John Doman

John Doman is an American actor best known for his gritty performances in television dramas such as The Wire, Gotham, and The Affair. Born on January 9, 1945 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Doman attended Northeast Catholic High School where he excelled as a football player and later earned a place in the school's Hall of Fame. He pursued higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving a BA in English literature in 1966, and simultaneously distinguished himself as a three‑year letterman and starting defensive back for the Quakers football team. After graduating, Doman entered the United States Marine Corps, completing Officer Candidates School at Quantico and serving as a Second Lieutenant with the 3rd Marine Division during the Vietnam War. Following his military service, he obtained an MBA in marketing from Penn State’s Smeal College of Business in 1972 and embarked on a successful advertising career, rising to Executive Vice President and Head of Business Development at TBWA New York, where he helped the agency win Adweek's Agency of the Year honor in 1990. A chance appearance in an AT&T commercial in 1991 sparked a dramatic career shift, and Doman devoted himself to acting full‑time. His early screen work included small roles in Cop Land, Mystic River, and Die Hard with a Vengeance, while television credits quickly expanded to guest spots on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Law & Order (in which he portrayed eleven distinct characters), Damages, and Person of Interest. Doman’s breakout role arrived as the seasoned police commissioner Bill Rawls on HBO’s critically acclaimed series The Wire (2002‑2008), a performance that cemented his reputation as a commanding authority figure. He later portrayed historical figure Rodrigo Borgia in the international series Borgia (2011‑2014), mob boss Carmine Falcone on Fox’s Gotham (2014‑2017), and the conflicted patriarch Bruce Buttler on Showtime’s The Affair (2014‑2019). In addition to screen work, Doman has lent his voice to video games such as Mafia: City of Lost Heaven and Fallout: New Vegas, narrated promotional videos for the Philadelphia Eagles, and appeared on stage in productions ranging from Sam Shepard to Shakespeare, demonstrating a versatile artistry that spans multiple media.