A former comedian, and accomplished actor,Craig T. Nelsonhas been in the entertainment business for over five decades. During his impressive career in Hollywood, he has starred in over 50 movies and 15 television series. He has won a Primetime Emmy and been nominated for several awards. With his impressive physical presence, charismatic demeanor, and ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles well, he has solidified his legacy as one of the prominent actors in the industry.
Acting isn’t all that Craig T. Nelson does. He is an avid golfer and race car driver, and has directed and produced several series and made for TV movies. In a grouping of leading men in Hollywoodwhose height averages 5'9", Nelson towers above his costarsat a stature of 6'3". Beyond being a commanding physical presence onscreen, his ability to carry comedy or evoke emotion depending on the requirements of a role has made him a versatile and extremely talented character actor. With such a solid background of work, it is difficult to sum up such a formidable roster, but here are10 favorite movies and TV series featuring Craig T. Nelson.
10’Grace and Frankie' (2015-2022)
Appeared as Guy
The TV seriesGrace and FrankiestarringJane FondaandLily Tomlinhas become an instant favorite with fans. It was nominated for 62 awards over its 7-season tenure, including 13 Primetime Emmys. The show follows the main characters as they find out at the same time that their husbands (played byMartin SheenandSam Waterston) are in love with each other and want to divorce both of them.
Craig T. Nelson’s character,Guy, becomes a love interest for Grace(Fonda). He plays the role with beautiful tenderness and honesty. A romantic scene where the two characters dance together on a balcony quickened the pulse rates of many viewers and gave him a unique opportunity to showcase his steamy acting abilities, among other roles where he is required to be more stoic.
Grace and Frankie
Watch on Netflix
9’The Devil’s Advocate' (1997)
Appeared as Alexander Cullen
Playing a character that nobody likes can be a challenging and nuanced role for an actor. InThe Devil’s AdvocateNelson plays not only a character that nobody likes, but one that everyone thinks is guilty of murder. When his character of Alexander Cullen hires lawyers played byKeanu ReevesandAl Pacino, he could never suspect that he was making a deal with the devil.
In this movie, Nelson gets to play a successful, but morally unscrupulous man with everything to lose. He has somesuperb courtroom scenes as well as dramatic dialogue with his fellow actors.The film would go on towin two horror-related awardsand become an iconic film for the genre.
The Devil’s Advocate
An exceptionally-adept Florida lawyer is offered a job at a high-end New York City law firm with a high-end boss–the biggest opportunity of his career to date.
8’The District' (2000-2004)
Appeared as Chief Jack Mannion
Being in charge of policing the nation’s capital is no small task. Nelson’s character of Police Chief Jack Mannion must navigate his personal and professional life under the shadow of the USA’s most historic district.Roger Aaron Brown,Sean Patrick Thomas, andElizabeth Marvelround out the talented cast.
The drama would gain audience support for its enduring characters and commitment to displaying real emotion. Even after the sudden death of a costar,Lynne Thigpen, the cast went on to film a funeral scene just a few days later.Nelson said they were ableto channel their grief in a helpful way, and the show was able to go on.Nelson’s character got a chance to balance the heaviness of some episodes with brevity in others,singing show tunes when necessary.
The District
7’Parenthood' (2010-2015)
Appeared as Zeek Braverman
Fatherly roles seem to suit Nelson. A father, grandfather, and great-grandfather in real life, he plays the performances exceptionally well and has become known for his ability to blend tenderness with gravitas. One such opportunity to showcase these abilities was in the TV dramaParenthood.
Playing the patriarch of a diverse and inclusive family, Nelson and his costars got to explore topics that covered autism, racial tensions, and divorce. Along with the many intricacies that come with being a part of a family structure, the show navigated the episodes withfantastic writing and acting performances.
Parenthood
Parenthood follows the Braverman family, led by parents Zeek and Camille, as they navigate the ups and downs of raising their four adult children and their respective families. Set in Berkeley, California, the series explores the challenges and triumphs of parenting, relationships, and personal growth, highlighting issues like work-life balance, special needs children, and marital struggles.
Watch on Hulu
6’The Proposal' (2009)
Appeared as Joe Paxton
Another role where Nelson portrayed a father was in the 2009 romantic comedyThe Proposal. Nelson played the father of Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds) who was engaged, unwittingly, to marry his employer, Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) so she would not be deported from the US. The film was nominated for a Critics Choice Award and has become a favorite for many fans of the genre.
In the film, Nelson does what he does best, balancing understated comedic performance with touchingly heartfelt scenes. His character gets a chance to confront his son about the unusual arrangement and voice his disdain for the way his son has handled his professional career. He and Reynoldshave great chemistry togetherand create a strained father-son dynamic effortlessly.
The Proposal
5’Poltergeist' (1982)
Appeared as Steve Freeling
The early ’80s horrorPoltergeisthad everyone afraid of TV screens long beforeThe Ring. The special effects are hauntingly disturbing and graphic and stay with the viewer for a long time. The story involves a nuclear family, of which Nelson plays the father and husband, whose youngest daughter (Heather O’Rourke) begins to have strange and supernatural interactions with a television set in their home. Soon, all manner of terrifying situations occur, including the disappearance of their daughter.
Poltergeistisconsidered a cinema classicand isthe movie that launched Nelson’s career.Having landed minor TV and movie roles before then, the film gave him a chance to shine as an actor, and he was offered more substantial roles after its debut. He would also appear in the sequelPoltergeist II: The Other Side.
Poltergeist
A remake of the 1982 horror film of the same name,Poltergeistrevolves around the Bowen family, whose home has been invaded by evil, supernatural forces.
4’Blades of Glory' (2007)
Appeared as Coach Robert
When you get comedy titans like Craig T. Nelson andWill Ferrelltogether, you know there are bound to be laughs. The figure-skating comedyBlades of Gloryfeatured Nelson as a coach, but in an area of athletics that no one would have suspected. In the movie, Nelson’s character takes on the controversial task of training the first male-male figure skating duo in the sport’s history. He has to help his athletes, played by Ferrell andJon Heder, overcome their personal and artistic differences so they can not only skate well together, but work as a team.
Nelson plays the coach of the unlikely pair with a superb amount of grit and hopeful optimism. Although they need him to achieve success, he also needs them to finally perfect a move called the “Iron Lotus” which he invented many years ago. The movie strikes comedy gold andfeatures other outstanding comedianssuch asAmy Poehler,Will Arnett, andNick Swardson.
3’The Family Stone' (2005)
Appeared as Kelly Stone
Christmas is a time when family stress runs high. Especially if you are a girlfriend trying to bond with your boyfriend’s family. Meredith Morton (Sarah Jessica Parker) has her hands full trying to navigate the ups and downs and dos and don’ts of her boyfriend Everett Stone’s (Dermot Mulroney) eclectic family when she goes home with him for the holidays.
The humorous, heartfelt, and surprising script and fantastic acting performances inThe Family Stonemake it a cherished movie that is watched over and over again.Nelson plays the leader of the Stone family with fantastic ethos and comedic timing.
The Family Stone
An uptight, conservative businesswoman accompanies her boyfriend to his eccentric and outgoing family’s annual Christmas celebration and finds that she’s a fish out of water in their free-spirited way of life.
2’The Incredibles' (2004)
Appeared as Bob Parr
How do you bring something new to a superhero movie? In a genre that has quickly become over-saturated, the 2004 animated filmThe Incrediblesuses a unique perspective to originate a concept. They create a movie that follows the adventures of a superhero family. Not a lone vigilante, forced to spend every night in self-appointed solitary existence.TheIncrediblesare a family unit. They are a happily married couple with three children, and all of them happen to have superpowers. They live together, work together, and defend the world from evil villains together.
In the film, Nelson plays Mr. Incredible, the patriarch of the crime-fighting Parr family. The writing explores the unique challenges faced by the character as he has to juggle his hero-work to personal-life balance. Nelson gives a relatable and inspirational performance as many audience members will be able to sympathize with Mr. Incredible in that raisinga family is not for the faint of heart.
1’Coach' (1989-1997)
Appeared as Coach Hayden Fox
Although Nelson has left his mark on all the titles listed here, he is probably the most well-known for his role as university football coach Hayden Fox on the TV seriesCoach. Indeed,the moniker would stick with him for the rest of his career and he became so synonymous with the title, that he remained permanently affixed in the viewing public’s hearts as an athletic coach. The series had nine seasons and won two Primetime Emmys, including one for Nelson as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Throughout the series, Nelson was able to hone his craft as the episodes gave him opportunities for comedy and dramatic performances. He became America’s most beloved coach, showing the audience what a leader ought to be. His rich palette of acting talent, which would be appreciated in all of his following roles, was both inspired andfirst materialized in this enduring role.
