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Joe Spano

Joe Spano

Actor · Born July 7, 1946 (80) · San Francisco, California, USA

Joseph Peter "Joe" Spano (born July 7, 1946) is an American actor who came to prominence through his role as Lt. Henry Goldblume on Hill Street Blues and is now well known for his work on NCIS as FBI Special Agent Tobias Fornell. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 7, 1946 (80)
From
San Francisco, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
54 on MovieCove · 76 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 10% in 30 days

What are Joe Spano's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama12 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 27th percentile
: browse their Action 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
Morality
31%
Bonds
21%
Survival
21%
Self
15%
Society
11%
Power
2%
Survival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDuty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 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 2 · Serious 8 · Dark 10

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

Grounded 18 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 12 · Intense 7

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 1

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 19 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 1

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

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 10 · 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 11 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 8
Mentor
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
1 of 8
Shadow
1 of 8
Herald
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
10
Hopeful
7
Contemplative
4
Dread
3
Other
10

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet11
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

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 Joe Spano's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 28 of their 54 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Pluto TV (10).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joe Spano'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

76 credits, 54 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Hoppers(2026)

    as Ancient Beavertonian (voice)

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • My Billionaire Ever After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    Show 1 episode · as Jordan Woods

  • FBI: Most Wanted(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Shooting Victim #4 (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • Pearson(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Allen

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all shows

  • Skeletons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Harvey Diedrich

  • NCIS: New Orleans(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as T.C. Fornell

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Frost/Nixon(2008)

    as Network Executive

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Greg Relin

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • In Plain Sight(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabe Andrews / Gabe Marion

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • Fracture(2007)

    as Judge Pincus

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Shark(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Faber

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Hollywoodland(2006)

    as Howard Strickling

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Closer(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Rose

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Judge William Massey

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 56 episodes · as T.C. Fornell

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Henry Stein

  • Hart's War(2002)

    as Col. J.M. Lange

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Texas Rangers(2001)

    as Mr. Dunnison

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Crossing Jordan(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Innis

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Ticker(2001)

    as Captain Winters

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Static Shock(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Osgood (voice)

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Jonathan Freid

  • The Invisible Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Tom Moore

  • Blessed Art Thou(2000)

    as Duncan

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • ATF(1999)

    as Senator at Hearing (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Batman Beyond(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bennet (voice) · as Boss (voice) · as Sniper / Doctor #2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 3 episodes · as Dr. Carroll

  • Logan's War: Bound by Honor(1998)

    as Special Agent John Downing

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Mercy Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 8 episodes · as Dr. DeMilla

  • L.A. Doctors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Don Claybourne

  • Break Up(1998)

    as Priest

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • From the Earth to the Moon(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as George Mueller

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • In Quiet Night (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Gold

  • A Call to Remember(1997)

    as Dr. Green

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Her Costly Affair(1996)

    as Carl Weston

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · as Mike Ramdak

  • Primal Fear(1996)

    as Stenner

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Nash Bridges(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as FBI Agent Langdon

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Murphy

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Murder One(1995)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ray Velacek

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Rave Review (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Lou

  • Apollo 13(1995)

    as NASA Director

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Amazing Grace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 5 episodes · Actor

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as James Cooper

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

  • The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?(1993)

    as Richard Koons

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 4 episodes · as John Clark Sr.

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mike Millar

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Bloodlines: Murder in the Family(1993)

    as Hal Leventhal

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Fever(1991)

    as Junkman

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • For the Very First Time(1991)

    as Mr. Allen

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • The Summer My Father Grew Up(1991)

    as Louis

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Great Los Angeles Earthquake(1990)

    as Chad Spaulding

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • American Dreamer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Policeman

  • The Girl Who Came Between Them(1990)

    as Jim

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Easter Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Jesus (voice)

  • Cast the First Stone(1989)

    as Bill Spencer

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Disaster at Silo 7(1988)

    as Sgt. Swofford

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Deep Dark Secrets(1987)

    as Eric Lloyd

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as George Ripley

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • The Brotherhood of Justice(1986)

    as Principal Bob Grootemat

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Terminal Choice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Dr. Frank Holt

  • The Incredible Shrinking Woman(1981)

    as Guard

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 146 episodes · as Henry Goldblume

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Fighting Back: The Story of Rocky Bleier(1980)

    as Captain Murphy

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Roadie(1980)

    as Ace

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Paris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Milton Levelle

  • Trapper John, M.D. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Northern Lights(1978)

    as John Sorensen

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Over-Under Sideways-Down (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Bit (uncredited)

  • Lou Grant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Ridgeway

  • The Enforcer(1976)

    as Mitch, Robber (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Warlock Moon(1973)

    as John Devers

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • American Graffiti(1973)

    as Vic

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • One Is a Lonely Number(1972)

    as Earl of Kent

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 94th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles from 1972 to 2026; peak year 1994.

Biggest box office

Primal Fear (1996)

$103M worldwide

Highest rated

Primal Fear (1996)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Hill Street Blues (1981)

Film career

19722026

Peak 1994 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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.

  • 1980Screen debut· Roadie
  • 1993First top-billed film· The Flood: Who Will Save Our Children?

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting76 of 76: 76 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54th

By decade

1970s10 · acting1980s10 · acting1990s32 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s3 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 9% of 11 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.

How do Joe Spano's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 34; across their 20 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 20

Approval · how many liked their films

29thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 54 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 54 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved9
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser21
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Blessed Art Thou (2000)

91st percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Primal Fear (1996)

Midcredits 97th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 61/100 in their films, across 15 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.

Who does Joe Spano work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joe Spano's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Larry Elikann shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers