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Harold Sylvester

Harold Sylvester

Actor, also writer · Born February 10, 1949 (77) · New Orleans, Louisiana

Harold Sylvester (born February 10, 1949) is an American film and television actor. Sylvester was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. A graduate of New Orleans' St. Augustine High School and Tulane University, Sylvester is best known for his role on the TV series Married... with Children as Griff, the co-worker and friend of Al Bundy at the shoe store. Harold's other TV roles include the short-lived 1981 series Walking Tall, Today's F.B.I., Mary, and Shaky Ground. The most recent TV show he starred in was The Army Show. Sylvester had a recurring role on the TV series City of Angels. His well known film roles are An Officer and a Gentleman (1982), Uncommon Valor (1983), Innerspace (1987), Corrina, Corrina (1994), and Missing Brendan (2003). Sylvester has made guest appearances on shows, ranging from Hill Street Blues to Murder, She Wrote to NYPD Blue. Sylvester attended Tulane University on a basketball scholarship and graduated in 1972 with a degree in theater and psychology. He was the first African-American ever to receive an athletic scholarship from Tulane.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 10, 1949 (77)
From
New Orleans, Louisiana
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
31 on MovieCove · 58 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 32% in 30 days

What are Harold Sylvester's films like?

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

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 63rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Comedy 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
31%
Self
24%
Morality
20%
Survival
16%
Society
5%
Power
4%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 13 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 12 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 2 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

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

Steady 4 · Shifting 8 · 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 8 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 3 · 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 5 · Engaged 8 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 3 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Melancholic
5
Hopeful
4
Warm
3
Joyful
2
Other
14

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet4
  • Ambiguous1

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 Harold Sylvester's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 31 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Harold Sylvester'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

58 credits, 31 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Pitt(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Willie Alexander

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • A Place for Heroes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Gary

  • Night Club (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Grim Interviewer

  • For One Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Mr. Howard

  • Missing Brendan(2003)

    as Stan Wade

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Lincoln

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Dorsey · as Joshua Keating

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • On Hallowed Ground: Streetball Champions of Rucker Park (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Writer

  • City of Angels (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 4 episodes · Writer

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Phelps

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Trippin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Willie Reed

  • Passing Glory(1999)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Army Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 13 episodes · as Col. John Henchy

  • The Sixth Man(1997)

    as James Tyler

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Sabrina the Teenage Witch(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Cop

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • Moesha(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Aaron

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Someone She Knows (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Lt. Jack Emery

  • Corrina, Corrina(1994)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · Story · Teleplay

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Shaky Ground (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 17 episodes · as Russell

  • In the Deep Woods(1992)

    as George Dunaway

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Line of Fire: The Morris Dees Story(1991)

    as Gilbert

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing(1990)

    as Art Regan

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Double Your Pleasure (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Sam

  • Doogie Howser, M.D.(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as John Lucas

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Hit List (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Brian Armstrong

  • A Different World(1987)

    Show 4 episodes · as Woodson Wayne

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Innerspace(1987)

    as Pete Blanchard

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Married... with Children(1987)

    Show 41 episodes · as Griff

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • The Tracey Ullman Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • If Tomorrow Comes(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Al

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Space Rage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Max Bryson

  • The Comedy Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Granville

  • Vision Quest(1985)

    as Gene Tanneran

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Hindsman

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Blaster Boyle

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Leon Cooley

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Uncommon Valor(1983)

    as Johnson

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Uncommon Valor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Sergeant

  • An Officer and a Gentleman(1982)

    as Perryman

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Walking Tall (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Inside Moves(1980)

    as Alvin Martin

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Fast Break(1979)

    as D.C.

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Eddie Capra Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

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

    Show 5 episodes · as Rollie Knight

  • A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich(1977)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • What Really Happened to the Class of '65? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Rider

  • Sounder, Part 2 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Nathan

  • Alex & the Gypsy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as First Goon

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Hal Borden

  • What's Happening!! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Lew Bonner

  • The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman(1974)

    as Sam (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • The Six Million Dollar Man(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Tollombe

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Night of the Strangler(1972)

    as Jim Bunch

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 89th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 58 titles from 1972 to 2025; peak year 1982.

Biggest box office

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

$130M worldwide

Highest rated

An Officer and a Gentleman (1982)

Midcredits 83rd

Film career

19722025

Peak 1982 · 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
Acting54 of 58: 54 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thWriting4 of 58: 4 only writing, 0 with another role

By decade

1970s14 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s13 · 11 acting · 2 crew2000s7 · 5 acting · 2 crew2010s2 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 0% of 7 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 Harold Sylvester's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 55th percentile, the median of all 16; across their 13 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Approval · how many liked their films

51stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Reach · how many have seen their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 13

Midcredits score across 31 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th3

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 31 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed10

Most divisive · actor

Missing Brendan (2003)

78th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (1974)

Midcredits 93rd · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 74/100 in their films, across 10 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 44. 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 Harold Sylvester's work okay for kids?

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

Their medianMedian of all films
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 39 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 67 · intenseMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs3 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 39

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

Who does Harold Sylvester work with?

People who share at least 2 of Harold Sylvester's MovieCove titles; Jon Peters shares the most, 2.