Clancy Brown Movies
A tall, intense, hulking actor who was a natural to play Frankenstein's monster in The Bride (1985), Clancy Brown has utilized his naturally menacing exterior for a career's worth of villainous roles, most notably in films such as Highlander and The Shawshank Redemption. With good looks that could be described as somewhat Neanderthal in nature, he has also found the occasional sympathetic portrayal, and been equal to the task of acting it. Clancy Brown was born on January 5, 1959, in Urbana, OH, the son of a newspaperman-turned-U.S. congressman. He was raised in both Urbana and Washington, D.C., and claims to have been introduced to acting by a neighbor who got him into Shakespeare at a young age. Brown acted in high school and during his teenage summers before enrolling at Northwestern University on a track scholarship as a discus hurler. He graduated with a degree in speech and went on to mix drinks in Chicago while working in local theater. Brown's first film role established the trend for how his services would be used throughout his career. He appeared as Viking in the Sean Penn "juvy" drama Bad Boys (1983), in which he threw around his muscle as one of the detention center's intimidators. Next he appeared in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984) as the cowboy Rawhide, then as Highlander's sword-wielding embodiment of evil, Kurgan, in the 1986 cult classic. A succession of roles as bruising heavies, often corrupt cops, followed during the late '80s and '90s, in films such as Dead Man Walking (1996) and The Hurricane (1999). The most memorable among these was Captain Byron Hadley, the crooked prison guard with the deadly billy club in the multiple-Oscar-nominated The Shawshank Redemption (1994). In 1997, he played one of his more infrequent good guy roles as Sergeant Zim in Starship Troopers. From 1997-1998, he had a prominent recurring guest role as a doctor on NBC's ratings champ ER. His prolific television career also includes a role on the sci-fi series Earth 2 (1994). In 2002, Brown appeared among an ensemble cast in the HBO film The Laramie Project, which was about the beating death of gay Wyoming teen Matthew Shepard. The next year, he took on the prominant role of Brother Justin Crowe on HBO's cryptic period drama Carnivàle, joining another talented ensemble cast and once again tapping into his dark side. Brown's distinctive voice has been in high demand throughout his career, resulting in dozens of voice-over credits in animated features such as The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie (2004) and television series. Of course his distinctively brute face was still very much an important part of his career, with an onscreen role in the hit television series Lost serving well to provide viewers with a valuable history of the mysterious "hatch." A trip back in time found the hulking Brown assuming the role of a monstrous viking in director Markus Nispel's Pathfinder, and later that same year the actor could once again be spotted on the big screen in the Kevin Costner Coast Guard drama The Guardian. ~ Derek Armstrong, All Movie Guide- 2011
Comic creator Eric Powell brings his big brute of a character, The Goon, to the big screen with this computer-animated adaptation from producer David Fincher, Dark Horse Entertainment, and Academy Award-nominated animation company Blur Studios (Gopher Broke). Powell's ongoing book details the exploits of a bruiser (voiced by Clancy Brown) and his sidekick, Franky (Paul Giamatti), as they battle supernatural forces. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Paul Giamatti, (more)
As the final war between Good and Evil looms two powerful avatars divided by fate share one mission. For Ben Hawkins and Brother Justin, the race is on to find the elusive Henry Scudder--and the fate of the world depends on who finds him first.
- Starring:
- Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, (more)
- 2004
In this followup to the second-season episode "Tabula Rasa," Superman's perennial nemesis Lex Luthor returns, claming to have completely reformed. Willing to give their former foe the benefit of the doubt, the Justice Leaguers try to protect Luthor from the evil android AMAZO, who seems determined to kill Lex in as nasty a manner as possible. Meanwhile, "Green Lantern" John Stewart tries to get over his busted romance with Hawkgirl. Fans of The Andy Griffith Show will enjoy the fleeting inside joke during the barbershop scene. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Picardo, Clancy Brown, (more)
Although undergoing a sex change is not as unusual a procedure as it once was in days gone by, it is still hardly an everyday occurrence -- especially in rural, conservative western Illinois, where Normal takes place. After 25 years of marriage, Roy Applewood (Tom Wilkinson) surprises his wife, Irma (Jessica Lange), by announcing that he'd rather be a woman, and in fact has felt like a woman for most of his adult life. As Roy undergoes the standard hormone and prosthetics process to transform himself into "Ruth," his sudden gender switch elicits shock, surprise, and anger from friends, family members, and co-workers alike -- but also is met with support and sympathy from a number of extremely unlikely sources. Tastefully produced and acted, the film wisely avoids shock value in its subject matter and condescension in its treatment of middle-America types. Directed by Jane Anderson, who also adapted the script from her own stage play Looking for Normal, the made-for-cable Normal premiered March 16, 2003, on HBO. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Wilkinson, Jessica Lange, (more)
- 2003
In the first episode of a two-part story, perennial Superman foe Lex Luthor manages to escape incarceration, though his life-saving armor has been damaged in the process. Hoping to wreak vengeance against the Justice League, Luthor activates one of his many sinister creations: AMAZO, an android capable of mirroring the likenesses and powers of the League members. Unfortunately, the "mirror" is a dark one, as proven by the unsavory "alternate" versions of the Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, and the rest. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Lisa Edelstein, (more)
- 2003
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Lex Luthor continues his campaign of revenge against the Justice League with the help of the android AMAZO, which is capable of mirroring the likenesses and special skills of the League members. Once AMAZO takes on the powers of Superman -- albeit with an evil twist -- there seems to be no stopping him. The only hope for our heroes' salvation is in the hands of J'onn J'onnz, "The Martian Manhunter," who unfortunately has soured on mankind and is no mood to come to anyone's rescue. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Lisa Edelstein, (more)
- 2003
In the first episode of a two-part story, the Justice League rushes to the scene of a prison break, orchestrated by convict John Dee, alias "Dr. Destiny." It turns out that the escape was a mere diversion, to allow Dr. Destiny enough time to steal a new ESP machine that is capable of invading and manipulating people's dreams. With this device, Destiny hopes to rule the world through mind control -- and, incidentally, destroy the League, whom he holds responsible for all the tragedy in his life. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- William Atherton, Clancy Brown, (more)
- 2003
Directed by Robert Gardner, Barbarians, Part 1: The Huns was original broadcast on The History Channel in January of 2004. The program is narrated by Clancy Brown. This part focuses on the Huns, who battled the Roman Empire in the fifth century. Roman General Aetius was a hostage of the Huns as a child. Learning much about his enemy as a prisoner of war, Aetius eventually battles the ruthless Attila the Hun. Honoria, the Roman Emperor's sister, secretly offers her hand in marriage to Attila and, along with it, half of the Roman Empire as her dowry. But the Emperor quickly puts a stop to her plans, and in 451, the Huns and the Romans fight each other in the Battle of Chalons. Although somewhat victorious, the highly ranked Huns are ultimately killed off by disease, including the fierce Attila. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 2003
In the first episode of a two-part story, Superman apparently sacrifices himself for the sake of his fellow Justice Leaguers. Can it be that The Man of Steel is gone from the scene for good? And how will mankind be able to survive without Superman's benevolent protection? Originally intended to be telecast near the end of Justice League's second season, "Hereafter" was bumped forward to an earlier playdate due to its high suspense quotient. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Brad Garrett, Dana Delany, (more)
- 2003
In the conclusion of a two-part story, the Justice Lords, the evil counterparts of the Justice League from another dimension, have arrived on earth, intent upon either imposing their own sinister brand of law and order on the populace, or destroying the planet in the effort. Hoping to thwart the Justice Lords, the League mounts a brave but vulnerable defense. Just when it appears that the villains will triumph, the good-guy Leaguers receive help from a most unexpected -- and highly untrustworthy -- source. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Mark Hamill, (more)
- 2003
In the first episode of a two-part story, the members of the Justice League are confronted by their evil doppelgangers from another dimension. In their world, the "Justice Lords" rule with a curious and sinister version of law and order, in which the innocent suffer while the guilty flourish. When the Justice Lords arrive on earth, they are confused by values that they cannnot understand -- but which they are compelled to destroy. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Dana Delany, (more)
- 2003
Directed by Robert Gardner, Barbarians, Part 4: The Mongols was original broadcast on The History Channel in January of 2004. The program is narrated by Clancy Brown. This part focuses on the Mongols, the nomadic warriors from east-central Asia. Conqueror Genghis Khan gets all of the Mongol tribes together in the early 13th century. His army forms a destructive path westward into Europe. Khan is succeeded by General Timur, who leads his armies to terrorize and conquer the Ottoman Empire in 1402. The Mongol Empire eventually falls because it can't manage the vast geographical area it controls. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Directed by Robert Gardner, Barbarians, Part 3: The Vikings was original broadcast on The History Channel in January of 2004. The program is narrated by Clancy Brown. This part focuses on the Vikings, the Norse explorers who raided Europe from the eighth to the tenth centuries. Viking King Harald Hardrada gets all of the Viking clans together to take on England itself. His troops are defeated at the Battle of Stanford Bridge. The violent Vikings end up assimilating into European culture and having tremendous influence. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
- 2003
Directed by Robert Gardner, Barbarians, Part 2: The Goths was original broadcast on The History Channel in January of 2004. The program is narrated by Clancy Brown. This part focuses on the Goths, a group of of degraded and starved slaves who revolt against the Roman Empire. Emperor Valens tries to suppress the revolution, but he ends up getting killed in the Battle of Adrianopole. The Goths and the Romans agree on a treaty, but it ends up sending thousands of Goths to their deaths in the front line of the Roman Army. Thirteen years later, Goth King Aleric tries another revolution with a march on the city of Rome. Aleric dies, but Rome is nearing its end. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, All Movie Guide
1934. The Dustbowl. The last great age of magic. In a time of titanic sandstorms, vile plagues, drought and pistilence - signs of God's fury and harbingers of the Apocalypse - the final conflict between good and evil is about to begin. The battle will take place in the Heartland of an empire called America. And when it is over, man will forever trade away wonder for reason. See the conflict of good vs. evil played out against a pair of vivid and unusual backdrops: a traveling carnival working the American Dustbowl circuit, and an evangelical ministry in California.
- Starring:
- Nick Stahl, Clancy Brown, (more)
- 2002
In the first episode of a two part story, Superman's perennial nemesis Lex Luthor breaks out of prison. The fugitive is pursued by the Justice League, who soon realize that Luthor is dying. As a "last stand" against the Leaguers in general and Superman in particular, Luthor manages to organize his own team of super-villains called The Injustice Gang, among them the Joker, Star Sapphire, the Shade, Copperhead, Cheetah, and Ultra-Humanite! Clancy Brown and Mark Hamill, who were heard as Luthor and the Joker in several previous animated versions of Batman and Superman, repeat their roles here. Both episodes of "Injustice for All" were released on DVD in tandem with another Justice League two-parter, "The Brave and the Bold," in October of 2004. ~ All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Clancy Brown, Mark Hamill, (more)
- 2002
Created by actor Ken Olin and Rhonda L. Moore, Breaking News was set within the walls of I-24, a round-the-clock TV news network. Dedicated to both getting the truth and scooping the competition, the network is the fiefdom of superaggressive news division president Peter Kozyck (Clancy Brown). Other I-24 employees include charismatic senior anchorman Bill Dunne (Tim Matheson), ambitious rookie reporter Jamie Templeton (Rowena King), frustrated "human interest" commentator Janet LeClaire (Myndy Crist), cutthroat executive producer Rachel Glass (Lisa Ann Walter), overworked network CEO Jack Barnes (James Handy), and Jack's son, news producer Ethan Barnes (Scott Bairstow). Patricia Wettig, wife of co-creator Ken Olin, was seen as feature reporter Alison Dunne. Originally produced for and financed by the TNT cable network, the 13-episode Breaking News lay on the shelf for several months before its was picked up by the Bravo channel beginning July 17, 2002. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 2002
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More fun and games beneath the waves are in store for you, you, and maybe you as the animated cult favorite SpongeBob SquarePants launches its third season. The opener brings back those antiquated superheroes Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy (voiced by Ernest Borgnine and Tim Conway), who must rely upon SpongeBob when they lose their utility belts; and as a bonus, SpongeBob's driving teacher Mrs. Puff is arrested -- and she likes it, she really likes it. And what else? Well, a magic pencil leaves SpongeBob a fraction of his former self; snow falls on Bikini Bottom; the Krusty Krab is apparently invaded by a phony health inspector (accept no substitutes!); Squidward ends up a "street octopus," even though there aren't any streets; SpongeBob tries to prove he's tough enough to get into the Salty Spittoon (our motto: No Weenies Allowed); an abandoned clam brings out the parental instinct -- and the absentee parent -- in the redoubtable Patrick; the outside world is given its first glimpse of the fabled "Krusty Krab Training Video" (watch for the POOP session -- it sure beats "Dating Do's and Don't's"); "My Pretty Seahorse" ends with a Very Special Moment that will leave you as confused as the live-action "dad" we see on screen; the legend of the Hash-Slinging Slasher becomes all too true; Gary enters the Great Snail Race, which is not an oxymoron, we think; and at long last, we see "The Lost Episode" -- or rather, the "Other Lost Episode." In addition, this season offers a flashback to SpongeBob's prehistoric relative, as he discovers fire (not a bad trick when you're underwater). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tom Kenny, Bill Fagerbakke, (more)
Laramie, WY, is a small town which became infamous overnight in the fall of 1998, when Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was found tied to a fence after being brutally beaten and left to die, setting off a nationwide debate about hate crimes and homophobia. A month after the crime, Moises Kaufman, a writer and director with the New York City theater troupe the Tectonic Theater Project, traveled to Laramie with a handful of actors to interview people who lived in and around Laramie in preparation for an upcoming production; Kaufman's goal was to create a play that focused not on the assault on Matthew Shepard, but on the community where such an attack could happen, and how many of the citizens reacted to the crime. The result was The Laramie Project, which was first performed in early 2000, and was performed in Laramie in the fall of that year, two years after Kaufman and his associates first arrived in the city. The Laramie Project is a film adaptation of Kaufman's play, in which the thoughts and opinions of Laramie residents from all points of the political spectrum are presented alongside re-enacted excerpts from the trials of the two men who attacked Matthew Shepard. Produced for the premium cable network HBO, The Laramie Project was adapted for the screen by Moises Kaufman, who served as both writer and director. The distinguished cast includes Dylan Baker, Steve Buscemi, Peter Fonda, Janeane Garofolo, Laura Linney, Amy Madigan, Camryn Manheim, Christina Ricci, and Frances Sternhagen. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Christina Ricci, Peter Fonda, (more)
Actor and playwright Stephen Burrows makes his directorial debut with this independent comedy that takes a witty look at the downside of working in the movie business. Steve (Burrows) is a writer, actor, and comic who years ago left his hometown of Milwaukee, WI, for the bright lights of Hollywood and who, after years of struggling, has managed to get his foot in the door of show business thanks to his appearance in a widely seen commercial for a personal hygiene product called "Crotch Fresh." Steve decides to pay a visit to his friends in the Midwest, and while in Milwaukee he meets Sam (Traci Elizabeth Lords), an attractive woman interested in knowing more about his career in entertainment. As Steve and Sam get to know each other, he regales her with a number of remarkable stories about fascistic acting coaches, egocentric producers, and studio heads too young to hold a driver's license. Stephen Burrows was able to persuade a number of his well-known colleagues to appear in Chump Change, including Tim Matheson, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Fred Willard, and Abe Vigoda. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tim Matheson, Traci Lords, (more)
