David Clennon

David Clennon (born May 10, 1943) is an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of Miles Drentell in the ABC series Thirtysomething and Once and Again, as well as his role as Palmer in the John Carpenter film The Thing. He has been frequently cast in films directed by Hal Ashby, Costa-Gavras and Jordan Walker-Pearlman.

Life and career Born in Waukegan, Illinois, the son of Virginia, a homemaker, and Cecil Clennon, an accountant, Clennon attended the University of Notre Dame from 1962 to 1965. He studied at the Yale School of Drama for three years and became a member of their professional acting company. In 1996 he married Perry Adleman, a writer, camera assistant and photographer. They have two children.

In 1980, Clennon provided the voice for Admiral Motti in NPR's Star Wars The Original Radio Drama. He was a regular on the TV shows Barney Miller, WKRP in Cincinnati, Almost Perfect, The Agency, and Saved. Clennon also played Carl Sessick (a.k.a. Carl the Watcher) on Ghost Whisperer and appeared on Star Trek: Voyager as Dr. Crell Moset. In 1993 he won an Emmy award for his guest appearance on the series Dream On.

Clennon often performs at New Haven, Connecticut's Long Wharf Theatre.

Political activism Clennon staunchly opposed the Vietnam War, often participating in protests, and remains politically active. In 2013, he repeatedly spoke out against the film Zero Dark Thirty and refused to vote for it for an Academy Award, stating that it promoted using torture as acceptable.

In 2018, he opposed the four Emmy nominations for Ken Burns's documentary program The Vietnam War, feeling that it contained "half-truths, distortions and omissions" about the war.

Filmography

The Paper Chase (1973) - Toombs Helter Skelter (1976, TV Movie) - Harry Jones Bound for Glory (1976) - Carl - Man in Gas Station The Greatest (1977) Coming Home (1978) - Tim Gray Lady Down (1978) - Crew member of USS Neptune Go Tell the Spartans (1978) - Lt. Finley Wattsberg On the Yard (1978) - Psychiatrist Billy in the Lowlands (1979) - Social Worker Being There (1979) - Thomas Franklin Hide in Plain Sight (1980) - Richard Fieldston WKRP in Cincinnati (1981, TV Series) - Norris Breeze The Thing (1982) - Palmer The Escape Artist (1982) - Newspaper Editor Missing (1982) - Consul Phil Putnam Ladies and Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains (1982) - Dave Robell - The Agent Special Bulletin (1983, TV Movie) - Dr. Bruce Lyman Star 80 (1983) - Geb Hanna K. (1983) - Amnon The Right Stuff (1983) - Liaison Man Falling in Love (1984) - Brian Gilmore Sweet Dreams (1985) - Randy Hughes Legal Eagles (1986) - Blanchard The Trouble with Dick (1986) - Lars He's My Girl (1987) - Mason Morgan The Couch Trip (1988) - Lawrence Baird Betrayed (1988) - Jack Carpenter Downtown (1990) - Jerome Sweet Light Sleeper (1992) - Robert Man Trouble (1992) - Lewie Duart Matinee (1993) - Jack And the Band Played On (1993, TV Movie) - Mr. Johnstone Dos crímenes (1994) - Jim Almost Perfect (TV series) - (1995-1997) - Neal Luder Grace of My Heart (1996) - Dr. 'Jonesy' Jones From the Earth to the Moon (1998, TV Mini-Series) - Dr. Leon (Lee) Silver Playing by Heart (1998) - Martin (uncredited) Nothing Human (Star Trek: Voyager) (1998) - Crell Moset Just Shoot Me! (1999, TV Series) - Martin Spancer The Visit (2000) - Parole Board Member Brenner Antitrust (2001) - Barry Linder (uncredited) Silver City (2004) - Mort Seymour Constellation (2005) - Bear Korngold Syriana (2005) - Donald Life of the Party (2005) - Jack Grey’s Anatomy (American TV series, 2005) - season 5 episode 4 Flags of Our Fathers (2006) - White House Official Saving Sarah Cain (2007) - Homeless Man Convention (2008) - Sen. Chuck McGee Ghost Whisperer (TV series - season 4, 2008-2009) - Carl Sessick Extraordinary Measures (2010) - Dr. Renzler The Good Doctor (2011) - Dr. Harbison Ghost Phone: Phone Calls from the Dead (2011) - Hamilton J. Edgar (2011) - Senator Friendly Mr. Jones (2013) - The Curator House of Cards (2014, TV Series) - Ted Havemeyer Gone Girl (2014) - Rand Elliott Amigo Undead (2015) - Old Man Schumer Vacation (2015) - Harry Co-Pilot Reversion (2015) - Ciespy Welcome to the Men's Group (2016) - Fred