Dean Norris

Dean Joseph Norris (born April 8, 1963) 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), Clay "Uncle Daddy" Husser on the TNT series Claws (2017–2022), and Randall Stabler on the NBC series Law & Order: Organized Crime (2023–present). Throughout his career, he has amassed over 154 credits across film and television, including over 40 law enforcement roles. 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), Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark (2019) and Carry-On (2024).

Infobox

Born

Dean Joseph Norris (1963-04-08) April 8, 1963 (age 62)South Bend, Indiana, U.S.

Education

mw- Harvard University (AB)Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (GrDip)

Occupation

Actor

Years active

1981–present

Spouse

mw- Bridget Norris (m. 2001)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1985

Blind Alleys

Role(s)

Peter Brockway

1989

Police Academy 6: City Under Siege

Role(s)

Cop

Disorganized Crime

Role(s)

Deputy Joe

Lethal Weapon 2

Role(s)

Detective Tim Cavanaugh

1990

Montana

Role(s)

Foreman

When You Remember Me

Role(s)

Bill

Hard to Kill

Role(s)

Sergeant Goodhart

Total Recall

Role(s)

Tony

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Role(s)

SWAT Team Leader

Desperate Hours

Role(s)

Maddox

1991

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Role(s)

SWAT Team Leader

1992

The Lawnmower Man

Role(s)

The Director

1993

The Firm

Role(s)

Squat Man

Full Eclipse

Role(s)

Fleming

Jailbait

Role(s)

Hershiser

1994

Playmaker

Role(s)

Detective Marconi

The Last Seduction

Role(s)

Shep

1995

Safe

Role(s)

Mover

Money Train

Role(s)

Guard

1997

Gattaca

Role(s)

Beat Cop

Starship Troopers

Role(s)

Commanding Officer

1998

The Negotiator

Role(s)

Scott

Without Limits

Role(s)

Dellinger

1999

Sonic Impact

Role(s)

Agent McGee

2000

3 Strikes

Role(s)

Officer Robert

The Cell

Role(s)

Cole

2001

The One

Role(s)

Sergeant Siegel

2005

American Gun

Role(s)

Terrence

2006

Little Miss Sunshine

Role(s)

State Trooper McCleary

2007

Evan Almighty

Role(s)

Officer Collins

The Heartbreak Kid

Role(s)

Jodi's Father

2008

Linewatch

Role(s)

Warren Kane

2010

How Do You Know

Role(s)

Tom

2011

Prom

Role(s)

Frank Prescott

2012

Get the Gringo

Role(s)

Officer Bill

2013

The Frozen Ground

Role(s)

Sergeant Lyle Haugsven

The Counselor

Role(s)

The Buyer

2014

Small Time

Role(s)

Ash Martini

Men, Women & Children

Role(s)

Kent Mooney

2015

Remember

Role(s)

John Kurlander

Secret in Their Eyes

Role(s)

'Bumpy' Willis

2017

Fist Fight

Role(s)

Principal Richard Tyler

The Book of Henry

Role(s)

Commissioner Glenn Sickleman

2018

Beirut

Role(s)

Donald Gaines

Death Wish

Role(s)

Detective Kevin Raines

2019

The Hustle

Role(s)

Howard Bacon

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Role(s)

Roy Nicholls

2023

Fool's Paradise

Role(s)

Studio Head

2024

Unfrosted

Role(s)

Nikita Khrushchev

The Six Triple Eight

Role(s)

General Halt

Carry-On

Role(s)

Phil Sarkowski

2025

The Parenting

Role(s)

John

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
1994	The Last Seduction	Shep
1995	Safe	Mover
1995	Money Train	Guard
1997	Gattaca	Beat Cop
1997	Starship Troopers	Commanding Officer
1998	The Negotiator	Scott
1998	Without Limits	Dellinger
1999	Sonic Impact	Agent McGee
2000	3 Strikes	Officer Robert
2000	The Cell	Cole
2001	The One	Sergeant Siegel
2005	American Gun	Terrence
2006	Little Miss Sunshine	State Trooper McCleary
2007	Evan Almighty	Officer Collins
2007	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
2013	The Counselor	The Buyer
2014	Small Time	Ash Martini
2014	Men, Women & Children	Kent Mooney
2015	Remember	John Kurlander
2015	Secret in Their Eyes	'Bumpy' Willis
2017	Fist Fight	Principal Richard Tyler
2017	The Book of Henry	Commissioner Glenn Sickleman
2018	Beirut	Donald Gaines
2018	Death Wish	Detective Kevin Raines
2019	The Hustle	Howard Bacon
2019	Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark	Roy Nicholls
2023	Fool's Paradise	Studio Head
2024	Unfrosted	Nikita Khrushchev

· Filmography › Television

1981

Beyond Our Control

Role(s)

Company Member

Notes

13 episodes

1987

The Equalizer

Role(s)

Martin

Notes

Episode: "Christmas Presence"

1988

Leap of Faith

Role(s)

Richard

Notes

Television film

Police Story: Gladiator School

Role(s)

Ralph Thomas

1989

Beauty and the Beast

Role(s)

Biggs

Notes

Episode: "A Kingdom by the Sea"

1990

Montana

Role(s)

Foreman

Notes

Television film

1991

Murderous Vision

Role(s)

Lieutenant Martin

Locked Up: A Mother's Rage

Role(s)

Mike

1992

Till Death Us Do Part

Role(s)

Matt Hobert

Secrets

Role(s)

Henderson

Homefront

Role(s)

Second Coworker

Notes

Episode: "Take My Hand"

1993

Barbarians at the Gate

Role(s)

Scientist

Notes

Television film

1993–1994

Role(s)

NYPD Blue

Notes

Father Jerry Downey

1994

Married... with Children

Role(s)

Rodent

Notes

Episode: "Dud Bowl"

Lakota Woman: Siege at Wounded Knee

Role(s)

Red Arrow

Notes

Television film

1995

The X-Files

Role(s)

Marshal Tapia

Notes

Episode: "F. Emasculata"

Fallen Angels

Role(s)

Allen

Notes

Episode: "Tomorrow I Die"

The Marshal

Role(s)

Tyler Dumas

Notes

Episode: "Kissing Cousins"

In the Line of Duty: Hunt for Justice

Role(s)

Levasseur

Notes

Television film

Texas Justice

Role(s)

Luke Wheeler

Notes

Television film

1995–1996

Role(s)

Murder One

Notes

Rusty Arnold

1996

Dark Skies

Role(s)

Clayton Lewis

Notes

Episode: "We Shall Overcome"

Innocent Victims

Role(s)

Frank Sarezin

Notes

Television film

It Came from Outer Space II

Role(s)

Dave Grant

Seduced by Madness

Role(s)

Detective Pike

Forgotten Sins

Role(s)

Detective Carl Messenger

Death Benefit

Role(s)

Rod Montgomery

After Jimmy

Role(s)

Ray Johnson

1997

Riot

Role(s)

Kalena

On the Line

Role(s)

Manny Denikolas

The Pretender

Role(s)

Tommy Larson

Notes

Episode: "Prison Story

Nash Bridges

Role(s)

William Robard

Notes

Episode: "Deliverance"

1998

V.I.P.

Role(s)

Jackson LaSarr

Notes

Episode: "Beats Working at a Hot Dog Stand"

Role(s)

Clark

Notes

Episode: "They Treat Horses, Don't They?"

Walker, Texas Ranger

Role(s)

Deke Powell

Notes

Episode: "War Cry"

1999

Millennium

Role(s)

Del Boxer

Notes

Episode: "Seven and One"

Pensacola: Wings of Gold

Role(s)

'Spider' / Colonel Laweson

Notes

3 episodes

The Practice

Role(s)

Detective

Notes

Episode: "Free Dental"

Charmed

Role(s)

Dr. Stone

Notes

Episode: "They're Everywhere"

Nash Bridges

Role(s)

Frank Maddigan

Notes

Episode: "Smash and Grab"

2000

The Pretender

Role(s)

Sheriff Whalen

Notes

Episode: "Corn Man"

2001

Boston Public

Role(s)

Matthew Gordon

Notes

Episode: "Chapter Sixteen"

Six Feet Under

Role(s)

Detective Shea

Notes

Episode: "Familia"

The District

Role(s)

Charles N. Burke

Notes

Episode: "Bulldog's Ghost"

2002

JAG

Role(s)

Jury member

Notes

Episode: "Odd Man Out"

Philly

Role(s)

Detective Duff

Notes

Episode: "Mojo Rising"

2002–2004

Role(s)

American Dreams

Notes

Frank Moran

2003

Role(s)

General Bowden

Notes

2 episodes

Tremors

Role(s)

Agent W.D. Twitchell

Notes

Main role, 10 episodes

Dragnet

Role(s)

Leon Tate

Notes

Episode: "Slice of Life"

2004–2011

Role(s)

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Notes

Bob Durham Jr. / Phil Baker

2004

NCIS

Role(s)

Gunnery Sergeant Vesta

Notes

Episode: "My Other Left Foot"

Crossing Jordan

Role(s)

Liam Moore

Notes

Episode: "Dead in the Water"

Medical Investigation

Role(s)

David Weiner

Notes

Episode: "Team"

Boston Legal

Role(s)

Byron Kaneb

Notes

Episode: "Catch and Release"

LAX

Role(s)

Danny

Notes

Episode: "Secret Santa"

2005

Without a Trace

Role(s)

Officer Tim Orley

Notes

Episode: "Penitence"

Medium

Role(s)

Detective Rickey

Notes

2 episodes

Over There

Role(s)

Mr. Parker

Notes

Episode: "Situation Normal"

The West Wing

Role(s)

Republican National Committee Chairman Steve Hodder

Notes

2 episodes

Mrs. Harris

Role(s)

Sporting Goods Clerk

Notes

Television film

Las Vegas

Role(s)

Ray Brennan

Notes

Episode: "Everything Old Is You Again"

2006

Cold Case

Role(s)

Wayne Nelson

Notes

Episode: "Death Penalty: Final Appeal"

Windfall

Role(s)

Damien's Father

Notes

4 episodes

Just Legal

Role(s)

Judge

Notes

Episode: "The Code"

Nip/Tuck

Role(s)

Mark Noble

Notes

Episode: "Shari Noble"

Justice

Role(s)

Jack Clark

Notes

Episode: "Crucified"

2007

Grey's Anatomy

Role(s)

Vince

Notes

2 episodes: "Walking on Water," "Drowning on Dry Land"

The Unit

Role(s)

Supervisor Marsh

Notes

2 episodes

2008–2013

Role(s)

Breaking Bad

Notes

DEA Agent Hank Schrader

2008

Saving Grace

Role(s)

Ross Ford

Notes

Episode: "Have a Seat, Earl"

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Role(s)

Nelson

Notes

2 episodes

Bones

Role(s)

Don Timmons

Notes

Episode: "The Finger in the Nest"

2009

Lost

Role(s)

Howard Grey

Notes

Episode: "Some Like It Hoth"

True Blood

Role(s)

Leon

Notes

Episode: "Shake and Fingerpop"

The Cleaner

Role(s)

Mr. Fisher

Notes

Episode: "Path of Least Resistance"

2010

Criminal Minds

Role(s)

Detective John Barton

Notes

Episode: "...A Thousand Words"

The Glades

Role(s)

Michael Nelson

Notes

Episode: "Doppleganger"

Lie to Me

Role(s)

Dawkins

Notes

Episode: "Darkness and Light"

Dark Blue

Role(s)

Cahill

Notes

Episode: "Jane Wayne"

Chase

Role(s)

Sheriff Keagan

Notes

Episode: "The Posse"

The Good Guys

Role(s)

Pike

Notes

Episode: "Cop Killer"

The Whole Truth

Role(s)

Mike Taylor

Notes

Episode: "Cold Case"

Medium

Role(s)

Paul Scanlon

Notes

2 episodes

Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Role(s)

Shell Tong

Notes

Episode: "Chrimbus Special" (deleted scene)

2011

Fairly Legal

Role(s)

Coach Gardner

Notes

Episode: "Benched"

The Defenders

Role(s)

Donnie Barrett

Notes

Episode: "Nevada v. Donnie the Numbers Guy"

Off the Map

Role(s)

Morris Cooper

Notes

Episode: "It's a Leaf"

The Stoned Ages

Role(s)

Narrator

Notes

Documentary

Law & Order: LA

Role(s)

Bob Kentner

Notes

Episode: "Westwood"

CSI: NY

Role(s)

Lieutenant Mitchell Adler

Notes

Episode: "Officer Involved"

Castle

Role(s)

Captain Peterson

Notes

Episode: "Cops & Robbers"

The Mentalist

Role(s)

Sergeant Don Henderson

Notes

Episode: "Pink Tops"

2012

Body of Proof

Role(s)

Special Agent Brendan Johnson

Notes

2 episodes

Eagleheart

Role(s)

Deke

Notes

Episode: "Blues"

Key & Peele

Role(s)

Mexican Drug Cartel Leader

Notes

Episode: "When You Don't Know How to Count Money"

The Cleveland Show

Role(s)

Fire Chief

Notes

Voice; Episode: "Flush of Genius"

2013

Whitney

Role(s)

Wayne Miller

Notes

Episode: "Nesting"

2013–2015

Role(s)

Under the Dome

Notes

James 'Big Jim' Rennie

2014

American Dad!

Role(s)

Head of Security

Notes

Voice; Episode: "Big Stan on Campus"

2015

Sons of Liberty

Role(s)

Benjamin Franklin

Notes

3 episodes

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

Role(s)

M. Le Loup

Notes

Episode: "Kimmy's In a Love Triangle!"

2015–2016

Role(s)

Sofia the First

Notes

Mazzimo

2016

Mack & Moxy

Role(s)

Admirable Dean

Notes

Episode: "You're My Hero"

2016–2018

Role(s)

The Big Bang Theory

Notes

Colonel Richard Williams

2017

Girlboss

Role(s)

Jay Marlowe

Notes

5 episodes

Get Shorty

Role(s)

Bob Grace

Notes

Episode: "Grace Under Fire"

2017–2022

Role(s)

Claws

Notes

Uncle Daddy

2017–2018

Role(s)

Scandal

Notes

Fenton Glackland

2019

The Act

Role(s)

Russ

Notes

Episode: "Two Wolverines"

2020

Better Call Saul

Role(s)

DEA Agent Hank Schrader

Notes

Episodes: "The Guy for This", "Namaste"

Superstore

Role(s)

Howard Fox

Notes

Episode: "Myrtle"

2021–2022

Role(s)

United States of Al

Notes

Art Dugan

2021

Nova Vita

Role(s)

Devon Washington

Notes

10 episodes

2024

Law & Order: Organized Crime

Role(s)

Randall Stabler

Notes

Recurring role (season 4); main cast (season 5-)

Curb Your Enthusiasm

Role(s)

Judge Whittaker

Notes

Episode: "No Lessons Learned"

Ghosts

Role(s)

Frank

Notes

Episode: "Sam's Dad"

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
1988	Police Story: Gladiator School	Ralph Thomas	Television film
1989	Beauty and the Beast	Biggs	Episode: "A Kingdom by the Sea"
1990	Montana	Foreman	Television film
1991	Murderous Vision	Lieutenant Martin
1991	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"
1994	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"
2002	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

· Awards and nominations

2011

Saturn Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor on Television

Notes

Breaking Bad

2012

Screen Actors Guild Awards

Role(s)

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

Notes

Nominated

2013

Nominated

2014

Won

Saturn Awards

Role(s)

Best Supporting Actor on Television

Notes

Under the Dome

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

References

TV Guide.com
https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/dean-norris/3000091826/
CBS
https://www.cbs.com/shows/united-states-of-al/cast/216509/
The South Bend Tribune
http://www.southbendtribune.com/entertainment/inthebend/article_2171ade8-026d-11e3-a350-001a4bcf6878.html
The Washington Times
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/mar/31/celebrity-birthdays-for-the-week-of-feb-9-15/
www.palmerfuneralhomes.com
https://www.palmerfuneralhomes.com/obituary/Rosemarie-Norris
telex
https://telex.hu/zacc/2023/06/21/dean-morris-breaking-bad-szinesz-dedszulok-sir-tiszadob
NYMag.com
https://nymag.com/arts/tv/features/breaking-bad-dean-norris-2013-8/index1.html
beyondourcontrol.org
http://beyondourcontrol.org
Daily Actor: Monologues, Acting Tips, Interviews, Resources
https://www.dailyactor.com/tv/breaking-bad-dean-norris-harvard/
Toro
https://web.archive.org/web/20141025224915/http://toromagazine.com/features/talking-to/b5f6d24b-3bea-f4f4-b510-5eafda9a1dd5/Dean-Norris
Los Angeles Times
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/06/breaking-bad-on-the-phone-with-dean-norris.html
YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuDd6vFg7Gg
USA Today
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2010-04-30-norris30_ST_N.htm
www.rada.ac.uk
https://www.rada.ac.uk/profiles/dean-norris/
Johns, Nikara. "'Gravity,' 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' Lead Saturn Awards Noms: 'Breaking Bad,' 'Falling Skies
https://variety.com/2014/film/awards/gravity-the-hobbit-the-desolation-of-smaug-lead-saturn-awards-noms-1201120744
Blake, Meredith."SAG Awards 2014: 'Breaking Bad' wins for ensemble in a TV drama series," Los Angeles Times (JAN. 18, 20
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/showtracker/la-et-st-sag-awards-2014-breaking-bad-ensemble-tv-drama-series-story.html
Entertainment Weekly
https://ew.com/tv/2020/01/16/better-call-saul-season-5-robert-forster-dean-norris/
Press-Enterprise
https://web.archive.org/web/20180207063222/https://www.pe.com/2018/01/07/breaking-bad-alum-wife-open-murrieta-arts-center-for-youths/
dailydomer.nd.edu
https://web.archive.org/web/20210122044428/https://dailydomer.nd.edu/news/hi-dean-norris/
Schraderbräu
https://schraderbrau.com/schraderbrau-beer-is-finally-here-just-in-time-for-the-new-breaking-bad-movie/
Patch
https://patch.com/california/temecula/bryan-cranston-breaking-bad-co-star-reunite-temeculas-swing-inn
Independent.co.uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/breaking-bad-hank-dean-norris-donald-trump-nfl-protests-death-las-vegas-gun-control-a7999441.html
www.rollingstone.com
https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/yvette-nicole-brown-dean-norris-busy-phillips-celebrities-dnc-2024-1235085857/
TVLine
https://tvline.com/2019/11/08/superstore-season-5-dean-norris-cast-dina-estranged-dad/