Ken Howard

Ken Howard Profile Photo

Characters played by Ken Howard

Max Cavanaugh — Crossing Jordan (2001)

Jordan Cavanaugh's father. A retired police officer who raised Jordan and remains involved in her life and cases, often providing support rooted in his law-enforcement background.

Committee Chairman — Clear and Present Danger (1994)

Legislative leader overseeing hearings.

Arthur Marsh — Rambo (2008)

Missionary group member traveling to Burma.

Michael Bergstrom — The Net (1995)

Under Secretary of Defense murdered to hide HIV test results and Gatekeeper usage.

Don Jeffries — Michael Clayton (2007)

The CEO of U-North. His signature appears on the damaging internal memo regarding the weed killer. He authorizes and supplies two operatives to Karen to surveil and eliminate Arthur Edens.

Ed Palmer — The Wedding Ringer (2015)

Ed Palmer is Gretchen's father and an important figure in the wedding family's approval of Doug Harris. After Jimmy accidentally claims that he and Doug played football, Ed challenges them to a game with former college teammates. He later plays in the muddy football match, blows out his knee on the final play, and becomes one of the disasters Gretchen cites at the reception.

Thomas Jefferson — 1776 (1972)

Virginia delegate selected as the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Initially reluctant, he drafts the document with assistance from his wife Martha, negotiates amendments regarding slavery and royal titles, and ultimately signs the historic document.

Phelan Beale — Grey Gardens (2009)

Phelan Beale is Big Edie's husband and Little Edie's father. The film's flashbacks show that he eventually divorces Big Edie and tells Little Edie that she must find a husband capable of supporting her lifestyle. After his death, the family's financial problems intensify, leading his sons to urge Big Edie to sell Grey Gardens and move away.

Walter Bishop — Better Living Through Chemistry (2014)

Doug's retired father-in-law and the owner of the small-town pharmacy. He is frustrated that Doug runs the business but refuses to let him name it after the family. He later offers to house Ethan during the family crisis.

Gordon Race — The Man in the Brown Suit (1989)

Gordon Race is drawn into the investigation after asking about Anne's cabin and becoming a possible suspect. At the falls, he reveals that he is CIA and offers information supporting Anne's inquiry, including Harry Lucas's presence at several key locations and the claim that the diamonds are in Cairo.

Gene Cooper — Smother (2008)

Marilyn's estranged husband who admits to cheating twice during a confrontation initiated by his wife's surveillance.

Gary — A.C.O.D. (2013)

Gary is Melissa's husband and the stepfather of Carter and Trey. Although he is not involved in the initial wedding negotiations, he secretly gives the brothers a large check for the wedding and later appears at the lake house when Carter is preparing to destroy the divorce evidence.

Career Overview

Ken Howard has 80 screen credits in a career dating back to 1970. Their work spans 4 cinematic universes — most prominently Rambo with 1 titles. Signature works include A Vow to Cherish, 1776, Grey Gardens. Explore the interactive character relationship maps on each title page to trace how their roles connect across franchises.

Personal Facts

Known For
Acting
Gender
male
Known Credits
80
Birth Date
1944-03-28
Birth Place
El Centro, California, USA

Known For

Associated Universes

Universe traveler — spans 4 universes

Frequent Collaborators

Credits

Content sources

Related entry on Wikidata (Q1320640), public domain (CC0).