
John Getz
ActingAbout John Getz
John Getz (born October 15, 1946) is an American actor. Getz dropped out of college to attend the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. While working in a winery, he helped found the Theater Company in Napa County, California. His location in the grape-growing Napa Valley led to Getz's television debut in a made-for-television horror film Killer Bees. Killer Bees starred Gloria Swanson, Craig Stevens, Kate Jackson, and Edward Albert. Getz then moved to New York City, where he became active in local theater while doing an 18-month stint as Neil Johnson on the soap opera Another World. Getz appeared in The Happy Hooker and followed up with several other roles before starring in the Coen Brothers' neo-noir thriller Blood Simple. He played the doomed lover of a married woman (Frances McDormand) who woefully misinterprets his increasingly complex circumstances. Getz also appeared in The Fly and The Fly II as Stathis Borans, a science magazine editor who pays a heavy price for his curiosity. Also in 1989, he played a Marine Corps Major in Born on the Fourth of July. In 1991, Getz appeared as the unpleasant boyfriend of professional women in Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead and Curly Sue. In 1990, Getz appeared as a crime boss in the Charlie Sheen and Emilio Estevez spoof Men At Work. In 1994, he appeared in the film Playmaker, starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Rubin. In 2007, he had a role in David Fincher's film Zodiac. Also in 2007, he appeared in Bill Guttentag and Dan Sturman's documentary film Nanking as George Ashmore Fitch, head of the local YMCA and administrative director of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone. Getz also had a role in Fincher's film The Social Network, about the founding of Facebook. He appeared in the suspense thriller Elevator as a Wall Street executive trapped in an elevator with a group of strangers, one of whom has a bomb. Written and produced by Marc Rosenberg and directed by Stig Svendsen, Elevator was released in July 2012. He appeared in Trumbo (2015) as director Sam Wood. Through the decades, Getz has guest-starred in many television series, including Barney Miller and Three's Company, where he played Lee Tripper, brother of Jack Tripper. He has guest-starred in How I Met Your Mother, Prison Break, The King of Queens and Private Practice, and had recurring roles in Homeland, Timeless and Bosch. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Getz, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of John Getz reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of John Getz's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 22% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), John Getz remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Fear of the Flesh: The Making of The Fly, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best John Getz Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from John Getz's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of John Getz.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | The Dead Don't Hurt | Reverend Simpson | Hit | Similar → |
| 2019 | Body at Brighton Rock | Sheriff | Flop | Similar → |
| 2018 | Brampton's Own | Bart | Flop | Similar → |
| 2016 | Certain Women | Sheriff Rowles | Average | Similar → |
| 2015 | Trumbo | Sam Wood | Hit | Similar → |
| 2015 | The Perfect Guy | Renkin | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Jobs | Paul Jobs | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Desperate Acts of Magic | Don Tarzia | Flop | Similar → |
| 2013 | Elevator | Henry Barton | Flop | Similar → |
| 2011 | How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook? | Self / Sy | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2010 | The Social Network | Sy | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Superhero Movie | Lunatic Editor | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Hard Four | Blazedell Woodruff | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | Zodiac | Templeton Peck | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2007 | Nanking | George Fitch | Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Living 'til the End | Mr. Hines | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Fear of the Flesh: The Making of The Fly | Self | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2005 | Mystery Woman: Sing Me a Murder | Dan | Flop | Similar → |
| 2004 | A Day Without a Mexican | Senator Abercombie | Average | Similar → |
| 2003 | Hunger Point | David Hunter | Flop | Similar → |
| 2001 | Zenon: The Zequel | General Hammond | Average | Similar → |
| 2000 | Held for Ransom | Mr. Kirkland | Flop | Similar → |
| 1998 | Some Girl | Claire's Father | Flop | Similar → |
| 1997 | Painted Hero | Sheriff Acuff | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | Mojave Moon | Police Officer | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | A Friend's Betrayal | Dennis Hewitt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1996 | The Late Shift | Brandon Tartikoff | Average | Similar → |
| 1995 | Awake to Danger | Steve Murdock | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Fortunes of War | Franklin Hewitt | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | A Passion to Kill | Jerry | Flop | Similar → |
| 1994 | Untamed Love | Dan | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Playmaker | Eddie | Average | Similar → |
| 1994 | Betrayal of Trust | Curt | Average | Similar → |
| 1992 | In My Daughter's Name | Michael Elias | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Curly Sue | Walker McCormick | Average | Similar → |
| 1991 | Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead | Gus | Average | Similar → |
| 1990 | Men at Work | Maxwell Potterdam III | Average | Similar → |
| 1989 | Born on the Fourth of July | Marine Major - Vietnam | Hit | Similar → |
| 1989 | The Fly II | Stathis Borans | Average | Similar → |
| 1986 | The Fly | Stathis Borans | Hit | Similar → |
| 1985 | Blood Simple | Ray | Hit | Similar → |
| 1984 | Thief of Hearts | Ray Davis | Flop | Similar → |
| 1984 | Concrete Beat | Mickey Thompson | Flop | Similar → |
| 1982 | Not in Front of the Children | Dr. Paul Adams | Average | Similar → |
| 1982 | Muggable Mary: Street Cop | Dan Waters | Hit | Similar → |
| 1981 | Tattoo | Buddy | Flop | Similar → |
| 1981 | Kent State | Prof. Ted Arnold | Average | Similar → |
| 1977 | The Sentinel | Film Crew (uncredited) | Average | Similar → |
| 1975 | The Happy Hooker | Trout Fisherman | Flop | Similar → |
| 1974 | Killer Bees | Attendant | Flop | Similar → |
John Getz - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best movie of John Getz?
According to audience ratings, the best movie starring John Getz is "Fear of the Flesh: The Making of The Fly" with a rating of 8.0/10.
How many movies has John Getz acted in?
John Getz has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.
What are some other popular movies by John Getz?
Other notable films include "Zodiac", "How Did They Ever Make a Movie of Facebook?", and "The Fly".




