Jay O. Sanders

Jay O. Sanders

Jay Olcutt Sanders (born April 16, 1953) is an American actor. He is noted for his TV roles as Bill Weller on Blindspot, Jack Bryant on Manhunt, Chief Tom Lidell on The Sinner, Det. John Maynard on Widows, Capt. Joseph Hannah on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and mob lawyer Steven Kordo in NBC's detective series Crime Story (1986-1988), as well as his film roles on The Day After Tomorrow (2004), Green Lantern (2011), and the Alex Cross films starring Morgan Freeman. He has appeared in many other notable films, including Glory (1989), Mr. Destiny (1990), JFK (1991), Angels in the Outfield (1994), The Big Green (1995), Daylight (1996), The Matchmaker (1997), For Richer or Poorer (1997), Tumbleweeds (1999), Music of the Heart (1999), Half Nelson (2006), Cadillac Records (2008), and Revolutionary Road (2008). He is also known as the narrator for the PBS series Wide Angle from 2002–2009 and has served as narrator for a number of Nova episodes and documentary specials starting in 2007. He is the voice of D.S. McKenna in the Red Dead Redemption video game series.

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Known For

Filmography

2024

His Three Daughters
His Three Daughters
as Vincent
Movie - Released: 9/5/2024
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
Movie - Released: 5/24/2024
Girl From the North Country
Girl From the North Country
as Nick Laine
Movie - Released: 11/21/2024
TV
Decoding the Universe
as Narrator
TV - Released: 5/22/2024

2023

When You Finish Saving the World
When You Finish Saving the World
as Roger
Movie - Released: 1/20/2023
Outrage
Outrage
as Frank Brand
Movie - Released: 12/1/2023

2022

The Road to Galena
The Road to Galena
as John Baird
Movie - Released: 7/8/2022
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths
as Ambassador Jones
Movie - Released: 10/27/2022

2020

The Assistant
The Assistant
as Boss (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/31/2020
That Hopey Changey Thing
That Hopey Changey Thing
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 4/21/2020
Sweet and Sad
Sweet and Sad
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 4/21/2020
Sorry
Sorry
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 4/21/2020
Regular Singing
Regular Singing
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 4/21/2020
What Do We Need to Talk About?
What Do We Need to Talk About?
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 4/29/2020
And So We Come Forth
And So We Come Forth
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 7/1/2020
Tapes
Tapes
Movie - Released: 6/17/2020
Incidental Moments of the Day
Incidental Moments of the Day
as Richard Apple
Movie - Released: 9/10/2020
Stars in the House
Stars in the House
as Self
TV - Released: 3/16/2020

2019

Saving the Dead Sea
Saving the Dead Sea
Movie - Released: 4/19/2019
DC Noir
DC Noir
as Sgt. Peters
Movie - Released: 4/29/2019
Uncle Vanya
Uncle Vanya
as Vanya
Movie - Released: 8/23/2019
Movie
Secrets of the Dead: The Nero Files
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/20/2019
The Violin Alone
The Violin Alone
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/29/2019
NOVA: Decoding da Vinci
NOVA: Decoding da Vinci
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/13/2019

2018

Movie
Vice
as Governor
Movie - Released: 1/1/2018
NOVA: Prediction by the Numbers
NOVA: Prediction by the Numbers
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/28/2018
Broken Places
Broken Places
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/15/2018
NOVA: First Face of America
NOVA: First Face of America
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/7/2018

2017

Ghosts of Stonehenge
Ghosts of Stonehenge
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/11/2017
NOVA: Secrets of the Sky Tombs
NOVA: Secrets of the Sky Tombs
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/4/2017
NOVA: Why Trains Crash
NOVA: Why Trains Crash
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/22/2017
NOVA: Holocaust Escape Tunnel
NOVA: Holocaust Escape Tunnel
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 4/19/2017
Hungry
Hungry
as George Gabriel
Movie - Released: 3/22/2017
What Did You Expect?
What Did You Expect?
as George Gabriel
Movie - Released: 3/23/2017
Women of a Certain Age
Women of a Certain Age
as George Gabriel
Movie - Released: 3/24/2017
Manhunt
Manhunt
as Jack Bryant
TV - Released: 8/1/2017

2016

NOVA: Iceman Reborn
NOVA: Iceman Reborn
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 2/17/2016
NOVA: Life's Rocky Start
NOVA: Life's Rocky Start
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/13/2016
NOVA: Mystery Beneath the Ice
NOVA: Mystery Beneath the Ice
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/20/2016
NOVA: Secret Tunnel Warfare
NOVA: Secret Tunnel Warfare
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/6/2016
Secrets of the Dead: Graveyard of the Giant Beasts
Secrets of the Dead: Graveyard of the Giant Beasts
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/2/2016
Catfight
Catfight
as Angry Guy
Movie - Released: 9/9/2016

2015

Inside Einstein's Mind: The Enigma of Space and Time
Inside Einstein's Mind: The Enigma of Space and Time
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/25/2015
Dawn of Humanity
Dawn of Humanity
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 9/10/2015
NOVA: The Great Math Mystery
NOVA: The Great Math Mystery
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 4/15/2015
NOVA: Secrets of Noah's Ark
NOVA: Secrets of Noah's Ark
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/7/2015
Northern Borders
Northern Borders
as Agent Sanders
Movie - Released: 1/16/2015
Secrets of the Dead: The Real Trojan Horse
Secrets of the Dead: The Real Trojan Horse
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/13/2015
Blindspot
Blindspot
as Bill Weller
TV - Released: 9/21/2015
Chicago Med
Chicago Med
as Cray
TV - Released: 11/17/2015
Sneaky Pete
Sneaky Pete
as Sam
TV - Released: 8/7/2015

2014

The Gathering Swarms
The Gathering Swarms
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 5/21/2014
The Mystery of Mona Lisa
The Mystery of Mona Lisa
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 7/9/2014
True Detective
True Detective
as Billy Lee Tuttle
TV - Released: 1/12/2014

2013

Movie
The River
as Phil
Movie - Released: 4/5/2013
NOVA: Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby?
NOVA: Who Killed Lindbergh's Baby?
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/1/2013
NOVA: Ground Zero Supertower
NOVA: Ground Zero Supertower
as Self - Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 9/11/2013
NOVA: Cold Case JFK
NOVA: Cold Case JFK
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/13/2013

2012

The Man Who Saved the World
The Man Who Saved the World
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/22/2012
NOVA: Secrets of the Viking Sword
NOVA: Secrets of the Viking Sword
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/10/2012
Earth from Space
Earth from Space
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 11/13/2012

2011

Movie
Adventures in Plymptoons!
as Himself
Movie - Released: 5/30/2011
A Novel Romance
A Novel Romance
as Walter Evans
Movie - Released: 11/11/2011
Movie
I'm Coming Over
as Walter
Movie - Released: 8/14/2011
The Jewel
The Jewel
as Mr. Rothman
Movie - Released: 3/4/2011
Green Lantern
Green Lantern
as Carl Ferris
Movie - Released: 6/14/2011
Person of Interest
Person of Interest
as Special Counsel
TV - Released: 9/22/2011
Pan Am
Pan Am
as Douglas Vanderway
TV - Released: 9/25/2011
Unforgettable
Unforgettable
as Jonathan Hedstrom
TV - Released: 9/20/2011
Body of Proof
Body of Proof
as Harvey Brady
TV - Released: 3/29/2011

2010

Edge of Darkness
Edge of Darkness
as Whitehouse
Movie - Released: 1/28/2010
Riddles of the Sphinx
Riddles of the Sphinx
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/19/2010
Secrets of Stonehenge
Secrets of Stonehenge
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 1/2/2010
Nova: Building the Great Cathedrals
Nova: Building the Great Cathedrals
as Self - Narrator
Movie - Released: 10/19/2010
Blue Bloods
Blue Bloods
as Jimmy Reagan
TV - Released: 9/24/2010

2009

Movie
The Undying
as Dr. Russell Lassiter
Movie - Released: 1/1/2009
I Hate Valentine's Day
I Hate Valentine's Day
as Tim the Delivery Guy
Movie - Released: 6/27/2009
The Good Wife
The Good Wife
as Judge Hal Ferris
TV - Released: 9/22/2009

2008

NOVA: Arctic Dinosaurs
NOVA: Arctic Dinosaurs
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 10/7/2008
Revolutionary Road
Revolutionary Road
as Bart Pollock
Movie - Released: 12/19/2008
Cadillac Records
Cadillac Records
as Mr. Feder
Movie - Released: 12/5/2008
The Dissection of Thanksgiving
The Dissection of Thanksgiving
as Cliff
Movie - Released: 10/1/2008

2007

Greetings from the Shore
Greetings from the Shore
as Commodore Callaghan
Movie - Released: 8/28/2007
The Valley of Light
The Valley of Light
as Howard
Movie - Released: 1/28/2007
NOVA: Judgement Day - Intelligent Design on Trial
NOVA: Judgement Day - Intelligent Design on Trial
as Narrator (voice)
Movie - Released: 9/18/2007
Happenstance
Happenstance
as Bob
Movie - Released: 5/4/2007

2006

Wedding Daze
Wedding Daze
as Sheriff
Movie - Released: 9/9/2006
Half Nelson
Half Nelson
as Russ Dunne
Movie - Released: 8/11/2006

2004

The Day After Tomorrow
The Day After Tomorrow
as Frank Harris
Movie - Released: 5/26/2004
Hair High
Hair High
as Football Announcer (voice)
Movie - Released: 4/17/2004

2003

D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear
D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear
as Douglas Duncan
Movie - Released: 10/17/2003
Abby Singer
Abby Singer
as Kevin's Father
Movie - Released: 10/28/2003

2002

Salem Witch Trials
Salem Witch Trials
as Thomas Putnam
Movie - Released: 12/24/2002
Widows
Widows
as Detective John Maynard
TV - Released: 8/6/2002

2001

Along Came a Spider
Along Came a Spider
as Kyle Craig
Movie - Released: 4/6/2001
Dead Dog
Dead Dog
as Frank Edmonds
Movie - Released: 10/17/2001
My Husband's Double Life
My Husband's Double Life
as Patrick Hennessy Welsh
Movie - Released: 3/12/2001
The Last Brickmaker in America
The Last Brickmaker in America
as Mike Potter
Movie - Released: 9/23/2001
Boss of Bosses
Boss of Bosses
as Joseph O'Brien
Movie - Released: 6/3/2001
My Husband's Double Life
My Husband's Double Life
as Timothy Michael Kingsbury
Movie - Released: 3/12/2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
as Harry Rowan, Sr.
TV - Released: 9/30/2001
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
as Joseph Hannah
TV - Released: 9/30/2001

2000

Picnic
Picnic
as Howard Bevens
Movie - Released: 4/16/2000
Wild Costa Rica
Wild Costa Rica
as Narrator
Movie - Released: 1/1/2000
Wonderland
Wonderland
as Ed Butowski
TV - Released: 3/30/2000
Secrets of the Dead
Secrets of the Dead
as Narrator (voice)
TV - Released: 5/15/2000

1999

The Secret Life of Girls
The Secret Life of Girls
Movie - Released: 5/29/1999
The Confession
The Confession
as Jack Renoble
Movie - Released: 3/26/1999
Earthly Possessions
Earthly Possessions
as Zack Emery
Movie - Released: 3/20/1999
Music of the Heart
Music of the Heart
as Dan Paxton
Movie - Released: 10/29/1999
ATF
ATF
as Sam Sinclair
Movie - Released: 9/6/1999
Tumbleweeds
Tumbleweeds
as Dan Miller
Movie - Released: 11/24/1999
The Jack Bull
The Jack Bull
as Atty. Gen. Metcalfe
Movie - Released: 4/17/1999

1998

Wrestling with Alligators
Wrestling with Alligators
as Rick
Movie - Released: 1/18/1998
The Odd Couple II
The Odd Couple II
as Leroy
Movie - Released: 4/9/1998

1997

The Matchmaker
The Matchmaker
as Senator John McGlory
Movie - Released: 10/3/1997
Kiss the Girls
Kiss the Girls
as FBI Agent Kyle Craig
Movie - Released: 9/29/1997
For Richer or Poorer
For Richer or Poorer
as Samuel Yoder
Movie - Released: 12/11/1997

1996

The Prosecutors
The Prosecutors
as DA Alan Baker
Movie - Released: 12/2/1996
Daylight
Daylight
as Steven Crighton
Movie - Released: 12/6/1996

1995

The Big Green
The Big Green
as Jay Huffer
Movie - Released: 9/29/1995
Three Wishes
Three Wishes
as Coach Schramka
Movie - Released: 10/27/1995
Down Came a Blackbird
Down Came a Blackbird
as Jan Talbeck
Movie - Released: 10/22/1995
Silver Strand
Silver Strand
as Lucas Hughes
Movie - Released: 11/23/1995
Kiss of Death
Kiss of Death
as Federal Agent
Movie - Released: 4/21/1995
Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years
Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years
as Xander
TV - Released: 9/21/1995
The Outer Limits
The Outer Limits
as Ed Barkley
TV - Released: 3/26/1995

1994

Angels in the Outfield
Angels in the Outfield
as Ranch Wilder
Movie - Released: 7/15/1994
Nobody's Children
Nobody's Children
as Joe Stevens
Movie - Released: 3/3/1994
State of Emergency
State of Emergency
as Dr. Jeffrey Forrest
Movie - Released: 2/21/1994
New York Undercover
New York Undercover
as Howard
TV - Released: 9/8/1994

1993

My Boyfriend's Back
My Boyfriend's Back
as Sheriff McCloud
Movie - Released: 8/6/1993
Rio Shannon
Rio Shannon
as John Cleary
Movie - Released: 8/14/1993

1992

Hostages
Hostages
as Terry Anderson
Movie - Released: 9/23/1992

1991

JFK
JFK
as Lou Ivon
Movie - Released: 12/20/1991
V.I. Warshawski
V.I. Warshawski
as Murray Ryerson
Movie - Released: 7/26/1991
Meeting Venus
Meeting Venus
as Stephen Taylor
Movie - Released: 9/18/1991
Defenseless
Defenseless
as Bull Dozer
Movie - Released: 8/23/1991

1990

Revealing Evidence - Stalking the Honolulu Strangler
Revealing Evidence - Stalking the Honolulu Strangler
as Tom Marshall
Movie - Released: 6/3/1990
Mr. Destiny
Mr. Destiny
as Jackie Earle
Movie - Released: 10/12/1990
Northern Exposure
Northern Exposure
as Dr. John Summer
TV - Released: 7/12/1990
Law & Order
Law & Order
as Nick Taska / Bill Fallon
TV - Released: 9/13/1990
Law & Order
Law & Order
as Defense Attorney Alan Fenwick
TV - Released: 9/13/1990

1989

Glory
Glory
as Gen. George Crockett Strong
Movie - Released: 12/15/1989
Cold Sassy Tree
Cold Sassy Tree
as Clayton McAllister
Movie - Released: 10/16/1989
Just Like in the Movies
Just Like in the Movies
as Ryan Legrand
Movie - Released: 10/4/1989
Booker
Booker
as Gordon Rudd
TV - Released: 9/24/1989

1988

Tucker: The Man and His Dream
Tucker: The Man and His Dream
as Kirby
Movie - Released: 8/12/1988
The Prince of Pennsylvania
The Prince of Pennsylvania
as Trooper Joe
Movie - Released: 10/10/1988
Roseanne
Roseanne
as Ziggy
TV - Released: 10/18/1988

1987

The Misfit Brigade
The Misfit Brigade
as Tiny
Movie - Released: 7/2/1987

1986

L.A. Law
L.A. Law
as Detective Michael Phillips
TV - Released: 9/15/1986
Crime Story
Crime Story
as Steve Kordo
TV - Released: 9/19/1986

1985

Spenser: For Hire
Spenser: For Hire
as Father Crawford
TV - Released: 9/20/1985

1984

A Doctor's Story
A Doctor's Story
as Dr. Curtis
Movie - Released: 4/23/1984
Kate & Allie
Kate & Allie
as Tim Merr
TV - Released: 3/19/1984
Miami Vice
Miami Vice
as Det. Tim Duryea
TV - Released: 9/16/1984

1983

Cross Creek
Cross Creek
as Charles Rawlings
Movie - Released: 9/21/1983
Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story
Living Proof: The Hank Williams Jr. Story
as Dick Willey
Movie - Released: 3/8/1983
Eddie Macon's Run
Eddie Macon's Run
as Rudy Potts
Movie - Released: 3/23/1983

1982

Hanky Panky
Hanky Panky
as Katz
Movie - Released: 6/4/1982
Nature
Nature
as Narrator (voice)
TV - Released: 10/10/1982

1981

Starstruck
Starstruck
as Mr. Miller
Movie - Released: 10/14/1981

1980

The Day Christ Died
The Day Christ Died
as Peter
Movie - Released: 3/26/1980
Texas
Texas
as Seth
TV - Released: 8/4/1980

1979

Starting Over
Starting Over
as Larry
Movie - Released: 10/5/1979
The Scarlet Letter
The Scarlet Letter
as Robert Salter
TV - Released: 3/3/1979

1974

NOVA
NOVA
as Narrator (voice)
TV - Released: 3/3/1974

1972

ABC Afterschool Special
ABC Afterschool Special
as Mr. Miller
TV - Released: 10/4/1972

1951

Hallmark Hall of Fame
Hallmark Hall of Fame
as Howard
TV - Released: 12/24/1951