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John Aylward

John Aylward

Actor, also composer · Died May 16, 2022, aged 75 · Seattle, Washington, USA

John Aylward (November 7, 1946 – May 16, 2022) was an American actor. He is perhaps best known for playing the former DNC chairman Barry Goodwin on the NBC television series The West Wing and for playing Dr. Donald Anspaugh on the NBC television series ER. He also supplied his voice for Dr. Arne Magnusson in Half-Life 2: Episode Two. Aylward was born and raised in Seattle, Washington. He attended St. Joseph's Grade school and went on to Prep High School, but graduated from Garfield High School in 1965. He graduated from the Professional Actor's Training Program at the University of Washington in 1970. He was one of the founders, in 1973, of Seattle's Empty Space Theatre, and he worked regularly as a company member of the Seattle Repertory Theatre for 15 years until he became a television and film actor in the 1990s. Carol Flynt, co-producer of ER, first offered him an audition after seeing him in a 1996 production of "Psychopathia Sexualis" at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Description above from the Wikipedia article John Aylward, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 7, 1946
Died
May 16, 2022 (aged 75)
From
Seattle, Washington, USA
Works as
Actor, also composer
Titles
61 on MovieCove · 77 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 63 days to Oct 26Down 49% in 30 days

What are John Aylward's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Survival.

Genres

Drama6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 45th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 25th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 35th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy 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%
Survival
23%
Morality
17%
Ideas
13%
Self
9%
Power
6%
Family bonds5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeTrauma3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 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 6 · Serious 4 · Dark 4

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 9 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 9 · Intense 1

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

A split, not a type: Steady 8 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

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 7 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 3

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

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 7 · Full focus 2

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 6 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 8 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

1 analyzed role
  • Threshold guardianas Warden Keefer in Instinct (1999)

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Contemplative
5
Warm
5
Absurd
4
Hopeful
4
Other
8

How their films linger

Thought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet7
  • 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 John Aylward's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 61 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Hulu (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for John Aylward'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

77 credits, 61 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Nowhere Inn(2020)

    as Uncle Pete

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • The Way Back(2020)

    as Father Edward Devine

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Briarpatch(2019)

    Show 10 episodes · as Freddie Laffter

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

  • Yellowstone(2018)

    Show 2 episodes · as Father Bob

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • The Architect(2016)

    as Colin's Father

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Impastor(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bishop Perkins

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Scorpion(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Uncle Tobin

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • A Million Ways to Die in the West(2014)

    as Pastor Wilson

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Gangster Squad(2013)

    as Judge Carter

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Major Crimes(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted King Sr.

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • House of Lies(2012)

    Show 3 episodes · as K. Warren McDale

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Viola(2012)

    Composer

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • American Horror Story(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Malachi

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Water for Elephants(2011)

    as Mr. Erwin

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Fairly Legal(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Childs

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • Harry's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Norman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Robert Bessent

  • The Crazies(2010)

    as Mayor Hobbs

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Crimes of the Past(2009)

    as Clay Covington

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Stutzer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Fringe(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Owen Frank

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Big Shots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry Cooper

  • The Gray Man(2007)

    as Capt. Ayers

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Mad Men(2007)

    Show 2 episodes · as Geoffrey Atherton

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Forfeit(2007)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Brothers & Sisters(2006)

    Show 3 episodes · as Joe Rawling

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • The Celestine Prophecy(2006)

    as Dobson

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Surface(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Government Panel Suit

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Monster-in-Law(2005)

    as Priest (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • North Country(2005)

    as Judge Halsted

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom Orchard

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Jack & Bobby(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Victor Sable

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Path to War(2002)

    as Dean Rusk

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Cold Case (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Norman Campbell

  • Carnivàle(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bishop McNaughton

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Nip/Tuck(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Malley

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Down with Love(2003)

    as E.G.

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Good Morning, Miami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Fowler

  • Without a Trace(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Bernard Fields

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Everwood(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Walter Cunningham

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Company(2002)

    as Officer Ferren

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Alias(2001)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jeffrey Davenport

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • The Agency (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Senator Davies

  • Just Visiting(2001)

    as Byron

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Thirteen Days(2000)

    as Orville Dryfoos

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • CSI: Crime Scene Investigation(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Paul Anton

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Secret Agent Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Phil Etherington

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

    Show 13 episodes · as Albert McGonagle

  • The West Wing(1999)

    Show 6 episodes · as Barry Goodwin

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Family Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 5 episodes · as Judge Lester Burger

  • Judging Amy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Jack Monroe

  • Instinct(1999)

    as Warden Keefer

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Swing Vote (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Justice Benjamin 'Rip' Ripley

  • Can't Stop Dancing(1999)

    as Dick McGuire

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Finding Graceland(1998)

    as Sheriff Haynes

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Armageddon(1998)

    as Dr. Banks

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Creature (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 2 episodes · as Ben Madiera

  • From the Earth to the Moon(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Ray Pemberton

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Eden(1996)

    as Dr. Bryson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Dharma & Greg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Kincaid

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Owen Cobb

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Stargate SG-1(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as President Nadal

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Buddy(1997)

    as Joe Bowman

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Practice(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Center Panelist in Rydell Hearing · as Chief District Court Judge · as Federal Judge Kendall Marcott

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • 3rd Rock from the Sun(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Chancellor · as Registrar

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • ER(1994)

    Show 72 episodes · as Donald Anspaugh

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Diagnosis Murder(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Captain Woodruff

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. John Rietz

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III(1993)

    as Niles

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Harlan Dwyer

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Northern Exposure(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Charles 'Red' Murphy

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Child in the Night(1990)

    as Dr. Wendt

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Third Degree Burn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Lomax

  • Three Fugitives(1989)

    as Second Cop

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Stamp of a Killer(1987)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • The Secret Life of John Chapman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Grady

  • Final August (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Director · as The Man

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 76 titles, 75 of them dated from 1976 to 2021; peak year 2004.

Biggest box office

Down with Love (2003)

$39M worldwide

Highest rated

Instinct (1999)

Midcredits 60th

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19762021

Peak 2004 · steadily prominent in film for years. 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
Acting76 of 76: 75 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score68thDirecting1 of 76: 0 only directing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s1 · acting1980s3 · acting1990s24 · acting2000s30 · acting2010s14 · acting2020s3 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 20 roles
930308

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.

How do John Aylward's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 41st percentile, the median of all 29; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 25th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

25thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

60thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 61 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up25
  • 50th to 74th16
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th7

Shape of the crowd

30 of their 61 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved11
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser30
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed15

Most divisive · actor

Can't Stop Dancing (1999)

93rd percentile spread · 49% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

The West Wing (1999)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 14 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 35. 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.

Who does John Aylward work with?

People who share at least 2 of John Aylward's MovieCove titles; Matt Ross shares the most, 2.