Peter Coyote is a name synonymous with depth, versatility, and an unmissable screen presence. From his distinctive voice narrations to his iconic film roles, Coyote’s career has spanned decades, with performances that have made a significant impact in both mainstream and indie cinema. Below, we’ll dive into a selection of his top peter coyote movies, showcasing his range as an actor. If you’re curious about what makes Peter Coyote stand out, here’s a deep dive into some of his finest works!
E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
ET was one of those classic, timeless films that even in 2002, was shown on TV at least once a year. Spielberg’s classic sci-fi film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial with Peter Coyote in the small side role as government scientist ‘Keys’. It is a minor role but that brings an air of quiet authority and kindness to the Coyote character. The film has something to which very few people can relate friendship and empathy between a boy and an alien, yet Coyote fits perfectly into this heartwarming story. The alien’s intentions, after all, take a while to comprehend, so with the audience going on this journey of discovery, Mudford becomes stately important.
Bitter Moon (1992)
In the dark erotic thriller Bitter Moon, Peter Coyote is Oscar, a self-loathing alcoholic writer in a wheelchair under the direction of Roman Polanski. This film is not only about the wonderful relationship between humans, but also performed by an unforgettable haunting—Linda Coyote. Miles depicts Oscar, a man who preys upon others and carries them on an emotional whirlwind of romance, infatuation, and vengeance with unfiltered bravery. The film is distressing, but Coyote’s performance has such unusual subtlety you cannot turn away.
Jagged Edge (1985)
Taut courtroom drama with Peter Coyote as the merciless Prosecutor Thomas Krasny. The film details a high-profile murder trial, where Coyote’s character battles against Glenn Close as the defense attorney. His performance is fierce and commanding, creating an additional layer of tension in the narrative. While noted for his portrayals of morally ambiguous figures, Coyote excels in Jagged Edge as he projects a sense of someone who might be up to no good, which heightens the drama until it skids over the finish line.
Cross Creek (1983)
Based on the life of The Yearling author Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, for biography lovers. Norton Baskin (Peter Coyote), a local shopkeeper and boyfriend of Rawlings. He is soft yet persuasive in his character, gripping the film with emotional support. The dynamics of Baskin and Rawlings are complex, and Coyote brings to life the tortured relationship of a man searching for some way to support an intelligent, capable woman. He is really subtle but very impressing, which makes this one of his highlights fabulously.
Sphere (1998)
Thompson James Morrison Peter Coyote. In this science fiction thriller, Captain Harold Barnes (Peter Coyote) heads a group of researchers working on an undersea research habitat. Michael Crichton’s novel is adapted into a film that looks at things we’re afraid of, but who or what really endangers us? The film was a critical disappointment but it’s hard to see how the doctor could have been played better — undoubtedly partially down to Coyote’s assured performance. As the mission falls apart, Coyote emerges as a metaphor for the collective mental breakdown of the group…He’s in charge, but also feels on the verge.
Outrageous Fortune (1987)
Outrageous Fortune, while not exactly an Outrageously good film, it was a solid action-comedy featuring Peter Coyote in one of his lighter roles alongside Bette Midler and Shelley Long. As the charming yet duplicitous Michael Sanders, Coyote brings all his trademark intensity to the comedic role. His figure starts off a mad pursuit along the terrain for the two women, and Coyote’s onscreen interplay with his co-stars infuses the picture with an agreeable loopiness. It is a film in which his comedic timing is on full display and is one of the movies fans like most that spotlights his lighter side.
A Walk to Remember (2002)
Peter Coyote is Reverend Sullivan, Jamie (Mandy Moore)’s overly strict but seriously loving father in this emotional romantic drama. Coyote captures the obstructed, and body-contorted desire of a father trying to be as protective as possible while retaining a shred of vulnerability. This results in adding weight to his interactions with his daughter and Shane West’s, Landon emotional arc. A Walk to Remember is a tearjerker, and Coyote as the father drives home just how much, which makes the movie both sweet and bitter for Malone’s viewer of any age.
Heartbreakers (1984)
Filmed against the backdrop of an art world in turmoil, Heartbreakers stars Peter Coyote and Nick Mancuso as two friends alternately breaking each other’s hearts or facing troubling entrées into their professional lives. Coyote is the tortured artist who needs to learn how to find meaning in his work as Arthur Blue. There is a strong sense that this man is barely clinging on in Coyote’s portrayal of a creativity-destroying relationship with the damages-on-failure themes that run through Common Ground, making for powerful stuff. The way that he conveys his character’s emotional struggle is what makes the difference between it being a simple drama and an intense character study.
Tell Me a Riddle (1980)
A young Peter Coyote in Tell Me a Riddle portrays a film about a senior couple accepting the finality of their lives. Coyote is Young David, a hectic ball of energy in a movie primarily concerned with aging and memory. His portrayal is soft and emotional, hinting at a depth he would go on to channel in numerous roles over his career.
Unforgettable (1996)
Coyote will recur on Unforgettable as Detective Don Bresler, an enigmatic detective who aids Ray Liotta’s character in solving his wife’s murder with a dangerous and experimental drug. And then, there’s Coyote, as a villain in the sort of crime drama genre blended with it gave him a morally ambiguous character to explore for his half-noir story line. All of this and his ability to ride the line between professional detachment and inner demons is why Unforgettable remains a top-shelf favorite in the psychological thriller category, and Coyote’s role there would be a crucial part of the craft that offers suspense.
The Bottom LIne
Peter Coyote has been evident on the screen in various genres, which is unique and differentiates him as an actor. From an ethically questionable district attorney, a doting father to a secretive government officer he plays each role with depth. All of his roles portray a different side to him and you definitely should see more than one role if you like quality acting. Whether you are new to his work or simply want to watch one of the greats again, the aforementioned films are a good jumping-off point for exploring Peter Coyote’s remarkable body of acting work.
