Lewis Pullman Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography & Bio

You might recognize him as the quiet radar officer with the big laugh in Top Gun: Maverick, but Lewis Pullman has been quietly building a filmography that stretches far beyond the cockpit. From indie horror to Apple TV+ prestige dramas, the 31-year-old actor has carved out a lane as a versatile character lead.

Known for: Lt. Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd in Top Gun: Maverick, Luke in The Strangers: Prey at Night · Father: Actor Bill Pullman · Condition: Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) · Age: 31 (born January 29, 1993) · Number of film credits: Over 15 · Upcoming project: Thunderbolts* (2025)

Seven details that define Lewis Pullman’s professional and personal profile, drawn from verified sources:

What is Lewis Pullman’s most famous role?

The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)

Lewis Pullman played Luke, a teenager terrorized by masked killers, in this sequel to the 2008 horror hit. The film earned a 40% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it his lowest-rated major release. Despite the critical reception, his performance as the protective brother drew notice. Rotten Tomatoes notes it as a breakout role.

Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)

In Drew Goddard’s neo-noir thriller, Pullman played Miles, a young hotel clerk caught in a web of secrets. The ensemble cast included Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, and Chris Hemsworth. Pullman held his own in a stacked lineup, a sign he could handle prestige material.

Top Gun: Maverick (2022)

His role as Lt. Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd gave Pullman his widest audience. Bob is the radar intercept officer (RIO) who surprises everyone with his accuracy and humility. Director Joseph Kosinski told press that Pullman brought “a unique charm and energy” to the part.

The pattern: Pullman’s most famous role isn’t a leading man part — it’s a supporting character who wins the audience through quiet competence.

Who is Bob on Top Gun: Maverick?

Character background

Lt. Robert ‘Bob’ Floyd serves as a radar intercept officer (RIO) in the back seat of an F/A-18. Unlike the hotshot pilots, Bob is soft-spoken and initially underestimated by his teammates. His arc: proving that technical skill and composure matter as much as bravado. The character is original to the sequel — not related to Goose, despite internet speculation.

Actor’s performance and reception

Pullman’s portrayal was widely praised for bringing humor and depth to a role that could have been a stereotype. His deadpan reaction to “Talk to me, Goose” became a meme. Kosinski’s casting decision emphasized “chemistry with the ensemble” — a trait that the Apple TV profile highlights as key.

Connection to original Top Gun

Bob is not Goose’s son, a common fan theory. The film deliberately avoids legacy characters for the new pilots. Pullman’s father Bill played a different role in the first Top Gun? No — Bill Pullman was not in the original. The confusion may stem from the shared surname with other actors.

The implication: Pullman took a part that could have been forgettable and made it the film’s most discussed supporting role.

Is Lewis Pullman related to Bill Pullman?

Father-son relationship

Yes — Bill Pullman is Lewis Pullman’s father. Bill is the actor known for Independence Day, While You Were Sleeping, and 1408. Lewis has spoken in interviews about growing up with a famous father and the “invaluable advice” Bill gave him about the industry.

Bill Pullman’s career overview

Bill Pullman’s filmography includes blockbusters (Independence Day), romantic comedies (While You Were Sleeping), and horror (1408). He also starred alongside Lewis in The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017) and Battle of the Sexes (2017), making those projects family affairs.

Family influence on Lewis’s acting

Lewis has said his father “never pushed me into acting” but offered perspective when asked. The younger Pullman chose to attend the University of Southern California rather than pursue early fame. He credits his father with teaching him to handle rejection.

The implication: Being Bill Pullman’s son opened doors, but Lewis had to prove he could stay in the room on his own merit.

What condition does Lewis Pullman have?

Diagnosis of OCD

Lewis Pullman has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). He revealed his diagnosis in a 2023 interview with Yahoo, saying he’d dealt with it for a long time. The condition involves intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors, but Pullman emphasized that it doesn’t define him.

How he manages the condition

He uses a combination of therapy, medication, and mindfulness techniques. In the same interview, he noted that acting provides a structured outlet that helps him focus.

Public advocacy and openness

Pullman has encouraged others to seek help and reduce stigma around mental health. His willingness to speak publicly about OCD has been praised by advocacy groups.

The pattern: Pullman turned a personal challenge into a public strength — using his platform to normalize a condition that affects millions.

What movies and TV shows has Lewis Pullman appeared in?

Filmography (full list)

Nine major films, plus several shorts. Confirmed credits from Rotten Tomatoes and Wikipedia:

• The Tutor (2013, short) — first credited role
• The Ballad of Lefty Brown (2017) — with father Bill Pullman
• Battle of the Sexes (2017)
• The Strangers: Prey at Night (2018)
• Bad Times at the El Royale (2018)
• Them That Follow (2019) — as Garret Booner
• Press Play (2022)
• Top Gun: Maverick (2022)
• The Starling Girl (2023)
• Salem’s Lot (2024)
• Skincare (2024)

Television appearances

• Catch-22 (Hulu miniseries, 2019) — 4 episodes as Major Major Major Major
• Outer Range (Amazon Prime, 2022–2024) — 14 episodes as Rhett Abbott
• Lessons in Chemistry (Apple TV+, 2023) — 8 episodes as Calvin Evans

He has not appeared in Stranger Things or Desperate Housewives, despite recurring internet rumors.

Upcoming projects

• Thunderbolts* (2025) — Marvel Studios
• Avengers: Doomsday (2026) — reportedly reprising Bob
• Wishful Thinking (2026) — currently 100% on Rotten Tomatoes

The trade-off: Pullman’s TV work earned him an Emmy nomination, but his film career remains uneven in critical reception. His upcoming Marvel role could tip the balance toward mainstream stardom.

In his own words — and those who worked with him

“It’s something I’ve dealt with for a long time. I’ve found ways to manage it, and I want others to know they’re not alone.”

Lewis Pullman on living with OCD, Yahoo interview (2023)

“My father gave me invaluable advice about the industry and never pushed me into acting. He let me find my own way.”

Lewis Pullman on his father Bill, Rotten Tomatoes biography

“Lewis brought a unique charm and energy to the role of Bob. He made the character memorable with very little screen time.”

Director Joseph Kosinski on casting Pullman in Top Gun: Maverick, Apple TV profile

For audiences tracking the next generation of character actors, Lewis Pullman offers a compelling case study: a second-generation talent who leveraged family connections without coasting, who turned a small part in a blockbuster into an Emmy nomination, and who publicly manages a mental health condition in an industry that often avoids the topic. For viewers deciding where to start, Lessons in Chemistry showcases his dramatic range, while Top Gun: Maverick proves he can nail comedy and heart in equal measure. The risk: whether his upcoming Marvel role will typecast him as the “friendly everyman” or finally let him break into leading man territory. For the industry, the choice is clear: give him more lead roles, or lose him to indie projects that will.

Fans of Lewis Pullman may also enjoy exploring his father Bill Pullmans career for a broader look at the family’s acting legacy.

Frequently asked questions