John Mitchell Gilpin (born May 31, 1951) is an American actor. He currently portrays Church the Butler in HBO's historical drama series The Gilded Age. He is the father of actress Betty Gilpin.

Jack Gilpin
Born
John Mitchell Gilpin[1]

(1951-05-31) May 31, 1951 (age 73)
Alma materHarvard University
OccupationActor
Years active1981–present
Spouse
Ann McDonough
(m. 1986)
Children3, including Betty Gilpin
RelativesDrew Gilpin Faust (cousin)

Early life

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Gilpin was born on May 31, 1951, in Boyce, Virginia, the son of Lucy Trumbull (Mitchell) and Kenneth Newcomer Gilpin, a businessman.[2] His paternal great-grandfather was politician and general Lawrence Tyson.[3] His maternal grandfather was World War I hero and aviation pioneer Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell. His first cousin is the former president of Harvard University from 2007 to 2018, Drew Gilpin Faust.[4]

He is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy (class of 1969) and Harvard University (class of 1973). He studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the theatre in New York City.[5]

Career

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He had a recurring role on the TV series Kate & Allie, and is a frequent Law & Order guest star, having appeared in all of the first three series: Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Gilpin appeared in the films Heartburn, Something Wild, She-Devil, Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise, Quiz Show, Reversal of Fortune, Barcelona, and The Notorious Bettie Page. He is also an accomplished stage actor, including the Broadway production of Getting And Spending.

In 2008, Gilpin appeared in the film 21, playing the role of Bob Phillips who is interviewing student candidates for the fictional "Robinson Scholarship" to attend Harvard Medical School.[6] Gilpin's character appears in the first scene of the film and his words set the stage for the movie's plot; he appears again in the final scene to bring closure to the film.

Personal life

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Gilpin is married to actress Ann McDonough,[7] and is the father of actress Betty Gilpin.[8]

Gilpin was ordained as priest of the Episcopal Church on December 15, 2012. He is currently in charge of St. John's Episcopal Church in New Milford, Connecticut, where he had arrived as a deacon two months prior to his ordination.[9] He had previously been a licensed lay preacher at Christ Church in his hometown of Roxbury, Connecticut.[10]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1985 Compromising Positions Patrol Car Cop
1986 Heartburn Ellis
Something Wild Larry Dillman
1987 Revenge of the Nerds II: Nerds in Paradise Mr. Comstock
Hiding Out Dr. Gusick
1988 Funny Farm Bud Culbertson
The Dream Team Dr. Talmer
Little Sweetheart Mr. Harrison
She-Devil Larry
1990 Quick Change Yuppie Hostage
Reversal of Fortune Peter MacIntosh
1994 Barcelona The Consul
Quiz Show Jack
1995 Reckless Weatherman
1996 The Juror Accountant, Juror
1997 Commandments Gordon Bloom
Last Breath Dr. Stevens
1998 Mulan Bai, Big Twin Hun #1
1999 Random Hearts David Dotson
Cherry The Preacher
2000 101 Ways (The Things a Girl Will Do to Keep Her Volvo) George
2001 The Boys of Sunset Ridge Simon Longfellow
2005 The Notorious Bettie Page Roy Page
2007 The Life Before Her Eyes Mr. McCleod
2008 21 Bob Phillips
2009 Adventureland Mr. Brennan
2011 Higher Ground Dr. Adams
2012 Trouble with the Curve Schwartz
2013 Syrup Mister Jamieson
2023 A Little White Lie Narrator

Television

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Year Title Role
1982 As the World Turns Librarian
1984–1987 Kate & Allie Roger
1985–1986 The Equalizer Harvey
1992 Unnatural Pursuits Art Novak
1993 Lifestories: Families in Crisis Jim Remy
1994–1996 New York Undercover Headmaster Scowcroft
1995 Law & Order Dr. Simon Reed
New York News
1996 Aliens in the Family Mr. Bellamy
1997–2001 Law & Order Mr. Axtell
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Ted Sorenson
1999 Cosby Mr. Harris
2001 Big Apple Laurent Holbein
100 Centre Street Richard Quince
2002 One Life to Live Joel Miranda
2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dr. Michael Roland
Ed Herzog
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Ron Wolcott
2006 3 lbs. Dr. Wardell
2007 Damages Headmaster Lalas
2012 30 Rock Douglas
The Good Wife Frank Anderson
My America
2013 Alpha House Senate Chaplain Teeter
2014 Forever Conrad Carlyle
2015 Madam Secretary Frank Anderson
2016 The Night Of Doctor
2016–2021 Billions Sean Ayles
2018 Succession Mr. Wambsgans
2019 The Last O.G. Curlan Guillory
2020 The Blacklist Mr. Fenberg
Power Book II: Ghost Martin Saxe
2022 The Gilded Age Church

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series The Gilded Age Nominated [11]

References

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  1. ^ Morton, Richard Lee (April 29, 1964). "Virginia Lives: The Old Dominion Who's Who". Hopkinsville, KY: Historical Record Association. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  2. ^ O'Donnell, Monica M. (April 29, 1984). Contemporary Theatre, Film and Television. Gale. ISBN 978-0-8103-2064-2. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  3. ^ "Army and Navy Journal". Army and Navy Journal. April 29, 1948. Archived from the original on July 8, 2023. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  4. ^ Bradley, Richard (May 18, 2009). "Drew Gilpin Faust and the Incredible Shrinking Harvard". Boston Magazine. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  5. ^ "Jack Gilpin". Phillips Exeter Academy. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  6. ^ IMDB Database entry for character Bob Phillips, https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0110218/?ref_=tt_cl_t12 Archived November 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ BWW News Desk (January 14, 2015). "Jack Gilpin, Ann McDonough & Betty Gilpin to Lead Westport Country Playhouse's PAINTING CHURCHES Reading". BroadwayWorld. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  8. ^ Fretts, Bruce (August 8, 2019). "How 'GLOW' Helped Betty Gilpin Embrace Her Inner Weirdo". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 30, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  9. ^ Tuccio-Koonz, Linda (July 26, 2015). "Jack Gilpin: A beloved priest in New Milford, but also a devoted actor". The News-Times. Archived from the original on February 20, 2020. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  10. ^ Tuz, Susan (December 8, 2012). "Rev. Gilpin follows his 'calling' to St. John's". The Greater New Milford (Conn.) Spectrum. Archived from the original on July 13, 2017. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
  11. ^ "Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®" (Press release). Screen Actors Guild. January 10, 2024. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
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