Celebrity Info
Donald Moffat, a distinguished and bushy-browed veteran of stage and screen, carved out a remarkable career that spanned decades. His journey began in the 1950s in his native England, where Donald Moffat first started treading the boards with a passion for theater. By 1954, he made his West End debut in a production of “Macbeth,” setting the stage—quite literally—for what would become a long and celebrated artistic life. Over time, Donald Moffat emerged as a character actor known for his gravitas and commanding presence.
His transition to film came in 1968 with a role in Paul Newman’s “Rachel, Rachel,” marking Donald Moffat’s feature debut and the beginning of a steady rise in Hollywood. From the early 1980s onward, Donald Moffat became a familiar face on both the big and small screens, often portraying dignified older gentlemen with depth and nuance. Among his most memorable performances were as President Lyndon B. Johnson in “The Right Stuff” (1983), the stern yet compassionate chief surgeon in “The Unbearable Lightness of Being” (1988), and the quietly affecting father of Tom Hanks’ character in “Bonfire of the Vanities” (1990).
One of Donald Moffat’s most poignant roles came in the 1994 PBS miniseries “Tales from the City,” an adaptation of Armistead Maupin’s beloved San Francisco saga. There, Donald Moffat delivered a deeply moving portrayal of a middle-aged businessman confronting his mortality—a performance that resonated with audiences for its quiet honesty and emotional weight.
Throughout the 1990s and beyond, Donald Moffat remained consistently active. He brought presidential authority to the political thriller “Clear and Present Danger” (1994) and lent his distinctive voice and demeanor to Robert Altman’s quirky crime comedy “Cookie’s Fortune” (1999). On television, Donald Moffat appeared in recurring roles, including as the father of Allison Janney’s C.J. Cregg on the acclaimed series “The West Wing” (NBC, 1999–2006), and later as a judge on Dick Wolf’s “Law & Order: Trial by Jury” (NBC, 2005–06).
Donald Moffat passed away at his home in Sleepy Hollow, New York, on December 20, 2018, after suffering a massive stroke. He was 87 years old. His legacy endures—not just in the characters he brought to life, but in the quiet power and authenticity Donald Moffat brought to every role he played.
When it comes to Donald Moffat’s career highlights, one film really stands out as his highest-rated work—Rachel, Rachel from 1968. This critically acclaimed drama truly showcased Donald Moffat’s talent and remains a defining moment in his filmography. Over the years, audiences and critics alike have praised his performance in that movie, making it a clear favorite among his body of work. On the other end of the spectrum, Donald Moffat appeared in A Smile Like Yours (1997), which unfortunately received much less favorable reviews and is considered his lowest-rated project. While Donald Moffat brought depth to every role he took on, the reception of these two films couldn’t be more different. Still, both performances reflect the range and dedication Donald Moffat consistently brought to his craft throughout his long and respected career.
United States
