If you were anywhere near a television set in the mid-1970s, you knew Peter Strauss. You couldn't escape him. He had that classically chiseled jawline and an intensity that felt a bit too big for a 19-inch Philco, yet he became the face of a brand-new way of telling stories. Before Netflix gave us "limited series" to binge on a rainy Sunday, we had the "novel for television." And Peter Strauss was essentially the undisputed king of that hill.
Honestly, it's hard to explain to someone today how massive Rich Man, Poor Man was. It wasn't just a hit; it was a cultural shift. People basically stopped what they were doing on Monday nights to follow the Jordache family. Strauss played Rudy, the "rich man" of the title—ambitious, polished, and constantly at odds with his rough-and-tumble brother, played by a then-unknown Nick Nolte.
The Era of the Mini-Series Legend
Most actors spend their lives chasing a big-screen breakout. Strauss had his chances. He was in Soldier Blue back in 1970 and worked with the legendary Elia Kazan in The Last Tycoon. But the small screen just loved him more. He had this specific kind of gravitas that worked perfectly for the long-form drama.
Rich Man, Poor Man (1976)
This is the one that changed everything. It proved that audiences would stick around for twelve hours of complicated, often messy, family drama. Strauss took Rudy Jordache from a high schooler in the 1940s all the way to a U.S. Senator. It was a marathon of a performance. You watched him age, harden, and deal with the fallout of the American Dream. He was so good they even did a second book as a weekly series, which was unheard of at the time.
✨ Don't miss: Why ASAP Rocky F kin Problems Still Runs the Club Over a Decade Later
The Jericho Mile (1979)
If you haven't seen this, go find it. It's a TV movie directed by a young Michael Mann. Yeah, that Michael Mann. Strauss plays a lifer in Folsom Prison who becomes a world-class runner behind bars. He actually trained with the inmates. It won him an Emmy, and rightfully so. It’s gritty, lean, and lacks all the fluff you usually see in 70s television.
Masada (1981)
Then came Masada. This was peak epic television. Massive sets in the Israel desert, thousands of extras, and a face-off between Strauss as Eleazar ben Yair and the titan Peter O’Toole. While O’Toole did his usual scene-stealing thing, Strauss held his own as the leader of the Jewish zealots. It’s one of those "they don't make 'em like this anymore" productions. No CGI, just heat, sand, and two actors yelling at each other about freedom.
Shifting Gears: The 90s and Beyond
As the 80s faded, the massive, multi-night miniseries started to go out of style. Audiences wanted different things, and Strauss had to pivot. He started taking on roles that subverted his "heroic lead" image.
🔗 Read more: Ashley My 600 Pound Life Now: What Really Happened to the Show’s Most Memorable Ashleys
One of the most talked-about projects from this era was Men Don’t Tell (1993). He played a husband who was physically abused by his wife. At the time, nobody was talking about that. It was a brave choice for an actor known for his "leading man" stoicism. He also did a fair share of voice work. You might recognize his voice as Justin, the Captain of the Guard, in the animated classic The Secret of NIMH. He’s got that voice that sounds like expensive leather—smooth but tough.
In the 2000s, he popped up in places you might not expect. He played the President in xXx: State of the Union. He was Mandy Moore’s dad in License to Wed. He even did a guest spot on Law & Order: SVU that reminded everyone he still has that "look" that can chill a room.
A Selection of Key Peter Strauss Movies and TV Shows:
- Rich Man, Poor Man (1976) – The definitive 70s miniseries.
- The Jericho Mile (1979) – Emmy-winning prison drama.
- Masada (1981) – Historical epic alongside Peter O'Toole.
- The Secret of NIMH (1982) – Voice of Justin (Iconic 80s animation).
- Spacehunter: Adventures in the Forbidden Zone (1983) – A rare 3D sci-fi detour.
- Kane & Abel (1985) – Another massive bestseller adaptation.
- Men Don't Tell (1993) – Groundbreaking TV movie about domestic abuse.
- Operation Finale (2018) – Supporting role in the hunt for Adolf Eichmann.
- The Killer's Game (2024) – Recent action appearance.
Why We Don't See Many Like Him Anymore
The industry changed. Today, we have "prestige TV," which is basically just the miniseries format rebranded for HBO or Netflix. But Peter Strauss lived in a time when there were only three channels. If you were the star of a miniseries, everyone saw you.
💡 You might also like: Album Hopes and Fears: Why We Obsess Over Music That Doesn't Exist Yet
He also wasn't afraid to walk away. Strauss is a famously private guy. He runs a citrus production business in California and has been heavily involved in conservation. There's even a "Peter Strauss Ranch" in the Santa Monica Mountains that's part of the National Park Service. He basically bought a rundown property, restored it, and gave it back to the public. That's a pretty cool legacy to have outside of Hollywood.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're looking to explore the Peter Strauss movies and tv shows catalog, don't just stick to the hits.
- Watch "The Jericho Mile" first. It’s the most "modern" feeling of his early work because of Michael Mann’s direction.
- Look for his voice work. The Secret of NIMH is a masterpiece of dark animation, and his performance is a big reason why.
- Check out his late-career guest spots. Seeing him in Royal Pains or Dirty Sexy Money shows an actor who is comfortable in his skin and doesn't need to be the "rich man" anymore.
Start with Rich Man, Poor Man to understand the history of television, then jump to Operation Finale to see how he's aged into a distinguished character actor. You'll see a career that wasn't about being a "movie star" in the traditional sense, but about being the most reliable guy on the screen for fifty years.