From President To D.A.: Tony Goldwyn's 7 Must-See Recent Movies And TV Shows That Define His New Era
Tony Goldwyn, an actor whose career spans over four decades, is currently experiencing a major renaissance, shifting from his iconic role as a fictional U.S. President to a high-stakes District Attorney and a celebrated director. As of
This article dives deep into the most recent and significant chapters of his filmography, highlighting his career-defining roles in major blockbusters and his directorial passion project. From the political machinations of the Manhattan D.A.'s office to the tense drama of a Christopher Nolan epic, these are the essential movies and TV shows that solidify his place as a Hollywood powerhouse.
Anthony Howard Goldwyn: A Comprehensive Biography and Career Profile
Anthony Howard Goldwyn was born on May 20, 1960, in Los Angeles, California. He is a prominent American actor, director, and producer who comes from one of Hollywood’s most distinguished families.
- Full Name: Anthony Howard Goldwyn
- Born: May 20, 1960
- Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
- Noted Family: He is the grandson of legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn and the son of producer Samuel Goldwyn Jr., placing him as a third-generation figure in the film industry.
- Breakthrough Role: The villainous Carl Bruner in the 1990 supernatural romance Ghost, opposite Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore.
- Iconic TV Role: President Fitzgerald Grant III on Shonda Rhimes' hit political drama Scandal (2012–2018).
- Directorial Work: His notable directorial credits include the 1999 film A Walk on the Moon, the 2010 drama Conviction starring Hilary Swank, and the recent comedy-drama Ezra (2023).
The Law & Order Era: Taking Over the Manhattan D.A.'s Office
The biggest and most current news in Tony Goldwyn’s television career is his major role in the long-running procedural drama Law & Order.
Stepping into the Shoes of a Legend: D.A. Nicholas Baxter
In a move that generated significant buzz, Goldwyn joined the cast of Law & Order in 2024 as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter. His character was introduced to replace the iconic Jack McCoy, played by the late Sam Waterston, who had been a staple of the series for over three decades.
Baxter is presented as a seasoned and politically minded D.A. who must navigate the complex legal and ethical challenges of the Manhattan court system. The character’s introduction and immediate impact on the show’s dynamic have successfully revitalized the series.
While the Season 23 finale left the fate of D.A. Baxter up in the air due to an election night cliffhanger, Goldwyn is confirmed to return for the highly anticipated Season 24, cementing his place as the new face of the show's executive branch.
This role not only allows Goldwyn to return to a major network TV commitment—his first since Scandal—but also demonstrates his ability to anchor a powerful, established franchise.
Directorial Success and Blockbuster Roles: Goldwyn's Recent Film Triumphs
Goldwyn’s recent film work has been a masterclass in duality: he’s simultaneously a celebrated director working on passion projects and a reliable, powerful supporting actor in major Hollywood blockbusters.
1. Ezra (2023/2024): Director, Actor, Producer
Goldwyn took on triple duty for the comedy-drama Ezra, serving as director, a producer, and a member of the ensemble cast. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), is a deeply personal and authentic story written by Tony Spiridakis.
The plot centers on Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a comedian struggling to co-parent his autistic son, Ezra, with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). Goldwyn's direction was praised for its balance of humor and heart, tackling sensitive family issues with nuance. The stellar cast also includes Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga, and Whoopi Goldberg.
2. Oppenheimer (2023): Gordon Gray
In Christopher Nolan's Oscar-winning historical epic Oppenheimer, Goldwyn played the critical role of Gordon Gray. Gray was an attorney and businessman who chaired the Atomic Energy Commission's security hearing that ultimately led to the revocation of J. Robert Oppenheimer's security clearance.
Goldwyn’s performance as the stern, composed, and unyielding chairman added significant weight to the film's most tense and dramatic sequences. His inclusion in Nolan’s all-star ensemble, which featured Cillian Murphy, Emily Blunt, and Robert Downey Jr., was a testament to his reputation as a formidable character actor.
3. Murder Mystery 2 (2023): Miller
Demonstrating his comedic range, Goldwyn appeared in the Netflix sequel Murder Mystery 2, starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston. He played the role of Miller, a high-profile, no-nonsense bodyguard.
This role was a fun, lighter departure from the intense drama of Oppenheimer and Law & Order, showcasing his ability to fit seamlessly into a major, star-studded streaming franchise.
4. Plane (2023): Selkirk
In the Gerard Butler action thriller Plane, Goldwyn played Selkirk, a crisis management specialist. The film follows a pilot who must work with a convicted murderer to save passengers after crash-landing in a war-torn territory.
Goldwyn's character was central to the operation trying to rescue the stranded survivors, adding another high-stakes, dramatic entry to his recent filmography.
Essential Roles That Built Topical Authority
While his current work is generating the most excitement, Goldwyn's career is built on a foundation of memorable and genre-defining roles that continue to bring topical authority to his filmography.
5. Scandal (2012–2018): President Fitzgerald Grant III
For seven seasons, Goldwyn was best known as President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant III, the charming, complex, and often troubled President of the United States. His tumultuous, high-wire romance with Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) was the emotional core of the Shonda Rhimes drama, establishing him as a household name and a television leading man.
6. King Richard (2021): Paul Cohen
In the critically acclaimed biopic King Richard, Goldwyn played Paul Cohen, the tennis coach who worked with a young Venus and Serena Williams. His portrayal of a key figure in the Williams sisters’ early development earned him praise for his nuanced supporting work in another Oscar-nominated film.
7. Ghost (1990): Carl Bruner
No discussion of Tony Goldwyn is complete without mentioning Ghost. As Carl Bruner, the seemingly trustworthy friend who betrays Patrick Swayze's character, Goldwyn delivered one of cinema's most memorable villainous performances. This role was his major breakthrough and cemented his early career success.
Detail Author:
- Name : Geovanny Heller II
- Username : mohara
- Email : alize.mclaughlin@feest.org
- Birthdate : 1972-12-05
- Address : 632 Romaine Wall Suite 840 East Katheryn, AL 72925-8786
- Phone : +1 (754) 789-0613
- Company : Herzog PLC
- Job : Eligibility Interviewer
- Bio : Placeat libero sunt odit facere impedit. Veritatis sed et iure pariatur. Est tempore dolorem ex vel dolores.
Socials
twitter:
- url : https://twitter.com/towne2013
- username : towne2013
- bio : Placeat quo aliquid exercitationem molestiae. Possimus inventore aut qui suscipit modi architecto. Amet eveniet perspiciatis autem natus distinctio.
- followers : 3861
- following : 2443
linkedin:
- url : https://linkedin.com/in/katelyn_xx
- username : katelyn_xx
- bio : Est possimus tempora qui qui molestiae a in.
- followers : 172
- following : 1828
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/katelyntowne
- username : katelyntowne
- bio : Et est sequi natus. Molestiae cum rerum et dolore quibusdam possimus.
- followers : 4779
- following : 1420
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/katelyn.towne
- username : katelyn.towne
- bio : Et neque ducimus aut ea sint consequatur ut. Nulla deleniti pariatur quia totam quo qui.
- followers : 1867
- following : 771
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@katelyn4532
- username : katelyn4532
- bio : Vel eum quo aut fuga. Laborum quo cupiditate quasi minus quaerat illo.
- followers : 1310
- following : 2259
