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Don Shanks

Don Shanks

Actor · Born February 26, 1950 (76) · Piasa, Illinois, USA

Don Shanks was born on 26 February 1950 in Piasa, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989), Dumb and Dumber (1994) and The World's Fastest Indian (2005).

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 26, 1950 (76)
From
Piasa, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
69 on Motif · 107 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 12% in 30 days

What are Don Shanks' films like?

Across their 14 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Morality.

Genres

Horror5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 3rd percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 66th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their Motif 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
Survival
34%
Morality
23%
Society
13%
Ideas
11%
Self
11%
Bonds
9%
Survival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeNature3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 7 · Serious 5 · Dark 2

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

Grounded 12 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 3 · Intense 3

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 9 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 0

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

Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

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 3 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Dread
5
Warm
5
Hopeful
4
Melancholic
5
Other
10

How their films linger

Unsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous3

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 Don Shanks' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 54 of their 69 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (28).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Don Shanks' titles on Motif; 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

107 credits, 69 with a Motif page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Paranormal Prison(2021)

    as Mannequin

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Resilience and the Lost Gems (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Sheriff Leigh Brackett

  • Small Town Crime(2017)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • 4: GO(2017)

    as Warden Bishop

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Like Son (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Sheriff Rugger

  • Smothered (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    as Don Shanks

  • Wild Horses(2015)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Nightlight(2015)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Haunt(2013)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Dear Dumb Diary(2013)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Vamp U (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Stunts

  • 3 of a Kind(2012)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!(2011)

    Utility Stunts · as Defeated Player (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Redemption: For Robbing the Dead(2011)

    Stunt Coordinator · Thanks

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Hatching Pete(2009)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Dadnapped(2009)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Evil Angel(2009)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Deep Winter(2008)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Animals (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • High School Musical 3: Senior Year(2008)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Little Bear and the Master (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2008)

    as Caleb Egler

  • Wieners(2008)

    Utility Stunts

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Minutemen(2008)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Saving Sarah Cain(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • High School Musical 2(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Daddy Day Camp(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Ice Spiders(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Grindhouse (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    Stunts

  • Planet Terror(2007)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Darkroom (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • The Last Sin Eater(2007)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Indian Chief

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Lightspeed(2006)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Read It and Weep(2006)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer(2006)

    Stunt Coordinator · as The Fisherman

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift(2006)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The World's Fastest Indian(2005)

    Utility Stunts

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Buffalo Dreams(2005)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Sky High(2005)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Urban Legends: Bloody Mary(2005)

    Stunt Coordinator · Stunt Double · as Coach Jacoby

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Go Figure(2005)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Crow: Wicked Prayer(2005)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Life Is Ruff(2005)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Pixel Perfect(2004)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Polar Express(2004)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Halloweentown High(2004)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Going to the Mat(2004)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Paradise (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2004)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • The Maldonado Miracle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2003)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus(2001)

    Stunt Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Con Express (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Stunts

  • Just a Dream (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2002)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • The Right Temptation(2000)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Baby Bedlam (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • Primary Suspect (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Chief Lance

  • The Crow: Salvation(2000)

    as Guard #1

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Partners in Crime (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2000)

    Stunts

  • Ride with the Devil(1999)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Bats(1999)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Made Men(1999)

    as Caleb

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • The Shape (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1999)

    Actor

  • The Tempest(1998)

    as Overseer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Legion of Fire: Killer Ants!(1998)

    as Greywolf

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Undercover Kid (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1997)

    Stunts

  • Truth or Consequences, N.M.(1997)

    as Vago Wiseguy #3

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • McHale's Navy(1997)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Last Resort (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    as Walking Far

  • Invasion of Privacy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Stunts

  • Unforgivable(1996)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Zion Canyon: Treasure of the Gods (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1996)

    Stunt Coordinator

  • 3 Ninjas: Knuckle Up(1995)

    as Charlie

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Walking Thunder(1995)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Blood Coat

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Dumb and Dumber(1994)

    Stunts · as Waiter #3 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Heaven Sent(1994)

    as Van Driver

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Buttercream Gang in: Secret of Treasure Mountain (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1993)

    as Indian holding an axe

  • Wind Dancer(1993)

    Animal Wrangler · as Halfmoon

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • The Legend of Wolf Mountain(1992)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Simcoe (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The Secret Of Lost Creek (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • Dream Machine (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Juan Valdez

  • The Indian Runner(1991)

    as Young Indian Runner

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • The Secret of Lost Creek (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 15 episodes · as Charlie Little Elk

  • Spirit of the Eagle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1991)

    as Running Wolf

  • El Diablo(1990)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Ski Patrol(1990)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Tripwire (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Indian Fighter

  • Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers(1989)

    as Michael Myers

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • The Case of the Missing Time Capsule (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1989)

    as Mr. Waukesha

  • Stranger on My Land(1988)

    as Construction Worker

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Silent Night, Deadly Night Part 2(1987)

    Stunts · as Santa Climbing in Window (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Louis L'Amour's Down the Long Hills (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1986)

    Stunt Double · as Ashawakie

  • The Annihilators(1985)

    Visual Effects Coordinator

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Silent Night, Deadly Night(1984)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Ninja III: The Domination(1984)

    Stunts

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • In Search of a Golden Sky (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1984)

    Stunts

  • Revenge of the Ninja(1983)

    as Chief

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Sweet Sixteen(1982)

    as Jason Longshadow

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Il trovatore (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1983)

    as Ferrando

  • The Ghost Dance (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    Stunt Coordinator · as Excavation Worker

  • The Rogue & Grizzly (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1982)

    as Tonora

  • Legend of the Wild (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Last of the Mohicans (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    as Uncas

  • The Incredible Hulk(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Little Jim

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • Grizzly Adams (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 37 episodes · as Nakoma

  • In Search of Noah's Ark (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    Makeup Artist · Wardrobe Assistant

  • Guardian of the Wilderness(1976)

    as Teneiya

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Frontier Fremont (not in the Motif catalog yet)(1976)

    as Indian

  • The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams(1974)

    Makeup Artist · Wardrobe Assistant · as Nakoma

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Don Magnifico

Career shape

Star power in the 91st percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 107 titles from 1971 to 2021; peak year 1990.

Biggest box office

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

$12M worldwide

Highest rated

The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams (1974)

Midcredits 66th

Most popular right now

Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)

Film career

19712021

Peak 1990 · 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.

  • 1974Screen debut· The Life and Times of Grizzly Adams

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting51 of 107: 38 only acting, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score28thOther crew69 of 107: 56 only other crew, 13 with another role · typical Midcredits score31st

107 titles, 13 with more than one role — other crew and acting overlap on 13 of them.

By decade

1970s8 · 7 acting · 2 crew1980s16 · 12 acting · 7 crew1990s27 · 20 acting · 11 crew2000s42 · 6 acting · 40 crew2010s13 · 5 acting · 9 crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles
7494

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 Motif, 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 Don Shanks' films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 31st percentile, the median of all 68; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 15th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

14thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 69 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th29

Shape of the crowd

35 of their 69 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned3
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic12
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed35

Most divisive · actor

4: GO (2017)

90th percentile spread · 73% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Dumb and Dumber (1994)

Midcredits 82nd · 75% liked

Reviewers score the acting 42/100 in their films, across 12 reviewed titles; fans 66, detractors 28. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; 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 Motif 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 Don Shanks' work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 86 · severeMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 58 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Frightening / Intense3 titlesmedian 65 · intenseMedian of all films: 39

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

Who does Don Shanks work with?

People who share at least 2 of Don Shanks' Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Craig Clyde shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers