As one of Hollywood’s leading men, Bruce Boxleitner has starred in a major motion picture franchise, numerous feature films, several popular television series, produced a major network film and TV series, performed on Broadway, and authored two
science fiction novels.
Boxleitner received his formal acting training on stage. A native Midwesterner, he is an alumnus of Chicago’s prestigious Goodman Theatre. In 1972, he starred in the Broadway production of Status Quo Vadis with Ted Danson. He then relocated to Los Angeles and quickly landed a guest spot on the legendary TV series “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” as well as numerous guest roles on series, including “Hawaii 5-0,” “Baretta,” “Police Woman” and “Gunsmoke.”
Boxleitner's big break occurred when he was cast opposite James Arness in the pilot for the epic TV series “How the West Was Won.” He went on to star in the CBS series “Bring ’em Back Alive,” mini-series “East of Eden” and TV movie “The Last Convertible.”
In 1982, Boxleitner was cast as the title role in Disney’s cult film TRON which garnered him science fiction fans worldwide. However, it was in Boxleitner’s four-year run for CBS’ “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” starring opposite Kate Jackson, which endeared him to fans everywhere and made him a household name. In 1994, Boxleitner joined the cast of the popular TV series “Babylon 5” as John Sheridan, President of the Interstellar Alliance, a war hero-turned-diplomat at the helm of Earth Alliance Space Station in the year 2259. The show aired for five seasons.
Boxleitner most recently starred with Jeff Bridges in TRON: Legacy, the popular motion picture sequel to TRON. The cast includes Garrett Hedlund and Olivia Wilde. In addition, Boxleitner reprised his role in “TRON: Uprising” on Disney’s XD TV network, his first animated TV series. The multi-talented cast includes Elijah Wood, Mandy Moore, Lance Henriksen and Paul Reubens. The original TRON celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2012.
Several motion pictures include Gods and Generals with Robert Duvall, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Lang and Mira Sorvino; The Babe with John Goodman and Kelly McGillis; Kuffs with Christian Slater; and The Baltimore Bullet with James Coburn. Numerous TV movie credits include “The Secret” with Kirk Douglas; “Perfect Family” with Jennifer O’Neal and Joanna Cassidy; “Double Jeopardy” with Rachel Ward, Sally Kirkland and Sela Ward; “Passion Flower” with Barbara Hershey and Nicol Williamson; and Hallmark Channel movies “Love’s Resounding Courage” and “Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door,” among many others. The veteran actor has appeared in numerous recurring roles on TV series including “GCB” and “Heroes,” and has guest-starred on “NCIS” and “Chuck,” among others.
A skilled horseman, Boxleitner utilized his talents in numerous Western TV series and films, including Kenny Rogers’ television movie series “The Gambler” that aired on CBS and NBC, starring opposite Rogers; “Gunsmoke V: One Man’s Justice” with James Arness (Arness’ final film); CBS’ remake of “Red River” with Gregory Harrison, James Arness and Laura Johnson; “Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone” with Hugh O'Brian; and “Down the Long Hills,” based on legendary western author Louis L’Amour’s novel of the same name.
Boxleitner was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City in April 2012, honoring him for his illustrious career in western films. He is a two-time recipient of the Wrangler Award.
In 2013, Boxleitner co-starred with Andie MacDowell and Dylan Neal for three seasons in Hallmark Channel’s #1-rated cable program and first-ever primetime series, “Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove,” to rave reviews and an average of two million viewers. In 2017, Boxleitner joined Neal once again, along with Brooke Burns, in “Eat, Drink & Be Buried: A Gourmet Detective Mystery,” the fourth installment of the successful Hallmark Movies & Mysteries movie franchise, “The Gourmet Detective.” In October 2019, he starred in “MatchMaker Mysteries: A Killer Engagement,” the first installment of the new Hallmark Movies & Mysteries franchise. Most recently, he starred in “Holiday Date,” which premiered on Hallmark Channel as part of its “Countdown to Christmas” programming event.
Boxleitner has authored two novels, Frontier Earth in 1999, and its sequel Frontier Earth: Searcher” in 2001, both published by The Berkley Publishing Group.
Bruce Boxleitner resides in Los Angeles with his wife, publicist Verena King, and has three sons and a granddaughter: Sam, Lee, Michael and Lulabelle.
