Stuart Pankin

Last updated
Stuart Pankin
Born (1946-04-08) April 8, 1946 (age 77) [1]
Alma mater Columbia University
OccupationActor
Years active1968–present
Spouse
Joy Pankin
(m. 1974)
Children1

Stuart Pankin (born April 8, 1946) [1] is an American actor. He is known for his role as anchor Bob Charles in Not Necessarily the News and as the voice of Earl Sinclair in Dinosaurs . Stuart is also known for his portrayal of Commander Edward Plank in the Zenon trilogy films, and Orthodox Jew Ben Heineman in Curb Your Enthusiasm , as well as making many guest appearances in many television shows and for lending his voice to various animated shows and films. Among his approximately three dozen films was Hollywood Knights . He also appeared in Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves and Arachnophobia and as Jimmy in Fatal Attraction .

Contents

Early life and education

Pankin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on April 8, 1946. [1] He attended Dickinson College, where he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Columbia University. [2]

Career

Early in his career, Pankin frequently performed at St. Vincent Summer Theatre and still returns to perform there often. [3] [4] Pankin is known for his portrayal as anchor Bob Charles on HBO's Not Necessarily the News , as well for voicing Earl Sinclair in the family sitcom Dinosaurs . He is also known for playing the father Mike Dooley on the short-lived sitcom Nearly Departed . [5] Pankin also played an Orthodox Jew in Curb Your Enthusiasm . Pankin made many guest appearances and lent his voice to animated shows, as well for appearing in numerous television commercials.

One of Pankin's earliest film appearances was as asthmatic musician/magician Dudley Laywicker in Hollywood Knights . Among his approximately three dozen film appearances, he starred in Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century , Zenon: The Zequel , and Zenon: Z3 as Commander Plank. He also appeared in Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves , as the brother of Wayne Szalinski, and also co-starred as a bossy, self-important lawman in the horror/comedy Arachnophobia .

Pankin also appeared as an absent-minded professor in a series of edutainment 3D films (Encounter in the Third Dimension and Misadventures in 3D), designed for large-screen IMAX theaters. He has been a spokesman in infomercials, including for the WalkFit Phase 4 Orthotics shoe insert.[ citation needed ]

Although Pankin is known for comedy roles and game show appearances (e.g., The $100,000 Pyramid ), he has sometimes also taken dramatic roles, such as in the thriller Fatal Attraction .

Pankin also appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor Podcast on January 24, 2017.

Personal life

Pankin has been married to actress Joy Pankin since 1974; [2] [3] [4] together they have a son, Andy. [2] [4] [1]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976 Next Stop, Greenwich Village Man at Party
1979 Scavenger Hunt Duane
1980 The Hollywood Knights Dudley Laywicker
Hangar 18 Sam Tate
1981 Earthbound Sweeney
An Eye for an Eye Nicky LaBelle
1984 Irreconcilable Differences Ronnie
1985 The Dirt Bike Kid Mr. Hodgkins
1987 Fatal Attraction Jimmy
1988 Love at Stake Judge Samuel John
1989 Second Sight Dr. Preston Pickett
1990 Arachnophobia Sheriff Lloyd Parsons
1991 Mannequin Two: On the Move Mr. James
Life Stinks Pritchard
1994 The Silence of the Hams Pete Putrid
Squanto: A Warrior's Tale Brother Timothy
I Love Trouble Society Photographer
BeanstalkThe Giant
1995 Congo Boyd
1996 Big Bully Gerry
Napoleon Perenti Lizard, Father PenguinVoice
Striptease Alan Mordecai
1997 Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves Gordon SzalinskiDirect-to-video
1999 Encounter in the Third Dimension The Professor, M.A.X.Voice
Baby Huey's Great Easter Adventure EmpireDirect-to-video
2000Aladdin and the Adventures of All Time King Henry VIII Voice, direct-to-video
2001D4GStuart Dofman
2002Now You KnowMr. Victim
2003Misadventures in 3DThe Professor, M.A.X.Short film
2007An Accidental ChristmasSaul
2008A Woman in the WestDr. SedgewickShort film
Public InterestCharles Waterford
2009Dude, Where's My Bar?Moe GreenShort film
2011Hopelessly In JuneFrancaise Flowers
The Artist Director #1
2014Conjuring OrsonEli KleinShort film
Fat ZombieDr. Alastair KrugerShort film
2015 The Binding Dr. Plank
2017I Might Be FamousPat Wonders
Anywhere, U.S.A.Frank HansonShort film
2019American ChristmasJim
2020Our Almost Completely StoryBuster
2021The Great FamilyMikeman MikeShort film
2022Our Almost Completely StoryBuster
TBAKickback, VCouncilman BottomPre-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1974Free to Be... You & MeMan in the maternity wardTelevision film
1977The San Pedro BumsStufTelevision film
The San Pedro Beach Bums Stuf10 episodes
1978–1980 Barney Miller Alex Fleischer, Anthony Moreau2 episodes
1979–1980 B.J. and the Bear Harvey Krepler, Mushroom2 episodes
1981 House Calls HugginsEpisode: "Bombing Out"
CHiPs LouisEpisode: "Ponch's Angels"
Benson The PlumberEpisode: "Stress"
1982 No Soap, Radio Tuttle5 episodes
Strike Force Unknown roleEpisode: "Deadly Chemicals"
The Powers of Matthew Star Bill ChambersEpisode: "The Accused"
1982–1984 Matt Houston Farley Ward, Minister2 episodes
1982–1985 Trapper John, M.D. August Havermeyer3 episodes
1983–1990 Not Necessarily the News Bob Charles46 episodes
1984–1987 Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer Counterfeiter, Labbo2 episodes
1985 Fame Harry BurkeEpisode: "Wishes"
Three's a Crowd Alex CummingsEpisode: "A Star Is Born"
It's a Living Jerry WilsonEpisode: "I Write the Songs"
Scarecrow and Mrs. King Teller in red jacketEpisode: "Sour Grapes"
1985–1991 Night Court Mr. Shoope, Dr. Adelman, Dr. Charles Melnick3 episodes
1986–1991 The $100,000 Pyramid Himself45 episodes
1986 The Golden Girls Jacques De CourvilleEpisode: "Vacation"
1986BamboozleHimself
1987 Family Ties MarvEpisode: "The Visit"
The New Hollywood Squares Himself3 episodes
Second Chance Teacher1 episode
1987–1988 Super Password Himself20 episodes
1988–1989 Hooperman The Devil, Clyde2 episodes
1988Who's the BabyHimselfTelevision film
1988The 9th Annual CableACE AwardsHimself
The 2nd Annual American Comedy Awards
1989 Nearly Departed Mike Dooley6 episodes
Who's the Boss? Doug ShafferEpisode: "It's Somebody's Birthday"
1989–1990 Falcon Crest Jace Sampson8 episodes
It's Garry Shandling's Show Lucas Death, Garry's Brain2 episodes
1990 Stingray MorganEpisode: "That Terrible Swift Sword"
1991–1994 Dinosaurs Earl SinclairVoice, 65 episodes
1991 Knots Landing Benny Appleman9 episodes
Charlie Hoover EdEpisode: "Roll One for Ed"
Shannon's Deal Ted McCarthyEpisode: "First Amendment"
The Chuck Woolery ShowHimself1 episode
1992Whoops! Santa Claus Episode: "Say It Ain't So, Santa"
1993 The Commish Mike AmadorEpisode: "The Set-Up"
Family Matters Honest BobEpisode: "Car Wars"
Bonkers Mammoth Mammoth, Pops KlockVoice, 2 episodes
Class of '96 BarryEpisode: "Parents Weekend"
1994 Father and Scout AaronTelevision film
Batman: The Animated Series Condiment King Voice, episode: "Make 'Em Laugh" [6]
Adventures in Wonderland Scalawag JonesEpisode: "The Color of Wobucks"
Aladdin Sultan Pasta Al-DenteVoice, 3 episodes
1995 Sisters JuniorEpisode: "A Lullaby to My Father"
Down, Out & Dangerous Calvin BurrowsTelevision film
University Hospital Arnie NicholsonEpisode: "Dark Side of the Moon"
1996 Bone Chillers Mr. BatrachianEpisode: "Teacher Creature"
Deadly Games Dr. Jerry AbernathyEpisode: "Dr. Kramer"
Duckman Additional voicesEpisode: "Apocalypse Not"
The Mask: Animated Series Buzz Stingman / StingerVoice, 2 episodes
Quack Pack Green I Monster of JealousyVoice, episode: "Snow Place to Hide"
1996–1997 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Kurt Fust22 episodes
Life with Louie FlannganVoice, 2 episodes
1997 Cow and Chicken Chicken Walla, Mailman, SergeantVoice, episode: "Cow Instincts, Don't It?/Ballerina Cow" [6]
The Angry Beavers Distructo, MailmanVoice, 2 episodes [6]
Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Clancy, News AnchorVoice, episode: "The Great Escape/Beast with Four Eyes" [6]
1998 Ally McBeal Mr. HandyEpisode: "They Eat Horses, Don't They?"
Like Father, Like Santa SnipesTelevision film
Animaniacs EdVoice, episode: "The Carpool" [6]
Babylon 5: The River of Souls James RileyTelevision film
Oh Yeah! Cartoons PossumVoice, episode: "Apex Cartoon Props & Novelties" [6]
1998–1999 Hercules Additional voices3 episodes
1998–2001 Dharma & Greg Mr. Gottlieb, Rabbi Mutchnik3 episodes
1999–2001 For Your Love Mr. Gerard5 episodes
1999 Suddenly Susan Andy BevinsEpisode: "Wedding Bell Blues"
The Brothers Flub Additional voices16 episodes
Batman Beyond Key NegotiatorVoice, episode: "Meltdown" [6]
Superman: The Animated Series Dr. CardyVoice, episode: "A Fish Story" [6]
Uncle Gus in: For the Love of MonkeysUncle GusVoice, TV short
Mad About You Mr. BrodskyEpisode: "Uncle Phil Goes Back to High School"
Walker, Texas Ranger Stanley ChamberlainEpisode: "Tall Cotton"
Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century Commander Edward PlankTelevision film
2000Phase 4HimselfTelevision film
Action Bill RothsteinEpisode: "The Last Ride of the Elephant Princess"
2001 Malcolm in the Middle DoctorEpisode: "Flashback"
Godzilla: The Series Milo SandersVoice, episode: "Tourist Trap"
Chasing DestinyMike DitlowTelevision film
The Zeta Project Dr. Donald TannorVoice, 2 episodes [6]
The Hughleys SantaEpisode: "I'm Dreaming of a Slight Christmas"
Zenon: The Zequel Commander Edward PlankTelevision film
2002 Teamo Supremo Joseph Garbaggio / Sloppy JoeVoice, episode: "The Sinister Sloppy Joe!"
2002 As Told by Ginger Mr. BowersVoice, episode: "New Girl in Town"
2003–2004 That's So Raven Mr. Grozowtski3 episodes
2004 Higglytown Heroes Bus Driver HeroVoice, episode: "Catch Up with Ketchup/Star Struck"
Walk FitHimselfTelevision film
Miss Cast Away and the Island Girls NoahTelevision film
Zenon: Z3 Commander Edward PlankTelevision film
2005 Lilo & Stitch: The Series Additional voicesEpisode: "Sample"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Ben Heineman2 episodes
I Love the 80's 3-DHimselfDocumentary
2006 Boston Legal Judge Gilbert PottsEpisode: "Tick or Treat"
WagtailHimself
2007 On the Lot HimselfUnknown episodes
State of Mind Dr. ShapiroEpisode: "Snow Melts"
2008 The Suite Life on Deck SimmsEpisode: Parrot Island"
2009SplatterDr. BellowsEpisode: "Where There's a Will"
2011 Shake It Up! SantaEpisode: "Jingle It Up"
2012A Christmas Wedding DateSanta SamTelevision film
Desperate Housewives PatrickEpisode: "You Take for Granted"
2013All I Want for ChristmasLewisTelevision film
2014Q N' A with Mikki and ShayHimself1 episode
2015 Girl Meets World Principal YancyEpisode: "Girl Meets the New Teacher"
The BizSaulTV short
You'll Be FineDaveEpisode: "We've Been Waiting"
2016UnderachieversPrincipal HartleyTV short
2018See YaMorrisEpisode: "3 F's"
2021Pilot SeasonRonEpisode: "Behind the Times"

Video games

YearTitleRole
1999 Lands of Lore III Finch Josiah, The Noble

Radio

YearTitleRoleNotes
2017 Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor PodcastHimself / Guest

Web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2016 Kevin Pollak's Chat Show Himself / GuestEpisode: "257"

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNoted
1968 The War of the Roses
1971 Mary Stuart Sheriff of NorthamptonBroadway [7]
1972 Narrow Road to the Deep North One of the Peasants, Soldiers, Tribesmen
Twelfth Night Priest
The Crucible Hopkins
1975The Glorious AgePerformerOff-Broadway [7]

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations
YearAwardCategoryTitleResult
1983 CableACE Awards Best Actor in a Variety Program Not Necessarily The News Nominated
1987Best Actor in a Comedy or Music ProgramNominated
1988Best Actor in a Comedy SeriesWon
1989Best Actor in a Comedy SeriesNominated
2006ERA AwardsBest Celebrity PresenterElectronic Retail AssociationNominated

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Stuart Pankin Biography (1946-)". www.filmreference.com.
  2. 1 2 3 Stuart Pankin Biography - Yahoo! Movies
  3. 1 2 "Stuart Pankin Family to perform in Saint Vincent Theatre production 'Rumors' - Saint Vincent College". Archived from the original on 2011-09-28. Retrieved 2011-07-15.
  4. 1 2 3 "Stage Preview: Stuart Pankin returns to Saint Vincent for lively 'Lend Me a Tenor'".
  5. Stuart Pankin at IMDb
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Stuart Pankin (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 27, 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 opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
  7. 1 2 "Stuart Pankin Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos".