Kenneth McMillan (actor)

3.1. Beginnings and training

McMillan decided to pursue an acting career at the age of 30. To hone his craft, he underwent rigorous training, studying under influential acting teachers Uta Hagen and Irene Dailey, who helped shape his professional approach to performance.

3.2. Characteristic roles and acting style

McMillan possessed a distinctive screen presence that often led to him being cast as gruff, hostile, and unfriendly characters, capitalizing on his rugged demeanor. This type of role included characters such as a cowardly small-town sheriff in the 1979 TV mini-series Salem's Lot, a similar law enforcement officer in the 1987 Burt Reynolds film Malone, and a racist fire chief in Ragtime. He was also notably cast as William Hurt's bitter paraplegic father in Eyewitness, and as the wily safe cracker in The Pope of Greenwich Village.

Despite his frequent portrayals of tough or villainous figures, McMillan was also adept at comedy and sometimes secured lighter, more gentle roles that revealed his broader acting range. Examples of his comedic performances include a baseball club manager in Blue Skies Again, Meg Ryan's corrupt security guard captain father in Armed and Dangerous, and a dotty, senile veterinarian in Three Fugitives. He also played a lead detective investigating a serial killer in the 1982 film The Clairvoyant and Robert Duvall's detective partner in True Confessions.

3.3. Film career

McMillan made his film debut at age 41 in 1973 with a small, uncredited role as Charlie in Sidney Lumet's police drama Serpico. The following year, he appeared as Harry (Borough Commander) in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. Other significant film appearances in the 1970s included the Market Manager in The Stepford Wives, an uncredited Commissioner in Dog Day Afternoon (1975), a Cabbie in Girlfriends, Mikey Banion in Bloodbrothers, and Jamie Francis in Oliver's Story (1978). In 1979, he played Pete in Chilly Scenes of Winter (also known as Head Over Heels).

The 1980s saw McMillan take on a variety of prominent film roles. In 1980, he was Sam Marzetta in Hide in Plain Sight, Branigan in Little Miss Marker, Heavy St. John in Carny, and Malcolm Wallace in Borderline. The year 1981 was particularly busy, with roles as Mr. Deever in Eyewitness, Frank Crotty in True Confessions, Willie Conklin in Ragtime, Judge Wyler in Whose Life Is It Anyway?, and Max in Heartbeeps. In 1982, he played Chief Wilkins in Partners and Detective Cullum in The Clairvoyant.

His later film credits included Dirk in Blue Skies Again (1983), and a diverse range of characters in 1984 films: John Rourke Sr. in Reckless, Barney in The Pope of Greenwich Village, Michael Schlumberg in the 2002 Director's Cut of Amadeus, Senator Norris in Protocol, and perhaps his most famous role, Baron Vladimir Harkonnen in Dune.

In 1985, McMillan appeared as Cressner in Cat's Eye and Eddie MacDonald in Runaway Train. He continued to work steadily, portraying Captain Clarence O'Connell in Armed and Dangerous (1986) and Hawkins in Malone (1987). His final film role was Horvath in Three Fugitives, released in 1989. Archive footage of his performance as Baron Vladimir Harkonnen was also used in Welcome to Twin Peaks (1997), and as Eddie MacDonald in The Calm Before the Chaos: Kyle T. Heffner Reflects on Runaway Train (2013).

3.4. Television career

McMillan had an extensive career in television, appearing in numerous made-for-television movies and miniseries. His early television credits included roles as Jack Long in Dark Shadows (1969), a Bartender at the Eagle in another Dark Shadows episode (1970), and Charlie Ferris in 17 episodes of Ryan's Hope (1975-1976).

He made several appearances on Kojak, playing Lieutenant Becker in two episodes in 1976 and Lieutenant George O'Mara in an episode in 1978. In 1977, he was Softy McNamara in the TV movie Johnny, We Hardly Knew Ye and Captain Egan in the TV pilot movie The Rubber Gun Squad. From 1977 to 1978, McMillan had a recurring role as Jack Doyle, Valerie Harper's irate boss, in 24 episodes of the TV sitcom Rhoda, where he also performed songs like "Blue Moon" and "As Time Goes By" in two episodes.

In 1978, his television work included Vancrier in the TV movie Breaking Up, Theophilus Eugene "Bull" Connor in the miniseries King, Sergeant Tim Scully in the TV movie A Death in Canaan, Lieutenant Daniel E. Slate in Starsky & Hutch, and Morry Hawthorne in The Rockford Files. He appeared as Jack Riley in Lou Grant in 1979 and as Constable Parkins Gillespie in the miniseries Salem's Lot (1979).

During the 1980s, McMillan continued to be active in television movies, including Joseph Demec in The Hustler of Muscle Beach (1980), Albert C. Caruso in In the Custody of Strangers (1982), Howard Estep in Packin' It In (1983), Tony Marchesso in Dixie: Changing Habits (1983), and Lieutenant Herbie Quinlan in Murder 1, Dancer 0 (1983). He also played Mr. Michaels in When She Says No (1984), Walter Holden in the main cast of five episodes of Maggie Briggs (1984), and Marion Kaiser in the TV movie Concrete Beat (1984). He appeared as himself and Baron Vladimir Harkonnen in the TV documentary short Destination Dune (1984), promoting the film Dune. From 1985 to 1986, he was a main cast member as Commissioner Patrick McKay in 13 episodes of Our Family Honor.

In 1986, he played Wes Boggs in the TV movie Acceptable Risks, Judge Paul Magrew in Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and Baptista in Moonlighting. His later television appearances included Harry Gunz in CBS Summer Playhouse (1987), Coach Kevin Cauldwell in Murder, She Wrote (1987), Joe Hatten in Magnum, P.I. (1987), and Lew Carteret in the TV movie Tales from the Hollywood Hills: A Table at Ciro's (1987). In 1988, he appeared as Mitch Torrance in Frank's Place and Henry O'Brien in the miniseries Favorite Son. His final television role was Steele Cooley in Top of the Hill (1989).

3.5. Stage career

Beyond his work in film and television, Kenneth McMillan was also a prolific stage actor. He frequently performed at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He was part of the original Broadway productions of two notable plays: Streamers and American Buffalo. McMillan also received critical acclaim for his performance in the Off-Broadway play Weekends Like Other People, for which he won an Obie Award.

6.1. Film

6.2. Television