Jeffrey DeMunn

Jeffrey P. DeMunn was born on April 25, 1947 in Buffalo, New York, the son of Violet (née Paulus) and James DeMunn, and grew up under the artistic influence of his step‑mother, actress Betty Lutes DeMunn. After earning a Bachelor of Arts in English from Union College, he pursued formal theatrical training at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the United Kingdom, where he absorbed classical techniques that would define his stage presence. Returning to the United States in 1972, DeMunn joined the Royal Shakespeare Company’s national tour, appearing in productions of King Lear and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He subsequently built a reputation off‑Broadway, starring in challenging works such as Bent, Modigliani, and a revival of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. His commitment to new writing led him to the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, and his performance in the 1983 Broadway drama K2 earned him a Tony Award nomination, cementing his status as a versatile character actor. Transitioning to screen, DeMunn became a frequent collaborator with director Frank Darabont, delivering memorable supporting turns in The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Majestic, and The Mist. He portrayed the ruthless serial killer Andrei Chikatilo in the HBO miniseries Citizen X, a role that won him a CableACE Award and an Emmy nomination. Television audiences later recognized him as the steadfast Dale Horvath in The Walking Dead (2010‑2012) and as Chuck Rhoades Sr. in the Showtime series Billions (2016‑2023). His career spans more than five decades, encompassing theater, film, and television, and is marked by a distinctive blend of authority and vulnerability. Off‑screen, DeMunn married Ann Sekjaer in 1974; the marriage ended in 1995, and he wed Kerry Leah in 2001. Together he is the father of two children. His body of work, characterized by consistently powerful performances, continues to influence both aspiring actors and seasoned veterans alike.