Dirty Little Billy (1972)
Electra Glide in Blue (1973)
The California Kid (1974)
Return to Macon County (1975)
Northville Cemetery Massacre (1976)
Rich Man, Poor Man (mini-series) (1976)
The Deep (1977)
Who'll Stop the Rain (1978)
North Dallas Forty (1979)
Heart Beat (1980)
Cannery Row (1982)
48 Hrs. (1982)
Under Fire (1983)
Teachers (1984)
Grace Quigley (1985)
Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986)
Extreme Prejudice (1987)
Weeds (1987)
Grace Quigley 2, Gracie (unfinished) (1988)
Three Fugitives (1989)
New York Stories (1989)
Farewell to the King (1989)
Everybody Wins (1990)

Nolte first gained national attention and critical acclaim for his performance in Rich Man, Poor Man, the 1976 television miniseries based on Irwin Shaw's 1970 best-selling novel. Since then he has had a successful career playing a wide variety of characters in more than 40 films. Diversity of character is the signature of Nolte's film career. He is known for his trademark athleticism and gravel-voiced characters. According to a written note owned by Richard Donner, Nolte was the first choice to play Superman in the 1978 film starring Christopher Reeve. He also lost the role of Han Solo to Harrison Ford in the 1977 classic, Star Wars.