Insep

Explore now...

Login
Ken Olin

Ken Olin

1954-07-30 • Chicago, Illinois, USA

His dark, sincere good looks were steadily put to use on the small screen during the 80s, but, in retrospect, actor Ken Olin will probably be considered more of a major force behind the camera. Born in Chicago, Ken went to the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and headed for Hollywood in the late 70s. After the typical route of bit parts, he started moving up in leaps and bounds on TV's top shows. A couple of strong, single season regular parts on both Hill Street Blues (1981)and Falcon Crest (1981) ultimately led to his casting as the introspective and quietly sexy Michael Steadman on Thirtysomething (1987), which ran for four seasons and nabbed numerous awards for its liberal writing and sensitive content. Ken co-starred with wife Patricia Wettig on the show, but the multi-Emmy winner Wettig did not play Ken's wife (actress Mel Harris did) and the public was often confused as to who Ken's wife really was. Ken also earned the chance to direct occasionally on Thirtysomething (1987) and this would have a significant impact as to the direction of his career in the years to come. Following Thirtysomething (1987), Ken pursued acting work in mini-movies as both hero ( Police Story: Cop Killer (1988) ) and villain ( Dead by Sunset (1995) ), but almost always seemed on the verge of leaving acting altogether. It was his burgeoning interest in directing that took over, and he has since found steady helming duties on such popular shows as Felicity (1998) and The West Wing (1999). His TV drama Doing Time on Maple Drive (1992)was nominated for three Emmys.

Filmography

The Story of Soaps

The Story of Soaps

2020 · Movie

as Self
Stars in the House

Stars in the House

2020 · TV Show

as Self
Zoo

Zoo

2015 · TV Show

as Professor Robert Oz
Americana

Americana

2012 · Movie

as Martin Garano
Brothers and Sisters

Brothers and Sisters

2006 · TV Show

as David Caplan
The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie

The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie

2005 · Movie

as Ken Olin
Breaking News

Breaking News

2002 · TV Show
Alias

Alias

2001 · TV Show

as David McNeil (uncredited)
Y2K

Y2K

1999 · Movie

as Nick Cromwell
Evolution's Child

Evolution's Child

1999 · Movie
L.A. Doctors

L.A. Doctors

1998 · TV Show

as Roger Cattan
The Advocate's Devil

The Advocate's Devil

1997 · Movie

as Abe Ringel
'Til There Was You

'Til There Was You

1997 · Movie

as Gregory
EZ Streets

EZ Streets

1996 · TV Show

as Cameron Quinn
Nothing But the Truth

Nothing But the Truth

1995 · Movie

as Dr. Peter Clayman
Dead by Sunset

Dead by Sunset

1995 · TV Show
Telling Secrets

Telling Secrets

1993 · Movie

as Det. Jay Jensen
Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

1993 · TV Show

as Self - Guest
Queens Logic

Queens Logic

1991 · Movie

as Ray
Goodnight Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston

Goodnight Sweet Wife: A Murder in Boston

1990 · Movie

as Charles Stuart
A Stoning in Fulham County

A Stoning in Fulham County

1988 · Movie

as Jim Sandler
Police Story: Cop Killer

Police Story: Cop Killer

1988 · Movie

as Officer Manny Mandell
No image

Police Story

1988 · TV Show

as Officer Manny Mandell
Tonight's the Night

Tonight's the Night

1987 · Movie

as Henry Fox
thirtysomething

thirtysomething

1987 · TV Show

as Michael Steadman
I'll Take Manhattan

I'll Take Manhattan

1987 · TV Show

as Nat Lammerman
There Must Be a Pony

There Must Be a Pony

1986 · Movie

as Jay Savage
Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

Flight 90: Disaster on the Potomac

1984 · Movie

as David Frank
Murder, She Wrote

Murder, She Wrote

1984 · TV Show

as Perry Revere
Bay City Blues

Bay City Blues

1983 · TV Show

as Rocky Padillo
The Hitchhiker

The Hitchhiker

1983 · TV Show

as Steve
Hotel

Hotel

1982 · TV Show
Ghost Story

Ghost Story

1981 · Movie

as Young Sears James
Hill Street Blues

Hill Street Blues

1981 · TV Show

as Harry Garibaldi, Det. Harry Garibaldi
Falcon Crest

Falcon Crest

1981 · TV Show

as Christopher Rossini
Women at West Point

Women at West Point

1979 · Movie

as Board Member
Golden Globe Awards

Golden Globe Awards

1944 · TV Show

as Self - Audience Member, Self - Presenter

Crew Credits