Jon Voight, born December 29, 1938, is an Academy Award‑winning actor whose career spans over six decades in film and television. From breakthrough roles like Midnight Cowboy (1969) to award‑winning performances in Coming Home (1978), and later TV stardom in Ray Donovan (2013–2020), Voight’s work showcases remarkable range. This article explores Jon Voight Movies and TV Shows, major awards, career trajectory, critical highlights, and audience favorites—ideal for both fans and SEO-rich discovery.
Early Career & Breakthrough Films
1.Midnight Cowboy (1969)
In Midnight Cowboy, Voight portrays Joe Buck, a naive Texan hustler in New York. The film won Best Picture and made history as the only X‑rated film to claim the Oscar in that category. Voight earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
2. Catch‑22 (1970)
Adapted from Joseph Heller’s novel, Catch‑22 featured Voight as Milo Minderbinder. Although not a commercial hit, the film was critically praised for its dark satire and strong ensemble performance.
3. Deliverance (1972)
Voight starred as Ed Gentry in John Boorman’s thriller Deliverance. A powerhouse performance in a tense, survival‑drama that grossed over $46M on a $2M budget and earned multiple Academy Award nominations. The film is preserved in the U.S. National Film Registry as culturally significant & Desert Bloom (1986)
In Conrack, Voight plays a white teacher forging bonds with African American children—a heartfelt drama exploring racial and educational themes. Desert Bloom features him in a moving story set in 1950s Nevada, dealing with trauma and identity.
Career Highs & Oscar Win
1. Coming Home (1978)
Voight won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role as paraplegic Vietnam veteran Luke Martin. The emotional drama marked a career peak and cemented his standing as a top actor.
2. Runaway Train (1985)
Voight earned an Oscar nomination for his chilling portrayal of escapee Manny in Runaway Train. Critics praised its raw energy and Voight’s intense performance.
Major Movies: 1990s–2000s
Voight continued his cinematic presence with major supporting and lead roles in high‑profile films:
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Heat | Nate |
| 1996 | Mission: Impossible | Jim Phelps (villain) |
| 1997 | The Rainmaker | Leo F. Drummond |
| 1997 | Rosewood | John Wright |
| 1997 | Anaconda, Most Wanted, U Turn | Various |
| 1998 | Enemy of the State | NSA Director Reynolds |
| 2001 | Pearl Harbor | President Roosevelt |
| 2001 | Ali | Howard Cosell |
| 2003 | Holes | Mr. Sir |
| 2004 | The Manchurian Candidate | Senator Thomas Jordan |
| 2004 | National Treasure | Patrick Gates |
| 2007 | Transformers | John Keller |
Voight’s turn as Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1996) transformed a beloved TV character into a cinematic villain, showing his adaptability. His portrayal of Leo Drummond in The Rainmaker delivered gravitas to the legal thriller, receiving strong critical reception. In Enemy of the State, he played a powerful, enigmatic NSA agent in a conspiracy thriller with Will Smith. His supporting turns in Pearl Harbor, Ali, Holes, The Manchurian Candidate, National Treasure, Transformers further showcased versatility across genres.
Later Films (2010s to Present)
1. Major Late-Career Highlights
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (2016): as Henry Shaw Sr., contributing to one of the highest-grossing films of his later career.
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Same Kind of Different as Me (2017) and Woodlawn (2015): faith-based and sports dramas respectively.
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Reagan (2018) and Megalopolis (2024): biopics with Voight in significant roles.
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Mercy (2023): action thriller starring Voight as a doctor defending a hospital under siege by the Irish mob.
Television & TV Movies
Table: Key TV Roles & Miniseries
| Year(s) | TV / Miniseries / Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Chernobyl: The Final Warning | Dr. Robert Gale |
| 1992 | The Rainbow Warrior | Peter Willcox |
| 1993 | Return to Lonesome Dove | Captain Woodrow F. Call |
| 1994 | Seinfeld (S9E5 “Mom & Pop Store”) | Himself |
| 2001 | Uprising | Maj. Gen. Stroop (Emmy nom.) |
| 2005 | Pope John Paul II (miniseries) | Pope John Paul II (Emmy nom.) |
| 2008–2009 | 24: Redemption / 24 | Jonas Hodges (12 episodes) |
| 2010 | Lone Star (2 episodes) | Clint Thatcher |
| 2013–2020 | Ray Donovan | Mickey Donovan (Golden Globe winner, Emmy noms) |
| 2022 | Ray Donovan: The Movie | Mickey Donovan |
Awards & Honors
Jon Voight’s awards include:
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Academy Award for Coming Home (1978); Oscar nominations for Midnight Cowboy, Runaway Train, Ali.
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Golden Globes: New Star of the Year (1970), wins for Coming Home, Runaway Train, Ray Donovan.
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Emmy nominations: for Uprising (2001), Pope John Paul II (2005), and Ray Donovan (2014, 2015, 2016).
Career Legacy & Influence
Voight’s career spans from the 1960s acting renaissance to modern prestige TV. Known for transforming roles—from a Texan hustler in Midnight Cowboy to hardened fixer father in Ray Donovan—he exemplifies adaptability. As of 2025 he remains active, appearing in projects like Megalopolis and Mercy.
In April 2025, Voight was named by former President Trump as a “special ambassador” to Hollywood, advocating federal tax credits and California production incentives to revive domestic filmmaking .
Highlight Table: Must‑Watch Titles
| Category | Film / TV Show | Why It’s Noteworthy |
|---|---|---|
| Breakthrough | Midnight Cowboy (1969) | Oscar‑nominated, historic Best Picture win |
| Drama & Awards | Coming Home (1978) | Earned Voight Oscar for powerful performance |
| Thrillers | Runaway Train (1985), Deliverance (1972) | Tense, intense characters, nominations |
| Blockbusters | Mission: Impossible, Transformers, Fantastic Beasts | High‑profile roles in major franchises |
| Legal / Political | The Rainmaker, Enemy of the State | Intelligent, complex supporting characters |
| TV Stardom | Ray Donovan (2013–2020) | Golden Globe win, Emmy nominations, defining role |
| Recent Films | Reagan (2018), Megalopolis (2024), Mercy (2023) | Relevance and ongoing career momentum |
(FAQs) About Jon Voight Movies and TV Shows
Q1: What are Jon Voight’s most famous movies?
A: His breakout role in Midnight Cowboy (1969) earned him his first Oscar nomination. Other famous films include Coming Home (1978, Oscar win), Runaway Train (1985, Oscar nomination), Deliverance (1972), Mission: Impossible (1996), The Rainmaker, Enemy of the State, National Treasure, and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
Q2: Which TV shows did Jon Voight star in?
A: Jon Voight appeared in TV shows and miniseries such as early roles in Naked City and Gunsmoke (1960s). Later, significant roles include Chernobyl: The Final Warning (1991), Return to Lonesome Dove (1993), Uprising (2001), Pope John Paul II (2005), antagonist Jonas Hodges in 24 (2008–2009), and most notably Ray Donovan (2013–2020).
Q3: What awards has he won for his acting?
A: Voight won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Coming Home. He has Golden Globes for Coming Home, Runaway Train, and Ray Donovan, and was nominated for Emmys for Uprising, Pope John Paul II, and multiple years for Ray Donovan.
Q4: Is Jon Voight still acting in 2025?
A: Yes. Recent credits include Mercy (2023), biopic Reagan (2018, post‑production in 2024), and Megalopolis (2024 release). He also starred in Ray Donovan: The Movie (2022) reprising his iconic role.
Q5: Why is Jon Voight considered a significant Hollywood figure?
A: Beyond his award‑winning performances, Voight’s longevity, adaptability across genres, and recent activism as a “special ambassador” working to restore U.S. film production infrastructure mark him as a key cultural figure from Hollywood’s late 20th century to today.
Conclusion: Jon Voight movies and TV shows
Jon Voight’s career stands as a testament to exceptional talent, adaptability, and enduring relevance in Hollywood. From his iconic performance in Midnight Cowboy to his deeply layered portrayal of Mickey Donovan in Ray Donovan, Voight has continuously reinvented himself across generations. With an Academy Award, multiple Golden Globes, and critical acclaim in both film and television, his contributions span genres and formats—making him one of the most respected actors in the industry.
Whether starring in blockbuster films like Mission: Impossible, National Treasure, or portraying historical figures in Ali and Pope John Paul II, Voight’s work combines emotional depth with powerful storytelling. His recent roles in Mercy and Megalopolis further prove that even after six decades, Jon Voight remains a dynamic force in entertainment.
For fans, cinephiles, or anyone exploring classic and contemporary cinema, revisiting Jon Voight movies and TV shows offers a rich journey through some of the most influential and memorable stories ever told on screen. His body of work doesn’t just reflect an actor’s journey—it reflects the evolution of Hollywood itself.
