John Getz - Actor Profile

John Getz

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Oct 15, 1946
Birth Place: Davenport, Iowa, U.S.

About 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.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
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".