Ray Wise
Raymond Herbert Wise (born August 20, 1947) is an American actor known for his roles in television and film, most notably as Leland Palmer in the cult series Twin Peaks (1990–1991, 2017).[1] Born in Akron, Ohio, of half-Romanian descent, Wise began his acting career in the late 1960s with a role on the soap opera Love of Life. He earned an Obie Award in 1983 for his performance in Sam Shepard's The Tooth of Crime. After moving to Los Angeles in 1978, he appeared in films such as Swamp Thing (1982) and RoboCop (1987), and gained acclaim for Twin Peaks. Other notable television roles include Vice President Hal Gardner in 24 (2006) and the Devil in Reaper (2007–2009). He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2015 for guest appearances on The Young and the Restless.[1][2] Wise received a B-Movie Award for Best Actor in 2006 and has continued working in film, television, and voice acting into the 2020s. He has been married to producer Kass McClaskey since 1978.[3][4]Early life
Family background
Ray Wise was born on August 20, 1947, in Akron, Ohio, where he spent his formative years immersed in the city's Midwestern culture.[1] His family emphasized traditional values rooted in community and faith, shaping his early worldview amid the industrial backdrop of post-World War II America.[5] Wise's parents were Herbert F. Wise, of German ancestry, and Valerie Wise (née Romas), who brought Romanian heritage to the family through her lineage tracing back to Romanian immigrants.[6][5] While details on siblings are not widely documented, the household was marked by a strong religious orientation, reflecting the diverse ethnic influences of his parents. The family attended the First Romanian Baptist Church in Akron, where Wise was raised in the Romanian Baptist tradition during much of his childhood.[7] Later, as an adult with his own family, he shifted toward Methodist practices, but the Baptist roots remained a foundational element of his upbringing.[8]Education
Ray Wise graduated from Garfield High School in Akron, Ohio, in 1965, where he played football for the Golden Rams.[7][9] Following high school, Wise attended Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, where he majored in theater and earned his undergraduate degree in 1969.[7] During his time at the university, he gained early acting experience by appearing in numerous student productions, including the role of Brick in a staging of Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.[10] His involvement in theater at Kent State built upon prior community theater work at the Weathervane Playhouse in Akron, fostering his passion for performance.[10][7] Upon completing his degree, Wise decided to pursue a professional acting career, relocating to New York City to seek opportunities in the industry.[7] This move marked the transition from his academic training to the competitive world of professional theater and eventually film and television.[5]Career
Early career
Wise's entry into professional acting followed his 1969 graduation from Kent State University with a theater degree, where he had performed in numerous student productions. His initial onscreen appearance came that same year in the short film Dare the Devil, portraying the lead role of David Keller, a young man grappling with temptation on the eve of entering the priesthood.[11] In 1970, Wise secured his first major role as attorney Jamie Rollins on the CBS daytime soap opera Love of Life, a position he held for six years until 1976, appearing in nearly 950 episodes. The steady paycheck from the series enabled him to balance daytime filming with evening theater commitments in New York, including off-Broadway works that honed his stage presence.[12][13] After leaving Love of Life, Wise returned to the stage with Broadway outings in Romeo and Juliet (1977), where he played Benvolio, and Tartuffe (1977), as Damis. These roles marked a brief resurgence in live performance before shifting focus to screen work. In 1978, he relocated to Los Angeles with his wife, debuting in television movies via a PBS adaptation of Tartuffe and gradually accumulating guest spots on primetime series, which helped establish his versatility beyond soap opera confines.[14][13]Television
Ray Wise's television career spans over five decades, beginning in the soap opera genre and evolving into prominent roles in prime-time dramas, comedies, and cult series. His early work established him as a versatile character actor capable of handling long-running serial formats as well as intense, limited-arc performances. In the 1970s, Wise made his mark on daytime television as attorney Jamie Rollins in the CBS soap opera Love of Life, a role he played from 1970 to 1976 across nearly 950 episodes, portraying a complex lawyer entangled in the show's ongoing family and romantic intrigues. After a period of guest spots on series like The Colbys (1986–1987, as Elliot Lofton in 7 episodes) and L.A. Law (1987, as Reverend Tuttle in 1 episode), Wise gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Leland Palmer in David Lynch's surreal mystery drama Twin Peaks on ABC. He appeared in 29 episodes from 1990 to 1991, depicting the tragic father figure possessed by otherworldly forces, a performance that became one of his signature roles. Wise briefly reprised the character in a hallucinatory cameo in the 2017 Showtime revival series, specifically in the finale episode "Part 18." The mid-2000s saw Wise in high-stakes action television. He played Vice President Hal Gardner, a scheming political antagonist, in 13 episodes of Fox's counterterrorism drama 24 during its fifth season in 2006, contributing to the plot's escalation of national security threats. From 2007 to 2009, Wise starred as the charismatic yet malevolent Devil in the CW's supernatural comedy-drama Reaper, appearing in all 31 episodes as the employer's supernatural boss who tasks the protagonist with capturing escaped souls. This role showcased his ability to blend menace with wry humor in a serialized format. Returning to soaps later in his career, Wise portrayed the manipulative cult leader and villain Ian Ward on CBS's The Young and the Restless from 2014 to 2016, appearing in 53 episodes where his character terrorized the Newman family through blackmail and psychological warfare. He briefly reprised the role in a short arc starting November 2024, partnering with escaped criminal Jordan Hamilton to target the Newmans before betraying her, culminating in a shooting in January 2025 where Ward was presumed dead but survived. He returned for one additional episode on October 22, 2025.[15][16] Concurrently, from 2015 to 2020, Wise recurred and later became a series regular as Marvin Ellis, the affable dentist and neighbor to the Huang family, in ABC's sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, totaling 73 episodes in the family-oriented comedy. Throughout his career, Wise has taken on notable guest spots and miniseries roles, such as industrialist Hugh Jones in four episodes of ABC's Agent Carter (2015–2016, period spy drama) and Reverend Royle Thorn in the 2004 NBC miniseries Kingdom Hospital (4 episodes, horror-mystery). His television work also includes voice appearances and one-off guest roles in shows like How I Met Your Mother (2007, 1 episode as Robin Scherbatsky's father) and Psych (2010, 1 episode as Father West), often leveraging his distinctive baritone for authoritative or eccentric figures.[1]Film
Ray Wise's feature film appearances span from his debut in 1982 to upcoming projects in 2025, encompassing a variety of genres including horror, action, and drama.[1] The following is a comprehensive chronological list of his credits in feature films and shorts, categorized by decade for clarity. Roles are specified where available; no uncredited or cameo appearances are noted in primary sources.1980s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Swamp Thing | Arcane | Wes Craven[17] |
| 1985 | The Journey of Natty Gann | Parker | Jeremy Kagan |
| 1987 | RoboCop | Leon C. Nash | Paul Verhoeven[18] |
| 1989 | Season of Fear | Graham | Douglas Curtis |
1990s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Rift | Dr. Walter Goodwin | Juan Piquer Simón |
| 1992 | Bob Roberts | Mack Laflour | Tim Robbins[19] |
| 1992 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Leland Palmer | David Lynch[20] |
| 1993 | Rising Sun | Senator John Morton | Philip Kaufman |
| 1993 | RoboCop 3 | Leon Nash | Fred Dekker |
| 1994 | The Chase | Chief Carl Edmonds | Adam Rifkin |
| 1994 | The Crew | Charles Pierce | Carl Franklin |
| 1995 | Powder | Donald Ripley | Victor Salva |
| 1995 | The Substance of Things Hoped For | Bob | Eric Lemoyne |
| 1998 | Evasive Action | Travis | Jerry Jameson |
2000s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Bill Parker | Mark Brown |
| 2001 | Almost Salinas | Joe Hogan | Terry Green |
| 2003 | Dead End | Frank Harrington | Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa[21] |
| 2003 | Jeepers Creepers 2 | Jack Taggart Sr. | Victor Salva |
| 2005 | Good Night, and Good Luck. | Don Hollenbeck | George Clooney[22] |
| 2005 | The Rain Makers | Ray | David Tempia |
| 2006 | Peaceful Warrior | Coach Lyman | Victor Salva |
| 2007 | The Flock | Bryan Hart | Andrew Lau |
| 2008 | One Missed Call | John | Eric Valette |
| 2009 | Infestation | Roger | Kyle Rankin |
2010s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Secretary of State | Matthew Vaughn |
| 2012 | Excision | Mr. Davison | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2012 | Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie | Allen Bishop | Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim[23] |
| 2013 | Big Ass Spider! | Alex Mathis | Mike Mendez |
| 2014 | Suburban Gothic | Donald | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2014 | Digging Up the Marrow | William Dekker | Adam Green |
| 2015 | Night of the Living Deb | Frank Waverly | Kyle Rankin |
| 2015 | The Lazarus Effect | Mr. Wallace | David Gelb |
| 2016 | God's Not Dead 2 | Peter Kane | Harold Cronk |
| 2016 | Batman: The Killing Joke | Commissioner Gordon (voice) | Sam Liu[24] |
| 2016 | The Bronx Bull | Bill Fugazy | Martin Guigui |
| 2019 | Tone-Deaf | Harvey | Richard Bates Jr. |
2020s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | King Knight | Merlin | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2023 | Poolman | Van Patterson | Chris Pine |
| 2024 | The Blue Rose | Mr. Vallens | George Gallo |
| 2024 | God's Not Dead: In God We Trust | Peter Kane | Harold Cronk[25] |
| 2024 | The Wolf in the Well (short) | Roland Carmel | Adam Zanzie |
| 2025 | The Napa Boys | Officer Toland | Nick Corirossi[26] |
| TBD | The Good Dark | TBD | TBD[27] |
Voice work and video games
Ray Wise has made notable contributions to voice acting in animated films, television series, video games, and audio productions, leveraging his distinctive baritone timbre to portray authoritative and nuanced characters. In the 2007 direct-to-video animated film Superman: Doomsday, Wise provided the voice for Perry White, the stern yet principled editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, bringing gravitas to the role amid the story's high-stakes superhero conflict.[28] Similarly, in the 2016 animated adaptation Batman: The Killing Joke, he voiced Commissioner James Gordon, capturing the character's desperation and resolve during the Joker's psychological torment, a performance that highlighted his ability to convey emotional depth through vocal inflection alone.[29] Beyond major animated features, Wise has appeared in episodic voice work for television animation. He lent his voice to Mr. Poppy Puttinpuss, a pompous dog show judge, in the 2002 episode "A Breed Apart" of Disney's Teacher's Pet, adding a layer of comedic exaggeration to the family-oriented series.[30] In the Netflix animated series Neo Yokio (2017), Wise voiced the enigmatic Old Man in the graveyard for two episodes, contributing to the show's surreal, satirical tone with his measured delivery.[31] In video games, Wise's most prominent role came in the real-time strategy title Command & Conquer: Red Alert 2 (2000), where he voiced President Michael Dugan, the U.S. leader issuing commanding briefings and rallying calls against Soviet and Yuri's forces, a performance reprised in the expansion Yuri's Revenge (2001).[32] His authoritative style suited the game's militaristic narrative, emphasizing strategic urgency through concise, motivational dialogue. Additionally, in audio formats, Wise served as various announcers in the Spotify podcast Batman: The Audio Adventures (2021), delivering narrative bridges and commercial parodies that enhanced the comedic take on Gotham's lore across 10 episodes. He voiced Josiah Abbess in the podcast series Havoc Town (2025).[33][34] These roles underscore Wise's versatility in non-visual media, adapting his vocal range to interactive and auditory storytelling demands.Web series
Ray Wise starred as Buck Marshall in the 2014 web series Farmed and Dangerous, a four-part satirical comedy produced by Chipotle Mexican Grill that critiques industrial agriculture and factory farming practices.[35][36] In the role, Wise portrayed a slick corporate executive and lobbyist who navigates public relations crises stemming from exploding cows fed petroleum-based pellets, appearing in all four episodes titled "Oiling the Food Chain," "Passing the Buck," "Raising the Steaks," and "Ends Meat."[37][38] Originally premiered on Hulu starting February 17, 2014, the series was designed for online distribution to engage audiences on digital platforms, emphasizing environmental and ethical issues in food production through humor.[35][39] As of November 2025, Farmed and Dangerous remains accessible for free streaming on Tubi, with options to purchase or rent episodes on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.[38][40][41]Personal life
Marriages
Ray Wise's first marriage was to actress Juliet Burr on December 28, 1974; the union ended in divorce in 1977, with limited public information available regarding the circumstances or aftermath.[4][5] Wise has been married to film producer Kass McClaskey since 1978, a partnership that remains ongoing as of 2025.[4][42] The couple expanded their family with two children following their marriage.[4] Wise and McClaskey have made numerous joint public appearances at career-related events, including the 2016 Los Angeles premiere of the play All the Way and the 2014 premiere of the web series Farmed and Dangerous.[43][44]Family
Ray Wise and his wife, Kass McClaskey, have two children together. Their son, Gannon McClaskey Wise, was born in 1985 and has pursued a career in the creative fields as an actor and writer, with credits including the film Season of Fear (1989).[45] Their daughter, Kyna Wise, born in 1987, has also entered the entertainment industry as an actress and singer, appearing in projects such as Cyxork 7 (2006) and serving as the lead singer for bands like The Go Ahead and Jesús and the Rabbis.[46][47] The family resides in Glendale, California, in the Los Angeles area, where Wise has emphasized the importance of balancing his acting career with family responsibilities, often noting the challenges of work-related separations but prioritizing time at home.[48] While Wise maintains a level of privacy regarding his personal life, he has publicly expressed support for his children's professional endeavors in the arts, reflecting a family dynamic centered on creative encouragement.[49] Wise's early religious upbringing, initially in a Romanian Baptist church and later in a Methodist congregation with his own family, has shaped the values of faith and community he shares with his children.[8]Filmography
Film
Ray Wise's feature film appearances span from his debut in 1982 to upcoming projects in 2025, encompassing a variety of genres including horror, action, and drama.[1] The following is a comprehensive chronological list of his credits in feature films and shorts, categorized by decade for clarity. Roles are specified where available; no uncredited or cameo appearances are noted in primary sources.1980s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Cat People | Soap Opera Man | Paul Schrader[50] |
| 1982 | Swamp Thing | Arcane | Wes Craven[17] |
| 1985 | The Journey of Natty Gann | Sol Gann | Jeremy Kagan[51] |
| 1987 | RoboCop | Leon C. Nash | Paul Verhoeven[18] |
| 1989 | Season of Fear | Graham | Douglas Curtis |
1990s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | The Rift | Dr. Walter Goodwin | Juan Piquer Simón |
| 1992 | Bob Roberts | Mack Laflour | Tim Robbins[19] |
| 1992 | Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me | Leland Palmer | David Lynch[20] |
| 1993 | Grey Knight | Col. George Thalman | George Hickenlooper[52] |
| 1993 | Rising Sun | Senator John Morton | Philip Kaufman |
| 1993 | RoboCop 3 | Leon Nash | Fred Dekker |
| 1994 | The Chase | Chief Carl Edmonds | Adam Rifkin |
| 1994 | The Crew | Charles Pierce | Carl Franklin |
| 1995 | Powder | Donald Ripley | Victor Salva |
| 1995 | The Substance of Things Hoped For | Bob | Eric Lemoyne |
| 1998 | Evasive Action | Travis | Jerry Jameson |
2000s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Two Can Play That Game | Bill Parker | Mark Brown |
| 2001 | Almost Salinas | Joe Hogan | Terry Green |
| 2003 | Dead End | Frank Harrington | Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Fabrice Canepa[21] |
| 2003 | Jeepers Creepers 2 | Jack Taggart Sr. | Victor Salva |
| 2005 | Good Night, and Good Luck. | Don Hollenbeck | George Clooney[22] |
| 2005 | The Rain Makers | Harris | Ray Ellingsen[53] |
| 2006 | Peaceful Warrior | Coach Lyman | Victor Salva |
| 2007 | The Flock | Bryan Hart | Andrew Lau |
| 2008 | One Missed Call | John | Eric Valette |
| 2009 | Infestation | Roger | Kyle Rankin |
2010s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | X-Men: First Class | Secretary of State | Matthew Vaughn |
| 2012 | Excision | Mr. Davison | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2012 | Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie | Allen Bishop | Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim[23] |
| 2013 | Big Ass Spider! | Major Braxton Tanner | Mike Mendez[54] |
| 2014 | Suburban Gothic | Donald | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2014 | Digging Up the Marrow | William Dekker | Adam Green |
| 2015 | Night of the Living Deb | Frank Waverly | Kyle Rankin |
| 2015 | The Lazarus Effect | Mr. Wallace | David Gelb |
| 2016 | God's Not Dead 2 | Peter Kane | Harold Cronk |
| 2016 | Batman: The Killing Joke | Commissioner Gordon (voice) | Sam Liu[24] |
| 2016 | The Bronx Bull | Bill Fugazy | Martin Guigui |
| 2019 | To Your Last Death | Cyrus DeKalb (voice) | Jason Axinn[55] |
| 2019 | Tone-Deaf | Harvey | Richard Bates Jr. |
2020s
| Year | Title | Role | Director |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Beast Mode | Trammel Steadfast | Chris W. Freeman, Spain Willingham[56] |
| 2021 | King Knight | Merlin | Richard Bates Jr. |
| 2023 | Poolman | Van Patterson | Chris Pine |
| 2024 | The Blue Rose | Mr. Vallens | George Gallo |
| 2024 | God's Not Dead: In God We Trust | Peter Kane | Harold Cronk[25] |
| 2024 | The Wolf in the Well (short) | Roland Carmel | Adam Zanzie |
| 2025 | The Napa Boys | TBD | Shane Stanley |