Jenkins began his acting career at the Actors Theatre of Louisville under the leadership of Jon Jory. He was a member of the company for three years, an influential institution known for producing notable playwrights such as Marsha Norman and Beth Henley. During this early phase of his career, Jenkins refined his craft and gained recognition for his performances in various stage productions.

Television and Film Appearances

In addition to his prominent role in Scrubs, Ken Jenkins has made guest appearances in numerous television series. His TV credits include roles in episodes of Homefront, The X-Files ("Medusa," Season 8), Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 3 premiere), Wiseguy, and Early Edition ("Deadline," Season 3). His ability to adapt to various roles across genres earned him credibility as a versatile character actor.

Jenkins's film career includes performances in critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies. His film credits include Courage Under Fire, Matewan, The Sum of All Fears, I Am Sam, Gone in 60 Seconds, Fled, Last Man Standing, Air America, The Abyss, and Executive Decision. He also appeared in the 1998 remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.

Jenkins took on the role of Fran Goldsmith’s father in the television miniseries adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. His other television work includes a significant role in the HBO film All the Way, in which he portrayed Representative Howard W. Smith, a real-life politician known for his staunch segregationist views and opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.