Stephen Tobolowsky
American actor (born 1951)
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky (born May 30, 1951) is an American character actor . 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 .
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
Television
Year
Title
Role
Notes
1983
Cocaine and Blue Eyes
TV Clerk
Television film
1985
Alice
Caveman Carl
Episode: "Vera, the Nightbird"
Knots Landing
Steve Comiskey
Episode: "A Man of Good Will"
Falcon Crest
Doctor
Episode: "The Phoenix"
Cagney & Lacey
Russell Phelps
Episode: "Ordinary Hero"
Stir Crazy
Salesman
Episode: "Where's Mary?"
1986
Designing Women
Boyd
Episode: "Design House"
227
Professor
Episode: "We the People"
1987
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
Alex
Episode: "Here's Why You Should Never Wear High Heels to the Bank"
1989
Roe vs. Wade
Darryl Horwath
Television film
L.A. Law
Dr. Michael Segal
Episode: "Lie Down and Deliver"
Lifestories
Josh Gant
Episode: "Art Conforti"
1990
Last Flight Out
Doctor Timothy Brandon
Television film
1991
Seinfeld
Tor
Episode: "The Heart Attack "
Tagget
Al Hentz
Television film
Down Home
Honis
Episode: "Mail Order Tran"
Baby Talk
Dr. Ezra Farr
Episode: "The Whiz Kid"
The Marla Hanson Story
Defense Attorney
Television film
Deadly Medicine
Ron Sutton
Television film
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster
Sergeant Phil Baranski
Television film
1993
Picket Fences
Ben Sasha
Episode: "Be My Valentine"
Civil Wars
Eugene Paxton
Episode: "A Liver Runs Through It"
When Love Kills: The Seduction of John Hearn
Detective Keefe
Television film
Café Americain
Roger
Episode: "Toast of the Town"
Against the Grain
Niles Hardeman
Recurring role
1994
Harts of the West
Dave's former boss
Episode: "Back in the Panties Again"
Blue Skies
Oak
Main role
1995
Dweebs
Karl
Main role
A Whole New Ballgame
Dr. Warner Brakefield
2 episodes
Chicago Hope
Dr. Ted Joseph
2 episodes
1996
The Home Court
Jeffrey Solomon
Episode: "Touched by an Anger"
The Pretender
Dr. Alan Trader
Episode: "Pilot"
Night Visitors
Taylor
Television film
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Principal Flutie
Unaired pilot
1996–1997
Mr. Rhodes
Ray Heary
Main role
1997
The Drew Carey Show
The Councilman
Episode: "The Dog and Pony Show "
The Naked Truth
Vincent Hartford
Episode: "The Birds"
Murder One
Dr. Andross
3 episodes
Promised Land
Fred Argyle
Episode: "Par for the Course"
1997–1998
Life with Louie
Voice, 2 episodes
1998
The Closer
Phil
Episode: "Morality Bites"
Hercules
Numericles
Voice, episode: "Hercules and the Techno Greeks"
Suddenly Susan
Dr. Gerken
Episode: "Don't Tell"
Vengeance Unlimited
Mayor Bob Laird
Episode: "Eden"
1998–2000
Any Day Now
Mr. Brinkman
2 episodes
1999
Mad About You
Principal Hocksacker
Episode: "Uncle Phil Goes Back to High School"
The Practice
Clyde Burrows
Episode: "Closet Justice"
Don't Look Under the Bed
Michael McCausland
Television film
That '70s Show
The Professor
Episode: "Laurie and the Professor"
Two Guys and a Girl
Father Viteri
Episode: "Berg's New Roommate"
Odd Man Out
Alan Carlson
Episode: "In the Name of the Father"
Snoops
Michael Bench
3 episodes
2000
Manhattan, AZ
Dr. Bob
Recurring role
Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion
B.J. McQueen
Television film
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Gil
Voice, episode: "Mindwarp"[ 16]
That's Life
Study Advisor Roger Robinson
Episode: "The Screw-Up"
2001
Roswell
Julius Walters
Episode: "Secrets and Lies"
Bull
Mr. Siegel
Episode: "Blood, Flopsweat and Tears"
King of the Hill
Dr. Benson, Burt Halverstrom
Voice, episode: "The Exterminator"
Off Centre
Milt Flack
Episode: "Swing Time"
The Day the World Ended
Principal Ed Turner
Television film
The Lone Gunmen
Adam Burgess
Episode: "Madam, I'm Adam"
Black River
Mayor Tom Thompson
Television film
2002
Malcolm in the Middle
Mr. Fisher
Episode: "Lois' Makeover"
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Jim Halliwell
Episode: "Malignant"
Do Over
Mr. Meyers
Episode: "The Block Party"
2003
Las Vegas
Donny Rollins
Episode: "Donny, We Hardly Knew Ye"
Kingpin
Dr. Klein's lawyer
Episode: "Black Magic Woman"
Lloyd in Space
Voice, episode: "At Home with the Bolts"
Oliver Beene
Ringmaster Bob
Episode: "Divorce-o-Rama"
The Dead Zone
Dr. Jim Pratt
Episode: "Plague"
2003–2005
CSI: Miami
Assistant State Attorney Don Haffman
Recurring role
2004
Will and Grace
Ned Weathers
Episode: "Company"
It's All Relative
Roy
Episode: "Philip in a China Shop"
The West Wing
Dr. Max Milkman
Episode: "The Stormy Present"
Complete Savages
Mr. Frehley
Episode: "Voodude"
Married to the Kellys
Henry Conway
Episode: "Talk Radio"
According to Jim
Dr. Ted
Episode: "The Marriage Bank"
2005
American Dragon: Jake Long
Stan Lipkowski
Voice, 2 episodes[ 16]
McBride: The Doctor Is Out... Really Out
Harry Evers
Television film
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Len Dunkel
Episode: "The Seder"
The Closer
James Bloom
Episode: "The Butler Did It"
Reba
Judge
Episode: "Grannies Gone Wild"
2005–2006
Deadwood
Hugo Jarry
Recurring role
2006
Ghost Whisperer
Dr. Edward
Episode: "Dead Man's Ridge"
Night Stalker
Titus Berry
Episode: "Timeless"
Desperate Housewives
Bud Penrod
Episode: "No One Is Alone "
2006–2007
Big Day
The Garf
Recurring role
2007
John From Cincinnati
Mark Lewinsky
3 episodes
Entourage
Mayor of Beverly Hills
Episode: "Sorry, Harvey "
Boston Legal
Dr. Alvin Azinabinacroft
Episode: "The Good Lawyer"
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
Joe
Episode: "The Friday Night Slaughter"
The Valley of Light
Littlefield
Television film
Raines
Wally Anderson
Episode: "Stone Dead"
2007–2008
Heroes
Bob Bishop
Recurring role
2008
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Spencer Freiberg
Episode: "Two and a Half Deaths "
Rita Rocks
Bill Bowman
Episode: "Get Off Off of My Cloud"
2009
The New Adventures of Old Christine
Principal James Merrow
2 episodes
2009–2011
Glee
Sandy Ryerson
Recurring role
2010
The Sarah Silverman Program
Bill Fantastimart
Episode: "A Fairly Attractive Mind"
True Jackson, VP
Lars Balthazar
Episode: "Saving Snackleberry"
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Edwin Adelson
Episode: "Bullseye "
2011
Community
Professor Peter Sheffield
Episode: "Competitive Wine Tasting "
The Defenders
Judge Gelineau
Episode: "Nevada v. Wayne"
Pound Puppies
Mr. Geekman
Voice, episode: "Taboo"[ 16]
2011–2014
Californication
Stu Beggs
Main role
2012
Work It
Dr. David Deutsch
Episode: "Shake Your Moneymaker"
2012–2013
Justified
FBI Agent Jerry Barkley
3 episodes
2012–2016
The Mindy Project
Marc Shulman
4 episodes
2013
Toy Story of Terror!
Ron the Hotel Manager
Voice, television film[ 16]
2014–2023
The Goldbergs
Principal Earl Ball
Recurring role
2014
Friends with Better Lives
Dr. Adleman
Episode: "Game Sext Match"
Hello Ladies: The Movie
Alan
Television film
The Hotwives
Phil
Recurring role
2015
Big Time in Hollywood, FL
Alan Dolfe
Main role
Dr. Ken
Joe
Episode: "Pilot"
Another Period
Thomas Edison
Episode: "Rejects Beach"
2016
Fuller House
Mr. Gerald
Episode: "The Not-So-Great Escape"
Blunt Talk
Daniel Rudolph
Episode: "Walter Has to Look After Walter"
2016–2017
Silicon Valley
Jack Barker
13 episodes
Justice League Action
Martin Stein
Voice, recurring role (10 episodes)[ 16]
2017–2020
The Loud House
Principal Huggins
Voice, recurring role[ 16]
One Day at a Time
Dr. Berkowitz
Main role
2017
White Famous
Stu Beggs
3 episodes
We Bare Bears
Stephen
Voice, episode: "Tubin"
2018
DIY
Mister Wonderworm
Voice, television film
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Defense Attorney Kayman
Episode: "The Good Girl”
2019
Schooled
Earl Ball
Recurring role
The Cool Kids
Leonard
Episode: "Margaret Ups Her Game”
Live in Front of a Studio Audience
Harry Bentley
Episode: "Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons "
Green Eggs and Ham
Chad
Voice, episode: "House"[ 16]
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants
Creepy Rattlechains
Voice, episode: "The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-Ween"[ 16]
2019–2022
Puppy Dog Pals
Chip
Voice, 2 episodes
2020
ThunderCats Roar
Driller
Voice, episode: "Driller"[ 16]
2020–2021
Archer
Robert
Voice, 8 episodes
2022
Grace and Frankie
Allen
Episode: "The Horrible Family"
Haul Out the Holly
Ned
Television film (Hallmark )
2023
Lopez vs Lopez
Sam Van Bryan
Recurring Cast
The Really Loud House
Walter Phillipini
2 episodes
Animaniacs
Local DJ
Voice, 2 episodes
Discography
Stage appearances
Selected stage appearances
Writing credits
Directing credits
References
^ "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 29 – The Classic" . slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010 .
^ "iTunes - Podcasts - The Tobolowsky Files by PRI" . Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013 .
^ "Stephen Tobolowsky" . Turner Classic Movies . Retrieved July 26, 2023 .
^ Currey, Mason (October 3, 2012). "Stephen Tobolowsky: What I learned in the seventh grade" . Slate.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013 .
^ "Stephen Tobolowsky" . Retrieved November 23, 2018 .
^ Dolsten, Josefin (May 18, 2016). "Who Was Prominent Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky – and Did 'Jihad' Man Want Him Dead?" . Forward . Retrieved July 6, 2016 .
^ Keomoungkhoun, Nataly (April 27, 2022). "What We Know About the 2016 Slaying of Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky" . Dallas Morning News . Retrieved February 22, 2023 .
^ Thompson, Jamie (May 2017). "A Place Where Something Evil Happened" . D Magazine . Retrieved February 22, 2023 .
^ A New Hi (Dallas 1971)
^ Phipps, Keith (August 2, 2011). "Random Roles Stephen Tobolowsky" . The A.V. Club . Retrieved August 3, 2011 .
^ 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 .
^ Tobolowsky, Stephen (September 16, 2010). "Op-Ed Contributor - They Had Great Character" . New York Times . Retrieved February 8, 2011 .
^ Chapman, Glen (March 16, 2010). "Celebrating Stephen Tobolowsky" . Den of Geek . Archived from the original on September 18, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011 .
^ Public Radio International® signs actor, writer Stephen Tobolowsky to create new storytelling series for radio , prnewswire.com; accessed April 8, 2015.
^ "Big Problems" . Retrieved September 28, 2017 .
^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "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 opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.
^ LePire, Bobby (September 29, 2018). "Strange Nature Featured, Reviews Film Threat" . Retrieved July 27, 2024 .
^ N'Duka, Amanda (December 19, 2018). " 'Vice' Actress Lily Rabe & More Join Brad Anderson's Untitled Netflix Feature" . Deadline . Retrieved July 27, 2024 .
^ 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 .
^ "Various – A New Hi (Dallas 1971 - Part 1)" . Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023 .
^ "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers" . Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023 .
^ "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, The Complete Season One" . Discogs . Retrieved October 13, 2023 .
^ "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 85 - The Resume" . Retrieved October 13, 2020 .
^ "In 'Holy Days,' a story full of grit and grace" . Los Angeles Times . August 19, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
^ "The Spanish Prayer Book" . Retrieved October 14, 2020 .
External links
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