Wendell Pierce - Actor Profile

Wendell Pierce

Acting
Updated: May 09, 2026
50Total Films
10.0 Highest Rated
Born: Dec 8, 1963
Birth Place: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

About Wendell Pierce

Wendell Edward Pierce (born December 8, 1963) is an American actor and businessman. Having trained at Juilliard School, Pierce rose to prominence as a character actor portraying roles on both stage and screen. He first gained recognition portraying the role of Detective Bunk Moreland in the acclaimed HBO drama series The Wire from 2002 to 2008. His other notable television roles include the trombonist Antoine Batiste in Treme (2010–2013), James Greer in Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan (2018–2023), the attorney Robert Zane in Suits (2013–2019), and Clarence Thomas in Confirmation (2016). He earned Independent Spirit Awards nominations for his film roles in Four (2012) and Burning Cane (2019), on which he also served as a producer. Other notable film roles include Malcolm X (1992), Waiting to Exhale (1995), Ray (2004), Selma (2014), The Gift (2015), and Clemency (2019). Pierce made his Broadway debut in John Pielmeier's 1985 play The Boys of Winter, followed by Caryl Churchill's Serious Money in 1988. As a theatrical producer, he earned a Tony Award for Best Play nomination for August Wilson's Radio Golf (2007), then won for Bruce Norris's Clybourne Park (2012). He performed the lead role of Willy Loman in the revival of Death of a Salesman on the West End in London in 2019 and on Broadway in New York in 2022, for which he earned Laurence Olivier Award and Tony Award nominations. Description above from the Wikipedia article Wendell Pierce, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Wendell Pierce Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Wendell Pierce reflects a strong mix of popular and critically appreciated roles. Across 50 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Wendell Pierce's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 58% of Wendell Pierce's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Abilene, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Wendell Pierce Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Wendell Pierce's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Wendell Pierce has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Superman Perry White Hit Similar →
2025 Thunderbolts* Congressman Gary Hit Similar →
2022 Becoming Frederick Douglass Frederick Douglass (voice) Hit Similar →
2020 Between the World and Me Self Super Hit Similar →
2019 Clemency Jonathan Williams Average Similar →
2019 Burning Cane Reverend Tillman Average Similar →
2019 Piercing The Doctor Average Similar →
2018 One Last Thing Dylan Hit Similar →
2017 Rodents of Unusual Size Narrator (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2016 Bad Moms Principal Daryl Burr Hit Similar →
2016 Confirmation Clarence Thomas Hit Similar →
2016 Grease Live Coach Calhoun Hit Similar →
2015 The Gift Detective Mills Hit Similar →
2015 Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band Andy Kirk (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2015 Runaway Hearts Paul Hit Similar →
2014 Selma Rev. Hosea Williams Hit Similar →
2014 Elsa & Fred Armande Average Similar →
2013 Möbius Bob Average Similar →
2013 Parker Carlson Average Similar →
2012 The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn - Part 2 J. Jenks Hit Similar →
2011 Horrible Bosses Detective Hagan Hit Similar →
2009 Beyond All Boundaries Sgt. Thomas McPhatter Hit Similar →
2007 The Wire Odyssey Self Hit Similar →
2007 Tapping the Wire Self Super Hit Similar →
2007 Life Support Slick Average Similar →
2006 Stay Alive Detective Thibodeaux Average Similar →
2004 Ray Wilbur Brassfield Hit Similar →
2004 Land of Plenty Henry Average Similar →
2003 The Fighting Temptations Reverend Lewis Average Similar →
2002 Brown Sugar Simon Hit Similar →
2001 The Gilded Six Bits Otis D. Slimmons Hit Similar →
1999 Abilene Reverend Tillis Super Hit Similar →
1999 The 24 Hour Woman Roy Labelle Average Similar →
1998 Bulworth Fred Average Similar →
1997 The Advocate's Devil Justin Average Similar →
1996 Sleepers Little Caesar Super Hit Similar →
1996 Get on the Bus Wendell Perry Average Similar →
1996 Never Give Up: The Jimmy V Story John Saunders Super Hit Similar →
1995 Waiting to Exhale Michael Average Similar →
1995 Hackers S.S. Agent Richard Gill Average Similar →
1995 Bye Bye Love Hector Average Similar →
1994 It Could Happen to You Bo Williams Hit Similar →
1993 Strapped District Attorney Average Similar →
1993 Manhattan Murder Mystery Policeman Hit Similar →
1992 Malcolm X Ben Thomas Super Hit Similar →
1991 A Rage in Harlem Louis Average Similar →
1991 The 10 Million Dollar Getaway Parnell "Stacks" Edwards Average Similar →
1989 Family Business Prosecutor Average Similar →
1989 Casualties of War MacIntire Hit Similar →
1986 The Money Pit Paramedic Hit Similar →

Wendell Pierce - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Wendell Pierce?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Wendell Pierce is "Abilene" with a rating of 10.0/10.

How many movies has Wendell Pierce acted in?

Wendell Pierce has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Wendell Pierce?

Other notable films include "Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band", "Never Give Up: The Jimmy V Story", and "Between the World and Me".

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