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David Patrick Kelly

David Patrick Kelly

Actor · Born January 23, 1951 (75) · Detroit, Michigan, USA

David Patrick Kelly (born January 23, 1951) is an American actor, musician and lyricist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is best known for his role as the main antagonist Luther in the cult film The Warriors (1979). Kelly is also known for his collaborations with Spike Lee, in the films Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), and Chi-Raq (2015), and with David Lynch, appearing in Wild at Heart (1990) as well as Twin Peaks (1990–91) and its 2017 revival. Kelly's other credits include roles in 48 Hrs. (1982), Commando (1985), The Crow (1994), The Funeral and Last Man Standing (both 1996), The Longest Yard (2005), as President Harry S. Truman in Flags of Our Fathers (2006), and a recurring role in The Blacklist (2015). Description above from the Wikipedia article David Patrick Kelly, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 23, 1951 (75)
From
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 64 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 156 days to Oct 27Down 22% in 30 days

What are David Patrick Kelly's films like?

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

Genres

Action9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 69th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama 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
Survival
24%
Self
20%
Bonds
20%
Morality
18%
Power
12%
Society
6%
Ideas
1%
Identity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 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 7 · Dark 8

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 7

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 10 · Intense 9

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

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 8

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 9 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 9 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 12 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 4

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Trickster: 4 of 10 analyzed roles.

Trickster
4 of 10
Shadow
4 of 10
Herald
1 of 10
Mentor
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
15
Absurd
8
Melancholic
8
Contemplative
7
Thrilling
4
Other
19

How their films linger

Thought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet12
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

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 David Patrick Kelly's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Patrick Kelly'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

64 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page; 8 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Sheriff Country(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Adieu, Lacan(2022)

    as Lacan

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Asking for It(2021)

    as Sheriff Morel

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Ray Donovan: The Movie(2022)

    as Matty

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Only Murders in the Building(2021)

    Show 3 episodes · as Miller

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Paint(2018)

    as David Crays

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Return of Tragedy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Katebush

  • Fugitive Dreams (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Henri Gatien

  • VFW(2019)

    as Doug McCarthy

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Succession(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Chambers

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • O.G.(2018)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • John Wick: Chapter 2(2017)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Feed the Beast(2016)

    Show 9 episodes · as Ziggy Woichik

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • To Keep the Light (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Brackett

  • Chi-Raq(2015)

    as General King Kong

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • John Wick(2014)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Madso's War(2010)

    as Danny Driscoll

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Louie(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Therapist · as Therapist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Gossip Girl(2007)

    Show 3 episodes · as Noah Shapiro

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Gardener of Eden (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Pa Harris

  • Flags of Our Fathers(2006)

    as President Truman

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • The Longest Yard(2005)

    as Unger

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Justice(2003)

    as Marty

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie O'Daniel

  • Personal Velocity(2002)

    as Peter

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • K-PAX(2001)

    as Howie

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Bo Levy

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Songcatcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Earl Giddens

  • Third Watch(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny McGowan

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Orville Underwood

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • In Too Deep(1999)

    as Rick Scott

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Twelfth Night, or What You Will(1998)

    as Feste

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Trojan War(1997)

    as Bagman

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Cafe Society (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as J. Roland Sala

  • Last Man Standing(1996)

    as Doyle

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Flirting with Disaster(1996)

    as Fritz Boudreau

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Funeral(1996)

    as Michael Stein

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

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

    as Grey Man in Hospital

  • Crooklyn(1994)

    as Tony Eyes / Jim

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Crow(1994)

    as T-Bird

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Exterior Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Biff

  • Malcolm X(1992)

    as Mr. Ostrowski

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Ghostwriter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Double-T · as Double-T (archive footage)

  • Mad About You(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Cabbie with Chicken

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Josh Perlberg

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Wild at Heart(1990)

    as Dropshadow

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Ford Fairlane(1990)

    as Sam the Sleaze Bag

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Twin Peaks(1990)

    Show 12 episodes · as Jerry Horne

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Penn & Teller Get Killed(1989)

    as Fan

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Cheap Shots(1988)

    as Arnold Posner

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Date Rape (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mr. Bisphane

  • The Misfit Brigade(1987)

    as The Legionnaire

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Commando(1985)

    as Sully

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as McBride

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Beverly Hills Cop(1984)

    as Luther (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Hall

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Dreamscape(1984)

    as Tommy Ray Glatman

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • 48 Hrs.(1982)

    as Luther

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Hammett(1982)

    as The Punk

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

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

    as Copyboy

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

    Show 1 episode · as Ansel Adams · as Copyboy

  • Sanctuary of Fear(1979)

    as Audience Member

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Warriors(1979)

    as Luther

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 64 titles from 1979 to 2025; peak year 1995.

Biggest box office

48 Hrs. (1982)

$79M worldwide

Highest rated

The Warriors (1979)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Commando (1985)

Film career

19792025

Peak 1995 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 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
Acting64 of 64: 64 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score73rd

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s14 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s10 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 29 roles
79899914

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 David Patrick Kelly's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

82ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up24
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th12
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Justice (2003)

93rd percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Malcolm X (1992)

Midcredits 97th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 68/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 45. 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 David Patrick Kelly's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 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 & Gore8 titles54–94 · median 79 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity9 titles20–60 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles52–87 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles28–80 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles52–82 · median 57 · moderateheavier 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 David Patrick Kelly work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Patrick Kelly's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Walter Hill shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers