John Spencer

John Spencer

1946–2005 (aged 58)·New York City, New York, USA

John Spencer (December 20, 1946 – December 16, 2005) was an American actor. He first gained recognition for his captivating performances on Broadway, particularly in The Great White Hope (1969). Spencer transitioned to film, showcasing his versatility in movies like The Rock (1996) and The Negotiator (1998). On television, Spencer had one of his first on-screen roles in The Patty Duke Show, and later became known as a main cast member on L.A. Law starting in its fifth season. His portrayal of White House Chief of Staff Leo McGarry on The West Wing (1999-2006) brought widespread acclaim, earning him five Emmy Award nominations, including a win in 2002. Spencer passed away on December 16, 2005, at the age of 58.

Drama

45Credits15 TV · 30 films
1963–2006Years activefirst to latest
10.0 Highest ratedThe Other Side of Victory
6.7 Average ratingacross 45 titles

Top TV shows 15best John Spencer shows

  1. 1The West Wing posterThe West WingLeo McGarry · 1999–2006 · Drama8.6
  2. 2Trinity posterTrinitySimon McCallister · 9 eps · 19988.5
  3. 3L.A. Doctors posterL.A. DoctorsEdmund Church · 1 ep · 19988.5
  4. 4E! True Hollywood Story posterE! True Hollywood Story1 ep · 19968.2
  5. 5The Outer Limits posterThe Outer LimitsCol. Wallis Thurman · 1 ep · 19957.7
  6. 6Miami Vice posterMiami ViceLt. Lee Atkins · 1 ep · 19847.5
  7. 7Early Edition posterEarly EditionHoward Banner · 1 ep · 19967.4
  8. 8Law & Order posterLaw & OrderHoward Morton · 1 ep · 19907.3
  9. 9Duckman posterDuckmanAgent Dennehy (voice) · 1 ep · 19947.2
  10. 10Touched by an Angel posterTouched by an AngelLeo · 1 ep · 19947.2
  11. 11L.A. Law posterL.A. LawTommy Mullaney · 88 eps · 19867.1
  12. 12Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman posterLois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanMr. Gadget · 1 ep · 19936.9
  13. 13Spenser: For Hire posterSpenser: For HireJoe Moran · 1 ep · 19856.9
  14. 14FX: The Series posterFX: The SeriesCarl Scofeld · 1 ep · 19966.3
  15. 15The Patty Duke Show posterThe Patty Duke ShowHenry · 7 eps · 19636.3

Top movies 30best John Spencer movies

  1. 1The Other Side of VictoryMajor Potter · 197910.0
  2. 2The Verne Miller Story posterThe Verne Miller StoryGeorge Sally · 198810.0
  3. 3When No One Would Listen posterWhen No One Would ListenWalter Wheeler · 19928.0
  4. 4Simple Justice posterSimple JusticeDet. Phil Sullivan · 19898.0
  5. 5The Rock posterThe RockFBI Director James Womack · 19967.2
  6. 6The Negotiator posterThe NegotiatorChief Al Travis · 19987.1
  7. 7WarGames posterWarGamesJerry · 19837.1
  8. 8Once Again posterOnce AgainBobby Lupino · 19877.0
  9. 9Ravenous posterRavenousGeneral Slauson · 19996.8
  10. 10Presumed Innocent posterPresumed InnocentDetective Dan Lipranzer · 19906.8
  11. 11Cop Land posterCop LandLeo Crasky · 19976.8
  12. 12Sea of Love posterSea of LoveLieutenant · 19896.6
  13. 13Black Rain posterBlack RainOliver · 19896.6
  14. 14Perry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing Governor posterPerry Mason: The Case of the Grimacing GovernorAl Rhinehart · 19946.4
  15. 15Forget Paris posterForget ParisJack · 19956.3
  16. 16Green Card posterGreen CardHarry · 19906.1
  17. 17Twilight posterTwilightCapt. Phil Egan · 19986.1
  18. 18The Protector posterThe ProtectorKo's Pilot · 19856.0
  19. 19Hiding Out posterHiding OutBakey · 19875.7
  20. 20Albino Alligator posterAlbino AlligatorJack · 19975.7
  21. 21Lesser Prophets posterLesser ProphetsEd · 19975.6
  22. 22All Revved Up posterAll Revved UpBill Gunter · 19985.6
  23. 23Far from Home posterFar from HomeTV Preacher · 19895.5
  24. 24Cold Around the Heart posterCold Around the HeartUncle Mike · 19975.0
  25. 25Key Exchange posterKey ExchangeRecord Executive · 19855.0
  26. 26Cafe Society posterCafe SocietyRay Davioni · 19974.9
  27. 27In the Arms of a Killer posterIn the Arms of a KillerDet. Vincent Cusack · 19924.6
  28. 28Echoes posterEchoesStephen · 19824.6
  29. 29Cocaine and Blue Eyes posterCocaine and Blue EyesJoey Crawford · 19834.3
  30. 30From the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of One posterFrom the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of OneDet. Mike Mulick · 19924.0

Keep exploring

Highest rated10.0The Other Side of Victory

John's best-reviewed title — ratings and where to watch.

GenreThe best of Drama

Top-rated drama shows and films, ranked.

DirectoryBrowse everything

Networks, genres, fandom hubs, and every chart in one place.