
Michael O'Neill
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Michael O'Neill (born May 29, 1951) is an American actor. With a career stretching through three decades, he usually portrays senior law enforcement or military officers. He is perhaps best known for his role as Special agent Ron Butterfield, the head of President Josiah Bartlet's Secret Service detail, on The West Wing. He played CTU Administrative Director Richard Walsh in the first two episodes of 24. He played Sgt. Maj. Ron Cheals in the CBS action-drama series The Unit. He starred in the Season Six 2 part Finale of Grey's Anatomy as the broken widower who holds the hospital hostage with a 9mm while pursuing the doctors responsible for unplugging his wife. His most notable film performances occur in Seabiscuit, Secondhand Lions, Transformers, Dancer, Texas Pop 81, Traffic, Sea of Love, A Quiet Little Marriage, Nothing But the Truth, and Green Zone. O'Neill graduated from Auburn University in 1974. After attending Auburn he spent time under the tutelage of actor Will Geer and his daughter, Ellen, at Theatricum Botanicum in Los Angeles before moving to New York to pursue his career there.
Known For

TV
Grey's Anatomy
Gary Clark
2005

TV
NCIS
Riley McCallister
2003

TV
The Mentalist
Sheriff Nelson
2008

TV
Criminal Minds
Det. Yarbough
2005

TV
The X-Files
Patrol Captain Van Gelder
1993

TV
Boston Legal
Dr. Robert McLean
2004

TV
Crossing Jordan
Chris Benz
2001

TV
CSI: Miami
Jerry Blackburn
2002

Film
War of the Worlds
Secretary of Defense Walter Crystal
2025

TV
24
Richard Walsh
2001

TV
24
Richard Welsh
2001

TV
Prison Break
Herb Stanton
2005

TV
NCIS: Los Angeles
Ret. U.S. Army General Richard Collins
2009

TV
S.W.A.T.
Carl Luca
2017

TV
JAG
Commander Bradley
1995

TV
The West Wing
Ron Butterfield
1999

TV
ER
Col. Ken Kilner
1994

TV
Fringe
Sheriff Velchik
2008

TV
This Is Us
Arlo
2016

TV
Numb3rs
Boyd Keene
2005
Filmography
2025FilmWar of the Worldsas Secretary of Defense Walter Crystal2025FilmBride Hardas Frank2025TVHappy Faceas D.A. Craig Calloway2024TVHappy's Placeas Jim Jackoway2023FilmAiras Joe Dean2022TVFire Countryas Harlan Denbo2022TVEchoesas Victor McCleary2022TVOuter Rangeas Judge Pettigrew2021FilmCold Callas Christian2020FilmThe Stand at Paxton Countyas Dell Connelly2020TVMessiahas Cameron Collier2019FilmClemencyas Chaplain David Kendricks2018FilmIndivisibleas Chaplain Rogers2018TVThe Romanoffsas Ron Hopkins2018FilmDanger Oneas Beckwith2018TVTom Clancy's Jack Ryanas Senator Mitchell Chapin2018TVThe Residentas Joshua Williams2017TVS.W.A.T.as Carl Luca2016TVShooteras Ray Brooks2016TVThis Is Usas Arlo2016TV11.22.63as Arliss Price2014TVManhattanas Psychiatrist2014TVExtantas Alan Sparks2014FilmThe Grim Sleeperas Detective Simms2013FilmDallas Buyers Clubas Richard Barkley2013TVRectifyas Senator Roland Foulkes2013TVBates Motelas Nick Ford2012TVScandalas Lonnie Mencken2011FilmJ. Edgaras Senator McKellar2010TVLaw & Order: LAas Jeb Monroe2010TVRizzoli & Islesas Jonathan McKnight2010TVThe Gladesas Trent Staley2010FilmGreen Zoneas Colonel Bethel2010FilmFlying Lessonsas Chief Dobbs2009TVFlashForwardas CIA Director Keller2009TVNCIS: Los Angelesas Ret. U.S. Army General Richard Collins2008FilmNothing But the Truthas CIA Director2008TVLeverageas Judge Roy2008FilmA Quiet Little Marriageas Bruce2008TVThe Mentalistas Sheriff Nelson2008TVFringeas Sheriff Velchik2008TVSons of Anarchyas Anthony Franklin2008FilmCrazyas Ralph Christianson2007FilmTransformersas Tom Banacheck2007TVArmy Wivesas Reverend Bankerd2006TVThe Nineas Pete Burton2006TVThe Unitas Ron Cheals2005TVCommander in Chiefas Congressman Wilcox2005TVGhost Whispereras Nolan2005TVCriminal Mindsas Det. Yarbough2005TVClose to Homeas Don Wheeler2005TVPrison Breakas Herb Stanton2005TVGrey's Anatomyas Gary Clark2005TVNumb3rsas Boyd Keene2004FilmAround the Bendas Cowboy2004TVBoston Legalas Dr. Robert McLean2004TVLAXas Alonso Mathews2004FilmAmerican Crimeas Sheriff Smyth2003TVNCISas Riley McCallister2003FilmSecondhand Lionsas Ralph2003FilmSeabiscuitas Mr. Pollard2003FilmDreamcatcheras Gen. Matheson2002TVWithout a Traceas Thomas Shannon2002TVCSI: Miamias Jerry Blackburn2001TV24as Richard Walsh2001TVCrossing Jordanas Chris Benz2000FilmTrafficas Lawyer Rodman2000FilmThe Legend of Bagger Vanceas O.B. Keeler2000TVBoston Publicas Dr. Bernard Colbert1999TVRoswellas Philip Evans1999TVThe West Wingas Ron Butterfield1999FilmATFas ATF Asst. Director Ben Walker1999FilmThe Mod Squadas Greene1998FilmDancer, Texas Pop. 81as Mr. Lusk1998FilmVirtual Obsession1998FilmStandoffas Cult Leader (Voice)1997TVAlly McBealas Dr. Colbert1997TVThe Shiningas Daniel Edwards (uncredited)1997TVThe Practiceas Judge Robert Temple1996TVMillenniumas County Prosecutor Calvin Smith1996FilmThe Sunchaseras Agent Moreland1995TVJAGas Commander Bradley1995FilmBushwhackedas Jon Jordan1995FilmAwake to Dangeras Detective Brickman1994FilmBeyond Betrayalas Ray Pasquerello1994TVERas Col. Ken Kilner1994TVChicago Hopeas Bill Wyzinski1994TVOne West Waikiki1994FilmBlind Justiceas Spencer Heymen1993FilmVictim of Love: The Shannon Mohr Storyas Dick Britton1993TVDiagnosis: Murderas Sheriff Buck O'Hara1993TVThe X-Filesas Patrol Captain Van Gelder1993FilmFor Their Own Goodas Clark Thompson1992FilmLorenzo's Oilas School Psychologist1992FilmJennifer Eightas Serato1992FilmThe Gun in Betty Lou's Handbagas Jergens1989FilmAn Unremarkable Lifeas Michael1989FilmSea of Loveas Raymond Brown1981FilmGhost Storyas Churchill