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Reni Santoni

Reni Santoni

Actor · Died August 1, 2020, aged 81 · New York City, New York, USA

Reni Santoni (April 21, 1939 – August 1, 2020) was an American film, television and voice actor. Santoni was born in New York City of French and Spanish descent. He began his career in off-Broadway theatre. His first significant film role was an uncredited appearance in the 1964 film The Pawnbroker, starring Rod Steiger, in which he played a junkie trying to sell a radio to the title character, using anti-Semitic slurs that have absolutely no effect. Santoni's first leading role was as the young actor in Carl Reiner's Enter Laughing. His other well-known film roles include Inspector "Chico" González in the 1971 classic Dirty Harry, as Ramon Herrera in the 1983 hit drama Bad Boys, and as detective Tony Gonzales in 1986 action film Cobra. Around that time, he also made guest appearances on television shows such as Barnaby Jones, Lou Grant, Hawaii Five-O, Hardcastle and McCormick, Hill Street Blues and Midnight Caller. In 1973, he was a junior partner on, "Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law". (Santoni and "Owen Marshall" co-star Lee Majors were born the same week in April 1939). Santoni continued to work in film and television through to the 21st century. Some of his more memorable characterizations include "Poppie," the unhygienic restaurateur on TV's Seinfeld, and "Captain Carlos Rodríguez" in Carl Reiner's comedy film Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid. Description above from the Wikipedia article Reni Santoni, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 21, 1939
Died
August 1, 2020 (aged 81)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 85 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 39% in 30 days

What are Reni Santoni's films like?

Across their 15 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Documentary4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: 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
Morality
31%
Survival
20%
Self
13%
Power
13%
Ideas
10%
Bonds
8%
Society
6%
Justice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt3 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeLegacy2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 15 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 10 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 5 · Charged 4 · Intense 6

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 1

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 4 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 1

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 7 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 4 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
4 of 5
Herald
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
10
Contemplative
6
Thrilling
5
Warm
5
Melancholic
4
Other
8

How their films linger

Thought-provoking7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • 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 Reni Santoni's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Reni Santoni'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

85 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Franklin & Bash(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Maurice Vincent

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Raising the Bar(2008)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Four Kings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Hernandez

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Griswold

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Gang Warz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Father Luis

  • Kingpin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • According to Jim(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Tony

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Dr. Dolittle 2(2001)

    as Rat #2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Dirty Harry: The Original(2001)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Mejia

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Bull (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 28 Days(2000)

    as Daniel

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Clyde Tate

  • Late Last Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Drunk

  • V.I.P. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Luis Montez

  • Jesse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Pedro Vasquez

  • Doctor Dolittle(1998)

    as Rat #1 (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Can't Hardly Wait(1998)

    as Cop

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Murder One: Diary of a Serial Killer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Judge Thomas Agajanian

  • Private Parts(1997)

    as Vallesecca

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Roland Mapp

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Dangerous Minds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Late Shift(1995)

    as John Agoglia

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Murder One(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · as Judge Thomas Agajanian

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Brady Bunch Movie(1995)

    as Police Officer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Dave's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Martinez

  • Walker, Texas Ranger(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Carlos del Vega Garcia

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Groundhog Day(1993)

    as State Trooper (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Renegade(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Juan Carlos Prieto

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Only You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Rueben the Bartender

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Tribbiani

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cat Chaser(1989)

    as Narrator (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Package(1989)

    as Chicago Police Lieutenant

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 5 episodes · as Poppie

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sgt. Lopez

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Rain Man(1988)

    as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Murphy's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bright Lights, Big City(1988)

    as Additional Voices (voice)

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Pick-up Artist(1987)

    as Man in Train Station

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Sanchez of Bel Air (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Radioactive Dreams(1984)

    as 'Red' Hairstylist

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Cobra(1986)

    as Sergeant Gonzales

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Joe Bash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    as Dr. Roberto Granato

  • 227(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • No Greater Gift (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Mario Santana

  • Summer Rental(1985)

    as Announcer (voice)

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Brewster's Millions(1985)

    as Vin Rapelito

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Señor Arredondo

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Juan Ramos · as Lt. Caceras

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Arturo Dominguez

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Manimal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 8 episodes · as Lieutenant Rivera

  • Bad Boys(1983)

    as Ramon Herrera

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid(1982)

    as Carlos Rodriguez

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · as Danny Santana

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • They Went That-A-Way & That-A-Way(1978)

    as Billy Joe

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Tarzana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Keenan

  • CHiPs(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Cleo Baxter

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • I Never Promised You a Rose Garden(1977)

    as Hobbs

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Holder

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Delvecchio (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as George Coletta

  • Panic on the 5:22(1974)

    as Emil Linz

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Perry

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Indict and Convict (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mike Belano

  • Barnaby Jones(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Chip Rawlins · as Tony Santos

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dirty Harry(1971)

    as Chico

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 69 episodes · as Danny Paterno

  • Powderkeg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Ricardo Sandoval

  • The Student Nurses(1970)

    as Victor Charlie

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Odd Couple(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Ernie

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Love, American Style (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Guns of the Magnificent Seven(1969)

    as Max

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Jimmy Rego

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Anzio(1968)

    as Pvt. Movie

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • A Great Big Thing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Vinny Shea

  • Enter Laughing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as David Kolowitz

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Locke · as Harry Scheller

  • The Trials of O'Brien (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Leonard

  • The Pawnbroker(1964)

    as Junkie Selling Radio (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Strangers in the City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Scrounge

  • Lamp Unto My Feet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1948)

    Show 1 episode · as Youth

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 84 titles from 1948 to 2011; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

28 Days (2000)

$62M worldwide

Highest rated

Dirty Harry (1971)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Cobra (1986)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19482011

Peak 1986 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. 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
Acting84 of 84: 84 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score58th

By decade

1940s1 · acting1960s10 · acting1970s17 · acting1980s25 · acting1990s20 · acting2000s10 · acting2010s1 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
658090

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 Reni Santoni's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 28; across their 15 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 15

Approval · how many liked their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Reach · how many have seen their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 15

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

24 of their 51 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved8
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser24
  • Broadly Agreed8
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Radioactive Dreams (1984)

72nd percentile spread · 22% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Rain Man (1988)

Midcredits 98th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 40. 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 Reni Santoni's work okay for kids?

Across up to 6 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 76 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles17–63 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 70 · intenseMedian 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 Reni Santoni work with?

People who share at least 2 of Reni Santoni's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Andrew Robinson shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles