
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
December 2, 1954 (age 71)
Place of Birth
Huntington, Indiana, USA
Also Known As
Dan E. Butler
Dan Butler
Biography
Daniel Eugene Butler (born December 2, 1954) is an American playwright and actor known for his role as Bob "Bulldog" Briscoe on the TV series Frasier.
Butler was born in Huntington, Indiana and raised in Fort Wayne; the son of Shirley, a homemaker, and Andrew Butler, a pharmacist. Openly gay, he starred in Terrence McNally's 1989 play The Lisbon Traviata and wrote an Off Broadway play about his life, The Only Thing Worse You Could Have Told Me..., which derives its title from a comment Butler's father allegedly made when Dan came out to him.
Though Butler never hid his homosexuality, he disclosed it publicly on Entertainment Tonight in 1994 during his run as a swaggering heterosexual on Frasier.
His partner is acting teacher and director, Richard Waterhouse.
Known For

TV
Supernatural
Reverend Sorenson
2005

TV
Frasier
Bulldog Briscoe
1993

TV
The Blacklist
Stromberg
2013

TV
House
Dr. Philip Weber
2004

TV
The X-Files
Jim Ausbury
1993

TV
Crossing Jordan
Arnold Hummer
2001

TV
Columbo
Sergeant Goodman
1971

TV
Monk
Dr. Davis Scott
2002

TV
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Congressman Price
2001

TV
Elementary
Denny Mulgrew
2012

TV
'Til Death
Paul
2006

TV
Star Trek: Voyager
Steth
1995

TV
King of the Hill
Attorney (voice)
1997

TV
King of the Hill
Daniel (voice)
1997

TV
Malcolm in the Middle
Norm
2000

TV
Quantum Leap
Jake Dorleac
1989

TV
Quantum Leap
Mutta
1989

TV
Without a Trace
David Wilkins
2002

TV
Blindspot
Sheriff Paul Bolton
2015

TV
Banshee
Senator Mitchum
2013
Filmography
2024FilmAll Boysas Father Frank2023TVFrasieras Bulldog Briscoe2022FilmBlondeas I.E. Shinn2020FilmAll My Lifeas Dr. Alan Mendelson2020TVStars in the Houseas Self2019TVTales of the Cityas Dan2018FilmHey Arnold! The Jungle Movieas Mr. Simmons (voice)2017TVThe Mistas Father Romanov2015TVBlindspotas Sheriff Paul Bolton2014TVThe Mysteries of Lauraas Calvin Gold2013TVThe Blacklistas Stromberg2013TVBansheeas Senator Mitchum2012TVElementaryas Denny Mulgrew2011FilmCrazy, Stupid, Love.as Cal's Boss2009FilmPrayers for Bobbyas Reverend Whitsell2008FilmChronic Townas Blow Job2008TVCashmere Mafia2007FilmKarl Rove, I Love You2006TV'Til Deathas Paul2005TVSupernaturalas Reverend Sorenson2004TVHouseas Dr. Philip Weber2004TVQuintupletsas Francis Helberg2003TVMiss Matchas Chuck Webb2002FilmSniper 2as Eckles2002TVAmerican Dreamsas Coach Ambros2002TVWithout a Traceas David Wilkins2002FilmFixing Frankas Dr. Arthur Apsey2002TVMonkas Dr. Davis Scott2002FilmThe First $20 Million Is Always the Hardestas Lloyd Acheson2001TVLaw & Order: Criminal Intentas Congressman Price2001TVCrossing Jordanas Arnold Hummer2000TVMalcolm in the Middleas Norm1999FilmThe Sissy Ducklingas Drake (voice)1999TVRocket Power1998FilmEnemy of the Stateas Shaffer1998TVMore Tales of the Cityas Edward Bass Matheson1998TVFrom the Earth to the Moonas Gene Kranz1997FilmThe Silver Screen: Color Me Lavenderas Host / Narrator1997TVAlly McBealas Attorney Bender1997TVJust Shoot Me!as Bill Slatton1997TVKing of the Hillas Attorney (voice)1996TVHey Arnold!as Mr. Simmons (voice)1996TVSuddenly Susanas Dr. Richards1996FilmThe Fanas Garrity1996FilmThe Assassination Fileas Harvey Young1995TVThe Single Guy1995TVCaroline in the Cityas Kenneth Arabian1995TVStar Trek: Voyageras Steth1995FilmLive to Tell: The First Gay and Lesbian Prom in Americaas Self - Actor, "Frasier"1994TVTouched by an Angelas Dr. Ivar Kroneberger1994FilmI Love Troubleas Wilson Chess1993TVFrasieras Bulldog Briscoe1993TVThe X-Filesas Jim Ausbury1993FilmRising Sunas Ken Shubik1993FilmDaveas Reporter1992FilmFrom the Files of Joseph Wambaugh: A Jury of Oneas Asst. DA Mendelson1992FilmCaptain Ronas Zachery1992TVFrannie's Turnas Father Anthony1991FilmThe Rape of Doctor Willisas Styvesant1991FilmThe Silence of the Lambsas Roden1990FilmThe Long Walk Homeas Charlie1989FilmLongtime Companionas Walter1989TVLife Goes On1989TVQuantum Leapas Jake Dorleac1988TVMonsters1988TVRoseanne1987TVLeg Workas Peter Solinski1987TVThe Days and Nights of Molly Doddas Blaise1986FilmManhunteras Jimmy Price1986FilmThe Manhattan Projectas SWAT1971TVColumboas Sergeant Goodman—FilmSilver Fox