David Clennon (born May 10, 1943) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Miles Drentell in the ABC series thirtysomething and Once and Again, as well as his role as Palmer in the John Carpenter film The Thing. He has been frequently cast in films directed by Hal Ashby, Costa-Gavras and Jordan Walker-Pearlman.
Life and career
Clennon was born in Waukegan, Illinois, the son of Virginia, a homemaker, and Cecil Clennon, an accountant. He attended the University of Notre Dame from 1962 to 1965. He studied at the Yale School of Drama for three years and became a member of their professional acting company. In 1996 he married Perry Adleman, a writer, camera assistant and photographer. They have twin children Daisy Virginia and Harry Francis.
In 1980, Clennon provided the voice for Admiral Motti in NPR’s Star Wars The Original Radio Drama. He was a regular on the TV shows Barney Miller, Almost Perfect, The Agency, and Saved. Most recently, Clennon played Carl Sessick (a.k.a. Carl the Watcher) on Ghost Whisperer. Clennon also appeared on Star Trek Voyager as Dr. Crell Moset.
In 1993 he won an Emmy award for his guest appearance on the series Dream On.
He often performs at New Haven, Connecticut’s Long Wharf Theatre.
Political activism
He was a staunch opponent of the Vietnam War, often participating in protests, and remains politically active. In 2013, he repeatedly spoke out against the film Zero Dark Thirty and refused to vote for it for an Academy Award, stating that it promotes the acceptable use of torture.
I firmly believe that the film Zero Dark Thirty promotes the acceptance of the crime of torture as a legitimate weapon in America’s so-called war on terror. In that belief, following my conscience, I will not vote for Zero Dark Thirty in any category. I cannot vote for a film that makes heroes of Americans who commit the crime of torture.
In 2018, he opposed the Emmy nominations, of which there were four, for Ken Burns’ 10-part documentary program The Vietnam War on the grounds that the series contained “half-truths, distortions and omissions” about the war.
Filmography
The Paper Chase (1973) – Toombs
Helter Skelter (1976, TV Movie) – Harry Jones
Bound for Glory (1976) – Carl – Man in Gas Station
The Greatest (1977)
Coming Home (1978) – Tim
Gray Lady Down (1978) – Crew member of USS Neptune
Go Tell the Spartans (1978) – Lt. Finley Wattsberg
On the Yard (1978) – Psychiatrist
Billy in the Lowlands (1979) – Social Worker
Being There (1979) – Thomas Franklin
Hide in Plain Sight (1980) – Richard Fieldston
WKRP in Cincinnati (1981, TV Series) – Norris Breeze
The Thing (1982) – Palmer
The Escape Artist (1982) – Newspaper Editor
Missing (1982) – Consul Phil Putnam
Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982) – Dave Robell – The Agent
Special Bulletin (1983, TV Movie) – Dr. Bruce Lyman
Star 80 (1983) – Geb
Hanna K. (1983) – Amnon
The Right Stuff (1983) – Liaison Man
Falling in Love (1984) – Brian Gilmore
Sweet Dreams (1985) – Randy Hughes
Legal Eagles (1986) – Blanchard
The Trouble with Dick (1986) – Lars
He’s My Girl (1987) – Mason Morgan
The Couch Trip (1988) – Lawrence Baird
Betrayed (1988) – Jack Carpenter
Downtown (1990) – Jerome Sweet
Light Sleeper (1992) – Robert
Man Trouble (1992) – Lewie Duart
Matinee (1993) – Jack
And the Band Played On (1993, TV Movie) – Mr. Johnstone
Dos crímenes (1994) – Jim
Grace of My Heart (1996) – Dr. ‘Jonesy’ Jones
From the Earth to the Moon (1998, TV Mini-Series) – Dr. Leon (Lee) Silver
Playing by Heart (1998) – Martin (uncredited)
Nothing Human (Star Trek: Voyager) (1998) – Crell Moset
Just Shoot Me! (1999, TV Series) – Martin Spancer
The Visit (2000) – Parole Board Member Brenner
Antitrust (2001) – Barry Linder (uncredited)
Silver City (2004) – Mort Seymour
Constellation (2005) – Bear Korngold
Syriana (2005) – Donald
Life of the Party (2005) – Jack
Flags of Our Fathers (2006) – White House Official
Saving Sarah Cain (2007) – Homeless Man
Convention (2008) – Sen. Chuck McGee
Extraordinary Measures (2010) – Dr. Renzler
The Good Doctor (2011) – Dr. Harbison
Ghost Phone: Phone Calls from the Dead (2011) – Hamilton
J. Edgar (2011) – Senator Friendly
Mr. Jones (2013) – The Curator
House of Cards (2014, TV Series) – Ted Havemeyer
Gone Girl (2014) – Rand Elliott
Amigo Undead (2015) – Old Man Schumer
Vacation (2015) – Harry Co-Pilot
Reversion (2015) – Ciespy
Welcome to the Men’s Group (2016) – Fred
External Links
Actor David Clennon – Wikipedia
