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Bradford Dillman

Bradford Dillman

Actor · Died January 16, 2018, aged 87 · San Francisco, California, USA

Bradford Dillman (April 14, 1930 – January 16, 2018) was an American actor, as well as an author starred in the taut crime drama Compulsion (1959). The lanky, dark-haired Dillman also played Robert Redford's best friend J.J. in The Way We Were (1973). Dillman also appeared opposite Clint Eastwood in the Dirty Harry films The Enforcer (1976) and Sudden Impact (1983). In director Richard Fleischer's Compulsion, derived from the infamous Leopold & Loeb case of the 1920s, Dillman and Stockwell starred as the brazen killers Arthur A. Straus and Judd Steiner, respectively, who think they have committed the perfect murder. Dillman, Stockwell and Orson Welles (who played their attorney) shared best actor honors at the 1959 Cannes Film Festival. The Fox film was an adaptation of a Broadway hit, with Dillman taking on the role that Roddy McDowall had originated on the stage.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 14, 1930
Died
January 16, 2018 (aged 87)
From
San Francisco, California, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 130 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 37 days to Oct 26Down 12% in 30 days

What are Bradford Dillman's films like?

Across their 38 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Survival.

Genres

Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 32nd percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Horror4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 17th percentile
: browse their Horror movies
Adventure2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 29th percentile
: browse their Adventure movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Comedy2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Crime2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 34th percentile
: browse their Crime 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
Morality
29%
Survival
21%
Power
15%
Self
10%
Society
9%
Ideas
8%
Bonds
8%
Justice11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeViolence6 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed5 titles, browse their movies with this themePower3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 23 · Stylized 11 · Heightened 2

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 23 · Intense 12

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

Steady 15 · Shifting 19 · Whiplash 2

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 26 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 2

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

Slow burn 17 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 1

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

Casual 13 · Engaged 22 · Full focus 1

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

Easy watch 12 · Affecting 15 · Heavy 9

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

Resolved 26 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 5

Roles they play

21 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 9 of 21 analyzed roles.

Shadow
9 of 21
Hero
6 of 21
Ally
2 of 21
Trickster
1 of 21
Mentor
1 of 21
Herald
1 of 21
Threshold guardian
1 of 21
Show the 21 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
31
Dread
11
Melancholic
15
Thrilling
11
Contemplative
8
Other
23

How their films linger

Unsettling15 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet12 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking11 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet15
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous11

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 Bradford Dillman's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 25 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (18).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bradford Dillman'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

130 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Heart of Justice(1992)

    as Mr. Burgess

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Christine Cromwell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lords of the Deep(1989)

    as Dobler

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Heroes Stand Alone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Walt Simmons

  • The Man Outside (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Frank Simmons

  • Covenant(1985)

    as Eric Noble

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Treasure of the Amazon(1985)

    as Clark

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Brent · as Avery Stone · as Carl Dorner · as Dennis McConnell · as Dep. Police Comm. Bradley Folkes · as Eric Benderson · as Richard Ellston · as Simeon Kershaw

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Hot Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Victor Modrian

  • Hot Pursuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Victor Modrian

  • Sudden Impact(1983)

    as Captain Briggs

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Matt Houston (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Hotel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Stanton

  • King's Crossing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 10 episodes · as Paul Hollister

  • Falcon Crest(1981)

    Show 10 episodes · as Darryl Clayton

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Dynasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Running Scared (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Arthur Jaeger

  • The Legend of Walks Far Woman(1980)

    as Singer

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Tourist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Harry Flemington

  • The Memory of Eva Ryker(1980)

    as Jason Eddington

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Before and After (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Jack Matthews

  • Guyana: Cult of the Damned(1979)

    as Dr. Gary Shaw

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Love and Bullets(1979)

    as Jim Brickman

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Jennifer: A Woman’s Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Donald Prince

  • Sword of Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Harry Gaedel

  • Piranha(1978)

    as Paul Grogan

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • The Swarm(1978)

    as Major Baker

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Amsterdam Kill(1977)

    as Odums

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • The Incredible Hulk(1977)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Lincoln Conspiracy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as John Wilkes Booth

  • The Hostage Heart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dr. Eric Lake

  • The Enforcer(1976)

    as Captain McKay

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Charlie's Angels(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Tony Kramer

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all shows

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

    as Avery Stanton

  • Street Killing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Howard Bronstein

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

    as Jabez Link

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

    as Richard

  • One Away (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Ruben Bass

  • Demon, Demon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Sam

  • Wonder Woman(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Deal III

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Death in Deep Water (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Gary Stevens

  • Medical Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Gerald Warren

  • Three for the Road (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Bug(1975)

    as Prof. James Parmiter

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Next Voice You See (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Stan Kay

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

    Show 1 episode · as Luke

  • Force Five (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Michael Dominick

  • The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond(1975)

    as Ned McLean

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Adventures of the Queen(1975)

    as Martin Reed

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Please Call It Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Lt. Danny Ianello

  • A Black Ribbon for Deborah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Michel Lagrange

  • The Disappearance of Flight 412(1974)

    as Maj. Mike Dunning

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • 99 and 44/100% Dead!(1974)

    as Big Eddie

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Gold(1974)

    as Manfred Steyner

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Chosen Survivors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Peter Macomber

  • Last Bride Of Salem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Matt Clifton

  • Murder or Mercy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Sam Champion

  • The Iceman Cometh(1973)

    as Willie Oban

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Way We Were(1973)

    as J.J.

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Deliver Us from Evil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Steven Dennis

  • Thriller(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Gary Stevens · as Stan Kay

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Barnaby Jones(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Charles Kohlmeyer / Stanley Rickland · as Terry McCormack

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Moon of the Wolf(1972)

    as Andrew Rodanthe

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Streets of San Francisco (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Delphi Bureau: The Merchant of Death Assignment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Randy Jamison

  • The Eyes of Charles Sand(1972)

    as Jeffrey Winslow

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Sixth Sense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Resurrection of Zachary Wheeler(1971)

    as Sen. Clayton Zachary Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Revenge! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Frank Klaner

  • Five Desperate Women (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Jim Meeker

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

    Show 1 episode · as Tony Goodland

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Brother John(1971)

    as Lloyd Thomas

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Escape from the Planet of the Apes(1971)

    as Dr. Lewis Dixon

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Mephisto Waltz(1971)

    as Bill Delancey

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

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

    as Duke Paige

  • Alias Smith and Jones (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Night Gallery(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Richard Upton Pickman (segment "Pickman's Model")

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Matt Bryan

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Suppose They Gave a War and Nobody Came(1970)

    as Capt. Myerson

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • McCloud(1970)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Dominick

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Black Water Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Lyle Fawcett

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Fellows

  • Marcus Welby, M.D.(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Ken McGurney

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • The Bridge at Remagen(1969)

    as Maj. Barnes

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Fear No Evil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Paul Varney

  • The Mod Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Name of the Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Earl Keith

  • Jigsaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Jonathan Fields

  • The Helicopter Spies(1968)

    as Luther Sebastian

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Sergeant Ryker(1968)

    as Capt. David Young

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Judd, for the Defense (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Mission: Impossible(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Shipherd

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Felony Squad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Shane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 2 episodes · as Maj. George Hackett

  • The Plainsman(1966)

    as Lt. Stiles

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Court Martial (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 20 episodes · as Capt. David Young

  • A Rage to Live(1965)

    as Sidney Tate

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • The F.B.I. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 2 episodes · as Curtis Breer · as George Bellamy · as Lawrence Reynolds · as Neil Stryker · as Roger Leroy Mason

  • The Wild Wild West (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Big Valley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. James Beldon · as Eric Mercer

  • Profiles in Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Edmund G. Ross

  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · as Luther Sebastian

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • 12 O'Clock High (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Kraft Suspense Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 2 episodes · as Capt. David Young

  • Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Matt

  • Espionage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Magnus Anderssen

  • The Greatest Show on Earth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Breaking Point (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Monstrosity(1963)

    as Narrator (voice; uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Bill Nelson · as Howard Clements

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • The Virginian (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Sam Harder

  • Alcoa Premiere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 62 episodes · Actor

  • Ben Casey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dr. Kildare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 3 episodes · as Andrew Webb · as Rev. Andrew Webb · as Tony Warren

  • Francis of Assisi(1961)

    as Francis Bernardone of Assisi

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Kraft Mystery Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Sanctuary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Gowan Stevens

  • Circle of Deception (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Capt. Paul Raine

  • Crack in the Mirror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Larnier / Claude

  • Compulsion(1959)

    as Arthur A. Straus

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • In Love and War(1958)

    as Alan Newcombe

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Naked City(1958)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Fallon

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • A Certain Smile (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    as Bertrand Griot

  • Matinee Theater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Climax! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    Show 1 episode · as Greg Fletcher

  • Keep Our Honor Bright (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Student

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Erik Valkay

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 130 titles from 1951 to 1992; peak year 1972.

Biggest box office

Sudden Impact (1983)

$68M worldwide

Highest rated

Compulsion (1959)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

Barnaby Jones (1973)

Film career

19511992

Peak 1972 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 9 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
Acting130 of 130: 130 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score46th

By decade

1950s8 · acting1960s39 · acting1970s63 · acting1980s19 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 4th · top billed in 21% of 19 roles
5974

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 Bradford Dillman's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 32nd percentile, the median of all 37; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 37th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up10
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th15
  • Below 25th14

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed10
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond (1975)

86th percentile spread · 31% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Compulsion (1959)

Midcredits 90th · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 46. 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 Bradford Dillman's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles31–79 · median 69 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles26–58 · median 45 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity6 titles26–60 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 44 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles31–77 · median 67 · 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 Bradford Dillman work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bradford Dillman's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Walter Grauman shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers