Dean Norris

Not to be confused with Dan Norris.
Dean Norris
Norris at the 2024 Rose City Comic Con
Born
Dean Joseph Norris

(1963-04-08) April 8, 1963 (age 61)
South Bend, Indiana, U.S.
Education
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
Political partyDemocratic[1]
Spouse
Bridget Norris
​
(m. 2001)​
Children5

Dean Joseph Norris (born April 8, 1963)[2][3][4] is an American actor. He is known for playing Hank Schrader on the AMC series Breaking Bad (2008–2013), James "Big Jim" Rennie on the CBS series Under the Dome (2013–2015),[5] and Clay "Uncle Daddy" Husser on the TNT series Claws (2017–2022). Throughout his career, he has amassed over 150 credits across film and television.

Norris has appeared in films such as Lethal Weapon 2 (1989), Hard to Kill (1990), Total Recall (1990), Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991), The Firm (1993), Starship Troopers (1997), The Cell (2000), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Evan Almighty (2007), Sons of Liberty (2015), The Book of Henry (2017), Death Wish (2018), and Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019).

Early life and education

Dean Joseph Norris was born in South Bend, Indiana,[2] in a family of Hungarian descent; his grandfather lived in Tiszadob.[6] He graduated from Clay High School in 1981, where he was the class valedictorian.[4][7] While in high school, he was a member of the award-winning student-produced comedy show Beyond Our Control, which ran on WNDU-TV.[8][9] He is a 1985 graduate of Harvard College, where he studied the interdisciplinary concentration of Social Studies and was a member of Hasty Pudding Theatricals.[10][11][12] He also earned a diploma from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 1987.[11][13][14]

Career

Norris starred in Tremors: The Series and the film Without Limits. He has had guest spots in other television series including NYPD Blue, The X-Files, The West Wing, and Lost, and has appeared in films including Gattaca and Terminator 2: Judgment Day. He played Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Hank Schrader on Breaking Bad from the show's premiere in 2008 to its final season in 2013. Norris' performance on Breaking Bad has received critical acclaim.[15][16]

Norris also starred in the CBS series Under the Dome. He plays selectman James "Big Jim" Rennie, the only town council member in the area which is cut off from the rest of the United States. As of June 2017, he plays mob boss Clay "Uncle Daddy" Husser in the TNT series Claws.

In 2020, Norris reprised the role of Agent Hank Schrader on-screen in the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul during the show's fifth season.[17]

Norris was cast in a lead role for the CBS sitcom United States of Al.

Personal life

Norris and his wife, Bridget, a former entertainment attorney, live with their five children in Temecula, California.[13] In 2018, the couple opened the Norris Performing Arts Center in Murrieta.[18]

Norris is a fan of his hometown team the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.[19]

In 2019, he helped launch Schraderbräu, Hank Schrader's in-universe home-brewed craft beer, as an official product.[20]

In 2022, Dean and Bridget Norris purchased The Swing Inn Cafe, a long-standing restaurant in Old Town, Temecula, for $6 million.[21]

Norris is a committed member of the Democratic Party and has publicly denounced and criticised Donald Trump.[1] He is known to have attended the 2016 and 2024 Democratic National Conventions.[1][22]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes works that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role
1985 Blind Alleys Peter Brockway
1989 Police Academy 6: City Under Siege Cop
Disorganized Crime Deputy Joe
Lethal Weapon 2 Detective Tim Cavanaugh
1990 Montana Foreman
When You Remember Me Bill
Hard to Kill Sergeant Goodhart
Total Recall Tony
Gremlins 2: The New Batch SWAT Team Leader
Desperate Hours Maddox
1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day SWAT Team Leader
1992 The Lawnmower Man The Director
1993 The Firm Squat Man
Full Eclipse Fleming
Jailbait Hershiser
1994 Playmaker Detective Marconi
The Last Seduction 'Shep'
1995 Safe Mover
Money Train Guard
1997 Gattaca Beat Cop
Starship Troopers Commanding Officer
1998 The Negotiator Scott
Without Limits Dellinger
1999 Sonic Impact Agent McGee
2000 3 Strikes Officer Robert
The Cell Cole
2001 The One Sergeant Siegel
2005 American Gun Terrence
2006 Little Miss Sunshine State Trooper McCleary
2007 Evan Almighty Officer Collins
The Heartbreak Kid Jodi's Father
2008 Linewatch Warren Kane
2010 How Do You Know Tom
2011 Prom Frank Prescott
2012 Get the Gringo Officer Bill
2013 The Frozen Ground Sergeant Lyle Haugsven
The Counselor The Buyer
2014 Small Time Ash Martini
Men, Women & Children Kent Mooney
2015 Remember John Kurlander
Secret in Their Eyes 'Bumpy' Willis
2017 Fist Fight Principal Richard Tyler
The Book of Henry Commissioner Glenn Sickleman
2018 Beirut Donald Gaines
Death Wish Detective Kevin Raines
2019 The Hustle Howard Bacon
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Roy Nicholls
2023 Fool's Paradise Studio Head
2024 Unfrosted Nikita Khrushchev
Carry-On Phil Sarkowski
The Six Triple Eight General Halt
TBA The Parenting † TBA

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1981 Beyond Our Control Company Member 13 episodes
1987 The Equalizer Martin Episode: "Christmas Presence"
1988 Leap of Faith Richard Television film
Police Story: Gladiator School Ralph Thomas
1989 Beauty and the Beast Biggs Episode: "A Kingdom by the Sea"
1990 Montana Foreman Television film
1991 Murderous Vision Lieutenant Martin
Locked Up: A Mother's Rage Mike
1992 Till Death Us Do Part Matt Hobert
Secrets Henderson
Homefront Second Coworker Episode: "Take My Hand"
1993 Barbarians at the Gate Scientist Television film
1993–1994 NYPD Blue Father Jerry Downey 3 episodes
1994 Married... with Children Rodent Episode: "Dud Bowl"
Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee Red Arrow Television film
1995 The X-Files Marshal Tapia Episode: "F. Emasculata"
Fallen Angels Allen Episode: "Tomorrow I Die"
The Marshal Tyler Dumas Episode: "Kissing Cousins"
In the Line of Duty: Hunt for Justice Levasseur Television film
Texas Justice Luke Wheeler Television film
1995–1996 Murder One Rusty Arnold 3 episodes
1996 Dark Skies Clayton Lewis Episode: "We Shall Overcome"
Innocent Victims Frank Sarezin Television film
It Came from Outer Space II Dave Grant
Seduced by Madness Detective Pike
Forgotten Sins Detective Carl Messenger
Death Benefit Rod Montgomery
After Jimmy Ray Johnson
1997 Riot Kalena
On the Line Manny Denikolas
The Pretender Tommy Larson Episode: "Prison Story
Nash Bridges William Robard Episode: "Deliverance"
1998 V.I.P. Jackson LaSarr Episode: "Beats Working at a Hot Dog Stand"
ER Clark Episode: "They Treat Horses, Don't They?"
Walker, Texas Ranger Deke Powell Episode: "War Cry"
1999 Millennium Del Boxer Episode: "Seven and One"
Pensacola: Wings of Gold 'Spider' / Colonel Laweson 3 episodes
The Practice Detective Episode: "Free Dental"
Charmed Dr. Stone Episode: "They're Everywhere"
Nash Bridges Frank Maddigan Episode: "Smash and Grab"
2000 The Pretender Sheriff Whalen Episode: "Corn Man"
2001 Boston Public Matthew Gordon Episode: "Chapter Sixteen"
Six Feet Under Detective Shea Episode: "Familia"
The District Charles N. Burke Episode: "Bulldog's Ghost"
2002 JAG Jury member Episode: "Odd Man Out"
Philly Detective Duff Episode: "Mojo Rising"
2002–2004 American Dreams Frank Moran 2 episodes
2003 24 General Bowden 2 episodes
Tremors Agent W.D. Twitchell Main role, 10 episodes
Dragnet Leon Tate Episode: "Slice of Life"
2004–2011 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Bob Durham Jr. / Phil Baker 4 episodes
2004 NCIS Gunnery Sergeant Vesta Episode: "My Other Left Foot"
Crossing Jordan Liam Moore Episode: "Dead in the Water"
Medical Investigation David Weiner Episode: "Team"
Boston Legal Byron Kaneb Episode: "Catch and Release"
LAX Danny Episode: "Secret Santa"
2005 Without a Trace Officer Tim Orley Episode: "Penitence"
Medium Detective Rickey 2 episodes
Over There Mr. Parker Episode: "Situation Normal"
The West Wing Republican National Committee Chairman Steve Hodder 2 episodes
Mrs. Harris Sporting Goods Clerk Television film
Las Vegas Ray Brennan Episode: "Everything Old Is You Again"
2006 Cold Case Wayne Nelson Episode: "Death Penalty: Final Appeal"
Windfall Damien's Father 4 episodes
Just Legal Judge Episode: "The Code"
Nip/Tuck Mark Noble Episode: "Shari Noble"
Justice Jack Clark Episode: "Crucified"
2007 Grey's Anatomy Vince 2 episodes: "Walking on Water," "Drowning on Dry Land"
The Unit Supervisor Marsh 2 episodes
2008–2013 Breaking Bad DEA Agent Hank Schrader Main role, 51 episodes
2008 Saving Grace Ross Ford Episode: "Have a Seat, Earl"
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Nelson 2 episodes
Bones Don Timmons Episode: "The Finger in the Nest"
2009 Lost Howard Grey Episode: "Some Like It Hoth"
True Blood Leon Episode: "Shake and Fingerpop"
The Cleaner Mr. Fisher Episode: "Path of Least Resistance"
2010 Criminal Minds Detective John Barton Episode: "...A Thousand Words"
The Glades Michael Nelson Episode: "Doppleganger"
Lie to Me Dawkins Episode: "Darkness and Light"
Dark Blue Cahill Episode: "Jane Wayne"
Chase Sheriff Keagan Episode: "The Posse"
The Good Guys Pike Episode: "Cop Killer"
The Whole Truth Mike Taylor Episode: "Cold Case"
Medium Paul Scanlon 2 episodes
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Shell Tong Episode: "Chrimbus Special" (deleted scene)
2011 Fairly Legal Coach Gardner Episode: "Benched"
The Defenders Donnie Barrett Episode: "Nevada v. Donnie the Numbers Guy"
Off the Map Morris Cooper Episode: "It's a Leaf"
The Stoned Ages Narrator Documentary
Law & Order: LA Bob Kentner Episode: "Westwood"
CSI: NY Lieutenant Mitchell Adler Episode: "Officer Involved"
Castle Captain Peterson Episode: "Cops & Robbers"
The Mentalist Sergeant Don Henderson Episode: "Pink Tops"
2012 Body of Proof Special Agent Brendan Johnson 2 episodes
Eagleheart Deke Episode: "Blues"
Key & Peele Mexican Drug Cartel Leader Episode: "When You Don't Know How to Count Money"
The Cleveland Show Fire Chief Voice; Episode: "Flush of Genius"
2013 Whitney Wayne Miller Episode: "Nesting"
2013–2015 Under the Dome James 'Big Jim' Rennie Main role, 39 episodes
2014 American Dad! Head of Security Voice; Episode: "Big Stan on Campus"
2015 Sons of Liberty Benjamin Franklin 3 episodes
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt M. Le Loup Episode: "Kimmy's In a Love Triangle!"
2015–2016 Sofia the First Mazzimo Voice; 2 episodes
2016 Mack & Moxy Admirable Dean Episode: "You're My Hero"
2016–2018 The Big Bang Theory Colonel Richard Williams 6 episodes
2017 Girlboss Jay Marlowe 5 episodes
Get Shorty Bob Grace Episode: "Grace Under Fire"
2017–2022 Claws Uncle Daddy Main role, 40 episodes
2017–2018 Scandal Fenton Glackland 5 episodes
2019 The Act Russ Episode: "Two Wolverines"
2020 Better Call Saul DEA Agent Hank Schrader Episodes: "The Guy for This", "Namaste"
Superstore Howard Fox Episode: "Myrtle"[23]
2021–2022 United States of Al Art Dugan Main role
2021 Nova Vita Devon Washington 10 episodes
2024 Law & Order: Organized Crime Randall Stabler Recurring role (season 4)
Curb Your Enthusiasm Judge Whittaker Episode: "No Lessons Learned"
Ghosts Frank season 4 episode 2 "Sam's Dad"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Title Result
2011 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actor on Television[15] Breaking Bad Nominated
2012 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2013 Nominated
2014 Won[16]
Saturn Award Best Supporting Actor on Television Under the Dome Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b c "Breaking Bad's Dean Norris on Trump, NFL protests – and why Hank had to die". Independent.co.uk. October 17, 2017.
  2. ^ a b "Dean Norris". TV Guide.com. Retrieved September 18, 2020. Birth Name: Dean Joseph Norris. Birth Place: South Bend, Indiana, United States.
  3. ^ "Dean Norris: United States of Al profile". CBS. Retrieved August 14, 2022. His birthday is April 8.
  4. ^ a b Harrell, Jeff (August 11, 2013). "As 'Breaking Bad' ends, Norris moves to 'Dome'". The South Bend Tribune. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved August 18, 2013. ...the 50-year-old actor is trying to keep from being pigeonholed in the future.
  5. ^ Associated Press (March 31, 2014). "Celeb birthdays for the week of April 6–12". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 3, 2014.
  6. ^ "Tiszadobig ment a Breaking Bad színésze, hogy megtalálja a felmenőit". telex. June 21, 2023.
  7. ^ "Under That Dome". NYMag.com. August 8, 2013. Archived from the original on September 10, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  8. ^ Beyondourcontrol.org. "Beyond Our Control Alumni Association". beyondourcontrol.org. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  9. ^ Konrad, Erin (August 10, 2012). "Breaking Bad's Dean Norris Went to Harvard and Has Always Played 10-Years Older Than His Real Age". Daily Actor: Monologues, Acting Tips, Interviews, Resources. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
  10. ^ Jaffer, Murtz (July 25, 2011). "Talking to Dean Norris". Toro. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014. Retrieved July 7, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Gajewski, Josh (June 9, 2010). "'Breaking Bad': On the phone with Dean Norris". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012.
  12. ^ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine: "Dean Norris of "Breaking Bad" - Cross-Dresser Extraordinaire | CONAN on TBS". YouTube. August 29, 2012.
  13. ^ a b Strauss, Gary (April 30, 2010). "'Bad' star Dean Norris is forever playing the cop -- and gladly". USA Today. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2012. Now 47
  14. ^ Fabrique. "Dean Norris — RADA". www.rada.ac.uk. Retrieved May 26, 2020.
  15. ^ a b Johns, Nikara. "'Gravity,' 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Lead Saturn Awards Noms: 'Breaking Bad,' 'Falling Skies,' and 'Game of Thrones' lead on TV," Archived October 31, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Variety (FEBRUARY 25, 2014).
  16. ^ a b Blake, Meredith."SAG Awards 2014: 'Breaking Bad' wins for ensemble in a TV drama series," Los Angeles Times (JAN. 18, 2014).
  17. ^ "'Better Call Saul' season 5 to feature 'Breaking Bad' vets Dean Norris, Robert Forster". Entertainment Weekly.
  18. ^ Newell, Shane (January 8, 2018). "'Breaking Bad' actor, wife open Murrieta arts center for youths". Press-Enterprise. Archived from the original on February 7, 2018.
  19. ^ "Hi, Dean Norris! // News // The Daily Domer // University of Notre Dame". dailydomer.nd.edu. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
  20. ^ "Schraderbrau Beer is Finally Here Just in Time for the New 'Breaking Bad' Movie".
  21. ^ Ludwig, Ashley (December 6, 2022). "Bryan Cranston, 'Breaking Bad' Co-Star Reunite At Temecula's Swing Inn". Patch. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  22. ^ "Yvette Nicole Brown, Dean Norris, More Celebs Hit DNC. We're Along for the Ride". www.rollingstone.com. Rolling Stone. August 22, 2024. Retrieved August 23, 2024.
  23. ^ Schwartz, Ryan (November 8, 2019). "Superstore Casts Breaking Bad Alum Dean Norris as Dina's [Spoiler]". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 8, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2019.