Scott Bakula | |
|---|---|
 Bakula at the 2016San Diego Comic-Con | |
| Born | Scott Stewart Bakula (1954-10-09)October 9, 1954 (age 71) St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 4 |
Scott Stewart Bakula (/ˈbækjʊlə/; born October 9, 1954)[1] is an American actor. He playedSam Beckett onQuantum Leap – for which he was nominated for fourPrimetime Emmy Awards and threeGolden Globe Awards (winning one) – and CaptainJonathan Archer onStar Trek: Enterprise. From 2014 to 2021, he portrayed Special AgentDwayne Cassius "King" Pride onNCIS: New Orleans.
ATony Award-nominee for his work on Broadway, Bakula starred in the comedy-drama seriesMen of a Certain Age and guest-starred in the second and third seasons ofNBC'sChuck as the title character's father,Stephen J. Bartowski. From 2014 to 2015, he played entrepreneur Lynn on theHBO showLooking.
Bakula was born inSt. Louis, Missouri, the son of Sally (née Zumwinkel) and Joseph Stewart Bakula (1928–2014), a lawyer.[2][3][4][5] He has a younger brother and a younger sister.[6] He attendedJefferson College,[7][8] followed by theUniversity of Kansas for a time, but left, saying:
...because I was offered a tour ofGodspell, a national tour that was from St. Louis. I thought that sounded great, and I went to my parents and I said "I want to do this tour", and they said, "Go ahead, maybe it will get it out of your system. And you come back to school in a year or two, you come back." The tour was gonna start in August and the tour never started and school did, and then the tour fell apart, and there I was sitting at home. So I was left holding the bag, basically, and then had to decide where to go from there. And I applied, was applying to other schools. I was gonna go to a Mormon theatrical kind of school, and the more I looked at it the more I spent time examining the school side of it. I just realized what I really needed to do was just pick up, pack up and go to New York.[6]
Bakula moved toNew York City in 1976. He made his professional debut in the 1977 national tour of the musicalShenandoah.[9] He made hisBroadway debut in 1982 as an understudy in the short-lived musicalIs There Life After High School?[10] The following year, he appeared as baseball legendJoe DiMaggio inMarilyn: An American Fable, which only ran 17 performances.[11] He received a shared Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Acting for his performance in the 1985Off-Broadway production ofThree Guys Naked from the Waist Down;[12][failed verification] he would later appear in itsPasadena Playhouse production.[13] The success ofThree Guys Off-Broadway brought him attention, and when his next show, the musicalNightclub Confidential, which co-starred his wife Krista Neumann, moved to Los Angeles, he moved there at the urging of his California agent, Maggie Henderson, and his New York agent, Jerry Hogan. As Bakula recalled in 2000:
I call [Henderson] up and said I got a show, I'm gonna be out there, I'm coming out in January. So it'll work out because it's time forpilot season and I'll be doing something so people can come and see me. ... And then I coincidentally had done a Disney Sunday NightABC movie that was gonna come out some time in the winter. It was the time to go. Came out here onNew Year's Day, 1986. The show I did turned out to be a big hit out here. It got me a lot of attention out here and I jumped ontothe TV sitcomDesigning Women in the beginning and was able to do that pilot ... and things kind of took off.[14]
He was cast in two short-lived series:Gung Ho andEisenhower & Lutz. During a Hollywood writers' strike in 1988, he returned to New York to star inRomance/Romance on Broadway,[14] which ran from May 1, 1988, to January 15, 1989.[15] For his performance as Alfred Von Wilmers and Sam, he was nominated for the 1988 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.[16] Afterward, he landed the lead role opposite co-starDean Stockwell in thescience fiction television seriesQuantum Leap (1989–1993). Bakula played time traveler Dr.Sam Beckett, who was trapped by a malfunction of his time machine to correct things gone wrong in the past.[17] His performance in the show earned him aGolden Globe Award (along with three nominations) and fourPrimetime Emmy Award nominations forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, as well as five consecutiveViewers for Quality Television Awards for Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series.[18]
From 1993 to 1995, he played Peter Hunt, a reporter and occasional love interest on the sitcomMurphy Brown. In 1995, Bakula appeared on the cover ofPlaygirl. He played the titular Mr. Smith in the sole season ofMr. & Mrs. Smith in 1996. He voiced Danny Cat in the animated filmCats Don't Dance (1997). He played the aging veteran pitcher Gus Cantrell inMajor League: Back to the Minors (1998), the final movie in theMajor League trilogy. He also played Jim Olmeyer, the same-sex partner ofSam Robards' Jim Berkley, in the filmAmerican Beauty (1999).
Bakula playedJonathan Archer, captain of Earth's first Warp 5 interstellar starship, onStar Trek: Enterprise from 2001 to 2005. In 2006, he reprised the role of Archer for theStar Trek: LegacyPC andXbox 360 video games as avoice-over.
Bakula starred in the musicalShenandoah, a play which also provided his first professional theatrical role in 1976, atFord's Theatre, in 2006. Bakula is heard singing "Pig Island" onSandra Boynton's children's CDPhiladelphia Chickens, which is labeled as being "For all ages except 43." Scott Bakula said that he might be starring as Sam in aQuantum Leap film as stated inTV Guide Magazine along withDean Stockwell. At Comic Con 2010, he announced that a script was being worked on and that while he would be in the movie, he would not have the main role.[19]
Bakula performed various songs from his career for a one-night-only performance entitledAn Evening with Scott Bakula at Sidney Harman Hall on January 18, 2008, as a benefit for the restoration of the historic Ford's Theater.[20] Bakula had three appearances in 2008. He appeared as Atty. Jack Ross in an episode ofBoston Legal,"Glow in the Dark", which aired on February 12, 2008, on the ABC network.[21] From March 4 – April 20, he starred as Tony Hunter in the world premiere ofDancing in the Dark at The Old Globe inSan Diego, California.Dancing in the Dark is based on the movieThe Band Wagon (1953).[22] Bakula appeared as the character Chris Fulbright in the five-episode run of theTracey Ullman sketch comedy seriesState of the Union on Showtime.
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Bakula appeared in the dark comedy filmThe Informant! (2009) as Brian Shepard, an FBI agent.[23] In April 2009, he began a recurring role on the television seriesChuck asStephen J. Bartowski, the eponymous character's long-lost father. From July 31 to August 2, 2009, he starred as Nathan Detroit in three performances ofGuys and Dolls at theHollywood Bowl. Beginning in December 2009, Bakula began appearing as Terry, one of the three lead characters in TNT's hour-long comedy/dramaMen of a Certain Age.
In 2011, Bakula performed a voice cameo in the filmSource Code as a slight nod to his character onQuantum Leap, with his catchphrase of "Oh, boy."[24] and appeared in the feature-length documentaryThe Captains, which was written and directed byWilliam Shatner, Bakula is interviewed by the originalStar Trek captain about his life and career leading up to his performances as Captain Jonathan Archer inStar Trek: Enterprise. In the movie, Shatner interviews Bakula at his ranch in California where they discuss the pitfalls that come with a career in television.[25]
In September 2011, Bakula starred inTerrible Advice bySaul Rubinek at the Menier Chocolate Factory.[26][27] In April to May 2012, he guest starred in the last five episodes ofDesperate Housewives as Bree Van de Kamp's criminal defense lawyer and third husband. In April 2013, he made a guest appearance onTwo and a Half Men as a sleazy car dealer, Jerry. In August 2013, it was announced Bakula would have a recurring role in the first season of HBO's new seriesLooking.[28] He also appeared in the filmGeography Club (2013).
In February 2014, Bakula was cast as the lead in abackdoor pilot for theNCIS spin-off series,NCIS: New Orleans, which began as a two-part episode of its parent series in the spring season of 2014.[29]
In 2016 Bakula appeared as a guest judge on the HGTV showBrothers Take New Orleans withProperty Brothers hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott.[30]
He made a cameo appearance as himself in the season 12 opening episode ofIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
In October 2023, it was announced Bakula would return to the New York stage in the world premiere ofThe Connector, featuring music and lyrics byJason Robert Brown and book by Jonathan Marc Sherman, and directed by Daisy Prince. The show was performed from January 12, 2024, through March 17 at theMCC Theater.[31]
In August 2024, Bakula played the title role in a production ofMan of La Mancha inPeterborough, New Hampshire.[32][33]
Bakula married Krista Neumann in 1981. They had two children before divorcing in 1995. He married actressChelsea Field in 2009 after a 15-year relationship during which they had two children.[34]
Bakula says he was "hardly ever home for four and a half seasons" ofQuantum Leap, so he chose to prioritize his family life on later projects. HisStar Trek: Enterprise contract required that filming be completed by 6 p.m. every Wednesday so he could have dinner with his family. During filming ofNCIS: New Orleans, he returned home toLos Angeles every weekend to spend time with his wife.[35]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Sibling Rivalry | Harry Turner | |
| 1991 | Necessary Roughness | Paul Blake | |
| 1993 | Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 | Jay Parkins | |
| 1994 | Color of Night | Bob Moore | |
| A Passion to Kill | Dr. David Lawson | ||
| 1995 | Lord of Illusions | Harry D'Amour | |
| My Family | David Ronconi | ||
| 1997 | Cats Don't Dance | Danny | Voice |
| 1998 | Major League: Back to the Minors | Gus Cantrell | |
| 1999 | American Beauty | Jim Olmeyer | |
| 2000 | Above Suspicion | James Stockton | |
| Luminarias | Joseph | ||
| 2001 | Life as a House | Officer Kurt Walker | |
| 2002 | Role of a Lifetime | Bobby Cellini / Buck Steele | |
| 2009 | The Informant! | FBI Special Agent Brian Shepard | |
| 2011 | Source Code | Colter's Father | Voice |
| The Captains | Himself | ||
| 2013 | Geography Club | Carl Land | |
| Enter the Dangerous Mind | Kevin | ||
| Behind the Candelabra | Bob Black | ||
| 2014 | Elsa & Fred | Raymond Hayes | |
| 2016 | Me Him Her | Mr. Ehrlick | |
| Summertime | Paul's Father | ||
| 2017 | Basmati Blues | Eric | |
| 2023 | Divinity | Sterling Pierce |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | My Sister Sam | Peter Strickland | Episode: "Teacher's Pet" |
| The Disney Sunday Movie | Jeffrey Wilder | Episode: "I-Man" | |
| 1986–1987 | Gung Ho | Hunt Stevenson | 9 episodes |
| 1986–1988 | Designing Women | Ted Shively | 5 episodes |
| 1987 | CBS Summer Playhouse | Dr. Paul Sanderson | Episode: "Infiltrator" |
| The Last Fling | Drew | Television film | |
| Matlock | Jeb Palmer | 2 episodes | |
| 1988 | Eisenhower and Lutz | Barnett M. "Bud" Lutz, Jr. | Main role |
| 1989–1993 | Quantum Leap | Sam Beckett | Main role; also directed 3 episodes |
| 1992 | In the Shadow of a Killer | Det. David Mitchell | Television film |
| 1993 | Mercy Mission: The Rescue of Flight 771 | Jay Parkins | Television film |
| For Goodness Sake | Henry | Short | |
| 1993–1996 | Murphy Brown | Peter Hunt | Recurring (seasons 6–8) |
| 1994 | Nowhere to Hide | Kevin Nicholas | Television film |
| Men, Movies & Carol | Himself | ||
| Dream On | Aaron Hendrick, Kidnapper #1 | 2 episodes | |
| 1995 | The Invaders | Nolan Wood | Miniseries |
| Prowler | Jack Harcher | Television film | |
| 1996 | The Bachelor's Baby | Jake Henry | Television film |
| 1996–1997 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Mr. Smith | Main role |
| 1998 | Adventures from the Book of Virtues | Elbegast the Robber Knight | |
| 1999 | Mean Streak | Det. Lou Mattoni | Television film |
| NetForce | Alex Michaels | Television film | |
| 2000 | Father Can't Cope | Wes Harrison | Television film |
| In the Name of the People | John Burke | Television film | |
| Papa's Angels | Grins Jenkins | Television film | |
| The Trial of Old Drum | George Graham Vest | Television film | |
| 2001 | A Girl Thing | Paul Morgan | Television film |
| Late Boomers | Teddy Barnett | Television film | |
| What Girls Learn | Nick | Television film | |
| 2001–2005 | Star Trek: Enterprise | Jonathan Archer | Main role |
| 2006–2010 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | "Papa Jeff" Hunter | 4 episodes |
| 2007 | American Body Shop | Maury | Episode: "Juicy Lou's" |
| Blue Smoke | John Minger | Television film | |
| 2008 | Boston Legal | Jack Ross | Episode: "Glow in the Dark" |
| Tracey Ullman's State of the Union | Chris Fulbright | 4 episodes | |
| 2009 | Guys and Dolls at the Hollywood Bowl | Nathan Detroit | Video |
| 2009–2010 | Chuck | Stephen J. Bartowski | Recurring role (season 2); guest role (season 3) |
| 2009–2011 | Men of a Certain Age | Terry Elliott | Main role |
| 2012 | Desperate Housewives | Trip Weston | 5 episodes |
| Family Guy | Himself | Episode: "Burning Down the Bayit" | |
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Kent Webster | Episode: "Vanity's Bonfire" | |
| Table for Three | Robert Morton | Television film | |
| 2013 | Behind the Candelabra | Bob Black | Television film |
| Two and a Half Men | Jerry | Episode: "Bazinga! That's From a TV Show" | |
| Untitled Bounty Hunter Project | Pete | Television film | |
| 2014 | Caper | Pete Blue | |
| 2014–2015 | Looking | Lynn | Recurring role |
| 2014–2017 | NCIS | Dwayne Pride | Special guest |
| 2014–2021 | NCIS: New Orleans | Dwayne Pride | Main role; producer |
| 2016 | Brothers Take New Orleans | Himself | Episode: "Welcome to the Big City" |
| 2017 | Cash Cab | Himself | Celebrity Edition |
| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Himself | Episode: "The Gang Turns Black" | |
| 2019 | The Simpsons | Himself (voice) | Episode: "Bobby, It's Cold Outside" |
| 2021 | What We Do in the Shadows | Himself | Episode: "The Siren" |
| 2022 | Unbroken | Ash Holleran | Television film |
| 2024 | Only Murders in the Building | Himself | Episode: "Once Upon a Time in the West" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977–1978 | Shenandoah | Ensemble | National Tour |
| 1979 | Magic to Do | Performer | |
| 1980 | The Baker's Wife | Dominique | Playhouse in the Park (Cincinnati) production |
| 1981 | I Love My Wife | Performer | Playhouse in the Park (Cincinnati) production |
| Ta-Dah! | Performer | Off-Broadway | |
| 1982 | Is There Life After High School? | Understudy | Original Broadway production |
| 1983 | Marilyn | Joe DiMaggio | Original Broadway production |
| 1985 | 3 Guys Naked from the Waist Down[36] | Performer | Off-Broadway |
| 1987, 1988 | Romance/Romance | Alfred Von Wilmers, Sam | Original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions |
| 1995 | Anyone Can Whistle | J. Bowden Hapgood | Carnegie Hall |
| 2007 | No Strings | David Jordon | |
| 2009 | Guys and Dolls | Nathan Detroit | Hollywood Bowl |
| 2011 | Terrible Advice | Jake | Menier Chocolate Factory, London |
| 2024 | The Connector | Conrad O'Brien | MCC Theater (Off-Broadway) |
| Man of La Mancha | Miguel de Cervantes /Don Quixote | Peterborough Players | |
| Mister Lincoln[37] | Abraham Lincoln | One man show, atFord's Theatre | |
| 2025 | The Baker's Wife | Aimable Castagnet | Classic Stage Company, Off-Broadway |
| Award | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Television Awards | 1993 | Best Actor in a Dramatic Series | Quantum Leap | Nominated | |
| Awards Circuit Community Awards | 1999 | Best Cast Ensemble | American Beauty | Nominated | |
| Drama Desk Awards | 1985 | Outstanding Ensemble Performance | Three Guys Naked from the Waist Down | Nominated | [38] |
| Golden Globe Awards | 1990 | Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama | Quantum Leap | Nominated | [39] |
| 1991 | Won | ||||
| 1992 | Nominated | ||||
| Online Film & Television Association Awards | 2009 | Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series | Chuck | Nominated | [40] |
| 2013 | Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture or Miniseries | Behind the Candelabra | Nominated | [41] | |
| People's Choice Awards | 2015 | Favorite Actor in a New TV Series | NCIS: New Orleans | Nominated | [42] |
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 1990 | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | Quantum Leap | Nominated | [43] |
| 1991 | Nominated | ||||
| 1992 | Nominated | ||||
| 1993 | Nominated | ||||
| 2013 | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie | Behind the Candelabra | Nominated | ||
| Saturn Awards | 2002 | Best Actor in a Television Series | Star Trek: Enterprise | Nominated | [44] |
| 2003 | Nominated | [45] | |||
| 2004 | Nominated | [46] | |||
| ShoWest Convention | 2015 | Ensemble Award | Geography Club | Nominated | |
| Tony Awards | 1988 | Best Leading Actor in a Musical | Romance/Romance | Nominated | [47] |
| Viewers for Quality Television Awards | 1990 | Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series | Quantum Leap | Won | |
| 1991 | Won | ||||
| 1992 | Won | ||||
| 1993 | Won | ||||
| 1994 | Special Player | Murphy Brown | Won | ||
| 1995 | Nominated |
Scott Bakula ... born in 1954 (age 60)
