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Jon Gries

Jon Gries

Actor, also producer · Born June 17, 1957 (69) · Glendale, California, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award winner · 1 other major award body

An American actor, writer and director. He is known for his role in Napoleon Dynamite as Uncle Rico, and more recently "Lost" as Roger Linus, "Taken" as Casey, and "The Pretender" as Broots. From early roles like Lazlo Hollyfeld in "Real Genius" to the suspicious Greg Hunt in "White Lotus" his career spans across genres, showcasing his talent in both comedic and dramatic roles.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 17, 1957 (69)
From
Glendale, California, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
94 on MovieCove · 132 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 6% in 30 days

What are Jon Gries' films like?

Across their 54 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy16 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 43rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Crime5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Crime movies
Adventure4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 18th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Biography movies
Thriller2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 12th percentile
: browse their Thriller 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
24%
Self
24%
Morality
18%
Power
13%
Survival
11%
Society
8%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception9 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom7 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 50 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 21 · Serious 17 · Dark 12

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 24 · Stylized 22 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 13 · Charged 24 · Intense 13

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

Steady 17 · Shifting 30 · Whiplash 3

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

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 22 · Some laughs 13 · Funny 15

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

Slow burn 20 · Even-paced 23 · Relentless 7

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

A split, not a type: Casual 25 · Engaged 22 · Full focus 3

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

Resolved 37 · Open-ended 6 · Ambiguous 7

Roles they play

19 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 5 of 19 analyzed roles.

Shadow
5 of 19
Ally
4 of 19
Trickster
3 of 19
Hero
3 of 19
Threshold guardian
2 of 19
Shapeshifter
1 of 19
Mentor
1 of 19
Show the 19 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
27
Absurd
22
Melancholic
17
Joyful
14
Thrilling
14
Other
50

How their films linger

Fun20 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy22
  • Bittersweet17
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous13

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 Gries' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 63 of their 94 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (29).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Jon Gries' 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

132 credits, 94 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Carolina Caroline(2025)

    as Hank Daniels

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Tuesday's Flu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Actor

  • Devil May Cry(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Hopper / Demon 1 (voice) · as Hopper / Protester (voice) · as Pres. Hopper / Late Night Host (voice) · as Pres. Hopper / Soldier (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • It's Florida, Man(2024)

    Show 1 episode · as Denver

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Solvent(2024)

    as Gunner S. Holbrook

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Fallout(2024)

    Show 4 episodes · as Biff

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Bits (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Actor

  • Only the Good Survive(2023)

    as Cult Leader

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The White Lotus(2021)

    Show 14 episodes · as Greg Hunt

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Wish Upon a Unicorn(2020)

    as Bud

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • 3 Days with Dad(2019)

    as Tim

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Glass Jaw(2018)

    as Sam Austin

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • All About the Money(2017)

    as Jon Waters

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Axe Murders of Villisca(2016)

    as Greg

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Dream Corp LLC (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 28 episodes · as Dr. Roberts

  • Battle for Incheon: Operation Chromite(2016)

    as Hoyt Vandenberg

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Falsely Accused(2016)

    as Gus

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • Durant's Never Closes(2016)

    as Dizzy Dean

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Endgame(2015)

    as Principal Thomas

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Pass the Light(2015)

    as Franklin

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Americons(2015)

    as Billy

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Taken 3(2014)

    as Mark Casey

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Bad Turn Worse(2013)

    as Sheriff Shep

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • The Last Survivors(2014)

    as Carson

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Locker 13(2014)

    as Archie

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Eternity: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Barry Goldfield, Jr.

  • Faults(2014)

    as Terry

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Skinwalker Ranch(2013)

    as Hoyt

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Byron's Theme (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • A True Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Richard Simpkins

  • The Bridge(2013)

    Show 4 episodes · as Bob

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Noobz(2012)

    as Greg Lipstein

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Taken 2(2012)

    as Mark Casey

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Unicorn City(2012)

    as Shadow Hawk

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Five Time Champion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Melvin Glee

  • Napoleon Dynamite(2012)

    Show 6 episodes · as Uncle Rico (voice)

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all shows

  • Deep in the Heart(2012)

    as Dick Wallrath

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Redemption: For Robbing the Dead(2011)

    as Tom Sutter

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Smell of Success(2009)

    as Early Dunchamp

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Natural Selection(2011)

    as Peter

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-0(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Liam Miller

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Nikita(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as The Engineer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Pickin' and Grinnin' (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director

  • Good Intentions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Sheriff Ernie

  • Crazy on the Outside(2010)

    as Edgar

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Elsewhere(2009)

    as Mr. Tod

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Around June (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Murry

  • So Long Jimmy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Levi Franklin

  • South of Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Hood 1

  • Sons of Anarchy(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Magoo

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Bar Starz(2008)

    as Ricky Fabulous

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Taken(2008)

    as Mark Casey

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

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

    as Colin York

  • The Comebacks(2007)

    as Barber

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

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

    Actor

  • September Dawn(2007)

    as John D. Lee

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • American Pastime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Ed Tully

  • The Astronaut Farmer(2006)

    as FBI Agent Killbourne

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Car Babes(2006)

    as Gary

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Psych(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Strabinsky

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Stick It(2006)

    as Brice Graham

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • The Sasquatch Gang(2006)

    as Chilcutt

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Martin Creaser

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Waterborne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Ritter

  • Sledge: The Untold Story(2005)

    as Donald Buckheim

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Last Best Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Bernard Wheeler

  • CSI: NY(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim Warren

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Lost(2004)

    Show 7 episodes · as Roger Linus

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Napoleon Dynamite(2004)

    as Uncle Rico

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bill Shepard

  • The Rundown(2003)

    as Harvey

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Las Vegas(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Greg Walker

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Carnivàle(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Texas Ranger

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Snow Walker(2003)

    as Pierce

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Northfork(2003)

    Producer · as Arnold

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Big Empty(2003)

    as Elron

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Beatnicks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as B Cool

  • The Pretender: Island of the Haunted(2001)

    as Broots

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • 24(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Joseph Wald

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Jackpot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Sunny Holiday / Glen Allen Johnson

  • The Pretender 2001 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Broots

  • Twin Falls Idaho(1999)

    Associate Producer · as Lawyer Jay Harrison

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Men in Black(1997)

    as Van Driver

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

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

    as Bill Summers

  • The Maze (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Dr. Holmes

  • The Pretender(1996)

    Show 86 episodes · Director · as Broots

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Race Against Time: The Search for Sarah(1996)

    as Steve

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Get Shorty(1995)

    as Ronnie Wingate

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Strange Luck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Bloom

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Marty Nesmith

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Kimball

  • Bakersfield P.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Ray Coombs

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Salvatore Matola

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Ed and His Dead Mother(1993)

    as Rob Sundheimer

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Four Eyes and Six-Guns(1992)

    as Deputy Elmo (as Jonathan Gries)

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Martin(1992)

    Show 54 episodes · as Shawn McDermott · as Shawn McDermott /Innkeeper

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • Fever(1991)

    as Bobby

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills, 90210(1990)

    Show 4 episodes · as Dope Dealer

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Grifters(1990)

    as Drunk's Friend

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Rainbow Drive(1990)

    as Azzolini

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Pucker Up and Bark Like a Dog(1989)

    as Max (as Jonathan Gries)

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kill Me Again(1989)

    as Alan Swayzie

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Seinfeld(1989)

    Show 2 episodes · as Homeless Man

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Quantum Leap(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Flash McGrath

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Tattingers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Fright Night Part 2(1988)

    as Louie

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Jake and the Fatman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Tour of Duty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Monster Squad(1987)

    as Desperate Man

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • Number One with a Bullet(1987)

    as Bobby Sweet

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Hotel Desk Clerk

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Running Scared(1986)

    as Det. Tony Montoya

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • TerrorVision(1986)

    as O.D.

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "Shelter Skelter")

  • Real Genius(1985)

    as Lazlo Hollyfeld

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • High School U.S.A.(1984)

    as Leo Bandini

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • High School U.S.A.(1983)

    as Dirty Curt

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • September Gun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Brian Brian

  • Joysticks(1983)

    as King Vidiot

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Falcon Crest(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Stone

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Swap Meet (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Doug

  • 240-Robert (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Brad

  • More American Graffiti(1979)

    as Ron

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Sunnyside(1979)

    as Wild Child

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Mulligan's Stew (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Chicken Chronicles (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Tom

  • Helter Skelter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as William Garretson

  • The Jeffersons(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Will Penny(1967)

    as Horace

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Bicentennial Curious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Mick Jones

  • The Knife Thrower (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Lew Schätze

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 132 titles, 130 of them dated from 1967 to 2026; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Men in Black (1997)

$589M worldwide

Highest rated

Taken (2008)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

The White Lotus (2021)

Film career

MilestoneAward win
19672026

Peak 2013 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 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
Acting131 of 132: 129 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thDirecting2 of 132: 1 only directing, 1 with another roleProducing1 of 132: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s8 · acting1980s21 · acting1990s19 · 19 acting · 2 crew2000s36 · acting2010s35 · 34 acting · 1 crew2020s10 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 45 roles
6787970712

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 Screen Actors Guild Award from 3 major nominations, 2005–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  2. 2023
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  3. 2005
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Male

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 Gries' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 37th percentile, the median of all 67; across their 50 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 39th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Approval · how many liked their films

47thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Reach · how many have seen their films

72ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 50

Midcredits score across 94 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up26
  • 50th to 74th20
  • 25th to 49th27
  • Below 25th21

Shape of the crowd

33 of their 94 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive6
  • Cult Classic8
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed33

Most divisive · actor

Bar Starz (2008)

99th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Taken (2008)

Midcredits 95th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 46 reviewed titles; fans 77, 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 Gries' work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles17–74 · median 52 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles23–58 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity15 titles27–76 · median 48 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs12 titles16–66 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense13 titles10–73 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Gries work with?

People who share at least 2 of Jon Gries' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Michael Polish shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles