For over three decades now,Titus Welliverhas thrilled audiences with his tough yet unforgettable portrayals of complex characters. Hailing from a family of artists, he got his start with minor roles in shows likeBeverly Hills, 90210andTales from the Crypt. However, it was his role as the Man in Black in the final season ofLostthat first put him on the map. He also played the multidimensional Silas Adams inDeadwoodaround the same time.
Since then, Titus has gone on to appear in several movies and TV shows, bringing authenticity and believability to every role.Whether playing detectivesor mobsters, Titus immerses himself entirely into each character, picking up on expressions and emotions and dialect to ensure the audiences feel like they know what goes on inside the heads of his characters.
Of course, Welliver is best known currently for his role as Harry Bosch. Fans love how he captures the dedication of Bosch as an iconic LAPD detective and the humanity hidden beneath his tough exterior. That said, Titus Welliver has proved himself a master of his craft through a variety of roles, both supporting and leading. This list highlights some of his very best performances across movies and TV shows.
15Man on a Ledge (2012)
Man on a Ledge
InMan on a Ledge, a bunch of NYPD cops get pulled into a unique situation involving former cop Nick Cassidy. Apparently, Nick was falsely accused of stealing the Monarch Diamond from businessman David Englander. He was sentenced to 25 years in prison, but he escaped. In a bold attempt to clear his name, Nick climbs out on a narrow ledge of a Midtown Manhattan skyscraper, threatening to jump, which sends the city into chaos.
Titus Brings Layered Complexity
Although underappreciated,Man on a Ledgeisan edge-of-your-seat thrillerthat demands to be revisited with fresh eyes. It stars Sam Worthington, Ed Harris, Elizabeth Banks, and Anthony Mackie in the lead roles.
Titus Welliver is a supporting character; he plays Dante Marcus, who tries to control the situation at first but is eventually revealed to be one of the corrupt cops who helped him frame Nick. His layered, complex, and unsympathetic performance kept viewers guessing his real intentions until the very end.
14Shaft (2019)
Son of Shaft
Directed by Tim Story, this action comedy flick is the fifth and latest installment of the iconicShaftfranchise. Arebootof the 2000 film of the same name directed by John Singleton, it introduces a new generation to JJ Shaft, a rooke cybersecurity expert and the son of the legendary private eye John Shaft. When his best friend dies under mysterious circumstances, JJ teams up with his old man to investigate, but Shaft has his own motives.
Entertaining Addition to the Franchise
Despite being somewhat entertaining to loyal fans of the franchise,Shaftfailed to win the hearts of critics. The movie had everything – impressive action scenes, natural charm, flawless comedic timing, and memorable performances from Samuel L. Jackson, Jessie T. Usher, and Regina Hall. And yet, it fell back on leveraging the best aspects of the original movies.
Even among the proven talents of Jackson and Usher, Welliver stood out as JJ’s FBI boss, who showed authority when he fired JJ. And then hired him back.
13Brooklyn South (1997 – 1998)
Speaking of forgotten media,Brooklyn Southisan ensemble police procedural dramathat aired on CBS back in the 1990s. Unlike other detective shows, it tried to portray a realistic picture of the NYPD by focusing more on the uniformed police officers as they patrolled and took on morning shift assignments. Against the backdrop of a crime-ridden New York, it was interesting to see the officers bring their fierce work ethic and rebellious spirit to fighting for justice.
Showing His Potential for Playing a Cop
Each of the cast members ofBrooklyn Souththrew themselves completely into the complicated and compelling drama. For two seasons, they were committed to the gritty authenticity of the show, helping elevate it from a typical cop drama to a rich character piece.
Titus Welliver, who had already had a recurring role in a similar kind of cop show, NYPD Blue, starred inBrooklyn Southas David Lowery, a tough street cop coping with personal demons. Beyond being a fully realized character, he hadan on-again-off-again relationshipwith his colleague, Nona Valentine, played by Klea Scott.
12Twisted (2004)
Twistedis a psychological thriller from the minds of Philip Kaufman. It centers around Jessica Shepard, an officer promoted and transferred to the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department. Her first case is the murder of a man who she’d had a one-night stand with. When more of her former lovers are reported dead, Jessica begins to fear herself and her tendency to blackout after getting drunk.
Titus Portrays a Dedicated Officer
Kaufman is a master at creating suspense, and for a movie as chilling and ambiguous asTwisted, it’s obvious that he’d pick actors willing to deliver the full range of their talents. Ashley Judd is brilliant as the impulsive, violent nymphomaniac trying to get a grasp on her psychological complexity. Samuel L. Jackson and Andy García are equally enigmatic.
Welliver plays the role of Dale Becker, a fellow officer who handles Shepard’s case himself, ensuring audiences understood if not sympathized with his character’s decisions.
Related:15 Best Psychological Thrillers of All Time, Ranked
11Transformers: Age of Extinction (2014)
Transformers 4
The fourth installment in theTransformersfilm series takes up where the previous movie left off. After the battle of Chicago, humanity has begun to harbor hate and fear towards the Transformers. All they want is to eliminate the giant robots and have the world go back to normal. And elite CIA black ops are on it. However, when inventor Cade Yeager ends up saving an injured Optimus, he decides to form an alliance with his daughter Tessa and tries to save the future of Transformers on Earth.
Welliver Plays Against Type
Transformers: Age of Extinctionis filled with explosive CGI action, scene-stealing performances from Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, Kelsey Grammer, and Nicola Peltz. In their respective roles, they display slick charm, intelligence, and sympathy. Welliver is a potential villain in the movie. As James Savoy, a ruthless and corrupt field commanding operative to Grammer’s Harold Attinger, he brings out an unpredictable sneer and dynamism. Even in the brief role, he was memorable.
10The Town (2010)
Adapted deftly from Chuck Hogan’s 2004 novelPrince of Thievesby writer/director Ben Affleck,The Townis a Boston-set crime thriller that follows four lifelong friends turned business partners as they maintain their careers as mask-wearing bank robbers. Douglas McRay, the self-appointed leader of the gang, falls in love with Claire Keesey, a bank manager they briefly took hostage once. Their relationship threatens to expose their entire operation and endanger everyone involved.
One of the Most Ambitious Heist Films
Still celebrated for its opening heist,The Townis one of the most smartly written crime thrillers of all time. It is heavy on action, tense when it needs to be, and it casts an outstanding ensemble, which includes Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Jeremy Renner, Blake Lively, and Titus Welliver.
Welliver plays Det. Dino Ciampa, the good cop heading occasional raids, showing up on crime sites to note down clues, and working alongside Jon Hamm’s Agent Frawley to fearlessly capture Doug and his associates.
9Live by Night (2016)
Live by Night
Set against the backdrop of a balmy Florida during the Prohibition era,Live by Nightfollows Joe Coughlin, a former war veteran-turned criminal, who rises from a small-time thief to the head of a powerful crime syndicate. With several others working under him, Joe begins to live the high life himself and his actions start to have unforeseen consequences. More when he faces competition, authorities, and the Ku Klux Klan.
Ben Affleck’s Ensemble Thriller
According to critics, “Live by Nightis solid enough entertainment, but it lacks the nasty edge or narrative muscularity to make it memorable.” Which is to say that Affleck’s unoriginal take on the genre is still worth watching because of a few solid points, which include fast-paced storytelling, exploration of themes like corruption and declining moral codes, and the ambiguity that drives its narrative forward.
Along with Affleck, the movie stars Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Titus Welliver, and Zoe Saldaña.
8Gone Baby Gone (2007)
Gone Baby Gone
Another one of the four Ben Affleck movies starring Titus Welliver in some kind of supporting role isGone Baby Gone. The premise centers around private investigators Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro, who are hired to look into the case of a four-year-old girl named Amanda, who was abducted in Boston’s Dorchester neighborhood. As Patrick and Angiedive deeper into the investigation, they unearth the city’s most sinister secrets.
Welliver Plays an Unforgettable Villain
A critically acclaimed thriller,Gone Baby Gonewon Ben Affleck a bunch of awards, including a National Board of Review Award for Best Directorial Debut. Amy Ryan also took home a series of awards for her supporting role as Angie. The movie, as a whole, is a gripping and mesmerizing drama that moves at a relentless pace. As for Welliver, he plays Lionel, Amanda’s uncle who was responsible for the kidnapping and was arrested by the end of the movie.
7The Good Wife (2009 – 2016)
The Good Wife
Created by Robert and Michelle King,The Good Wifeis one of television’s most acclaimed dramas. It follows Alicia Florrick, whose life is turned upside down after a very public sex scandal sends her politician husband’s career down the drain. To support her family and her children, Alicia decides to leave her marriage behind and she goes back to work as a litigator at a top law firm in Chicago, where she balances motherhood, office politics, and her ever-changing personal life.
A Character-Driven Drama
Across seven seasons, Julianna Margulies stole the spotlight of this incredibly driven, tightly-plotted, and intriguing drama.The Good Wifehad a bunch of stylish and nefarious characters, each of whom brought their signature traits to their respective roles.
Titus Welliver was a recurring character inThe Good Wife. He played Glenn Childs, Peter’s arch-rival who succeeded Peter as State’s Attorney after the scandal. From trying to keep him in prison to having to step down from the race, he was a delightfully insidious addition.
Related:The 15 Best Female-Led TV Series of the 2010s
6Lost (2004 – 2010)
Lost is a mystery drama series created for TV that follows a group of survivors of a plane crash and tells its story between the past, present, and future via flashbacks. When Oceanic Airlines Flight 815 crashes and lands on a mysterious island in the pacific ocean, the castaways discover their new temporary home may have a mind of its own, as strange supernatural events keep them locked to the island. From an unknown black smoke creature to dangerous islanders, the passengers must work together to survive the island’s seemingly deadly intentions.
Beloved by fans for its ingenious storytelling and emotionally charged character arcs,Lostis an epic supernatural thriller series that tells the story of the survivors of a commercial jetliner that was flying between Sydney and Los Angeles but crashed midway, leaving the passengers stranded on a mysterious island somewhere in the South Pacific. Initially thinking they’re alone, the characters soon face dilemmas when strange threats emerge.
Titus Welliver’s Breakthrough Role
From the very first season,Lostpulled its audience into an overarching mystery. The show’s fantastical elements and heady concepts became more complicated as the narrative moved forward, urging viewers to decrypt clues that lead to a broader view of humanity.
As a supporting character, Titus Welliver showed up inLostin the season five finale. He played the “Man in Black,” a middle-aged man with the ability to scan the minds and memories of people. He continued portraying the character in seasons six and seven, lending understated gravitas to the show.
