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 TVs 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 Kens wife (actress Mel Harris did) and the public was often confused as to who Kens 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.
Det. Jay Jensen
Film 1993
Nick Cromwell
Film 1999
Dr. Peter Clayman
Film 1995
Film 1999
Jay Savage
Film 1986
Jim Sandler
Film 1988
Henry Fox
Film 1987
Ken Olin
Film 2005
Young Sears James
Film 1981
Officer Manny Mandell
Film 1988
Self
Film 2020
David Caplan
Tv 2006
David McNeil (uncredited)
Tv 2001
Dr. Roger Cattan
Tv 1998
Tv 1982
Self - Guest
Tv 1993
Steve
Tv 1983
Tv 2002
Harry Garibaldi
Tv 1981
Tv 1995
Self
Tv 2020
Det. Harry Garibaldi
Tv 1981
Self - Audience Member
Tv 1944
Christopher Rossini
Tv 1981
Self - Presenter
Tv 1944