Whigham appeared in '' Pride and Glory '' and co-starred in the horror film '' Splinter '' , the thriller '' Creek '' , and the science fiction film '' Radio Free Albemuth '' . He had a regular leading role on the HBO series '' Boardwalk Empire '' as Elias " Eli " Thompson , sheriff of Atlantic County , New Jersey for the show 's entire run . In 2014 , he appeared in the HBO series '' True Detective '' as disillusioned former minister Joel Theriot . He also had roles in '' The Wolf of Wall Street '' , '' American Hustle '' , '' Silver Linings Playbook '' , '' Term Life '' , and '' Kong : Skull Island '' . In 2018 , he appeared in the films '' Sicario : Day of the Soldado '' , '' First Man '' , and '' Bad Times at the El Royale '' . He also appeared in both seasons of HBO 's '' Vice Principals '' as Ray Liptrapp ; appeared in '' Fargo '' and the miniseries '' Waco ; '' and he starred in the television series '' Homecoming '' alongside Julia Roberts for which he was nominated for a Critics ' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Critics ' Choice Television Award
9th Critics' Choice Television Awards
Shea Whigham