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William Russ

William Russ

Actor, also producer · Born October 20, 1950 (76) · Portsmouth, Virginia, USA

Handsome 6-foot-1 European-American businessman, entrepreneur, actor and television director. William Russ was born on October 20, 1950 in Portsmouth, Virginia, USA as William Hardy Russ IV. He is known for his work on Boy Meets World (1993), Wiseguy (1987) and Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986). He is married to Clare Wren. They have two children.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 20, 1950 (76)
From
Portsmouth, Virginia, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
71 on MovieCove · 109 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 39% in 30 days

What are William Russ' films like?

Across their 31 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Drama14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 11th percentile
: browse their Thriller 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
26%
Morality
26%
Self
15%
Society
11%
Survival
8%
Power
8%
Ideas
7%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 28 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 10 · Dark 12

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

Grounded 21 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 15 · Intense 7

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 18 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 4

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 19 · 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 15 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 5

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 10 · Affecting 8 · Heavy 10

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

Resolved 21 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

11 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 6 of 11 analyzed roles.

Shadow
6 of 11
Ally
2 of 11
Mentor
2 of 11
Trickster
1 of 11
Show the 11 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
19
Melancholic
12
Hopeful
10
Warm
7
Contemplative
7
Other
28

How their films linger

Thought-provoking12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet16
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous6

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 William Russ' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 49 of their 71 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for William Russ' 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

109 credits, 71 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Treasure of the Lost Reel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2026)

    as Mr.Fixit

  • Founders Day(2023)

    Co-Producer · as Mr. Jackson

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Keeping Company(2021)

    as Glen Garrey

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Chasing the Rain(2020)

    as Ed

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Father by Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    as Dale

  • The Maestro(2018)

    as Abe Herst

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Between Waves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Sonny

  • 9-1-1(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Chuck Summers

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Colony(2016)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hennessey

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Magic Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Bruce Fox

  • Bosch(2014)

    Show 3 episodes · as Captain Garwood

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Girl Meets World(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Alan Matthews

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Jonestown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Leo Ryan

  • Drones(2013)

    as General Lawson

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • California Solo(2012)

    as Rusty

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Mert Hayes

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Holland

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Green Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Peter Donnelly

  • Grimm(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Scott Mudgett

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • 1,001 Ways to Enjoy the Missionary Position (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Evan

  • The Defenders(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as EMT Carrick

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • A Fork in the Road(2010)

    as Detective Ross

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • NCIS: Los Angeles(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Lake

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Pawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Justin Elliot Randolph

  • Leverage(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Morris Beck

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Ex List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dooley Gerber

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • 90210(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Salty

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Bristow

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Wildfire(2005)

    Show 3 episodes · as Congressman Dean Nichols

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Shannon

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as A.D.A. Christopher Palmer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Prescott

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Deadwood(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Otis Russell

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Silver Lake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Phil Patterson

  • Finding John Christmas(2003)

    as Hank McAllister

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim Hudson (2010)

  • The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Philip Wickes

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Mister Sterling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 10 episodes · as Tommy Doyle

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Max Cassidy

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Olson

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Buck Naked Arson (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Ranger Joe Lightcap

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

    as David Robbins

  • Lizzie McGuire(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Jesse Whalen

  • Level 9 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jonah Quinn

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Test of Love(1999)

    as Mark Whitman

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Replacing Dad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as George Marsh

  • The Sopranos(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Calviac

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • American History X(1998)

    as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • When Danger Follows You Home(1997)

    as Det. Tyler Barnes

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Michael Bassett

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Jonas Hanson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Night Sins(1997)

    as Sheriff Steiger

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Scott Lamont -'The Monk'

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • A Husband, a Wife and a Lover(1996)

    as Art Maskin

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Have You Seen My Son(1996)

    as Van Stein

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Trail of Tears(1995)

    as David

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as General Earl Watson

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Big Dreams & Broken Hearts: The Dottie West Story(1995)

    as Bill West

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Prof. Thomas North

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Viper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Townsend

  • Other Mothers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Coach Jim Doane

  • Boy Meets World(1993)

    Show 158 episodes · Director · as Alan Matthews

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • SeaQuest 2032(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Rusty Thomas

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Randolph

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Aspen Extreme(1993)

    as Dave Ritchie

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Traces of Red(1992)

    as Michael Dobson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Middle Ages (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 6 episodes · as Terry Hannon

  • Sexual Advances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Jack French

  • Drive Like Lightning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Boll Donner

  • Bay City Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Crazy from the Heart(1991)

    as Dewey Whitcomb

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Pastime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Roy Dean Bream

  • A Promise to Keep(1990)

    as Carl Goodrich

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 13 episodes · as Redmond Dunne

  • Nasty Boys(1989)

    as Ben Farlow

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Disorganized Crime(1989)

    as Nick Bartkowski

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • The Unholy(1988)

    as Luke

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Tour of Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Earl Ray Michaels

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 13 episodes · as Roger LoCocco

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Dead of Winter(1987)

    as Rob Sweeney

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Wanted: Dead or Alive(1986)

    as Danny Quintz

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Houston: The Legend of Texas(1986)

    as William Travis

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Crime Story(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Det. Wes Connelly

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Crime Story: Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Det. Wes Connelly

  • Blood & Orchids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Lloyd Murdoch

  • Second Serve (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Josh

  • The Long Hot Summer(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jody Varner

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Beer(1985)

    as Merle Draggett

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Command 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Smith

  • MacGruder and Loud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Owen

  • Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Sonny

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Lachman

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Evan Freed

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • The Right Stuff(1983)

    as Slick Goodlin

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Patrick O'Casey

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Chance McCormick

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Rehearsal for Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Frank Heller

  • The Border(1982)

    as Jimbo

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Cattle Annie and Little Britches(1980)

    as Little Dick Raidler

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Crisis at Central High(1981)

    as J.O. Powell

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Cruising(1980)

    as Paul Gaines

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Just You and Me, Kid(1979)

    as Demesta

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Death Bed: The Bed That Eats (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Sharon's Brother

  • Another World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1,547 episodes · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 95th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 108 titles from 1964 to 2026; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office

American History X (1998)

$24M worldwide

Highest rated

American History X (1998)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Boy Meets World (1993)

Film career

19642026

Peak 1988 · 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
Acting107 of 108: 105 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score55thDirecting2 of 108: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 108: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s2 · acting1980s27 · acting1990s30 · 30 acting · 1 crew2000s26 · 25 acting · 1 crew2010s18 · acting2020s4 · 4 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 14 roles
7792

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 William Russ' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 33; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 47th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 71 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th21
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 71 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved15
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic4
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed25

Most divisive · actor

Chasing the Rain (2020)

92nd percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

American History X (1998)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 27 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 38. 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 William Russ' work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 2 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity5 titles18–74 · median 39 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 83 · severeMedian 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 William Russ work with?

People who share at least 2 of William Russ' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jim Kouf shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers