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Paul Willson

Paul Willson

Actor, also writer · Born December 25, 1945 (80) · Fairmont, Minnesota, USA

Paul Willson was born on 25 December 1945 in Fairmont, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Office Space (1999), Barstow 2008 (2001) and The Goodbye Girl (1977).

Biography from IMDb.

Born
December 25, 1945 (80)
From
Fairmont, Minnesota, USA
Works as
Actor, also writer
Titles
57 on MovieCove · 90 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 3% in 30 days

What are Paul Willson's films like?

Across their 9 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Survival and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Survival
29%
Self
20%
Bonds
14%
Ideas
14%
Power
10%
Society
10%
Morality
3%
Survival4 titles, browse their movies with this themeArt2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 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 3 · Wry 0 · Earnest 4

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

Light 6 · Serious 1 · Dark 1

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

Grounded 2 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 3

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 5 · Intense 2

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

Steady 2 · Shifting 4 · Whiplash 2

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

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 5

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

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 7 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 7 · Engaged 1 · Full focus 0

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

Resolved 7 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
8
Joyful
4
Dread
2
Tense
2
Manic
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet2
  • Ambiguous1

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 Paul Willson's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 57 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (15).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Paul Willson'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

90 credits, 57 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • The Conners(2018)

    Show 1 episode · as Paulie

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all shows

  • Cook Off!(2007)

    as Mike Sweazy

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • FDR: American Badass!(2012)

    as Winston Churchill

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • The Newsroom(2012)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Dwayne Sotter

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Pound Puppies(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Biggles (voice)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Pups of Liberty: The Boston Tea-Bone Party (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as John Kennel (voice)

  • Punching the Clown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Bill

  • The Mentalist(2008)

    Show 2 episodes · as Paul Jenkins

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Big Bang Theory(2007)

    Show 1 episode · as Professor Sharpe

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all shows

  • The Beat(2003)

    as Officer Rodney

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The Toast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Producer · as Videographer

  • Rodney(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Security Guy

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Entourage(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Guy at Blackjack Table

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • L.A. D.J. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    as Uncle Marty

  • Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade(2003)

    as Mr. Detweiller (voice)

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • A Minute with Stan Hooper (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Red

  • Alex & Emma(2003)

    as 'Whistling' John Shaw

    Midcredits score: 22nd percentile of all films

  • Audrey's Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    as Harry

  • Barstow 2008 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    as Benny Finch

  • Men, Women & Dogs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · as Officer Stan Zajac

  • Recess: School's Out(2001)

    as Coach Kloogie / Mr. Detweiler (voice)

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Michael Richards Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Mailman

  • Boston Public (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Attorney Conlin Barker

  • Curb Your Enthusiasm(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Andy Portico

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Malcolm in the Middle(2000)

    Show 4 episodes · as Ed

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Office Space(1999)

    as Bob Porter

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Two of a Kind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Lenny

  • The King of Queens(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Sales Guy

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Kisses in the Dark (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    as Drunk (Solly's Diner)

  • Working (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Plant Owner

  • George & Leo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 6 episodes · as Deputy Zajac

  • Recess(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · as Coach Kluge (voice)

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Ally McBeal(1997)

    Show 1 episode · as Ross Feinman

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all shows

  • The Jamie Foxx Show(1996)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • The Wharf Rat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    as Sloopy

  • Caroline in the City(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Bernstein

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Star Trek: Voyager(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Loquar

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • The Wayans Bros.(1995)

    Show 1 episode · as Councilman Peters

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Party of Five(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Entous

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Plughead Rewired: Circuitry Man II(1994)

    as Beany

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Dave's World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 2 episodes · as Santa Claus

  • Frasier(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Paul Krapence

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • The X-Files(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Ted

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The John Larroquette Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Show 1 episode · as Harrison Leeworth

  • Bob (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Larry Sanders Show(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Bob Minkoff · as Frank · as Fred

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Step by Step(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Possum Dave

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Motorama(1991)

    as Cook

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Problem Child 2(1991)

    as Smith

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Dream On (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Mort the Guard

  • Circuitry Man(1990)

    as Beany

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Howard the Florist / News Reporter #2 (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Coach(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Percy

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • 976-EVIL(1988)

    as Mr. Michaels

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Moving(1988)

    as Mr. Seeger

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • My Best Friend Is a Vampire(1987)

    as Grimsdyke

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

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

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Full House(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Stu

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all shows

  • L.A. Law(1986)

    Show 1 episode · as Marty Adelstein

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • It's Garry Shandling's Show.(1986)

    Show 19 episodes · as Leonard Smith

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • Return to Mayberry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Ben Woods

  • Fast Times (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dennis Taylor

  • The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special(1986)

    as Pete

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Pecos Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Preacher

  • Tall Tales & Legends (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Preacher

  • The Golden Girls(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Arthur Nivingston

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Moonlighting(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Hotel Desk Clerk

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • Rodney Dangerfield: Exposed! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Various

  • Protocol(1984)

    as T. V. Commentator

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films

  • Be Somebody... or Be Somebody's Fool!(1984)

    Writer

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Marvin Shriver

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

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

    Show 6 episodes · as Bill

  • The Rodney Dangerfield Special: I Can't Take It No More (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Various

  • The Devonsville Terror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Walter Gibbs

  • Scarecrow and Mrs. King(1983)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • BrainWaves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Dr. Schroder

  • The Sting II(1983)

    as Man in Ticket Line

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Cheers(1982)

    Show 48 episodes · as Gregg · as Paul · as Paul Krapence · as Tom

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Mae West(1982)

    as Abbey

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • I'm Dancing as Fast as I Can(1982)

    as Patient

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Rob

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • It's a Living(1980)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • Gridlock (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Danny

  • Solly’s Diner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Drunk

  • The Goodbye Girl(1977)

    as Improvisation Group

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • The Pack(1977)

    as Tommy

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • Cracking Up(1977)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Laverne & Shirley (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 3 episodes · Actor

  • The Strawberry Statement(1970)

    as Guerilla Theatre Troupe

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 93rd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 90 titles from 1970 to 2018; peak year 1987.

Biggest box office

Problem Child 2 (1991)

$33M worldwide

Highest rated

It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986)

Midcredits 73rd

Film career

19702018

Peak 1987 · fewer prominent film roles lately. 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
Acting89 of 90: 88 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score56thWriting1 of 90: 1 only writing, 0 with another roleProducing1 of 90: 0 only producing, 1 with another role

By decade

1970s5 · acting1980s34 · 33 acting · 1 crew1990s26 · acting2000s20 · 20 acting · 1 crew2010s5 · acting

Billing

usually 12th · top billed in 0% of 16 roles
7792

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 Paul Willson's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 44th percentile, the median of all 24; across their 8 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 8

Approval · how many liked their films

26thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

50thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 57 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up20
  • 50th to 74th13
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th11

Shape of the crowd

21 of their 57 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved15
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Mixed21

Most divisive · actor

The Beat (2003)

88th percentile spread · 23% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Office Space (1999)

Midcredits 95th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 49/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 63, detractors 33. 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 Paul Willson's work okay for kids?

Across a limited sample of up to 3 MovieCove titles with content scores.

Their medianMedian of all films
Sex & Nudity3 titlesmedian 51 · moderateMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted.

Who does Paul Willson work with?

People who share at least 2 of Paul Willson's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jim Metzler shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Producers