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Sy Richardson

Sy Richardson

Actor, also writer · Born June 4, 1941 (85) · Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

Symon Lionel Richardson (born June 4, 1941) is an American film and television actor. He made his film debut as the Fairy Godmother, in the 1977 American erotic musical comedy Cinderella. Richardson is perhaps best known as a regular in the films of Alex Cox, having appeared in Repo Man, Sid and Nancy, Straight to Hell, Walker, The Winner and Searchers 2.0. He played "Turbo" in the 1990 film Tripwire. He recently had a recurring role as the coroner on the TV series Pushing Daisies. He is also in They Live and played a tough L.A. County Sherrif in the gang classic Colors.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
June 4, 1941 (85)
From
Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
51 on MovieCove · 72 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 28% in 30 days

What are Sy Richardson's films like?

Across their 21 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Power.

Genres

Action7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 39th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 15th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Drama movies
Biography2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 77th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Biography 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
28%
Power
21%
Morality
16%
Survival
13%
Self
13%
Society
8%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRevenge3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 20 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 7 · Wry 0 · Earnest 12

Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 8 · Serious 7 · Dark 5

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

Grounded 6 · Stylized 9 · Heightened 5

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

Gentle 4 · Charged 8 · Intense 8

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

Steady 6 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 5

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

Straight-faced 5 · Some laughs 9 · Funny 6

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

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 9 · Relentless 5

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 7 · Full focus 1

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

Resolved 14 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 2 of 5 analyzed roles.

Ally
2 of 5
Trickster
1 of 5
Mentor
1 of 5
Threshold guardian
1 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
13
Absurd
11
Thrilling
6
Joyful
4
Manic
3
Other
12

How their films linger

Fun13 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet9
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

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 Sy Richardson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 31 of their 51 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sy Richardson'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

72 credits, 51 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • It Wants Blood 2(2026)

    as Professor Smert

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Family Reunion(2019)

    Show 1 episode · as Brother Franklin

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • 5th of July(2019)

    as Pops

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Message from a Mistress(2017)

    as Mr. Hall

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Documentary Now!(2015)

    Show 1 episode · as David

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Faith of Our Fathers(2015)

    as Dan

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Benched(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as Moon Rock

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Larry Crowne(2011)

    as Avery

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Rizzoli & Isles(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Sour Grapes

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • A Numbers Game (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Bernie

  • Our Family Wedding(2010)

    as Sonny

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Hip-Hop Headstrong (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as The Bishop

  • South of Heaven (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Pawn Daddy

  • Pushing Daisies(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · as Coroner

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • All About Us(2007)

    as Willie Earl

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Searchers 2.0 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Fritz Frobisher

  • The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning(2007)

    as Shiner #2

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Lord Help Us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Church Member

  • Surviving Christmas(2004)

    as Doo-Dah Understudy

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • NCIS(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Lester

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. County 187(2003)

    as Leotis Brown

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Monk(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Janitor · as Sanitation Worker

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The Shield(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Brother William

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Human Nature(2001)

    as Police Detective

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Extreme Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Schultz

  • The Division (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Bus Driver

  • After Diff'rent Strokes: When the Laughter Stopped (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Mr. Coleman

  • The Playaz Court (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Louie

  • Mr. P's Dancing Sushi Bar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Harry

  • Heat Vision and Jack(1999)

    as Doctor

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Charmed(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Father Wilkins

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Erasable You (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Miliatant

  • Shattered Illusions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Gene

  • Profiler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Gus

  • Evil Obsession(1996)

    as Jim

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • The Winner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Bartender

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

    as Commander K

  • ER(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Coleman

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all shows

  • The Glass Shield(1994)

    as Mr. Taylor

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Posse(1993)

    Writer · as Shepherd

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Eye of the Stranger(1993)

    as Jeb

    Midcredits score: 1st percentile of all films

  • Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel(1993)

    as Ernest

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Hangin' with Mr. Cooper(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Gooding

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Martin(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Boss Man

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all shows

  • My Brother's Wedding (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mr. Dubois

  • To Sleep with Anger(1990)

    as Marsh

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Men at Work(1990)

    as Walt Richardson

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Grifters(1990)

    as Cab Driver (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Street Asylum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Sgt. 'Joker' Tatum

  • Wings(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Luther

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Catchfire(1990)

    as Capt. Walker

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Tripwire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Turbo

  • Mystery Train(1989)

    as Newsvendor

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects(1989)

    as Lavonne

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Three Fugitives(1989)

    as Tucker

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • They Live(1988)

    as Black Revolutionary

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Tapeheads(1988)

    as Bartender

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Dead Man Walking (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Snake

  • Colors(1988)

    as Bailey

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • Bad Dreams(1988)

    as Detective Wasserman

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Cold Steel(1987)

    as Rashid

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Walker(1987)

    as Captain Hornsby

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Straight to Hell(1987)

    as Norwood

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all films

  • Medium Rare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Marv

  • Sid and Nancy(1986)

    as Methadone Caseworker

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Repo Man(1984)

    as Lite

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Gordon

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Falcon Crest(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Detective Olen

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all shows

  • Nocturna(1979)

    as RH Factor

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all films

  • Fairy Tales(1978)

    as Sirus

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Petey Wheatstraw(1977)

    as Petey's Father

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Cinderella (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Fairy Godmother

Career shape

Star power in the 96th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 72 titles from 1977 to 2023; peak year 1988.

Biggest box office

Colors (1988)

$47M worldwide

Highest rated

Pushing Daisies (2007)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19772023

Peak 1988 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting72 of 72: 71 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score47thWriting1 of 72: 0 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s4 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s23 · 23 acting · 1 crew2000s16 · acting2010s11 · acting2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 11th · top billed in 0% of 25 roles
778792

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 Sy Richardson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 34th percentile, the median of all 36; across their 20 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 38th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

38thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Approval · how many liked their films

32ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Reach · how many have seen their films

66thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 20

Midcredits score across 51 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up15
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th9
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

20 of their 51 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Universally Panned1
  • Divisive5
  • Crowd Pleaser19
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed20

Most divisive · actor

It Wants Blood 2 (2026)

98th percentile spread · 71% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Mystery Train (1989)

Midcredits 95th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 60/100 in their films, across 18 reviewed titles; fans 71, detractors 38. 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 Sy Richardson's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity, alcohol & drugs and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore6 titles60–82 · median 71 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles37–74 · median 57 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity5 titles47–91 · median 82 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs6 titles29–82 · median 65 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense6 titles50–73 · median 63 · 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 Sy Richardson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sy Richardson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Alex Cox shares the most, 4.

Directors

Actors

Cinematographers

Producers

Mixed roles