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Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer

Actor, also producer and writer · Born April 16, 1965 (61) · New York City, New York, USA

2 Primetime Emmys · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

​Jonathan Niven Cryer (born April 16, 1965) is an American actor, screenwriter, director, and film producer. He is the son of actress–singer Gretchen Cryer. He made his motion picture debut in the 1984 romantic comedy No Small Affair, but gained greater fame as "Duckie" in the 1986 John Hughes-scripted film Pretty in Pink. In 1998, he finished writing and producing the independent film Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five, which was well received. Even though he gained some fame by starring in these films, it took several years to find success on television; the shows he had starred in (The Famous Teddy Z, Partners and The Trouble with Normal) did not last very long. In 2003, he was cast as Alan Harper on the CBS hit comedy series Two and a Half Men, opposite Charlie Sheen, for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award in 2009. He received three earlier Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his work on the show.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 16, 1965 (61)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer and writer
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 72 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 21% in 30 days

What are Jon Cryer's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Animation 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
35%
Self
28%
Morality
17%
Power
8%
Society
6%
Ideas
5%
Survival
2%
Friendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 22 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 20 · Serious 2 · Dark 0

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 11 · Charged 11 · Intense 0

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

A split, not a type: Steady 12 · Shifting 7 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 9

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

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 13 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 17 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 18 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

13 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 7 of 13 analyzed roles.

Hero
7 of 13
Ally
4 of 13
Shapeshifter
1 of 13
Mentor
1 of 13
Show the 13 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
10
Joyful
9
Warm
10
Tense
7
Thrilling
6
Other
25

How their films linger

Feel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteWistful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous7

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 Jon Cryer's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 37 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jon Cryer'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

72 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 28 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Stuart Fails to Save the Universe(2026)

    Show 1 episode · as Sherpa

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Extended Family(2023)

    Show 13 episodes · Executive Producer · as Jim Kearney

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • The Jennifer Hudson Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 18½(2021)

    as H.R. 'Bob' Haldeman (voice)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Devoured(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Narrator

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Big Time Adolescence(2019)

    as Reuben

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Forgotten West Memphis Three(2020)

    Show Producer

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Batwoman(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Lex Luthor

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all shows

  • The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Eugenio Derbez

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jon Cryer

  • Will & Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Jon Cryer

  • Justice League Action(2016)

    Show 3 episodes · as Felix Faust (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • The Great Indoors(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Donnie

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all shows

  • Legends of Tomorrow(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Lex Luthor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Supergirl(2015)

    Show 20 episodes · as Lex Luthor

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Hit by Lightning(2014)

    as Ricky Miller

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • The Flash(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Lex Luthor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Mom(2013)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · as Customer

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Ass Backwards(2013)

    as Dean Morris

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Planes(2013)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Arrow(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Lex Luthor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Stay Cool(2009)

    as Javier

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Company (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as David

  • Due Date(2010)

    as Alan Harper

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Shorts(2009)

    as Dad Thompson

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Weather Girl(2009)

    as Charles

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Tortured(2007)

    as Brian Mark

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Unstable Fables: 3 Pigs & a Baby(2008)

    as Richard Pig (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Danny Phantom: Reality Trip (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Freakshow (voice)

  • Hannah Montana(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ken Truscott

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Metro Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Mr. Stamm

  • American Dad!(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Desk Clerk (voice) · as Quacky (voice)

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Retrosexual: The '80s (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as (archive footage)

  • Danny Phantom(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Freakshow (voice)

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cyril Taft

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 262 episodes · Director · Story · as Alan Harper

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Hey Joel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 13 episodes · as Joel Stein

  • Stripperella(2003)

    Show as Clifton

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jon Cryer (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Trouble with Normal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 13 episodes · as Zack Mango

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Roger

  • Holy Man(1998)

    as Barry

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Hercules(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as The Winged Wolves (voice)

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

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

    as Jimmy Pells

  • Getting Personal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 18 episodes · as Sam Wagner

  • Two Guys and a Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Justin

  • Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God... Be Back by Five(1998)

    Producer · Writer · as Daniel

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Plan B (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Stuart Winer

  • Dharma & Greg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Brian (uncredited)

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Terry Pender

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Pompatus of Love(1995)

    Co-Producer · Writer · as Mark

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Show with Bob and David(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Duckie

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 22 episodes · as Bob

  • The Outer Limits(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Trevor McPhee

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Heads (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Guy Franklin

  • The Waiter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Tommy Kazdan

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hot Shots!(1991)

    as Jim 'Wash Out' Pfaffenbach

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Penn & Teller Get Killed(1989)

    as Frat Boy #3

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Famous Teddy Z (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 20 episodes · as Teddy Zakalokis

  • Rap Master Ronnie: A Report Card (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Hiding Out(1987)

    as Andrew Morenski / Max Hauser

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Dudes(1987)

    as Grant

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Superman IV: The Quest for Peace(1987)

    as Lenny

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • O.C. and Stiggs(1985)

    as Randall Schwab Jr.

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Morgan Stewart's Coming Home(1987)

    as Morgan Sewart

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Pretty in Pink(1986)

    as Philip F. 'Duckie' Dale

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Amazing Stories(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Phil

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Noon Wine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Teenage Herbert

  • No Small Affair(1984)

    as Charles Cummings

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Teenage Herbert

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 69 titles from 1982 to 2026; peak year 1986.

Biggest box office

Planes (2013)

$240M worldwide

Highest rated

Big Time Adolescence (2019)

Midcredits 80th

Most popular right now

Two and a Half Men (2003)

Film career

MilestoneAward win
19822026

Peak 1986 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 4 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting69 of 69: 64 only acting, 5 with another role · typical Midcredits score38thDirecting2 of 69: 0 only directing, 2 with another roleWriting3 of 69: 0 only writing, 3 with another roleProducing3 of 69: 0 only producing, 3 with another role

69 titles, 5 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1980s13 · acting1990s19 · 19 acting · 2 crew2000s15 · 15 acting · 1 crew2010s16 · 16 acting · 1 crew2020s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 22% of 18 roles
848909

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.

Awards

2 Primetime Emmys from 8 major nominations, 2006–2012.

WinNomination
  1. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
  2. 2011
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  3. 2010
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  4. 2009
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  5. 2008
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  6. 2007
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
  7. 2006
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Jon Cryer's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 29th percentile, the median of all 23; across their 22 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 32nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Approval · how many liked their films

30thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 22

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th15

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 49 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved1
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed26

Most divisive · actor

Devoured (2022)

86th percentile spread · 37% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Big Time Adolescence (2019)

Midcredits 80th · 71% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 38. 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 Jon Cryer's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles15–44 · median 30 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles13–65 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles22–68 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles31–86 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles8–41 · median 22 · mildlighter than most 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 Jon Cryer work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jon Cryer's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Richard Schenkman shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Producers

Mixed roles