Terry O'Quinn

Photo of Terry O'Quinn

Biography

Throughout his decades-long career, intense character actor Terry O'Quinn made his mark playing men of determination - everything from law officers and military men to captains of business. Following his film debut in "Heaven's Gate" (1980), O'Quinn moved back and forth with ease between film and television, landing roles in TV movies like "Right to Kill?" (ABC, 1985) and "R vs. Wade" (NBC, 1989), while appearing in features like Stephen …
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Job Title

Actor

Born

Terrance Quinn on July 15, 1952 in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, USA

Career Milestones

Wrote and directed the musical, "Orchestrina"

1980

Made his debut in the television movie, "F.D.R."

1980

Made his feature film debut in "Heaven's Gate"

1981

Portrayed Dr. Jerry Dancy on the NBC soap opera, "The Doctors"

1984

Co-starred in "Places in the Heart"

1985

Co-starred in John Erman's "An Early Frost" (NBC)

1987

Played opposite Bonnie Bedelia in Erman's "When the Time Comes"

1987

Played the main character in the horror film, "The Stepfather"

1989

Featured in the NBC TV-movie, "Roe vs. Wade"

1991

Co-starred in Erman's "The Last To Go"

1995

Played the recurring role of Reilly on NBC's "Earth 2"

1996

Co-starred in Gregory Hoblit's feature directorial debut, "Primal Fear"

1999

Had a regular role on the short-lived Fox drama, "Harsh Realm"

2001

Cast in a villainous role in "American Outlaws"

2003

Played Luke Wilson's boss in the comedy, "Old School"

2004

Cast as the mystical patriarch, John Locke, on "Lost" (ABC); earned an Emmy (2005, 2010) nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

2011

Joined the second season of CBS' "Hawaii Five-0" in a recurring role as a Navy Seal Lt. Commander

Awards

1988

Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead in The Stepfather

2005

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in Lost

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in Lost

2007

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in Lost

2010

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in Lost