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David Thornton

David Thornton

Actor · Born June 12, 1953 (73) · Cheraw, South Carolina, USA

David Thornton was born on 12 June 1953 in Cheraw, South Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for Home Alone 3 (1997), John Q (2002) and Alpha Dog (2006). He has been married to Cyndi Lauper since 24 November 1991. They have one child.

Biography from IMDb.

Born
June 12, 1953 (73)
From
Cheraw, South Carolina, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
38 on MovieCove · 56 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 27Up 4% in 30 days

What are David Thornton's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 55th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: 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
Bonds
31%
Self
30%
Survival
11%
Morality
11%
Power
9%
Society
8%
Romantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this themeTradition vs change2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 8 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 3 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 4

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 7 · Some laughs 5 · 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 7 · Even-paced 6 · 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 0

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 6 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 4

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

Resolved 8 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles
  • Shapeshifteras Ronnie Grossman in Garmento (2002)
  • Mentoras Tay Murphy in Fake (2011)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
6
Bittersweet
4
Contemplative
4
Dread
2
Other
16

How their films linger

Unsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet6
  • 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 David Thornton's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 21 of their 38 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for David Thornton'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

56 credits, 38 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • God Is a Bullet(2023)

    as Arthur Naci

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Tommy(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Gold

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Darcy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    as Aldo

  • Semana Santa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Rick

  • The Other Woman(2014)

    as Nick

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Elementary(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Ballantine

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life(2011)

    as Simon Rudolph

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Homeland(2011)

    Show 3 episodes · as George Pallis

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Fake(2011)

    as Taylor "Tay" Murphy

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Dirty Movie(2011)

    as Little Johnny's Dad

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Trophy Kids (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Charlie

  • Here and There (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Robert

  • My Sister's Keeper(2009)

    as Dr. Chance

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Reunion(2009)

    as Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Warrior Class (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ray Sancerre

  • Family Portraits: A Trilogy of America (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Walter Anders

  • Alpha Dog(2006)

    as Butch Mazursky

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie(2005)

    as David Thornton

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Romance & Cigarettes(2005)

    as Urologist

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Private Property (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Sam

  • The Notebook(2004)

    as John Hamilton

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

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

    as Walter Anders

  • 100 Mile Rule (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Jerry

  • Swept Away(2002)

    as Michael

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • Garmento(2002)

    as Ronnie Grossman

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • John Q(2002)

    as Jimmy Palumbo

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • XX/XY(2002)

    as Miles

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Dead Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Stevenson Nagel

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Kenneth Strick

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Blue Moon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Frank's Father

  • Blessed Art Thou(2000)

    as Elmo

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 10 episodes · as Lionel Granger

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • A Civil Action(1998)

    as Richard Aufiero

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Too Tired to Die(1998)

    as Lulu

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • High Art(1998)

    as Harry

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • The Last Days of Disco(1998)

    as Bernie

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

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

    as Orlandini

  • Hush(1998)

    as Gavin

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Home Alone 3(1997)

    as Earl Unger

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Office Killer(1997)

    as Gary Michaels

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • She's So Lovely(1997)

    as Saul Sunday

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Breathing Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Brian

  • Unhook the Stars(1996)

    as Frankie

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • If Lucy Fell(1996)

    as Ted

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Jeffrey(1995)

    as Man #3

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Search and Destroy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Rob

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan Warwick

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle(1994)

    as George S. Kaufman

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Blind Spot(1993)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Off and Running (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Reese

  • Men of Respect(1990)

    as Philly Como

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy Cook · as Lionel Granger · as Paul Medici · as Paul Radford

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • The Price of Honesty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Lomax

  • Tales from the Darkside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Werewolf

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Lile

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

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

    as Marc

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 55 titles from 1983 to 2023; peak year 1997.

Biggest box office

The Other Woman (2014)

$197M worldwide

Highest rated

The Notebook (2004)

Midcredits 96th

Film career

19832023

Peak 1997 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting55 of 55: 55 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score47th

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s9 · acting2020s2 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 22 roles
9000

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 David Thornton's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 40th percentile, the median of all 30; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 40th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

40thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

36thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 38 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 38 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie (2005)

99th percentile spread · 51% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Notebook (2004)

Midcredits 96th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 77, 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 David Thornton's work okay for kids?

Across up to 7 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity, profanity and alcohol & drugs run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 40 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity7 titles33–58 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles32–84 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles22–88 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles21–79 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian 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 David Thornton work with?

People who share at least 2 of David Thornton's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Nick Cassavetes shares the most, 5.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles