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Joel Murray

Joel Murray

Actor, also producer · Born April 17, 1963 (63) · Wilmette, Illinois, USA

Joel is a versatile writer-director-actor. The youngest of the nine Murrays is a veteran of over 250 sit-com episodes. He has been a series regular on the comedies Grand, Pacific Station, Love and War, Dharma and Greg and Still Standing. He has also recurred on the series Mike and Molly, My Boys and Two and a Half Men. Brother of Bill Murray, John Murray and Brian Doyle-Murray.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 17, 1963 (63)
From
Wilmette, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor, also producer
Titles
53 on MovieCove · 79 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 17% in 30 days

What are Joel Murray's films like?

Across their 18 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Animation2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 84th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Documentary2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 53rd percentile
: browse their Documentary 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
21%
Society
17%
Survival
16%
Morality
8%
Ideas
5%
Power
2%
Friendship4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 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 7 · Serious 5 · Dark 5

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 4

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

Gentle 6 · Charged 7 · Intense 4

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

Steady 9 · Shifting 8 · Whiplash 0

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

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 8 · Funny 3

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

A split, not a type: Slow burn 9 · Even-paced 6 · Relentless 2

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

Casual 11 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

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 8 · Affecting 6 · Heavy 3

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

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 1

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 5
Hero
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Shadow
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Warm
8
Joyful
5
Melancholic
5
Absurd
6
Other
19

How their films linger

Hopeful9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy5
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous5
  • Cyclical1

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 Joel Murray's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 44 of their 53 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Joel Murray'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

79 credits, 53 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Extended Family(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Danny Walsh

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all shows

  • Merry Good Enough(2023)

    as George

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • White House Plumbers(2023)

    Show 2 episodes · as Don

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Gorditx (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Unbound (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Commander Young

  • Monuments(2020)

    as Steven Lesca

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • AJ and the Queen(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Motorcycle Cop

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Bob Hearts Abishola(2019)

    Show 2 episodes · as Max Wheeler

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • Holiday Hell(2019)

    as Chris

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Conners(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Jim

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Lodge 49(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • American Gods(2017)

    Show 1 episode · as Paunch

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

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

    Show 8 episodes · as Rollie

  • The Last Word(2017)

    as Joe Mueller

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Killing Reagan(2016)

    as Edwin Meese

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Pig(2016)

    as Gringo

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Hidden America with Jonah Ray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Pete

  • Sophie and the Rising Sun(2016)

    as Sheriff Cooper

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Lamb(2015)

    as Wilson

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Bloodsucking Bastards(2015)

    as Ted

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • 7 Minutes(2014)

    as Uncle Pete

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • The Leftovers(2014)

    Show 2 episodes · as George Brevity

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Party Central(2013)

    as Don (voice)

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Merkin Penal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Calloway

  • Chicago P.D.(2014)

    Show 4 episodes · as Commander Mark Devlin

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Jobs(2013)

    as Computer Professor

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Monsters University(2013)

    as Don (voice)

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Lay the Favorite(2012)

    as Darren

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • God Bless America(2011)

    as Frank

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • The Artist(2011)

    as Policeman Fire

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Last Man Standing(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • 2 Broke Girls(2011)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Shameless(2011)

    Show 9 episodes · as Eddie Jackson

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Hatchet II(2010)

    as Doug Shapiro

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Mike & Molly(2010)

    Show 2 episodes · Director · as Dr. Jeffries

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all shows

  • Ballhawks(2010)

    Producer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mending Fences(2009)

    as Sam Bridgewater

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • The Tiffany Problem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Mr. Reynolds

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 17 episodes · Director · as Doug

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Mad Men(2007)

    Show 15 episodes · as Fred Rumsen

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • My Boys(2006)

    Show 1 episode · as Crowley

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all shows

  • The One About the Nun and the Priest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director

  • Hatchet(2006)

    as Doug Shapiro

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all films

  • It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Andrew Kane

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Grey's Anatomy(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Agent Martin Fields

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Desperate Housewives(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Alan

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • Nobody Knows Anything!(2003)

    as Robber #1

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

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

    Show 1 episode · as Bobby Kent (2008)

  • Joan of Arcadia (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Balloon Sculptor God

  • Two and a Half Men(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Doug · as Nick · as Petey

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • 3-South (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 13 episodes · Actor

  • Still Standing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 24 episodes · Director · as Danny 'Fitz' Fitzsimmons

  • CSI: Miami(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as George Olsen

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • John Doe (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dante Langenhan

  • A Baby Blues Christmas Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Carl Bitterman (voice)

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Bus Driver #1

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Triffid (voice) · as Triffid (voice)

  • Baby Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 8 episodes · as (voice)

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Larry

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • The Thin Pink Line(1998)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

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

    Show 119 episodes · Director · as Pete Cavanaugh

  • The Cable Guy(1996)

    as Basketball Player

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Encino Woman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Mr. Jones

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

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beethoven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Show 26 episodes · as Beethoven (voice)

  • The Nanny(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Val's Date

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • Love & War(1992)

    Show 68 episodes · as Ray Litvak

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Only You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Bert

  • The Prom (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Treatment Booth Attendant

  • Pacific Station (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 13 episodes · as Ken Epstein

  • Shakes the Clown(1991)

    as Milkman

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Blossom(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows

  • Grand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 25 episodes · as Norris Weldon

  • Elvis Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Shopping Elvis / Paul

  • Scrooged(1988)

    as Guest

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Long Gone(1987)

    as Bart Polanski

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • One Crazy Summer(1986)

    as George Calamari

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Killing Chuck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Chuck

  • The Big Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 78 titles, 76 of them dated from 1986 to 2023; peak year 2013.

Biggest box office

Monsters University (2013)

$744M worldwide

Highest rated

The Artist (2011)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Monsters University (2013)

Film career

19862023

Peak 2013 · at the high point of their film career. 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
Acting75 of 78: 71 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score59thDirecting7 of 78: 3 only directing, 4 with another role

78 titles, 4 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1980s4 · acting1990s14 · 14 acting · 1 crew2000s23 · 22 acting · 3 crew2010s28 · 26 acting · 3 crew2020s7 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 5% of 19 roles
8606

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 Joel Murray's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 49th percentile, the median of all 27; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 58th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 53 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up16
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 53 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved10
  • Divisive3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

Merry Good Enough (2023)

94th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mad Men (2007)

Midcredits 98th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 15 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 51. 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 Joel Murray's work okay for kids?

Across up to 10 MovieCove titles with content scores, 1 of the 5 categories sits near the median of all films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore4 titlesmedian 54 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity10 titles9–56 · median 34 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity4 titlesmedian 38 · moderateMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 37 · moderateMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense4 titlesmedian 47 · moderateMedian 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 Joel Murray work with?

People who share at least 2 of Joel Murray's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; John Goodman shares the most, 3.

Actors

Mixed roles