SCOTT GLENN

Name & Age

• Full Name: Theodore Scott Glenn

• Date of Birth: January 26, 1939

• Age: 86 years old (as of 2025) 

Place of Birth & Ancestry

• Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, Glenn grew up in the Appalachian region .

• He descends from a rich blend of Scotch-Irish, Northern Irish, Irish, English, French, and some Native American roots .

Early Life & Educational Pursuits

• As a child, Glenn suffered serious health issues—including a year‑long bout with scarlet fever—which doctors feared would leave him with a permanent limp .

• Determined, he trained rigorously in boxing, wrestling, and tang soo do, ultimately regaining full mobility .

• He graduated high school in Pittsburgh and earned a B.A. in English from the College of William & Mary in 1961 .

• Glenn then served for three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by a stint reporting for the Kenosha News in Wisconsin .

Transition into Acting

• Aspiring initially to be a writer, Glenn discovered his dialogue skills lacking—and pivoted to acting, taking classes under William Hickey .

• He moved to New York in 1966, joined George Morrison’s acting class and performed at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club .

• In 1968, he was accepted into The Actors Studio, marking the beginning of his professional journey in theater and television .

• Glenn made his Broadway debut in The Impossible Years (1965) and debuted in film with The Baby Maker (1970) .

Career Breakthrough & Highlights

• His first major cinematic recognition came with Robert Altman’s Nashville (1975), playing Pfc. Glenn Kelly .

• He rose to fame with key supporting roles:

  • Urban Cowboy (1980) as Wes Hightower

  • The Right Stuff (1983) as astronaut Alan Shepard

  • Silverado (1985)

• The 1990s propelled him further with roles as Captain Bart Mancuso in The Hunt for Red October (1990) and Jack Crawford in The Silence of the Lambs (1991) .

• Later, he appeared in Absolute Power (1997), Training Day (2001), The Bourne Ultimatum (2007), The Bourne Legacy (2012), The Leftovers (2014–2017), and portrayed “Stick” in Netflix’s Daredevil (2015–2016) and The Defenders (2017) .

Personal Life & Passions

• Glenn has been married to Carol Schwartz since 1968; together they have two daughters, Rio and Dakota .

• He converted to Judaism upon marriage .

• Dividing his time between New York, Ketchum (Idaho), and Mexico, Glenn remains fiercely active—continuing martial arts, spear-fishing, and skydiving well into his 80s .

Legacy & Screen Presence

Scott Glenn’s career, spanning over six decades, showcases his remarkable adaptability and craft. From grizzled military officers to hardened crime figures, he has consistently delivered authentic, profound character portrayals. His dedication to physical fitness and role research informs his performances—like shadowing real firefighters for Backdraft .
At 86, he continues to challenge himself with nuanced roles, such as his unexpected appearance in HBO’s The White Lotus Season 3—proving that his legacy and presence on-screen remain undeniable .

Scott Glenn’s life is a testament to resilience—from overcoming early health issues to forging a memorable artistic path. His fusion of physical discipline, raw emotional resonance, and ongoing curiosity makes him one of cinema's most compelling character actors.