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Robert Wisdom

Robert Wisdom

Actor · Born September 14, 1953 (73) · Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Screen Actors Guild Award nominee

Robert Ray Wisdom is an American actor, best known for his roles as Howard "Bunny" Colvin in the HBO drama series The Wire, Norman "Lechero" St. John in the Fox drama series Prison Break, and Harold Conway in the 2021 Hulu comedy film Vacation Friends. Wisdom was born in Washington, D.C., to Jamaican parents. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in history and economics. He worked as a producer for NPR's All Things Considered before pursuing a career in acting. Wisdom has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including That Thing You Do!, Face/Off, Ray, The Manchurian Candidate, and The Good Wife. He has also had recurring roles on the television series The Practice, NYPD Blue, and The Shield. In 2012, Wisdom was cast as a series regular in the ABC drama series Nashville. He played the role of Coleman Carlisle, a music producer. The show ran for four seasons. In 2021, Wisdom starred in the Hulu comedy film Vacation Friends. He played the role of Harold Conway, a couple's therapist who becomes involved in a wild weekend with two other couples. The film was a critical and commercial success. Wisdom is a versatile actor who has played a wide range of roles. He is a respected member of the acting community and has won numerous awards for his work, including a NAACP Image Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 14, 1953 (73)
From
Washington, District of Columbia, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
70 on MovieCove · 86 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 30% in 30 days

What are Robert Wisdom's films like?

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

Genres

Drama7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 42nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 10th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy 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
26%
Morality
26%
Self
16%
Survival
14%
Power
8%
Society
7%
Ideas
4%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 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 3 · Serious 6 · Dark 11

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

Grounded 14 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 0

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 13 · Intense 6

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

Steady 8 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 7 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 3

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 2

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 8
Shadow
2 of 8
Threshold guardian
2 of 8
Ally
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
19
Dread
11
Melancholic
10
Absurd
5
Contemplative
5
Other
19

How their films linger

Unsettling10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet14
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous9

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 Robert Wisdom's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 51 of their 70 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (14).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Robert Wisdom'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

86 credits, 70 with a MovieCove page.

  • Dreams in Nightmares(2024)

    as Virgil

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Terminal List: Dark Wolf(2025)

    Show 6 episodes · as Jed Haverford

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Accused(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Mitch Becker

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Black Bird(2022)

    Show 4 episodes · as Edmund Beaumont

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Dak'Reh

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • A Journal for Jordan(2021)

    as Sgt. T.J. Canedy

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Vacation Friends(2021)

    as Harold

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Helstrom(2020)

    Show 10 episodes · as Henry / Caretaker

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Motherless Brooklyn(2019)

    as Billy Rose

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Watchmen(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Seymour

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Hot Zone(2019)

    Show 6 episodes · as Vernon Tucker

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • The Fix(2019)

    Show 7 episodes · as Buck Neal

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Barry(2018)

    Show 11 episodes · as Jim Moss

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Beast of Burden(2018)

    as Mallory

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Alienist(2018)

    Show 18 episodes · as Cyrus Montrose

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • Unforgettable(2017)

    as Detective Pope

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Live Cargo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Roy

  • Flaked(2016)

    Show 13 episodes · as George

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • Rosewood(2015)

    Show 7 episodes · as Gerald Kelly

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Ballers(2015)

    Show 20 episodes · as Dennis

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • 12 Monkeys(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Jeremy

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Loft(2014)

    as Detective Cohagan

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Legends(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as Conrad Tomlin

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 7 episodes · as Ron Perry

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Nashville(2012)

    Show 21 episodes · as Coleman Carlisle

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Freelancers(2012)

    as Terrence Burke

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • The Dark Knight Rises(2012)

    as Army Captain at Bridge

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Rampart(2011)

    as Captain

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Passion Play(2010)

    as Malcolm

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Happy Town(2010)

    Show 8 episodes · as Detective Roger Hobbs

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Sympathy for Delicious(2010)

    as Prendell

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Collector(2009)

    as Roy

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Lie to Me(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Bonds

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Burn Notice(2007)

    Show 7 episodes · as Vaughn Anderson

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Sex and Death 101(2007)

    as Alpha

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Hawk Is Dying(2006)

    as Billy Bob

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Freedom Writers(2007)

    as Dr. Carl Cohn

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Earl Godchaux

  • Close to Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Reverend Scofield

  • How I Met Your Mother(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as McCracken

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Supernatural(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · as Uriel

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Mozart and the Whale(2005)

    as Blume

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Prison Break(2005)

    Show 13 episodes · as Norman "Lechero" St. John

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Hamilton

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Ray(2004)

    as Jack Lauderdale

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Forgotten(2004)

    as Carl Dayton

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Haven(2004)

    as Mr. Sterling

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Century City (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Barbershop 2: Back in Business(2004)

    as Alderman Brown

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Killer Diller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Moker

  • Duplex(2003)

    as Officer Dan

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Gene Halsey

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Masked and Anonymous(2003)

    as Lucius

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Kingpin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Live from Baghdad(2002)

    as Bernard Shaw

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Chronic (Daryl C. Norcott)

  • The Wire(2002)

    Show 27 episodes · as Howard 'Bunny' Colvin

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Coastlines(2002)

    as Bob Johnson

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Storytelling(2001)

    as Mr. Scott

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Dancing at the Blue Iguana(2000)

    as Eddie

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Banga

  • Osmosis Jones(2001)

    as Big Germ (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Rocky Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Michael Jones

  • Hollywood Palms(2001)

    as The Dutchman

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The District (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Broyles

  • The Heist(2000)

    as Slim

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Theo Burdett

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Mighty Joe Young(1998)

    as Kweli

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Three Businessmen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Leroy Jasper

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

    Show 1 episode · as Prospero

  • Cracker: Mind Over Murder(1997)

    Show 16 episodes · as Detective Danny Watlington

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all shows

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

    as Detective Williams

  • Face/Off(1997)

    as Tito Biondi

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Jamaica Beat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Inspector Sterling

  • Volcano(1997)

    as O.E.M. Staffer #2

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • That Thing You Do!(1996)

    as Bobby Washington

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Lifeform(1996)

    as Colonel Jessie Pratt

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • If These Walls Could Talk(1996)

    as Policeman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Arli$$(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Donny Thurman

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all shows

  • Poltergeist: The Legacy(1996)

    Show 3 episodes · as Daniel Euwara

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Lieutenant Williams

  • Sahara(1995)

    as Tambul

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Cosmic Slop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Captain Jackson (segment 'The First Commandment')

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Hammond

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Clean Slate(1994)

    as Mort

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Poirot(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Waiter

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles from 1989 to 2026; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

The Forgotten (2004)

$118M worldwide

Highest rated

Black Bird (2022)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf (2025)

Film career

19892026

Peak 2004 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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
Acting86 of 86: 86 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score61st

By decade

1980s1 · acting1990s19 · acting2000s35 · acting2010s23 · acting2020s8 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 27 roles
94040914

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

Nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2024, Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble 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 Robert Wisdom's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 38th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 42nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

42ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

83rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 70 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up29
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th22
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

27 of their 70 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved14
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser27
  • Broadly Agreed4
  • Mixed19

Most divisive · actor

Passion Play (2010)

86th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 66/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 76, 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 Robert Wisdom's work okay for kids?

Across up to 13 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 & Gore8 titles36–92 · median 76 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity13 titles25–74 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles30–69 · median 49 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles34–61 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles32–88 · 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 Robert Wisdom work with?

People who share at least 2 of Robert Wisdom's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ron Underwood shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers