# Brett Cullen

Peter Brett Cullen (born August 26, 1956) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles as Dan Fixx in Falcon Crest (1986–1988), Sam Cain in The Young Riders (1989–1990), Governor Ray Sullivan in The West Wing (2005–2006), Goodwin Stanhope in Lost (2005–2008), Mark Keeler in Make It or Break It (2009–2012), Nathan Ingram in Person of Interest, and Michael Stappord in Devious Maids (2013–2015).

## Early life

Cullen was born August 26, 1956, in Houston, Texas, the son of Catherine and Lucien Hugh Cullen, an oil industry executive and part of one of the most famous and wealthiest oil families in the oil-rich history of Texas. He graduated from Madison High School in Houston in 1974, subsequently attending the University of Houston from which he graduated in 1979. His alma mater awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award in April 2012.
Cullen has given great credit to his highly acclaimed acting mentor and University of Houston professor, Cecil Pickett, who also mentored such Houston-born actors as Dennis Quaid, Randy Quaid, and Brent Spiner. Cullen and Dennis Quaid's close friendship, which continues to this day, dates back to the 1970s; it is Cullen who introduced Dennis Quaid to his former wife, Kimberly Buffington, at a dinner in Austin, Texas.

## Career

Cullen played Dan Fixx in the 1980s CBS drama Falcon Crest for two seasons (1986–88) and Sam Cain in the ABC western series The Young Riders for one season (1989–90). In 1980, he appeared as the second Gideon Chisholm in the last nine episodes of the CBS western miniseries The Chisholms. In the four earlier episodes, the Gideon Chisholm role was played by Brian Kerwin. Cullen was the lead actor as Ned Logan in the short-lived Legacy, which lasted for just one season (1998–99). On the series The West Wing Cullen played Ray Sullivan, a fictional former U.S. attorney, state attorney general, and governor of West Virginia and the Republican nominee for vice president.
His guest appearances on TV include: The Incredible Hulk, Tales from the Crypt, M*A*S*H, V, Matlock, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Ally McBeal, Walker, Texas Ranger, Once and Again, Without a Trace, Cold Case, The Mountain, Monk, CSI: Miami, NCIS, Desperate Housewives, Pepper Dennis, Criminal Minds, Lost, Ghost Whisperer, Private Practice, Ugly Betty, and Friday Night Lights. In 2009, he had a recurring role in the ABC Family television series Make It or Break It.
He played one of the CAPCOMs in Apollo 13 and real-life astronaut David Scott in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.

### Later work

In 1994, Cullen played a small role in Kevin Costner's Wyatt Earp. Subsequent film roles included Jamie Johnson in Something to Talk About, aspiring composer/hired escort Bryan in The Hired Heart 1997, the spoiled quarterback Eddie Martel in The Replacements (2000), Charlie Martin in the TV film version of On Golden Pond, Nancy's father Carson Drew in the TV film Nancy Drew, and Barton Blaze (father of Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider) in the 2007 film Ghost Rider.
In 2011, he played stepfather to Selena Gomez's character in the romantic comedy Monte Carlo, and in 2012, appeared as a congressman in the Batman film The Dark Knight Rises. He also played Tom Eckert, father of protagonists Jed and Matt, in the remake of Red Dawn (a role played in the original 1984 film by Harry Dean Stanton).
Cullen has found steady work in numerous television roles for many years. In addition to guest-starring roles in dozens of series, in 1983 he played Bob Cleary in the miniseries The Thorn Birds. In 1997, he was cast as Adam in a three-episode story arc on Suddenly Susan called "Love and Divorce American Style". The following year, he played love interest Luke Barton in the short-lived series The Simple Life opposite Judith Light. Later in 1998, the UPN television network gave him the starring role of family patriarch Ned Logan in the post-Civil War drama Legacy, which lasted 18 episodes before cancellation.
After 2000, he played small recurring roles in ABC's Once and Again, the low-rated series The Mountain, and as a detective in two episodes of Desperate Housewives. Cullen was awarded a meatier part on The West Wing in 2005–06, when he played West Virginia governor and vice presidential candidate Ray Sullivan. Later in 2006, he played a recurring role on Pepper Dennis, which was cancelled after its first season as well. He played a short-lived love interest of Vanessa Williams' Wilhelmina Slater on Ugly Betty in early 2007, and followed that up with a story arc as dad Walt Riggins on Friday Night Lights. Cullen had recurring roles in the series Lost, Damages, and The Gates between 2007 and 2010.
From 2011–16, Cullen played the flashback character Nathan Ingram on the hit series Person of Interest. He also plays Mark Keeler, father of Olympic gymnast hopefuls Payson and Becca Keeler, on the ABC Family series Make It or Break It.
On February 8, 2011, Cullen was named the official spokesman for Houston Works which helps Houston residents with job training and placement, scholarships, consulting, technical initiatives focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics and summer job programs along with Youth Summits.
In 2013, Cullen was cast in the television series Devious Maids, and in 2014 Cullen had recurring roles on the television series Revenge, Criminal Minds, and Under the Dome. He also starred in the film The Last Rescue.
In 2019, Cullen played Thomas Wayne in the film Joker.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | Stewardess School | Philo Henderson | |
| 1991 | By the Sword | Danny Gallagher | |
| 1991 | Where Sleeping Dogs Lie | John Whitney | |
| 1992 | Leaving Normal | Kurt | |
| 1993 | Prehysteria! | Frank Taylor | |
| 1994 | Wyatt Earp | Saddle Tramp | |
| 1995 | Apollo 13 | CAPCOM 1 | |
| 1995 | Something to Talk About | Jamie Johnson | |
| 1997 | The Killing Jar | Michael Sanford | |
| 1997 | Levitation | James | |
| 2000 | The Replacements | Eddie Martel | |
| 2003 | National Security | Heston | |
| 2003 | Learning Curves | Brad Sr. | |
| 2006 | Gridiron Gang | Frank Torrance | |
| 2007 | Ghost Rider | Barton Blaze | |
| 2007 | The Life Before Her Eyes | Paul McFee | |
| 2008 | Brothel | Avery | |
| 2008 | The Burning Plain | Robert | |
| 2009 | Killing Dinner | Michael Dinner | |
| 2009 | Reunion | Jake | |
| 2010 | Crooked Lane | Ben | |
| 2010 | The Runaways | Don Currie | |
| 2011 | Puncture | Nathaniel Price | |
| 2011 | Monte Carlo | Robert Kelly | |
| 2011 | Beneath the Darkness | Sergeant Phil Nickerson | |
| 2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | Congressman Byron Gilley | |
| 2012 | Living in the Age of Surveillance | Nathan Ingram | Short film; related to Person of Interest |
| 2012 | Red Dawn | Sergeant Tom Eckert | |
| 2012 | The Guilt Trip | Ben Graw | |
| 2013 | 42 | Clay Hopper | |
| 2015 | The Last Rescue | Captain Beckett | Straight-to-DVD film |
| 2016 | The Shallows | Mr. Adams | |
| 2018 | The Riot Act | Dr. Willard Pearrow | |
| 2018 | Marriage: Impossible (Kedba Bidaa) | Steve | |
| 2019 | The Turkey Bowl | Ed Hodges | |
| 2019 | Joker | Thomas Wayne | |
| 2021 | Reminiscence | Walter Sylvan | |
| 2022 | American Carnage | Harper | |
| 2022 | It Snows All the Time | Paul | |
| 2023 | The Long Game | Judge Milton Cox | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | The Chisholms | Gideon Chisholm | Main role, 9 episodes (Note: replaced Brian Kerwin from the preceding miniseries) |
| 1981 | The Incredible Hulk | Joe Dunning | Episode: "The Phenom" |
| 1982 | M*A*S*H | Private Thomas Anthony McKegney | Episode: "Blood and Guts" |
| 1983 | The Thorn Birds | Bob Cleary | Television miniseries |
| 1984 | Eureka Stockade | Charles Ross | Television miniseries |
| 1984 | Single Bars, Single Women | Duane | Television film |
| 1985 | V: The Series | Robert | Episode: "The Littlest Dragon" |
| 1985 | Midas Valley | Brad Turner | Television film |
| 1986 | Samaritan: The Mitch Snyder Story | Billy | Television film |
| 1986–1988 | Falcon Crest | Dan Fixx | Main role (seasons 6–8); 53 episodes |
| 1987 | I'll Take Manhattan | Dennis Brady | Television miniseries |
| 1988 | Dead Solid Perfect | Donny Smithern | HBO television film |
| 1989 | Freddy's Nightmares | Carl | Episode: "Cabin Fever" |
| 1989 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents | Cooper | Episode: "Night Creatures" |
| 1989 | Tales from the Crypt | Ronnie Price | Episode: "Only Sin Deep" |
| 1989–1990 | The Young Riders | Sam Cain | Main role (season 1); 24 episodes |
| 1990 | The Image | Malcolm Dundee | HBO television film |
| 1991 | The Sitter | Jeff Harper | Television film |
| 1991 | ...And Then She Was Gone | Peter Harmon | Television film |
| 1992 | Another Round | Roy | Television film |
| 1992 | Grapevine | Ken | Episode: "The Allison and Ken Story" |
| 1993 | Complex of Fear | Ed Wylie | Television film |
| 1993 | Mother of the Bride | Dennis Becker | Television film |
| 1994 | A Kiss Goodnight | Carl Jasper | Television film |
| 1994 | Keys | Police Chief Sam Wasser | Television film |
| 1994 | Diagnosis: Murder | Tim Rutland | Episode: "The Restless Remains" |
| 1994 | Matlock | Kevin Gilliam | Episode: "The Temptation" |
| 1994 | Gambler V: Playing for Keeps | The Sundance Kid | Television film |
| 1994 | Family Album | George Waterson (uncredited) | Television miniseries |
| 1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Deral | Episode: "Meridian" |
| 1995 | The Omen | Jack | Failed TV pilot |
| 1996 | Shattered Mind | Sean | Television film |
| 1997 | Orleans | Clade Charbonnet | Main role; 8 episodes |
| 1997 | Something Borrowed, Something Blue | Pete | Television film |
| 1997 | Suddenly Susan | Adam | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Arliss | Ryan Mason III | Episode: "Kirby Carlisle, Trouble-Shooter" |
| 1997 | Perfect Body | Coach David Blair | Television film |
| 1997 | Ally McBeal | Professor James Dawson | Episode: "The Affair" |
| 1997 | The Hired Heart | Bryan | Television film |
| 1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | Dave Scott | Television miniseries; 3 episodes |
| 1998 | The Outer Limits | Dr. James Martin | Episode: "Final Exam" |
| 1998 | The Simple Life | Luke Barton | Main role; 7 episodes |
| 1998 | Legacy | Ned Logan | Main role; 18 episodes |
| 2000 | The Expendables | Deacon | USA Network television film |
| 2001 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Pete Drayton | Episode: "Justice for All" |
| 2001 | Once and Again | Bob Dimanjik | Episodes: "Armageddon" and "Won't Someone Please Help George Bailey Tonight" |
| 2001 | On Golden Pond | Charlie Martin | CBS television film |
| 2001 | Family Law | Dan Fortano | Episode: "Irreparable Harm" |
| 2002 | Without a Trace | Greg Pritchard / Peter Raymond | Episode: "Midnight Sun" |
| 2002 | Nancy Drew | Carson Drew | ABC television film |
| 2003 | Cold Case | Rob Deamer (2003) | Episode: "Gleen" |
| 2004 | Pixel Perfect | Xander | Disney Channel Original Movie |
| 2004 | Deceit | Sam Penny | Lifetime television film |
| 2004 | NTSB: The Crash of Flight 323 | Hub Weber | ABC television film |
| 2004 | Life on Liberty Street | Dr. Jake Mitchell | Television film |
| 2004 | Suburban Madness | David Harris | CBS television film |
| 2004 | The Mountain | John "Whit" Whitman | Recurring role; 4 episodes |
| 2004–2005 | Desperate Housewives | Detective Burnett | Episodes: "Suspicious Minds" and "Children Will Listen" |
| 2005–2006 | The West Wing | Governor Ray Sullivan R-WV | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2005 | Monk | James Duffy | Episode: "Mr. Monk and Little Monk" |
| 2005 | CSI: Miami | Michael Boland | Episode: "48 Hours to Life" |
| 2005–2008 | Lost | Goodwin Stanhope | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2006 | Faceless | John Robson | FOX television film |
| 2006 | Pepper Dennis | Jack | Recurring role; 5 episodes |
| 2006 | NCIS | Captain Todd Gelfand | Episodes: "Hiatus: Part 1" and "Hiatus: Part 2" |
| 2006 | Ghost Whisperer | Jack Applewhite | Episode: "Melinda's First Ghost" |
| 2006–2007 | Ugly Betty | Ted LeBeau | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Friday Night Lights | Walt Riggins | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | Burn Notice | Lawrence Henderson | Episode: "Wanted Man" |
| 2007 | Private Practice | Allan | Episode: "In Which Addison Finds a Showerhead" |
| 2008 | The Mentalist | Dane Kurtik | Episode: "Red Tide" |
| 2009–2012 | Make It or Break It | Mark Keeler | Recurring role; 18 episodes |
| 2009 | Damages | Wayne Sutry | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2009 | Three Rivers | Carson | Episode: "Ryan's First Day" |
| 2010 | The Gates | Frank Buckley | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2010 | Lone Star | Cooper Thomas | Episode: "Reverse" |
| 2010 | 90210 | Mr. Sullivan | Episode: "Holiday Madness" |
| 2011 | Hallelujah | Sheriff Bob Clement | Television film |
| 2011 | Castle | Christian Dahl | Episode: "Poof, You're Dead" |
| 2011 | Body of Proof | Captain Perkins | Episode: "Shades of Blue" |
| 2011–2016 | Person of Interest | Nathan Ingram | Recurring role; 9 episodes |
| 2012 | White Collar | Agent Patterson | Episodes: "Diminishing Returns" and "Parting Shots" |
| 2013–2015 | Devious Maids | Michael Stappord | Series regular (seasons 1 & 3); 18 episodes |
| 2014 | Revenge | Jimmy Brennan | Episodes: "Hatred" and "Payback" |
| 2014 | Criminal Minds | Preacher Justin Mills | Episodes: "Angels" and "Demons" |
| 2014–2015 | Under the Dome | Don Barbara | Recurring role; 6 episodes |
| 2015 | Point of Honor | Ralston Rhodes | Amazon.com television film |
| 2015 | Stalker | Mayor Hayes | Episode: "Secrets and Lies" |
| 2015 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | John Nolan | Episode: "Under My Skin" |
| 2016–2017 | Narcos | Ambassador Arthur Crosby | Recurring role; 15 episodes |
| 2017 | Queen of the South | Cole Van Awken | Recurring role; 7 episodes |
| 2019 | True Detective | Gerald Kindt | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2019–2021 | The Blacklist | The Stranger / Ilya Koslov / Frank Bloom | Recurring role; 3 episodes |
| 2019–2020 | Truth Be Told | Owen Cave | 7 episodes |
| 2020 | Big Dogs | Captain McKeutchen | Main role; 8 episodes |
| 2022 | FBI | Curtis Grange | Episode: "Protective Details" |
| 2022–2023 | Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty | Bill Sharman | Main role; 17 episodes |
| 2024 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Judge Leonard Andrews | Episode: "Excavation" |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 1998 | Soap Opera Digest Awards | Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role – Primetime | Falcon Crest | Nominated |
| 2019 | LA February Awards | Best Actor | The Riot Act | Won |
| 2019 | LA February Awards | Best Ensemble Cast | The Riot Act | Won |