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Dakin Matthews

Dakin Matthews

Actor, also producer · Born November 7, 1940 (85) · Oakland, California, USA

Melvin Richard "Dakin" Matthews (born November 7, 1940) is an American actor, playwright, theatre director, and theatrical scholar. Best known as Herb Kelcher in ‘’My Two Dads’’ (1987-1989), Hamlin Charleston in ‘’Gilmore Girls’’ (2000-2007), and as Reverend Sikes in ‘’Desperate Housewives’’ (2004-2012). Description above from the Wikipedia article Dakin Matthews, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 7, 1940 (85)
From
Oakland, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
87 on Motif · 125 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 65 days to Oct 28Down 5% in 30 days

What are Dakin Matthews' films like?

Across their 21 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies

Their Motif 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
31%
Self
30%
Morality
23%
Survival
12%
Power
4%
Society
1%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 15 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 10 · Intense 6

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

Steady 5 · Shifting 15 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 13 · 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 0

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

Casual 8 · Engaged 9 · 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 5 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 9

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

Resolved 17 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
2 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Herald
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Warm
9
Melancholic
8
Hopeful
6
Dread
5
Other
14

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet13
  • 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 Dakin Matthews' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 69 of their 87 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (17).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dakin Matthews' titles on Motif; 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

125 credits, 87 with a Motif page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • New Old Friends (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    as William

  • Waitress: The Musical(2023)

    as Joe

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Gilded Age(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Joshua Winterton

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Evil(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Augustus

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • The Resident(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Howie Green

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Hanlin Charleston

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Art Hubbard

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Bridge of Spies(2015)

    as Judge Byers

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Ambassador Roy Curtis

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Zero Charisma(2013)

    Executive Producer · as Greg Goran

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Devious Maids(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Alfred Pettigrove

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Lincoln(2012)

    as John Usher

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as James Connaughton

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Veep(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Balloon Salesman

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Eagle(2011)

    as Claudius Marcellus

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • True Grit(2010)

    as Col. Stonehill

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. David Zarevich

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Parks and Recreation(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as David

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Better Off Ted(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Wells

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave Dunne

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Christo Papadakis

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dr. Robideaux

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Eli Stone(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Banker

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Santa Claus

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Dexter(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Pittman

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Warren Cleary

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Mitchell

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Medium(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Brock

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • House(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Marvin

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Harvey Fletcher

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 9 episodes · as Reverend Sikes

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Merle Horstradt

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Shaunassey

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Fighting Temptations(2003)

    as Mr. Fairchild

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Big Time (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Actor

  • Leap of Faith (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Thirteen Days(2000)

    as Arthur Lundahl

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Michael Richards Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve

  • The Geena Davis Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Meadows

  • Gilmore Girls(2000)

    Show 10 episodes · as Hanlin Charleston

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • An Extremely Goofy Movie(2000)

    as Judge (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Simon Blye

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Muse(1999)

    as Dr. Jacobson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Siege(1998)

    as Senator Wright

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Angel of Destiny

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The King of Queens(1998)

    Show 14 episodes · as Joe Heffernan

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • From the Earth to the Moon(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Floyd Thompson

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Best Friends for Life(1998)

    as Mr. Burnham

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Flubber(1997)

    as Minister

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Stark

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Maz'rai

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Rough Riders(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Wadsworth, Sr.

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Bean(1997)

    as Passenger Tucker

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Soul Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 25 episodes · as Bishop Peter Jerome

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Les

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 3 episodes · as Judge Lander · as Judge William Aldrich

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • EZ Streets (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Jeff Foxworthy Show (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 18 episodes · as Elliot

  • Virus (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    as Dr. Dubcheck

  • Stuart Saves His Family(1995)

    as Intervention Counselor

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Office (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 6 episodes · as Frank Gerard

  • Star Trek: Voyager(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Admiral Patterson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Swan Princess(1994)

    as King William (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as The Colonel

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • The Enemy Within(1994)

    as Vice President Walter Kelly

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Menendez: A Killing in Beverly Hills(1994)

    as Dean Barrow

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • White Mile(1994)

    as Andy Thornell

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Staying Afloat (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Henry Ashley

  • The Nanny(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dean Sterrett

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hart to Hart Returns(1993)

    as Ted Avery

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Elton Malone · as Monsignor D'Amico

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • And the Band Played On(1993)

    as Congressman Phil Burton

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Undercover Blues(1993)

    as Police Captain

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Rio Shannon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Rising Sun(1993)

    as Professor Sanders

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Cutters (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 5 episodes · as Harry Polachek

  • The Temp(1993)

    as Dr. Feldman

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Love & War(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Criminal Behavior (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Albee Ferguson

  • Revolver (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    as Tom McCall

  • Grave Secrets: The Legacy of Hilltop Drive(1992)

    as Attorney

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • For Richer, for Poorer(1992)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • ...And Then She Was Gone(1991)

    as Francis Haynes

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Drexell's Class (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • Herman's Head (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Brooks

  • Child's Play 3(1991)

    as Colonel Cochrane

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Jailbirds (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Sheriff

  • White Hot: The Mysterious Murder of Thelma Todd (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as D.A. Buron Fitts

  • The Perfect Tribute (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Dr. Thomas

  • The Whereabouts of Jenny(1991)

    as Cox

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Under Cover (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Director Waugh

  • Ghost Dad(1990)

    as Mr. Seymour

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Down Home (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 19 episodes · as Walt McCrorey

  • Capital News (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • My Brother's Wife(1989)

    as Charles Rusher

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Christine Cromwell (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cross of Fire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hiram Evans

  • The Fabulous Baker Boys(1989)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Wired (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Washington Post Editor

  • Doctor Doctor (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 40 episodes · Actor

  • Out on the Edge(1989)

    as Dr. Cutler

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Coach(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as William Thornton

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Naked Lie (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Adam Berger

  • Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami(1988)

    as Catlett

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • TV 101 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Tanner

  • Dear John (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as David · as David Hennessey

  • Clean and Sober(1988)

    as Bob

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Funny Farm(1988)

    as Marion Corey Jr.

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Baby M (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 2 episodes · as Judge Sorkow

  • Sunset(1988)

    as William Singer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Permanent Record(1988)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Aaron's Way (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Silence at Bethany (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1988)

    as Sam Mitgang

  • Nuts(1987)

    as Judge Lawrence Block

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Like Father Like Son(1987)

    as Old Man Morrison

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Fresno (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 5 episodes · as Prosecutor

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 4 episodes · as Marshall Hygate

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Prosecutor

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Buford Hazlitt · as Dennis Moylan · as Neal Gillen

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Brothers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as J. Thomas Briggs

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

    Show 1 episode · as Todd Sweeney

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Fleming

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Mitgang

  • Dallas(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Kane

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 125 titles from 1978 to 2024; peak year 1987.

Biggest box office

True Grit (2010)

$252M worldwide

Highest rated

True Grit (2010)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Jack & Bobby (2004)

Film career

19782024

Peak 1987 · 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
Acting125 of 125: 124 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thProducing1 of 125: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s54 · acting2000s25 · acting2010s13 · 13 acting · 1 crew2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 25 roles
87929702

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 Motif, 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 Dakin Matthews' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 40; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 87 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up35
  • 50th to 74th27
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

41 of their 87 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved19
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser41
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Out on the Edge (1989)

76th percentile spread · 21% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

True Grit (2010)

Midcredits 96th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 71/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 47. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Dakin Matthews' work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 Motif 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 & Gore5 titles32–84 · median 80 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles15–44 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles35–71 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles19–66 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles36–62 · median 58 · 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 Dakin Matthews work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dakin Matthews' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jack Bender shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers