Robert Knepper

Robert Lyle Knepper[1] (born July 8, 1959)[2] is an American actor best known for his role as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell in the Fox drama series Prison Break (2005–2009, 2017), Samuel Sullivan in the final season of the NBC series Heroes (2009–2010), Angus McDonough in The CW series iZombie (2015–2018) and Rodney Mitchum in Showtime's revival of Twin Peaks (2017). He has also appeared in films such as Hitman (2007) and Transporter 3 (2008).
== Early life ==
Knepper was born in Fremont, Ohio,[2] and raised in Maumee, Ohio, the son of Pat Deck and Donald Knepper,[3] a veterinarian. He was interested in acting from an early age, due to his mother's involvement as a props-handler at a community theater, and after graduating from Maumee High School in 1977, he attended Northwestern University. During this time, Knepper also obtained professional roles in plays in Chicago. Nearing the completion of his degree, Knepper quit Northwestern and went to New York City, where he continued to work in theater.[4]
== Career ==
Although Knepper never intended to work in film and television projects, he began his television and film career in 1986 with The Paper Chase and That's Life!. Knepper went on to have larger roles in such films as Wild Thing, Young Guns II, When the Bough Breaks and Everyone Says I Love You. He made appearances on such television series as The Twilight Zone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, ER and Law & Order. In 2005, after a recurring role on the HBO series Carnivàle, Knepper was cast in his best-known role, as Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwellin Prison Break. The series received positive reviews upon release, and "T-Bag" is often considered to be one of the greatest television villains of all time.[5][6]During his time on Prison Break, Knepper also starred in a number of films; Good Night, and Good Luck, Hitman, Transporter 3 and The Day the Earth Stood Still.
After Prison Break ended in 2009, Knepper was cast as villain Samuel Sullivan in the fourth and final season of Heroes.[7] After this, he went on to have a recurring role in Stargate Universe in 2010. He guest-starred on season six of Criminal Minds as Rhett Walden, a serial killer. The same year he played the titular character in the film adaptation of Burning Daylight.[8]
In addition, Knepper appeared as Honolulu Police Internal Affairs detective Rex Coughlin in two episodes of Hawaii Five-O.
In 2011, he reprised his role of T-Bag in one episode of the A&E series Breakout Kings. The next year he played Frank Sinatra in My Way, biopic of Claude François, a French pop singer who wrote the song "Comme d'habitude", the original version of Sinatra's song "My Way".
Knepper was cast in the 2013 television series Cult as Roger Reeves, an actor playing Billy Grimm on a show called Cult.[9] The show was canceled after only one season. The same year, he appeared in R.I.P.D., Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters and guest starred on the television series The Blacklist (episode: "The Courier"). At the end of 2013, the TNT series Mob City premiered, in which Knepper played gangster Sid Rothman.[10] In 2014, Knepper guest starred in episodes of Arrow and The Flash as master hacker and time-and-motion study expert William Tockman / Clock King.[11]
Since 2015, Knepper has had a recurring role on iZombie as Angus McDonough, the estranged and abusive father of Blaine DeBeers (David Anders).[12] It was announced in July 2017 that Knepper would be promoted to the show's main cast for season 4.[13][14]
Knepper was cast in the reboot of David Lynch's Twin Peaks as gangster Rodney Mitchum. He later voiced the audiobook adaptation for the tie-in epistolary novel of the show called The Secret History of Twin Peaks.
== Personal life ==
Knepper has a son, Benjamin Peter (born 2002), from his first marriage.[4][15]
=== Sexual assault allegations ===
On November 8, 2017, costume designer Susan Bertram accused Knepper of sexual assault on the set of the film Gas Food Lodging in 1991.[16][17] Knepper responded by denying the allegations in a since deleted Instagram post.[18]
Four additional allegations taking place between 1983 and 2013 were made against Knepper on December 5; Knepper again denied every allegation.[19]
In the wake of sexual assault allegations against the then newly promoted Knepper, The CW conducted an internal inquiry to determine Knepper's future on the series iZombie. The network's investigations pertained to potential misconduct on the set of the production, rather than the existing allegations. After finding no evidence of misconduct transpiring on the set, it was announced he would be remaining on the show for the rest of the season.[20]Show stars Rose McIver and Rahul Kohli released statements following the decision, with Kohli stating he was unable to give his full thoughts at the time. Both actors proceeded to unfollow Knepper on social media.[21] On January 12, 2018, it was announced that the studio had conducted a second investigation. CW president Mark Pedowitz stated that Knepper's exit from the series was already planned before the accusers came forward.[22][23][24] Knepper personally announced his promotion in a video released at Comic Con; but did not partake in promotional interviews for his role following the allegations, nor did he attend the Season Four wrap party.[25][26]
On February 28, 2018, Bertram's lawyers announced she was filing a defamation lawsuit against Knepper in the wake of his denials. She is seeking damages in a jury trial.[27][28]
== Filmography ==
=== Film ===
Year	Title 	Role 	Notes
1986	That's Life! 	Steve Larwin 	
1987	Wild Thing 	Wild Thing 	
1987	Made in Heaven 	Orrin 	
1988	D.O.A. 	Nicholas Lang 	
1989	Renegades 	Marino 	
1990	Arduous Moon 	Andrew 	Short film
1990	Young Guns II 	Deputy Carlyle 	
1991	Session Man 	Torrey Cole 	Short film
1991	Where the Day Takes You 	Rock Singer 	
1992	Gas Food Lodging 	Dank 	
1993	When the Bough Breaks 	Lt. Jimmy Creedmore 	
1994	Under the Heat 	Milo 	
1995	Search and Destroy 	Daniel Strong 	
1996	Dead of Night 	Christian 	
1996	MugShot 	Joe 	
1996	The Hunchback of Notre Dame 	Frollo's Soldiers (voice) 	
1996	Everyone Says I Love You 	Greg 	
1996	The Undercover Kid 	Bo the Dog (voice) 	
1997	You Are Here 	Jack 	
1998	Phantoms 	Agent Wilson 	
1998	The Stringer 	John 	
1998	The Prince of Egypt 	Kehma (voice) 	
1998	Jaded 	Freddy 	
2000	Love & Sex 	Gerard Boussard 	
2001	Lady in the Box 	Chris Stark 	
2002	Topa Topa Bluffs 	Frank 	
2002	Swatters 	Daniel Steinberg 	
2005	Good Night, and Good Luck 	Don Surine 	
2005	Hostage 	Will Bechler 	
2007	Hitman 	Yuri Marklov 	
2008	Turok: Son of Stone 	Chickak (voice) 	Direct-to-DVD
2008	Transporter 3 	Johnson 	
2008	The Day the Earth Stood Still 	Colonel 	
2010	Burning Daylight 	Elam "Burning Daylight" Harnish	
2011	Earth's Final Hours 	John Streich 	
2012	My Way 	Frank Sinatra 	
2013	R.I.P.D. 	Stanley Nawlicki 	
2013	Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters 	Kronos (voice) 	
2014	Ride 	Peter 	
2014	The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1	Antonius 	
2015	The Hoarder 	Vince 	
2015	The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2	Antonius 	
2015	Cold Deck 	Turk 	
2016	Hard Target 2 	Aldrich 	Direct-to-DVD
2016	Jack Reacher: Never Go Back 	General Harkness 	
2017	Badsville 	Mr. Gavin 	
2018	Frat Pack 	Kush 	
2018	Edge of Fear 	Victor Novak 	
=== Television ===
Year 	Title 	Role 	Notes
1986 	The Paper Chase 	Howard 	Episode: "Graduation"
1986–1993	L.A. Law 	George 'Georgia' Buckner / David Orcott 	3 episodes
1987 	Tour of Duty 	Racist Soldier 	Episode: "Burn, Baby, Burn"
1987 	The Twilight Zone 	Alonzo 	Episode: "Joy Ride"
1987 	Tour of Duty 	PV2 Allen 	Episode: "Burn Baby, Burn"
1987 	Star Trek: The Next Generation 	Wyatt Miller 	Episode: "Haven"
1989 	Gideon Oliver 	Paul Hecht 	Episode: "Kennonite"
1990 	E.A.R.T.H. Force 	Dr. Peter Roland 	3 episodes
1990–1991	China Beach 	Long / Vietnam Vet 	2 episodes
1991 	Perry Mason: The Case of the Fatal Fashion	Kim Weatherly 	Television film
1991 	Civil Wars 	Joey D'Amato 	Episode: "Have Gun, Will Unravel"
1992 	Tequila and Bonetti 	Ren Philips 	Episode: "Runt of the Litter"
1992 	Red Shoe Diaries 	Nick Willard 	Episode: "You Have the Right to Remain Silent"
1993 	Zelda 	Wilson 	Television film
1993 	Doorways 	Thane 	Pilot
1993–1996	Murder, She Wrote 	Charles George Drexler / Owen McLaglen / Robbie Dorow	3 episodes
1994 	Pointman 	Johnny 	Television film
1994 	Getting Out 	Carl 	Television film
1995 	Law & Order 	Igor Smith 	Episode: "Rebels"
1995 	New York Undercover 	David Carson 	Episode: "Buster and Claudia"
1995 	New York News 	Ex-Con 	Episode: "Fun City"
1995 	Pointman 	Ronnie McCusak 	Episode: "Here She Comes, Miss Murder"
1996 	Voice from the Grave 	Milosh 	Television film
1996 	Central Park West 	Randy Boyd 	Episode: "Guess Who's Come to Annoy You?"
1996 	The Big Easy 	Jack Gentry 	Episode: "The Gambler"
1996 	Desert Breeze 	N/A 	Pilot
1997 	The Visitor 	Alex Burton 	Episode: "Dreams"
1998 	ER 	Keith Reynolds 	Episode: "My Brother's Keeper"
1998 	Brimstone 	Assistant D.A. Stewart Lambert 	Episode: "Executioner"
1999 	Strange World 	Gil Sandifer 	Episode: "Azrael's Breed"
1999 	Kidnapped in Paradise 	Renard 	Television film
1999 	Absence of the Good 	Glenn Dwyer 	Television film
1999 	Star Trek: Voyager 	Gaul 	Episode: "Dragon's Teeth"
2000 	Harsh Realm 	Priest 	Episode: "Camera Obscura"
2000 	Profiler 	Martin Lewis 	Episode: "Tsuris"
2000 	Seven Days 	Major Gene Hastings 	Episode: "Space Station Down"
2000 	La Femme Nikita 	Henry Collins 	Episode: "Toys in the Basement"
2001 	The West Wing 	Morgan Ross 	Episode: "Ellie"
2001 	Jackie, Ethel, Joan: The Women of Camelot 	Robert F. Kennedy 	Television film
2001 	Law & Order: Criminal Intent 	Dr. Peter Kelmer 	Episode: "The Good Doctor"
2001 	Thieves 	Special Agent Shue 	10 episodes
2002 	Haunted 	Henry 	Episode: "Pilot"
2002 	The Pennsylvania Miners' Story 	Mark Popernack 	Television film
2002–2003	Presidio Med 	Sean 	5 episodes
2003–2005	Carnivàle 	Tommy Dolan 	13 episodes
2004 	Species III 	Dr. Abbot 	Television film
2004 	CSI: Miami 	Freddy Coleman 	Episode: "Addiction"
2005 	Point Pleasant 	Demon Dance Host 	Episode: "Last Dance"
2005–2009	Prison Break 	Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell 	75 episodes
2009 	Prison Break: The Final Break 	Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell 	Television film
2009–2010	Heroes 	Samuel Sullivan 	19 episodes
2010 	Stargate Universe 	Simeon 	6 episodes
2010 	Chase 	Jack Druggan 	Episode: "The Comeback Kid"
2010 	Criminal Minds 	Rhett Walden 	Episode: "Reflection of Desire"
2011 	Shameless 	Rod 	2 episodes
2011 	Breakout Kings 	Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell 	Episode: "The Bag Man"
2012 	Seal Team Six: The Raid on Osama Bin Laden	Lieutenant Commander 	Television film
2013 	Cult 	Roger Reeves /Billy Grimm 	13 episodes
2013 	The Blacklist 	The Courier 	Episode: "The Courier"
2013 	Mob City 	Sid Rothman 	6 episodes
2014–2015	Hawaii Five-0 	Internal Affairs Officer Coughlin 	2 episodes
2014 	Arrow 	William Tockman / Clock King 	Episode: "Time of Death"
2014 	The Flash 	William Tockman / Clock King 	Episode: "Power Outage"
2015 	Chicago Fire 	Adrian Gish / Trenton Lamont 	Episode: "3 Bells"
2015 	Chicago PD 	Adrian Gish / Trenton Lamont 	Episode: "A Little Devil Complex"
2015 	Texas Rising 	Empresario Buckley 	3 episodes
2015 	Public Morals 	Captain Johanson 	4 episodes
2015 	NCIS 	Benson Long 	Episode: "Personal Day"
2015 	American Horror Story: Hotel 	Lieutenant 	Episode: "Room Service"
2015–2018	iZombie 	Angus McDonough 	17 episodes
2016 	From Dusk till Dawn: The Series 	Ranger Gary Willet 	2 episodes
2016–2018	Homeland[29] 	General Jamie McClendon 	5 episodes
2017 	Prison Break: Resurrection 	Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell 	6 episodes
2017 	Twin Peaks 	Rodney Mitchum 	6 episodes
2017 	The Orville 	Hamelac 	Episode: "If the Stars Should Appear"
2017 	Spirit Riding Free 	Harlan Grayson 	Voice
2 episodes
2017 	The Dating Game Killer 	Detective Jim Hamell 	Television film
=== Video games ===
Year	Title 	Role 	Notes
2010	Prison Break: The Conspiracy	Theodore "T-Bag" Bagwell (voice)	
== Theatre ==
* A Little Night Music – Northwestern (1977)
* The Ruling Class – Northwestern (1979)
* The Merchant of Venice – Northwestern (1979/80)
* Ties – Chicago (Victory Gardens) (1981)
* Class Enemy – Evanston (Next) (1981)
* Lakeboat – Chicago (Goodman) (1982)
* The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby – Chicago (1982)
* Dark of the Moon - Sarasota (1983)
* Life Signals – Sarasota (1983)
* Sherlock Holmes – Sarasota(1983)
* The Philanthropist – New York (Stage 73) (1983)
* Savage Amusement – New York (1984)
* Romance – New York (Young Playwrights Festival) – (Joseph Papp Public Theater/Martinson Hall) (1984)
* The Person I Once Was – Louisville (1984)
* The Very Last Lover of the River Cane – Louisville (Theatre of Louisville) (1985)
* Available Light – Louisville (Theatre of Louisville) (1985)
* Groves of Academe – Cluj (Romania) (1985)
* A Midsummer Night's Dream – New York (New York Shakespeare Festival) (1987)
* Romeo and Juliet - New York (1988)
* The Legend of Oedipus – Williamstown (Williamstown Theatre Festival) (1988)
* Les Liaisons Dangereuses – Williamstown (Williamstown Theatre Festival) (1988)
* Nebraska – La Jolla (1989)
* Ice Cream With Hot Fudge – New York (1990)
* Bobby, Can You Hear Me? – Waterford (1990)
* Buster Comes Through – Waterford (1990)
* Lake No Bottom – New York (1990)
* Dinosaur Dreams – Waterford (1991)
* Home Grown – Waterford (1991)
* Orestes – Los Angeles (1992)
* Salomé – New York (1992)
* Pal Joey – Boston (1992)
* Sweet Bird of Youth – London (UK) (1994)
* Pride's Crossing – San Diego (1997)
* The Summer Moon – Seattle (1998)