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Ken Jenkins

Ken Jenkins

Actor · Born August 28, 1940 (86) · Dayton, Ohio, USA

Ken Jenkins (born August 28, 1940) is an American actor, best known for his role as Dr. Bob Kelso, the curmudgeonly Chief of Medicine on the American comedy Scrubs. In 1969, he co-founded the Actors Theatre of Louisville and served as the Associate Artistic Director for three years. This institution has produced playwrights such as Beth Henley and Marsha Norman. Jenkins previously appeared on the series Adult Math, as well as episodes of Homefront, The X-Files (episode "Medusa", season 8), Babylon 5 and "Evolution", the Season three premiere episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation "Sliders" (2 episodes, 1999–2000) Dust (2000) TV episode .... Professor Jack Bigelow - Revelations (1999) TV episode .... Robert Clark. He has appeared in the movies Executive Decision, The Abyss, Air America, Last Man Standing, Fled, Gone in 60 Seconds, I Am Sam, The Sum of All Fears, Matewan, Courage Under Fire and the 1998 remake of Psycho. He appeared as the father of Fran Goldsmith in Stephen King's TV miniseries, The Stand. Jenkins also had a role in Clockstoppers. Jenkins can sing and play the acoustic guitar, and is seen doing so on the Scrubs episodes "My Tuscaloosa Heart" and "My Musical". Jenkins also has a recurring role on Cougar Town since October 27, 2010 as Jules' (played by Courteney Cox) father. Description above from the Wikipedia article Ken Jenkins, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia. ​

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 28, 1940 (86)
From
Dayton, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 73 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 28Up 26% in 30 days

What are Ken Jenkins' films like?

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

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 62nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 20th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime 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
Bonds
32%
Morality
21%
Self
16%
Survival
11%
Society
10%
Power
9%
Ideas
1%
Friendship6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGuilt2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 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 6 · Serious 2 · Dark 9

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 10 · Intense 6

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 6 · 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 7 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

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 4 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles
  • Threshold guardianas Dr. Bob Kelso in Scrubs (2001)
  • Mentoras Chick in Cougar Town (2009)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Melancholic
10
Hopeful
7
Warm
4
Joyful
3
Other
17

How their films linger

Hopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous2

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 Ken Jenkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ken Jenkins' 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

73 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page.

  • Girls Weekend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Tom

  • A Series of Unfortunate Events(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Elder Sam

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • All the Way(2016)

    as Howard W. Smith

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Harvey Beaks(2015)

    Show 3 episodes · as Blister (voice)

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Black-ish(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernie

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • Back in the Game(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Warden

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Gravity Falls(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Pa (voice) · as Pa Duskerton (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Cougar Town(2009)

    Show 19 episodes · as Chick

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Scrubs: Interns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Kelso

  • Welcome to Paradise(2007)

    as Reverend McNamara

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Sum of All Fears(2002)

    as Admiral Pollack

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Home Room(2002)

    as Police Captain

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Clockstoppers(2002)

    as NSA Agent Moore

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • I Am Sam(2001)

    as Judge Philip McNeily

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Scrubs(2001)

    Show 176 episodes · as Bob Kelso

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Tailor of Panama(2001)

    as Morecombe

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Lucky Numbers(2000)

    as Dan Schuff

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Judge William Jankowski

  • Psycho(1998)

    as District Attorney

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

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

    as Lou Wolford

  • Oh Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 6 episodes · as Fred Calloway

  • The Magnificent Seven(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Early Edition (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Winston Thorpe

  • Last Man Standing(1996)

    as Captain Tom Pickett

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Fled(1996)

    as Warden Nichols

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Courage Under Fire(1996)

    as Joel Walden

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Executive Decision(1996)

    as General Wood

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Hiroshima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Secretary of State James F. Byrnes

  • Past the Bleachers(1995)

    as Hilton Burberry

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Sliders(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Jack Bigelow · as Robert Clark

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Cybill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Ed

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Carroll · as Stanley McGee

  • White Mile(1994)

    as Jerry Taggart

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Stand(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Goldsmith

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • A Time to Heal(1994)

    as Don

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Babylon 5(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Trevor Hall

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • In the Best of Families: Marriage, Pride & Madness(1994)

    as Bob Newsom

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • And the Band Played On(1993)

    as Dr. Dennis Donohue

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Deputy Chief Karras

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • A House of Secrets and Lies(1992)

    as Ed Norwood

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Farrer

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Hearts Afire(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Conway

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing the Bridge(1992)

    as Lou Morgan

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

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

    Show 42 episodes · Actor

  • Love, Lies and Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rubright

  • In Broad Daylight (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Bob Webb

  • Edge of Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Bo Dubs

  • Descending Angel(1990)

    as Sam Murray

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Dark Avenger (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as District Attorney Underwood

  • Beverly Hills, 90210(1990)

    Show 3 episodes · as Pastor Neal

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Air America(1990)

    as Major Donald Lemond

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • By Dawn's Early Light(1990)

    as Sam

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Shattered Dreams(1990)

    as Hal Witt

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Mancuso, F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • In Country(1989)

    as Jim Holly

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Breaking Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Col. Lowe

  • The Abyss(1989)

    as Gerard Kirkhill

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Roe vs. Wade(1989)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Outside Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Junior Miller

  • Unconquered(1989)

    as Dr. Smith

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Disaster at Silo 7(1988)

    as Clarence

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Paul Stubbs

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Matewan(1987)

    as Sephus Purcell

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff

  • What Comes Around(1985)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Heart of Steel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Priest

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel Spender

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Border Thug

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • In Fashion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Aubin

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Aubin

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 73 titles from 1971 to 2019; peak year 2001.

Biggest box office

Clockstoppers (2002)

$39M worldwide

Highest rated

Matewan (1987)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Scrubs (2001)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19712019

Peak 2001 · 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
Acting73 of 73: 73 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score57th

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s36 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s7 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
879297

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 Ken Jenkins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 31; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 53rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

34thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 49 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Welcome to Paradise (2007)

91st percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Matewan (1987)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 16 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 Ken Jenkins' work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles15–84 · median 32 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles12–56 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles26–98 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 28 · mildMedian 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 Ken Jenkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ken Jenkins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Busy Philipps shares the most, 2.

Actors

Composers and cinematographers