Paul Le Mat
Updated: 12/20/2025, 1:15:20 PM Wikipedia source
Paul Le Mat (born September 22, 1945) is an American actor. He first came to prominence with his role in American Graffiti (1973); his performance was met with critical acclaim and earned him the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor. Le Mat's breakout performance in George Lucas' American Graffiti landed him the lead role in box office hit Aloha, Bobby and Rose (1975). He also is known for his work in the Jonathan Demme films Handle with Care (1977) and Melvin and Howard (1980). He won another Golden Globe award for his performance in the TV film The Burning Bed (1984) and starred in the cult film Puppet Master (1989), which spawned a franchise.
Infobox
Born
(1945-09-22) September 22, 1945 (age 80)Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation
Actor
Years active
1972–present
Spouse
mw- Suzanne de Passe (m. 1978; div. 1994)
Children
3
Website
www.paullemat.com
Tables
· Filmography
1973
1980
Role(s)
Melvin Dummar
Notes
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1982
Role(s)
Mike
The Gift of Life
Role(s)
Dwayne Sutton
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
John Dortmunder
1983
Role(s)
Charles Bigelow
1984
Role(s)
Mickey Hughes
Notes
Television filmGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
1986
Long Time Gone
Role(s)
Nick Sandusky
Notes
Television film
1987
Role(s)
Kid Kane
Deadly Nightmares
Role(s)
Jake Purly
Notes
TV series; episode "Doctor's Orders"
Role(s)
Earl Hubman
Role(s)
Detective Wexler
Into the Homeland
Role(s)
Derrick Winston
Notes
Television film
1988
Role(s)
Carl Mattson / Luke Purdue
Notes
TV series; episode "Showdown in Saskatchewan"
Secret Witness
Role(s)
Kurt
Notes
Television film
1989
Role(s)
Bruce
Role(s)
Alex Whitaker
Grave Secrets
Role(s)
David Shaw
Veiled Threat
Role(s)
Jack Purcell
1992
In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion
Role(s)
Doug Bodrero
Notes
Television film
Woman with a Past
Role(s)
Merle
Notes
Television film
Role(s)
Basie
Deuce Coupe
Role(s)
Sheriff
1995
Role(s)
Ray
1994–1995
Role(s)
Lonesome Dove: The Series
Notes
Josiah Peale
1995–1996
Role(s)
Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years
Notes
Josiah Peale
1999
The Outfitters
Role(s)
Robby
2009
Chrome Angels
Role(s)
Elliot
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1973 | Firehouse | Billy Dalzell | TV series; episode "Pilot" |
| 1973 | American Graffiti | John Milner | Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actor |
| 1975 | Aloha, Bobby and Rose | Bobby | |
| 1977 | Handle with Care (aka Citizen's Band) | Spider | |
| 1979 | More American Graffiti | John Milner | |
| 1980 | Melvin and Howard | Melvin Dummar | Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 1982 | Death Valley | Mike | |
| 1982 | The Gift of Life | Dwayne Sutton | Television film |
| 1982 | Jimmy the Kid | John Dortmunder | |
| 1983 | Rock & Rule | Omar | Voice role, American dub |
| 1983 | Strange Invaders | Charles Bigelow | |
| 1984 | The Burning Bed | Mickey Hughes | Television filmGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film |
| 1984 | The Night They Saved Christmas | Michael Baldwin | Television film |
| 1986 | On Wings of Eagles | Jay Coburn | TV mini-series |
| 1986 | Long Time Gone | Nick Sandusky | Television film |
| 1987 | and the Kid | Kid Kane | |
| 1987 | Deadly Nightmares | Jake Purly | TV series; episode "Doctor's Orders" |
| 1987 | The Hanoi Hilton | Earl Hubman | |
| 1987 | Private Investigations | Detective Wexler | |
| 1987 | Into the Homeland | Derrick Winston | Television film |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Carl Mattson / Luke Purdue | TV series; episode "Showdown in Saskatchewan" |
| 1988 | Secret Witness | Kurt | Television film |
| 1988 | The Twilight Zone | Tom Bennett | TV series; episode "Appointment on Route 17" |
| 1989 | Easy Wheels | Bruce | |
| 1989 | Puppet Master | Alex Whitaker | |
| 1989 | Grave Secrets | David Shaw | |
| 1989 | Veiled Threat | Jack Purcell | |
| 1989 | Blind Witness | Detective Mike Tuthill | Television film |
| 1992 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Charlie | TV series; episode "The Jar" |
| 1992 | In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion | Doug Bodrero | Television film |
| 1992 | Woman with a Past | Merle | Television film |
| 1992 | Wishman | Basie | |
| 1992 | Deuce Coupe | Sheriff | |
| 1994 | Caroline at Midnight | Emmet | |
| 1994 | Sensation | Mitch Snyder | |
| 1995 | Deep Down | Ray | |
| 1995 | Grace Under Fire | The Stranger | TV series; episode "Memphis Bound" |
| 1994–1995 | Lonesome Dove: The Series | Josiah Peale | TV series; 16 episodes |
| 1995–1996 | Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years | Josiah Peale | TV series; 14 episodes |
| 1998 | American History X | McMahon | |
| 1999 | The Outfitters | Robby | |
| 2000 | Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction | Sheldon Ludovic | TV series; episode "Eclipse" |
| 2001 | Big Bad Love | Monroe | |
| 2004 | Stateside | Dori's Internist | |
| 2004 | The Long Shot | Guido Levits | Television film |
| 2009 | Chrome Angels | Elliot |