Stephen McHattie

Last updated
Stephen McHattie
StephenMcHattie08TIFF.jpg
Born
Stephen McHattie Smith

(1947-02-03) February 3, 1947 (age 78) [1] [2]
Alma mater American Academy of Dramatic Arts
OccupationActor
Years active1970–present
Spouses
Children3

Stephen McHattie Smith (born February 3, 1947) [1] [2] is a Canadian actor. [3] Since beginning his professional career in 1970, he has amassed over 200 film, television, and theatre credits; and has collaborated with directors like Darren Aronofsky, Bruce McDonald, and David Cronenberg. He played Jimmy Murray on the CBC drama Emily of New Moon (1998-2000) and Sgt. Frank Coscarella on the police procedural Cold Squad (1999-2001).

Contents

He won the Genie Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Dick Irvin in The Rocket , and was nominated for Best Actor for Pontypool. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Yehoshua Sobol's Ghetto and won an Obie Award for Mensch Meier.

Early life

McHattie was born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, on February 3, 1946 (the year of his birth has also been cited as 1945, 1947, and 1948) and raised in Guysborough County. [1] At 16, he began acting in local amateur plays and at 19 moved to New York City, where he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. [1] [4]

Career

McHattie began his career on stage in the 1968 Broadway production of The American Dream. Two years later he made his film debut in The People Next Door. He appeared in other Broadway plays, including Mourning Becomes Electra in 1972, The Iceman Cometh in 1973, and Ghetto in 1989, for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play. [5]

McHattie has appeared in many films and television shows including Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , Star Trek: Enterprise , Highlander: The Series , and American Playhouse's Life Under Water (1989). His roles include 300 , A History of Violence , The Fountain , Secretary , Shoot 'Em Up , Life with Billy , One Dead Indian , Beverly Hills Cop III . In Canada, he appeared in Canada: A People's History as Canadian hero Major-General Sir Isaac Brock, and in The Rocket as coach Dick Irvin. [6]

He portrayed an extraordinary USMC sniper (based on real life sniper Carlos Hathcock) in the JAG season one episode "High Ground". In 1976, he played iconic American actor James Dean in the television movie James Dean , a television adaptation of the biography written by James Dean's friend and writer Bill Bast. [6] McHattie appeared in several mini-series, including Centennial and Roughnecks. [6]

McHattie appeared in several episodes of Seinfeld (beginning with "The Pitch") as Dr. Reston, Elaine Benes's manipulative psychiatrist boyfriend; he also appeared in two episodes of The X-Files . From 1998 to 2000, he had a recurring role in the Canadian-made TV series Emily of New Moon , based upon the 1923 novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery. From 1999-2001, he portrayed Sgt. Frank Coscarella in the Canadian police procedural drama, Cold Squad . Since 2005, he has appeared as Captain Healy, Massachusetts State Police Homicide Division Commander, in the first eight of the Jesse Stone series TV movies, which are based on the novels of Robert B. Parker. He did not appear in the ninth instalment however. [6] He appeared in the pilot of Sabbatical , voiced the villain The Shade in Justice League , and portrayed Hollis Mason, the first Nite Owl, in the film adaptation of Watchmen . [7]

McHattie had a memorable and well-received [8] appearance in the acclaimed sixth season episode "In the Pale Moonlight" of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine , as the acerbic and skeptical Romulan Senator Vreenak who is the target of a Federation false flag operation to deceive the neutral Romulan Empire into declaring war on the Dominion. The episode has often been cited as one of the best episodes of Star Trek ever produced, [9] [10] [11] and McHattie’s outraged, hissing reading of the line “It’s a Fake!,” upon the discovery of a forged data rod, has been ranked amongst the greatest moments in Star Trek [12] and spawned a popular and enduring online meme. [13]

In 2009, McHattie appeared in the Canadian IFC film Pontypool and in the Canadian thriller Summer's Blood as Gant Hoxey, alongside Twilight actress Ashley Greene, who portrays Summer. He co-starred with Felicia Day and Kavan Smith in the Gothic adaptation of Red Riding Hood, Red: Werewolf Hunter . [14] In 2015, he appeared in the supernatural thriller Pay the Ghost . [6]

Personal life

McHattie is married to actress Lisa Houle, with whom he has three children. He was previously married to actress Meg Foster. [6] His older brother is actor Wendell Smith. [15]

Filmography

Film

Stephen McHattie film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1970 The People Next Door Artie Mason
1971 Von Richthofen and Brown Werner Voss
1975 The Ultimate Warrior Robert
1976 Moving Violation Eddie Moore
1978 Tomorrow Never Comes Frank
Gray Lady Down Murphy
1982 Death Valley Hal
1984 Best Revenge Brett
1986 Belizaire the Cajun James Willoughby
1987 Salvation! Revered Edward Randall
Caribe Whitehale
1988 Sticky Fingers Eddie
Call Me Jellybean
1989 Bloodhounds of Broadway Red Henry
One Man OutErik
1993The DarkGary 'Hunter' Henderson
Geronimo: An American Legend Schoonover
1994 Beverly Hills Cop III Steve Fulbright
Life with Billy Billy Stafford
Art Deco Detective Hyena
1996 My Friend Joe Curt
1997 Pterodactyl Woman from Beverly Hills Dr. Egbert Drum
1998 The Climb Jack McLaskin
BASEketball Narrator (voice)
2000The HighwaymanFrank Drake
2002 Secretary Burt Holloway
2003 Twist The Senator
2005 The Lazarus Child Chief Prosecutor Warner
A History of Violence Leland
The Rocket Dick Irvin
2006 The Fountain Grand Inquisitor Silecio
The Covenant William Danvers III
300 Loyalist
2007 KAW Clyde
Poor Boy's Game Uncle Joe
All Hat Earl Stanton
Cursing HanleyThe Astounding LewShort film
Shoot 'Em Up Hammerson
2008 Pontypool Grant Mazzy
2009 You Might as Well Live Fred Steinke
Watchmen Hollis Mason / Nite Owl I
The Timekeeper Fisk
Summer's Blood Gant Hoxey
The Deaths of Chet Baker Chet Baker Short film
2012 Captain Michaels
2010 This Movie Is Broken Bouncer
DieJonah Odessa
Score: A Hockey Musical Walt Acorn
Red: Werewolf Hunter Gabriel
A Beginner's Guide to Endings Fitz
2011 The Maiden Danced to Death Ernie
The Entitled Clifford Jones
Exit Humanity Medic Johnson
Irvine Welsh's Ecstasy Jim Buist
EddieRonny
Immortals Cassander
2012 The Tall Man Lt. Dodd
A Little Bit Zombie Max
Exile (Exil)Maxwell
2013 Haunter The Pale Man
Septic Man Mayor
Torment Officer Hawkings
Meetings with a Young Poet Samuel Beckett
2014 Wolves John Tollerman
Big Muddy Stan Barlow
Dr. Cabbie Pete Donaldson
Hellmouth Charlie Baker
2015 Born to Be Blue Chesney Baker Sr.
Pay the Ghost The Blind Man
2016 Weirdos Priest
2017 Mother! Zealot
The Sound Earl
Awakening the Zodiac Zodiac
JuggernautHank Sr.
2018 Death Wish Chief of Detectives
Crown and Anchor Gus
Angelique's Isle Mackay
2019 Come to Daddy Gordon
Dreamland The Maestro / Johnny Deadeyes
Rabid Dr. Michael Keloid
2020 Most Wanted Frank Cooper
2023 My Animal Henry
2024 Deaner '89 Dack
2025 Little Lorraine Huey

Television

Stephen McHattie television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1974 Adam-12 SkipEpisode: "Roll Call"
The Lady's Not for Burning NicholasTelevision film
Kojak Paul NelsonEpisode: "Slay Ride"
1975Search for the GodsWillie LongfellowTelevision film
Starsky and Hutch William Michael "Billy" DesmondEpisode: "Terror on the Docks"
1976 James Dean James Dean Television film
Look What's Happened to Rosemary's Baby Adrian/Andrew
1977 Kojak BlaineEpisode: "The Summer of '69"
1978–79 Centennial Jacques 'Jake' Pasquinel11 episodes
1979 Highcliffe Manor Rev. Ian Glenville6 episodes
Lou Grant Curtis FolgerEpisode: "Frame-Up"
Mary and Joseph: A Story of FaithJudahTelevision film
1980RoughnecksRoy BethkeTelevision film
1981 Hill Street Blues Off. Jerry Nash2 episodes
1985 The Hitchhiker Joe Caldwell
Johnny
2 episodes
1986 The Equalizer Eddie WashburnEpisode: "Out of the Past"
Spenser: For Hire CorbettEpisode: "Brother to Dragons"
Guiding Light GerhartTV series
1987MariahRickEpisode: "Equations"
Crime Story Carlo MastrangeloEpisode: "The Senator, the Movie Star, and the Mob"
1988 Tales from the Darkside Robert PerryEpisode: "Family Reunion"
1989 Life Under Water Television film
Miami Vice Atty. Sam BoyleEpisode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree"
The Twilight Zone DeathEpisode: "Rendezvous in a Dark Place"
1989–90 Beauty and the Beast Gabriel8 episodes
1991 Law & Order Joe PilefskyEpisode: "The Torrents of Greed"
Counterstrike NickEpisode: "Going Home"
1991–92 Scene of the Crime VariousTV series
1992Terror on Track 9Randolph DarnellTelevision film
Seinfeld Dr. Reston4 episodes
1993 Secret Service SweetEpisode: "The High Cost of Living/Impostors"
L.A. Law Gordon ReeveEpisode: "Hello and Goodbye"
Quantum Leap StawpahEpisode: "Mirror Image"
The Hidden RoomJackEpisode: "Love Crimes"
1994 Life with Billy Billy StaffordTelevision film
Northern Exposure Turk TortelliEpisode: "Fish Story"
Jonathan Stone: Threat of InnocenceLt. DurantTelevision film
Kung Fu: The Legend Continues Diablo the DeceiverEpisode: "Magic Trick"
Highlander Michael KentEpisode: "The Samurai"
1995 Nonnie & Alex Alex's DadShort film
M.A.N.T.I.S. Gerald RavensEpisode: "Switches"
Deadlocked: Escape from Zone 14Jack ClaremontTelevision film
Convict CowboyJagges
Deadly Love Sean O'Connor
Remember MeChief Nat Coogan
Visitors of the NightBryan English
The X-Files Red-Haired Man2 episodes
Theodore Rex EdgeVideo
1996 The Outer Limits Dr. SherrickEpisode: "Beyond the Veil"
The Lazarus Man MacEpisode: "Purgatory"
JAG Gunnery Sergeant Ray CrockettEpisode: "High Ground"
Walker, Texas Ranger Karl MayesEpisode: "Redemption"
1998 American Whiskey Bar ATelevision film
The Hunger StrikeEpisode: "The Face of Helene Bournouw"
The Magnificent Seven Cletus FowlerEpisode: "Nemesis"
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Senator VreenakEpisode: "In the Pale Moonlight"
Midnight FlightLt. Jack KellyTelevision film
Poltergeist: The Legacy Leigh NoirEpisode: "The Prodigy"
Lexx E.J. MossEpisode: "Lyekka"
1998–2000 Emily of New Moon Jimmy Murray43 episodes
1999 Walker, Texas Ranger Thomas OpenshawEpisode: "In Harm's Way"
1999–2001 Cold Squad Sgt. Frank Coscarella33 episodes
2000 Canada: A People's History General Issac BrockTV series
La Femme Nikita Willie KaneEpisode: "Sympathy for the Devil"
The Hustle  ( de )PierceTelevision film
2002 Lexx E.J. Moss2 episodes
Monk Lt. Adam KirkEpisode: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival"
Mutant X Aaron GaumontEpisode: "Power Play"
Birds of Prey Al HawkeEpisode: "Sins of the Mother"
2002–2003 Justice League Shade (voice)5 episodes
2003 Blue Murder Supt. Frank SimmonsEpisode: "Ambush"
Wall of SecretsHughTelevision film
Star Trek: Enterprise Alien ForemanEpisode: "The Xindi"
2005 Jesse Stone: Stone Cold Captain HealyTelevision film
The 4400 DravittEpisode: "Voices Carry"
Ice Age Columbus: Who Were the First Americans?AttanTelevision film
2006 One Dead Indian Police Field Commander
Jesse Stone: Night Passage Captain Healy
Puppets Who Kill Mr. SwainEpisode: "The Rival House"
Jesse Stone: Death in Paradise Captain HealyTelevision film
Solar Attack Admiral Lawrence
AbsolutionMike Lloyd
2007The Dark RoomDuncan Allbright
Killer Wave Edgard Powell2 episodes
Jesse Stone: Sea Change Captain HealyTelevision film
SabbaticalPolice Chief Gil BrewerTV series
2008 The Trojan Horse Jack SheaMiniseries
Would Be Kings
XIII: The Conspiracy General Carrington
The Summit Tate2 episodes
2008–09 Murdoch Mysteries Harry Murdoch2 episodes
2009DiamondsLlewellyn AndersonMiniseries
Jesse Stone: Thin Ice Captain HealyTelevision film
Reaper SheriffEpisode: "Underbelly"
The Listener Arthur StebbesEpisode: "Missing"
Guns Inspector ClayMiniseries
Fringe Col. Raymond GordonEpisode: "Fracture"
2010 Bloodletting & Miraculous Cures Dr. StandishEpisode: "Code Clock"
Who Is Clark Rockefeller? Mark SuttonTelevision film
Keep Your Head Up, Kid: The Don Cherry Story Eddie ShoreEpisode: "Part 1"
Jesse Stone: No Remorse Commander HealyTelevision film
Happy Town Carl Bravin4 episodes
Haven Rev. Ed DriscollRecurring cast, season 2
Red: Werewolf Hunter GabrielTelevision film
2011 Moby Dick Rachel Captain2 episodes
Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost Commander HealyTelevision film
XIII: The Series President CarringtonMain cast
2012 Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt Commander HealyTelevision film
The Wrath of Grapes: The Don Cherry Story II Eddie ShoreTV miniseries
2014 Lizzie Borden Took an Ax Andrew BordenTelevision film
The Strain VaunTV series
2015 Beauty and the Beast Mr. ZalmanEpisode: "Heart of the Matter"
2016 Tokyo Trial Edward Stuart McDougall Miniseries
2017 Orphan Black Percival T. Westmorland/John MathiesonRecurring role, Season 5
2020 October Faction Samuel AllenRecurring role
2023 Essex County LouMain role
2024 Sullivan's Crossing JonathanEpisode: "Secrets"
Accused JoeEpisode: "Justin's Story"
The Madness Emmett3 episodes

Partial stage credits

Stephen McHattie film credits
YearTitleRoleVenueNotesRef.
1968 Henry IV, Part 1 Edmund Mortimer Delacorte Theater, New York [16]
Henry IV, Part 2 Lord Bardolph [16]
The American Dream The Young Man Billy Rose Theatre, New YorkBroadway debut [17]
1972 Twelfth Night Sebastian Vivian Beaumont Theater, New York [17]
Hamlet Laertes Long Wharf Theatre, New Haven [16]
Mourning Becomes Electra Orin Mannon Circle in the Square Theatre, New York [17]
1973-74 The Iceman Cometh Don Parritt [17]
1975 Afore Night Come JeffLong Wharf Theatre, New Haven [16]
1979The Winter DancersCarver Marymount Manhattan Theatre, New York [16]
1981 Mary Stuart Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles [16]
1983 The Misanthrope AlcesteCircle in the Square Theatre, New YorkReplacement [17]
1983-84 Heartbreak House Hector Hushabye [17]
1984Mensch MeierOtto MeierStage 73, New York [18]
1986-87 You Never Can Tell Mr. BohunCircle in the Square Theatre, New York [17]
1989 Ghetto Kittel [17]
1991 Macbeth Macbeth Playhouse 91, New York [18]
1992Search and DestroyDr. WaxlingCircle in the Square Theatre, New York [17]

Awards and nominations

InstitutionYearCategoryWorkResult
ACTRA Awards 2019Outstanding Performance - Male Crown and Anchor Won
Atlantic International Film Festival 2025 Outstanding Performance Little Lorraine Won [19]
Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2009Best Actor Pontypool Won
Canadian Screen Awards 2021 Best Supporting Actor Come to Daddy Nominated
Drama Desk Awards 1989 Outstanding Actor in a Play Ghetto Nominated [20]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards 2008 Best Actor PontypoolNominated
2014Best Supporting Actor Haunter Nominated
2021Come to DaddyNominated
Genie Awards 2007 Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role The Rocket Won [21]
2010 Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role PontypoolWon
Gemini Awards 1995 Best Actor in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series Life with Billy Won [21]
1998 Best Actor in a Continuing Leading Dramatic Role Emily of New Moon Nominated
1999Best Actor in a Dramatic Program or Mini-SeriesAmerican Whiskey BarNominated
2008Best Performance by an Actor in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series Murdoch Mysteries Nominated
Jutra Awards 2010Best Supporting Actor The Timekeeper Nominated
2015 Meetings with a Young Poet Nominated
Obie Awards 1984Distinguished Performance by an ActorMensch MeierWon [22]
Vancouver Film Critics Circle 2010 Best Actor in a Canadian Film PontypoolNominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Stephen McHattie". The Canadian Encyclopedia . Historica Canada . Retrieved 2025-12-11.
  2. 1 2 Other sources cite 1945, 1946, and 1948.
  3. Profile, nytimes.com; accessed February 4, 2018.
  4. "Stephen McHattie biography and filmography | Stephen McHattie movies". Tribute. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  5. "Stephen McHattie (Performer)". Playbill. Retrieved 2022-02-05.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Stephen McHattie at IMDb
  7. Zack Snyder Talks Watchmen! - Superhero Hype!, superherohype.com; accessed February 4, 2018.
  8. "The 10 Most Important Romulans In The Star Trek Universe". ScreenRant. 2019-07-04. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  9. "'Star Trek: Deep Space Nine' — The 20 Greatest Episodes". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  10. Yglesias, Matthew (2013-05-15). "Star Trek Movies, Series, and Characters Ranked". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  11. Elizabeth Howell (20 September 2017). "The 10 Best 'Star Trek' Episodes Ever". Space.com. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  12. "The top 35 moments in Star Trek history". Archived from the original on 2019-03-06. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  13. Shrewsbury (20 July 2011). "It's a Fake!". Know Your Meme. Retrieved 2021-07-07.
  14. Red: Werewolf Hunter, imdb.com; accessed February 4, 2018.
  15. Lucas, Ralph (2020-03-25). "Stephen McHattie". Northernstars.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-10.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Stephen McHattie". About the Artists.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Stephen McHattie – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  18. 1 2 "Stephen McHattie". Spectra Theater. Retrieved 2025-12-16.
  19. Andrew Tracy, "Sk+te’kmujue’katik, Little Lorraine top award winners at AIFF". Playback , September 15, 2025.
  20. "Stephen McHattie – Broadway Cast & Staff | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved 2025-12-10.
  21. 1 2 Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television official site, retrieved February 4, 2008. Archived September 28, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  22. "84". Obie Awards. Retrieved 2025-12-11.