles30–64 · median 52 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles32–67 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles19–67 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles61–89 · median 79 · 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 Don Gordon work with?

People who share at least 2 of Don Gordon's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Steve McQueen shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers

Producers

Mixed roles