James Urbaniak

James Christian Urbaniak (born September 17, 1963)[2] is an American character actor. He is best known for his roles as Simon Grim in three Hal Hartley films: Henry Fool (1997), Fay Grim (2006) and Ned Rifle (2014), Robert Crumb in American Splendor (2003), Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture on the animated series The Venture Bros. (2003–2023), Grant Grunderschmidt on Review (2014–2017), and Arthur Tack on Difficult People (2015–2017).

James Urbaniak
Urbaniak at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
James Christian Urbaniak

(1963-09-17) September 17, 1963
Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1985–present
Spouses
Julie Marie Anderson
​
​
(m. 2003; div. 2014)​
    Sara Pocock
    ​
    (m. 2017)​
    [1]
    Children2

    Personal life

    Urbaniak was born in Bayonne, New Jersey and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is of Polish and Ukrainian descent.

    Career

    Urbaniak's first media appearance occurred in 1983, when at the age of 20, he went onstage from the audience of Late Night with David Letterman, to try his hand at a monologue joke that Letterman had flubbed.[3]

    One of his first noteworthy roles was in the avant-garde playwright/director Richard Foreman's The Universe, for which Urbaniak won an Obie. He has also been acclaimed for his acting in the films Henry Fool and American Splendor, in the latter of which he played legendary cartoonist R. Crumb.[4] He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his role in Thom Pain (based on nothing).[5][6] He provides the voice for main character Dr. Thaddeus Venture on The Venture Bros. as well as the Doctor's brother Jonas Venture Junior and the super-villain Phantom Limb.[7]

    Urbaniak played a pizza guy in the famous "Whassup?" television commercials for Budweiser. The commercial was especially prominent on commercial television networks in the United Kingdom, where it became a cultural phenomenon. He also portrayed the moderator in "Human Centipede Anonymous", a Funny or Die short depicting three men who grapple with their past as a human centipede.[8][9]

    Urbaniak appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on May 13, 2015.

    From 2015 to 2017, Urbaniak played Arthur Tack for all three seasons of the critically-acclaimed Hulu comedy series Difficult People, opposite Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.

    In 2017, Urbaniak played Dr. Kincaid in the film Wonderstruck, directed by Todd Haynes. Also in 2017, he played the Maaldorian Doctor on the hit series Supergirl.

    In 2018, Urbaniak played the recurring role of Special Agent Owen Quinn on the CBS series Criminal Minds.

    In 2019, Urbaniak played Marcus Strang in the film Where'd You Go, Bernadette, written and directed by Richard Linklater. Also in 2019, he played the recurring role of Gavin Donahue on the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind.

    In 2020, Urbaniak played Professor Anthony in the film Tesla, opposite Ethan Hawke. Also in 2020, he played The Trinket Man on the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

    In 2021, Urbaniak played Bram in the film Things Heard & Seen, opposite Amanda Seyfried. Also in 2021, he appeared on the television shows Dickinson, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and as the Backstage Manager on The Morning Show.

    In 2022, Urbaniak played the Principal of Grand View High School in the film The Fabelmans, directed by Steven Spielberg. Also in 2022, he appeared on the television series Made for Love and appeared as Norm Wakely in an episode of the series Better Call Saul.

    Filmography

    Film
    Year Title Role Notes
    1994 NYC 3/94 Short film
    Opera No. 1 James Short film
    1997 Henry Fool Simon Grim
    The Sticky Fingers of Time Isaac
    1998 Aphrodisiac Deli Assistant
    The Book of Life True Believer
    1999 Ride with the Devil Poker Player
    Sweet and Lowdown Harry
    2000 Intern Olivier Di Santo
    2001 No Such Thing Concierge
    Upheaval Martin Short film
    2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Rod Flexnor
    Teknolust Agent Hopper
    Passengers Man Short film
    Daypass Simple Simon Short film
    2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Lab Technician
    Briar Patch Druden Hunt
    Grasshopper James Short film
    American Splendor Robert Crumb
    2004 Thanksgiving Willy Short film
    B Movie Professor Friend
    Boutique Nick Short film
    2005 Fortunes Lewis Croshere
    Road The Ranger
    The Girl from Monday Funk
    2006 Fay Grim Simon Grim
    The Last Romantic Alex Scarvey
    Death of a President Dr. James Pearn
    2007 Across the Universe Sadie's Manager
    The Nanny Diaries Educational Consultant
    Chicago 10 Rennie Davis, Richard Schultz Voice, documentary
    2008 The Bentfootes Jim Raritan
    The Diagnosis Dr. Besman Short film
    2010 Beware the Gonzo Principal Roy
    Hello Lonesome Gary
    Human Centipede Anonymous James Short film
    Drones Pete
    2011 The Music Never Stopped Mike Tapplin
    Sound of My Voice Mr. Pritchett
    From the Head Danny
    2012 Pig Goat Banana Mantis Mantis Voice, short film
    2013 iSteve Bill Gates [10]
    Bitter Orange Sweetie Short film
    2014 The Boxtrolls Sir Broderick Voice
    Ned Rifle Simon Grim
    The Occupants Glen
    Such Good People Dr. Cooper Whitehead
    2015 Advantageous Fisher
    2016 After Adderall The Agent
    2017 Dave Made a Maze Harry
    Rebel in the Rye Gus Lobrano
    Wonderstruck Dr. Kincaid
    2018 Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Professor Pyg Voice
    2019 Where'd You Go, Bernadette Marcus Strang
    2020 Tesla Professor Anthony
    For Madmen Only Del Close Documentary
    2021 Things Heard & Seen Bram
    2022 Beauty Irv Merlin
    The Fabelmans Grand View High School Principal
    2023 Condor's Nest Heinrich Himmler
    Invitation to a Murder Gordon
    Taz: Quest for Burger Rocky Voice
    The Country Club Victor Simmons
    Oppenheimer Kurt Gödel
    The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture Voice
    Gonzo Girl Lionel

    Television
    Year Title Role Notes
    1999 Sex and the City Buster Episode: "La Douleur Exquise!"
    2003 Ed Gallery Owner Episode: "Blips"
    Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dr. Roger Stern Episode: "Zoonotic"
    2003–2018 The Venture Bros. Dr. Venture / Phantom Limb /
    Jonas Venture Jr. / Various voices    		 Main role
    2004 Hi no tori Susanoo Voice, English dub
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Wade Donato Episode: "Head"
    2006–2007 Kidnapped The Accountant 7 episodes
    2007 SuperNormal Meowman/Mr. Tabby Voice, episode: "Evil Barks and Wets the Carpet"
    Numb3rs Binky Moore Episode: "Primacy"
    2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Cafe Manager / Sarkissian 2 episodes
    Without a Trace Damon Lafloer Episode: "Closure"
    The Starter Wife Gary 4 episodes
    CSI: Miami Max Paulson Episode: "Power Trip"
    2009 NCIS Dr. Rod Daniels Episode: "Love & War"
    Medium Mr. Enright Episode: "Soul Survivor"
    Snake 'n' Bacon Bacon Voice, pilot
    Weeds The Wizard Episode: "Van Nuys"
    2009–2013 The Office Rolf 4 episodes
    2010 The Life & Times of Tim Adam Voice, episode: "The Salty Jazz/Jews Love to Laugh"
    You Don't Know Jack Jack Lessenberry Television film
    2011 Cinema Verite Dick Cavett Television film
    Wizards of Waverly Place Rob Robinson Episode: "Alex the Puppetmaster"
    2011–2012 Homeland Larry 2 episodes
    2011–2013 H+: The Digital Series Francis Peters 5 episodes
    2012 Metalocalypse Dr. Fsmilejera Irlelwoll Voice, episode: "Going Downklok"
    Electric City Mr. Orwell Voice, episode: "What Aren't We Capable Of?"; web series
    The Good Wife Judge Bernard Temple Episode: "And the Law Won"
    The New Normal Mr. Blakeney Episode: "The XY Factor"
    Unforgettable Walter Morgan / John Fox 3 episodes
    Body of Proof Daniel Grubstick Episode: "Mind Games"
    2013 Scandal Mike Sylva Episode: "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot"
    Childrens Hospital Future Doctor Episode: "Old Fashioned Day"
    The Mentalist Aaron Kalinoski Episode: "Black-Winged Redbird"
    Monsters vs. Aliens The Rule-Bot Voice, 2 episodes
    Hawaii Five-0 Gary Nathan Episode: "Pukana"
    2014 Teen Wolf The Chemist Episode: "Weaponized"
    You're the Worst Army Priest Episode: "PTSD"
    Comedy Bang! Bang! Victor Kahn Episode: "The Lonely Island Wear Holiday Sweaters & White Pants"
    All Hail King Julien Lemur #1 Voice, episode: "Enter the Fanaloka"
    Infomercials Rev. Boxley Fryer Episode: "Book of Christ"
    2014–2016 Adventure Time Various voices 2 episodes
    2014–2017 Review Grant Grunderschmidt 19 episodes
    2015 Agent Carter Miles Van Ert 2 episodes
    Newsreaders Carob Landis Episode: "The FMK Killer; Newsreaders: Behind the Scenes"
    Pig Goat Banana Cricket Nose Picker Fish Voice, episode: "Pig Goat Banana Cricket High Five!"
    Gigi Does It Gigi's Attorney Episode: "Glock Schlock"
    Dr. Ken James Miller Episode: "The Seminar"
    Brooklyn Nine-Nine Nick Lingeman Episode: "Boyle's Hunch"
    2015–2016 The Adventures of Puss in Boots Thriffith Voice, 3 episodes
    Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street Dr. Grapehall 2 episodes
    2015–2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Ebony Maw Voice, 6 episodes
    Difficult People Arthur Tack 28 episodes
    2016 Dice Director of the "Welcome to Vegas" Commercial Episode: "Prestige"
    2017 Supergirl Maaldorian Doctor[11] Episode: "Supergirl Lives"
    Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures M-OC Voice, 10 episodes
    Teachers Carl Fromm Episode: "Dire Straights"
    Apollo Gauntlet Dr. Benign, Prince Belenus Voice, 5 episodes
    2017–2018 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Mr. Logic, Joff the Shaolin Monk Voice, 4 episodes
    2018 Criminal Minds Special Agent Owen Quinn 2 episodes
    Elementary Doctor Leo Demopoulos Episode: "Our Time Is Up"
    Big Hero 6: The Series Art Teacher Voice, episode: "Rivalry Weak"
    2019 Fam Tom Episode: "It's Been a While"
    At Home with Amy Sedaris Denny Shnarks Episode: "Creativity"
    Documentary Now! Howard Pine Episode: "Original Cast Album: Co-Op"
    Too Old to Die Young Stevie Crockett Episode: "The Fool"
    Ollie and Scoops Dr. Toodles Voice, episode: "Gimmie a Hand"
    Lodge 49 Tony 2 episodes
    Just Add Magic Pierce Hamilton Episode: "New Protectors"
    For All Mankind Gavin Donahue 3 episodes
    2020 Just Add Magic: Mystery City Pierce Hamilton 9 episodes
    Close Enough Commercial Bot Voice, episode: "Robot Tutor/Golden Gamer"
    Chilling Adventures of Sabrina The Trinket Man 2 episodes
    Red Bird Lane Tanner Pilot
    2021 Dickinson Ophthalmologist Episode: "Before I Got My Eye Put Out"
    9-1-1: Lone Star Imp Episode: "Friends with Benefits"
    The Morning Show Backstage Manager Episode: "My Least Favorite Year"
    2022 Better Call Saul Norm Wakely Episode: "Wine and Roses"
    Made for Love Gogol interviewer 2 episodes
    2023 History of the World, Part II Roman Soldier Episode: "II"

    Video games
    Year Title Voice role
    2003 Manhunt Innocentz #5
    2007 Manhunt 2 Bloodhound member
    2009 Avatar: The Game RDA
    2011 Fallout New Vegas: Old World Blues Dr. 0
    2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic C2-D4, Needles,[12] Ilox, Zap Loren
    2014 Star Wars: The Old Republic – Shadow of Revan C2-D4
    2015 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Randolph Carter
    2015 The Magic Circle Ishmael Gilder
    2019 Star Wars: The Old Republic - Onslaught C2-D4 / Additional voices
    2022 High on Life Nipulon / Additional voices
    2023 Redfall Hollow Man / Kildere's Father

    Other works
    Year Title Role Notes
    2012 Getting On With James Urbaniak[13] Narrator Podcast
    2014 God is Disappointed in You Narrator Audio book
    2014-2016, 2019 Welcome to Night Vale Intern James, Leonard Burton Podcast (3 episodes, 1 live show recording, and 1 live show recording bonus track)
    2015 Special Relativity[14] Mr. Wandell, Art Director Radio
    2016 A Night Called Tomorrow Arch Hutton Podcast; also writer and producer
    2016 Aphocrypha Now Narrator Audio book

    References
    1. "James Urbaniak". IMDb.
    2. "James Urbaniak: Actor". TCM.com. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
    3. "James Urbanik on Letterman, 1983". Youtube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
    4. "James Urbaniak on Venture Bros.' return and Hal Hartley's Lord Of The Rings". The A.V. Club. 2013-05-16. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
    5. "2007 – Drama Desk Awards – Nominations". Archived from the original on 20 October 2006. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
    6. Sternbergh, Adam (2005-03-03). "Thom Pain (Based on Nothing) is James Urbaniak's Great Leap to Success - Nymag". New York Magazine. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
    7. Del Signore, John (2007-03-19). "James Urbaniak, Actor". Gothamist. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
    8. Cormier, Roger (2013-05-28). "The Vine 5 Film Festival: Loneliness, Death, and Exercise". Vulture. Retrieved 2023-09-04.
    9. "Human Centipede Anonymous". Funny or Die. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
    10. Funny Or Die (15 April 2013). "'iSteve". funnyordie.com. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
    11. Full cast of Supergirl on IMDb
    12. BioWare (2011-12-20). Star Wars: The Old Republic. Electronic Arts, LucasArts. Scene: closing credits, 9:50 in, English Cast.
    13. "Getting On with James Urbaniak". gettingonwithju.libsyn.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
    14. "Special Relativity – A Radio Comedy starring Alex Borstein". Archived from the original on 2019-02-09. Retrieved 2015-05-18.
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