The Biography

Gary Werntz (born Gary Paul Werntz, July 24, 1948) is an American actor and producer whose exact birthplace and height are not publicly confirmed in major sources. He is married to Academy Award-nominated director and producer Mimi Leder (since January 26, 1986), and they have one daughter, actress Hannah Leder. He was previously married to Rebecca Adolfina Brenner. Three of his most recognizable film roles — The Peacemaker (1997), Deep Impact (1998), and Pay It Forward (2000) — were all directed by his wife. His most notable film credits include Mr. Thorsen in Pay It Forward (2000, with Kevin Spacey), Chuck Hotchner in Deep Impact (1998, with Robert Duvall and Robin Givens), Terry Hamilton in The Peacemaker (1997, with George Clooney), Judge Doyle in On the Basis of Sex (2018, with Felicity Jones and Armie Hammer), Attorney General in J. Edgar (2011, with Leonardo DiCaprio), Donley in Thick as Thieves (2009, with Channing Tatum and Liam Neeson), and Gen. Mark Clark in Fire on the Mountain (1996). On television he appeared as Deputy Director Harris Kurtz in The Leftovers (2014, HBO), Jack Finney in Mad Men (2007), Edward Morell in Vanished (2006, 5 episodes), Trenchcoat in John Doe (2002, 5 episodes), Dr. Emory Cooke in Criminal Minds (2006), Judge Donald Harris in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2004), Attendant Mavek in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1993), a Patron in Firefly (2002), a Judge in Bad Judge (2014–2015, NBC), and Shawn in Shameless (2013), with earlier credits in Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987, with Rutger Hauer), Exiled in America (1990, with Edward James Olmos), The Art of Dying (1991, with Wings Hauser), and NYPD Blue (1993).