David Patrick Kelly - Actor Profile

David Patrick Kelly

Acting
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
50Total Films
7.7 Highest Rated
Born: Jan 23, 1951
Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan, USA

About David Patrick Kelly

David Patrick Kelly (born January 23, 1951) is an American actor, musician and lyricist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is best known for his role as the main antagonist Luther in the cult film The Warriors (1979). Kelly is also known for his collaborations with Spike Lee, in the films Malcolm X (1992), Crooklyn (1994), and Chi-Raq (2015), and with David Lynch, appearing in Wild at Heart (1990) as well as Twin Peaks (1990–91) and its 2017 revival. Kelly's other credits include roles in 48 Hrs. (1982), Commando (1985), The Crow (1994), The Funeral and Last Man Standing (both 1996), The Longest Yard (2005), as President Harry S. Truman in Flags of Our Fathers (2006), and a recurring role in The Blacklist (2015). Description above from the Wikipedia article David Patrick Kelly, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

David Patrick Kelly Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of David Patrick Kelly reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of David Patrick Kelly's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 38% of David Patrick Kelly's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains The Warriors, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best David Patrick Kelly Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from David Patrick Kelly's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie David Patrick Kelly has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2022 Adieu, Lacan Lacan Flop Similar →
2022 Asking For It Sheriff Morel Flop Similar →
2022 Ray Donovan: The Movie Matty Hit Similar →
2020 Paint David Crays Flop Similar →
2020 The Return of Tragedy Katebush Flop Similar →
2020 Fugitive Dreams Henri Gatien Hit Similar →
2020 Time Warp Vol. 1: Midnight Madness Self Hit Similar →
2019 VFW Doug McCarthy Average Similar →
2018 O.G. Larry Average Similar →
2017 The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair Self Hit Similar →
2017 A Pot of Boiling Oil Self Average Similar →
2017 John Wick: Chapter 2 Charlie Hit Similar →
2016 To Keep the Light Brackett Average Similar →
2015 Chi-Raq General King Kong Average Similar →
2014 John Wick Charlie Super Hit Similar →
2010 Madso's War Danny Driscoll Flop Similar →
2007 The Warriors: The Phenomenon Self Average Similar →
2007 The Warriors: The Way Home Self Average Similar →
2007 Gardener of Eden Pa Harris Flop Similar →
2006 Flags of Our Fathers President Truman Hit Similar →
2005 The Longest Yard Unger Hit Similar →
2003 Justice Marty Flop Similar →
2002 Personal Velocity Peter Average Similar →
2001 K-PAX Howie Hit Similar →
2001 Songcatcher Earl Giddens Average Similar →
1999 In Too Deep Rick Scott Average Similar →
1998 Twelfth Night Feste Flop Similar →
1997 Trojan War Bagman Average Similar →
1997 Cafe Society J. Roland Sala Flop Similar →
1996 Last Man Standing Doyle Average Similar →
1996 Flirting with Disaster Fritz Boudreau Average Similar →
1996 The Funeral Michael Stein Hit Similar →
1995 Heavy Grey Man in Hospital Hit Similar →
1994 Crooklyn Tony Eyes / Jim Hit Similar →
1994 The Crow T-Bird Super Hit Similar →
1993 Exterior Night Biff Average Similar →
1992 Malcolm X Mr. Ostrowski Super Hit Similar →
1990 Wild at Heart Dropshadow Hit Similar →
1990 The Adventures of Ford Fairlane Sam the Sleaze Bag Average Similar →
1989 Penn & Teller Get Killed Fan Average Similar →
1988 Cheap Shots Arnold Posner Flop Similar →
1987 The Misfit Brigade The Legionnaire Average Similar →
1985 Commando Sully Hit Similar →
1984 Beverly Hills Cop Luther (uncredited) Hit Similar →
1984 Dreamscape Tommy Ray Glatman Average Similar →
1982 48 Hrs. Luther Hit Similar →
1982 Hammett The Punk Average Similar →
1982 Working Copyboy Flop Similar →
1979 Sanctuary of Fear Audience Member Average Similar →
1979 The Warriors Luther Super Hit Similar →

David Patrick Kelly - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of David Patrick Kelly?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring David Patrick Kelly is "The Warriors" with a rating of 7.7/10.

How many movies has David Patrick Kelly acted in?

David Patrick Kelly has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by David Patrick Kelly?

Other notable films include "The Crow", "John Wick", and "Malcolm X".

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