Brett Cullen
Cullen in 2020
Born
Peter Brett Cullen

(1956-08-26) August 26, 1956
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Houston
OccupationActor
Years active1979–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1988)​
Children1
Websitebrettcullen.com

Peter Brett Cullen[1] (born August 26, 1956) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Dan Fixx in Falcon Crest (1986–1988), Sam Cain in The Young Riders (1989–1990), Governor Ray Sullivan in The West Wing (2005–2006), Goodwin Stanhope in Lost (2005–2008), Mark Keeler in Make It or Break It (2009–2012), Nathan Ingram in Person of Interest, and Michael Stappord in Devious Maids (2013–2015).

Early life

Cullen was born August 26, 1956, in Houston, Texas, the son of Catherine and Lucien Hugh Cullen, an oil industry executive and part of one of the most famous and wealthiest oil families in the oil-rich history of Texas.[2] He graduated from Madison High School in Houston in 1974,[3] subsequently attending the University of Houston from which he graduated in 1979. His alma mater awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award in April 2012.

Cullen has given great credit to his highly acclaimed acting mentor and University of Houston professor, Cecil Pickett, who also mentored such Houston-born actors as Dennis Quaid, Randy Quaid, and Brent Spiner. Cullen and Dennis Quaid's close friendship, which continues to this day, dates back to the 1970s; it is Cullen who introduced Dennis Quaid to his former wife, Kimberly Buffington, at a dinner in Austin, Texas.

Career

Cullen played Dan Fixx in the 1980s CBS drama Falcon Crest for two seasons (1986–88) and Sam Cain in the ABC western series The Young Riders for one season (1989–90). In 1980, he appeared as the second Gideon Chisholm in the last nine episodes of the CBS western miniseries The Chisholms. In the four earlier episodes, the Gideon Chisholm role was played by Brian Kerwin. Cullen was the lead actor as Ned Logan in the short-lived Legacy, which lasted for just one season (1998–99). On the series The West Wing Cullen played Ray Sullivan, a fictional former U.S. attorney, state attorney general, and governor of West Virginia and the Republican nominee for vice president.

His guest appearances on TV include: The Incredible Hulk, Tales from the Crypt, M*A*S*H, V, Matlock, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ally McBeal, Walker, Texas Ranger, Once and Again, Without a Trace, Cold Case, The Mountain, Monk, CSI: Miami, NCIS, Desperate Housewives, Pepper Dennis, Criminal Minds, Lost, Ghost Whisperer, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, and Friday Night Lights. In 2009, he had a recurring role in the ABC Family television series Make It or Break It.[4]

He played one of the CAPCOMs in Apollo 13 and real-life astronaut David Scott in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.

Later work

In 1994, Cullen played a small role in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp. Subsequent film roles included Jamie Johnson in Something to Talk About, aspiring composer/hired escort Bryan in The Hired Heart 1997, the spoiled quarterback Eddie Martel in The Replacements (2000), Charlie Martin in the TV film version of On Golden Pond, Nancy's father Carson Drew in the TV film Nancy Drew, and Barton Blaze (father of Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider) in the 2007 film Ghost Rider.

In 2011, he played stepfather to Selena Gomez's character in the romantic comedy Monte Carlo, and in 2012, appeared as a congressman in the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises. He also played Tom Eckert, father of protagonists Jed and Matt, in the remake of Red Dawn (a role played in the original 1984 film by Harry Dean Stanton).

Cullen has found steady work in numerous television roles for many years. In addition to guest-starring roles in dozens of series, in 1983 he played Bob Cleary in the miniseries The Thorn Birds. In 1997, he was cast as Adam in a three-episode story arc on Suddenly Susan called "Love and Divorce American Style". The following year, he played love interest Luke Barton in the short-lived series The Simple Life opposite Judith Light. Later in 1998, the UPN television network gave him the starring role of family patriarch Ned Logan in the post-Civil War drama Legacy, which lasted 18 episodes before cancellation.

After 2000, he played small recurring roles in ABC's Once and Again, the low-rated series The Mountain, and as a detective in two episodes of Desperate Housewives. Cullen was awarded a meatier part on The West Wing in 2005–06, when he played West Virginia governor and vice presidential candidate Ray Sullivan. Later in 2006, he played a recurring role on Pepper Dennis, which was cancelled after its first season as well. He played a short-lived love interest of Vanessa Williams' Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty in early 2007, and followed that up with a story arc as dad Walt Riggins on Friday Night Lights. Cullen had recurring roles in the series Lost,[5] Damages, and The Gates between 2007 and 2010.

From 2011–16, Cullen played the flashback character Nathan Ingram on the hit series Person of Interest.[6] He also plays Mark Keeler, father of Olympic gymnast hopefuls Payson and Becca Keeler, on the ABC Family series Make It or Break It.[7]

On February 8, 2011, Cullen was named the official spokesman for Houston Works which helps Houston residents with job training and placement, scholarships, consulting, technical initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics and summer job programs along with Youth Summits.[8]

In 2013, Cullen was cast in the television series Devious Maids,[9] and in 2014 Cullen had recurring roles on the television series Revenge,[10] Criminal Minds,[11] and Under the Dome.[12] He also starred in the film The Last Rescue.[13]

In 2019, Cullen played Thomas Wayne in the film Joker.[14]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Stewardess School Philo Henderson
1991 By the Sword Danny Gallagher
Where Sleeping Dogs Lie John Whitney
1992 Leaving Normal Kurt
1993 Prehysteria! Frank Taylor
1994 Wyatt Earp Saddle Tramp
1995 Apollo 13 CAPCOM 1
Something to Talk About Jamie Johnson
1997 The Killing Jar Michael Sanford
Levitation James
2000 The Replacements Eddie Martel
2003 National Security Heston
Learning Curves Brad Sr.
2006 Gridiron Gang Frank Torrance
2007 Ghost Rider Barton Blaze
The Life Before Her Eyes Paul McFee
2008 Brothel Avery
The Burning Plain Robert
2009 Killing Dinner Michael Dinner
Reunion Jake
2010 Crooked Lane Ben
The Runaways Don Currie
2011 Puncture Nathaniel Price
Monte Carlo Robert Kelly
Beneath the Darkness Sergeant Phil Nickerson
2012 The Dark Knight Rises Congressman Byron Gilley
Living in the Age of Surveillance Nathan Ingram Short film; related to Person of Interest
Red Dawn Sergeant Tom Eckert
The Guilt Trip Ben Graw
2013 42 Clay Hopper
2015 The Last Rescue Captain Beckett Straight-to-DVD film
2016 The Shallows Mr. Adams
2018 The Riot Act Dr. Willard Pearrow
Marriage: Impossible (Kedba Bidaa) Steve
2019 The Turkey Bowl Ed Hodges
Joker Thomas Wayne
2021 Reminiscence Walter Sylvan
2022 American Carnage Harper
It Snows All the Time Paul
2023 The Long Game

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1980 The Chisholms Gideon Chisholm Main role, 9 episodes
(note: replaced Brian Kerwin from the preceding miniseries)
1981 The Incredible Hulk Joe Dunning Episode: "The Phenom"
1982 M*A*S*H Private Thomas Anthony McKegney Episode: "Blood and Guts"
1983 The Thorn Birds Bob Cleary Television miniseries
1984 Eureka Stockade Charles Ross Television miniseries
Single Bars, Single Women Duane Television film
1985 V: The Series Robert Episode: "The Littlest Dragon"
Midas Valley Brad Turner Television film
1986 Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story Billy Television film
1986–1988 Falcon Crest Dan Fixx Main role (seasons 6–8), 53 episodes
1987 I'll Take Manhattan Dennis Brady Television miniseries
1988 Dead Solid Perfect Donny Smithern HBO television film
1989 Freddy's Nightmares Carl Episode: "Cabin Fever"
Alfred Hitchcock Presents Cooper Episode: "Night Creatures"
Tales from the Crypt Ronnie Price Episode: "Only Sin Deep"
1989–1990 The Young Riders Sam Cain Main role (season 1), 24 episodes
1990 The Image Malcolm Dundee HBO television film
1991 The Sitter Jeff Harper Television film
...And Then She Was Gone Peter Harmon Television film
1992 Another Round Roy Television film
Grapevine Ken Episode: "The Allison and Ken Story"
1993 Complex of Fear Ed Wylie Television film
Mother of the Bride Dennis Becker Television film
1994 A Kiss Goodnight Carl Jasper Television film
Keys Police Chief Sam Wasser Television film
Diagnosis: Murder Tim Rutland Episode: "The Restless Remains"
Matlock Kevin Gilliam Episode: "The Temptation"
Gambler V: Playing for Keeps The Sundance Kid Television film
Family Album George Waterson (uncredited) Television miniseries
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Deral Episode: "Meridian"
1995 The Omen Jack Failed TV pilot
1996 Shattered Mind Sean Television film
1997 Orleans Clade Charbonnet Main role, 8 episodes
Something Borrowed, Something Blue Pete Television film
Suddenly Susan Adam 3 episodes
Arliss Ryan Mason III Episode: "Kirby Carlisle, Trouble-Shooter"
Perfect Body Coach David Blair Television film
Ally McBeal Professor James Dawson Episode: "The Affair"
The Hired Heart Bryan Television film
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Dave Scott Television miniseries, 3 episodes
The Outer Limits Dr. James Martin Episode: "Final Exam"
The Simple Life Luke Barton Main role, 7 episodes
Legacy Ned Logan Main role, 18 episodes
2000 The Expendables Deacon USA Network television film
2001 Walker, Texas Ranger Pete Drayton Episode: "Justice for All"
Once and Again Bob Dimanjik Episodes: "Armageddon", "Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight"
On Golden Pond Charlie Martin CBS television film
Family Law Dan Fortano Episode: "Irreparable Harm"
2002 Without a Trace Greg Pritchard / Peter Raymond Episode: "Midnight Sun"
Nancy Drew Carson Drew ABC television film
2003 Cold Case Rob Deamer (2003) Episode: "Gleen"
2004 Pixel Perfect Xander Disney Channel Original Movie
Deceit Sam Penny Lifetime television film
NTSB: The Crash of Flight 323 Hub Weber ABC television film
Life on Liberty Street Dr. Jake Mitchell Television film
Suburban Madness David Harris CBS television film
The Mountain John "Whit" Whitman Recurring role, 4 episodes
2004–2005 Desperate Housewives Detective Burnett Episodes: "Suspicious Minds", "Children Will Listen"
2005–2006 The West Wing Governor Ray Sullivan R-WV Recurring role, 5 episodes
2005 Monk James Duffy Episode: "Mr. Monk and Little Monk"
CSI: Miami Michael Boland Episode: "48 Hours to Life"
2005–2008 Lost Goodwin Stanhope Recurring role, 5 episodes
2006 Faceless John Robson FOX television film
Pepper Dennis Jack Recurring role, 5 episodes
NCIS Captain Todd Gelfand Episodes: "Hiatus: Part 1", "Hiatus: Part 2"
Ghost Whisperer Jack Applewhite Episode: "Melinda's First Ghost"
2006–2007 Ugly Betty Ted LeBeau 3 episodes
2007 Friday Night Lights Walt Riggins 4 episodes
Burn Notice Lawrence Henderson Episode: "Wanted Man"
Private Practice Allan Episode: "In Which Addison Finds a Showerhead"
2008 The Mentalist Dane Kurtik Episode: "Red Tide"
2009–2012 Make It or Break It Mark Keeler Recurring role, 18 episodes
2009 Damages Wayne Sutry Recurring role, 6 episodes
Three Rivers Carson Episode: "Ryan's First Day"
2010 The Gates Frank Buckley Recurring role, 6 episodes
Lone Star Cooper Thomas Episode: "Reverse"
90210 Mr. Sullivan Episode: "Holiday Madness"
2011 Hallelujah Sheriff Bob Clement Television film
Castle Christian Dahl Episode: "Poof, You're Dead"
Body of Proof Captain Perkins Episode: "Shades of Blue"
2011–2016 Person of Interest Nathan Ingram Recurring role, 9 episodes
2012 White Collar Agent Patterson Episodes: "Diminishing Returns", "Parting Shots"
2013–2015 Devious Maids Michael Stappord Series regular (seasons 1 & 3), 18 episodes
2014 Revenge Jimmy Brennan Episodes: "Hatred", "Payback"
Criminal Minds Preacher Justin Mills Episodes: "Angels", "Demons"
2014–2015 Under the Dome Don Barbara Recurring role, 6 episodes
2015 Point of Honor Ralston Rhodes Amazon.com television film
Stalker Mayor Hayes Episode: "Secrets and Lies"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation John Nolan Episode: "Under My Skin"
2016–2017 Narcos Ambassador Arthur Crosby Recurring role, 15 episodes
2017 Queen of the South Cole Van Awken Recurring role, 7 episodes
2019 True Detective Gerald Kindt Recurring role, 3 episodes
2019–2021 The Blacklist The Stranger / Ilya Koslov / Frank Bloom Recurring role, 3 episodes
2019–2020 Truth Be Told Owen Cave 7 episodes
2020 Big Dogs Captain McKeutchen Main role, 8 episodes
2022 FBI Curtis Grange Episode: "Protective Details"
2022–present Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Bill Sharman

Awards and nominations

Year Award Work Result
2019 LA February Award for Best Actor The Riot Act Won
2019 LA February Award for Best Ensemble Cast
1998 Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role – Primetime Falcon Crest Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Brett Cullen." TV Guide.
  2. ↑ "Brett Cullen Biography (1956-)". filmreference.com.
  3. ↑ "Distinguished HISD Alumni Archived 2012-05-15 at the Wayback Machine." Houston Independent School District.
  4. ↑ "Listings - TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource". thefutoncritic.com.
  5. ↑ "Under the Dome Casts Lost Alum as Barbie's Father". TVGuide.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  6. ↑ Raymond, Charles Nicholas (October 11, 2020). "Why Nathan Ingram Had Person of Interest's Most Important Death". ScreenRant. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  7. ↑ "The Bisexual Bombshell in ABC Family's "Make It Or Break It" Finale". www.logotv.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  8. ↑ HoustonWorks USA announces new Spokesperson Archived March 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2012). "ABC Pilots Add Quartet Of Actors". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
  10. ↑ Richenthal, Matt (December 12, 2013). "Brett Cullen Lands Fatherly Role on Revenge". TV Fanatic. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  11. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (May 6, 2014). "Criminal Minds' 2-Part Finale Has 'Insane Stakes,' Spills Some Secrets and Promises No [Spoiler]". TVLine. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  12. ↑ "'Under the Dome' casts 'Person of Interest' actor as Barbie's dad". EW.com. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
  13. ↑ Editor, SouthSoundTalk (October 4, 2014). "Seattle Filmmakers Bring World War II Film to the Big Screen". SouthSoundTalk. Retrieved December 5, 2023. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  14. ↑ Burton, Byron (October 5, 2019). "'Joker' Actor Brett Cullen on Thomas Wayne's Secret". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 5, 2023.
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