James Keane - Actor Profile

James Keane

Acting
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 26, 1952
Birth Place: Buffalo, New York, USA

About James Keane

James Keane (born September 26, 1952) is an American film and television actor. He is known for playing the role of Willis Thomas Bell in the American drama television series The Paper Chase.

Known For: ActingIndustry Veteran

James Keane Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of James Keane 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 James Keane's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 40% of James Keane'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 Ambush Murders, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best James Keane Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from James Keane's career based on audience ratings.

★9.0
The Ambush Murders (1982) movie poster
★9.0

The Ambush Murders: An African-American political activist is wrongfully imprisoned for killing two white policemen; he is unwary of yet ano

The Ambush Murders

1982•TV Movie
★9.0
Life on the Mississippi (1980) movie poster
★9.0

Life on the Mississippi: Most mid-19th-century Mississippi River boys dreamed of occupying that pinnacle of power and glamour, the pilot house of

Life on the Mississippi

1980•Music
★8.3
Apocalypse Now (1979) movie poster
★8.3

Apocalypse Now: At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not ex

Apocalypse Now

1979•Drama
★8.0
Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2 (1998) movie poster
★8.0

Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2: Spawn - having become plagued by nightmares - discovers that his former Special Forces partner, Chapel, was the one who

Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2

1998•Action
★7.4
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) movie poster
★7.4

Close Encounters of the Third Kind: After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977•Sci-Fi

Full Filmography

Every movie James Keane has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2024 Megalopolis Laughing Man Flop Similar →
2019 The Rizen: Possession Extra Average Similar →
2016 Rules Don't Apply Tom Average Similar →
2014 Miss Meadows Father Peter Average Similar →
2013 Emit Graydon Wofford Flop Similar →
2011 Love's Christmas Journey Mr. Peters Hit Similar →
2011 Water for Elephants Chaplain Hit Similar →
2009 Crazy Heart Manager Hit Similar →
2008 A Gunfighter's Pledge Preacher Flop Similar →
2005 Silent Partner Senator Banner Flop Similar →
2003 Seabiscuit Car Customer Hit Similar →
2003 Assassination Tango Whitey Flop Similar →
2002 Hey Arnold! The Movie Marty Green / Riot Cop (voice) Hit Similar →
2002 Don't Let Go Wes Average Similar →
2001 The Vampire Hunters Club Jonathan White Flop Similar →
1998 Pleasantville Police Chief Dan Hit Similar →
1998 Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2 Sam Burke Super Hit Similar →
1998 Bulworth American Politics Director Average Similar →
1997 The Fumbleheads Veteran Cop Flop Similar →
1996 Journey Beneath the Sea Rick (voice) Flop Similar →
1996 Phenomenon Pete the Cop Hit Similar →
1995 Angus Coach Hit Similar →
1995 Here Come the Munsters Maitre d' Flop Similar →
1993 Coneheads Harv Average Similar →
1993 Falling Down Detective Keene Hit Similar →
1991 The Last Boy Scout Garage Patrolman Hit Similar →
1991 Talent for the Game Ray Coffey Average Similar →
1990 Dick Tracy Pat Patton Average Similar →
1989 New York Stories Jimmy Average Similar →
1986 Let's Get Harry Al King Average Similar →
1984 The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension Duck Hunter Bubba Average Similar →
1983 10 to Midnight Jerry Average Similar →
1982 The Sound of Murder - Flop Similar →
1982 48 Hrs. Vanzant Hit Similar →
1982 Cannery Row Eddie Average Similar →
1982 Pray TV Fats Flop Similar →
1982 The Ambush Murders Lambert Super Hit Similar →
1980 Life on the Mississippi - Super Hit Similar →
1980 Brubaker Pinky Hit Similar →
1979 The Rose Dealer Hit Similar →
1979 Apocalypse Now Kilgore's Gunner Super Hit Similar →
1979 Ike Corporal Average Similar →
1979 Love and Bullets Doctor Average Similar →
1978 Zero to Sixty Girlie Bar Bartender Flop Similar →
1978 Night Cries Charlie Average Similar →
1978 Uncle Joe Shannon Jeels Hit Similar →
1977 Close Encounters of the Third Kind Radio Telescope Team Hit Similar →
1977 Sunshine Christmas Hugh Bob Flop Similar →
1977 Intimate Strangers Rusty Fenton Flop Similar →
1975 Three Days of the Condor Store Clerk Hit Similar →

James Keane - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of James Keane?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring James Keane is "The Ambush Murders" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has James Keane acted in?

James Keane has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by James Keane?

Other notable films include "Life on the Mississippi", "Apocalypse Now", and "Todd McFarlane's Spawn 2".

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