Cast & creator
Dennis Dugan
Best known for The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, Columbo, Columbo
Dennis Dugan (born September 5, 1946) is an American director, comedian, and actor. He started his acting career after appearing in the 1973 made-for-TV movie” The Girl Most Likely to...” He is well known for his frequent collaborations with comedic actor Adam Sandler, directing several films including “Happy Gilmore” and “Grown Ups.” Dennis has also made a career as a television and film director, and appears in cameo parts in many of his films. Dugan has directed episodes of such television series as Moonlighting (was also a guest star in some episodes), Ally McBeal, and NYPD Blue. Dugan married actress Joyce Van Patten in 1973 and divorced her fourteen years later. Now he is married to Sharon O'Connor and has a son named Kelly Dugan.
Also known as: Walter Bishop
62
film credits
36
television credits
60
1962–2025 · acting roles
6.4
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (98)
Showing 98 of 98 credits
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Columbo
Theodore 'Mac' Albinsky
1971Columbo
Director
1971
Chicago Hope
Director
1994
M*A*S*H
Bob Wilson
1972
NYPD Blue
Director
1993
L.A. Law
Roy Tomba
1986
Hill Street Blues
1981
The Rockford Files
Richie Brockelman
1974
St. Elsewhere
Corky
1982
The Waltons
1972
Cannon
1971
Alice
Joel Snedeger
1976
Moonlighting
Cy
1985Moonlighting
Walter Bishop
1985Moonlighting
Director
1985
Hunter
Director
1984
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Director
1989
Grown Ups
Referee
2010Grown Ups
Director
2010
Ally McBeal
Director
1997
Wiseguy
Director
1987
Hope & Faith
Director
2003
Police Story
1973
Grown Ups 2
Dr. Larry
2013Grown Ups 2
Director
2013
Burke's Law
Director
1994
Just Go with It
Director
2011
You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Homeless Guy
2008You Don't Mess with the Zohan
Director
2008
That's My Boy
School Janitor
2012That's My Boy
Executive Producer
2012
Happy Gilmore
Doug Thompson
1996Happy Gilmore
Director
1996
The Sixth Sense
1972
Love Boat: The Next Wave
Director
1998
Rich Man, Poor Man
Claude Tinker
1976
Happy Gilmore 2
Doug Thompson
2025Happy Gilmore 2
Executive Producer
2025
Big Daddy
Reluctant Trick-or-Treat Giver (uncredited)
1999Big Daddy
Director
1999
I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Cab Driver
2007I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry
Director
2007
Jack and Jill
Al Pacino's Standby
2011Jack and Jill
Director
2011
Supertrain
Jack Hogarth
1979
Problem Child
All American Dad
1990Problem Child
Director
1990
Knox Goes Away
Philo Jones
2024
National Security
Director
2003
Can't Buy Me Love
David Miller
1987
Shasta McNasty
Director
1999
Marker
Director
1995
Shadow Chasers
Edgar "Benny" Benedek
1985
The Benchwarmers
Coach Bellows
2006The Benchwarmers
Director
2006
The Howling
Chris
1981
Good Heavens
1976
Beverly Hills Ninja
Director
1997
Saving Silverman
Referee
2001Saving Silverman
Director
2001
The Byrds of Paradise
Director
1994
Parenthood
David Brodsky
1989
Scene of the Crime
1985
Love, Weddings & Other Disasters
Eddie Stone
2020Love, Weddings & Other Disasters
Story
2020Love, Weddings & Other Disasters
Original Music Composer
2020Love, Weddings & Other Disasters
Director
2020Love, Weddings & Other Disasters
Screenplay
2020
Night Moves
boy
1975The Mullets
Director
2003
The Day of the Locust
Apprentice #3
1975
The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking
Mr. Settigren
1988
She's Having a Baby
Bill
1988
Night Call Nurses
Kit
1972
Torrente 5: Operation Eurovegas
Script Consultant
2014
Grown Ups 3
Empire
Ben Christian
1984
The Hospital
E.R. Doctor (uncredited)
1971
The Girl Most Likely To...
Charlie Elliott
1973
Water
Rob
1985
Smile
Logan
1975
Norman... Is That You?
Garson Hobart
1976
Harry and Walter Go to New York
Lewis
1976
Brain Donors
Director
1992
The Toughest Man in the World
Dick
1984
Unidentified Flying Oddball
Tom Trimble
1979
Father There is Only One 4
Director Película
2024
Richie Brockelman, Private Eye
Richie Brockleman
1978
Richie Brockelman: The Missing 24 Hours
Richard 'Richie' Brockelman
1976
Deer in the Works
David Potter
1980
Karroll's Christmas
Door Knocker
2004Karroll's Christmas
Director
2004
Death Race
Pvt. Becker
1973
The Shaggy Dog
Director
1994Last of the Good Guys
Officer Johnny Lucas (uncredited)
1978
Channel 99
1988
Country Gold
Darryl Appleby
1982