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Richard Jenkins

Richard Jenkins

Actor, also producer · Born May 4, 1947 (79) · DeKalb, Illinois, USA

Primetime Emmy winner · Oscar nominee · Golden Globe nominee · 4 other major award bodies

Richard Dale Jenkins (born May 4, 1947) is an American actor. Jenkins began his acting career in theater at the Trinity Repertory Company and later made his film debut in 1974. He has worked steadily in film and television since the 1980s, mostly in supporting roles. His first major role did not come until the early 2000s, when he portrayed the deceased patriarch Nathaniel Fisher on the HBO funeral drama series Six Feet Under (2001–2005). He is also known for his roles in the films Burn After Reading (2008), Step Brothers (2008), Let Me In (2010), Jack Reacher (2012), and The Cabin in the Woods (2012). Jenkins was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for the drama film The Visitor (2007). He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for the limited drama series Olive Kitteridge (2014). For his performance in the fantasy drama film The Shape of Water (2017), Jenkins received Academy Award, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor. ​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 4, 1947 (79)
From
DeKalb, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
103 on MovieCove · 116 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 14% in 30 days

What are Richard Jenkins' films like?

Across their 82 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy26 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 48th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama26 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 49th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Crime8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 75th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Action movies
Biography4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography movies
Adventure3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: 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
30%
Self
22%
Morality
21%
Survival
11%
Power
7%
Society
7%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds24 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice21 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love12 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity12 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship9 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival7 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose8 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 78 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 26 · Serious 22 · Dark 30

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

A split, not a type: Grounded 50 · Stylized 20 · Heightened 8

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

Gentle 18 · Charged 34 · Intense 26

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

A split, not a type: Steady 35 · Shifting 31 · Whiplash 12

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 41 · Some laughs 21 · Funny 16

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

Slow burn 29 · Even-paced 45 · Relentless 4

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

Casual 34 · Engaged 37 · Full focus 7

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 29 · Affecting 24 · Heavy 25

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

Resolved 52 · Open-ended 23 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

43 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 14 of 43 analyzed roles.

Mentor
14 of 43
Threshold guardian
7 of 43
Ally
7 of 43
Shadow
6 of 43
Trickster
4 of 43
Herald
2 of 43
Hero
2 of 43
Shapeshifter
1 of 43
Show the 43 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
51
Melancholic
35
Absurd
19
Warm
22
Contemplative
17
Other
79

How their films linger

Hopeful31 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet24 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking23 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting19 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 11 with a twist

  • Happy23
  • Bittersweet41
  • Tragic6
  • Ambiguous12

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 Richard Jenkins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 64 of their 103 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (29).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Richard Jenkins' 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

116 credits, 103 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • DTF St. Louis(2026)

    Show 7 episodes · as Donoghue Homer

    Midcredits score: 63rd percentile of all shows

  • IF(2024)

    as Art Teacher (voice)

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • DAHMER - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 10 episodes · Producer · as Lionel Dahmer

  • Monster(2022)

    Show Producer · as Lionel Dahmer

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Nightmare Alley(2021)

    as Ezra Grindle

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Humans(2021)

    as Erik

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Kajillionaire(2020)

    as Robert

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Last Shift(2020)

    as Stanley

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • The Shape of Water(2017)

    as Giles

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • LBJ(2016)

    as Sen. Richard Russell

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Kong: Skull Island(2017)

    as Senator Al Willis

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Berlin Station(2016)

    Show 29 episodes · as Steven Frost

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all shows

  • The Hollars(2016)

    as Don Hollar

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Spotlight(2015)

    as Richard Sipe (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Bone Tomahawk(2015)

    as Chicory

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Olive Kitteridge(2014)

    Show 4 episodes · as Henry Kitteridge

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Lullaby(2014)

    as Robert

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • 4 Minute Mile(2014)

    as Coleman

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • God's Pocket(2014)

    as Richard Shelburn

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • A.C.O.D.(2013)

    as Hugh

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Turbo(2013)

    as Bobby (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • White House Down(2013)

    as Raphelson

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Jack Reacher(2012)

    as D.A. Alex Rodin

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • The Company You Keep(2012)

    as Jed Lewis

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all films

  • Liberal Arts(2012)

    as Professor Peter Hoberg

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Killing Them Softly(2012)

    as Driver

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Darling Companion(2012)

    as Russell

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • The Cabin in the Woods(2011)

    as Richard Sitterson

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • The Rum Diary(2011)

    as Lotterman

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

  • Friends with Benefits(2011)

    as Mr. Harper

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Happythankyoumoreplease(2010)

    as Paul Gertmanian

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Hall Pass(2011)

    as Coakley

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Let Me In(2010)

    as The Father

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Eat Pray Love(2010)

    as Richard · as Richard from Texas

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all films

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

    as Doug Long

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

    as Richard Twist

  • Dear John(2010)

    as Mr. Tyree

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Tale of Despereaux(2008)

    as Principal (voice)

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • The Broken(2008)

    as John McVey

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Burn After Reading(2008)

    as Ted

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Step Brothers(2008)

    as Dr. Robert Doback

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all films

  • The Visitor(2007)

    as Prof. Walter Vale

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • The Kingdom(2007)

    as Robert Grace

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Rumor Has It...(2005)

    as Earl Huttinger

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Fun with Dick and Jane(2005)

    as Frank Bascombe

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • North Country(2005)

    as Hank Aimes

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Shall We Dance?(2004)

    as Devine

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • I Heart Huckabees(2004)

    as Mr. Hooten (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Cheaper by the Dozen(2003)

    as Shake

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Intolerable Cruelty(2003)

    as Freddy Bender

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Core(2003)

    as Gen. Thomas Purcell

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Mudge Boy(2003)

    as Edgar Mudge

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Stealing Harvard(2002)

    as Honorable Judge Emmett Cook

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Changing Lanes(2002)

    as Walter Arnell

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Sins of the Father(2002)

    as Bobby Frank Cherry

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Man Who Wasn't There(2001)

    as Walter Abundas

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Six Feet Under(2001)

    Show 21 episodes · as Nathaniel Fisher

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • One Night at McCool's(2001)

    as Father Jimmy

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Say It Isn't So(2001)

    as Walter Wingfield

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Me, Myself & Irene(2000)

    as Agent Boshane

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • What Planet Are You From?(2000)

    as Don Fisk

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Snow Falling on Cedars(1999)

    as Sheriff Art Moran

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Random Hearts(1999)

    as Truman Trainor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Outside Providence(1999)

    as Barney

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • The Confession(1999)

    as Cass O'Donnell

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • The Mod Squad(1999)

    as Det. Bob Mothershed

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • The Impostors(1998)

    as Johnny Leguard (Frenchman)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • There's Something About Mary(1998)

    as Psychiatrist (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Into Thin Air: Death on Everest(1997)

    as Beck Weathers

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Eye of God(1997)

    as Willard Sprague

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bo

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • Absolute Power(1997)

    as Michael McCarty

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Eddie(1996)

    as Carl Zimmer

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Flirting with Disaster(1996)

    as Paul Harmon

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • A Couch in New York(1996)

    as Campton

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • The Boys Next Door(1996)

    as Bob Klemper

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • How to Make an American Quilt(1995)

    as Howell

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • The Indian in the Cupboard(1995)

    as Victor

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Trapped in Paradise(1994)

    as Agent Shaddus Peyser

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • It Could Happen to You(1994)

    as C. Vernon Hale

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Wolf(1994)

    as Detective Carl Bridger

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Getting Out(1994)

    as Chaplain

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • And the Band Played On(1993)

    as Dr. Marc Conant

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Undercover Blues(1993)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Queen(1993)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mr. Benson

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Afterburn(1992)

    as Acton Ryder

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Carolina Skeletons(1991)

    as Redy

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Doublecrossed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Actor

  • The Perfect Tribute (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Blair

  • Descending Angel(1990)

    as Debaudt

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • When You Remember Me(1990)

    as Vaughan

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Rising Son(1990)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Blue Steel(1990)

    as Attorney Mel Dawson

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Challenger(1990)

    as Gregory B. Jarvis

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Blaze(1989)

    as Picayune

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Kojak: Fatal Flaw (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Joel Litkin

  • Sea of Love(1989)

    as Gruber

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • How I Got Into College(1989)

    as Bill Browne

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Out on the Edge(1989)

    as Paul Evetts

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Rachel River (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Cordell

  • In the Line of Duty: The F.B.I. Murders(1988)

    as Detective Hamill

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Stealing Home(1988)

    as Hank Chandler

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Little Nikita(1988)

    as Richard Grant

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • The Witches of Eastwick(1987)

    as Clyde Alden

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Courtship (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Bobby Pate

  • The Manhattan Project(1986)

    as Radiation Controls Officer

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • On Valentine's Day(1986)

    as Bobby Pate

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Little Sister(1985)

    as Roger Davis

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • Hannah and Her Sisters(1986)

    as Dr. Wilkes

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Silverado(1985)

    as Kelly

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as DEA Agent Ed Waters · as Goodman

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

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

    as 1st Cop

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Roger Davis

  • Feasting with Panthers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Warder

  • Great Performances (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Sheriff · as Warder

  • Criminal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 4 episodes · as Ivan

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 115 titles, 114 of them dated from 1971 to 2026; peak year 2011.

Biggest box office

Turbo (2013)

$283M worldwide

Highest rated

The Visitor (2007)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

Burn After Reading (2008)

Film career

MilestoneNomination
19712026

Peak 2011 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 22 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
Acting115 of 115: 114 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score55thProducing1 of 115: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s19 · acting1990s33 · acting2000s24 · acting2010s29 · acting2020s7 · 7 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 5% of 80 roles
86919601061116

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 Primetime Emmy from 18 major nominations, 1997–2026.

WinNomination
  1. 2026
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
  2. 2023
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Limited Series, Anthology Series or Motion Picture Made for Television
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Producers Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Television
  3. 2018
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Supporting Actor
  4. 2016
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Male
  5. 2015
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
  6. 2009
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
    • +2 other major bodies · 2 nominations
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actor
      • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Male Lead
  7. 2002
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
  8. 1997
    • Independent Spirit Award, nominated · Best Supporting Male

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 Richard Jenkins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 53rd percentile, the median of all 95; across their 78 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 52nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

52ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Approval · how many liked their films

49thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Reach · how many have seen their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 78

Midcredits score across 103 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up26
  • 50th to 74th34
  • 25th to 49th35
  • Below 25th8

Shape of the crowd

52 of their 103 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser52
  • Broadly Agreed21
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

The Little Sister (1985)

81st percentile spread · 32% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Spotlight (2015)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 76 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 47. 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 Richard Jenkins' work okay for kids?

Across up to 51 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore37 titles10–89 · median 54 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity51 titles19–69 · median 42 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity41 titles38–87 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs36 titles27–64 · median 37 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense37 titles9–79 · median 44 · moderatenear the median of all 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 Richard Jenkins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Richard Jenkins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Bobby Farrelly shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles