American actor Frank Grillo is famous for being one of Hollywood’s most reliable tough guys. The actor has consistently delivered intense performances across film and television. With a rugged screen presence, physical commitment, and ability to embody hardened villains and conflicted heroes, Grillo has etched his name in modern action cinema.
Having made his screen debut in 1992, Frank Grillo’s three-decade career spans everything from indie dramas to blockbuster franchises. While many may argue that Grillo has been typecast as an action star in Hollywood, the actor has occasionally taken on dramatic roles to prove his versatility. However, the list focuses on Frank Grillo’s performances and roles that prove he’s truly an action star.
Brock Rumlow/Crossbones in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)
Frank Grillo joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) in 2014, making his debut appearance as Brock Rumlow/Crossbones in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Grillo’s performance instantly made him stand out among Marvel’s ensemble of heroes and villains. As a Hydra operative infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D., Rumlov proved to be a formidable adversary for Chris Evans’ Captain America. He delivered some of the franchise’s most memorable close-combat sequences. He reprised the role in the 2016 sequel Captain America: Civil War and the 2019 Avengers: Endgame. While Crossbones didn’t become a recurring antagonist like other Marvel villains, the performance elevated Grillo’s profile, especially because of the MCU’s international success.
Sgt. Leo Barnes in The Purge Movies
When Frank Grillo stepped into the role of Sgt. Leo Barnes, in the second installment, The Purge: Anarchy. His character instantly became the face of the franchise. Unlike several of the movie’s one-off characters, Barnes returned for the 2016 sequel, The Purge: Election Year. It was another opportunity to showcase Grillo’s talent for action roles, and The Purge franchise remains one of the few major projects where the actor led the cast. Grillo’s entry film, Anarchy, outgrossed its predecessor, with the third installment outperforming the second. While it might be unfair to attribute the film’s successes entirely to Frank Grillo’s character and performance, he unarguably steered the film to success, especially in Anarchy.
Wheelman in Wheelman
This 2017 neo-noir crime thriller, Wheelman, is one of Frank Grillo’s lesser-known films, yet it has surprisingly garnered critical acclaim. In Wheelman, Grillo proved he could command the screen without relying on a large supporting cast or elaborate set pieces. Nearly the entire film takes place inside a car, with Frank Grillo portraying a getaway driver who quickly realizes he has been set up. The tension builds through Grillo’s performance alone. Audiences are pulled into his panic, quick decision-making, and desperate struggle to survive the night. With little more than a phone, a steering wheel, and his presence, Grillo managed to keep viewers hooked from start to finish.
Roy Pulver in Boss Level
In Boss Level, Frank Grillo led the cast as Roy Pulver. His character is a retired special forces operative trapped in a relentless time loop. Forced to relive the same violent day over and over, Roy fights off skilled assassins while piecing together the truth behind his predicament. The movie gave Grillo a rare chance to lead a high-concept story, balancing explosive action with character-driven moments. Besides co-starring with Mel Gibson, the movie also starred Naomi Watts, Ken Jeong, Michelle Yeoh, and a cameo from Rob Gronkowski.
Agent Bobby O’Neil in Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard
Frank Grillo joined the star-studded cast of the 2021 sequel Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard as Interpol agent Bobby O’Neil. Tasked with preventing a catastrophic attack in Europe, Grillo’s character’s brash, no-nonsense attitude added a fresh spark to the action-comedy ensemble led by Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek. Surrounded by these A-list stars, Grillo didn’t fade into the background but instead carved out a niche that made his performance stand out.
Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
Although the role began as a voice role in Max’s adult animated superhero series Creature Commandos, Frank Grillo eventually portrayed the character in James Gunn’s long-awaited Superman (2025) and in the second season of the John Cena-led Peacemaker series. For audiences who missed the character in the animated series, Grillo portrayed the live-action character as a hardened soldier who carried the scars of countless battles. The success of the projects again reinforced Frank Grillo’s stance as one of Hollywood’s underrated action stars.
