Brett Cullen
| Brett Cullen | |
|---|---|
|
Cullen in 1996 | |
| Born |
Peter Brett Cullen August 26, 1956 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Houston |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1979–present |
| Spouse(s) | Michele Little |
| Website |
www |
Peter Brett Cullen[1] (born August 26, 1956) is an American actor who has appeared in numerous motion pictures and television programs.
Early life
Cullen was born August 26, 1956, in Houston, Texas the son of Lucien Hugh Cullen, an oil industry executive, and Catherine Cullen. Very unexpected thing happened to Brett Cullen at the age of 16, he was surfing and got pounded by tons of waves and was hit up against rocks and other things. A man pulled him out of the water by his hair, they didn't know what to do and he laid there dead for about 20 minutes [2] He graduated from Madison High School in Houston in 1974.[3] Cullen graduated from the University of Houston in 1979, giving 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, & Brent Spiner among others. Cullen and Dennis Quaid's close friendship to this day dates back to the 1970s and it is Cullen who introduced Dennis Quaid to his current wife, Kimberly Buffington at a dinner in Austin, Texas. Cullen was recently awarded a Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma mater, the University of Houston, in April 2012.
Career
Cullen played Dan Fixx in the 1980s CBS drama Falcon Crest for two seasons (1986–88) and Marshal 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 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 mini-series From the Earth to the Moon.
Later work
In 1994, Cullen played a small role in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp. Subsequent movie 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 movie version of On Golden Pond, Nancy's father Carson Drew in the TV movie Nancy Drew, and Barton Blaze (father of Johnny Blaze/Ghost Rider) in the 2007 movie 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 mini-series The Thorn Birds. Cullen had a main character role as Dan Fixx on the prime time soap opera Falcon Crest from 1986–88, and as Marshal Sam Cain in the western series The Young Riders in 1989–90. 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. Although his recurring roles never lasted more than a few episodes, Cullen made the most of parts in the ongoing series Lost, Damages, and The Gates between 2007–10.
From 2011 until 2012 Cullen played the flashback character Nathan Ingram on the hit show Person of Interest, a role that may recur in future episodes. He also plays Mark Keeler, father of Olympic gymnast hopefuls Payson and Becca Keeler, on the ABC Family series Make It Or Break It.
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.[5]
In 2013, Cullen was cast in the television series Devious Maids,[6] and in 2014 Cullen had recurring roles on the television shows Revenge, Criminal Minds, and Under the Dome. He also starred in the film, The Last Rescue.
Cullen appears very prominently on a Showtime special called "Meat Loaf: In and Out of Hell." He discusses his long friendship with Meat Loaf Aday and his role in producing music for the iconic rock legend, also a fellow homegrown Texan.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Stewardess School | Philo Henderson | |
| 1991 | By the Sword | Danny Gallagher | |
| 1991 | Where Sleeping Dogs Lie | John Whitney | |
| 1992 | Leaving Normal | Kurt | |
| 1993 | Prehysteria! | Frank Taylor | |
| 1994 | Wyatt Earp | Saddle Tramp | |
| 1995 | Apollo 13 | CAPCOM 1 | |
| 1995 | Something to Talk About | Jamie Johnson | |
| 1997 | The Killing Jar | Michael Sanford | |
| 1997 | Levitation | James | |
| 2000 | The Replacements | Eddie Martel | |
| 2003 | National Security | Heston | |
| 2003 | Learning Curves | Brad, Sr. | |
| 2006 | Gridiron Gang | Frank Torrance | |
| 2006 | Ghost Rider | Barton Blaze | |
| 2007 | The Life Before Her Eyes | Paul McFee | |
| 2008 | Brothel | Avery | |
| 2008 | The Burning Plain | Robert | |
| 2009 | Killing Dinner | Michael Dinner | |
| 2009 | Reunion | Jake | |
| 2010 | Crooked Lane | Ben | |
| 2010 | The Runaways | Cherie's Dad | |
| 2011 | Puncture | Nathaniel Price | |
| 2011 | Monte Carlo | Robert | |
| 2011 | Beneath the Darkness | Sgt. Nickerson | |
| 2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | Congressman | |
| 2012 | Living in the Age of Surveillance | Nathan Ingram | Short film; related to Person of Interest |
| 2012 | Red Dawn | Tom Eckert | |
| 2012 | The Guilt Trip | Ben Graw | |
| 2013 | 42 | Clay Hopper | |
| 2015 | The Last Rescue | Captain Beckett | Straight-to-DVD movie |
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 Dumming | Episode: "The Phenom" |
| 1982 | M*A*S*H | Pvt. Thomas Anthony McKegney | Episode: "Blood and Guts" |
| 1983 | The Thorn Birds | Bob Cleary | Television miniseries |
| 1984 | Eureka Stockade | Charles Ross | Television miniseries |
| 1984 | Single Bars, Single Women | Duane | Television film |
| 1985 | V: The Series | Robert | Episode: "The Littlest Dragon" |
| 1985 | Midas Valley | Brad Turner | Television film |
| 1986 | Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story | Billy | Television film |
| 1986–88 | 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" |
| 1989 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Cooper | Episode: "Night Creatures" |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Ronnie Price | Episode: "Only Sin Deep" |
| 1989–90 | 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 |
| 1991 | ...And Then She Was Gone | Peter Harmon | Television film |
| 1992 | Another Round | Roy | Television film |
| 1992 | Grapevine | Ken | Episode: "The Allison and Ken Story" |
| 1993 | Complex of Fear | Ed Wylie | Television film |
| 1993 | Mother of the Bride | Dennis Becker | Television film |
| 1994 | A Kiss Goodnight | Carl Jasper | Television film |
| 1994 | Keys | Police Chief Sam Wasser | Television film |
| 1994 | Diagnosis: Murder | Tim Rutland | Episode: "The Restless Remains" |
| 1994 | Matlock | Kevin Gilliam | Episode: "The Temptation" |
| 1994 | Gambler V: Playing for Keeps | Sundance Kid | Television film |
| 1994 | Family Album | George Waterson (uncredited) | Television miniseries |
| 1994 | 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 |
| 1997 | Something Borrowed, Something Blue | Pete | Television film |
| 1997 | Suddenly Susan | Adam | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Arli$$ | Ryan Mason III | Episode: "Kirby Carlisle, Trouble-Shooter" |
| 1997 | Perfect Body | Coach David Blair | Television film |
| 1997 | Ally McBeal | Professor James Dawson | Episode: "The Affair" |
| 1997 | The Hired Heart | Bryan | Television film |
| 1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | Dave Scott | Television miniseries, 3 episodes |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Dr. James Martin | Episode: "Final Exam" |
| 1998 | The Simple Life | Luke Barton | Main role, 7 episodes |
| 1998 | 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" |
| 2001 | Once and Again | Robert 'Bob' Dimanjik | Episodes: "Armageddon", "Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight" |
| 2001 | On Golden Pond | Charlie Martin | CBS television film |
| 2001 | Family Law | Dan Fortano | Episode: "Irreparable Harm" |
| 2002 | Without a Trace | Greg Pritchard/Peter Raymond | Episode: "Midnight Sun" |
| 2002 | Nancy Drew | Carson Drew | ABC television film |
| 2003 | Cold Case | Rob Deamer (2003) | Episode: "Gleen" |
| 2004 | Pixel Perfect | Xander | Disney Channel Original Movie |
| 2004 | Deceit | Sam Penny | Lifetime television film |
| 2004 | NTSB: The Crash of Flight 323 | Hub Weber | ABC television film |
| 2004 | Life on Liberty Street | Dr. Jake Mitchell | Television film |
| 2004 | Suburban Madness | David Harris | CBS television film |
| 2004 | The Mountain | John 'Whit' Whitman | Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| 2004–05 | Desperate Housewives | Detective Burnett | Episodes: "Suspicious Minds", "Children Will Listen" |
| 2005–06 | The West Wing | Governor Ray Sullivan R-WV | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Monk | James Duffy | Episode: "Mr. Monk and Little Monk" |
| 2005 | CSI: Miami | Michael Boland | Episode: "48 Hours to Life" |
| 2005–08 | Lost | Goodwin Stanhope | Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| 2006 | Faceless | John Robson | FOX television film |
| 2006 | Pepper Dennis | Jack | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2006 | NCIS | Captain Todd Gelfand | Episodes: "Hiatus: Part 1", "Hiatus: Part 2" |
| 2006–07 | Ugly Betty | Ted LeBeau | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Friday Night Lights | Walt Riggins | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Burn Notice | Lawrence Henderson | Episode: "Wanted Man" |
| 2007 | Private Practice | Allan | Episode: "In Which Addison Finds a Showerhead" |
| 2008 | The Mentalist | Dane Kurtik | Episode: "Red Tide" |
| 2009–12 | Make It or Break It | Mark Keeler | Recurring role, 18 episodes |
| 2009 | Damages | Wayne Sutry | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2009 | Three Rivers | Carson | Episode: "Ryan's First Day" |
| 2010 | The Gates | Frank Buckley | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2010 | Lone Star | Cooper Thomas | Episode: "Reverse" |
| 2010 | 90210 | Mr. Sullivan | Episode: "Holiday Madness" |
| 2011 | Hallelujah | Sheriff Bob Clement | Television film |
| 2011 | Castle | Christian Dahl | Episode: "Poof, You're Dead" |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Captain Perkins | Episode: "Shades of Blue" |
| 2011–14 | Person of Interest | Nathan Ingram | Recurring role, 9 episodes |
| 2012 | White Collar | Agent Patterson | Episodes: "Diminishing Returns", "Parting Shots" |
| 2013–15 | Devious Maids | Michael Stappord | Recurring role, 25 episodes |
| 2014 | Revenge | Jimmy Brennan | Episodes: "Hatred", "Payback" |
| 2014 | Criminal Minds | Preacher Justin Mills | Episodes: "Angels", "Demons" |
| 2014–15 | Under the Dome | Don Barbara | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2015 | Point of Honor | Ralston Rhodes | Amazon.com television film |
| 2015 | Stalker | Mayor Hayes | Episode: "Secrets and Lies" |
| 2015 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | John Nolan | Episode: "Under My Skin" |
References
- ↑ "Brett Cullen." TV Guide.
- ↑ "Brett Cullen Biography (1956-)". filmreference.com.
- ↑ "Distinguished HISD Alumni." Houston Independent School District.
- ↑ "Listings - TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource". thefutoncritic.com.
- ↑ HoustonWorks USA announces new Spokesperson
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (March 9, 2012). "ABC Pilots Add Quartet Of Actors". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 27, 2015.
External links
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