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John Dennis Johnston

John Dennis Johnston

Actor · Born May 14, 1950 (76) · Elmwood, Nebraska, USA

John Dennis Johnston (born May 14, 1950) is an American film and television actor.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 14, 1950 (76)
From
Elmwood, Nebraska, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
54 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 38 days to Oct 27Down 12% in 30 days

What are John Dennis Johnston's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 71st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 22nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure 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
37%
Survival
28%
Bonds
15%
Self
8%
Society
5%
Power
5%
Ideas
2%
Justice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence3 titles, browse their movies with this themeForgiveness2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 2 · Serious 7 · Dark 8

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

Grounded 13 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 0 · Charged 12 · Intense 5

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 10 · 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 2 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 0

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 8 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

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 3 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 8

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
9
Dread
5
Hopeful
5
Contemplative
4
Other
9

How their films linger

Hopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • 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 John Dennis Johnston's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Dennis Johnston'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

73 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page.

  • Lady Belladonna's Tales From The Inferno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Larry / Left Hemisphere (segment "7 Doors")

  • The Client List(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Coach Steff

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Southland(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Bronstein

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Pa Bender

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Patrick Orton

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Firestarter: Rekindled (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Joel Lowen

  • Dark Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Maj. Jake Sanders

  • Purgatory(1999)

    as Lamb / 'Lefty' Slade

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Joseph's Gift(1999)

    as Parker

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

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

    as Carl Burris

  • Snide and Prejudice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sheffield

  • Forest Warrior(1996)

    as Williams

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Millennium (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff Falkner

  • Precious Find(1996)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge(1996)

    as Tony Vickers

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • The Siege at Ruby Ridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tony Vickers

  • Wild Bill(1995)

    as Ed Plummer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • A Walk in the Clouds(1995)

    as Lout #1

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • In Pursuit of Honor(1995)

    as Sgt. Thomas Mulcahey

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Hearn

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Art Deco Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Arthur Decowitz

  • Wyatt Earp(1994)

    as Frank Stillwell

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Highlander(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl the Hermit

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • In the Best Interest of the Children(1992)

    as Harlan Pepper

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Overkill: The Aileen Wuornos Story(1992)

    as Roger Wilson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Miracle in the Wilderness(1991)

    as Sgt. Sam Webster

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Fever(1991)

    as Jellyroll

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Shades of L.A. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Murder in Mississippi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Hatchet-Faced Man

  • Communion(1989)

    as Fireman

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Pink Cadillac(1989)

    as Waycross

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Sunset(1988)

    as Ed

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Longarm (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Carson

  • Frank's Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby Day

  • The Squeeze(1987)

    as Nick

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Extreme Prejudice(1987)

    as Merv

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Married... with Children(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Brian Martell · as Lucas Anderson

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Into Thin Air(1985)

    as Earl Pike

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Porter

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Merrill

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Flesh+Blood(1985)

    as Summer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Pale Rider(1985)

    as Deputy Tucker

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn(1985)

    as Billy Welch

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Peter Fargo

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • A Breed Apart(1984)

    as Miller

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Streets of Fire(1984)

    as Pete the Mechanic

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Twilight Zone: The Movie(1983)

    as Co-Pilot

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Archer · as Snake

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • 48 Hrs.(1982)

    as Torchy's Patron

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 4 episodes · as Nick Moats

  • The Executioner's Song(1982)

    as Jimmy Poker-Game

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Cliff Tanner

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • The Beast Within(1982)

    as Horace Platt

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Ambush Murders(1982)

    as Lionel Borland

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Bret Maverick(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Burt Full Moon

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Back Roads(1981)

    as Gilly

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Killing of Randy Webster(1981)

    as Officer Bob Draxel

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Knots Landing(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Alien

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • The Rose(1979)

    as Milledge

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Dear Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Det. Clay

  • The Jordan Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Lew Mayfield

  • Steel Cowboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Bobby 'Bob' Hicks

  • Kiss Meets the Phantom of the Park(1978)

    as Chopper

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Close Encounters of the Third Kind(1977)

    as Special Forces

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Annie Hall(1977)

    as L.A. Policeman

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Roots(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Man at Cockfight

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Code R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Ralph

  • I Want to Keep My Baby! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Rico

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry Adams

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Grady Northcourt · as Henry Schlager

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Emergency!(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Biker (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 73 titles from 1972 to 2019; peak year 1984.

Biggest box office

Pink Cadillac (1989)

$12M worldwide

Highest rated

In Pursuit of Honor (1995)

Midcredits 77th

Most popular right now

Pink Cadillac (1989)

Film career

19722019

Peak 1984 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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 score65th

By decade

1970s14 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s6 · acting2010s2 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
778792

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 John Dennis Johnston's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 54th percentile, the median of all 35; across their 17 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 17

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Joseph's Gift (1999)

90th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Annie Hall (1977)

Midcredits 97th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 17 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 46. 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 John Dennis Johnston's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 53 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does John Dennis Johnston work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Dennis Johnston's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Philippe Mora shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers