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Michael Emerson is an American film and television actor who is best known for his roles as serial killer William Hinks on The Practice, Benjamin Linus on Lost, Zep Hindle in the first Saw film, Cayden James on Arrow and Harold Finch on the CBS series Person of Interest. Emerson has also worked extensively in theater and narration. He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards and been nominated for three others, as well as receiving other awards and nominations. He currently stars as Dr. Leland Townsend in the CBS thriller series Evil.
Born
Tuesday, 07 September 1954
Links
Actor Filmography
| Title | Character | Year |
|---|
| Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps | Evil Wizard | 2024 |
| Fallout | Wilzig | 2024 |
| My Adventures with Superman | Brainiac | 2023 |
| Glimpse | Reg Kelson / Reg | 2022 |
| Dead Talk Live | Self - Guest | 2020 |
| Josh Gates Tonight | Self | 2020 |
| Evil | Leland Townsend / Dr Leland Townsend | 2019 |
| The Name of the Rose | Abate Abbassano da Fossanova | 2019 |
| Claws | Ted | 2017 |
| The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements | Narrator | 2015 |
Actor Filmography
| Title | Character | Year |
|---|
| Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps | Evil Wizard | 2024 |
| Fallout | Wilzig | 2024 |
| My Adventures with Superman | Brainiac | 2023 |
| Glimpse | Reg Kelson / Reg | 2022 |
| Dead Talk Live | Self - Guest | 2020 |
| Josh Gates Tonight | Self | 2020 |
| Evil | Leland Townsend / Dr Leland Townsend | 2019 |
| The Name of the Rose | Abate Abbassano da Fossanova | 2019 |
| Claws | Ted | 2017 |
| The Mystery of Matter: Search for the Elements | Narrator | 2015 |
| Mozart in the Jungle | Morton Norton | 2014 |
| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns | Joker / The Joker (voice) | 2013 |
| Celebrity Page | Self | 2013 |
| The Arsenio Hall Show | Self - Guest | 2013 |
| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2 | Joker (voice) / Joker | 2013 |
| Arrow | Cayden James | 2012 |
| Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 1 | Joker / Joker (voice) | 2012 |
| Larry King Now | Self - Guest | 2012 |
| Ben 10/Generator Rex: Heroes United | Nanite Alpha | 2011 |
| Person of Interest | Harold Finch / Mr. Kingfisher | 2011 |
| Saw 3D | Zep Hindle | 2010 |
| God in America | John Winthrop | 2010 |
| G.I. Joe: Renegades | Dr. Archibald Monev / Dr. Venom | 2010 |
| Generator Rex | Nanite Alpha | 2010 |
| Parenthood | Andy Fitzgerald | 2010 |
| The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards | Self - Nominee | 2010 |
| Red Carpet Report | Self | 2009 |
| Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Himself - Guest | 2009 |
| The Bonnie Hunt Show | Himself - Guest | 2008 |
| Ready? OK! | Charlie New | 2008 |
| Lost: Missing Pieces | Ben Linus | 2007 |
| 30 Even Scarier Movie Moments | Self | 2007 |
| Rachael Ray | Self - Guest | 2006 |
| Ace of Cakes | Self | 2006 |
| Jumping Off Bridges | Frank Nelson | 2006 |
| The Legend of Zorro | Harrigan | 2005 |
| The Inside | Marty Manning | 2005 |
| The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | Self - Guest | 2005 |
| 29th & Gay | Gorilla | 2005 |
| Straight-Jacket | Victor | 2004 |
| Saw | Zep Hindle | 2004 |
| Lost | Benjamin Linus / Ben Linus / Henry Gale | 2004 |
| The Soup | Self - Guest | 2004 |
| Skin | Scarpelli | 2003 |
| Alexander Hamilton: Favorite Son | George Washington | 2003 |
| Whoopi | F. Thomas Erickson | 2003 |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Himself - Guest / Ben Linus / Himself - 'Lost' Clue Giver #2 | 2003 |
| Without a Trace | Stuart Wesmar | 2002 |
| Unfaithful | Josh | 2002 |
| The Laramie Project | Reverend | 2002 |
| Sounds from a Town I Love | 2001 | |
| Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Gerry Rankin | 2001 |
| The District | Man in Bar | 2000 |
| Stark Raving Mad | Mr. Putnam | 1999 |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Allan Shaye | 1999 |
| For Love of the Game | Gallery Doorman | 1999 |
| I'll Take You There | Tom | 1999 |
| Playing by Heart | Bosco | 1998 |
| Grace & Glorie | Arnold Dudley | 1998 |
| The Impostors | Burtom's Assistant | 1998 |
| The Practice | William Hinks | 1997 |
| The Journey | Michael | 1997 |
| The X-Files | Oliver Martin | 1993 |
| Late Show with David Letterman | Himself - Guest / Warden in Instructional Video / Creepy Target Sock Shopper | 1993 |
| Orpheus Descending | Clown | 1990 |
| Year | Type | Category | Won |
|---|
| 2010 | Golden Globe | Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television | Nominated |
| 2010 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2009 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Won |
| 2008 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2007 | Emmy | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2001 | Emmy | Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series | Won |
