John Finn

Biography

John Finn (born September 30, 1952) is an American character actor who has worked steadily in film and television. He is best known for leading roles in the series EZ Streets and Cold Case, although most of his career has been built on supporting parts in Hollywood productions and on recurring roles in network and cable shows.

Born in New York to an Irish-American family, Finn graduated from Eldred Central School in Eldred, New York, in 1970. After a few years in the United States Navy, he turned to acting. His television debut came in 1980 with the TV movie Rage! In the 1980s, while he was still building his résumé, he supported himself by driving a limousine and took small parts in series such as The Incredible Hulk, Fame, Miami Vice and Spenser: For Hire.

His profile grew through the 1990s, with supporting roles in films such as Glory, The Pelican Brief, Cliffhanger and Carlito's Way, and with recurring parts on shows including The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Chicago Hope and Dawson's Creek. Later he appeared in Catch Me If You Can and Analyze That, and in Ad Astra. From 2003 to 2010 he played Lieutenant John Stillman on Cold Case, the role that gave him the greatest television exposure.

Finn is remembered as a dependable supporting performer who moved easily between action films, thrillers and television. His career reflects the working character actors who make up much of American screen production, present across many projects even when rarely at the center of them.

Key films

• Glory (1989): supporting role in the Civil War drama about an African American regiment.
• The Pelican Brief (1993): appearance in the political thriller based on the John Grisham novel.
• Carlito's Way (1993): role in the crime drama directed by Brian De Palma.
• Catch Me If You Can (2002): part in the Steven Spielberg film about the con artist Frank Abagnale.
• Analyze That (2002): appearance in the mob comedy sequel to Analyze This.
• Ad Astra (2019): role in James Gray's science fiction film about a space voyage.