David Strathairn

David Strathairn

Biography

David Russell Strathairn (born January 26, 1949) is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of journalist Edward R. Murrow in the feature film Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), for which he was nominated for an Academy Award. He also starred in L.A. Confidential (1997), Godzilla (2014), and the Bourne franchise (2007–2012).

Strathairn appeared in supporting roles in many notable films such as A League of Their Own (1992), Sneakers (1992), The Firm (1993), The River Wild (1995), Lincoln (2012), Nomadland (2020), and Nightmare Alley (2021). He is a frequent collaborator with director John Sayles, who is a fellow graduate of Williams College.

On television, Strathairn is known for his recurring roles in The Sopranos (2004), Alphas (2011–2012), The Blacklist (2015–2016), Billions (2017–2019), and The Expanse (2018–2019). He received a Primetime Emmy Award win and a Golden Globe Award nomination for his performance in the HBO television film Temple Grandin (2010).

🎬 Movies Featuring David Strathairn

Zootopia 2

Zootopia 2 (2025)

as Milton Lynxley (voice)
The Gettysburg Address

The Gettysburg Address (2025)

as Ralph Waldo Emerson (voice)
UFO

UFO (2018)

as Franklin Ahls
Darkest Hour

Darkest Hour (2017)

as President Roosevelt (voice)
American Pastoral

American Pastoral (2016)

as Nathan Zuckerman
He Does Not Want Peace

He Does Not Want Peace (2016)

as Richard Englebright
Louder Than Bombs

Louder Than Bombs (2015)

as Richard Weissman
Godzilla

Godzilla (2014)

as Admiral William Stenz
Lincoln@Gettysburg

Lincoln@Gettysburg (2013)

as Narrator (voice)
Lincoln

Lincoln (2012)

as William Seward
The Tempest

The Tempest (2010)

as King Alonso
Howl

Howl (2010)

as Ralph McIntosh
Area 51 Declassified

Area 51 Declassified (2010)

as Himself - Narrator
Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin (2010)

as Professor Carlock
No Image

Matadors (2010)

as Roman Lodari
Cold Souls

Cold Souls (2009)

as Dr. Flintstein
Steel Toes

Steel Toes (2007)

as Danny Dunkelman
Fracture

Fracture (2007)

as Joe Lobruto
We Are Marshall

We Are Marshall (2006)

as President Dedmon
Heavens Fall

Heavens Fall (2006)

as Judge James Horton
No Image

The Shovel (2006)

as Paul Mullin
Missing in America

Missing in America (2005)

as Henry R. Hocknell Jr.
Los Angeles Plays Itself

Los Angeles Plays Itself (2004)

as Pierce Patchett in L.A. Confidential (archive footage)
Twisted

Twisted (2004)

as Dr. Melvin Frank
Paradise

Paradise (2004)

as Reverend Bobby Paradise
Speakeasy

Speakeasy (2002)

as Bruce Hickman
The Victim

The Victim (2001)

as Mark Zingerline
A Good Baby

A Good Baby (2000)

as Truman Lester
Freedom Song

Freedom Song (2000)

as Peter Crowley
Limbo

Limbo (1999)

as Joe Gastineau
Bad Manners

Bad Manners (1998)

as Wes Westlund
The Giraffe

The Giraffe (1998)

as Charles Kaminski
Simon Birch

Simon Birch (1998)

as Rev. Russell
The Climb

The Climb (1998)

as Earl Himes
L.A. Confidential

L.A. Confidential (1997)

as Pierce Patchett
Mother Night

Mother Night (1996)

as Bernard B. O'Hare
Losing Isaiah

Losing Isaiah (1995)

as Charles Lewin
April One

April One (1994)

as John McCowan
The Firm

The Firm (1993)

as Ray McDeere
The American Clock

The American Clock (1993)

as Young Arthur Huntington
Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts (1992)

as Mack Laflin
O Pioneers!

O Pioneers! (1992)

as Carl Linstrum
Judgment

Judgment (1990)

as Father Frank Aubert
Memphis Belle

Memphis Belle (1990)

as Craig Harriman
Heat Wave

Heat Wave (1990)

as Bill Thomas
The Feud

The Feud (1989)

as The Stranger
Day One

Day One (1989)

as J. Robert Oppenheimer
Eight Men Out

Eight Men Out (1988)

as Eddie Cicotte
Matewan

Matewan (1987)

as Police Chief Sid Hatfield
Broken Vows

Broken Vows (1987)

as Stuart Chase
Iceman

Iceman (1984)

as Dr. Singe
Lovesick

Lovesick (1983)

as Marvin Zuckerman