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Dennis Dugan

Dennis Dugan

Actor and director, also producer, writer and composer · Born September 5, 1946 (80) · Wheaton, Illinois, USA

Dennis Dugan (born September 5, 1946) is an American director, comedian, and actor. He started his acting career after appearing in the 1973 made-for-TV movie” The Girl Most Likely to...” He is well known for his frequent collaborations with comedic actor Adam Sandler, directing several films including “Happy Gilmore” and “Grown Ups.” Dennis has also made a career as a television and film director, and appears in cameo parts in many of his films. Dugan has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting (was also a guest star in some episodes), Ally McBeal, and NYPD Blue.  Dugan married actress Joyce Van Patten in 1973 and divorced her fourteen years later. Now he is married to Sharon O'Connor and has a son named Kelly Dugan.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
September 5, 1946 (80)
From
Wheaton, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor and director, also producer, writer and composer
Titles
48 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 155 days to Oct 26Down 28% in 30 days

What are Dennis Dugan's films like?

Across their 27 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy19 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 36th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 28th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 47th 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
Bonds
47%
Self
26%
Morality
13%
Power
7%
Society
4%
Survival
3%
Friendship10 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth6 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception5 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 26 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 25 · Serious 0 · Dark 1

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 12 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 5

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

A split, not a type: Gentle 14 · Charged 11 · Intense 1

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

A split, not a type: Steady 14 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 4

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 4 · Funny 21

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

Slow burn 5 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 3

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 1 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 26 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

4 analyzed roles
Shadow
1 of 4
Trickster
1 of 4
Hero
1 of 4
Ally
1 of 4

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
19
Joyful
18
Warm
9
Manic
4
Hopeful
4
Other
17

How their films linger

Fun22 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy25
  • Bittersweet2

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 Dennis Dugan's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 32 of their 48 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dennis Dugan'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, 48 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Happy Gilmore 2(2025)

    Executive Producer · as Doug Thompson

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Father There is Only One 4(2024)

    as Director Película

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Knox Goes Away(2023)

    as Philo Jones

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Love, Weddings & Other Disasters(2020)

    Director · Composer · Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Eddie Stone

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Torrente 5: Operation Eurovegas(2014)

    Script Consultant

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all films

  • Grown Ups 2(2013)

    Director · as Dr. Larry

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • That's My Boy(2012)

    Executive Producer · as School Janitor

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Jack and Jill(2011)

    Director · as Al Pacino's Standby

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Just Go with It(2011)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Grown Ups(2010)

    Director · as Referee

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • You Don't Mess with the Zohan(2008)

    Director · as Homeless Guy

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry(2007)

    Director · as Cab Driver

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Benchwarmers(2006)

    Director · as Coach Bellows

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Karroll's Christmas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Director · as Door Knocker

  • Hope & Faith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Mullets (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • National Security(2003)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Saving Silverman(2001)

    Director · as Referee

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Shasta McNasty (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 5 episodes · Director

  • Big Daddy(1999)

    Director · as Reluctant Trick-or-Treat Giver (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Love Boat: The Next Wave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Beverly Hills Ninja(1997)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Happy Gilmore(1996)

    Director · as Doug Thompson

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Marker (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Shaggy Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Director

  • Chicago Hope (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Byrds of Paradise (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Burke's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • Brain Donors(1992)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Problem Child(1990)

    Director · as All American Dad

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Doogie Howser, M.D.(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all shows

  • Parenthood(1989)

    as David Brodsky

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Channel 99 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking(1988)

    as Mr. Settigren

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • She's Having a Baby(1988)

    as Bill

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • Wiseguy(1987)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • Can't Buy Me Love(1987)

    as David Miller

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Roy Tomba

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Shadow Chasers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 14 episodes · as Edgar "Benny" Benedek

  • Scene of the Crime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 5 episodes · Director · as Cy · as Walter Bishop

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Water(1985)

    as Rob

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Toughest Man in the World(1984)

    as Dick

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Empire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ben Christian

  • Country Gold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Darryl Appleby

  • St. Elsewhere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Corky

  • The Howling(1981)

    as Chris

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 4 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Deer in the Works (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as David Potter

  • Unidentified Flying Oddball(1979)

    as Tom Trimble

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Jack Hogarth

  • Richie Brockelman, Private Eye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 6 episodes · as Richie Brockleman

  • Last of the Good Guys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Officer Johnny Lucas (uncredited)

  • Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Richard 'Richie' Brockelman

  • Norman... Is That You?(1976)

    as Garson Hobart

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Alice(1976)

    Show 1 episode · as Joel Snedeger

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Harry and Walter Go to New York(1976)

    as Lewis

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Good Heavens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Rich Man, Poor Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 12 episodes · as Claude Tinker

  • Smile(1975)

    as Logan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Night Moves(1975)

    as boy

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • The Day of the Locust(1975)

    as Apprentice #3

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The Rockford Files(1974)

    Show 2 episodes · as Richie Brockelman

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Death Race (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Pvt. Becker

  • The Girl Most Likely to...(1973)

    as Charlie Elliott

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Police Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • M*A*S*H(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bob Wilson

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Waltons(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Night Call Nurses(1972)

    as Kit

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Hospital(1971)

    as E.R. Doctor (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · Director · as Theodore 'Mac' Albinsky

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Grown Ups 3 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 77 titles, 76 of them dated from 1971 to 2025; peak year 2025.

Biggest box office

Grown Ups (2010)

$271M worldwide

Highest rated

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Midcredits 78th

Most popular right now

Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19712025

Peak 2025 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 1 MovieCove title. 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
Acting58 of 77: 42 only acting, 16 with another role · typical Midcredits score49thDirecting32 of 77: 18 only directing, 14 with another role · typical Midcredits score36thWriting2 of 77: 1 only writing, 1 with another roleProducing2 of 77: 0 only producing, 2 with another roleMusic1 of 77: 0 only music, 1 with another role

77 titles, 16 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 14 of them.

By decade

1970s24 · 24 acting · 1 crew1980s20 · 17 acting · 4 crew1990s14 · 3 acting · 14 crew2000s8 · 5 acting · 8 crew2010s6 · 4 acting · 6 crew2020s4 · 4 acting · 2 crew

Billing

usually 10th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
738393

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 Dennis Dugan's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 42nd percentile, the median of all 36; across their 26 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 35th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

35thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Reach · how many have seen their films

95thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 26

Midcredits score across 48 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th8
  • 25th to 49th20
  • Below 25th5

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 48 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

The Toughest Man in the World (1984)

73rd percentile spread · 30% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Hill Street Blues (1981)

Midcredits 92nd · 90% liked

Reviewers score the acting 56/100 in their films, across 26 reviewed titles; fans 70, detractors 32. 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 Dennis Dugan's work okay for kids?

Across up to 19 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films and violence & gore and frightening / intense lighter.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore16 titles25–52 · median 33 · mildlighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity19 titles37–66 · median 44 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity16 titles40–63 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs16 titles22–51 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense17 titles10–52 · median 16 · mildlighter 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 Dennis Dugan work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dennis Dugan's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Adam Sandler shares the most, 10.

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles