Gary Basaraba - Actor Profile

Gary Basaraba

Acting
Freshness: Jan 22, 2026
43Total Films
8.2 Highest Rated
Born: Mar 16, 1959
Birth Place: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

About Gary Basaraba

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Gary Basaraba (born March 16, 1959) is a Canadian actor best known for playing American police officers. He appeared as Sergeant Richard Santoro on Steven Bochco's Brooklyn South and Officer Ray Heckler on Boomtown. According to the DVD commentary for the first season of the police drama Boomtown, he did most of his driving stunts in the series and he made sure he accurately portrayed police procedures. Basaraba played Heywood Broun, one of the greatest American journalists of the 20th Century, in Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle in 1994. He played Sheriff Grady Kilgore in Fried Green Tomatoes. He also played Saint Andrew in The Last Temptation of Christ, and had a role in Sweet Dreams. Basaraba played Homer Zuckerman in the remake of Charlotte's Web. Basaraba also portrayed the father, Jack Grainger, in One Magic Christmas, opposite Mary Steenburgen. Since 2007, he has appeared in the Canadian television series Mixed Blessings. Basaraba has also made three appearances in the Law & Order franchise, as a bartender in the original series titled "Point of View", as a corrections officer in the Law and Order episode "The Brotherhood" in 2004 and in the fifth season of SVU. It has been announced that Basaraba will be the voice of Hefty Smurf in the live-action/CG family film The Smurfs.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Gary Basaraba reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 43 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Gary Basaraba'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 37% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Gary Basaraba remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in A Horse for Danny, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Gary Basaraba Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Gary Basaraba's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Gary Basaraba.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2023 Killers of the Flower Moon Detective Burns Hit Similar →
2023 Sound of Freedom Earl Buchanan Super Hit Similar →
2019 The Irishman Frank 'Fitz' Fitzsimmons Super Hit Similar →
2018 Little Italy Vince Hit Similar →
2018 American Animals Warren Lipka Senior Hit Similar →
2017 Suburbicon Uncle Mitch Average Similar →
2016 The Accountant Don Hit Similar →
2016 Dallas, Sunday Morning Jack Ruby Flop Similar →
2013 The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow Hefty Smurf (voice) Hit Similar →
2013 The Smurfs 2 Hefty Smurf (voice) Average Similar →
2012 Hornet's Nest Seth Flop Similar →
2011 The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol Hefty (voice) Hit Similar →
2011 The Smurfs Hefty Smurf (voice) Average Similar →
2009 The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 Jerry Pollard, motorman Average Similar →
2008 Recount Clay Roberts Hit Similar →
2006 Charlotte's Web Homer Zuckerman Average Similar →
2006 Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise Norman Shaw Hit Similar →
2002 K-9: P.I. Pete Timmons Average Similar →
2002 Unfaithful Detective Mirojnick Hit Similar →
2002 Recipe for Murder - Flop Similar →
2002 Guilty Hearts Matt Moran Flop Similar →
1999 Holy Joe Ernie Blevins Flop Similar →
1998 Moments of Discovery: The Making of Fried Green Tomatoes Self Flop Similar →
1997 Lifebreath John Average Similar →
1997 The Advocate's Devil - Average Similar →
1997 Dead Silence Shephard Wilcox Average Similar →
1997 What Happened to Bobby Earl? Jack Dietrick Average Similar →
1996 Striptease Alberto Average Similar →
1995 A Horse for Danny Solly Super Hit Similar →
1994 The War Dodge Hit Similar →
1994 Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle Heywood Broun Average Similar →
1993 For Their Own Good Roy Wheeler Average Similar →
1992 Afterburn Bill Decker Flop Similar →
1992 The Dark Wind Larry Flop Similar →
1991 Fried Green Tomatoes Grady Kilgore Super Hit Similar →
1991 In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas Leland Winters Average Similar →
1989 Poison Candy Barkeeper Flop Similar →
1988 The Last Temptation of Christ Andrew, Apostle Hit Similar →
1987 Who's That Girl Shipping Clerk Average Similar →
1986 No Mercy Joe Collins Average Similar →
1985 One Magic Christmas Jack Grainger Average Similar →
1985 Sweet Dreams Woodhouse Hit Similar →
1985 Alamo Bay Leon Average Similar →

Gary Basaraba - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Gary Basaraba?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Gary Basaraba is "A Horse for Danny" with a rating of 8.2/10.

How many movies has Gary Basaraba acted in?

Gary Basaraba has been featured in at least 43 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Gary Basaraba?

Other notable films include "Sound of Freedom", "Fried Green Tomatoes", and "The Irishman".