Peter Gallagher: Actor, Broadway Star and Sandy Cohen on The O.C.
Peter Gallagher is an American actor who works in film, television and theater. He is best known as Sandy Cohen on The O.C. (2003–2007) and for the films While You Were Sleeping (1995), American Beauty (1999) and Palm Springs (2020). As of November 2026, his latest screen role is Axel Zufo in the FX series The Beauty (2026).
For a generation of TV viewers, Peter Gallagher will always be Sandy Cohen. He played the warm, quick-witted public defender and father figure for all four seasons of The O.C. His expressive eyebrows also became a running joke among pop-culture writers. On stage, he played Sky Masterson in the 1992 Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls.
Peter Gallagher profile
| Full name | Peter Killian Gallagher |
|---|---|
| Born | August 19, 1955, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. |
| Age | 71 (as of November 2026) |
| Occupation | Actor (film, television, stage), singer |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Known for | The O.C. (2003–2007), While You Were Sleeping (1995), American Beauty (1999), Palm Springs (2020) |
| Major awards | Screen Actors Guild ensemble award for American Beauty; Golden Globe special ensemble award for Short Cuts |
| Profiles | Wikipedia · IMDb |
How did Peter Gallagher get started?
Peter Gallagher trained at Tufts University and served an apprenticeship with the Boston Shakespeare Company. He then moved into film and stage work around 1980. His early screen credits include The Idolmaker (1980), Summer Lovers (1982) and Dreamchild (1985). In 1983 he won a Theatre World Award, an honor for promising Broadway newcomers.
His film breakthrough came in 1989 with Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies, and Videotape. Robert Altman then cast him in The Player (1992) and Short Cuts (1993). He also appeared in Tim Robbins’s Bob Roberts (1992) and the Coen brothers’ The Hudsucker Proxy (1994).
What is Peter Gallagher best known for?
Peter Gallagher is best known for playing Sandy Cohen on the Fox drama The O.C., which ran from 2003 to 2007. Before that, he had become a familiar face in film. He played Ashton in While You Were Sleeping (1995) and Buddy Kane in American Beauty (1999), and he starred in House on Haunted Hill (1999) and Center Stage (2000). He also appeared in Mr. Deeds (2002).
After The O.C., Peter Gallagher played recurring and series roles across television. He appeared on Californication and played Arthur Campbell on Covert Affairs. He also had recurring roles on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Grace and Frankie, Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist and Truth Be Told. Back on Broadway, he played Oscar Jaffe in the 2015 revival of On the Twentieth Century.
What is Peter Gallagher doing now?
Peter Gallagher is still working steadily. As of November 2026, his most recent screen role is Axel Zufo in FX’s The Beauty (2026). His other recent credits include the films Palm Springs (2020) and Humane (2024), the series Murder in a Small Town (2024), voice work on WondLa, and a guest appearance on Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney (2025). In February 2026, he starred in a one-night reading of A Bold Stroke for a Husband at The Public.
Selected films and series featuring Peter Gallagher
| Year | Title | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | The Beauty | Axel Zufo | TV series |
| 2025 | Everybody’s Live with John Mulaney | Future John Mulaney | TV series |
| 2024 | Humane | Charles York | Film |
| 2024 | Murder in a Small Town | Rod Finlayson | TV series |
| 2024 | WondLa | Antiquus | Voice role |
| 2023 | Truth Be Told | Andrew Finney | TV series |
| 2020 | Palm Springs | — | Film |
| 2017 | A Bad Moms Christmas | — | Film |
| 2010 | Burlesque | — | Film |
| 2003–2007 | The O.C. | Sandy Cohen | TV series |
| 2002 | Mr. Deeds | — | Film |
| 1999 | American Beauty | Buddy Kane | Film |
| 1995 | While You Were Sleeping | Ashton | Film |
| 1992 | The Player | — | Film |
| 1989 | Sex, Lies, and Videotape | John Mullany | Film |
Peter Gallagher awards and recognition
- 1983 – Theatre World Award. This award honors outstanding debut performances on the New York stage.
- Golden Globe special award – Short Cuts ensemble. Peter Gallagher shared this honor with the large ensemble cast of Robert Altman’s 1993 film.
- Screen Actors Guild Award – American Beauty cast. Peter Gallagher shared the film’s ensemble award with his co-stars.
FAQ
– What is Peter Gallagher most famous for?
Peter Gallagher is most famous for playing Sandy Cohen on The O.C. from 2003 to 2007. He is also well known for While You Were Sleeping (1995) and American Beauty (1999).
– How old is Peter Gallagher?
Peter Gallagher was born on August 19, 1955, so he is 71 years old (as of November 2026).
– Where was Peter Gallagher born?
Peter Gallagher was born in Manhattan, New York City. He trained at Tufts University.
– What is Peter Gallagher’s newest show?
As of November 2026, Peter Gallagher’s newest show is the FX series The Beauty (2026), in which he plays Axel Zufo. His most recent film is Humane (2024).
The header image is an AI-generated illustration, not an actual photo or film still.
