You know that feeling when you're watching a prestige drama or a weirdly specific comedy, and a guy walks onto the screen, and you immediately point at the TV and yell, "That guy!"? That’s basically the career of John Pirruccello. If you’ve spent any time with HBO, Netflix, or David Lynch over the last decade, you have definitely seen him.
John Pirruccello movies and tv shows aren't just background noise; he is the ultimate "character actor’s character actor." He has this incredible ability to play a total jerk you want to punch (see Twin Peaks) or a weary detective just trying to survive the day (see Barry). Honestly, he's one of those performers who makes every scene better just by being there, often acting as the grounded foil to some of the wildest characters in modern television.
The Roles That Put Him on Your Radar
If we’re talking about where you most likely remember him from, it’s a toss-up between a corrupt deputy and a frustrated detective. Pirruccello’s run in the late 2010s was sort of a masterclass in versatility.
Take Barry, for example. He played Detective John Loach. In a show that shifts from pitch-black comedy to gut-wrenching drama in about four seconds, he held down the "exhausted police" side of the narrative with Bill Hader. It wasn’t a flashy role, but it was essential.
Then, of course, there’s the David Lynch connection.
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In Twin Peaks: The Return (2017), he played Deputy Chad Broxford. If you’ve seen it, you probably hated him. And that’s the point. Chad was the personification of a petty, corrupt, arrogant small-town cop—the kind of guy who eats lunch in the conference room while everyone else is working on a tragedy. Pirruccello played it so well that he became one of the most memorable "villains" of the revival, mostly because he felt so frustratingly real.
A Quick Glance at the Heavy Hitters:
- Barry: Detective John Loach
- Twin Peaks: The Return: Deputy Chad Broxford
- The Lincoln Lawyer: Bill Forsythe (specifically the 2024–2026 seasons)
- She-Hulk: Attorney at Law: Chuck Donelan
- Mayans M.C.: O'Grady
Why His Recent Run in The Lincoln Lawyer Matters
By 2024 and heading into early 2026, Pirruccello has found a new home in the legal world of Netflix's The Lincoln Lawyer. He plays Bill Forsythe, a deputy district attorney. If you’ve been keeping up with the Julian La Cosse trial arc, you’ve seen him go head-to-head with Manuel Garcia-Rulfo’s Mickey Haller.
What’s cool about this role is that it shows his evolution.
Early in his career, he was doing the guest-star circuit on shows like Nash Bridges or Two and a Half Men. Now, he’s the guy they bring in for multi-episode arcs where he has to carry significant plot weight. Playing a prosecutor requires a specific kind of sharp, verbal sparring, and he nails that "just doing my job" intensity. He even mentioned in a recent interview on the Fascination Street podcast that he spent time between takes playing ping-pong with the lead actors on set—just a fun bit of behind-the-scenes trivia that makes him seem like a genuinely good guy to work with.
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The Broadway Pivot: Glengarry Glen Ross
If you think he’s just a "TV guy," you’ve got it wrong. In 2025, Pirruccello actually made a massive splash on Broadway. He was part of the powerhouse revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.
Look at this lineup he was part of:
- Kieran Culkin
- Bill Burr
- Bob Odenkirk
- Michael McKean
Pirruccello played James Lingk—the guy being conned. It’s a pivotal, heartbreaking role because you have to believe he’s being absolutely steamrolled by these high-pressure salesmen. Critics and fans alike (including comedian Dean Delray on his Let There Be Talk podcast) raved about the performance. Going from a Lynchian nightmare in Twin Peaks to a Mamet play on Broadway is a hell of a range.
Small Roles, Big Impact
It is worth noting that John Pirruccello movies and tv shows often include these "blink and you'll miss it" performances that actually stick with you.
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He was in She-Hulk as Chuck Donelan. He was in The Sex Lives of College Girls as Professor Tocchini. He even popped up in Godzilla vs. Kong. He has this "everyman" quality that makes him incredibly castable. Whether he's playing a neighbor in Battle Creek or a sheriff in Your Honor, he brings a level of authenticity that prevents the show from feeling like "just a set."
Noteworthy Film Credits:
- Secret in Their Eyes (2015)
- Incarnate (2016)
- The Valet (2022)
- EDtv (1999) - One of his earliest notable film roles!
What’s Next for John Pirruccello?
As we move through 2026, Pirruccello seems to be in that sweet spot of a career where he can jump between high-end TV dramas and stage work. With the success of the Glengarry Glen Ross run, there’s a lot of chatter about him taking on more theatrical roles, but he’s also a staple of the "prestige TV" era.
If you’re looking to catch up on his work, start with Barry for the drama, then hit Twin Peaks if you want to see him play a character you’ll love to hate. Most people don't realize he's also a voice actor; he's worked on ThunderCats and even has a guest spot on The Simpsons.
Honestly, the best way to follow his career is to just keep your eyes peeled. He’s the kind of actor who doesn't need to be the "lead" to be the most interesting person on the screen. He’s built a career on being reliable, versatile, and deeply human.
To see his latest work, check out the newer seasons of The Lincoln Lawyer on Netflix or look for his name in the credits of the next big HBO-style drama—odds are, he’ll be there.