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Ethan Phillips

Ethan Phillips

Actor · Born February 8, 1955 (71) · Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA

Ethan Phillips (born February 8, 1955) is an American actor, playwright and author. He is known for television roles such as Star Trek: Voyager's Neelix and Benson's Pete Downey. Raised in Garden City, New York, Phillips attended Boston University and received a bachelor's degree in English literature and a Master of Fine Arts from Cornell University.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 8, 1955 (71)
From
Garden City, Long Island, New York, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
71 on MovieCove · 106 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 40% in 30 days

What are Ethan Phillips' films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Survival.

Genres

Comedy9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 46th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 79th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 40th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Horror3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 11th percentile
: browse their Horror 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
Self
25%
Survival
24%
Society
16%
Morality
15%
Bonds
15%
Power
5%
Survival8 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity6 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition4 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 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 9 · Serious 6 · Dark 6

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

Grounded 15 · Stylized 5 · Heightened 1

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

Gentle 7 · Charged 8 · Intense 6

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

Steady 7 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 2

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 11 · Some laughs 7 · 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 13 · Even-paced 5 · 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 12 · Engaged 9 · 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 9 · Affecting 7 · Heavy 5

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

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
17
Melancholic
8
Absurd
7
Hopeful
8
Warm
5
Other
18

How their films linger

Hopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 5 with a twist

  • Happy9
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous2
  • 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 Ethan Phillips' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 56 of their 71 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (21).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Ethan Phillips' 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

106 credits, 71 with a MovieCove page; 12 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • The Home(2025)

    as Ethan

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: very Short Treks (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 1 episode · as Neelix (voice)

  • 1 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    as Boss

  • Avenue 5(2020)

    Show 17 episodes · as Spike Martin

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • The Circuit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • The Price for Silence(2018)

    as Mayor Winston

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • New Amsterdam(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Dan Marken

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • Most Likely to Murder(2018)

    as Billy's Dad

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • Future '38(2017)

    as Dr. Elcourt

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Miles(2016)

    as Mr. Wilson

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • The Purge: Election Year(2016)

    as Chief Couper

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • All the Way(2016)

    as Joe Alsop

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Cozmo's (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    as Cozmo

  • The Murder Pact (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Professor

  • Irrational Man(2015)

    as Jill's Father

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Younger(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Better Call Saul(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Judge Benedict Munninger

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • The Adventures of RoboRex (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Randy Jenkins / Professor Apocalypse

  • Audrey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Donny

  • Inside Llewyn Davis(2013)

    as Mitch Gorfein

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Toolbox Murders 2: Coffin Baby(2013)

    as Coroner B. Jones

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Arachnoquake(2012)

    as Roy

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Veep(2012)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Wallace

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • A Night at the Silent Movie Theater(2012)

    as Carlos

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shadow Witness (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Frank

  • Rizzoli & Isles(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as John J. Murray

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Good Guys(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Alfonse LaViolette

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • Dahmer vs. Gacy(2010)

    as X-13

    Midcredits score: 4th percentile of all films

  • The Middle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Chairman

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all shows

  • The Good Wife(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Morris Weiner

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all shows

  • Mental(2009)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Castle(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as James Farnham

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • The Eastmans (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Dr. Donal Ennis

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Newsome Kirk

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Keith(2008)

    as Mr. Miles

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Big Game(2008)

    as Mr. Foxx

    Midcredits score: 6th percentile of all films

  • The Babysitters(2007)

    as Mark Wessler

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Eli Stone(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Principal Ackerman

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Hallowed Ground(2007)

    as Preacher

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Daniel Hill

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Cavemen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Chuck(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Woodley

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Plugged (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Murdered Man

  • Super Sweet 16: The Movie(2007)

    as Craig

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Law Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Judge Coleman Gen

  • A West Texas Children's Story(2007)

    as Businessman

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • California Dreaming (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Wayne Porter

  • Criminal Minds(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Doyle

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Love, Inc. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Elliot Schmallenberg

  • Bones(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Jerry Lincoln

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The War at Home (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Cooper

  • The Island(2005)

    as Jones Three Echo

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Cerebral Print: The Secret Files (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    as Agent Larry Cornbloom

  • Numb3rs(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Leonard Philbrick

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • Chestnut: Hero of Central Park(2004)

    as Marty

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Boston Legal(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · as Michael Schiller

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Bad Santa(2003)

    as Roger Merman

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Arrested Development(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Military Officer

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Las Vegas(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Gabe Labrador

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all shows

  • Rock Me Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as The Doctor

  • Rugrats Go Wild(2003)

    as Toa (voice)

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Oliver Beene (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Stitt

  • Family Tree (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Dad / Troll

  • Half & Half(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Adelman

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all shows

  • 8 Simple Rules(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all shows

  • The Jamie Kennedy Experiment (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Star Trek: Enterprise(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Ulis

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Endsville (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Terry Festinger

  • Star Trek: Voyager - Scorpion (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Neelix

  • Star Trek: Voyager - Future's End (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Neelix

  • Star Trek: Voyager - Dark Frontier (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Neelix

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Finch

  • The Lost World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Copy boy

  • From the Earth to the Moon(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Stanley Craig

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • For Richer or Poorer(1997)

    as Jerry

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: First Contact(1996)

    as Holodock Nightclub Maitre d' (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Voyager - Basics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Neelix

  • Jeffrey(1995)

    as Dave

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Star Trek: Voyager(1995)

    Show 169 episodes · as Neelix

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Touched by an Angel(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Wally Kniver

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Stewart

  • Wagons East(1994)

    as Smedly

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • The Shadow(1994)

    as Nelson

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Natural Selection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Henry

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Dwight

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Man Without a Face(1993)

    as Todd Lansing

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • Rain Without Thunder(1992)

    as Gynecologist

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Condition: Critical (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Randy

  • Critters 3(1991)

    as Deputy (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Green Card(1990)

    as Mr. Gorsky

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mark Hauser

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Glory(1989)

    as Hospital Steward

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Bloodhounds of Broadway(1989)

    as Basil Valentine

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Lean on Me(1989)

    as Mr. Rosenberg

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Star Trek: The Next Generation(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Farek

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Armondo

  • Burglar(1987)

    as Bartender at Parker's on Fifth

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Marvin Pick · as Sam Waibel

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Critters(1986)

    as Jeff Barnes

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The Twilight Zone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as (segment "Devil's Alphabet")

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as State Department Man

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 1 episode · as Basil Valentine

  • Ragtime(1981)

    as Guard at Family House

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • Hart to Hart (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Benson(1979)

    Show 88 episodes · as Pete Downey

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 106 titles from 1979 to 2025; peak year 2014.

Biggest box office

The Island (2005)

$163M worldwide

Highest rated

Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

Star Trek: Voyager (1995)

Film career

19792025

Peak 2014 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 5 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
Acting106 of 106: 106 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score70th

By decade

1970s2 · acting1980s13 · acting1990s21 · acting2000s42 · acting2010s24 · acting2020s4 · acting

Billing

usually 8th · top billed in 4% of 27 roles
8691960616

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 Ethan Phillips' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 43rd percentile, the median of all 38; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 50th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

87thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 71 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up32
  • 50th to 74th12
  • 25th to 49th14
  • Below 25th13

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 71 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved17
  • Divisive4
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed18

Most divisive · actor

A Night at the Silent Movie Theater (2012)

98th percentile spread · 44% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Glory (1989)

Midcredits 96th · 87% liked

Reviewers score the acting 62/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 76, 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.

Is Ethan Phillips' work okay for kids?

Across up to 11 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore9 titles24–95 · median 55 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity11 titles16–39 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity9 titles34–86 · median 51 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs9 titles22–46 · median 33 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense9 titles19–88 · median 51 · moderateheavier 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 Ethan Phillips work with?

People who share at least 2 of Ethan Phillips' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tim Russ shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers