Ted Levine is an American actor known for his intense and often unsettling performances. He gained widespread recognition for his role as Jame Gumb, aka Buffalo Bill, in the acclaimed thriller *The Silence of the Lambs* (1991), a memorable and terrifying performance that made him an iconic cinematic antagonist.

Following this breakthrough role, Levine established himself as a versatile performer, often cast as authority figures. He has portrayed policemen, military personnel, or government agents in numerous significant films. His notable appearances include *Heat* (1995), where he played an honest detective, *The Fast and the Furious* (2001) as Sergeant Tanner, and *American Gangster* (2007). His style is characterized by a strong screen presence and the ability to infuse complexity and gravitas into even seemingly secondary characters, making them memorable.