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Delroy Lindo

Delroy Lindo

Actor, also producer · Born November 18, 1952 (73) · Eltham, London, England, UK

Screen Actors Guild Award winner · Oscar nominee · 1 other major award body

Delroy George Lindo (born 18 November 1952) is a British-born American actor. Starting his career in the 1975 stage production of Of Mice and Men, he later earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor for his work in the 1988 production of Joe Turner's Come and Gone. He received wider recognition with roles in several Spike Lee films, playing West Indian Archie in Malcolm X (1992), Woody Carmichael in Crooklyn (1994), Rodney Little in Clockers (1995), and Paul, a Vietnam War veteran, in Da 5 Bloods (2020), the latter of which earned him the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor and the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actor. For his role as blues player Delta Slim in Ryan Coogler's Sinners (2025), he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Lindo is also known for playing Bo Catlett in Get Shorty (1995), Arthur Rose in The Cider House Rules (1999), Detective Castlebeck in Gone in 60 Seconds (2000), Isaak O'Day in Romeo Must Die (2000) Joe Black in This Christmas (2007), and Bass Reeves in The Harder They Fall (2021). He also voiced the character Beta in the Pixar animated film Up (2009). On television, he portrayed Matthew Henson in the 1998 television film Glory & Honor, and Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in Strange Justice (1999). Lindo later starred as Alderman Ronin Gibbons in the series The Chicago Code (2011), as Winter in the fantasy drama series Believe (2014), and as Adrian Boseman in The Good Fight (2017–2021). Description above from the Wikipedia article Delroy Lindo, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 18, 1952 (73)
From
Eltham, London, England, UK
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 72 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 26Down 5% in 30 days

What are Delroy Lindo's films like?

Across their 40 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Action14 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 51st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 70th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Adventure movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 90th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 97th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Horror2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Bonds
32%
Self
21%
Morality
18%
Survival
13%
Power
7%
Society
6%
Ideas
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 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 8 · Serious 13 · Dark 15

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

Grounded 11 · Stylized 18 · Heightened 7

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 4 · Charged 13 · Intense 19

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

Steady 13 · Shifting 16 · Whiplash 7

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 22 · Some laughs 10 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 16 · Relentless 12

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

Casual 9 · Engaged 21 · Full focus 6

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

Easy watch 10 · Affecting 13 · Heavy 13

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

Resolved 25 · Open-ended 10 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

28 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 9 of 28 analyzed roles.

Mentor
9 of 28
Shadow
5 of 28
Threshold guardian
5 of 28
Ally
4 of 28
Hero
2 of 28
Herald
2 of 28
Shapeshifter
1 of 28
Show the 28 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
25
Thrilling
18
Melancholic
13
Contemplative
9
Hopeful
9
Other
32

How their films linger

Bittersweet17 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 9 with a twist

  • Happy12
  • Bittersweet24
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous3

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 Delroy Lindo's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Delroy Lindo'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

72 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 15 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Godzilla x Kong: Supernova (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    Actor

  • Sinners(2025)

    as Delta Slim

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Unprisoned(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · Executive Producer · as Edwin Alexander

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • The Harder They Fall(2021)

    as Bass Reeves

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • LX 2048(2020)

    as Donald Stein

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Da 5 Bloods(2020)

    as Paul

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Malicious(2018)

    Producer · as Dr. Clark

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

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

    as Arthur

  • The Good Fight(2017)

    Show 41 episodes · as Adrian Boseman

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • This Is Us(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Judge Ernest Bradley

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Point Break(2015)

    as FBI Instructor

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Blood & Oil(2015)

    Show 10 episodes · as Sheriff Tip Harrison

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all shows

  • Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as John Williams (voice)

  • Do You Believe?(2015)

    Producer · as Malachi

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Cymbeline(2014)

    as Belarius

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Believe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 13 episodes · as Dr. Milton Winter

  • The Chicago Code(2011)

    Show 13 episodes · as Alderman Ronin Gibbons

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Big Bang(2010)

    as Skeres

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Dug's Special Mission(2009)

    as Beta (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Up(2009)

    as Beta (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • One Bad Cat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Narrator

  • This Christmas(2007)

    Producer · as Joe Black

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Kidnapped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 13 episodes · as Latimer King

  • The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Herald Loomis (segment "Joe Turner's Come and Gone")

  • The Exonerated (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    as Delbert Tibbs

  • Domino(2005)

    as Claremont Williams

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Sahara(2005)

    as Carl

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Lackawanna Blues(2005)

    as Mr. Lucious

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Wondrous Oblivion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Dennis

  • The Core(2003)

    as Dr. Ed 'Braz' Brazzleton

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Profoundly Normal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Ricardo Thornton

  • Heist(2001)

    as Bobby 'Bob' Blane

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The One(2001)

    as MVA Agent Harry Roedecker / Gas Station Attendant

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Last Castle(2001)

    as Gen. Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Gone in 60 Seconds(2000)

    as Det. Roland Castlebeck

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Romeo Must Die(2000)

    as Isaak O'Day

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Cider House Rules(1999)

    as Arthur Rose

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Victor Moran

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Strange Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Clarence Thomas

  • The Book of Stars(1999)

    as Professor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Pros & Cons (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Kyle

  • Glory & Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Mathew Henson

  • A Life Less Ordinary(1997)

    as Jackson

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • The Devil's Advocate(1997)

    as Phillipe Moyez (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • First Time Felon(1997)

    as Calhoun

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Ransom(1996)

    as Agent Lonnie Hawkins

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Feeling Minnesota(1996)

    as Red

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Winner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Kingman

  • Soul of the Game(1996)

    as Satchel Paige

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Broken Arrow(1996)

    as Colonel Max Wilkins

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • L'exil du roi Behanzin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Actor

  • Get Shorty(1995)

    as Bo Catlett

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Clockers(1995)

    as Rodney Little

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Congo(1995)

    as Captain Wanta (Uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Baseball(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · as (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Crooklyn(1994)

    as Woody Carmichael

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Mr. Jones(1993)

    as Howard

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Blood in Blood Out(1993)

    as Bonafide

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Malcolm X(1992)

    as West Indian Archie

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • The Hard Way(1991)

    as Captain Brix

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Bright Angel(1990)

    as Harley

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Mountains of the Moon(1990)

    as Mabruki

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabriel (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Perfect Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Berger

  • The Blood of Heroes(1989)

    as Mbulu

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • A Man Called Hawk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beauty and the Beast(1987)

    Show 2 episodes · as Isaac Stubbs

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • More American Graffiti(1979)

    as Army Sergeant

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Find the Lady (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Sam

  • Partners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Drug Kingpin

  • Anansi Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 4 episodes · as Mr. Nancy

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles, 70 of them dated from 1976 to 2025; peak year 2000.

Biggest box office

Up (2009)

$735M worldwide

Highest rated

Up (2009)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Sinners (2025)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19762025

Peak 2000 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 15 MovieCove titles. 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
Acting72 of 72: 71 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thProducing1 of 72: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s3 · acting1980s5 · acting1990s26 · acting2000s19 · acting2010s12 · acting2020s5 · 5 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 6% of 36 roles
8994990414

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; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Screen Actors Guild Award from 8 major nominations, 1996–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
  2. 2021
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actor
  3. 2020
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  4. 2018
    • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
  5. 2000
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture
  6. 1996
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast

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 Delroy Lindo's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 59th percentile, the median of all 42; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 60th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

93rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up21
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 51 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser20
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed13

Most divisive · actor, producer

Do You Believe? (2015)

95th percentile spread · 24% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Up (2009)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 70/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 44. 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 Delroy Lindo's work okay for kids?

Across up to 29 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore22 titles47–90 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity29 titles15–61 · median 35 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity27 titles39–94 · median 71 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs22 titles24–61 · median 40 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense21 titles35–82 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian 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 Delroy Lindo work with?

People who share at least 2 of Delroy Lindo's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Spike Lee shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles