Bob Balaban
Acting
Robert Elmer Balaban, Born: August 16, 1945, Chicago, Illinois, U.S (Height: 5' 5" [1.65 m]). is an American actor, author, comedian, director, and producer. He is best known for his appearances in the Christopher Guest mockumentary comedies Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006), as well as his roles in the films Midnight Cowboy (1969), Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Altered States (1980), 2010 (1984), Deconstructing Harry (1997), and Capote (2005). Balaban has also directed three feature films, in addition to numerous television episodes and films. He is also an author of children's novels. Balaban began his career in the 1960s, appearing in small roles in films and television shows. He made his breakthrough role in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy, playing a young hustler who befriends an aging rodeo cowboy. In the 1970s, Balaban appeared in a number of popular films, including Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), Altered States (1980), and 2010 (1984). He also continued to work in television, appearing in recurring roles on the shows Lou Grant and Designing Women. In the 1990s, Balaban began a long and fruitful collaboration with filmmaker Christopher Guest. He appeared in all of Guest's mockumentary comedies, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). Balaban's performances in these films were widely praised, and he earned a reputation as one of the most reliable comedic actors in Hollywood. In addition to his work in film and television, Balaban has also directed three feature films: The Last Shot (1999), Bernie (2011), and A Little Help (2010). He is also a successful author of children's novels, and he has won several awards for his writing. Balaban is a respected and versatile actor who has enjoyed a long and successful career in the entertainment industry. He is known for his sharp wit, his impeccable comedic timing, and his ability to create memorable characters. He is a true Renaissance man, and he is sure to continue to entertain audiences for many years to come. Balaban has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career. He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards, for his work on the television shows Lou Grant and Designing Women. He has also been nominated for two Tony Awards, for his performances in the Broadway plays The Norman Conquests and The Plough and the Stars. Balaban is a recipient of the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Balaban is married to Lynn Grossman, and they have two children together. He is a resident of New York City.
Known for
Acting140
movieAsteroid City
2023
Larkings Executive
tvSeverance
2022
Mark Wilkins
tvThe Chair
2021
Elliot Rentz
movieHow Moving
2021
Uncle Aaron
tvSpace Force
2020
Ron (voice)
tvThe Politician
2019
Keaton Hobart
movieCarl Laemmle
2019
Himself
movieAn L.A. Minute
2018
Shelley
tvSummer Camp Island
2018
Gerald (voice)
tvCondor
2018
Reuel Abbott
movieIsle of Dogs
2018
King (voice)
tvWormwood
2017
Dr. Harold A. Abramson
tvGraves
2016
Secretary Burns
movieMascots
2016
Sol Lumpkin
movieEva Hesse
2016
Wilhelm Hesse (voice)
movieExploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'
2015
Self / The Narrator
movieHitchcock/Truffaut
2015
Narrator (voice)
tvShow Me a Hero
2015
Leonard B. Sand
movieThe Grand Budapest Hotel
2014
M. Martin
movieThe Monuments Men
2014
Pvt. Preston Savitz
tvBroad City
2014
Arthur Wexler
movieMuhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
2013
Lawyer (uncredited)
tvFamily Tree
2013
Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim
tvAlpha House
2013
Senator Elliot Robeson
movieGirl Most Likely
2012
Maxwell
movieDo You Like to Read?
2012
The Narrator
movieMoonrise Kingdom
2012
The Narrator
tvGirls
2012
Therapist
movieThin Ice
2012
Leonard Dahl
tvChina, IL
2011
(voice)
tvWeb Therapy
2011
Ted Mitchell
movieThe Five Stages of Grief
2011
Voice of Daniel's father
movieHowl
2010
Judge Clayton Horn
movieRage
2009
Mr. White
tvThe Good Wife
2009
Gordon Higgs
tvWeb Therapy
2008
Ted Mitchell
movieRecount
2008
Ben Ginsberg
movieDedication
2007
Arthur Planck
movieLicense to Wed
2007
Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)
movieNo Reservations
2007
Therapist
moviePrince of the City: The Real Story
2007
Self / Santimassino
movieFor Your Consideration
2006
Philip Koontz
movieLady in the Water
2006
Harry Farber
movieCapote
2005
William Shawn
movieTrust the Man
2005
Tobey's Therapist
tvAmerican Dad!
2005
Glen Hanover (voice)
tvTom Goes to the Mayor
2004
Walt Pickle (voice)
tvEntourage
2004
Doctor
movieScene Stealers
2004
Jonathan Crouch Esq.
movieA Mighty Wind
2003
Jonathan Steinbloom
movieThe Tuxedo
2002
Winton Chalmers (uncredited)
moviePlan B
2002
James Foster
movieGosford Park
2001
Morris Weissman
movieThe Majestic
2001
Elvin Glyde
movieGhost World
2001
Enid's Dad
movieThe Mexican
2001
Bernie Nayman
movieBest in Show
2000
Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
movieCradle Will Rock
1999
Harry Hopkins
movieThree to Tango
1999
Decker
tvThe West Wing
1999
Ted Marcus
movieJakob the Liar
1999
Kowalsky
movieSwing Vote
1999
Justice Eli MacCorckle
movieThe Monster Hunter
1999
Dr. William Powell
movieThe Definite Maybe
1997
Wolfe Rollins
movieClockwatchers
1997
Milton Lasky
movieConversation with the Beast
1997
Mr. Webster
movieWaiting for Guffman
1997
Lloyd Miller
movieThe Late Shift
1996
Warren Littlefield
moviePie in the Sky
1996
Paul Entamen
tvDr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995
Bob (voice)
tvFriends
1994
Frank Sr.
movieCity Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
1994
Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)
movieFor Love or Money
1993
Ed Drinkwater
movieAmos & Andrew
1993
Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink
movieBob Roberts
1992
Cutting Edge Producer
movieUnnatural Pursuits
1992
Lou Finkleberg
movieLittle Man Tate
1991
Quizmaster
movieAlice
1990
Sid Moscowitz
movieThe Face of Fear
1990
Ira Preduski
tvThe Simpsons
1989
Narrator (voice)
tvSeinfeld
1989
Russell Dalrymple
movieDead Bang
1989
Elliott Webley
movieFunny
1988
Self
movieEnd of the Line
1987
Warren Gerber
tvAmazing Stories
1985
Jo-Jo Gillespie
movie2010
1984
Dr. R. Chandra
tvMiami Vice
1984
Ira Stone
movieNothing Lasts Forever
1984
Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar
movieWhose Life Is It Anyway?
1981
Carter Hill
movieAbsence of Malice
1981
Elliott Rosen
moviePrince of the City
1981
Santimassino
movieAltered States
1980
Arthur Rosenberg
tvFridays
1980
Self
movieGirlfriends
1978
Martin
movieClose Encounters of the Third Kind
1977
David Laughlin
movieReport to the Commissioner
1975
Joey Egan
movieThe Bank Shot
1974
Victor Karp
tvMaude
1972
Ambrose Riley
movieMaking It
1971
Wilkie
movieCatch-22
1970
Capt. Orr
movieMe, Natalie
1969
Morris
movieMidnight Cowboy
1969
The Young Student
Directing26
tvGraves
2016
Director
tvAlpha House
2013
Director
movieGeorgia O'Keeffe
2009
Director
tvNurse Jackie
2009
Director
tvSwingtown
2008
Director
movieBernard and Doris
2006
Director
movieThe Exonerated
2006
Director
tvThe Twilight Zone
2002
Director
tvNow and Again
1999
Director
tvStrangers with Candy
1999
Director
movieSubway Stories
1997
Director
tvOz
1997
Director
tvLegend
1995
Director
movieThe Last Good Time
1994
Director
movieMy Boyfriend's Back
1993
Director
tvEerie, Indiana
1991
Director
movieTales from the Darkside
1990
Director
movieParents
1989
Director
tvAmazing Stories
1985
Director
movieTrick or Treat
1983
Director
movieThe Brass Ring
1983
Director
tvMaude
1972
Director
Production8
movieBrooklyn, Minnesota
2024
Producer
movieCan You Ever Forgive Me?
2018
Executive Producer
movieBernard and Doris
2006
Executive Producer
movieThe Exonerated
2006
Executive Producer
movieGosford Park
2001
Producer
movieThe Last Good Time
1994
Producer
Writing6
Crew1
tvDr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995
Additional Writing