James Rebhorn Dies

Respected character actor was 65

James Rebhorn

by James White |
Published on

Recently best known as Carrie Matheson's father in US TV drama Homeland, Rebhorn's career stretches back to the 1970s and across stage, film and television. Born in Philadelphia but raised in Indiana, Rebhorn studied political science at university before moving to New York in 1970 to earn a Masters of Fine Arts in acting from Columbia.

Kicking off a career on the stage, he became known for playing WASPish doctors, politicians and lawyers, but also proved he could do so much more. He got his start on TV in soap operas with The Doctors, As The World Turns and The Guiding Light. Rebhorn soon established himself as a go-to character actor, notching up recurring roles on shows like Law & Order (where he memorably, and creepily, portrayed a serial killer), Third Watch, Book Of Daniel, The Practice, Boston Legal and Wiseguy. Among his most famous TV appearances is that of District Attorney Hoyt, who sends Jerry and co. to prison in the Seinfeld series finale.

His film career kicked off in the 1980s with a variety of small roles, and he went on to enjoy a long career in movies including Scent Of A Woman, Silkwood, Desperate Hours, Guarding Tess, The Game, The Talented Mr. Ripley, My Cousin Vinny, Meet The Parents and, more recently, The Odd Life Of Timothy Green.

According to his agent, he died at home on Friday. The acting world has lost a talented actor and our thoughts are with his family.

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