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James Keach

James Keach

Actor, director and producer, also writer · Born December 7, 1947 (78) · Savannah, Georgia, USA

Producers Guild Award nominee · Grammy Award winner

James Keach is an American actor, director and producer who has been active in Hollywood since the early 1970s. He is widely recognized for his work on the classic western film The Long Riders (1980) and for his award-winning documentaries. He is the son of actor Stacy Keach and the younger brother of actor Stacy Keach, Jr.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
December 7, 1947 (78)
From
Savannah, Georgia, USA
Works as
Actor, director and producer, also writer
Titles
43 on MovieCove · 87 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Up 8% in 30 days

What are James Keach's films like?

Across their 37 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Bonds.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Documentary6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 93rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Action5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Biography5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 56th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
28%
Bonds
23%
Morality
15%
Survival
15%
Society
11%
Power
7%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds14 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 15 · Serious 10 · Dark 11

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 31 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 11 · Charged 18 · Intense 7

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 22 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 4

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 23 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 6

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 22 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 2

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 25 · Engaged 11 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 17 · Affecting 12 · Heavy 7

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 33 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

10 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 3 of 10 analyzed roles.

Shadow
3 of 10
Hero
2 of 10
Shapeshifter
2 of 10
Herald
1 of 10
Threshold guardian
1 of 10
Mentor
1 of 10
Show the 10 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
20
Hopeful
10
Melancholic
12
Warm
10
Contemplative
7
Other
35

How their films linger

Hopeful15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good14 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 2 with a twist

  • Happy13
  • Bittersweet21
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch James Keach's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 27 of their 43 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (19).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for James Keach's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

87 credits, 43 with a MovieCove page; 2 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Gregg Allman: The Music of My Soul(2026)

    Director · Producer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Brothers Under Fire(2026)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Taking Care (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    Director · Producer

  • Linda and the Mockingbirds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Director · Producer

  • David Crosby: Remember My Name(2019)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice(2019)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Turning Point(2018)

    Director · Producer · as narrator

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Augie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director

  • Glen Campbell: I'll Be Me(2014)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Perfectly Prudence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Mister

  • Waiting for Forever (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Director · Producer

  • Blind Dating(2006)

    Director · Producer

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Walk the Line(2005)

    Producer · as Warden

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Mom's on Strike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director

  • Submerged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director

  • Blackout (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Camouflage(2001)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • The District (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Enslavement: The True Story of Fanny Kemble(2000)

    Director · Executive Producer · as Dr. Huston

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all films

  • Murder in the Mirror(2000)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman: The Movie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Director

  • A Memory in My Heart(1999)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • A Marriage of Convenience(1998)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The New Swiss Family Robinson(1998)

    as Jack Robinson

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Absolute Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • JAG(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • The Stars Fell on Henrietta(1995)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • A Passion for Justice: The Hazel Brannon Smith Story(1994)

    Director · Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Praying Mantis (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Director · Executive Producer

  • Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman(1993)

    Show 25 episodes · Director · as Brent Currier

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Sunstroke(1992)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Covington Cross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Jack's Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Dance Goes On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as James Smith

  • Murder in High Places(1991)

    as Ronald Levering

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Good Cops, Bad Cops(1990)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • False Identity (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Director · Associate Producer

  • The Young Riders (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Options (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Ed Sloan

  • The Forgotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Producer · Writer

  • The Experts(1989)

    Producer · as Yuri

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains(1987)

    as Father Vincent Godfrey Burns

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Evil Town (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Christopher Fuller

  • Armed and Dangerous(1986)

    Producer · Writer

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • A Winner Never Quits(1986)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Wildcats(1986)

    as Frank Needham

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Stand Alone(1985)

    as Detective Isgrow

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Moving Violations(1985)

    as Deputy Halik

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • The Razor's Edge(1984)

    as Gray Maturin

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • National Lampoon's Vacation(1983)

    as Motorcycle Cop

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Wishman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Galen Reed

  • Love Letters(1983)

    as Oliver Andrews

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Till Death Do Us Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Thou Shalt Not Kill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Jeff Tompkins

  • The Long Riders(1980)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Jesse James

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Great Cash Giveaway Getaway (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Bondo

  • Smokey and the Hotwire Gang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Joshua

  • Like Normal People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Robert Meyers, Jr.

  • Hurricane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Sgt. Strang

  • Comes a Horseman(1978)

    as Emil Kroegh

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Lacy and the Mississippi Queen(1978)

    as Parker

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • FM (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Lt. Reach

  • Nowhere to Run (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as McEnerney

  • Kill Me If You Can(1977)

    as Officer #1

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • The Blue Hotel(1977)

    as Johnnie

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Six Characters in Search of An Author (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as The Son

  • Quincy, M.E. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Tony Randall Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Death Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as James

  • Cannonball!(1976)

    as Wolfe Messer

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Quest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Starsky and Hutch(1975)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Joe Forrester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Switch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Dean 'Skip' Crowe

  • Sunburst(1975)

    Writer · as Levon

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • The Hatfields and the McCoys(1975)

    as Jim McCoy

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Miles to Go Before I Sleep(1975)

    as Man In Bar

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dr. Shagetz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Christopher Fuller

  • Police Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Manhunter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kojak(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted Strong

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • The Deadly Visitor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Virgil

  • Kung Fu(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Abe Jones

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Cannon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Ironside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Untitled Linda Ronstadt Biopic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer · Screenplay

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 86 titles, 85 of them dated from 1967 to 2026; peak year 1984.

Biggest box office

Walk the Line (2005)

$187M worldwide

Highest rated

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019)

Midcredits 98th

Most popular right now

Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993)

Film career

19672026

Peak 1984 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 86: 47 only acting, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score50thDirecting29 of 86: 12 only directing, 17 with another role · typical Midcredits score48thWriting4 of 86: 0 only writing, 4 with another roleProducing24 of 86: 5 only producing, 19 with another role · typical Midcredits score48th

86 titles, 22 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 3 of them.

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s29 · 29 acting · 1 crew1980s19 · 15 acting · 6 crew1990s17 · 5 acting · 13 crew2000s9 · 2 acting · 9 crew2010s6 · 2 acting · 5 crew2020s4 · crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

Awards

1 major award from 2 major nominations, 2006–2021.

WinNomination
  1. 2021
    • Grammy Award, won · Best Music Film
  2. 2006
    • Producers Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do James Keach's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 46th percentile, the median of all 38; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 49th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 43 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up12
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th11
  • Below 25th12

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 43 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser13
  • Broadly Agreed5
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor, director, producer

Turning Point (2018)

98th percentile spread · 46% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · producer

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019)

Midcredits 98th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 29 reviewed titles; fans 74, detractors 40. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is James Keach's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 34 · mildMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles26–58 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles31–59 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 45 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 31 · mildMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does James Keach work with?

People who share at least 2 of James Keach's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jane Seymour shares the most, 10.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles