Born: June 5, 1950 – Died: March 1, 2015
Daniel von Bargen, a character actor renowned for his portrayals of stern authority figures, was born on June 5, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio. The son of Juanita (Bustle) and Donald L. von Bargen, he was of German and English descent. Growing up in Cincinnati before moving to Southern California with his family, von Bargen developed an early interest in acting.
Early Life and Career
Von Bargen's passion for acting led him to Purdue University, where he majored in drama. His commitment to honing his craft continued after college as he joined the Trinity Repertory Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island. This period marked the beginning of a long and diverse acting career that spanned stage, television, and film.
His breakthrough came with roles in films like "The Postman" (1997) and "RoboCop 3" (1993), where he often played tough, authoritative characters. However, it was his role as Pineview Sheriff Briscoe in "The Postman" that particularly showcased his ability to infuse characters with depth and complexity. Von Bargen's portrayal in "The Postman" demonstrated his exceptional skill in bringing nuance to a character who was torn between survival and a belief in hope.
On Broadway, von Bargen appeared in productions like "Beggars in the House of Plenty" and "Macbeth," further establishing his versatility as an actor. His television roles, including appearances in "Malcolm in the Middle" and "Seinfeld," brought him wider recognition and appreciation from audiences.
Von Bargen's personal life was as profound as his professional one. He was married to Margo Skinner, and his off-screen interests were as diverse as his roles. Despite facing personal challenges, including health issues, von Bargen's legacy in the acting world remains significant. His ability to portray a wide range of characters with authenticity and intensity made him a respected and memorable figure in the entertainment industry. His [death]( on March 1, 2015, marked the loss of a talented actor who had the ability to bring depth and humanity to every role he played.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | London Betty | Maury |
| 2006 | Things That Hang from Trees | George Burgess |
| 2005 | Drip | Daniel |
| 1991–2004 | Law & Order (TV Series) | Supt. Cooper | Commander Billings | Lambrusco |
| 2004 | Dead Horse | Stu Conklin |
| 2003 | Without a Trace (TV Series) | Chief Patrick Finn |
| 2003 | Artworks | Howard Deardorf |
| 2002 | S1m0ne | Chief Detective |
| 2000–2002 | Malcolm in the Middle (TV Series) | Commandant Edwin Spangler |
| 2002 | Coastlines | Sheriff Tate |
| 2001 | The Majestic | Federal Agent Ellerby |
| 2001 | Trigger Happy | Harold |
| 2001 | Judging Amy (TV Series) | Judge |
| 2001 | Super Troopers | Chief Grady (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 2001 | Ally McBeal (TV Series) | Judge William Kopesky |
| 2000 | The West Wing (TV Series) | Air Force General Ken Shannon |
| 2000 | The Fearing Mind (TV Series) | P.F. O'Horgan |
| 2000 | *The Kid* | Sam Duritz (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 2000 | Shaft | Lt. Kearney (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 2000 | Time of Your Life (TV Series) | Mr. Halloway |
| 2000 | O Brother, Where Art Thou? | Sheriff Cooley (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 2000 | City of Angels(TV Series) | Stewart Rafferty |
| 2000 | A Question of Faith | Father Adrian |
| 1999 | Snow Falling on Cedars | Carl Heine Sr. (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1999 | Universal Soldier: The Return | General Radford |
| 1999 | The General's Daughter | Chief Yardley |
| 1999 | The Practice (TV Series) | Detective Smiley |
| 1999 | Fantasy Island (TV Series) | District Attorney Flynn |
| 1998 | A Civil Action | Mr. Granger (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1998 | Party of Five (TV Series) | Dr. Dick Grayson |
| 1998 | The Faculty | Mr. John Tate |
| 1998 | Inferno (TV Movie) | Gen. Craig Maxwell (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1998 | Desert Blue | Sheriff Jackson |
| 1998 | I'm Losing You | Dr. Litvak |
| 1998 | Arli$ (TV Series) | Bob Whitney (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1998 | The X-Files (TV Series) | Jacob Steven Haley |
| 1997–1998 | Seinfeld (TV Series) | Kruger (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1998 | Significant Others (TV Mini Series) | David Lerner (as Daniel Van Bargen) |
| 1998 | The Pretender (TV Series) | Captain Prentiss McClaren |
| 1997 | The Postman | Pineview Sheriff Briscoe |
| 1997 | Amistad | Warden Pendleton (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1997 | Girls Night Out (Short) | Unknown |
| 1997 | Trouble on the Corner | Cecil, The Butcher |
| 1997 | The Real Blonde | Devon (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1997 | G.I. Jane | Theodore Hayes (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1995–1997 | New York Undercover (TV Series) | Green | Omega Bomber | Duane |
| 1996 | NYPD Blue (TV Series) | Sgt. Ray Kahlins |
| 1996 | Thinner | Chief Duncan Hopley |
| 1996 | The Writing on the Wall (TV Movie) | Rockwell |
| 1996 | Before and After | Fran Conklin |
| 1996 | Broken Arrow | Air Force General Creely |
| 1996 | Looking for Richard | Ratcliffe (as Dan von Bargen) |
| 1995 | Truman (TV Movie) | General MacArthur |
| 1995 | Lord of Illusions | Nix |
| 1995 | Statuary (Short) | Narrator |
| 1995 | *Crimson Tide* | Vladimir Radchenko |
| 1995 | The Shamrock Conspiracy (TV Movie) | Sternhardt (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1994 | I.Q. | Secret Service Agent |
| 1994 | The Gift of Love (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1994 | One West Waikiki (TV Series) | Capt. Charlie Dalton |
| 1993 | The Good Policeman (TV Movie) | Frederic LeComte |
| 1993 | Philadelphia | Jury Foreman |
| 1993 | Six Degrees of Separation | Detective (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1993 | The Saint of Fort Washington | Boat Captain |
| 1993 | Rising Sun | Chief Olson | Interrogator |
| 1993 | Scam (TV Movie) | Albert Magliocco |
| 1993 | With Hostile Intent (TV Movie) | Officer Ted Campbell |
| 1993 | RoboCop 3 | Moreno |
| 1993 | The Last Hit (TV Movie) | Nordlinger |
| 1992 | Citizen Cohn (TV Movie) | Clyde Tolson |
| 1992 | Basic Instinct | Lt. Martin Nilsen (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1991 | Shadows and Fog | Vigilante (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1991 | Complex World | Malcom |
| 1991 | Company Business | Mike Flinn |
| 1991 | *The Silence of the Lambs* | SWAT Communicator |
| 1990 | H.E.L.P. (TV Series) | Whitehall (as Daniel Von Bargen) |
| 1985–1986 | Spenser: For Hire (TV Series) | Mr. Hurley | Al |
| 1985 | American Playhouse (TV Series) | Thomas |
| 1985 | Right to Kill? (TV Movie) | Det. Roberts |
| 1983 | The Dean of Thin Air (TV Movie) | George Berkeley (as Dan Von Bargen) |
| 1979 | The Scarlet Letter (TV Mini Series) | Sailor |
| 1976 | Visions (TV Series) | Guard |
| 1974 | Great Performances (TV Series) | Wooldridge |
| 1970 | All My Children (TV Series) | Lt. Cody (1994-1995) |
| 1952 | Guiding Light (TV Series) | Joe Morrison (1993) |
General:
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