History Creator / PeterWeller

Aside from starring in one of the most iconic sci-fi films in all of history, he's also known for roles on stage and television. He often plays {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s and villains, such as [[FantasticRacism Paxton]] in ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'', [[DirtyCop Stan Liddy]] in ''Series/{{Dexter}}'', [[TheSociopath Mr. Yin]] in ''Series/{{Psych}}'' and [[EvilMentor Christopher Henderson]] in ''Series/TwentyFour''. Of course, he's also played sympathetic characters such as [[TheWoobie Alistair Peck]] in Fringe and William Lee, the lead character in Creator/DavidCronenberg's ''Film/NakedLunch''. He's also the voice of Batman in the animated adaptation of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''. He also starred in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' as Admiral Marcus. He has worked a lot as a director in television, as well as directing the short film ''Film/Partners1993''.

In 2019, he reprised the role of [=RoboCop=] as part of UsefulNotes/{{K|entuckyFriedChicken}}FC's "Colonel Sanders" commercials and followed it in 2020 by reprising the role in ''VideoGame/MortalKombat11''.

He also has an extremely cool and instantly recognizable voice. In fact, reread this entry in his voice and see how much cooler it sounds.

* CreatorBacklash: He was not happy with ''Film/RoboCop2''. He criticized the script, saying it lacked the spine and the soul of the original. Weller tried to convince Creator/FrankMiller, Irvin Kershner and the film's producers that the third act needed a morality angle instead of being just a shoot 'em up, but the producers felt the battle between [=RobocCop=] and Cain was sufficient. Despite this, he did enjoy the experience of making the film and liked working with Irvin Kershner.

* TheEveryman: With his lithe physique and clean cut ideal average BoyNextDoor appearance, he can play these roles outside of his antagonist roles. Even his well-known roles as Buckaroo Banzai and [=RoboCop=]'s human identity Murphy can both qualify, to a point they can be shining examples of MundaneMadeAwesome.

* ProductionPosse: He has a two-man one of these going with producer Manny Coto, appearing in ''Series/OdysseyFive'', ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'', ''Series/TwentyFour'', and ''Series/{{Dexter}}'', all Coto-produced shows.

* CreatorBacklash: He was not happy with ''Film/RoboCop2''. He criticized the script, saying it lacked the spine and the soul of the original. Weller tried to convince Creator/FrankMiller, Irvin Kershner and the film's producers that the third act needed a morality angle instead of being just a shoot 'em up, but the producers felt the battle between [=RobocCop=] and Cain was sufficient. This, along with the [[TooBleakStoppedCaring overly dark tone]] and how uncomfortable of the [=RoboCop=] suit was prompted him to not return for [[Film/RoboCop3 the third movie.]] Despite this, he did enjoy the experience of making the film and liked working with Irvin Kershner.

* ''Series/TheLastShip'' (2015-2018) as Paul Vellek

* ''Film/{{Robocop}}'' (1987) as Alex Murphy / Robocop
** ''Film/Robocop2'' (1990)

* BadassBaritone: His voice fits perfectly for such roles.

** * ''Film/Robocop2'' (1990)
* ''Film/{{Leviathan}}'' (1989) as Steven Beck

* ''Series/GuillermoDelTorosCabinetOfCuriosities'' (2022)

Dr. Peter Frederick Weller (born June 24, 1947) is an American actor, director, lecturer and acting heavyweight. If you see him in a film or television show, just know that the quality of whatever you're watching has just gone up. He's undoubtedly known best for his role as Alex J. Murphy, better known as ''Franchise/RoboCop'' (who he played in the first - and best - two films of the series) and loved best for his role as Buckaroo Banzai in the CultClassic ''Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossThe8thDimension''.

[[quoteright:193:[[Series/{{Dexter}} https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/peter-weller-dexter_2584.jpg]]]]
[[caption-width-right:193: [[SeanConneryIsAboutToShootYou Peter Weller Is About To Shoot You]][[note]]So you'd better surrender, [[Film/RoboCop1987 or there will be...trouble]].[[/note]].]]

* PlayingAgainstType: Most of Weller's roles offered to him are peppered with villainous and HateSink roles, such as ''Shoot the Moon'' and ''Firstborn'' as the BastardBoyfriend and most recently ''Series/{{Dexter}}'' and ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness''. Only his notable roles as Buckaroo Banzai and [=RoboCop=] as well several other obscure roles are upstanding and noble heroes in his acting resume.

* ''Film/TheAdventuresOfBuckarooBanzaiAcrossTheEightDimension'' (1984) as Buckaroo Banzai

* ''Film/'' () as
* ''Series/'' () as

Aside from starring in one of the most iconic sci-fi films in all of history, he's also known for roles on stage and television. He often plays {{Ensemble Darkhorse}}s and villains, such as [[FantasticRacism Paxton]] in ''Series/StarTrekEnterprise'', [[DirtyCop Stan Liddy]] in ''Series/{{Dexter}}'', ''[[TheSociopath Mr. Yin]] in Series/{{Psych}}'' and [[EvilMentor Christopher Henderson]] in ''Series/TwentyFour''. Of course, he's also played sympathetic characters such as [[TheWoobie Alistair Peck]] in Fringe and William Lee, the lead character in Creator/DavidCronenberg's ''Film/NakedLunch''. He's also the voice of Batman in the animated adaptation of ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns''. He also starred in ''Film/StarTrekIntoDarkness'' as Admiral Marcus. He has worked a lot as a director in television, as well as directing the short film ''Film/Partners1993''.