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Ken Olin

Actor / Film Director / Film Producer | * 07/30/1954 (69) | Chicago, Illinois (United States of America (USA))
Kenneth Edward Olin (born July 30, 1954) is an American actor, television director, and producer. As an actor, Olin is known for his role as Michael Steadman in the ABC drama series Thirtysomething (1987–1991), for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama nomination in 1990. Olin later began working behind the scenes, as a director and producer. His credits as a producer include Alias (2001–2006), Brothers & Sisters (2006–2011), and This Is Us (2016–2022). Olin is married to actress Patricia Wettig. ()
Photo of Ken Olin

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.

Most frequent genres for this person: Drama | Crime | TV Movies

Known for these Movies & Shows

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Movies with Ken Olin as Actor(17)

as himself2020 The Story of Soaps
as Nick Cromwell1999 Y2K
as Gregory1997 Til There Was You
as Abe Ringel1997 The Advocate's Devil
as Dr. Peter Clayman1995 Nothing But the Truth
as Det. Jay Jensen1993 Telling Secrets
as Ray1991 Queens Logic
as Officer Manny Mandell1988 Police Story: Cop Killer
as Jim Sandler1988 A Stoning in Fulham County
as Henry Fox1987 Tonight's the Night
as Jay Savage1986 There Must Be a Pony
as Young Sears James1981 Ghost Story
as Board Member1979 Women at West Point

TV Shows/Series with Ken Olin as Actor(16)

as Professor Robert Oz2015 Zoo
as David Caplan2006 Brothers and Sisters
as David McNeil (uncredited)2001 Alias
as Dr. Roger Cattan1998 L.A. Doctors
as Det. Cameron Quinn1996 EZ Streets
as Self - Guest1993 Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as Michael Steadman1987 thirtysomething
as Nat Lammerman1987 I'll Take Manhattan
as Perry Revere1984 Murder, She Wrote
as Rocky Padillo1983 Bay City Blues
as Steve1983 The Hitchhiker
1982 Hotel
as Christopher Rossini1981 Falcon Crest

Movies with Ken Olin as Crew(5)

Directing/Director2003 Phenomenon II
Directing/Director1995 In Pursuit of Honor
Directing/Director1992 The Broken Cord
Directing/Director1992 Doing Time on Maple Drive

TV Shows/Series with Ken Olin as Crew(23)

Directing/Director2024 Tracker
Production/Executive Producer2024 Tracker
Directing/Director2019 Grand Hotel
Directing/Director2016 This Is Us
Production/Executive Producer2016 This Is Us
Directing/Director2015 The Slap
Directing/Director2015 The Man in the High Castle
Directing/Director2013 Sleepy Hollow
Directing/Director2012 The Mob Doctor
Production/Producer2008 Eli Stone
Directing/Director2008 Eli Stone
Directing/Director2006 Brothers and Sisters
Production/Producer2006 Brothers and Sisters
Production/Producer2002 Breaking News
Directing/Director2001 Alias
Production/Producer2001 Alias
Directing/Director1999 The West Wing
Directing/Director1999 Freaks and Geeks
Directing/Director1999 Judging Amy
Directing/Director1998 Felicity
Directing/Director1998 L.A. Doctors
Directing/Director1996 EZ Streets
Directing/Director1987 thirtysomething

Additional Information

Official websites:
Full Name: Ken Olin
Born: Friday, 07/30 1954 (July) in Chicago, Illinois (United States of America (USA)) (current age: 69 years + 242 days)
Zodiac sign: Leo (Chinese zodiac sign: Horse)
Languages: English (EN, native language)
Educated at: University of Pennsylvania, Circle in the Square Theatre School, The Putney School
Spouses (current/former): Patricia Wettig
Other names for Ken Olin (nicknames, foreign languages etc.):
"Kenneth Edward Olin"
"Kenneth Edward "Ken" Olin"
Ken Olin frequently works together with these people:
Isabella Rose Landau (11x, Actress)
Ken Howard (10x, Actor)
Gregg Henry (10x, Actor)
J.J. Abrams (9x, Crew)
Jon Robin Baitz (9x, Crew)
Barbara Babcock (9x, Actress)
Lawrence Pressman (8x, Actor)
Rosanna Huffman (8x, Actress)
Bradford Dillman (8x, Actor)
Alex Kurtzman (7x, Crew)
Stephen Macht (7x, Actor)
Polly Draper (3x, Actress)
WatchPlayStream ID: PEOPLE:307436, Added: 08/13/2018, Last updated: 02/29/2024