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Chuck Shamata

Chuck Shamata

Actor · Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Chuck Shamata's career spans four decades in film, television and theatre. Among his most recent credits are the feature films One Week, The Sentinal, Cinderella Man and War Games 2; the cable movies Tipping Point,The Engagement Ring and Kojak (and the ensuing series). Don Shebib's classic Between Friends - often recognized by critics as one of Canada's all time best - was the film for which Shamata received his first Genie Award nomination, and was presented with a Migliore Attore award by the legendary Vittorio De Sica at the Sorrento Film Festival. His other feature credits include The Spreading Ground with Dennis Hopper, Joshua Then and Now with James Woods, Power Play with Peter O'Toole, The Devil and Max Devlin with Bill Cosby and Night Friend with Art Carney. On the small screen, Shamata was nominated for a Gemini Award for his starring role as a family man facing his homosexuality in the network film The Running Man. Other network movie credits include A Father for Brittany, On Thin Ice: The Tai Babilonia Story, the Cable Ace Award-winning Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story, Echoes in the Darkness and Between Friends alongside Elizabeth Taylor and Carol Burnett. He played Pierre Salinger in the mini-series Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis and for Showtime Networks he co-starred in the Tony Bill-directed cable feature Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story; as mafia boss Sam Giancana in The Family; The Thin Blue Lie with Rob Morrow; and Escape Clause with Paul Sorvino. On stage, Shamata played Dr. Astrov opposite Peter O'Toole in Uncle Vanya in Toronto and Chicago, Torvald in A Doll's House and leading roles in Doc, Good Woman of Setzuan, To Clothe The Naked, You're Gonna Be Alright Jamie Boy, Battering Ram, My Fat Friend, Chapter Two, The Country Girl and The Indian Wants The Bronx in theaters from Halifax to Los Angeles. - IMDb Mini Biography

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

From
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 83 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 157 days to Oct 28Up 13% in 30 days

What are Chuck Shamata's films like?

Across their 29 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama15 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 14th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
33%
Bonds
24%
Self
17%
Survival
14%
Power
8%
Ideas
3%
Society
2%
Justice8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds9 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeParenthood3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 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 2 · Serious 11 · Dark 15

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

Grounded 24 · Stylized 3 · 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 11 · Intense 12

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 17 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 24 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 2

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 11 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 11 · Engaged 13 · Full focus 4

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 4 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 11

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

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Shapeshifter
1 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Trickster
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
21
Melancholic
16
Dread
9
Hopeful
7
Contemplative
4
Other
21

How their films linger

Hopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy7
  • Bittersweet16
  • Tragic2
  • 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 Chuck Shamata's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (25).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Chuck Shamata'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

83 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page.

  • A Simple Fucking Gesture (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Man

  • Blood & Treasure(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Sharif Gazal

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Breakthrough(2019)

    as Chief Marlo

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Miss Sloane(2016)

    as Bill Sanford

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Gone Tomorrow(2015)

    as Frank Thompson

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Clown(2014)

    as Walt

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Still Mine(2012)

    as Judge

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Fugget About It(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Cheech (voice)

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Republic of Doyle(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Anton Strata

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • The Listener(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Harrow

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Break a Leg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Hit-man

  • The Two Mr. Kissels(2008)

    as Bill Kissel

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • One Week(2008)

    as Gerald Tyler

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Flash of Genius(2008)

    as Professor Irwin

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • WarGames: The Dead Code(2008)

    as Bill Carter

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Tipping Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as John Patterson

  • The Sentinel(2006)

    as Director Overbrook

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Engagement Ring(2005)

    as Johnny Anselmi

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Neighbor(2005)

    as Detective Lupo

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Cinderella Man(2005)

    as Father Rorick

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Kojak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 9 episodes · as Henry Mussina

  • ReGenesis(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric Dixon

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Saving Emily (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Russo

  • Crimes of Fashion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Sal Hugo

  • The Day After Tomorrow(2004)

    as General Pierce

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • This Is Wonderland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • DC 9/11: Time of Crisis(2003)

    as Shelton

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Behind the Red Door(2003)

    as Father

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Whitewash: The Clarence Brandley Story(2002)

    as Don Brown

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Guilty Hearts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Det. Mike Virgilio

  • Snap Decision(2001)

    as Jack Bradley

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · as Pierre Salinger

  • Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Pierre Salinger

  • The Thin Blue Lie(2000)

    as Vinnie

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Spreading Ground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Capt. Neiman

  • When Justice Fails(1999)

    as Captain Tanner

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Twice in a Lifetime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Coach Rybeck

  • Bonanno: A Godfather's Story(1999)

    as Santo Trafficante

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Alegría(1999)

    as Narrator (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Highlander: The Raven(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Martin Foster

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all shows

  • A Father for Brittany(1998)

    as Bob Minkowitz

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • La Femme Nikita(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Stephan Vacek

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Virus(1996)

    as Leo Burns

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • FX: The Series (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mini the Pickpocket

  • Escape Clause(1996)

    as Captain Vincent Nalli

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Sugartime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Michael Delfano

  • Almost Golden: The Jessica Savitch Story(1995)

    as Al Binder

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Death Wish: The Face of Death(1994)

    as Sal Paconi

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Family of Strangers(1993)

    as Tim

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Princes In Exile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Dr. Merritt

  • On Thin Ice: The Tai Babilonia Story(1990)

    as Connie Babilonia Sr.

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Uncut Gem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Max

  • War of the Worlds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Bradley

  • Martha, Ruth & Edie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Mario Cellini

  • Night Friend (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Jack

  • Echoes in the Darkness(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Costopoulos

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Nowhere to Hide(1987)

    as Mike Watson

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star(1986)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Act of Vengeance(1986)

    as Millard Atler

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Mafia Princess (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Louie

  • A Time to Live(1985)

    as Dr. Strathmore

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Philip Bellamy

  • Joshua Then and Now(1985)

    as Seymour Kaplan

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Canada's Sweetheart: The Saga of Hal C. Banks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • In Like Flynn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Danton

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

    as Chairman

  • The Suicide Murders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Pete Staziak

  • Unfinished Business (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Carl

  • Between Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Dr. Seth Simpson

  • The Terry Fox Story(1983)

    as Wilson

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The Devil and Max Devlin(1981)

    as Jerry Nadler

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • The Running Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Ben Carfield

  • Scanners(1981)

    as Tony (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Running(1979)

    as Howard

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Stone Cold Dead(1979)

    as Sgt. Tony Colabre

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Power Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Hillsman

  • I Miss You, Hugs and Kisses(1978)

    as Gershen Isen

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Welcome to Blood City(1977)

    as Ricardo

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Reinhardt

  • The House by the Lake(1976)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • For the Record (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Ben Carfield

  • Sidestreet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Between Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Chino

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles from 1973 to 2020; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

The Devil and Max Devlin (1981)

$16M worldwide

Highest rated

Miss Sloane (2016)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Fugget About It (2012)

Film career

19732020

Peak 2004 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 3 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting83 of 83: 83 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score44th

By decade

1970s10 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s26 · acting2010s8 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 15 roles
7606

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 Chuck Shamata's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 42; across their 28 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Approval · how many liked their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Reach · how many have seen their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 28

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

25 of their 50 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed25

Most divisive · actor

DC 9/11: Time of Crisis (2003)

98th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Cinderella Man (2005)

Midcredits 97th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 28 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 37. 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 Chuck Shamata's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 92 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity6 titles13–58 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles49–76 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 67 · 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 Chuck Shamata work with?

People who share at least 2 of Chuck Shamata's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Allan A. Goldstein shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers