Jay O. Sanders
Jay O. Sanders

Jay O. Sanders

Born: April 16, 1953 (73 years)
Austin, Texas, USA

Jay Olcutt Sanders (born April 16, 1953) is an American film, theatre and television actor and playwright. He frequently appears in plays off-Broadway at The Public Theatre. He has received a Drama Desk Award and a New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. Sanders made his off-Broadway debut in a Shakespeare in the Park production of Henry V in 1976. He originated the role of Bradley in Sam Shepard's Buried Child (1978). He made his Broadway debut in the play Loose Ends (1979). He returned to Broadway in The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (1983), Saint Joan (1993), Pygmalion (2007), Girl from the North Country (2020), and Purlie Victorious (2023). He made his feature film debut in the comedy Starting Over (1979). He had notable roles in films such as Cross Creek (1983), Tucker: The Man and His Dream (1988), Glory (1989), JFK (1991), Hostages (1992), Angels in the Outfield (1994), Music of the Heart (1999), Tumbleweeds (1999), and Revolutionary Road (2008). He took recurring roles in television series including Law & Order: Criminal Intent, The Good Wife, Person of Interest, Blindspot, and Sneaky Pete. He has served as the narrator for the shows Wide Angle, Nova, and Secrets of the Dead. Description above from the Wikipedia article Jay O. Sanders, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies as Actor (137)
Remain

Remain

Feb 4, 2027

Queens of Combat: Rome's Female Gladiators

Queens of Combat: Rome's Female Gladiators

as Narrator

Jan 28, 2026

The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum

The Rise & Fall of the Colosseum

as Narration

Oct 8, 2025

Girl From the North Country

Girl From the North Country

as Nick Laine

Nov 21, 2024

His Three Daughters

His Three Daughters

as Vincent

Sep 5, 2024

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch

Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch

as Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee

May 24, 2024

Outrage

Outrage

as Frank Brand

Dec 1, 2023

When You Finish Saving the World

When You Finish Saving the World

as Roger

Jan 20, 2023

BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths

as Ambassador Jones

Oct 27, 2022

The Road to Galena

The Road to Galena

as John Baird

Jul 8, 2022

Incidental Moments of the Day

Incidental Moments of the Day

as Richard Apple

Sep 10, 2020

And So We Come Forth

And So We Come Forth

as Richard Apple

Jul 1, 2020

Tapes

Tapes

Jun 17, 2020

What Do We Need to Talk About?

What Do We Need to Talk About?

as Richard Apple

Apr 29, 2020

That Hopey Changey Thing

That Hopey Changey Thing

as Richard Apple

Apr 21, 2020

Sweet and Sad

Sweet and Sad

as Richard Apple

Apr 21, 2020

Sorry

Sorry

as Richard Apple

Apr 21, 2020

Regular Singing

Regular Singing

as Richard Apple

Apr 21, 2020

The Assistant

The Assistant

as Boss (voice)

Jan 31, 2020

NOVA: Decoding da Vinci

NOVA: Decoding da Vinci

as Narrator (voice)

Nov 13, 2019

Uncle Vanya

Uncle Vanya

as Vanya

Aug 23, 2019

World War Speed: The Drugs That Won WWII

World War Speed: The Drugs That Won WWII

as Narrator

Jun 25, 2019

DC Noir

DC Noir

as Sgt. Peters

Apr 29, 2019

Saving the Dead Sea

Saving the Dead Sea

Apr 19, 2019

Secrets of the Dead: The Nero Files

Secrets of the Dead: The Nero Files

as Narrator (voice)

Feb 20, 2019

The Violin Alone

The Violin Alone

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 29, 2019

Broken Places

Broken Places

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 15, 2018

NOVA: Prediction by the Numbers

NOVA: Prediction by the Numbers

as Narrator (voice)

Feb 28, 2018

NOVA: First Face of America

NOVA: First Face of America

as Narrator (voice)

Feb 7, 2018

Vice

Vice

as Governor

Jan 1, 2018

Ghosts of Stonehenge

Ghosts of Stonehenge

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 11, 2017

Holocaust Escape Tunnel

Holocaust Escape Tunnel

as Narrator (voice)

Apr 19, 2017

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play Three: Women of a Certain Age

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play Three: Women of a Certain Age

as George Gabriel

Mar 24, 2017

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play Two: What Did You Expect?

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play Two: What Did You Expect?

as George Gabriel

Mar 23, 2017

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play One: Hungry

The Gabriels: Election Year in the Life of One Family, Play One: Hungry

as George Gabriel

Mar 22, 2017

Catfight

Catfight

as Angry Guy

Mar 3, 2017

NOVA: Why Trains Crash

NOVA: Why Trains Crash

as Narrator (voice)

Feb 22, 2017

NOVA: Secrets of the Sky Tombs

NOVA: Secrets of the Sky Tombs

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 4, 2017

Secrets of the Dead: Graveyard of the Giant Beasts

Secrets of the Dead: Graveyard of the Giant Beasts

as Narrator (voice)

Nov 2, 2016

Iceman Reborn

Iceman Reborn

as Narrator (voice)

Feb 17, 2016

NOVA: Mystery Beneath the Ice

NOVA: Mystery Beneath the Ice

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 20, 2016

NOVA: Life's Rocky Start

NOVA: Life's Rocky Start

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 13, 2016

NOVA: Secret Tunnel Warfare

NOVA: Secret Tunnel Warfare

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 6, 2016

Inside Einstein's Mind: The Enigma of Space and Time

Inside Einstein's Mind: The Enigma of Space and Time

as Narrator (voice)

Nov 25, 2015

Secrets of the Dead: The Real Trojan Horse

Secrets of the Dead: The Real Trojan Horse

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 13, 2015

NOVA: Secrets of Noah's Ark

NOVA: Secrets of Noah's Ark

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 7, 2015

Dawn of Humanity

Dawn of Humanity

as Narrator (voice)

Sep 10, 2015

NOVA: The Great Math Mystery

NOVA: The Great Math Mystery

as Narrator (voice)

Apr 15, 2015

Northern Borders

Northern Borders

as Agent Sanders

Jan 16, 2015

The Mystery of Mona Lisa

The Mystery of Mona Lisa

as Narrator (voice)

Jul 9, 2014

The Gathering Swarms

The Gathering Swarms

as Narrator (voice)

May 21, 2014

NOVA: Cold Case JFK

NOVA: Cold Case JFK

as Narrator (voice)

Nov 13, 2013

NOVA: Ground Zero Supertower

NOVA: Ground Zero Supertower

as Self - Narrator (voice)

Sep 11, 2013

The River

The River

as Phil

Apr 5, 2013

NOVA: Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby?

NOVA: Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby?

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 1, 2013

The Man Who Saved the World

The Man Who Saved the World

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 22, 2012

NOVA: Secrets of the Viking Sword

NOVA: Secrets of the Viking Sword

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 10, 2012

Earth from Space

Earth from Space

as Narrator (voice)

May 6, 2012

A Novel Romance

A Novel Romance

as Walter Evans

Nov 11, 2011

I'm Coming Over

I'm Coming Over

as Walter

Aug 14, 2011

Green Lantern

Green Lantern

as Carl Ferris

Jun 14, 2011

Adventures in Plymptoons!

Adventures in Plymptoons!

as Self

May 30, 2011

The Jewel

The Jewel

as Mr. Rothman

Mar 4, 2011

Edge of Darkness

Edge of Darkness

as Whitehouse

Jan 28, 2010

Riddles of the Sphinx

Riddles of the Sphinx

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 19, 2010

Secrets of Stonehenge

Secrets of Stonehenge

as Narrator (voice)

Jan 2, 2010

I Hate Valentine's Day

I Hate Valentine's Day

as Tim the Delivery Guy

Jun 27, 2009

The Undying

The Undying

as Dr. Russell Lassiter

Jan 1, 2009

Revolutionary Road

Revolutionary Road

as Bart Pollock

Dec 19, 2008

Cadillac Records

Cadillac Records

as Mr. Feder

Dec 5, 2008

NOVA: Arctic Dinosaurs

NOVA: Arctic Dinosaurs

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 7, 2008

The Dissection of Thanksgiving

The Dissection of Thanksgiving

as Cliff

Oct 1, 2008

Kill the Day

Kill the Day

as Dr. Susskind

Apr 7, 2008

NOVA: Judgement Day - Intelligent Design on Trial

NOVA: Judgement Day - Intelligent Design on Trial

as Narrator (voice)

Sep 18, 2007

Greetings from the Shore

Greetings from the Shore

as Commodore Callaghan

Aug 28, 2007

Happenstance

Happenstance

as Bob

May 4, 2007

The Valley of Light

The Valley of Light

as Howard

Jan 28, 2007

Wedding Daze

Wedding Daze

as Sheriff

Sep 9, 2006

Half Nelson

Half Nelson

as Russ Dunne

Aug 11, 2006

The Day After Tomorrow

The Day After Tomorrow

as Frank Harris

May 26, 2004

Hair High

Hair High

as Football Announcer (voice)

Apr 17, 2004

Abby Singer

Abby Singer

as Kevin's Father

Oct 28, 2003

D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear

D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear

as Douglas Duncan

Oct 17, 2003

Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials

as Thomas Putnam

Dec 24, 2002

Dead Dog

Dead Dog

as Frank Edmonds

Oct 17, 2001

The Last Brickmaker in America

The Last Brickmaker in America

as Mike Potter

Sep 23, 2001

Boss of Bosses

Boss of Bosses

as Joseph O'Brien

Jun 3, 2001

Along Came a Spider

Along Came a Spider

as Kyle Craig

Apr 6, 2001

My Husband's Double Life

My Husband's Double Life

as Patrick Hennessy Welsh

Mar 12, 2001

Picnic

Picnic

as Howard Bevens

Apr 16, 2000

Wild Costa Rica

Wild Costa Rica

as Narrator

Jan 1, 2000

Earthly Possessions

Earthly Possessions

as Zack Emery

Dec 29, 1999

Tumbleweeds

Tumbleweeds

as Dan Miller

Nov 24, 1999

Music of the Heart

Music of the Heart

as Dan Paxton

Oct 29, 1999

ATF

ATF

as Sam Sinclair

Sep 6, 1999

The Secret Life of Girls

The Secret Life of Girls

May 29, 1999

The Jack Bull

The Jack Bull

as Atty. Gen. Metcalfe

Apr 17, 1999

The Confession

The Confession

as Jack Renoble

Mar 26, 1999

The Odd Couple II

The Odd Couple II

as Leroy

Apr 9, 1998

Wrestling with Alligators

Wrestling with Alligators

as Rick

Jan 18, 1998

For Richer or Poorer

For Richer or Poorer

as Samuel Yoder

Dec 11, 1997

The Matchmaker

The Matchmaker

as Senator John McGlory

Oct 3, 1997

Kiss the Girls

Kiss the Girls

as FBI Agent Kyle Craig

Sep 29, 1997

Daylight

Daylight

as Steven Crighton

Dec 6, 1996

The Prosecutors

The Prosecutors

as DA Alan Baker

Dec 2, 1996

Silver Strand

Silver Strand

as Lucas Hughes

Nov 23, 1995

Three Wishes

Three Wishes

as Coach Schramka

Oct 27, 1995

Down Came a Blackbird

Down Came a Blackbird

as Jan Talbeck

Oct 22, 1995

The Big Green

The Big Green

as Jay Huffer

Sep 29, 1995

Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

as Federal Agent

Apr 21, 1995

Angels in the Outfield

Angels in the Outfield

as Ranch Wilder

Jul 15, 1994

Nobody's Children

Nobody's Children

as Joe Stevens

Mar 3, 1994

State of Emergency

State of Emergency

as Dr. Jeffrey Forrest

Feb 21, 1994

Rio Shannon

Rio Shannon

as John Cleary

Aug 14, 1993

My Boyfriend's Back

My Boyfriend's Back

as Sheriff McCloud

Aug 6, 1993

Hostages

Hostages

as Terry Anderson

Sep 23, 1992

JFK

JFK

as Lou Ivon

Dec 20, 1991

Meeting Venus

Meeting Venus

as Stephen Taylor

Sep 18, 1991

Defenseless

Defenseless

as Bull Dozer

Aug 23, 1991

V.I. Warshawski

V.I. Warshawski

as Murray Ryerson

Jul 26, 1991

Mr. Destiny

Mr. Destiny

as Jackie Earle

Oct 12, 1990

Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu Strangler

Revealing Evidence: Stalking the Honolulu Strangler

as Tom Marshall

Jun 3, 1990

Glory

Glory

as Gen. George Crockett Strong

Dec 15, 1989

Cold Sassy Tree

Cold Sassy Tree

as Clayton McAllister

Oct 16, 1989

Just Like in the Movies

Just Like in the Movies

as Ryan Legrand

Oct 4, 1989

The Prince of Pennsylvania

The Prince of Pennsylvania

as Trooper Joe

Oct 10, 1988

Tucker: The Man and His Dream

Tucker: The Man and His Dream

as Kirby

Aug 12, 1988

The Revolt of Mother

The Revolt of Mother

as Adam Penn

Feb 17, 1988

The Misfit Brigade

The Misfit Brigade

as Tiny

Jul 2, 1987

A Doctor's Story

A Doctor's Story

as Dr. Curtis

Apr 23, 1984

Cross Creek

Cross Creek

as Charles Rawlings

Sep 21, 1983

Eddie Macon's Run

Eddie Macon's Run

as Rudy Potts

Mar 23, 1983

Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story

Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story

as Dick Willey

Mar 8, 1983

Hanky Panky

Hanky Panky

as Katz

Jun 4, 1982

Starstruck

Starstruck

as Mr. Miller

Oct 14, 1981

The Day Christ Died

The Day Christ Died

as Peter

Mar 26, 1980

Starting Over

Starting Over

as Larry

Oct 5, 1979

TV Shows as Actor (37)
Decoding the Universe

Decoding the Universe

as Narrator

May 22, 2024

Stars in the House

Stars in the House

as Self

Mar 16, 2020

Manhunt

Manhunt

as Watson Bryant

Aug 1, 2017

Chicago Med

Chicago Med

as Cray

Nov 17, 2015

Blindspot

Blindspot

as Bill Weller

Sep 21, 2015

Sneaky Pete

Sneaky Pete

as Sam

Aug 7, 2015

True Detective

True Detective

as Billy Lee Tuttle

Jan 12, 2014

Pan Am

Pan Am

as Douglas Vanderway

Sep 25, 2011

Person of Interest

Person of Interest

as Special Counsel

Sep 22, 2011

Unforgettable

Unforgettable

as Jonathan Hedstrom

Sep 20, 2011

Body of Proof

Body of Proof

as Harvey Brady

Mar 29, 2011

Blue Bloods

Blue Bloods

as Jimmy Reagan

Sep 24, 2010

The Good Wife

The Good Wife

as Judge Hal Ferris

Sep 22, 2009

Damages

Damages

as Calder Security Executive

Jul 24, 2007

Salem Witch Trials

Salem Witch Trials

as Thomas Putnam

Mar 2, 2003

Widows

Widows

as Detective John Maynard

Aug 6, 2002

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

as Harry Rowan, Sr., Joseph Hannah

Sep 30, 2001

Secrets of the Dead

Secrets of the Dead

as Narrator (voice)

May 15, 2000

Wonderland

Wonderland

as Ed Butowski

Mar 30, 2000

Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years

Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years

as Xander

Sep 21, 1995

The Outer Limits

The Outer Limits

as Ed Barkley

Mar 26, 1995

New York Undercover

New York Undercover

as Howard

Sep 8, 1994

Law & Order

Law & Order

as Nick Taska / Bill Fallon, Defense Attorney Alan Fenwick

Sep 13, 1990

Northern Exposure

Northern Exposure

as Dr. John Summer

Jul 12, 1990

Booker

Booker

as Gordon Rudd

Sep 24, 1989

Roseanne

Roseanne

as Ziggy

Oct 18, 1988

Crime Story

Crime Story

as Steve Kordo

Sep 19, 1986

L.A. Law

L.A. Law

as Detective Michael Phillips

Sep 15, 1986

Spenser: For Hire

Spenser: For Hire

as Father Crawford

Sep 20, 1985

Miami Vice

Miami Vice

as Det. Tim Duryea

Sep 16, 1984

Kate & Allie

Kate & Allie

as Tim Merr

Mar 19, 1984

Nature

Nature

as Narrator (voice)

Oct 10, 1982

Texas

Texas

as Seth

Aug 4, 1980

The Scarlet Letter

The Scarlet Letter

as Robert Salter

Mar 3, 1979

NOVA

NOVA

as Self - Narrator (voice)

Mar 3, 1974

ABC Afterschool Special

ABC Afterschool Special

as Mr. Miller

Oct 4, 1972

Hallmark Hall of Fame

Hallmark Hall of Fame

as Howard

Dec 24, 1951