# Richard Jenkins

Richard Dale Jenkins (born May 4, 1947) is an American actor. He is well known for his portrayal of deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on the HBO funeral drama series Six Feet Under (2001–2005). He began his career in theater at the Trinity Repertory Company and made his film debut in 1974. He has worked steadily in film and television since the 1980s, mostly in supporting roles. His eclectic body of work includes such films as The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Little Nikita (1988), Flirting with Disaster (1996), Snow Falling on Cedars (1999), The Mudge Boy (2003), Burn After Reading (2008), Step Brothers (2008), Let Me In (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), The Cabin in the Woods (2012), Bone Tomahawk (2015), The Last Shift (2020), The Humans (2021), and Nightmare Alley (2021).
Jenkins received nominations for the Academy Award, Spirit Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor for the drama film The Visitor (2007). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for the limited drama series Olive Kitteridge (2014). For his performance in the fantasy drama film The Shape of Water (2017), he was nominated for the Academy Award, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actor. The Netflix miniseries Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (2022) garnered him both Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for Best Supporting Actor, plus an additional Emmy nod for producing the series.

## Early life

Jenkins was born and raised in DeKalb, Illinois. His mother, Mary Elizabeth (née Wheeler), was a housewife, and his father, Dale Stevens Jenkins, was a dentist. He attended DeKalb High School. Before he became a professional actor, Jenkins drove a linen truck; his boss was the father of actor John C. Reilly. He earned a degree in drama from Illinois Wesleyan University before relocating to Rhode Island.

## Career
### Theatre

Jenkins worked with the Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, while breaking into film with a bit part in Feasting with Panthers (1974), a television film about Oscar Wilde. When he was given the option of joining the Screen Actors Guild, he accepted immediately. He continued as a member of Trinity's resident acting company and served as its artistic director from 1990 to 1994.

### Film

Since his debut in the television movie Feasting with Panthers (1974), Jenkins has worked steadily in film. His earlier film credits include Silverado (1985), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), The Witches of Eastwick (1987), Sea of Love (1989), Blue Steel (1990), How to Make an American Quilt (1995), Flirting with Disaster (1996), and Snow Falling On Cedars (1999).
He has worked with the director siblings the Farrelly brothers in There's Something About Mary (1998), Outside Providence (1999), Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Say It Isn't So (2001) and Hall Pass (2011). He has also appeared in three Coen Brothers movies: The Man Who Wasn't There (2001), Intolerable Cruelty (2003), and Burn After Reading (2008). He is in North Country (2005), has three memorable scenes as FBI Director James (Robert) Grace in The Kingdom (2007), and Dr. Robert Dobeck in Step Brothers (2008).
Although primarily known for supporting parts, Jenkins had a lead role in The Visitor (2007) for which he was nominated for the Independent Spirit Award and an Academy Award for Best Actor. Jenkins won the International Press Academy's Satellite Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture.
In 2010, Jenkins costarred in Dear John, as the father of John Tyree (Channing Tatum), and also co-starred with Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem in Eat Pray Love. In 2012, he appeared in the Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard horror film The Cabin in the Woods and the action film Jack Reacher. He then appeared in the action films White House Down (2013) and Kong: Skull Island (2017).
Jenkins co-starred in Guillermo del Toro's fantasy romance drama film The Shape of Water (2017), for which he received critical acclaim. For his performance, he garnered Academy Award, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor.

### Television

Jenkins is perhaps best known on television for playing Nathaniel Fisher in the HBO drama series Six Feet Under. His character is the deceased patriarch of the Fisher family and regularly appears to his family as a ghost or in dreams. He played the role for the show's entire run. He and his castmates received a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2002.
Jenkins portrayed a DEA agent in one episode of Miami Vice and a mob boss in a later episode.
In 2015, Jenkins won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his performance as Henry Kitteridge in the HBO miniseries Olive Kitteridge.
In 2022, Jenkins portrayed Lionel Dahmer, father of notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, in Netflix's limited series Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. Starring alongside Evan Peters and Molly Ringwald, Jenkins appears in all ten episodes of the series created by Ryan Murphy. His performance was described in The New Yorker as "brilliant," and he was nominated for the 2023 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie.

## Personal life

Jenkins is married to choreographer Sharon R. Friedrick, with whom he has two children.

## Awards and honors

In 2014, Jenkins and his wife Sharon received the Pell Award for Lifetime Achievement from Trinity Repertory Company in Providence.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
| 1985 | Silverado | Kelly | Lawrence Kasdan | |
| 1986 | Hannah and Her Sisters | Dr. Wilkes | Woody Allen | |
| 1986 | The Manhattan Project | Radiation Controls Officer, Medatomics Lab | Marshall Brickman | |
| 1986 | On Valentine's Day | Bobby Pate | Ken Harrison | |
| 1987 | Rachel River | Cordell | Sandy Smolan | |
| 1987 | The Witches of Eastwick | Clyde Alden | George Miller | |
| 1987 | Courtship | Bobby Pate | Howard Cummings | |
| 1988 | Little Nikita | Richard Grant | Richard Benjamin | |
| 1988 | Stealing Home | Hank Chandler | Steven Kampmann & William Porter | |
| 1989 | Sea of Love | Detective Gruber | Harold Becker | |
| 1989 | Blaze | Picayune | Ron Shelton | |
| 1989 | How I Got into College | Bill Browne | Savage Steve Holland | |
| 1990 | Blue Steel | Attorney Mel Dawson | Kathryn Bigelow | |
| 1993 | Undercover Blues | Frank | Herbert Ross | |
| 1994 | It Could Happen to You | C. Vernon Hale | Andrew Bergman | |
| 1994 | Trapped in Paradise | Agent Shaddus Peyser | George Gallo | |
| 1994 | Wolf | Detective Bridger | Mike Nichols | |
| 1995 | How to Make an American Quilt | Howell Saunders | Jocelyn Moorhouse | |
| 1995 | The Indian in the Cupboard | Victor | Frank Oz | |
| 1996 | Flirting with Disaster | Paul Harmon | David O. Russell | Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male |
| 1996 | A Couch in New York | Campton | Chantal Akerman | |
| 1996 | Eddie | Carl Zimmer | Steve Rash | |
| 1997 | Eye of God | Willard Sprague | Tim Blake Nelson | |
| 1997 | Absolute Power | Michael McCarty | Clint Eastwood | |
| 1998 | There's Something About Mary | Psychiatrist | Peter & Bobby Farrelly | Uncredited cameo |
| 1998 | The Impostors | Johnny Leguard | Stanley Tucci | |
| 1999 | Random Hearts | Truman Trainor | Sydney Pollack | |
| 1999 | Snow Falling on Cedars | Sheriff Art Moran | Scott Hicks | |
| 1999 | The Mod Squad | Det. Bob Mothershed | Scott Silver | |
| 1999 | Outside Providence | Barney | Michael Corrente | |
| 1999 | The Confession | Cass O'Donnell | David Hugh Jones | |
| 2000 | What Planet Are You From? | Don Fisk | Mike Nichols | |
| 2000 | Me, Myself & Irene | Agent Boshane | Peter & Bobby Farrelly | |
| 2001 | Say It Isn't So | Walter Wingfield | J.B. Rogers | |
| 2001 | The Man Who Wasn't There | Walter Abundas | Joel & Ethan Coen | |
| 2001 | One Night at McCool's | Father Jimmy | Harald Zwart | |
| 2002 | Stealing Harvard | Honorable Emmett Cook | Bruce McCulloch | |
| 2002 | Changing Lanes | Walter Arnell | Roger Michell | |
| 2003 | Cheaper by the Dozen | Shake McGuire | Shawn Levy | |
| 2003 | Intolerable Cruelty | Freddy Bender | Joel & Ethan Coen | |
| 2003 | The Core | General Thomas Purcell | Jon Amiel | |
| 2003 | The Mudge Boy | Edgar Mudge | Michael Burke | |
| 2004 | Shall We Dance? | Devine | Peter Chelsom | |
| 2004 | I Heart Huckabees | Mr. Hooten | David O. Russell | Uncredited cameo |
| 2005 | Fun with Dick and Jane | Frank Bascombe | Dean Parisot | |
| 2005 | Rumor Has It… | Earl Huttinger | Rob Reiner | |
| 2005 | North Country | Hank Aimes | Niki Caro | |
| 2007 | The Kingdom | FBI Director Robert Grace | Peter Berg | |
| 2008 | The Visitor | Professor Walter Vale | Tom McCarthy | Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor (3rd place)Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Cast (2nd place)Method Fest Independent Film Festival for Best ActorMoscow International Film Festival for Best ActorNational Board of Review — Spotlight AwardSan Diego Film Critics Society — Special AwardSanta Barbara International Film Festival — Virtuoso AwardSatellite Award for Best Actor – Motion PictureNominated—Academy Award for Best ActorNominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best ActorNominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best ActorNominated—Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best ActorNominated—Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Ensemble CastNominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Male LeadNominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best ActorNominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role |
| 2008 | The Broken | John McVey | Sean Ellis | |
| 2008 | Step Brothers | Dr. Robert Doback | Adam McKay | San Diego Film Critics Society — Special Award |
| 2008 | Burn After Reading | Ted Treffon | Joel & Ethan Coen | San Diego Film Critics Society — Special Award |
| 2008 | The Tale of Despereaux | Principal | Sam Fell & Robert Stevenhagen | Voice San Diego Film Critics Society — Special Award |
| 2009 | Waiting for Forever | Richard Twist | James Keach | |
| 2010 | happythankyoumoreplease | Paul Gertmanian | Josh Radnor | |
| 2010 | Dear John | Bill Tyree | Lasse Hallström | |
| 2010 | Eat Pray Love | Richard Fenwick | Ryan Murphy | |
| 2010 | Norman | Doug Long | Jonathan Segal | Breckenridge Festival of Film for Best Ensemble Cast |
| 2010 | Let Me In | The Father | Matt Reeves | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2011 | Friends with Benefits | Mr. Harper | Will Gluck | |
| 2011 | The Rum Diary | Edward J. Lotterman | Bruce Robinson | |
| 2011 | Hall Pass | Coakley | Peter & Bobby Farrelly | |
| 2012 | Liberal Arts | Professor Peter Hoberg | Josh Radnor | |
| 2012 | Darling Companion | Russell | Lawrence Kasdan | |
| 2012 | The Cabin in the Woods | Gary Sitterson | Drew Goddard | |
| 2012 | Killing Them Softly | Ron Fenwick, The Driver | Andrew Dominik | |
| 2012 | Jack Reacher | District Attorney Alex Rodin | Christopher McQuarrie | |
| 2012 | The Company You Keep | Jed Lewis | Robert Redford | |
| 2013 | White House Down | Speaker Eli Raphelson | Roland Emmerich | |
| 2013 | Turbo | Bobby | David Soren | Voice |
| 2013 | A.C.O.D. | Hugh | Stu Zicherman | |
| 2014 | God's Pocket | Richard Shelburn | John Slattery | |
| 2014 | 4 Minute Mile | Coach Coleman | Charles-Olivier Michaud | |
| 2014 | Lullaby | Robert | Andrew Levitas | |
| 2015 | Bone Tomahawk | Deputy Chicory | S. Craig Zahler | Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male |
| 2015 | Spotlight | Richard Sipe | Tom McCarthy | Uncredited voice cameo |
| 2016 | The Hollars | Don Hollar | John Krasinski | |
| 2016 | LBJ | Senator Richard Russell | Rob Reiner | |
| 2017 | Kong: Skull Island | Senator Al Willis | Jordan Vogt-Roberts | |
| 2017 | The Shape of Water | Giles | Guillermo del Toro | St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor (2nd place) Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor (3rd place) Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Austin Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Nominated—San Francisco Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role |
| 2020 | Kajillionaire | Robert Shepard | Miranda July | |
| 2020 | The Last Shift | Stanley | Andrew Cohn | |
| 2021 | The Humans | Erik Blake | Stephen Karam | |
| 2021 | Nightmare Alley | Ezra Grindle | Guillermo del Toro | Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor |
| 2024 | IF | Art Teacher | John Krasinski | Voice |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1974–1975 | Great Performances | Warder / The Sheriff | 2 episodes |
| 1984 | American Playhouse | Nicholas Vazzana | Episode: "Concealed Enemies, Part I: Suspicion" |
| 1985 | Spenser: For Hire | 'Tex' | Episode: "Internal Affairs" |
| 1985–1989 | Miami Vice | Goodman / DEA Agent Ed Waters | 2 episodes |
| 1986 | The Little Sister | Roger Davis | Television film |
| 1988 | In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders | Detective Hamill | Television film |
| 1989 | Out on the Edge | Paul Evetts | Television film |
| 1989 | Kojak: Fatal Flaw | Joel Litkin | Television film |
| 1990 | Challenger | Gregory Jarvis | Television film |
| 1990 | When You Remember Me | Vaughan | Television film |
| 1990 | Against the Law | Wexford | 3 episodes |
| 1990 | Descending Angel | Debaudt | Television film |
| 1991 | Doublecrossed | Jim Donaldson | Television film |
| 1992 | Afterburn | Acton Ryder | Television film |
| 1992 | Crossroads | Jim Mundy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1993 | Alex Haley's Queen | Mr. Benson | 2 episodes |
| 1993 | And the Band Played On | Dr. Marc Conant | Television film |
| 1996 | The Boys Next Door | Bob Klemper | Television film |
| 1997 | Into Thin Air: Death on Everest | Beck Weathers | Television film |
| 2001 | Ally McBeal | Mr. Bo | Episode: "Mr. Bo" |
| 2001–2005 | Six Feet Under | Nathaniel Fisher | 21 episodes Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series |
| 2002 | Sins of the Father | Bobby Frank Cherry | Television film |
| 2014 | Olive Kitteridge | Henry Kitteridge | 4 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie Nominated—Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie |
| 2016–2019 | Berlin Station | Steven Frost | 24 episodes |
| 2017 | Comrade Detective | Vlad Anghel (voice) | Episode: "No Exit" |
| 2022 | Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story | Lionel Dahmer | 10 episodes; also producer Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated—Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series |
| TBA | Criminal | Ivan | |