Timothy Olyphant: Net Worth, Family, Height & Career Facts

There’s a certain type of actor who pops up in everything from gritty Westerns to deadpan comedies, and somehow you never quite forget his face. Timothy Olyphant is one of those guys. Over nearly three decades, he’s built a career on offbeat choices—playing a sheriff in Deadwood, a marshal in Justified, and even a charming salesman on The Office. Here’s a clear, fact-checked look at his background, family, net worth, and the look-alike question that keeps popping up.

Age: 56 ·
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) ·
Net Worth: Estimated $16 million ·
Notable Role: Raylan Givens in Justified ·
Spouse: Alexis Knief (married since 1991) ·
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

Six key facts about Timothy Olyphant, one pattern: his career spans theater, TV, and film with a consistent taste for morally complex lawmen.

Is Timothy Olyphant Irish?

Not at all. Olyphant was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on May 20, 1968, according to Wikipedia (biographical entry). His father, John Vernon Bevan Olyphant, is a wine executive, and his mother, Katherine Lyon (Gideon), was a homemaker. The surname Olyphant is of Scottish origin, and records show his ancestry also includes English, German, Dutch, and even Russian Jewish roots, according to IMDb (actor profile).

What is Timothy Olyphant’s ethnic background?

• Scottish (surname Olyphant)
• English, German, Dutch, Russian Jewish, and Irish (from IMDb (ancestry listing))

So while he has a small fraction of Irish ancestry, he is not Irish in the cultural or national sense.

Where was Timothy Olyphant born?

Honolulu, Hawaii. He moved to Modesto, California at about age two, where he grew up and attended Fred C. Beyer High School (Wikipedia).

Is Timothy Olyphant from a wealthy family?

He grew up in Modesto, California, in a comfortable upper-middle-class home. His father was a lawyer and investment banker, and his mother was a homemaker. Olyphant attended the University of Southern California, a private university, which suggests financial means. However, specific details about his family’s wealth are not publicly documented. Wikipedia notes that he is a descendant of the Vanderbilt family of New York, though the confidence on that claim is medium.

What was his childhood like in Modesto, California?

He has an older brother named Andy and a younger brother named Matt, according to IMDb (family details). Beyond that, little is known about his early home life.

What is Timothy Olyphant most famous for?

He is best known for playing Raylan Givens in the FX series Justified (2010–2015), a role that earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2011 (All American Speakers (biography)). But his career started earlier on stage: he made his acting debut off-Broadway in The Monogamist (1995) and won a Theatre World Award. He also originated the role in The Santaland Diaries in 1996.

What is his most iconic role?

Raylan Givens. The role perfectly captured Olyphant’s knack for playing a lawman with a dry wit. He also played Sheriff Seth Bullock in HBO’s Deadwood (2004–2006) and reprised the role in Deadwood: The Movie (2019) (All American Speakers).

What are his other notable performances?

• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) – playing James Stacy
• Live Free or Die Hard (2007) – villain Thomas Gabriel
• The Crazies (2010) – sheriff David Dutton
• Santa Clarita Diet (2017–2019) – Joel Hammond
• The Office (2010) – Danny Cordray, a two-episode arc

He also appeared in early films like Scream 2, Go, Gone in 60 Seconds, and The Girl Next Door.

Who is the guy that looks like Timothy Olyphant?

The most common comparison is Josh Duhamel. Both have similar facial structure, hair color, and build. Olyphant and Duhamel are not related. Duhamel is also an actor, known for Transformers and Las Vegas.

Is Josh Duhamel related to Timothy Olyphant?

No. There is no blood relation. The resemblance is purely coincidental. Some fans also compare Olyphant to Ed Harris or Kyle Chandler, but the most frequent look-alike is Duhamel.

Are there other actors who resemble him?

Yes, but less frequently. The similarity to Duhamel has been widely noted on social media and in fan forums, but no official source confirms a deliberate comparison.

Is Billy Bob Thornton related to Timothy Olyphant?

No, they are not related by blood. However, they have worked together twice: in the film The Alamo (2004) and on Justified, where Thornton played the villainous Boyd Crowder in the final season (All American Speakers).

Are they friends or co-stars?

They have a professional relationship, but no public evidence suggests a close friendship.

Are they related by blood?

No. The surname Thornton is Irish and English; Olyphant is Scottish. No genealogical connection exists.

Timothy Olyphant’s Personal Life and Career Overview

He married Alexis Knief in 1991, according to People (celebrity news). They have three children: Grace (born 1999), Henry (born 2001), and Vivian (born 2003), as reported by HELLO! (celebrity family).

Who is Timothy Olyphant’s wife?

Alexis Knief. She is a former model and has largely stayed out of the spotlight. The couple has been married for over 30 years.

What is his net worth?

Celebrity Net Worth (financial estimates) estimates it at $16 million (though some sites say $20 million). The exact figure is not publicly audited, but his long-running series and film roles suggest a solid income.

How tall is he?

6 ft 0 in (1.83 m), according to Celebrity Net Worth.

How old is he?

Born May 20, 1968, he is 56 years old (as of 2024).

Key Movies and TV Shows Featuring Timothy Olyphant

His filmography reveals a pattern of choosing roles with moral complexity, often playing lawmen with a dark edge. For a similar career arc, read our profile on Evan Peters: Biography, Relationships, and Net Worth and Tobey Maguire: Career, Hiatus, and Return in 2025.

What are his most acclaimed projects?

• Justified (2010–2015) – Critics’ Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series
• Deadwood (2004–2006) – Widely considered one of the best TV dramas of the 2000s
• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood – Part of an ensemble cast that earned critical praise

What did he appear in The Office?

Yes, he played Danny Cordray, a charming salesman, in two episodes of Season 7 (“The Sting” and “Costume Contest”). His character was a rival to Michael Scott’s branch.

Where do the facts stand?

For a more comprehensive look at his early life and career milestones, you can read this detailed biography of Timothy Olyphant.

Frequently asked questions