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James Naughton

James Naughton

Actor · Born December 6, 1945 (80) · Middletown - Connecticut - USA

James Naughton (born December 6, 1945) is an American actor and director. On television he is best known as astronaut Pete Burke in the 1974 single-season television series Planet of the Apes. He won Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical in 1990 for City of Angels, and again in 1997 for the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in the long-running revival of the musical Chicago.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 6, 1945 (80)
From
Middletown - Connecticut - USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
45 on MovieCove · 91 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 64 days to Oct 27Down 28% in 30 days

What are James Naughton's films like?

Across their 23 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 72nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 23rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 95th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary 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
25%
Self
21%
Morality
16%
Survival
15%
Power
8%
Society
8%
Ideas
7%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 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 5 · Serious 7 · Dark 10

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

Grounded 18 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 5 · Charged 9 · Intense 8

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

A split, not a type: Steady 11 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 4

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

Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 9 · 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 11 · Full focus 3

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 7 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 6
Herald
1 of 6
Mentor
1 of 6
Shadow
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
14
Melancholic
13
Warm
8
Joyful
4
Dread
3
Other
14

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous5

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 James Naughton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 30 of their 45 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Naughton'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

91 credits, 45 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Sit with Me While I Die (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Executive Co-Producer · as Father Ethan

  • SilverSizzle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as Jamie

  • Not the Same Clarence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Clarence

  • Command Z (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Justice Frank Richardson

  • Past Prologue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Robert

  • And Just Like That...(2021)

    Show 2 episodes · as Big's Brother

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all shows

  • Mooseltoe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Snowball

  • The Independents(2018)

    as Officer Sanders

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Romanoffs(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Dmitri

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Equity(2016)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Childless(2008)

    as Harvey

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Affair(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Rodney Callahan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Turks & Caicos(2014)

    as Frank Church

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Creepy Carrots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Narrator

  • Golden Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Marvin Drexler

  • Robot Zot! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Blue Bloods(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Chief Bell

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Nature Amazing Places Hawaii (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Narrates Program Two

  • Warehouse 13(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Gilbert Radburn

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • What Do You Do With A Tail Like This? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Actor

  • Gossip Girl(2007)

    Show 10 episodes · as William van der Bilt

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Damages(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sam Arsenault

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Suburban Girl(2007)

    as Robert Eisenberg

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Factory Girl(2006)

    as Fuzzy Sedgwick

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Hacking Democracy(2006)

    as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Devil Wears Prada(2006)

    as Stephen

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Shining Soul: Helen Keller's Spiritual Life and Legacy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Narrator

  • Out of Practice(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Ernest Hemingway: Rivers to the Sea (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Ernest Hemingway (voice)

  • Fascination(2004)

    as Patrick Doherty

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Littlest Light on the Christmas Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Tim Wiggins/Narrator

  • Our Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Director · Stage Director

  • Henry Builds a Cabin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Actor

  • E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 20th Anniversary Special(2002)

    as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Buckman

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Jazz(2001)

    Show as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Labor Pains (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Dr. Senior

  • The Truth About Jane(2000)

    as Robert

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Oxygen(1999)

    as Clark Hannon

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charlie Moss

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Liberty! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · as Patrick Henry

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · as George McBeal

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The First Wives Club(1996)

    as Gill Griffin

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • The Proprietor(1996)

    as Texan

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • First Kid(1996)

    as President Paul Davenport

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Mixed Blessings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Brad Coleman

  • Cagney & Lacey: Together Again(1995)

    as James Burton

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey: The Return(1994)

    as James Burton

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Cosby Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 18 episodes · Actor

  • The Birds II: Land's End(1994)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Brooklyn Bridge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Reader

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Barry Taggert

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Blown Away (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Rick LaSalle

  • Raising Miranda (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • The Good Mother(1988)

    as Brian Dunlop

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

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

    as Rick LaSalle

  • CBS Summer Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as John Dockery

  • The Glass Menagerie(1987)

    as Jim O'Connor

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Sin of Innocence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Andy Colleran

  • Between the Darkness and the Dawn(1985)

    as Jack Parrish

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Cat's Eye(1985)

    as Hugh

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Who's the Boss?(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Michael Bower

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Last of the Great Survivors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Richard Wylie

  • Trauma Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 13 episodes · as Michael Royce

  • Nature(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Narrator (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    as Andy Driscoll

  • My Body, My Child(1982)

    as Dr. Dan Berensen

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Making the Grade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 6 episodes · as Harry Barnes

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Bower

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • A Stranger Is Watching(1982)

    as Steve Peterson

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • The Bunker(1981)

    as James O'Donnell

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Farewell to the Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pete Burke

  • Life, Liberty and Pursuit on the Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pete Burke

  • Treachery and Greed on the Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pete Burke

  • The Forgotten City of the Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Peter Burke

  • Back to the Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pete Burke

  • Second Wind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Roger

  • Diary of the Dead(1976)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Joe Forrester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Dr. Baxter

  • Planet of the Apes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 14 episodes · as Pete Burke

  • Antigone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Haemon

  • F. Scott Fitzgerald and 'the Last of the Belles'(1974)

    as Capt. John Haines

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Paper Chase(1973)

    as Kevin Brooks

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Faraday and Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 4 episodes · as Steve Faraday

  • Look Homeward, Angel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Ben Gant

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

    Show 1 episode · as Haemon

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Hanson

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Beer and Hot Chocolate (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Len

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 90 titles, 89 of them dated from 1967 to 2025; peak year 2006.

Biggest box office

First Kid (1996)

$26M worldwide

Highest rated

Jazz (2001)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Cat's Eye (1985)

Film career

19672025

Peak 2006 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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
Acting89 of 90: 88 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score65thDirecting1 of 90: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 90: 0 only producing, 1 with another roleOther crew1 of 90: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s11 · acting1980s23 · acting1990s16 · acting2000s19 · 18 acting · 1 crew2010s11 · acting2020s8 · 8 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 17 roles
738803

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 James Naughton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 28; across their 22 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 22

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 45 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 45 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Fascination (2004)

88th percentile spread · 64% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hacking Democracy (2006)

Midcredits 93rd · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 42. 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 James Naughton's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 4 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 27 · mildMedian of all films: 32

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

Who does James Naughton work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Naughton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; George Schaefer shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers