Jay Karnes - Actor Profile

Jay Karnes

Acting
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
10Total Films
7.3 Highest Rated
Born: Jun 27, 1963
Birth Place: Omaha, Nebraska, USA

About Jay Karnes

​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.   Jay Karnes (born June 27, 1963) is an American actor, born in Omaha, Nebraska. He attended the University of Kansas (class of '89). He is well known for his role as L.A.P.D. Det. Holland "Dutch" Wagenbach on the FX hit drama The Shield, which finished its seventh (and final) season on November 25, 2008. In 2008 Karnes played the recurring role of ATF Agent Josh Kohn on FX Network's new original series Sons of Anarchy, created by writer/actor Kurt Sutter of The Shield. Karnes was an antagonist to SAMCRO vice president Jax Teller and his sometime girlfriend Tara Knowles. Two of the films he has starred in are The Joyriders (1999) and The Next Best Thing (2000). His most recent films are the 2008 movies Chasing 3000 and Broken Angel. Currently in 2011 he featured in season 2 of V (2009) and is set to appear as a main character in season 3. Jay Karnes has made guest appearances on several TV shows, including Frasier, Judging Amy, Chicago Hope, The Pretender, Star Trek: Voyager as Lieutenant Ducane in the fifth-season episode "Relativity", and House. Recently, he has had a recurring role on Burn Notice as Tyler Brennen, a sinister gunrunner with a predilection for kidnapping relatives of those he wishes to leverage. In the mid-1990s Karnes was a company member with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, playing major roles in such plays as Love's Labours Lost and Tom Stoppard's Arcadia.

Jay Karnes Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Jay Karnes reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 10 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

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

Success Ratio

Approximately 20% of Jay Karnes'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 Broken Angel, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Jay Karnes Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Jay Karnes's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Jay Karnes has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2019 Against the Clock Doctor Nelson Flop Similar →
2016 Before I Wake Peter Hit Similar →
2014 Jayhawkers Chancellor Franklin Murphy Flop Similar →
2011 Hide Charlie Marvin Flop Similar →
2011 Setup Russel Flop Similar →
2010 Leonie Dr. Rumely Average Similar →
2010 Chasing 3000 Adult Roger Average Similar →
2008 The Shield: Family Meeting Self Flop Similar →
2008 Broken Angel - Hit Similar →
1999 The Joyriders Donald Trout Flop Similar →

Jay Karnes - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Jay Karnes?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Jay Karnes is "Broken Angel" with a rating of 7.3/10.

How many movies has Jay Karnes acted in?

Jay Karnes has been featured in at least 10 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Jay Karnes?

Other notable films include "Before I Wake", "Chasing 3000", and "Leonie".

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