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Alvin Sanders

Alvin Sanders

Actor · Born March 16, 1952 (74) · Oakland, California, USA

Alvin Sanders was born March 16, 1952, in Oakland, California. He was a performer from an early age (church choirs, talent shows, school plays) and in 1968 became a devotee of The Seattle Repertory Theater. "Devotee" was a fancy name the Seattle Rep (and the Actors' Equity Association) created for unpaid actors. They worked out a deal with the public school system that allowed students to perform in their shows in return for high school credits. For every 200 hours the student was involved in rehearsal and performance at the theater, he received 1/2 a credit toward graduation. The student also got a chance to work with professionals, to see and discuss with them the theater lifestyle. Alvin earned 1-1/2 credits over two years performing with the Seattle Rep. In 1969 (while still in high school and working at the Rep) he was a founding member of Black Arts/West Theater. By 1973 this theater (it disbanded in 1980) had become one of the largest black theaters in the US, second only to The Negro Ensemble Company in New York. The Black Arts/West company performed year-round in their theater, as well as touring all over the Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho). Alvin was involved in all aspects of the theater--directing, designing, administration. But his number-one job was acting. In 1970 he left Seattle to go to Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the longest-running collegiate, professional actor training program in North America. He left Carnegie to work the 1972-73 season of Chicago's Free Street Theater, but returned to graduate in 1975 with a BFA (drama/acting). Alvin did his first SAG gig in 1973 (Cinderella Liberty (1973)) and joined Actor's Equity in 1975 with a gig at Actor's Theater of Louisville (he played Petruchio in a school tour of "Taming of the Shrew"). In the summer of 1984 he went to Barkerville, British Columbia, Canada to portray Wellingon Delaney Moses (a black barber in 1860s Barkerville) in a musical at The Theatre Royale. He also fell in love, and his entire life changed. In the fall of 1984 Alvin married the stage manager of the show in Barkerville and moved to Vancouver. Alvin is now a dual U.S./Canadian citizen and since arriving in Vancouver has done several Vancouver theater-award-winning roles, lots of TV and film, an abundance of animation voice work, and many Canadian and US national commercials.

Read more

Biography from IMDb.

Born
March 16, 1952 (74)
From
Oakland, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
67 on MovieCove · 94 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 41% in 30 days

What are Alvin Sanders' films like?

Across their 13 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Romance3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Romance movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th 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
Bonds
56%
Morality
14%
Self
13%
Society
7%
Ideas
6%
Survival
3%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 12 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 9 · Serious 0 · Dark 3

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

Grounded 10 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 9 · Charged 3 · Intense 0

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

Steady 11 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 4 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 3 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 10 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 11 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Warm
8
Hopeful
8
Tense
6
Joyful
6
Romantic
4
Other
4

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy11
  • Bittersweet2

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 Alvin Sanders' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 59 of their 67 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Alvin Sanders' 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

94 credits, 67 with a MovieCove page.

  • Wild Cards(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Caesar Simpson

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Confidential Informant(2023)

    as Gary

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Alert(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Harold

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Garage Sale Mysteries: Searched & Seized(2020)

    as Leon Ames

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Resident Alien(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Lewis · as Lewis Thompson

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Christmas Doctor(2020)

    as Mayor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Love, Guaranteed(2020)

    as Jerome

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Upload(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Aleesha's Dad

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Stolen by My Mother: The Kamiyah Mobley Story(2020)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • A Family Christmas Gift(2019)

    as Reverend Williams

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • A Taste of Summer(2019)

    as Danny

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Easter Under Wraps(2019)

    as Grant

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Mystery 101(2019)

    as Professor Miller

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Marrying Father Christmas(2018)

    as Pastor Eric Whalen

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Road to Christmas(2018)

    as Matt

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Falling for You(2018)

    as Pete Taves

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Love in Design(2018)

    as Larry

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Getaway(2017)

    as Hal Hendry

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Layover(2017)

    as Balloon Pilot

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Same Time Next Week(2017)

    as Reverend

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Riverdale(2017)

    Show 71 episodes · as Pop Tate

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • The Mistletoe Promise(2016)

    as Honcho Willison

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Chesapeake Shores(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Martinez

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Wedding March(2016)

    as Reverend

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Buddy

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Garage Sale Mystery: The Wedding Dress(2015)

    as Father Clark

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Into the Grizzly Maze(2015)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Santa Hunters(2014)

    as Grandpa

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Love at the Thanksgiving Day Parade(2012)

    as Paul

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Trading Christmas(2010)

    as Bus Driver

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Taken from Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story(2011)

    as Reverend Lewis

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · as Flutterguy (voice) · as King Sombra (voice)

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Flicka 2(2010)

    as Moe the Deli Owner

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Human Target(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Lowell

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Sight Unseen(2009)

    as Detective Leo Patterson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mr. Troop Mom(2008)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Do You Know Me?(2009)

    as Mr. Washington

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Doorman

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Hot Rod(2007)

    as Furious Boss

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Men in Trees (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge

  • Fantastic Four: World's Greatest Heroes(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Phillip Masters/Puppetmaster (voice)

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Class of the Titans(2006)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Rapid Fire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Tom Green

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy Anderson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Transformers: Energon(2004)

    Show as Demolisher

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Maximum Surge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Professor Roswell

  • Transformers: Armada(2002)

    Show 46 episodes · as Demolisher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Gadget & the Gadgetinis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 52 episodes · as General Sir / Dr. Thaw (voice)

  • Breaking News (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Door to Door(2002)

    as Shoeshine Guy

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Dead Zone(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Principal Pelson

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Due East (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Bus Driver

  • The Stickup (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Harris

  • Slammin' Sammy: The Sammy Sosa Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Coach Billy Williams / Minor League Umpire / Chicago White Sox's Play-by-play Announcer (voice)

  • The Sausage Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Smallville(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dale Ross

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Cats & Dogs(2001)

    as Mason Employee

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • X-Men: Evolution(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Man Who Used to Be Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Chief Davis

  • Trixie(2000)

    as Capitol Building Custodian

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Romeo Must Die(2000)

    as Calvin

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Life-Size(2000)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • A Storm in Summer(2000)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Brotherhood of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Brinks Guard

  • Two of Hearts(1999)

    as Jerry Martin

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Da Vinci's Inquest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Baby Dance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Security Officer

  • Mummies Alive!(1997)

    Show 42 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Lyle (segment "The Vision")

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Skysurfer Strike Force (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 26 episodes · as Nate James (Air Enforcer) / Cybron (voice)

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Chaplain

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

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

    as Wheeler

  • Double Dragon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 26 episodes · Actor

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Bus Driver · as Deputy Sheriff Jason Wright

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    as Science teacher (voice)

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

    Show 1 episode · as (voice)

  • Jack's Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Palace Guard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Commish(1991)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Our Shining Moment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mr. Rahill

  • And the Sea Will Tell(1991)

    as Serologist

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • And the Sea Will Tell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 2 episodes · as Serologist

  • The New Adventures of He-Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 65 episodes · Actor

  • Short Time(1990)

    as Cop

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Booker(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk · as Mitch

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Captain N: The Game Master (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 34 episodes · as Additional Voices

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • 21 Jump Street(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Earl

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Spot Marks the X(1986)

    as Dwyer

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Danger Bay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Searchmaster

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

    Show 1 episode · as Charles · as Diano · as Ryan

  • Brotherly Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Patrolman Clark

  • Airwolf(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Nokomo

    Midcredits score: 45th 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 92 titles from 1984 to 2024; peak year 2018.

Highest rated

Christmas Getaway (2017)

Midcredits 80th

Most popular right now

Transformers: Energon (2004)

Film career

19842024

Peak 2018 · 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
Acting92 of 92: 92 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score61st

By decade

1980s9 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s28 · acting2010s24 · acting2020s9 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 26 roles
0010

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 Alvin Sanders' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 58th percentile, the median of all 39; across their 12 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Approval · how many liked their films

57thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Reach · how many have seen their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 12

Midcredits score across 67 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th26
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

35 of their 67 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser35
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Santa Hunters (2014)

94th percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Door to Door (2002)

Midcredits 94th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 75, detractors 39. 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.

Who does Alvin Sanders work with?

People who share at least 2 of Alvin Sanders' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Harvey Kahn shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers