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Joel David Moore
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Joel David Moore (born September 25, 1977) is an American character actor and director. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Moore studied acting in college before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue a film career. His first major role was as Owen Dittman in the 2004 comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, followed by roles in the comedy Grandma's Boy (2006), Terry Zwigoff's Art School Confidential (2006), and the independent slasher film Hatchet (2006).
Key Information
In 2008, he was cast in the role of Colin Fisher on the Fox series Bones, a guest role he portrayed in sixteen episodes until the series' conclusion in 2017. In 2009, he was cast as Dr. Norm Spellman in James Cameron's Avatar (2009), a role he reprised for the film's sequels, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025).
Moore has also starred in several music videos, and directed films: His directorial debut was the psychological thriller Spiral (2007), followed by the drama Youth in Oregon (2016). Moore also directed the film Killing Winston Jones which was shot in 2012 but never released.
Early life
[edit]Moore was born on September 25, 1977, in Portland, Oregon,[3][4] the son of Missy (née Irvine) and John Moore.[5] Moore was raised in Portland, where his family resided in the Mount Tabor neighborhood.[5] He graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in 1995.[3][4][5]
After high school, Moore attended Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, for two years. In 1998, he transferred to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree[5] in 2001[3] and performed for two summers at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.[4]
Career
[edit]2000–2007: Early roles
[edit]Before relocating to Hollywood, Moore starred with Gretchen Stouts and Nina Smidt in Tom Monson's Drug Wars, The High Times (1999), a video about underage binge drinking.[6]
In 2000, he moved to Los Angeles, California, and appeared in several television commercials, including ones for eBay, Cingular Wireless, and Best Buy.[7] Moore shot an international campaign for a branch of Siemens cell phones, XELIBRI, which won a Lion Award. Moore made an appearance in the music video for the song "Youth of the Nation" by rap rock band P.O.D.
Moore's first major film role was in 2004's Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story. Between 2004 and 2005, he appeared in a recurring guest role on the NBC series LAX.[8] This was followed by roles in the films Grandma's Boy, and as a jaded art student[9] in Terry Zwigoff's Art School Confidential (both 2006).[10][11] The same year, he also had a lead role in the independent slasher film Hatchet,[11] a bit part in The Shaggy Dog, and a supporting role in El Muerto, based on the eponymous comic book series. Also in 2007, Moore made directorial debut with the psychological thriller Spiral, which he filmed in his hometown of Portland, and co-starred in with Amber Tamblyn.[11]
2008–present: Acting and directing
[edit]In 2008, he was cast in the supporting role of Dr. Norm Spellman in James Cameron's Avatar (2009).[11] The same year, he was cast as intern Colin Fisher on the Fox series Bones,[12] a guest role he would portray across 16 episodes until the series' conclusion in 2017. During the fifth season episode "The Gamer in the Grease", his character invites two other characters, Dr.Jack Hodgins (portrayed by T. J. Thyne) and Dr. Lance Sweets (portrayed by John Francis Daley) to attend the Avatar premiere, in which Moore was also cast. Moore also had a supporting role in Beyond a Reasonable Doubt (2009), a remake of the 1956 film of the same name.[13] He also starred alongside Katy Perry in her 2009 music video for "Waking Up in Vegas".[14]
Other film roles included a supporting part in 2012's Savages, directed by Oliver Stone,[15] and in the crime-thriller Gone (2012), opposite Amanda Seyfried.[15] Moore directed Killing Winston Jones in fall 2012 in Savannah, Georgia, which starred Danny Glover, Jon Heder and Richard Dreyfuss.[16] The film was never released.[17]
He would also reprise his role with a cameo appearance in Hatchet III (2013).[18] During 2014–2015, he had a supporting role in the series Forever, and also in the thriller The Guest (2014),[19] and Joey Ramone in the 2013 historical film CBGB.[20]
In 2016, he directed his second feature, Youth in Oregon, starring Frank Langella, Christina Applegate and Billy Crudup.[11][21] In 2017, it was reported that Moore had signed on to appear in the Avatar sequels, Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025).[22]
Filmography
[edit]Acting roles
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Foxfire | First Geek | |
| 2000 | Drug Wars, The High Times | Jake | |
| 2004 | Raising Genius | Rolf | |
| Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story | Owen Dittman | ||
| 2005 | Reel Guerrillas | Nick Walker | The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning |
| 2006 | Grandma's Boy | J.P. | |
| The Shaggy Dog | Pound employee | ||
| Art School Confidential | Bardo | ||
| Miles from Home | Miles | Short film | |
| The Elder Son | Kenny | ||
| Hatchet | Ben | ||
| 2007 | American Hustle | 3rd Spartan | |
| El Muerto | Issac "Zak" Silver | ||
| Spiral | Mason | Also co-director and co-screenwriter | |
| Shanghai Kiss | Joe Silverman | ||
| 2008 | The Hottie and the Nottie | Nate Cooper | Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Couple (with Paris Hilton) |
| Wieners | Greg King | ||
| The Tiffany Problem | Sam Hane | Short film | |
| Fairy Tale Police | Big Bad Wolf | ||
| 2009 | Beyond a Reasonable Doubt | Corey Finley | |
| Bed Ridden | Jay | Short film | |
| Stuntmen | Troy Lebowski | ||
| Avatar | Dr. Norm Spellman | ||
| 2010 | The Third Rule | Peter | Short film |
| Janie Jones | Dave | ||
| 2011 | Chillerama | Adolf Hitler | Segment: "The Diary of Anne Frankenstein" |
| Grassroots | Grant Cogswell | ||
| Julia X 3D | Sam | ||
| Shark Night | Gordon Guthrie | ||
| 2012 | Gone | Nick Massey | |
| Jewtopia | Adam Lipschitz | ||
| Savages | Craig | ||
| 2013 | Hatchet III | Ben | Cameo |
| CBGB | Joey Ramone | ||
| 2014 | The Guest | Craig | |
| #Stuck | Guy | ||
| Grace: The Possession | Luke | ||
| 2015 | Divine Access | Nigel | |
| 2017 | Drone | Gary | |
| 2020 | Cut Throat City | Peter Felton | |
| The Morning After | Guy | ||
| 2022 | The Immaculate Room | Jason Wright | |
| Daniel's Gotta Die | Daniel Powell | ||
| The Baker | Peter | ||
| Avatar: The Way of Water | Dr. Norm Spellman | ||
| 2023 | The Retirement Plan | Fitzsimmons | |
| 2025 | Kinda Pregnant | Mark | |
| Avatar: Fire and Ash | Dr. Norm Spellman |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | City Guys | Hoover | 1 episode |
| 2001–2002 | Boston Public | Hartzell | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | Deep Cover | Pete Steinem | |
| Boomtown | Usher #2 | Episode: "Insured by Smith & Wesson" | |
| Providence | Howard | Episode: "The Eleventh Hour" | |
| 2003 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | Pete | Episode: "Romance Looming" |
| Angel | Karl Vamp | Episode: "Salvage" | |
| Six Feet Under | Video Clerk | Episode: "The Opening" | |
| Strong Medicine | Dan | Episode: "Bad Liver" | |
| 2004 | The Amazing Westermans | Television film | |
| The Guardian | Malcolm Reeves | Episode: "Sparkle" | |
| 2004–2005 | LAX | Eddie Carson | Recurring role, 9 episodes |
| 2005 | Cooked | Mike | Television film |
| The Inside | Brian Pines | Episode: "Declawed" | |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Guy in the Yellow Hat | Episode: "Dog Eat Dog" | |
| 2005–2006 | E-Ring | Greg – NSA Liaison | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2007 | The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning | Cooter Davenport | Television film |
| House M.D. | Eddie | Episodes: "One Day, One Room", "Act Your Age" | |
| 2008 | My Name Is Earl | Clyde | Episode: "Quit Your Snitchin'" |
| 2008–2017 | Bones | Colin Fisher | Recurring role, 16 episodes |
| 2009–2010 | Medium | Keith Bruning | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Chuck | Mackintosh | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Couch Lock" |
| 2011 | Hawaii Five-0 | Sheldon Tunney | Episode: "Kai e'e" |
| Last Man Standing | Bruce | Episodes: "Pilot", "Grandparents Day" | |
| 2014–2015 | Forever | Lucas Wahl | Main role |
| 2017 | Budding Prospects | Phil | Television film |
| American Housewife | Captain Beauregard | Episode: "Gala Auction" | |
| 2018 | Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. | Noah | Episode: "All the Comforts of Home" |
Music videos
[edit]| Year | Song | Artist | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | "Youth of the Nation" | P.O.D. | |
| 2008 | "Beat It" | Fall Out Boy | |
| 2009 | "Waking Up in Vegas" | Katy Perry | |
| 2010 | "It's Not Christmas Without You" | Katharine McPhee | |
| 2025 | "The Great Unknown" | Ice Nine Kills |
Filmmaking roles
[edit]Feature Film
| Year | Title | Director | Producer | Writer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Spiral | Yes[a] | Executive | Yes | |
| 2012 | Killing Winston Jones | Yes | Executive | No | Cancelled film release |
| 2016 | Youth in Oregon | Yes | No | No | |
| 2021 | Hide and Seek | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2023 | Some Other Woman | Yes | Yes | No |
|
As producer
|
As executive producer
|
Short Film
| Year | Title | Director | Writer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Miles from Home | Yes | Yes |
| 2009 | Found[b] | Yes | No |
| 2010 | Hours Before | Yes | Yes |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Co-directed with Adam Green
- ^ Music video for Byron Phillips
References
[edit]- ^ "Joel Moore files for divorce". Yahoo. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ https://www.instagram.com/p/CHVuJKUhulj/
- ^ a b c Baker, Jeff (April 28, 2014). "18 actors you (maybe) didn't know were from Portland". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
- ^ a b c "Actor Joel David Moore". KATU AM Northwest. June 30, 2014. Archived from the original on June 26, 2015. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Moore, Phyllis (January 2010). "Avatar Scientist" (PDF). The Cherry Pit. Vol. 2, no. 1. CherryWood Village, Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 27, 2014. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ "Drug Wars - The High Times". LifeisGreatProductions.com. Retrieved June 25, 2015.
- ^ Wood, Mark Dundas (January 30, 2008). "Joel David Moore jumps from supporting standout to leading man with two new films". Backstage. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earl F. (2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House. p. 757. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1.
- ^ Scott, A.O. (May 5, 2006). "Majoring in Caricature in 'Art School Confidential'". The New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2016.
- ^ Chang, Justin (March 6, 2005). "Joel David Moore". Variety. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ a b c d e Lincoln, Ross A. (January 30, 2016). "Gersh Signs 'Avatar' Actor & 'Youth In Oregon' Director Joel David Moore". Deadline. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ Bierly, Mandy (December 4, 2009). "'Bones' recap: Cheater, cheater, 'Avatar'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ Schager, Nick (September 8, 2009). "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt Film Review". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ "Katy Perry - Live: Witness World Wide". YouTube. June 11, 2017. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Fernandez, Jay A. (June 22, 2011). "Joel David Moore Joins Oliver Stone's 'Savages'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ Obenson, Tambay (November 20, 2012). "Danny Glover Books Role In Dark Comedy 'Killing Winston Jones' From RadioactiveGiant". Indiewire. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ Caballero, David (August 4, 2022). "Batgirl & 8 Other Movies That Will Go Unreleased". ScreenRant. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ "Joel David Moore Filmography". AllMovie. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ Gingold, Michael (July 8, 2014). "Exclusive photos: Halloween night with Wingard and Barrett's "The Guest"". Fangoria. Archived from the original on October 18, 2017. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ Radish, Christine (October 14, 2013). "Joel David Moore Talks CBGB, Playing Joey Ramone, Finding the Human Being behind the Rock Star, His First Concert and His Latest Directorial Project". Collider. Retrieved October 18, 2017.
- ^ Culhane, Grace (January 31, 2017). "Youth in Oregon Brought to Life by a Stellar Cast". Willamette Week. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
- ^ D'Nuka, Amanda (May 31, 2017). "Joel David Moore Returning For 'Avatar' Sequels". Deadline. Retrieved October 17, 2017.
External links
[edit]Joel David Moore
View on GrokipediaLife and background
Early life and education
Joel David Moore was born on September 25, 1977, in Portland, Oregon, to parents Missy and John Moore.[10] He was raised in the city's Mount Tabor neighborhood.[11] Moore graduated from Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland in 1995.[12] Following high school, he attended Mt. Hood Community College in Gresham, Oregon, for two years before transferring in 1998 to Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon.[13] At Southern Oregon University, he studied acting and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Performing Arts in 2001.[12][14] During his time at Southern Oregon University, Moore performed in productions at the renowned Oregon Shakespeare Festival for a couple of years.[5] In 2000, he relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a professional acting career.[5]Personal life
Moore married Kineret Karen Ben Yishay on January 1, 2009, and the couple separated in June 2011 before finalizing their divorce later that year.[15][16] He later married Katherine Braham, with whom he shares two children: daughter Esme (born 2021) and son Oliver "Ollie" (born c. 2017).[17][18] Moore has described his family as a source of joy, noting in a 2023 interview that he cherishes time with his wife and young children while prioritizing their privacy.[17] Although born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Moore relocated to Los Angeles in 2000 to pursue his acting career and has resided there since, maintaining ties to his Oregon roots through family heritage.[5][4] Moore maintains a low-key approach to his personal life, rarely sharing details beyond occasional family mentions in professional contexts, such as when his son Ollie briefly appeared as baby Neteyam in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), an experience Moore said he hopes will be the child's only early involvement in the industry.[17][19]Career
Early roles (1996–2007)
Moore began his acting career with minor roles in the mid-1990s, securing his first credited film appearance as the "First Geek" in the 1996 coming-of-age drama Foxfire, directed by Annette Haywood-Carter.[20] This small part marked his entry into feature films while he was still studying in Oregon. He supplemented his early resume with uncredited or brief television appearances, building experience in the industry during his college years.[21] After earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts in performing arts from Southern Oregon University in 2001, Moore relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting professionally.[22] The move intensified his efforts, though he faced significant hurdles, auditioning twice daily and receiving around a thousand rejections in his initial years as he sought to break through.[23] These early struggles highlighted the competitive nature of Hollywood for emerging character actors. Moore's breakthrough came in 2004 with the role of Owen Dittman, the awkward and enthusiastic sidekick in the sports comedy Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber and starring Vince Vaughn and Ben Stiller. This performance established him as a comedic talent, showcasing his ability to deliver quirky, memorable supporting characters in ensemble casts. Building on this momentum, he took on the role of J.P., a sleazy video game executive, in the 2006 stoner comedy Grandma's Boy, directed by Nicholaus Goossen, which further solidified his presence in the genre.[24] Concurrently, he appeared in guest spots on popular television series, including as "Guy in the Blue Hat" in the 2005 episode "Dog Eat Dog" of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and as Eddie, a clinic patient, in the 2007 episode "Act Your Age" of House M.D.[25] In 2007, Moore made his directorial debut with Spiral, a psychological thriller he co-wrote, co-produced, and co-directed with Adam Green, while also starring as the lead character, a reclusive telemarketer named Mason.[26] The low-budget independent film, shot primarily in a single location to emphasize isolation and obsession, featured a small cast including Amber Tamblyn and Zachary Levi and premiered at film festivals before a limited release.[27] It received mixed reviews, earning a 50% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its tense atmosphere but critiqued for pacing issues, representing Moore's early foray into multifaceted filmmaking amid his rising acting profile in comedies.[26] These roles often confined him to comedic archetypes, prompting efforts to diversify as his career progressed.Breakthrough and Avatar franchise (2008–2015)
In 2008, Moore landed a recurring role as Colin Fisher, a forensic anthropologist intern known as a "squintern" on the Fox procedural series Bones, replacing the departed Zack Addy and appearing in sixteen episodes through 2015.[28] Fisher was depicted as a nihilistic, pessimistic character with a dark worldview, often delivering morbid observations during investigations at the Jeffersonian Institute, which added a unique edge to the ensemble of rotating interns.[28] This role provided Moore with consistent television exposure on a long-running hit show, allowing him to balance guest spots with his growing film commitments while honing his portrayal of quirky, intellectual types.[29] Moore's career elevated significantly in 2009 with his casting as Dr. Norm Spellman in James Cameron's Avatar, a xenobiologist and avatar driver studying the Na'vi people on Pandora.[30] He joined the production in 2007 after auditioning and testing with Na'vi language phonemes to ensure vocal suitability for the role.[30] The part marked a departure from his earlier comedic supporting roles, positioning him as an earnest scientist whose avatar form facilitated key interactions with the Na'vi, including alliances against human colonizers.[30] Filming involved performance capture on a virtual stage in Los Angeles, where Moore wore motion-capture suits equipped with sensors and helmet-mounted cameras to record facial expressions, transforming his movements into the blue-skinned Na'vi avatar; prior rehearsals in Hawaii emphasized immersion in natural environments to inform the character's bond with Pandora.[30][31] Avatar's unprecedented global success, grossing over $2.8 billion worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing film at the time, catapulted Moore into mainstream recognition, solidifying his typecasting in science-fiction and nerdy expert archetypes while opening doors to higher-profile projects.[30] Though the film earned nine Academy Award nominations, Moore received no individual accolades for his performance. Amid Bones obligations, Moore continued pursuing film work, including a supporting turn as Craig, a tech-savvy associate in the marijuana trade, in Oliver Stone's crime thriller Savages (2012), which explored cartel conflicts in California.[32] In August 2013, Cameron announced an expansion to three Avatar sequels—up from two—intended as a continuous narrative filmed back-to-back, with live-action portions set to begin in New Zealand in early 2015 under producers Cameron and Jon Landau.[33][34] Moore was confirmed to reprise Norm Spellman across the franchise, participating in pre-production preparations that aligned with his Bones schedule, ensuring sustained momentum from the original film's breakthrough.[35] This period highlighted Moore's ability to juggle television stability with blockbuster franchise commitments, as Bones aired through its tenth season by 2015, providing a reliable platform amid the anticipation for Avatar's expansion.[29]Directing and recent projects (2016–present)
In 2016, Moore made his feature directorial debut with Youth in Oregon, a drama exploring themes of family reconciliation and end-of-life decisions through the story of a terminally ill man, Raymond Engersoll (played by Frank Langella), who seeks assisted suicide in Oregon, prompting his reluctant son Brian (Billy Crudup) to drive him there alongside his wife Estelle (Mary Kay Place) and other family members including Kate (Christina Applegate) and David (Josh Lucas).[36][37] The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it received praise for its nuanced handling of moral dilemmas and strong ensemble performances, though critics noted its deliberate pacing sometimes tempered emotional impact.[38][36] Moore continued directing with the 2021 horror-thriller Hide and Seek, a remake of the 2013 South Korean film, in which a wealthy businessman follows his family to a remote island hideaway, uncovering dark secrets amid a survival game gone wrong; the project was developed and financed by CJ Entertainment.) He also helmed the 2024 psychological drama Some Other Woman, which he co-produced through his Balcony 9 banner, following a woman (Amanda Crew) who impersonates another on a tropical island retreat, leading to identity crises and romantic entanglements with characters played by Tom Felton and Ashley Greene; the film premiered at the Mammoth Film Festival and later streamed on Netflix.[8][39] In 2025, Moore directed the dark comedy Killing Winston Jones, starring Richard Dreyfuss as the titular elderly figure and Danny Glover, centered on a teacher's quest to honor his father by naming a school gym after him, blending humor with family tensions.[40] Alongside directing, Moore reprised his role as Dr. Norm Spellman in the Avatar franchise sequels. In Avatar: The Way of Water (2022), directed by James Cameron, Spellman appears as a key ally to the Na'vi, with scenes filmed using advanced underwater performance capture technology developed over principal photography from 2018 to 2020 in New Zealand and Manhattan Beach studios; the film grossed $2.32 billion worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing release of 2022.[41][42] He returned for Avatar: Fire and Ash (2025), where Spellman's arc delves deeper into scientific and ethical conflicts on Pandora, with filming overlapping the prior sequel from 2017 onward and incorporating enhanced CGI for fire effects and immersive practical builds to heighten realism; the film is slated for December 19 release.[42][43] Moore's recent acting credits include Peter in the 2022 vigilante thriller The Baker, portraying the estranged son of a reclusive baker (Ron Perlman) drawn into a criminal conspiracy to protect his daughter.[44] In 2023's The Retirement Plan, he played the henchman Fitzsimmons in an action-comedy involving a grandmother (Nicolas Cage) shielding her family from mobsters.[45] He led as Daniel Powell in the 2025 black comedy Daniel's Gotta Die, a terminally ill heir whose family plots against him for inheritance in a Knives Out-style farce, marking Bob Saget's final role.[46] Upcoming, Moore stars as Miles Foster in the post-production thriller Cipher (2026), alongside Terrence Howard, amid a production impacted by a brief IATSE strike in 2025.[47] Moore's career has evolved into multifaceted roles encompassing acting, directing, and producing, often through his company Balcony 9 Productions, which backed Some Other Woman and other indies. In a 2023 interview, he discussed managing the demands of Avatar reshoots with directorial projects, emphasizing the creative fulfillment of wearing multiple hats while prioritizing family amid a packed schedule of three films in development.[48] He also served as a producer on the 2025 Heaven's Gate cult thriller The Leader, which wrapped filming in Kentucky with a cast including Jim Parsons and Danielle Vasinova.[49]Filmography
Film acting roles
Moore began his film acting career with minor roles in the mid-1990s before gaining prominence in comedies during the 2000s. His breakthrough came with supporting parts in major blockbusters, particularly in the Avatar franchise, where he portrayed the scientist Dr. Norm Spellman. Subsequent roles have spanned genres including action, thriller, and drama, often featuring him as quirky or tech-savvy characters.| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Foxfire | First Geek | Minor supporting role in the teen drama adaptation, marking his feature film debut. |
| 2004 | Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story | Owen Dittman | Key comedic ensemble member as a hapless gym patron in the sports satire, contributing to the film's cult status. |
| 2004 | Raising Genius | Rolf | Supporting role in the independent family comedy.[50] |
| 2005 | Confessions of an Action Star | Prisoner | Comedic bit part in the mockumentary parodying Hollywood action films.[51] |
| 2006 | Grandma's Boy | J.P. | Supporting role as a video game tester in the stoner comedy, showcasing his knack for nerdy characters. |
| 2006 | Art School Confidential | Bardo | Brief appearance in the satirical drama directed by Terry Zwigoff.[52] |
| 2006 | Hatchet | Ryan | Supporting role in the slasher horror film.[53] |
| 2009 | Avatar | Dr. Norm Spellman | Major supporting role as a xenobiologist operating an avatar; the character provides comic relief and scientific insight in James Cameron's groundbreaking sci-fi epic. |
| 2012 | Savages | Craig | Supporting role as a computer expert entangled in a marijuana cartel conflict, in Oliver Stone's crime thriller.[54] |
| 2012 | Gone | Nick Massey | Minor role in the psychological thriller starring Amanda Seyfried.[55] |
| 2013 | CBGB | Joey Ramone | Supporting role as the punk rock musician in the music biopic.[56] |
| 2022 | Daniel's Gotta Die | Daniel Powell | Supporting role in the comedy film.[57] |
| 2022 | The Baker | Peter | Lead supporting role as the estranged son reuniting with his father amid criminal threats, in the vigilante action film. |
| 2022 | Avatar: The Way of Water | Dr. Norm Spellman | Reprising his role as the Na'vi ally and scientist, integral to the family's defense in the sequel's underwater adventure. |
| 2023 | The Retirement Plan | Fitzsimmons | Antagonist supporting role as a henchman in the action-comedy starring Nicolas Cage. |
| 2025 | Avatar: Fire and Ash | Dr. Norm Spellman | Reprising the role in the third installment, continuing the character's arc in the expanding Pandora saga. Upcoming release on December 19, 2025.[58] |
| 2025 | Kinda Pregnant | Mark | Supporting role in the upcoming comedy.[59] |
Television and other acting roles
Moore's television career includes several recurring roles that showcased his versatility in comedic and dramatic procedural formats. He first gained traction on TV with a recurring guest role as the hapless airport employee Eddie Carson on the NBC drama LAX, appearing in nine episodes across its 2004–2005 season.[60] From 2008 to 2017, Moore portrayed the eccentric, nihilistic forensic anthropologist Colin Fisher on the Fox series Bones, recurring in 16 episodes and contributing to the show's ensemble of "squints" at the Jeffersonian Institute; this role offered him steady work amid his film commitments in the Avatar franchise.[61] In 2010, he appeared as the obsessive artist Keith Bruning in four episodes of the CBS supernatural series Medium, playing a character entangled in Allison DuBois's psychic visions.[62] Moore took on a main cast role as Lucas Wahl, the loyal but curious assistant to the immortal medical examiner Henry Morgan, in the 2014 ABC fantasy-crime drama Forever, featuring in all 13 aired episodes of its sole season before the network canceled the show.[63] He also guest-starred on various procedurals and dramas, including as the shy patient Eddie on House (one episode, 2004), the suspicious "Guy in the Blue Hat" on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (one episode, 2005), Matt Williams on Hawaii Five-0 (one episode, 2010), Dennis Mazzani on Franklin & Bash (one episode, 2011), and Constantine Gallo on CHAOS (one episode, 2011).[64][64] Beyond scripted series, Moore co-starred in Katy Perry's 2009 music video for "Waking Up in Vegas," portraying a comedic love interest in the Vegas-themed narrative.[65]| Year(s) | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2005 | LAX | Eddie Carson | 9 |
| 2004 | House | Eddie | 1 |
| 2005 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Guy in the Blue Hat | 1 |
| 2008–2017 | Bones | Colin Fisher | 16 |
| 2008 | My Name Is Earl | Clyde | 1 |
| 2010 | Hawaii Five-0 | Matt Williams | 1 |
| 2010 | Medium | Keith Bruning | 4 |
| 2011 | CHAOS | Constantine Gallo | 1 |
| 2011 | Franklin & Bash | Dennis Mazzani | 1 |
| 2012 | Men at Work | Milo | 2 |
| 2014 | Forever | Lucas Wahl | 13 |
Directing credits
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Spiral | Co-directed with Adam Green; psychological horror thriller that premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and won a Gold Vision Award.[66] |
| 2016 | Youth in Oregon | Solo directorial debut; dramedy starring Frank Langella and Billy Crudup about a family road trip involving euthanasia.[67] |
| 2024 | Some Other Woman | Thriller starring Amanda Crew and Tom Felton; limited theatrical release on January 5, 2024.[68] |
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