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Dan Bucatinsky

Dan Bucatinsky

Actor and producer, also writer and director · Born September 22, 1965 (61) · New York City, New York, USA

Primetime Emmy winner · Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Dan Bucatinsky (/ˌbʊkəˈtɪnski/) is an American actor, writer and producer, best known for his role as James Novak in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Scandal, for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2013. In 2014, Bucatinsky starred on NBC's Marry Me and the revived HBO series The Comeback, which he also executive produced. Description above from the Wikipedia article Dan Bucatinsky, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 22, 1965 (61)
From
New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor and producer, also writer and director
Titles
49 on MovieCove · 70 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 7% in 30 days

What are Dan Bucatinsky's films like?

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

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
37%
Morality
17%
Self
17%
Survival
17%
Society
12%
Romantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeGrief3 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 9 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 9 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 3 · Intense 2

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

A split, not a type: Steady 6 · Shifting 1 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 2 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 3

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 5 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 6 · Engaged 3 · 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 5 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 2

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

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
6
Romantic
5
Tense
3
Bittersweet
5
Warm
3
Other
14

How their films linger

Feel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet8
  • 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 Dan Bucatinsky's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 42 of their 49 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dan Bucatinsky'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

70 credits, 49 with a MovieCove page; 9 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Highest Stakes(2026)

    as Dr. Scott Stevens

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • elle/elle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Mid-Century Modern(2025)

    Show 2 episodes · Writer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all shows

  • Our Little Secret(2024)

    as Leonard

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Elsbeth(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Kidder Hawes

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Air(2023)

    as Richard

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Grotto(2022)

    as Kip Gorman

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Pictionary(2022)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • How I Met Your Father(2022)

    Show 2 episodes · as Fred

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all shows

  • The Sex Lives of College Girls(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Marawitz

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Hacks(2021)

    Show 10 episodes · as Rob

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Rebel(2021)

    Show 4 episodes · as Professor Jason Erickson

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • The Baker and the Beauty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 9 episodes · as Lewis

  • Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • All Rise(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Tim Landy

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Second Act(2018)

    as Arthur Coyle

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • A Million Little Things(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Harrison

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • So Close (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2018)

    as Christopher

  • Every Act of Life(2018)

    as Dr. Jason Pepper (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Post(2017)

    as Joe Alsop

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Neil

  • The Good Doctor(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Spence

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • 24: Legacy(2016)

    Show 12 episodes · as Andy Shalowitz

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Nelson

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Superstore(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Steve

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Med(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Richard Evans

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Grace and Frankie(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Arnold

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Marry Me(2014)

    Show 14 episodes · as Kevin Two

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all shows

  • Mom(2013)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Scandal(2012)

    Show 29 episodes · as James Novak

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Web Therapy(2011)

    Show 33 episodes · Director · Creator · Producer · Writer · as Jerome Sokoloff

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The Other Woman(2009)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Who Do You Think You Are?(2010)

    Show 15 episodes · Producer

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • Web Therapy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 65 episodes · Creator · Producer · as Jerome Sokoloff

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Fred Zeitlin

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Lipstick Jungle(2008)

    Show 20 episodes · Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all shows

  • Dirt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Dillon Frawley

  • When Do We Eat?(2005)

    as High Strung Client

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Weeds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Max

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Comeback(2005)

    Show 29 episodes · Executive Producer · as Billy

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · Writer · as Jeffrey

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • The Best TV Shows That Never Were (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Narrator (voice)

  • Call Waiting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Producer

  • Picking Up & Dropping Off(2003)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • I Love Your Work(2003)

    as The Director

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • All Grown Up!(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as TV Doctor / Body Cast Man (voice)

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all shows

  • MDs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Kurt

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Oscar Serino

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Directed by Alan Smithee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Narrator

  • That '80s Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Rick

  • All Over the Guy(2001)

    Producer · Writer · as Eli Wyckoff

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Sky Is Falling(1999)

    as Lab Technician

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Man on the cell phone

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • M.Y.O.B. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 4 episodes · as Reuben

  • Will & Grace(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Neil

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all shows

  • The Wild Thornberrys(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Ramon (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • The Opposite of Sex(1998)

    as Timothy

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Significant Others (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Jenny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Carl

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Emery

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Casting Director · as Troy

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Politico Man

  • Party of Five(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Check Out Guy

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Another Midnight Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Bellhop

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Jewelry Clerk

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • 13 Going on 30 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • August (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

  • Carry Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show Creator

  • She Gets It from Me (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Executive Producer · Writer · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles, 67 of them dated from 1993 to 2026; peak year 2024.

Biggest box office

The Opposite of Sex (1998)

$5.9M worldwide

Highest rated

The Comeback (2005)

Midcredits 77th

Film career

MilestoneAward winNomination
19932026

Peak 2024 · their film career is on the way up. 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
Acting63 of 71: 57 only acting, 6 with another role · typical Midcredits score62ndWriting5 of 71: 1 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing9 of 71: 5 only producing, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score51stOther crew3 of 71: 1 only other crew, 2 with another role

71 titles, 7 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1990s12 · acting2000s21 · 18 acting · 7 crew2010s21 · 18 acting · 4 crew2020s13 · 12 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 17% of 6 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.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy from 8 major nominations, 2012–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
  2. 2019
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Structured Reality Program
  3. 2018
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Structured Reality Program
  4. 2017
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Structured Reality Program
  5. 2014
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Structured Reality Program
  6. 2013
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series
  7. 2012
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Reality Program
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Special Class - Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Programs

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 Dan Bucatinsky's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 15; across their 9 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Approval · how many liked their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Reach · how many have seen their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 9

Midcredits score across 49 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up18
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

23 of their 49 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved6
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive2
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser23
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor

Pictionary (2022)

94th percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hacks (2021)

Midcredits 95th · 91% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 77, detractors 43. 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 Dan Bucatinsky's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, every category sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Sex & Nudity5 titles25–57 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32

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 Dan Bucatinsky work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dan Bucatinsky's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Lisa Kudrow shares the most, 7.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles