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Cotter Smith

Cotter Smith

Actor · Born May 29, 1949 (77) · Washington, D.C., USA

Joseph Cotter Smith (born May 29, 1949) is an American stage, film, and television actor.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 29, 1949 (77)
From
Washington, D.C., USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
50 on MovieCove · 74 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 44% in 30 days

What are Cotter Smith's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action 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
32%
Bonds
23%
Survival
16%
Self
14%
Power
10%
Ideas
5%
Justice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 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 3 · Serious 3 · Dark 8

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

Grounded 11 · Stylized 3 · 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 3 · Charged 4 · Intense 7

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

A split, not a type: Steady 9 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 1

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

Straight-faced 10 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 1

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 0

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

Casual 2 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 3

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 3 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 7

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Hero
2 of 8
Ally
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
14
Dread
8
Warm
4
Contemplative
5
Melancholic
5
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic1
  • 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 Cotter Smith's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 50 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Cotter Smith'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

74 credits, 50 with a MovieCove page.

  • CIA(2026)

    Show 2 episodes · as Peter Cooper

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Time of Death(2025)

    as Pat

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Basic Psych(2025)

    as Dr. Grant Harrison

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Unsinkable(2024)

    as Senator Smith

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Rustin(2023)

    as Chief Wells

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Jack and the Treehouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    as Pap

  • Things Heard & Seen(2021)

    as Tom Claire

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Standoff at Sparrow Creek(2018)

    as Roman

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Post(2017)

    as Under Secretary William Macomber

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Mindhunter(2017)

    Show 11 episodes · as Unit Chief Shepard

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Parable of the Disappearing Recliner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Preacher (voice)

  • Blindspot(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as General

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Madam Secretary(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Darren Hahn

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Burning Blue(2013)

    as Admiral Lynch

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Americans(2013)

    Show 14 episodes · as Deputy Attorney General

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Following(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nathan

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • The Arrangement(2013)

    as Paul Pruitt

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Revolution(2012)

    Show 5 episodes · as Jack Davis

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Friends with Kids(2011)

    as Phil Fryman

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Person of Interest(2011)

    Show 5 episodes · as Denton Weeks

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Unforgettable(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Jay Barrett

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • You Don't Know Jack(2010)

    as Dick Thompson

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Lunatics, Lovers & Poets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Scotty MacGregor

  • White Collar(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Adam Wilson

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Forrest Burke

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Damages(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Federal Investigator

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Brothers & Sisters(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Gordon Alexander

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • The Unit(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Lachey

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Night Stalker(2005)

    Show 10 episodes · as Tony Vincenzo

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Commander in Chief(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Governor Stan Preston

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Ghost Whisperer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerald Lucas

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Invasion(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

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

    as Dr. Altman

  • Tru Calling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 6 episodes · as Richard Davies

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sam Stevens

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • X2: X-Men United(2003)

    as President McKenna

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

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

    as John Meyers

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Sean McGinnis

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Hank Foster

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Run the Wild Fields (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Silas Green

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

    Show 4 episodes · as ASA Jeremy Friedman

  • The History of Glamour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Loren Valentine (voice)

  • Oz(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Benjamin Fee

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Bridge of Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Robert Creighton

  • Spy Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Orleans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 8 episodes · as Bill Brennecke

  • Lifeform(1996)

    as Dr. Case Montgomery

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Remember Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Adam Nichols

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Marinak

  • Desperate Journey: The Allison Wilcox Story(1993)

    as Steve

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • With Hostile Intent (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Officer Rob Arnold

  • A Place to Be Loved(1993)

    as Mike Caldwell

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • A Message from Holly (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • Midnight's Child (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Nick Cowan

  • The Last Prostitute (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Joe

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Eric Martin

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Equal Justice(1990)

    Show 27 episodes · as Eugene 'Gene' Rogan

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • K-9(1989)

    as Gilliam

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Cameron's Closet(1988)

    as Sergeant Sam Taliaferro

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Lady Beware(1987)

    as Mac Odell

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · as Tony Henderson

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "To See the Invisible Man")

  • The Rape of Richard Beck(1985)

    as Lt. Hugo

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian Baker

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • A Bunny's Tale(1985)

    as Ned Holcomb

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Robert Rhine

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Mistral's Daughter(1984)

    Show 8 episodes · as Frank

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all shows

  • Master Ninja II (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Chad Webster

  • Nickel Mountain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Trucker

  • Blood Feud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Robert F. Kennedy

  • Blood Feud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · as Robert F. Kennedy

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

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Rowe

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd 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 73 titles from 1981 to 2026; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office

K-9 (1989)

$78M worldwide

Highest rated

Mindhunter (2017)

Midcredits 99th

Film career

19812026

Peak 1988 · 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
Acting73 of 73: 73 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score59th

By decade

1980s17 · acting1990s17 · acting2000s17 · acting2010s15 · acting2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 11% of 9 roles

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.

How do Cotter Smith's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 20; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 50 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

19 of their 50 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Basic Psych (2025)

91st percentile spread · 38% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mindhunter (2017)

Midcredits 99th · 96% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 13 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 43. 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 Cotter Smith's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 49 · moderateMedian of all films: 32
Profanity3 titlesmedian 70 · intenseMedian of all films: 36

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

Who does Cotter Smith work with?

People who share at least 2 of Cotter Smith's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Karen Arthur shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers and editors