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Stephen Tobolowsky

American actor (born 1951)


Summary

American actor (born 1951)

FieldValue
nameStephen Tobolowsky
imageStephen tobolowsky 2012.jpg
captionTobolowsky at the 2012 Texas Book Festival
birth_nameStephen Harold Tobolowsky
birth_date
birth_placeDallas, Texas, U.S.
years_active1975−present
occupation
spouse
children2
educationSouthern Methodist University (BFA)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (MFA)
website

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (MFA) 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 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.

Tobolowsky has a monthly audio podcast, The Tobolowsky Files, of autobiographical stories of his acting and personal life. 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. He and his family are of Russian descent. Tobolowsky 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. He received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1975.

Tobolowsky is a cousin of Dallas attorney Ira Tobolowsky, who was murdered in his home in 2016 by a disgruntled former litigant. George Tobolowsky, Ira's brother and Stephen's cousin, is a sculptor.

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.

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. While writing True Stories, he told Byrne about his supposed psychic abilities, which inspired Byrne to write the song "Radio Head" for the film. 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 Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party (2005). The show was picked up by Public Radio International in 2012.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1977Keep My Grave OpenRobert
1984The Philadelphia ExperimentBarney
Swing ShiftFrench deMille, Documentary Narrator
1986Nobody's FoolKirk
1987SpaceballsCaptain of the Guard
1988Mississippi BurningClayton Townley
Two Idiots in HollywoodProsecuting AttorneyAlso writer and director
1989Checking OutPharmacist
Breaking InDistrict Attorney
Great Balls of Fire!Jud Phillips
In CountryPete
1990Bird on a WireJoe Weyburn
Funny About LoveHugo
Welcome Home, Roxy CarmichaelMayor Bill KleplerCredited as Stephen Tobolowski
The GriftersJeweler
Mirror, MirrorMr. Anderson
1991Thelma & LouiseMax
1992WedlockWarden Holliday
Basic InstinctDr. Lamott
Where the Day Takes YouCharles
HeroWallace
Memoirs of an Invisible ManWarren Singleton
Single White FemaleMitchell Myerson
Roadside ProphetsRanger Bob
SneakersDr. Werner Brandes
1993Josh and S.A.M.Thom Whitney
Calendar GirlAntonio Gallo
The PickleMike Krakower
Romeo Is BleedingDistrict AttorneyUncredited
Groundhog DayNed Ryerson
1994TrevorFather Jon
My Father the HeroMike
Radioland MurdersMax Applewhite
1995Dr. Jekyll and Ms. HydeOliver Mintz
Murder in the FirstMr. Henkin
1996The Glimmer ManChristopher Maynard
Power 98Rick Harris
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San FranciscoBando (voice)title=Stephen Tobolowsky (visual voices guide)url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Stephen-Tobolowsky/access-date=August 21, 2023publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} 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.
1997Boys Life 2Father John
The Curse of InfernoLonnie Martin
Mr. MagooAgent Chuck Stupak
1998An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood BurnBill Bardo
Black DogMcClaren
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story Tabaqui (voice)
Around the Fire Doc
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to MarsCalculator (voice)Credited as Stephen Tobolowski
1999The InsiderEric Kluster
One Man's HeroCaptain Gaine
2000Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes Dewey Wise
Bossa NovaTrevor
The OperatorDoc
MementoSammy Jankis
Stanley's Gig Abe Cohen
2001The Prime GigMick
Freddy Got FingeredUncle NeilUncredited
2002Love LizaTom Bailey
The Country BearsNorbert Barrington
RitualDr. JavitzUncredited
2003National SecurityBilly Narthax
View from the TopFrank ThomasUncredited
Freaky FridayMr. Elton Bates
Frankie and Johnny Are MarriedMurray Mintz
2004Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!George Ruddy
GarfieldHappy Chapman / Walter J. Chapman
Little Black BookCarl
Debating Robert LeeDebate Judge
2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousTom Abernathy
RobotsBigmouth Executive, Forge (voice)
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday PartyHimself
Living 'til the EndDr. Shaw
2006The Sasquatch GangErnie Dalrymple
Failure to LaunchBud
Pope DreamsCarl Venable
Blind DatingDr. Perkins
National Lampoon's Totally Baked: A PotumentaryJesco Rollins
2007Wild HogsCharley
Boxboarders!Dr. Stephen James
Loveless in Los AngelesJon
2008The Rainbow TribePrincipal Sands
Beethoven's Big BreakSal DeMarcoVideo
2009The Time Traveler's WifeDr. Kendrick
2010BuriedAlan Davenport (voice)
Hard BreakersEphraim
Peep WorldEphraim
2011You May Not Kiss the BridePlumber
The Last RideRay
2012A Little Something on the SideLarryShort
The LoraxUncle Ubb (voice)
Pearblossom Hwy Rick Lawler
2014The BarberChief Gary Hardaway
Mr. Peabody & ShermanPrincipal Purdy (voice)
Atlas Shrugged: Part IIIDr. Hugh Akston
Christian MingleDouglas McCarver
2015Hollywood AdventuresWronald Wright
2016Welcome to the Men's GroupCarl
Six LA Love StoriesProfessor John Dobler
The ConfirmationFather Lyons
Guys and Girls Can't Be FriendsAndy
2017Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's ShowdownAndy Gunderson (voice)
MamaboyReverend Weld
2018Strange NatureMayor Paulson
Monsters At LargeMr. Phillips
2019FracturedDr. Berthram
2023Candy Cane LaneMr. Benedetto
PoolmanStephen Toronkowski/Blanche
2025Freakier FridayMr. Elton Bates

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Cocaine and Blue EyesTV ClerkTelevision film
1985AliceCaveman CarlEpisode: "Vera, the Nightbird"
Knots LandingSteve ComiskeyEpisode: "A Man of Good Will"
Falcon CrestDoctorEpisode: "The Phoenix"
Cagney & LaceyRussell PhelpsEpisode: "Ordinary Hero"
Stir CrazySalesmanEpisode: "Where's Mary?"
Crazy Like a FoxHotel ClerkEpisode: "Sunday in the Park with Harry"
1986Designing WomenBoydEpisode: "Design House"
227ProfessorEpisode: "We the People"
1987The Days and Nights of Molly DoddAlexEpisode: "Here's Why You Should Never Wear High Heels to the Bank"
1989Roe vs. WadeDarryl HorwathTelevision film
L.A. LawDr. Michael SegalEpisode: "Lie Down and Deliver"
LifestoriesJosh GantEpisode: "Art Conforti"
1990Last Flight OutDoctor Timothy BrandonTelevision film
1991SeinfeldTorEpisode: "The Heart Attack"
TaggetAl HentzTelevision film
Down HomeHonisEpisode: "Mail Order Tran"
Baby TalkDr. Ezra FarrEpisode: "The Whiz Kid"
The Marla Hanson StoryDefense AttorneyTelevision film
Deadly MedicineRon SuttonTelevision film
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned MobsterSergeant Phil BaranskiTelevision film
1993Picket FencesBen SashaEpisode: "Be My Valentine"
Civil WarsEugene PaxtonEpisode: "A Liver Runs Through It"
When Love Kills: The Seduction of John HearnDetective KeefeTelevision film
Café AmericainRogerEpisode: "Toast of the Town"
Against the GrainNiles HardemanRecurring role
1994Harts of the WestDave's former bossEpisode: "Back in the Panties Again"
Blue SkiesOakMain role
1995DweebsKarlMain role
A Whole New BallgameDr. Warner Brakefield2 episodes
Chicago HopeDr. Ted Joseph2 episodes
1996The Home CourtJeffrey SolomonEpisode: "Touched by an Anger"
The PretenderDr. Alan TraderEpisode: "Pilot"
Night VisitorsTaylorTelevision film
Buffy the Vampire SlayerPrincipal FlutieUnaired pilot
1996–1997Mr. RhodesRay HearyMain role
1997The Drew Carey ShowThe CouncilmanEpisode: "The Dog and Pony Show"
The Naked TruthVincent HartfordEpisode: "The Birds"
Murder OneDr. Andross3 episodes
Promised LandFred ArgyleEpisode: "Par for the Course"
1998The CloserPhilEpisode: "Morality Bites"
HerculesNumericles (voice)Episode: "Hercules and the Techno Greeks"
Suddenly SusanDr. GerkenEpisode: "Don't Tell"
Vengeance UnlimitedMayor Bob LairdEpisode: "Eden"
1998–2000Any Day NowMr. Brinkman2 episodes
1999Mad About YouPrincipal HocksackerEpisode: "Uncle Phil Goes Back to High School"
The PracticeClyde BurrowsEpisode: "Closet Justice"
Don't Look Under the BedMichael McCauslandTelevision film
That '70s ShowThe ProfessorEpisode: "Laurie and the Professor"
Two Guys and a GirlFather ViteriEpisode: "Berg's New Roommate"
Odd Man OutAlan CarlsonEpisode: "In the Name of the Father"
SnoopsMichael Bench3 episodes
2000Manhattan, AZDr. BobRecurring role
Alien Fury: Countdown to InvasionB.J. McQueenTelevision film
Buzz Lightyear of Star CommandGil (voice)Episode: "Mindwarp"
That's LifeStudy Advisor Roger RobinsonEpisode: "The Screw-Up"
2001RoswellJulius WaltersEpisode: "Secrets and Lies"
BullMr. SiegelEpisode: "Blood, Flopsweat and Tears"
King of the HillDr. Benson, Burt Halverstrom (voice)Episode: "The Exterminator"
Off CentreMilt FlackEpisode: "Swing Time"
The Day the World EndedPrincipal Ed TurnerTelevision film
The Lone GunmenAdam BurgessEpisode: "Madam, I'm Adam"
Black RiverMayor Tom ThompsonTelevision film
2002Malcolm in the MiddleMr. FisherEpisode: "Lois' Makeover"
Law & Order: Criminal IntentJim HalliwellEpisode: "Malignant"
Do OverMr. MeyersEpisode: "The Block Party"
2003Las VegasDonny RollinsEpisode: "Donny, We Hardly Knew Ye"
KingpinDr. Klein's lawyerEpisode: "Black Magic Woman"
Oliver BeeneRingmaster BobEpisode: "Divorce-o-Rama"
The Dead ZoneDr. Jim PrattEpisode: "Plague"
2003–2005CSI: MiamiAssistant State Attorney Don HaffmanRecurring role
2004Will and GraceNed WeathersEpisode: "Company"
It's All RelativeRoyEpisode: "Philip in a China Shop"
The West WingDr. Max MilkmanEpisode: "The Stormy Present"
Complete SavagesMr. FrehleyEpisode: "Voodude"
Married to the KellysHenry ConwayEpisode: "Talk Radio"
According to JimDr. TedEpisode: "The Marriage Bank"
2005American Dragon: Jake LongStan Lipkowski (voice)2 episodes
McBride: The Doctor Is Out... Really OutHarry EversTelevision film
Curb Your EnthusiasmLen DunkelEpisode: "The Seder"
The CloserJames BloomEpisode: "The Butler Did It"
RebaJudgeEpisode: "Grannies Gone Wild"
2005–2006DeadwoodHugo JarryRecurring role
2006Ghost WhispererDr. EdwardEpisode: "Dead Man's Ridge"
Night StalkerTitus BerryEpisode: "Timeless"
Desperate HousewivesBud PenrodEpisode: "No One Is Alone"
2006–2007Big DayThe GarfRecurring role
2007John From CincinnatiMark Lewinsky3 episodes
EntourageMayor of Beverly HillsEpisode: "Sorry, Harvey"
Boston LegalDr. Alvin AzinabinacroftEpisode: "The Good Lawyer"
Studio 60 on the Sunset StripJoeEpisode: "The Friday Night Slaughter"
The Valley of LightLittlefieldTelevision film
RainesWally AndersonEpisode: "Stone Dead"
2007–2008HeroesBob BishopRecurring role
2008CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSpencer FreibergEpisode: "Two and a Half Deaths"
Rita RocksBill BowmanEpisode: "Get Off Off of My Cloud"
2009The New Adventures of Old ChristinePrincipal James Merrow2 episodes
2009–2011GleeSandy RyersonRecurring role
2010The Sarah Silverman ProgramBill FantastimartEpisode: "A Fairly Attractive Mind"
True Jackson, VPLars BalthazarEpisode: "Saving Snackleberry"
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitEdwin AdelsonEpisode: "Bullseye"
2011CommunityProfessor Peter SheffieldEpisode: "Competitive Wine Tasting"
The DefendersJudge GelineauEpisode: "Nevada v. Wayne"
Pound PuppiesMr. Geekman (voice)Episode: "Taboo"
2011–2014CalifornicationStu BeggsMain role
2012Work ItDr. David DeutschEpisode: "Shake Your Moneymaker"
2012–2013JustifiedFBI Agent Jerry Barkley3 episodes
2012–2016The Mindy ProjectMarc Shulman4 episodes
2013Toy Story of Terror! Ron the Hotel Manager (voice)Television film
2014–2023The GoldbergsPrincipal Earl BallRecurring role
2014Friends with Better LivesDr. AdlemanEpisode: "Game Sext Match"
Hello Ladies: The MovieAlanTelevision film
The HotwivesPhilRecurring role
2015Big Time in Hollywood, FLAlan DolfeMain role
Dr. KenJoeEpisode: "Pilot"
Another PeriodThomas EdisonEpisode: "Rejects Beach"
2016Fuller HouseMr. GeraldEpisode: "The Not-So-Great Escape"
Blunt TalkDaniel RudolphEpisode: "Walter Has to Look After Walter"
2016–2017Silicon ValleyJack Barker13 episodes
Justice League ActionMartin Stein (voice)Recurring role (10 episodes)
2017-2020One Day at a TimeDr. BerkowitzMain role
2017–PresentThe Loud HousePrincipal Wilbur T. Huggins (voice)Recurring role
2017White FamousStu Beggs3 episodes
We Bare BearsStephen (voice)Episode: "Tubin"
2018DIYMister Wonderworm (voice)Television film
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDefense Attorney KaymanEpisode: "The Good Girl”
2019SchooledEarl BallRecurring role
The Cool KidsLeonardEpisode: "Margaret Ups Her Game”
Live in Front of a Studio AudienceHarry BentleyEpisode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons"
Green Eggs and HamChad (voice)Episode: "House"
The Epic Tales of Captain UnderpantsCreepy Rattlechains (voice)Episode: "The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-Ween"
2019–2022Puppy Dog PalsChip (voice)2 episodes
2020ThunderCats RoarDriller (voice)Episode: "Driller"
2020–2021ArcherRobert (voice)8 episodes
2022Grace and FrankieAllenEpisode: "The Horrible Family"
Haul Out the HollyNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
2023Lopez vs LopezSam Van BryanRecurring role
The Really Loud HouseWalter Phillipini2 episodes
AnimaniacsLocal DJ (voice)2 episodes
Haul Out the Holly: Lit UpNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
2024Nobody Wants ThisRabbi CohenRecurring role
Lopez vs LopezSam Van BryanEpisode: "Lopez vs In-Laws"
The MadnessDon Sloss Sr.Episode: "Discord"
HacksHenry WeeksEpisode: "Join the Club"
2025Iron Man and His Awesome FriendsSpencer Q. Sweets (voice)2 episodes
Haul Out the HolloweenNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
The SimpsonsMerle (voice)Episode: "Aunt Misbehavin'"

Video games

YearTitleRoleNotes
2013Batman: Arkham OriginsFerris BoyleCold, Cold Heart DLC
2024Batman: Arkham Shadow

Discography

  • Featured on two tracks of the 1971 compilation album A New Hi
  • Featured on the track "Loser" (also released as a digital single) of the 2010 cast album Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers
  • Featured on the tracks "Loser" and "I Wanna Sex You Up" of the 2010 compilation downloadable cast album Glee: The Music, The Complete Season One

Stage appearances

Selected stage appearances

YearTitleVenueRoleNotes
1976Meredith Monk Dance Company's ParisRoyce HallMan with a clipboard
1982Beth Henley's The Wake of Jamie FosterEugene O'Neill TheatreLeon
1985Chekhov's The Three SistersLos Angeles Theatre CenterBaron Tuzenbach
1986Michel de Ghelderode's BarabbusLos Angeles Theatre CenterPontius Pilate and The Watcher
1987Tennessee Williams' The Glass MenagerieLos Angeles Theatre CenterGentleman caller
1989Christopher Durang's The Marriage of Bette and BooLos Angeles Theatre CenterFather Donnally and The Doctor
2002Paul Osborn's Mornings at SevenLyceum Theater and Ahmanson TheatreHomer
2002Shaw's Heartbreak HouseTheater 40Capt. Shotover
2003Sally Nemeth's Holy DaysTheater 40Gant
2019Angela J. Davis' The Spanish Prayer BookRoad Theater Los AngelesAlexander

Writing credits

YearTitleNotes
1984Two Idiots in HollywoodStage play and film
1986True StoriesFilm

Directing credits

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

References

References

  1. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 29 – The Classic". slashfilm.com.
  2. "iTunes - Podcasts - The Tobolowsky Files by PRI". [[iTunes]].
  3. "Stephen Tobolowsky".
  4. Bowden, Jeff. (May 2011). "How Sculptor George Tobolowsky Got 'The Calling'".
  5. Currey, Mason. (October 3, 2012). "Stephen Tobolowsky: What I learned in the seventh grade". Slate.com.
  6. "Stephen Tobolowsky".
  7. Dolsten, Josefin. (May 18, 2016). "Who Was Prominent Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky – and Did 'Jihad' Man Want Him Dead?". Forward.
  8. (27 April 2022). "What We Know About the 2016 Slaying of Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky".
  9. (May 2017). "A Place Where Something Evil Happened".
  10. [https://www.discogs.com/Various-A-New-Hi-Dallas-1971-Part-1/release/5828010 ''A New Hi (Dallas 1971)'']
  11. Phipps, Keith. (August 2, 2011). "Random Roles Stephen Tobolowsky". [[The A.V. Club]].
  12. Tobolowsky, Stephen. (September 16, 2010). "Op-Ed Contributor - They Had Great Character". New York Times.
  13. Chapman, Glen. (March 16, 2010). "Celebrating Stephen Tobolowsky". Den of Geek.
  14. [http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/public-radio-international-signs-actor-writer-stephen-tobolowsky-to-create-new-storytelling-series-for-radio-168536246.html Public Radio International® signs actor, writer Stephen Tobolowsky to create new storytelling series for radio], prnewswire.com; accessed April 8, 2015.
  15. "Stephen Tobolowsky (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors.
  16. LePire, Bobby. (2018-09-29). "Strange Nature Featured, Reviews Film Threat".
  17. N'Duka, Amanda. (2018-12-19). "‘Vice’ Actress Lily Rabe & More Join Brad Anderson’s Untitled Netflix Feature".
  18. Grobar, Matt. (2024-06-24). "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".
  19. "Various – A New Hi (Dallas 1971 - Part 1)".
  20. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers".
  21. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, The Complete Season One".
  22. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 85 - The Resume".
  23. (August 19, 2004). "In 'Holy Days,' a story full of grit and grace".
  24. "The Spanish Prayer Book".
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