Dennis Quaid has been charming audiences for decades with his memorable leading roles in box office hits like The Parent Trap and The Rookie. Born in Huston, Texas, Quaid attended the University of Texas, but right before graduating, he decided to drop out and move to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting. He made his feature film debut in an uncredited role in the 1975 film Crazy Mama starring Cloris Leachman.
Quaid initially gained recognition for his roles in Breaking Away and The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, but his performance in The Right Stuff solidified him as a promising male lead. The actor has starred in multiple modern classics, including Any Given Sunday and Traffic, and the film fanatics on IMDb love rating their favorite Dennis Quaid movies, with some earning high marks on the popular database.
15 'Great Balls of Fire!' (1989)
IMDb Rating: 6.3/10
Up and coming, Jerry Lee Lewis, was meant for the spotlight and after recording his first album, his cousin and pastor, Jimmy Swaggart (Alec Baldwin) tries to steer him onto the path of God and away from the "devil" music known as Rock n' Roll. As Lewis' music climbs the charts, he begins to conquer the music world, but when he starts a forbidden romance with his 13-year-old cousin, Myra (Winona Ryder), their relationship could ruin his chance of becoming a star.
In one of his first major leading roles, Quaid stars as Rock n' Roll singer and pianist, Jerry Lee Lewis, in Great Balls of Fire!, which is named after Lewis' most popular song still referenced in films today. While the movie surrounds one of the most controversial figures in the music industry, Quaid gives an uproaring performance that perfectly emulates Lewis' iconic stage persona.
14 'The Parent Trap' (1998)
IMDb Rating: 6.6/10
When Nick Parker and Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson) divorced, each of them took one of their twin daughters, Annie and Hallie (Lindsay Lohan), and moved to opposite sides of the world, never revealing to either of the girls about one another. While away at camp for the summer, the girls meet for the first time and decide to hatch a plan to switch places and try to get their parents back together, but their scheme hits a snag when they learn that their dad is engaged.
The Parent Trap is a modernized remake of the classic 1961 Disney movie by the same name starring Hayley Mills, Maureen O'Hara, and Brian Keith. Of course, Lohan is the breakthrough star of the film, but Quaid and Richardson have a charming on-screen chemistry that is just enough to avoid taking away from the general comedy of the movie. Unlike a majority of remakes, The Parent Trap is one that succeeds where others fail as a fun-filled family movie that is also a fitting homage to the original.
The Parent Trap
PG Release Date July 28, 1998 Director Nancy Meyers Cast Lindsay Lohan , Dennis Quaid , natasha richardson , Elaine Hendrix , Lisa Ann Walter , Simon Kunz Runtime 127 Main Genre Adventure13 'Wyatt Earp' (1994)
IMDb Rating: 6.7/10
In The Wild West, Wyatt Earp (Kevin Costner) is a well-respected sheriff who is known for his undying loyalty and his impressive gunfighting skills. With the help of his brothers and friend, Doc Holliday, Earp wages war on the notorious Clanton and McLaury gangs and sets out to establish law and order in the lawless Old West.
Wyatt Earp is based on the true story of the Western legend, Wyatt Earp, and his journey from a farm boy in Iowa to becoming one of the most feared lawmen all the way up to the feud in Tombstone, Arizona, and the famous shootout at the O.K. Corral. Quaid stars as Earp's longtime friend and sharpshooter, Doc Holliday, and despite initial negative and mixed reviews of the film, Quaid still gives a powerhouse performance as the witty silver-tongued Holliday.
Wyatt Earp
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Release Date June 24, 1994 Director Lawrence Kasdan Cast Kevin Costner , Dennis Quaid , Gene Hackman , Bill Pullman , Catherine O'Hara , JoBeth Williams , Tom Sizemore , Mark Harmon , Jeff Fahey , Isabella Rossellini Runtime 190 minutes Main Genre Western12 'Any Given Sunday' (1999)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Four years ago, football coach, Tony D'Amato (Al Pacino) and his team, the Miami Sharks, were at the top of their game, but now after three consecutive losses, poor crowd attendance, and an aging quarterback, Jack "Cap" Rooney, D'Amato and the Sharks are struggling to get back their winning edge. While D'Amato deals with his failing marriage and estranged children off the field, the pressure mounts when the team's new co-owner and president (Cameron Diaz) is determined to develop a winning team with or without D'Amato.
Any Given Sunday is an essential sports movie directed by Oliver Stone and, unlike other football films, the film features an accurate look into every possible perspective in the world of professional football. Quaid gives a stellar performance as the team's quarterback, Rooney, and film critic Roger Ebert gave the movie three out of four stars, noting the dramatic scenes as the real heart of the beloved, star-studded film.
11 'The Rookie' (2002)
IMDb Rating: 6.9/10
Jim Morris was a minor-league baseball pitcher who had the potential to make it in the big leagues, but after suffering from a serious shoulder injury, his career ended. Now, working as a high school chemistry teacher and baseball coach, Jim's team makes a deal with him; if they win the upcoming district championship, then Morris has to try out for the major leagues.
Quaid stars in the epic underdog film, The Rookie, which tells the incredible true story of Jim Morris who made his major league debut at the age of 35, becoming one of the biggest comeback stories in sports history. Quaid brings an authentic and emotional honesty to the role that captures the hearts of audiences and instills in them that anything is possible long after the end credits are through rolling.
10 'Playing by Heart' (1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.0/10
In Los Angeles, California, several individuals are caught up in their own romantic situations, including an elderly married couple (Sean Connery, Gena Rowlands) who are renewing their vows and an aspiring actress (Angelina Jolie) pursuing a shy young man (Ryan Phillippe). While the characters are strangers to one another, each of their stories brings them together through the unexplainable power of love.
Playing by Heart is a romantic dramedy that features an ensemble cast that also includes Gillian Anderson, Jon Stewart, Ellen Burstyn, and Patricia Clarkson. Quaid steps away from his typical good guy characters and takes on the role of Hugh, an unhappily married man who enjoys flirting with other women at bars and telling them various lies to earn their sympathy. Despite mixed reviews, Playing by Heart is a touching film and gives a rather authentic view into the world of modern romance.
9 'Savior' (1998)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
After his family is killed in a terrorist attack in Paris, military specialist Joshua Rose joins the Foreign Legion and becomes a mercenary known as "Guy." While fighting with local troops, he witnesses the horrors and brutality against innocent people, and when he encounters Vera (Natasa Ninkovic), a young woman who is to be executed, he rediscovers his humanity and fights to save her.
Directed by Ivana Stevens and Peter Antonijevic, the intense and riveting Savior is inspired bytrue events surrounding the 1990s ethnic conflicts between Serbia and surrounding states. Savior received three out of four stars from Roger Ebert, who noted the film's "brutally honest" and vital message of how prejudice and discrimination can often be misconstrued as acts of patriotism.
8 'The Express: The Ernie Davis Story' (2008)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
In the 1940s, Ernie Davis (Rob Brown) is a young Black man living in poverty who overcomes incredible obstacles to join the football team at Syracuse University. With the help of his coach, Ben Schwartzwalder, he establishes himself as one of the team's best players, breaking down racial barriers and changing college football forever. Quaid stars in the film as Davis' coach, Schwartzwalder, who sees beyond Davis' skin color and helps him find his true potential as both an all-star athlete and a trailblazer.
The Express: The Ernie Davis Story is based on the inspirational true story of Ernie Davis, the first Black football player to win the Heisman Trophy in 1961. The movie earned a majority of positive reviews from critics, who praised the film's approach and Quaid's performance as Schwartzwalder. The Ernie Davis Story might not be among the best sports movies of the 21st century, but it remains a solid and heartfelt film for fans of crowd-pleasing stories.
The Express
PG Release Date October 10, 2008 Director Gary Fleder Cast Rob Brown , Dennis Quaid , Darrin Dewitt Henson , Omar Benson Miller , Nelsan Ellis , Charles S. Dutton Runtime 129 Main Genre Biography7 'A Dog's Purpose' (2017)
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
When a dog (Josh Gad) develops an unbreakable bond with a young boy, Ethan, he is reincarnated over several decades and teaches each of its owners about love, kindness, and compassion. Even though each life is any dog's dream, he never forgets about Ethan, who is now grown and runs his own farm, eventually finding his way back to his best friend.
The comedy-drama A Dog's Purpose is an adaptation of the 2010 book directed by Lasse Hallström, best known for The Cider House Rules and What's Eating Gilbert Grape. During an interview with Reader's Digest, Quaid compared the movie to Disney's film, Old Yeller, "Minus the sad ending," and believes A Dog's Purpose is destined to become another canine classic in the years to come. Here's hoping, Dennis.
A Dog's Purpose
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Release Date January 19, 2017 Director Lasse Hallström Cast Britt Robertson , Dennis Quaid , Peggy Lipton , Josh Gad , K.J. Apa , Logan Miller Runtime 120 Main Genre Comedy6 'Far From Heaven' (2002)
IMDb Rating: 7.3/10
Set in 1957, Cathy Whitaker (Julianne Moore) and her husband, Frank, are a wealthy suburban couple who appear to be a traditional American family. When she discovers that Frank has secretly been seeing men, Cathy realizes their life is anything but perfect. As Cathy tries to keep her marriage together, she crosses into scandalous territory when she starts spending time with a young Black man and gardener, Raymond (Dennis Haysbert).
Far From Heaven is a period drama that boldly explores social views on race, sexual orientation, and gender roles in America during the 1950s. The movie serves as an homage to Douglas Sirk's classic films such as Imitation of Life, Written on the Wind, and the Rock Hudson classicAll That Heaven Allows. Much like Sirk's work, Far From Heaven doesn't attempt to sugarcoat the harsh realities and strenuous obstacles that many were faced with at the time.
Far From Heaven
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Release Date September 2, 2002 Director Todd Haynes Cast Julianne Moore , Dennis Quaid , Dennis Haysbert , Patricia Clarkson , Viola Davis , James Rebhorn Runtime 107 Main Genre Drama5 'Frequency' (2000)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
When New York City detective John Sullivan (Jim Caviezel) was six years old, his father, Frank, was killed in an explosion. On the anniversary of his father's tragic death, he has a conversation with a stranger over an old radio, and after a while, he realizes that he's talking to his father on the day of his death in 1969.
Frequency centers around the age-old idea of altering the past and reveals the dire consequences that are to follow. The movie received generally favorable reviews from critics and outlets, with praise going to Quaid and Caviezel's performance. An underrated sci-fi movie of the 2000s, Frequency is intriguing, remarkably clever, and surprisingly suspenseful, resulting in a fascinating film that deserves more attention.
Frequency
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Release Date April 28, 2000 Director Gregory Hoblit Cast Dennis Quaid , James Caviezel , Shawn Doyle , Elizabeth Mitchell , Andre Braugher , Noah Emmerich Runtime 118 Main Genre Crime 4 'A Dog's Journey' (2019)
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Bailey (Josh Gad) is living his best life with his owner, Ethan, and his family, developing a strong connection with Ethan's young granddaughter, CJ. When CJ's mother, Gloria (Betty Gilpin), takes her away, Bailey is devastated by her unexpected absence; as he prepares to leave this life to start another, he vows to find CJ and protect her at any cost.
A Dog's Journey is a sequel to A Dog's Purpose and an adaptation of Cameron's 2012 book by the same title. Despite a low performance at the box office, A Dog's Journey is a fitting, bittersweet continuation of Ethan and Bailey's incredible story featuring one of Quaid's most wholesome performances. Sad movies about dogs will always make audiences cry, but A Dog's Journey offers more than just sentimental antics; it's a sweet and rewarding family movie with plenty of heart.
3 'Traffic' (2000)
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
In San Diego, a major DEA investigation leads to the arrest of a drug lord, Carlos Ayala (Steven Bauer), who discovers one of his dealers (Miguel Ferrer) betrayed him in exchange for immunity. As Ayala tries to find a way to stop his case from going to trial, he learns that the dealer is just a small cog in a much bigger plan involving his trusted associate, Arnie (Quaid), who is secretly working as an informant for the FBI.
Steven Soderbergh's criminal drama Trafficshowcases several perspectives in the world of illegal drug trade, ranging from traffickers, users, and law enforcement. Quaid co-stars as Ayala's back-stabbing partner in crime, Arnie, alongside an array of all-stars, including Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Benicio del Toro, and James Brolin. Traffic received several Academy Award nominations and won four, including Best Screenplay, Best Director for Soderbergh, and Best Supporting Actor.
Traffic
R Release Date March 23, 2000 Director Steven Soderbergh Cast Benicio Del Toro , Jacob Vargas , Andrew Chavez , Michael Saucedo , Tomas Milian , Jose Yenque Runtime 147 Main Genre Crime2 'Breaking Away' (1979)
IMDb Rating: 7.7/10
Recent high school graduates Dave (Dennis Christopher), Cyril (Daniel Stern), Moocher (Jackie Earle Haley), and Mike (Quaid) are spending their final summer in Bloomington, Indiana, figuring out what they want to do with their lives. Unlike his friends, Dave is obsessed with the Italian scene of competitive bike racing, and when he wins a Masi bike, his friends convince him to enter Indiana University's famous Little 500 bike race.
Breaking Away is an inspirational coming-of-age movie named one of the all-time best sports movies by the AFI. Filmed on location in Bloomington, Indiana, Breaking Away was a pivotal role for Quaid, who delivered a charming performance that caught the attention of critics and audiences. The light-hearted comedy earned several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director and won for Best Original Screenplay.
Breaking Away
PGComing-of-AgeComedyDrama Release Date July 13, 1979 Director Peter Yates Cast Dennis Christopher , Dennis Quaid , Daniel Stern , Jackie Earle Haley , Barbara Barrie , Paul Dooley Runtime 1011 'The Right Stuff' (1983)
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
After Russia successfully launches a satellite, the U.S. government pressures NASA to beat Russia in the Space Race and become the first country to send a human into space. Following extensive testing, seven astronauts - John Glenn (Ed Harris), Alan Shepard (Scott Glenn), Donald Slayton (Scott Paulin), Gus Grissom (Fred Ward), Gordon Cooper (Quaid), and Scott Carpenter (Charles Frank) - are selected for the first human spaceflight, Project Mercury.
The Right Stuff is a historical drama about the Mercury Seven crew, who participated in several successful space missions and essentially established the image of the American astronaut. While the movie was a flop at the box office, it earned positive reviews from critics and is now widely considered among the best movies about the space race. The Right Stuff earned eight Academy Award nominations and won four, including Best Original Score, Best Film Editing, and Best Sound.
The Right Stuff
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Release Date October 20, 1983 Director Philip Kaufman Cast Sam Shepard , Scott Glenn , Ed Harris , Dennis Quaid , Fred Ward , Barbara Hershey Runtime 193ncG1vNJzZmibn6G5qrDEq2Wcp51ksaa6zaKqZqmllralecGeqq1lnaTDqrHSZqmappuasW61zJ2ZaA%3D%3D