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Dennis Christopher

Dennis Christopher

Actor · Born December 2, 1950 (75) · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

BAFTA Award winner · Golden Globe nominee

Dennis Christopher (born Dennis Carrelli on December 2, 1955) is an American actor. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is known for playing Dave Stoller in Breaking Away and tragic film buff psychopath Eric Binford in Fade to Black. His Golden Globe-nominated breakthrough role was as Dave Stohler in the coming-of-age classic Breaking Away (1979). Other roles include American track star Charlie Paddock in Chariots of Fire, and Fade to Black, science fiction movies like Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II. He has appeared in nearly 40 movies and made-for-TV movies since 1975. Television roles include "Jack of All Trades" in the Profiler TV series, Eddie Kaspbrak in Stephen King's It, Desmond Floyd in Jake Speed, and in the HBO series Deadwood. Christopher has guest starred in two Star Trek episodes: the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "The Search (Part II)" and the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Detained". He also guest-starred as the demon-sorcerer Cyvus Vail in three episodes of Angel. Christopher had a reunion with Breaking Away "father" Paul Dooley, again as his son, in an episode of TV's Law & Order: Criminal Intent. The two had first played father and son in Robert Altman's A Wedding. In December 2006 he played Dr. Martin Ruber in the Sci Fi Channel miniseries The Lost Room.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 2, 1950 (75)
From
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
53 on MovieCove · 80 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 9% in 30 days

What are Dennis Christopher's films like?

Across their 22 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 16th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Self
34%
Bonds
21%
Survival
13%
Morality
13%
Power
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
4%
Identity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 12 · Serious 3 · Dark 5

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 5

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 8 · Charged 7 · Intense 5

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

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 6 · Whiplash 6

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

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 12 · 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 10 · Even-paced 9 · 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 11 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 15 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 4 of 12 analyzed roles.

Shadow
4 of 12
Hero
3 of 12
Trickster
2 of 12
Ally
1 of 12
Threshold guardian
1 of 12
Mentor
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Warm
8
Absurd
8
Melancholic
6
Dread
4
Other
15

How their films linger

Bittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous3
  • Cyclical1

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 Dennis Christopher's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 36 of their 53 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dennis Christopher'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

80 credits, 53 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Graves(2016)

    Show 4 episodes · as Martin Treadwell

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • Battle at Versailles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Actor

  • Prisoners(2013)

    as Mr. Jones (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Django Unchained(2012)

    as Leonide Moguy

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Perception(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Gorman

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Unforgettable(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Lukas Emminger

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all shows

  • Queen of the Lot(2010)

    as Odin Johannessen

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Lost Room(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Martin Ruber

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Trapped!(2006)

    as Adrien

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Abner Merriman

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Nine Lives (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Mikey

  • Deadwood(2004)

    Show 5 episodes · as Bellegarde

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Criminal Intent(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Coffman

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Enterprise(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Danik

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Rutledge

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Six Feet Under(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Lamb

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Ballad of Lucy Whipple(2001)

    as Joshua 'Carrots' Beale

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Homeless Guy · as Richard Dorsey

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • FreakyLinks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 13 episodes · as Vince J. Elsing

  • Roswell(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bobby Dupree

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Angel(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cyvus Vail

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Skeletons(1997)

    as Jim Norton

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Profiler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 28 episodes · as Jack of All Trades · as Jack of All Trades / Albert Newquay · as Sheriff Ed Post · as Sheriff Ed Post / Jack of All Trades

  • Tarzan: The Epic Adventures(1996)

    as Philip D'Arnot

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Tarzan: The Epic Adventures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 22 episodes · as Paul D’Arnot

  • The Silencers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Comdor

  • It's My Party(1996)

    as Douglas Reedy

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • The Sentinel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Anthony Bates

  • Pacific Blue(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Mortimer T. Anton

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Mind Rage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Steve

  • Deadly Invasion: The Killer Bee Nightmare(1995)

    as Beauchamp

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Watcher (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Aurora: Operation Intercept (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Victor Varenkov

  • Boys Life: Three Stories of Love, Lust, and Liberation(1994)

    as Mr. Reese (The Disco Years)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • New York Undercover(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Royce

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II(1994)

    as Leech

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Disco Years (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mr. Reese

  • Necronomicon: Book of Dead(1993)

    as Dale Porkel

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerard prosser

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Moon Over Miami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • SeaQuest 2032(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Ambassador Dillington

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Curaçao (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Friedrich (uncredited)

  • Doppelganger(1993)

    as Doctor Heller

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Deep Space Nine(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Borath

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Willing to Kill: The Texas Cheerleader Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Randy

  • Civil Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Jamie Berne

  • False Arrest(1991)

    as Wally Roberts

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Dead Women in Lingerie(1991)

    as Lapin

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • IT(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Eddie Kaspbrak

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Circuitry Man(1990)

    as Leech

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • A Sinful Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Nathan Flowers

  • Monsters(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Laurence Bauer

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Friends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as John

  • The Falling (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Damon

  • Jake Speed(1986)

    as Desmond Floyd

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Noel Bishop

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Flight of the Spruce Goose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Stan

  • The Equalizer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Nicholas Kostmayer

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Benjamin Wylie

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Henry Carlson · as Lyman Taggart

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Jack and the Beanstalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jack

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack

  • Don't Cry, It's Only Thunder(1982)

    as Brian Anderson

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Chariots of Fire(1981)

    as Charles Paddock

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Fade to Black(1980)

    as Eric Binford

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Last Word (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Ben Travis

  • Breaking Away(1979)

    as Dave Stoller

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • California Dreaming(1979)

    as T.T.

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Tales of the Unexpected(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Killer

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Elvis(1979)

    as Nick Adams

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • A Wedding(1978)

    as Hughie Brenner

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • September 30, 1955(1977)

    as Eugene

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • 3 Women(1977)

    as Soda Delivery Boy (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Bernice Bobs Her Hair(1976)

    as Charley

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Roma(1972)

    as The Hippie (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • The Young Graduates (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Pan

  • Blood and Lace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Pete

  • Didn’t You Hear? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Kevin

  • SILENCERS (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Comdor

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 80 titles, 79 of them dated from 1970 to 2016; peak year 1980.

Biggest box office

Django Unchained (2012)

$426M worldwide

Highest rated

Django Unchained (2012)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

IT (1990)

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutAward win
19702016

Peak 1980 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 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
Acting80 of 80: 80 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1970s13 · acting1980s16 · acting1990s31 · acting2000s12 · acting2010s7 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 19% of 16 roles
7181

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

a BAFTA Award from 2 major nominations, 1980.

WinNomination
  1. 1980
    • Golden Globe, nominated · New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male
    • BAFTA Award, won · Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Role

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 Dennis Christopher's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 28; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 44th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 53 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up22
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

22 of their 53 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser22
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

Queen of the Lot (2010)

87th percentile spread · 45% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Django Unchained (2012)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 19 reviewed titles; fans 76, detractors 37. 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 Dennis Christopher's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore7 titles28–94 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles10–57 · median 47 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles22–81 · median 50 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs5 titles27–50 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles38–84 · median 71 · intenseheavier 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 Dennis Christopher work with?

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

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors

Producers

Mixed roles