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Help me identify this actor!

16 replies

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 20:23

I was in the coffee shop of a posh hotel this morning and an actor was standing next to me. For the life of me I can’t think of his name. Help!

He was tall, about 6’, I’d say he’s 45-55, dark hair, dark eyes. I’m seeing him in my head in a TV drama or film where he played a politician, like a senator or city councilman and he’s wearing a longish winter coat.

He’s in the Dylan McDermott, Patrick Dempsey, Dermot Mulroney, Rob Lowe kind of bracket of person looks-wise. It’s driving me absolutely mad! I’ve been scrolling IMDb trying to find him.

He was in a hoodie and sweats looking tired and bleary, but gave me the smile and nod of recognition when he noticed me gawking, (“yes, I am, but thank you for not asking”) and we each waited for our coffee before he headed back to the lift and I went back to my office across the street.

Other people gave him a second look too, and who I was presuming was a hotel manager was hovering and asked him if all was well and if he needed anything as he went back so he was definitely on their VIP watchlist.

I live in a US city that has a lot of creative stuff going on, so he wasn’t out of place here I just can’t bring his name to the front of my brain! Help!

OP posts:
Sadiemum3 · 20/08/2025 20:30

Patrick Baladi?

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 20:50

No, the guy I saw is definitely American but similar age.

OP posts:
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 20/08/2025 20:54

Anthony LaPaglia, Eric McCormack?

ElCorazon · 20/08/2025 20:59

Justin Bartha

MooseBeTimeForSnow · 20/08/2025 21:00

Ian Somerhalder?

BeansBeforeBedtime · 20/08/2025 21:04

Billy Campbell? He played the mayoral candidate in The Killing.

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 21:07

Omg @BeansBeforeBedtime won! You saved my poor brain, that’s exactly the character I kept seeing in my head. I must say, he looks bloody fantastic for a man in his 60s!

OP posts:
EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 20/08/2025 21:07

Jake Gyllenhaal

EineReiseDurchDieZeit · 20/08/2025 21:07

Cross post

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 21:16

Thank you, @BeansBeforeBedtime! And @EineReiseDurchDieZeit if I’d seen Jake Gyllenhaal in my work adjacent coffee shop I think I’d have had a stroke…

OP posts:
BeansBeforeBedtime · 20/08/2025 21:17

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 21:07

Omg @BeansBeforeBedtime won! You saved my poor brain, that’s exactly the character I kept seeing in my head. I must say, he looks bloody fantastic for a man in his 60s!

As soon as I saw the description, I thought of him! I bloody love that series! Seen it so many times. Linden and Holder are my all-time favourite duo 😍

savethatkitty · 20/08/2025 21:19

Chris Noth. Big from SATC

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 21:20

BeansBeforeBedtime · 20/08/2025 21:17

As soon as I saw the description, I thought of him! I bloody love that series! Seen it so many times. Linden and Holder are my all-time favourite duo 😍

100% agree, they’re perfect. That was the first thing I ever saw Joel Kinnaman in and I still wholeheartedly believe that was his best role, in spite of doing more flashy big-budget things since. I was standing there looking at him thinking of him in that coat and trying to place him!

OP posts:
BeansBeforeBedtime · 20/08/2025 21:22

SantiagoShaming · 20/08/2025 21:20

100% agree, they’re perfect. That was the first thing I ever saw Joel Kinnaman in and I still wholeheartedly believe that was his best role, in spite of doing more flashy big-budget things since. I was standing there looking at him thinking of him in that coat and trying to place him!

Totally agree. I thought he was excellent in Altered Carbon too, but nothing can better Holder. Snap! 😆

TurkeyTwizlers · 20/08/2025 21:34

Love Holder. Have you seen Billy in the Cardinal series?

BeansBeforeBedtime · 20/08/2025 22:09

TurkeyTwizlers · 20/08/2025 21:34

Love Holder. Have you seen Billy in the Cardinal series?

Ooh! No... Would you recommend it?

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