Frequently cast by Bob Rafelson.
He once worked as a welfare investigator.
Injured in a helicopter crash on the set of Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) that injured 2 and killed 5 others.
Introduced to films by Jack Nicholson, who included him in five of his projects starting with Five Easy Pieces (1970).
Manic-eyed American character actor sometimes billed as "John Ryan" who has played dogged cops or tough military, but is better remembered for his streamlined villains that could turn particularly vicious or lethal ("Runaway Train").
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Actors Branch).
Off-camera interests included counseling and spiritual healing (dream work, Reichi therapy).
Rare opportunity to play a sympathetic character in the 1970s "It's Alive" series of horror films as the father of the monster baby.
Son of Irish immigrants who graduated from Rice High School; majored in English at CCNY where he also developed an interest in acting.
Spent six years in the U.S. Army.