Marshall Bell

    Actor

    Birthdate: Sep 28, 1942

    Birthplace: Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA

    A tall, imposing character actor with a penetrating stare, Marshall Bell has provided excellent support in a variety of roles and genres. He was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on September 28, 1942, and had been working as a consultant, teaching senior executives how to improve their speaking skills, prior to starting an acting career relatively late in life. His connection was his wife, the veteran costume designer Milena Canonero, herself a winner of three Academy Awards and nominee for five more. He made his motion picture debut in the drama Birdy (1984), which was seen by enough people to effectively jump-start his career. One of his next few roles was one of his most infamous: the creepy Coach Schneider of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge (1985). But the role that really got him noticed was as resistance leader George / Kuato in Total Recall (1990) (the role re-united him with Arnold Schwarzenegger, as he'd played a hit man in the comedy Twins (1988)). Other substantial film roles include a frightening homeless man terrorizing Bill Paxton in the movie The Vagrant (1992), Gordies' emotionally distant father in Stand by Me (1986), and General Owen in the movie Starship Troopers (1997), re-uniting him with "Total Recall" director Paul Verhoeven. He's done many TV series, including Good vs Evil (1999), Wiseguy (1987), The X-Files (1993), Tales from the Crypt (1989), Hill Street Blues (1981), House (2004), and Deadwood (2004). He's also appeared in commercials and done voice-over work.

    A solid, reliable actor with an authoritative presence, Bell is a natural for playing "tough guy" roles, although movies like Airheads (1994) show him to be able to play comedy equally well. He continues to add many credits to his resume, including the critically acclaimed Capote (2005), the prisoner of war drama Rescue Dawn (2006), and the family film Nancy Drew (2007).

    Known For

    Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead
    Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead

    (1995)

    Stand by Me
    Stand by Me

    (1986)

    Marshall Bell Movies

    actor

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    Previous (54)

    • 2026 |

      Dreams

      asMichael McCarthy
    • 2026 |

      Mercy

      asGil Reynolds
    • 2024 |

      Director’s Cut

      asMoving Company Guy
    • 2024 |

      Dandelion

      asUncle Bobby
    • 2021 |

      Love is Love is Love

      asJohn (segment "Sailing Lesson")
    • 2021 |

      Mainstream

      asMarty
    • 2020 |
      The Villainsas The Mayor
    • 2019 |
      Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
    • 2016 |
      Thirty Nineas Lawyer
    • 2016 |

      A Bit of Bad Luck

      asMr. Creech
    • 2016 |

      The Congressman

      asSherm Hawkins
    • 2015 |
      Waffle Streetas Miles Drake III
    • 2014 |
      Home, Jamesas Larry
    • 2013 |
      Verticalas Walter Stewart
    • 2012 |
      To the Wonderas Bob
    • 2012 |
      Somebody Up There Likes Meas Lyla's Father
    • 2012 |

      Total Recall

      asGeorge
    • 2011 |
      The Rum Diaryas Donovan
    • 2011 |
      Punctureas Jeffrey Dancort
    • 2010 |
      Footstepsas Mr. Denenberg
    • 2010 |
      The Rock 'n' Roll Dreams of Duncan Christopheras Uncle Virgil
    • 2009 |
      Heidi 4 Pawsas Mr. Sesehund
    • 2008 |

      Hamlet 2

      asPrincipal Rocker
    • 2006 |
      Little Chenieras Tuck Dupuis
    • 2006 |
      Rescue Dawnas Admiral
    • 2004 |
      No Excusesas Narrator
    • 1999 |
      A Slipping-Down Lifeas Mr. Casey
    • 2002 |
      Beneath Cloudsas Boy at Service Station
    • 2002 |
      Serving Saraas Warren Cebron
    • 2001 |
      Face the Musicas Tommy the Bartender
    • 2000 |
      Sandas Gus
    • 1999 |
      Virusas J.W. Woods Jr.
    • 1997 |
      One of Our Ownas Col. Dale Cameron
    • 1997 |
      The Braveas Larry
    • 1997 |

      Starship Troopers

      asGeneral Owen
    • 1996 |
      Too Fast Too Youngas Det. Quentin Thompson
    • 1995 |
      Just Lookingas Dave
    • 1995 |
      Paybackas Tom "Gully" Gullerman
    • 1995 |
      Operation Dumbo Dropas Col. Pederson
    • 1994 |
      Airheadsas Carl Mace
    • 1994 |
      The Chaseas Ari Josephson
    • 1992 |
      Innocent Bloodas Marsh
    • 1992 |
      The Vagrantas The Vagrant
    • 1990 |
      Air Americaas O.V.
    • 1990 |

      Total Recall

      asGeorge, Kuato
    • 1988 |
      Wildfireas Lewis
    • 1988 |
      Twinsas Webster
    • 1988 |
      Johnny Be Goodas Chief Elkans
    • 1987 |
      Cherry 2000as Bill
    • 1986 |
      Seven Minutes in Heavenas Jeff's Stepfather
    • 1986 |
      Stand by Meas Mr. Lachance
    • 1986 |

      Stand by Me (1986)

      asMr. Lachance
    • 1985 |
      A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revengeas Coach Schneider
    • 1985 |

      A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge

      asCoach Schneider
    Marshall Bell: Biography, Movies, Net Worth & Photos