Larry Miller (comedian)

Last updated

Larry Miller
Larry Miller, 2014 (cropped).jpg
Miller in 2014
Born
Lawrence John Miller

(1953-10-15) October 15, 1953 (age 70)
Alma mater Amherst College (BA)
Occupations
Years active1982–present
Spouse
(m. 1993)
Children2

Lawrence John Miller (born October 15, 1953) [1] is an American comedian, actor, podcaster, and columnist. He is primarily regarded as a character actor, with The A.V. Club noting that he "can be counted upon to improve every film or television show he appears in". [2] His better-known roles include Lou Bonaparte in Mad About You (1993–1998), Pointy-haired Boss in Dilbert (1999–2000), Edwin Poole in Boston Legal (2004–2008), Mr. Hollister in Pretty Woman (1990), Dean Richmond in The Nutty Professor (1996) and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Walter Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and Paolo Puttanesca in The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004). He reprised his role as Walter Stratford in the television series 10 Things I Hate About You (2009–2010).

Contents

Miller has also served as one of the regular players in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films.

Early life and education

Miller was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Valley Stream, New York, [1] on Long Island. He studied music at Amherst College. [3] He is Jewish. [4] He has said that one of his grandmothers was from Latvia and one of his grandfathers was from Austria.

Career

Miller's first acting job was as the emcee on the TV series Fame . He gained mainstream attention for his part in popular scenes of Pretty Woman involving him as a store clerk for the main characters.

His film roles include Walter Stratford in the movie 10 Things I Hate About You as well as several characters in Christopher Guest's mockumentary movies. He has held prominent supporting roles in Carry On Columbus , The Nutty Professor , Nutty Professor II: The Klumps , and Max Keeble's Big Move . He has over 50 film appearances. [5]

He was part of the main cast of Life's Work , The Pursuit of Happiness , and High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story. He is also a frequent guest actor on television, most notably as the nasty doorman on Seinfeld in the episode "The Doorman". He played Edwin Poole in the ABC dramedy Boston Legal . He played nightclub owner Michael Dobson in two Law & Order episodes, first in the episode "Coma" and then later in "Encore". Miller appeared as himself in a third episode, "Smoke". He was also in 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter , where he played Tommy, Kyle's obnoxious father and Paul's (John Ritter) colleague. [6]

He is friends with Jerry Seinfeld, and once auditioned for the part of George Costanza. [7] [8]

Other work

As a stand-up comic, he is best known for his monologue "The Five Levels of Drinking", which Vulture hailed as "masterful, well-written, and influential". [9]

From 2002 to 2004, Miller wrote a column for the magazine The Weekly Standard that usually ran once every two weeks. [10] Since then, he continued to occasionally contribute to the magazine, and to the Washington Examiner, which absorbed The Weekly Standard when it ceased publication. [11] His subject matter has included politics as well as reminiscences about fellow entertainers and anecdotes from his own life. [11]

Two of the columns he wrote in 2002 served as the text for frequently forwarded emails at the time, though in both cases his words were attributed to others. The first was his very first Weekly Standard column in January 2002, in which he mocked various anti-war platitudes of the time; [10] the text was incorrectly attributed to retired Air Force general Richard E. Hawley. [12] The second was an April 2002 column defending Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, [13] which was attributed to fellow comedian Dennis Miller. [14] Another email which also began to be forwarded in 2002, purporting to offer "George Carlin's Views on Aging", was derived in part from a stand-up routine that Larry Miller performed in the 1990s. [15]

Miller began a weekly podcast on the Carolla Digital Network, This Week with Larry Miller , suspending it after falling and injuring his head severely in April 2012. After hospitalization and a coma, he said in January 2013 that he was convalescing. Miller resumed the podcast on January 9, 2013. [16] In February 2015 the podcast was retitled The Larry Miller Show with direct distribution.[ citation needed ] The podcast ended with the December 2, 2020, episode. Miller referred to it as the "grand finale" after not broadcasting a new show in the previous six months. The show page cited issues with producing the show safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. [17]

Personal life

Miller married television writer Eileen Conn in 1993. The couple has two children. [18]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
1989 Three Fugitives Street Cop - Second Officer
Out Cold Plumber No. 2
1990 Pretty Woman Mr. Hollister
Almost an Angel Teller
1991 L.A. Story Tom
Suburban Commando Adrian Beltz
Necessary Roughness Dean Phillip Elias
Frankenstein: The College Years (TV movie)Professor LomanTV movie
1992 Carry On Columbus The Chief
Frozen Assets Newton Patterson
1993 Undercover Blues Halsey
Dream Lover Norman
1994 The Favor Joe Dubin
Corrina, Corrina Sid
Radioland Murders Herman Katzenback
1995 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Dean Al ValentineTV movie
1996 The Nutty Professor Dean Richmond
Waiting for Guffman Mayor Glenn Welsch
Dear God State Judge
1997 For Richer or Poorer IRS Inspector Derek Lester
Bayou GhostReverend Carmichael
1998 Chairman of the Board Bradford McMillan
Carnival of Souls Louis Seagram
1999 The Minus Man Paul
10 Things I Hate About You Walter Stratford
Runaway Bride N.Y.C. Bartender KevinUncredited
The Big Tease Dunston Cactus
Pros & Cons Ben Babbitt
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Dean Richmond
Best in Show Max Berman
2001 What's the Worst That Could Happen? Earl Radburn
The Princess Diaries PaoloUncredited
Max Keeble's Big Move Principal Elliot T. Jindraike
2002 Teddy Bears' Picnic Uncredited
2003 A Guy Thing Minister Ferris
A Mighty Wind Wally Fenton
2004 Raising Helen Car BuyerUncredited
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Paolo
2005 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Dabney Shaw
Uncommon SenseLarryTV movie
Life of the Party Dr. Trent
2006 Keeping Up with the Steins Arnie Stein
Lance is a JerkRon DeLuca
The Ant Bully Fred Nicklevoice
For Your Consideration Syd Finkleman
2007The Pre NupDanielShort
Chasing RobertPeter Vondra
BagboyPike
The Final Season Roger Dempseyvoice
Bee Movie Buzzwell
Blonde Ambition Richard Connelly
2008 Get Smart CIA Agent
Senior Skip DayPrincipal Dickwalder
The SpleenectomySir Henry PierreShort
The Other End of the Line Kit Hawksin
2009 The Six Wives of Henry Lefay Lipschutz
2010 Valentine's Day Oversized Baggage Agent
Alpha and Omega Marcelvoice
Keep It in Your PantsDr. Rosenrosen
Federal Bureau of Manners: The NodShort
Federal Bureau of Manners: Cell Phones
2011 New Year's Eve HarleySegment "Ahern Party"
Deck the HallsWillie MeehanTV movie
2012 Foodfight! Vlad Chocoolvoice
General Education Rich Collins
The Mystery CruiseWilly Meehan
2014Night VetRichShort
New SoulNew Soul Advisor No. 51
2015 Road Hard Barry 'Baby Doll' Weissman
Pearly Gates Rabbi
2016Hot BotSenator Biter
Mother's Day Motorcycle Cop
2018 Rock Steady Row The Dean
The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot Ed
Second Act Weiskopf

Television

YearTitleEpisodeRoleNotes
1982 Fame But Seriously, FolksThe Emcee
1984 Gimme a Break! The Big Apple: Part 1
Late Night with David Letterman October 4, 1984himself
The Bob Monkhouse Show Episode #1.7
1986 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson April 16, 1986himself - Guest Comic
1988November 3, 1988
1989December 27, 1989
1995 Seinfeld "The Doorman"Doorman
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Everybody's Got a TushyLarryvoice
The Single Guy PilotThe Cable Guy
The Pursuit of Happiness 7 episodesLarry Rutledge
1990–1996 Dream On 9 episodesSgt. McDougal/Irwin Bader
1996 Boston Common Everybody's StalkingWarren
1996-1997 Life's Work 18 episodesJerome Nash
1997 George & Leo The BribeLloyd
Just Shoot Me! The AssistantEmerson Gray
1993–1998 Mad About You 5 episodesLou Bonaparte
1998 The Larry Sanders Show I Buried Sidhimself
Michael Hayes 2 episodesOrwell
3rd Rock from the Sun Dr. Solomon's Traveling ShowGarvin
1998–1999 Hercules 2 episodes Lynceus voice
2000 Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane No Good DeedProfessor
1999–2000 Dilbert 30 episodes Pointy-haired Boss voice
2000 Bull 4 episodesC.J./C.J. Cox
2000-2001 DAG 2 episodesSpecial Agent Nash
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command 38 episodesXRvoice
2001 TV Funhouse Astronaut DayNarrator
The Weakest Link Scene Stealers Editionhimselfgame show
2002 Providence Shadow PlayDr. Minkus
The Guardian Lawyers, Guns and MoneyDale Petrocki
My Wife and Kids 3 episodesStuart Tyler
The Mind of the Married Man Peter PanErnie Spivak
1994–2003 Law & Order 3 episodesMichael Dobson, Himself
2003 The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire 4 episodesScott Haggis
2002–2003 8 Simple Rules 12 episodesTommy
2004 King of the Hill Dale Be Not ProudDoctor Taborvoice
2005 Desperate Housewives Color and LightLeonard Harper
2006The Ant BullyArrivalFred NickleTV miniseries short
voice
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Episode #14.224, Jeopardy segmentCharlie Brown
2007 Medium Joe Day AfternoonDylan Kravitz
2005–2007 Monk 2 episodesGarrett Price
2008 Dirt God Bless the ChildBill Hope
Burn Notice ComradesHarvey Gunderson
2004–2008 Boston Legal 4 episodesEdwin Poole
2009 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! HairLarry Steves
2009–2010 10 Things I Hate About You 20 episodesWalter Stratford
2010 Gravity 4 episodesDr. Tepperman
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Larry Miller Hair Systemhimselfvoice
Late Night Liars episode #1.1Host-uncredited
2011 The Protector HelpAlan Bronski
Curb Your Enthusiasm Palestinian ChickenEddie Kravitz
Shake It Up Camp It UpLarry Diller
2012 Bent A-GameBobTV mini-series
2011–2012 The Penguins of Madagascar 3 episodesClemsonTV series short
voice
2013 Devious Maids Cleaning Out the ClosetFrank
Liv and Maddie Team-A-RooneyPrincipal Fickman
2014 Hot in Cleveland Elka Takes a LoverLarry
Comedy Bang! Bang! Alison Brie Wears a Black Mesh Top & Mini-SkirtJery Pickens
Mystery Girls Passing the TorchArthur J. Stanwick
2015 Clipped Free Wednesdayunnamed characterTV mini-series
2017 Runaways RewindPhil
2016–2017High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story9 episodesPrincipal Perkales (Principle Perkles)TV mini-series
2011–2019 NCIS 2 episodesEd Slater

Videos

YearVideoRoleNotes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins XRvoice
2005Final ApproachWalter
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman Principal Pankleyvoice
2008Senior Skip DayMr. Frankfurt Dickwalder
Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control Underchief/CIA Chief

Video games

YearGameRoleNotes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command XRvoice

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References

  1. 1 2 "Larry Miller Biography". FilmReference.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  2. Rabin, Nathan (July 14, 2008). "Random Roles: Larry Miller". The A.V. Club . G/O Media. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. Sauro, Tony (July 25, 2013). "Longtime friends Larry Miller and Jerry Seinfeld team up for Stockton show". The Record . Stockton, California . Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  4. Miller, Larry (December 22, 2006). "I'm... dreaming... of a white... Chri -- ummm, holidays". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles . Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2006.
  5. "Cocktails with Larry Miller". Louisiana Entertainment. Louisiana Economic Development.
  6. Smith, Austin (November 6, 2003). "Fate's 'Simple Rules'". New York Post .
  7. Evans, Bradford (April 14, 2011). "The Lost Roles of Seinfeld". Splitsider . New York Media, LLC . Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  8. W, Joe (November 2, 2010). "Larry Miller - The Original George Costanza". Idolizing Clowns. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  9. Boone, Brian (March 21, 2017). "Revisiting Larry Miller's Bit 'The Five Levels of Drinking'". Vulture.com . New York Media, LLC. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Miller, Larry (January 13, 2002). "You Say You Want a Resolution". The Weekly Standard . Archived from the original on January 29, 2017.
  11. 1 2 "Larry Miller". Washington Examiner . November 24, 2016.
  12. Mikkelson, David (March 9, 2008). "Dick Hawley Speech". Snopes .
  13. Miller, Larry (April 21, 2002). "Whosoever Blesses Them". The Weekly Standard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  14. Mikkelson, David (August 2, 2014). "A Brief Overview of the Situation". Snopes.
  15. Mikkelson, David (August 4, 2011). "George Carlin on Aging". Snopes.
  16. Heyman, J.D. (January 8, 2013). "Larry Miller Recovers from Life-Threatening Brain Injury". People . Archived from the original on January 8, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. "The Final Episode! Does He Drink Coffee? (2020)".
  18. Allin, Olivia (April 4, 2012). "'10 Things I Hate About You' dad Larry Miller hospitalized". On the Red Carpet . Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.