BB
Bob Balaban
Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Additional CreditsBorn August 16, 1945 (79 years)
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.
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.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Featured Videos
Filmography
| 2023 | Asteroid City · as Larkings Executive |
| 2023 | 80 for Brady · as Mark |
| 2022 | Severance (TV Series) · as Mark Wilkins |
| 2021 | The French Dispatch · as Uncle Nick |
| 2021 | The Harper House (TV Series) · as Buck Mastiff |
| 2021 | The Chair (2021) (TV Series) · as Elliot Rentz |
| 2020 | Space Force (TV Series) · as Ron (voice) |
| 2019 | The Politician (TV Series) · as Keaton Hobart |
| 2018 | An L.A. Minute · as Shelley |
| 2018 | Summer Camp Island (TV Series) · as Gerald (voice) |
| 2018 | Condor (TV Series) · as Reuel Abbott |
| 2018 | Isle of Dogs · as King (voice) |
| 2017 | Wormwood (2017) (TV Series) · as Dr. Harold A. Abramson |
| 2016 | I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House · as Mr. Waxcap |
| 2016 | Graves (TV Series) · as Secretary Burns |
| 2016 | Mascots · as Sol Lumpkin |
| 2016 | Pitch (TV Series) · as Frank Reid |
| 2016 | Eva Hesse · as Wilhelm Hesse (voice) |
| 2015 | Hitchcock/Truffaut · as Narrator (voice) |
| 2015 | Show Me a Hero (TV Series) · as Leonard B. Sand |
| 2014 | The Grand Budapest Hotel · as M. Martin |
| 2014 | The Monuments Men · as Pvt. Preston Savitz |
| 2014 | Broad City (TV Series) · as Arthur Wexler |
| 2013 | Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight · as Lawyer (uncredited) |
| 2013 | Fading Gigolo · as Sol |
| 2013 | Family Tree (TV Series) · as Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim |
| 2013 | Alpha House (TV Series) · as Senator Elliot Robeson |
| 2012 | Girl Most Likely · as Maxwell |
| 2012 | Moonrise Kingdom: Animated Book Short · as The Narrator |
| 2012 | Above Average Presents (TV Series) · as The Judge |
| 2012 | Moonrise Kingdom · as The Narrator |
| 2012 | Girls (TV Series) · as Therapist |
| 2011 | A Monster in Paris · as Pâté |
| 2011 | Web Therapy (2011) (TV Series) · as Ted Mitchell |
| 2011 | Thin Ice · as Leonard Dahl |
| 2010 | |
| 2009 | Rage · as Mr. White |
| 2009 | The Good Wife (TV Series) · as Gordon Higgs |
| 2008 | China, IL (TV Series) · as (voice) |
| 2008 | Web Therapy (TV Series) · as Ted Mitchell |
| 2008 | Recount · as Ben Ginsberg |
| 2007 | Dedication · as Arthur Planck |
| 2007 | No Reservations · as Therapist |
| 2007 | License to Wed · as Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited) |
| 2006 | For Your Consideration · as Philip Koontz |
| 2006 | Lady in the Water · as Harry Farber |
| 2005 | Capote · as William Shawn |
| 2005 | Trust the Man · as Tobey's Therapist |
| 2005 | Hopeless Pictures (TV Series) |
| 2005 | American Dad! (TV Series) · as Glen Hanover (voice) |
| 2004 | Tom Goes to the Mayor (TV Series) · as Walt Pickle (voice) |
| 2004 | Entourage (TV Series) · as Doctor |
| 2004 | Scene Stealers · as Jonathan Crouch Esq. |
| 2004 | Marie and Bruce · as Roger |
| 2003 | A Mighty Wind · as Jonathan Steinbloom |
| 2002 | The Tuxedo · as Winton Chalmers (uncredited) |
| 2002 | The Burbs · as Cast |
| 2001 | Gosford Park · as Morris Weissman |
| 2001 | The Majestic · as Elvin Glyde |
| 2001 | Plan B · as James Foster |
| 2001 | The Education of Max Bickford (TV Series) · as Dr. Lowell Sherman |
| 2001 | Ghost World · as Enid's Dad |
| 2001 | The Mexican · as Bernie Nayman |
| 2000 | Best in Show · as Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, Iii |
| 1999 | Cradle Will Rock · as Harry Hopkins |
| 1999 | Three to Tango · as Decker |
| 1999 | Now and Again (TV Series) |
| 1999 | Jakob the Liar · as Kowalsky |
| 1999 | The West Wing (TV Series) · as Ted Marcus |
| 1999 | Swing Vote · as Justice Eli Maccorckle |
| 1999 | Natural Selection · as Dr. William Powell |
| 1998 | Giving Up the Ghost · as Bob |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry · as Richard |
| 1997 | The Definite Maybe · as Wolfe Rollins |
| 1997 | Clockwatchers · as Milton Lasky |
| 1996 | Conversation with the Beast · as Mr. Webster |
| 1996 | Waiting for Guffman · as Lloyd Miller |
| 1995 | The Late Shift · as Warren Littlefield |
| 1995 | Pie in the Sky · as Paul Entamen |
| 1995 | Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (TV Series) · as Bob (voice) |
| 1995 | Legend (TV Series) |
| 1994 | Friends (TV Series) · as Frank Sr. |
| 1994 | City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold · as Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited) |
| 1994 | Greedy · as Ed |
| 1993 | For Love or Money · as Ed Drinkwater |
| 1993 | Amos & Andrew · as Dr. R. A. (roy) Fink |
| 1992 | Unnatural Pursuits (TV Series) · as Lou Finkleberg |
| 1992 | Bob Roberts · as Cutting Edge Producer |
| 1992 | HBO First Look (TV Series) · as Elvin Clyde |
| 1991 | Little Man Tate · as Quizmaster |
| 1990 | Alice · as Sid Moscowitz |
| 1990 | The Face of Fear · as Ira Preduski |
| 1989 | The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1989 | Seinfeld (TV Series) · as Russell Dalrymple |
| 1989 | Dead Bang · as Elliott Webley |
| 1987 | End of the Line · as Warren Gerber |
| 1985 | Amazing Stories (1985) (TV Series) · as Jo-Jo Gillespie |
| 1984 | 2010: The Year We Make Contact · as Dr. R. Chandra |
| 1984 | Miami Vice (TV Series) |
| 1984 | Nothing Lasts Forever · as Guy With Sunglasses In Espresso Bar |
| 1981 | Absence of Malice · as Elliott Rosen |
| 1981 | Whose Life Is It Anyway? · as Carter Hill |
| 1981 | Prince of the City · as Santimassino |
| 1980 | Altered States · as Arthur Rosenberg |
| 1978 | Girlfriends · as Martin |
| 1977 | Close Encounters of the Third Kind · as David Laughlin |
| 1976 | America at the Movies · as Orr |
| 1975 | Report to the Commissioner · as Joey Egan |
| 1974 | The Bank Shot · as Victor Karp |
| 1972 | Maude (TV Series) · as Ambrose Riley |
| 1971 | Making It · as Wilkie |
| 1970 | Catch-22 · as Capt. Orr |
| 1970 | The Strawberry Statement · as Elliot |
| 1969 | Me, Natalie · as Morris |
| 1969 | Love, American Style (TV Series) · as Nick |
| 1969 | Room 222 (TV Series) |
| 1969 | Midnight Cowboy · as The Young Student |
| 1968 | The Mod Squad (TV Series) |
| 1965 | Hank (TV Series) |