Stephen Tobolowsky

Last updated

Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen tobolowsky 2012.jpg
Tobolowsky at the 2012 Texas Book Festival
Born
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky

(1951-05-30) May 30, 1951 (age 73)
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Education Southern Methodist University (BFA)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (MFA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • writer
Years active1975−present
Spouse
(m. 1988)
Children2
Website stephentobolowsky.com OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Stephen Harold Tobolowsky (born May 30, 1951) is an American character actor and writer. He is known for film roles such as insurance agent Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day [1] and amnesiac Sammy Jankis in Memento , as well as such television characters as Commissioner Hugo Jarry in Deadwood , Bob Bishop in Heroes , Sandy Ryerson in Glee , Stu Beggs in Californication and White Famous , "Action" Jack Barker in Silicon Valley , Dr. Leslie Berkowitz in One Day at a Time , Principal Earl Ball in The Goldbergs , and Dr. Schulman in The Mindy Project .

Contents

Tobolowsky has a monthly audio podcast, The Tobolowsky Files, of autobiographical stories of his acting and personal life. [2] He has also authored three books: The Dangerous Animals Club, Cautionary Tales, and My Adventures with God .

Early life and education

Tobolowsky was born on May 30, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. [3] He grew up creating imaginative games with his brother, and his story The Dangerous Animals Club paints a picture of how unsupervised children in the 20th century could amuse themselves. He showed talent at baseball, but a serious childhood illness ended his career as an athlete before it began. He graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School and Southern Methodist University. [4] He received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1975. [5]

He is a cousin of former Dallas attorney Ira Tobolowsky, [6] who was murdered in his home in 2016 by a disgruntled former litigant. [7] Another cousin (and Ira's brother) is the sculptor George Tobolowsky. [8]

Stephen Tobolowsky also played in a band called A Cast of Thousands, which had two songs, "Red, White and Blue" and "I Heard a Voice Last Night", on a compilation of local Dallas bands called A New Hi. Both of these songs featured Steve Vaughan on guitar, who would be later known as Stevie Ray Vaughan. [9]

Career

Tobolowsky has appeared in over 200 films, plus many television projects. He has also worked in the theater, directing and acting in plays in New York City, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. He directed one film, Two Idiots in Hollywood , based on his play of the same name. He also co-wrote the film True Stories with David Byrne and Beth Henley. [10] While writing True Stories, he told Byrne about his supposed psychic abilities, which inspired Byrne to write the song "Radio Head" for the film. The band Radiohead later named themselves after the Talking Heads song. [11] Tobolowsky was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for the 2002 revival of Morning's at Seven .

On October 29, 2009, Tobolowsky started a new podcast on /Film called The Tobolowsky Files, where he tells stories, in a similar fashion to his film Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party . [12] [13] The show was picked up by Public Radio International in 2012. [14] In 2015, he co-hosted a short-lived second podcast, Big Problems – An Advice Podcast, with David Chen. [15]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977Keep My Grave OpenRobert
1984 The Philadelphia Experiment Barney
Swing Shift French deMille / Documentary Narrator
1986 Nobody's Fool Kirk
1987 Spaceballs Captain of the Guard
1988 Mississippi Burning Clayton Townley
Two Idiots in Hollywood Prosecuting AttorneyAlso writer and director
1989 Checking Out Pharmacist
Breaking In District Attorney
Great Balls of Fire! Jud Phillips
In Country Pete
1990 Bird on a Wire Joe Weyburn
Funny About Love Hugo
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Mayor Bill KleplerCredited as Stephen Tobolowski
The Grifters Jeweler
Mirror, Mirror Mr. Anderson
1991 Thelma & Louise Max
1992 Wedlock Warden Holliday
Basic Instinct Dr. Lamott
Where the Day Takes You Charles
Hero Wallace
Memoirs of an Invisible Man Warren Singleton
Single White Female Mitchell Myerson
Roadside Prophets Ranger Bob
Sneakers Dr. Werner Brandes
1993 Josh and S.A.M. Thom Whitney
Calendar Girl Antonio Gallo
The Pickle Mike Krakower
Romeo Is Bleeding District AttorneyUncredited
Groundhog Day Ned Ryerson
1994 Trevor Father Jon
My Father the Hero Mike
Radioland Murders Max Applewhite
1995 Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde Oliver Mintz
Murder in the First Mr. Henkin
1996 The Glimmer Man Christopher Maynard
Power 98 Rick Harris
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco BandoVoice [16]
1997 Boys Life 2 Father John
The Curse of InfernoLonnie Martin
Mr. Magoo Agent Chuck Stupak
1998 An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn Bill Bardo
Black Dog McClaren
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story TabaquiVoice [16]
Around the Fire Doc
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars CalculatorVoice, credited as Stephen Tobolowski [16]
1999 The Insider Eric Kluster
One Man's Hero Captain Gaine
2000Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes Dewey Wise
Bossa Nova Trevor
The Operator Doc
Memento Sammy Jankis
Stanley's Gig Abe Cohen
2001 The Prime Gig Mick
Freddy Got Fingered Uncle NeilUncredited
2002 Love Liza Tom Bailey
The Country Bears Norbert Barrington
Adaptation Ranger Steve NeelyScenes cut
Ritual Dr. JavitzUncredited
2003 National Security Billy Narthax
View from the Top Frank ThomasUncredited
Freaky Friday Mr. Elton Bates
Frankie and Johnny Are Married Murray Mintz
2004 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! George Ruddy
Garfield Happy Chapman / Walter J. Chapman
Little Black Book Carl
Debating Robert LeeDebate Judge
2005 Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous Tom Abernathy
Robots Bigmouth Executive, ForgeVoice [16]
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party Himself
Living 'til the EndDr. Shaw
2006 The Sasquatch Gang Ernie Dalrymple
Failure to Launch Bud
Pope Dreams Carl Venable
Blind Dating Dr. Perkins
National Lampoon's Totally Baked: A Potumentary Jesco Rollins
2007 Wild Hogs Charley
Boxboarders! Dr. Stephen James
Loveless in Los Angeles Jon
2008The Rainbow TribePrincipal Sands
Beethoven's Big Break Sal DeMarcoVideo
2009 The Time Traveler's Wife Dr. Kendrick
2010 Buried Alan DavenportVoice
Hard BreakersEphraim
Peep World Ephraim
2011 You May Not Kiss the Bride Plumber
The Last Ride Ray
2012A Little Something on the SideLarryShort
The Lorax Uncle UbbVoice [16]
Pearblossom Hwy Rick Lawler
2014 The Barber Chief Gary Hardaway
Mr. Peabody & Sherman Principal PurdyVoice [16]
Atlas Shrugged: Part III Dr. Hugh Akston
Christian Mingle Douglas McCarver
2015 Hollywood Adventures Wronald Wright
2016 Welcome to the Men's Group Carl
Six LA Love StoriesProfessor John Dobler
The Confirmation Father Lyons
Guys and Girls Can't Be FriendsAndy
2017 Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown Andy GundersonVoice [16]
Mamaboy Reverend Weld
2018 Strange Nature Mayor Paulson [17]
Monsters At LargeMr. Phillips
2019 Fractured Dr. Berthram [18]
2023 Candy Cane Lane Mr. Benedetto
2023 Poolman Stephen Toronkowski/Blanche
2025 Freakier Friday Mr. Elton BatesPost-production [19]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Cocaine and Blue EyesTV ClerkTelevision film
1985 Alice Caveman CarlEpisode: "Vera, the Nightbird"
Knots Landing Steve ComiskeyEpisode: "A Man of Good Will"
Falcon Crest DoctorEpisode: "The Phoenix"
Cagney & Lacey Russell PhelpsEpisode: "Ordinary Hero"
Stir Crazy SalesmanEpisode: "Where's Mary?"
1986 Designing Women BoydEpisode: "Design House"
227 ProfessorEpisode: "We the People"
1987 The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd AlexEpisode: "Here's Why You Should Never Wear High Heels to the Bank"
1989 Roe vs. Wade Darryl HorwathTelevision film
L.A. Law Dr. Michael SegalEpisode: "Lie Down and Deliver"
Lifestories Josh GantEpisode: "Art Conforti"
1990Last Flight OutDoctor Timothy BrandonTelevision film
1991 Seinfeld TorEpisode: "The Heart Attack"
Tagget Al HentzTelevision film
Down Home HonisEpisode: "Mail Order Tran"
Baby Talk Dr. Ezra FarrEpisode: "The Whiz Kid"
The Marla Hanson StoryDefense AttorneyTelevision film
Deadly Medicine Ron SuttonTelevision film
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned MobsterSergeant Phil BaranskiTelevision film
1993 Picket Fences Ben SashaEpisode: "Be My Valentine"
Civil Wars Eugene PaxtonEpisode: "A Liver Runs Through It"
When Love Kills: The Seduction of John HearnDetective KeefeTelevision film
Café Americain RogerEpisode: "Toast of the Town"
Against the Grain Niles HardemanRecurring role
1994 Harts of the West Dave's former bossEpisode: "Back in the Panties Again"
Blue Skies OakMain role
1995 Dweebs KarlMain role
A Whole New Ballgame Dr. Warner Brakefield2 episodes
Chicago Hope Dr. Ted Joseph2 episodes
1996 The Home Court Jeffrey SolomonEpisode: "Touched by an Anger"
The Pretender Dr. Alan TraderEpisode: "Pilot"
Night VisitorsTaylorTelevision film
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Principal Flutie Unaired pilot
1996–1997 Mr. Rhodes Ray HearyMain role
1997 The Drew Carey Show The CouncilmanEpisode: "The Dog and Pony Show"
The Naked Truth Vincent HartfordEpisode: "The Birds"
Murder One Dr. Andross3 episodes
Promised Land Fred ArgyleEpisode: "Par for the Course"
1997–1998 Life with Louie Voice, 2 episodes
1998 The Closer PhilEpisode: "Morality Bites"
Hercules NumericlesVoice, episode: "Hercules and the Techno Greeks"
Suddenly Susan Dr. GerkenEpisode: "Don't Tell"
Vengeance Unlimited Mayor Bob LairdEpisode: "Eden"
1998–2000 Any Day Now Mr. Brinkman2 episodes
1999 Mad About You Principal HocksackerEpisode: "Uncle Phil Goes Back to High School"
The Practice Clyde BurrowsEpisode: "Closet Justice"
Don't Look Under the Bed Michael McCauslandTelevision film
That '70s Show The ProfessorEpisode: "Laurie and the Professor"
Two Guys and a Girl Father ViteriEpisode: "Berg's New Roommate"
Odd Man Out Alan CarlsonEpisode: "In the Name of the Father"
Snoops Michael Bench3 episodes
2000 Manhattan, AZ Dr. BobRecurring role
Alien Fury: Countdown to InvasionB.J. McQueenTelevision film
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command GilVoice, episode: "Mindwarp" [16]
That's Life Study Advisor Roger RobinsonEpisode: "The Screw-Up"
2001 Roswell Julius WaltersEpisode: "Secrets and Lies"
Bull Mr. SiegelEpisode: "Blood, Flopsweat and Tears"
King of the Hill Dr. Benson, Burt HalverstromVoice, episode: "The Exterminator"
Off Centre Milt FlackEpisode: "Swing Time"
The Day the World Ended Principal Ed TurnerTelevision film
The Lone Gunmen Adam BurgessEpisode: "Madam, I'm Adam"
Black River Mayor Tom ThompsonTelevision film
2002 Malcolm in the Middle Mr. FisherEpisode: "Lois' Makeover"
Law & Order: Criminal Intent Jim HalliwellEpisode: "Malignant"
Do Over Mr. MeyersEpisode: "The Block Party"
2003 Las Vegas Donny RollinsEpisode: "Donny, We Hardly Knew Ye"
Kingpin Dr. Klein's lawyerEpisode: "Black Magic Woman"
Lloyd in Space Voice, episode: "At Home with the Bolts"
Oliver Beene Ringmaster BobEpisode: "Divorce-o-Rama"
The Dead Zone Dr. Jim PrattEpisode: "Plague"
2003–2005 CSI: Miami Assistant State Attorney Don HaffmanRecurring role
2004 Will and Grace Ned WeathersEpisode: "Company"
It's All Relative RoyEpisode: "Philip in a China Shop"
The West Wing Dr. Max MilkmanEpisode: "The Stormy Present"
Complete Savages Mr. FrehleyEpisode: "Voodude"
Married to the Kellys Henry ConwayEpisode: "Talk Radio"
According to Jim Dr. TedEpisode: "The Marriage Bank"
2005 American Dragon: Jake Long Stan LipkowskiVoice, 2 episodes [16]
McBride: The Doctor Is Out... Really Out Harry EversTelevision film
Curb Your Enthusiasm Len DunkelEpisode: "The Seder"
The Closer James BloomEpisode: "The Butler Did It"
Reba JudgeEpisode: "Grannies Gone Wild"
2005–2006 Deadwood Hugo JarryRecurring role
2006 Ghost Whisperer Dr. EdwardEpisode: "Dead Man's Ridge"
Night Stalker Titus BerryEpisode: "Timeless"
Desperate Housewives Bud PenrodEpisode: "No One Is Alone"
2006–2007 Big Day The GarfRecurring role
2007 John From Cincinnati Mark Lewinsky3 episodes
Entourage Mayor of Beverly HillsEpisode: "Sorry, Harvey"
Boston Legal Dr. Alvin AzinabinacroftEpisode: "The Good Lawyer"
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip JoeEpisode: "The Friday Night Slaughter"
The Valley of LightLittlefieldTelevision film
Raines Wally AndersonEpisode: "Stone Dead"
2007–2008 Heroes Bob BishopRecurring role
2008 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Spencer FreibergEpisode: "Two and a Half Deaths"
Rita Rocks Bill BowmanEpisode: "Get Off Off of My Cloud"
2009 The New Adventures of Old Christine Principal James Merrow2 episodes
2009–2011 Glee Sandy RyersonRecurring role
2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Bill FantastimartEpisode: "A Fairly Attractive Mind"
True Jackson, VP Lars BalthazarEpisode: "Saving Snackleberry"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Edwin AdelsonEpisode: "Bullseye"
2011 Community Professor Peter SheffieldEpisode: "Competitive Wine Tasting"
The Defenders Judge GelineauEpisode: "Nevada v. Wayne"
Pound Puppies Mr. GeekmanVoice, episode: "Taboo" [16]
2011–2014 Californication Stu BeggsMain role
2012 Work It Dr. David DeutschEpisode: "Shake Your Moneymaker"
2012–2013 Justified FBI Agent Jerry Barkley3 episodes
2012–2016 The Mindy Project Marc Shulman4 episodes
2013 Toy Story of Terror! Ron the Hotel ManagerVoice, television film [16]
2014–2023 The Goldbergs Principal Earl BallRecurring role
2014 Friends with Better Lives Dr. AdlemanEpisode: "Game Sext Match"
Hello Ladies: The Movie AlanTelevision film
The Hotwives PhilRecurring role
2015 Big Time in Hollywood, FL Alan DolfeMain role
Dr. Ken JoeEpisode: "Pilot"
Another Period Thomas Edison Episode: "Rejects Beach"
2016 Fuller House Mr. GeraldEpisode: "The Not-So-Great Escape"
Blunt Talk Daniel RudolphEpisode: "Walter Has to Look After Walter"
2016–2017 Silicon Valley Jack Barker13 episodes
Justice League Action Martin Stein Voice, recurring role (10 episodes) [16]
2017–2020 The Loud House Principal HugginsVoice, recurring role [16]
One Day at a Time Dr. BerkowitzMain role
2017 White Famous Stu Beggs3 episodes
We Bare Bears StephenVoice, episode: "Tubin"
2018DIYMister WonderwormVoice, television film
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Defense Attorney KaymanEpisode: "The Good Girl”
2019 Schooled Earl BallRecurring role
The Cool Kids LeonardEpisode: "Margaret Ups Her Game”
Live in Front of a Studio Audience Harry BentleyEpisode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons "
Green Eggs and Ham ChadVoice, episode: "House" [16]
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Creepy RattlechainsVoice, episode: "The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-Ween" [16]
2019–2022 Puppy Dog Pals ChipVoice, 2 episodes
2020 ThunderCats Roar DrillerVoice, episode: "Driller" [16]
2020–2021 Archer RobertVoice, 8 episodes
2022 Grace and Frankie AllenEpisode: "The Horrible Family"
Haul Out the HollyNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
2023 Lopez vs Lopez Sam Van BryanRecurring role
The Really Loud House Walter Phillipini2 episodes
Animaniacs Local DJVoice, 2 episodes
Haul Out the Holly: Lit UpNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
2024 Nobody Wants This Rabbi CohenRecurring role
2024 Lopez vs Lopez Sam Van Bryanseason 3 episode 3 "Lopez vs In-Laws"
2024 The Madness Don Sloss Sr.season 1 episode 3 “Discord”

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013 Batman: Arkham Origins Ferris Boyle Cold, Cold Heart DLC
2024 Batman: Arkham Shadow [16]

Discography

Stage appearances

Selected stage appearances

YearTitleVenueRoleNotes
1976 Meredith Monk Dance Company's Paris Royce Hall Man with a clipboard [23]
1982 Beth Henley's The Wake of Jamie Foster Eugene O'Neill Theatre Leon
1985 Chekhov's The Three Sisters Los Angeles Theatre Center Baron Tuzenbach
1986 Michel de Ghelderode's BarabbusLos Angeles Theatre CenterPontius Pilate and The Watcher
1987 Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie Los Angeles Theatre CenterGentleman caller
1989 Christopher Durang's The Marriage of Bette and BooLos Angeles Theatre CenterFather Donnally and The Doctor
2002 Paul Osborn's Mornings at Seven Lyceum Theater and Ahmanson Theatre Homer
2002 Shaw's Heartbreak House Theater 40Capt. Shotover
2003Sally Nemeth's Holy DaysTheater 40Gant [24]
2019Angela J. Davis' The Spanish Prayer BookRoad Theater Los AngelesAlexander [25]

Writing credits

YearTitleNotes
1984 Two Idiots in Hollywood Stage play and film
1986 True Stories Film

Directing credits

YearTitleNotes
1984Two Idiots in HollywoodStage play at Theatre Los Angeles
1984 Beth Henley's The Miss Firecracker ContestStage play at Manhattan Theatre Club
1987Beth Henley's The Lucky SpotFilm
1988 Two Idiots in Hollywood Film
2003Jim McLure's Blue SilenceStage play at Theater 40

References

  1. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 29 – The Classic". slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  2. "iTunes - Podcasts - The Tobolowsky Files by PRI". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  3. "Stephen Tobolowsky". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  4. Currey, Mason (October 3, 2012). "Stephen Tobolowsky: What I learned in the seventh grade". Slate.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  5. "Stephen Tobolowsky" . Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  6. Dolsten, Josefin (May 18, 2016). "Who Was Prominent Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky – and Did 'Jihad' Man Want Him Dead?". Forward. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  7. Keomoungkhoun, Nataly (April 27, 2022). "What We Know About the 2016 Slaying of Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  8. Thompson, Jamie (May 2017). "A Place Where Something Evil Happened". D Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  9. A New Hi (Dallas 1971)
  10. Phipps, Keith (August 2, 2011). "Random Roles Stephen Tobolowsky". The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  11. Rabin, Nathan (April 25, 2016). "https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/when-stephen-tobolowsky-met-david-byrne.html". Vulture. New York Magazine. Retrieved January 25, 2024.{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  12. Tobolowsky, Stephen (September 16, 2010). "Op-Ed Contributor - They Had Great Character". New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  13. Chapman, Glen (March 16, 2010). "Celebrating Stephen Tobolowsky". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  14. Public Radio International® signs actor, writer Stephen Tobolowsky to create new storytelling series for radio, prnewswire.com; accessed April 8, 2015.
  15. "Big Problems" . Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  16. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Stephen Tobolowsky (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 21, 2023. 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.
  17. LePire, Bobby (September 29, 2018). "Strange Nature Featured, Reviews Film Threat" . Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  18. N'Duka, Amanda (December 19, 2018). "'Vice' Actress Lily Rabe & More Join Brad Anderson's Untitled Netflix Feature". Deadline. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  19. Grobar, Matt (June 24, 2024). "Sophia Hammons & Maitreyi Ramakrishnan Among Other New Additions To 'Freaky Friday 2' As Chad Michael Murray, Stephen Tobolowsky & More Are Set To Reprise; Theatrical Release Confirmed". Deadline. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  20. "Various – A New Hi (Dallas 1971 - Part 1)". Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  21. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers". Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  22. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, The Complete Season One". Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  23. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 85 - The Resume" . Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  24. "In 'Holy Days,' a story full of grit and grace". Los Angeles Times . August 19, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  25. "The Spanish Prayer Book" . Retrieved October 14, 2020.