James Urbaniak

Last updated
James Urbaniak
James Urbaniak by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Urbaniak at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
James Christian Urbaniak

(1963-09-17) September 17, 1963 (age 61)
OccupationActor
Years active1985–present
Spouses
Julie Marie Anderson
(m. 2003;div. 2014)
Sara Pocock
(m. 2017)
[1]
Children2

James Christian Urbaniak (born September 17, 1963) [2] is an American character actor. He is best known for his roles as Simon Grim in three Hal Hartley films: Henry Fool (1997), Fay Grim (2006) and Ned Rifle (2014), Robert Crumb in American Splendor (2003), Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture on the animated series The Venture Bros. (2003–2023), Grant Grunderschmidt on Review (2014–2017), and Arthur Tack on Difficult People (2015–2017).

Contents

Personal life

Urbaniak was born in Bayonne, New Jersey and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is of Polish descent.

Career

Urbaniak's first media appearance occurred in 1983 when, at the age of 20, he went onstage from the audience of Late Night with David Letterman to try his hand at a monologue joke that Letterman had flubbed. [3]

One of his first noteworthy roles was in the avant-garde playwright/director Richard Foreman's The Universe, for which Urbaniak won an Obie. He has also been acclaimed for his acting in the films Henry Fool and American Splendor , in the latter of which he played legendary cartoonist R. Crumb. [4] He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his role in Thom Pain (based on nothing) . [5] [6] He provides the voice for main character Dr. Thaddeus Venture on The Venture Bros. as well as the Doctor's brother Jonas Venture Junior and the super-villain Phantom Limb. [7]

Urbaniak played a pizza guy in the famous "Whassup?" television commercials for Budweiser. The commercial was especially prominent on commercial television networks in the United Kingdom, where it became a cultural phenomenon. He also portrayed the moderator in "Human Centipede Anonymous", a Funny or Die short depicting three men who grapple with their past as a human centipede. [8] [9]

Urbaniak appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on May 13, 2015.

From 2015 to 2017, Urbaniak played Arthur Tack for all three seasons of the critically-acclaimed Hulu comedy series Difficult People , opposite Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.

In 2017, Urbaniak played Dr. Kincaid in the film Wonderstruck , directed by Todd Haynes. Also in 2017, he played the Maaldorian Doctor on the hit series Supergirl .

In 2018, Urbaniak played the recurring role of Special Agent Owen Quinn on the CBS series Criminal Minds .

In 2019, Urbaniak played Marcus Strang in the film Where'd You Go, Bernadette , written and directed by Richard Linklater. Also in 2019, he played the recurring role of Gavin Donahue on the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind .

In 2020, Urbaniak played Professor Anthony in the film Tesla , opposite Ethan Hawke. Also in 2020, he played The Trinket Man on the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina .

In 2021, Urbaniak played Bram in the film Things Heard & Seen , opposite Amanda Seyfried. Also in 2021, he appeared on the television shows Dickinson , 9-1-1: Lone Star , and as the Backstage Manager on The Morning Show .

In 2022, Urbaniak played the Principal of Grand View High School in the film The Fabelmans , directed by Steven Spielberg. Also in 2022, he appeared on the television series Made for Love and appeared as Norm Wakely in an episode of the series Better Call Saul .

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994NYC 3/94 Short film
Opera No. 1JamesShort film
1997 Henry Fool Simon Grim
The Sticky Fingers of Time Isaac
1998AphrodisiacDeli Assistant
The Book of Life True Believer
1999 Ride with the Devil Poker Player
Sweet and Lowdown Harry
2000InternOlivier Di Santo
2001 No Such Thing Concierge
UpheavalMartinShort film
2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Rod Flexnor
Teknolust Agent Hopper
PassengersManShort film
DaypassSimple SimonShort film
2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Lab Technician
Briar Patch Druden Hunt
Grasshopper JamesShort film
American Splendor Robert Crumb
2004 Thanksgiving WillyShort film
B MovieProfessor Friend
BoutiqueNickShort film
2005FortunesLewis Croshere
RoadThe Ranger
The Girl from Monday Funk
2006 Fay Grim Simon Grim
The Last RomanticAlex Scarvey
Death of a President Dr. James Pearn
2007 Across the Universe Sadie's Manager
The Nanny Diaries Educational Consultant
Chicago 10 Rennie Davis, Richard Schultz Voice, documentary
2008The BentfootesJim Raritan
The DiagnosisDr. BesmanShort film
2010 Beware the Gonzo Principal Roy
Hello Lonesome Gary
Human Centipede AnonymousJamesShort film
Drones Pete
2011 The Music Never Stopped Mike Tapplin
Sound of My Voice Mr. Pritchett
From the Head Danny
2012 Pig Goat Banana Mantis MantisVoice, short film
2013 iSteve Bill Gates [10]
Bitter OrangeSweetieShort film
2014 The Boxtrolls Sir Broderick, WorkersVoice [11]
Ned Rifle Simon Grim
The OccupantsGlen
Such Good People Dr. Cooper Whitehead
2015 Advantageous Fisher
2016After AdderallThe Agent
2017 Dave Made a Maze Harry
Rebel in the Rye Gus Lobrano
Wonderstruck Dr. Kincaid
2018 Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Professor Pyg Voice [11]
2019 Where'd You Go, Bernadette Marcus Strang
2020 Tesla Professor Anthony
For Madmen Only Del Close Documentary
2021 Things Heard & Seen Bram
2022 Beauty Irv Merlin
The Fabelmans Grand View High School Principal
2023Condor's Nest Heinrich Himmler
Invitation to a Murder Gordon
Taz: Quest for Burger RockyVoice
The Country ClubVictor Simmons
Oppenheimer Kurt Gödel
The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" VentureVoice
Gonzo Girl Lionel
2024The Rainbow BridgeHerbShort film
PuddysticksBoss
Breakup SeasonKirby
Thelma the Unicorn Confused FanVoice

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1999 Sex and the City BusterEpisode: "La Douleur Exquise!"
2003 Ed Gallery OwnerEpisode: "Blips"
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dr. Roger SternEpisode: "Zoonotic"
2003–2018 The Venture Bros. Dr. Venture / Phantom Limb /
Jonas Venture Jr. / Various voices
Voice, main role [11]
2004 Hi no tori SusanooVoice, English dub
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Wade DonatoEpisode: "Head"
2006–2007 Kidnapped The Accountant7 episodes
2007SuperNormalMeowman/Mr. TabbyVoice, episode: "Evil Barks and Wets the Carpet"
Numb3rs Binky MooreEpisode: "Primacy"
2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Cafe Manager / Sarkissian2 episodes
Without a Trace Damon LafloerEpisode: "Closure"
The Starter Wife Gary4 episodes
CSI: Miami Max PaulsonEpisode: "Power Trip"
2009 NCIS Dr. Rod DanielsEpisode: "Love & War"
Medium Mr. EnrightEpisode: "Soul Survivor"
Snake 'n' Bacon BaconVoice, pilot
Weeds The WizardEpisode: "Van Nuys"
2009–2013 The Office Rolf4 episodes
2010 The Life & Times of Tim AdamVoice, episode: "The Salty Jazz/Jews Love to Laugh"
You Don't Know Jack Jack LessenberryTelevision film
2011 Cinema Verite Dick Cavett Television film
Wizards of Waverly Place Rob RobinsonEpisode: "Alex the Puppetmaster"
2011–2012 Homeland Larry2 episodes
2011–2013 H+: The Digital Series Francis Peters5 episodes
2012 Metalocalypse Dr. Fsmilejera IrlelwollVoice, episode: "Going Downklok"
Electric City Mr. OrwellVoice, episode: "What Aren't We Capable Of?"; web series
The Good Wife Judge Bernard TempleEpisode: "And the Law Won"
The New Normal Mr. BlakeneyEpisode: "The XY Factor"
Unforgettable Walter Morgan / John Fox3 episodes
Body of Proof Daniel GrubstickEpisode: "Mind Games"
2013 Scandal Mike SylvaEpisode: "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"
Childrens Hospital Future DoctorEpisode: "Old Fashioned Day"
The Mentalist Aaron KalinoskiEpisode: "Black-Winged Redbird"
Monsters vs. Aliens Rule-BotVoice, 2 episodes [11]
Hawaii Five-0 Gary NathanEpisode: "Pukana"
2014 Teen Wolf The ChemistEpisode: "Weaponized"
You're the Worst Army PriestEpisode: "PTSD"
Comedy Bang! Bang! Victor KahnEpisode: "The Lonely Island Wear Holiday Sweaters & White Pants"
All Hail King Julien Lemur #1Voice, episode: "Enter the Fanaloka" [11]
Infomercials Rev. Boxley FryerEpisode: "Book of Christ"
2014–2016 Adventure Time Various rolesVoice, 2 episodes [11]
2014–2017 Review Grant Grunderschmidt19 episodes
2015 Agent Carter Miles Van Ert 2 episodes
Newsreaders Carob LandisEpisode: "The FMK Killer; Newsreaders: Behind the Scenes"
Pig Goat Banana Cricket Nose Picker FishVoice, episode: "Pig Goat Banana Cricket High Five!" [11]
Gigi Does It Gigi's AttorneyEpisode: "Glock Schlock"
Dr. Ken James MillerEpisode: "The Seminar"
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Nick LingemanEpisode: "Boyle's Hunch"
2015–2016 The Adventures of Puss in Boots ThriffithVoice, 3 episodes [11]
Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street Dr. Grapehall2 episodes
2015–2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Ebony Maw, AcolyteVoice, 6 episodes [11]
Difficult People Arthur Tack28 episodes
2016 Dice Director of the "Welcome to Vegas" CommercialEpisode: "Prestige"
2017 Supergirl Maaldorian DoctorEpisode: "Supergirl Lives"
Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures M-OCVoice, 10 episodes
Teachers Carl FrommEpisode: "Dire Straights"
Apollo Gauntlet Dr. Benign, Prince BelenusVoice, 5 episodes
2017–2018 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Mr. Logic, Joff the Shaolin Monk, Baby ErnestoVoice, 4 episodes [11]
2018 Criminal Minds Special Agent Owen Quinn2 episodes
Elementary Doctor Leo DemopoulosEpisode: "Our Time Is Up"
Big Hero 6: The Series Art TeacherVoice, episode: "Rivalry Weak" [11]
2019 Fam TomEpisode: "It's Been a While"
At Home with Amy Sedaris Denny ShnarksEpisode: "Creativity"
Documentary Now! Howard PineEpisode: "Original Cast Album: Co-Op"
Too Old to Die Young Stevie CrockettEpisode: "The Fool"
Ollie and Scoops Dr. ToodlesVoice, episode: "Gimmie a Hand"
Lodge 49 Tony2 episodes
Just Add Magic Pierce HamiltonEpisode: "New Protectors"
For All Mankind Gavin Donahue3 episodes
2020 Just Add Magic: Mystery City Pierce Hamilton9 episodes
Close Enough Commercial BotVoice, episode: "Robot Tutor/Golden Gamer"
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina The Trinket Man2 episodes
Red Bird LaneTannerPilot
2021 Dickinson OphthalmologistEpisode: "Before I Got My Eye Put Out"
9-1-1: Lone Star ImpEpisode: "Friends with Benefits"
The Morning Show Backstage ManagerEpisode: "My Least Favorite Year"
2022 Better Call Saul Norm WakelyEpisode: "Wine and Roses"
Made for Love Gogol interviewer2 episodes
2023 History of the World, Part II Roman SoldierEpisode: "II"
Carol & the End of the World Voice, 2 episodes
2024 Palm Royale Palm Royale ManagerEpisode: "Pilot"
Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Christoph ScissormanVoice, English dub

Video games

YearTitleVoice role
2003 Manhunt Innocentz member [11]
2007 Manhunt 2 Bloodhound member [11]
2009 Avatar: The Game RDA
2011 Fallout New Vegas: Old World Blues Dr. 0 [11]
2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic C2-D4, Needles [11]
2014Star Wars: The Old Republic – Shadow of RevanC2-D4
2015 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Randolph Carter [11]
2015 The Magic Circle Ishmael Gilder [11]
2019Star Wars: The Old Republic - OnslaughtC2-D4 / Additional voices
2022 High on Life Nipulon / Additional voices
2023 Redfall Hollow Man / Kildere's Father
2024 Destiny 2: The Final Shape Targe

Other works

YearTitleRoleNotes
2012Getting On With James Urbaniak [12] Narrator Podcast
2014God is Disappointed in YouNarratorAudio book
2014-2016, 2019 Welcome to Night Vale Intern James, Leonard BurtonPodcast (3 episodes, 1 live show recording, and 1 live show recording bonus track)
2015Special Relativity [13] Mr. Wandell, Art DirectorRadio
2016A Night Called TomorrowArch HuttonPodcast; also writer and producer
2016Apocrypha NowNarratorAudio book
2017Patient ZeroThe DresserMusic Video

Written and performed by Aimee Mann

2021Suicide Is MurderManMusic Video

Written and performed by Aimee Mann

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References

  1. "James Urbaniak". IMDb.
  2. "James Urbaniak: Actor". TCM.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  3. "James Urbanik on Letterman, 1983". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  4. "James Urbaniak on Venture Bros.' return and Hal Hartley's Lord Of The Rings". The A.V. Club. 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  5. "2007 – Drama Desk Awards – Nominations". Archived from the original on 20 October 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  6. Sternbergh, Adam (2005-03-03). "Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) is James Urbaniak's Great Leap to Success - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  7. Del Signore, John (2007-03-19). "James Urbaniak, Actor". Gothamist. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  8. Cormier, Roger (2013-05-28). "The Vine 5 Film Festival: Loneliness, Death, and Exercise". Vulture. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
  9. "Human Centipede Anonymous". Funny or Die. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
  10. Funny Or Die (15 April 2013). "'iSteve". funnyordie.com. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "James Urbaniak (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  12. "Getting On with James Urbaniak". gettingonwithju.libsyn.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  13. "Special Relativity – A Radio Comedy starring Alex Borstein". Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2015-05-18.