Stephen Tobolowsky

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.

Stephen Tobolowsky
Tobolowsky at the 2012 Texas Book Festival
Born
Stephen Harold Tobolowsky

(1951-05-30) May 30, 1951
Dallas, Texas, U.S.
EducationSouthern Methodist University (BFA)
University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (MFA)
Occupation(s)Actor, author, musician
Spouse
​
(m. 1988)​
Children2
Websitestephentobolowsky.com

Tobolowsky has a monthly audio podcast, The Tobolowsky Files, of autobiographical stories of his acting and personal life.[2] In 2015, he co-hosted a short-lived second podcast, Big Problems – An Advice Podcast, with David Chen.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5] He received a master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1975.[6]

He is a cousin of former Dallas attorney Ira Tobolowsky,[7] who was murdered in his home in 2016 by a disgruntled former litigant.[8] Another cousin (and Ira's brother) is the sculptor George Tobolowsky.[9]

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.[10]

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.[11] He 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]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
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 FranciscoBandoVoice[15]
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 TabaquiVoice[15]
Around the Fire Doc
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to MarsCalculatorVoice, credited as Stephen Tobolowski[15]
1999The InsiderEric Kluster
One Man's HeroCaptain Gaine
Don't Look Under The BedMichael McCauslandTelevision film
2000Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes Dewey Wise
Bossa NovaTrevor
The OperatorDoc
MementoSammy Jankis
Stanley's Gig Abe Cohen
2001The Prime GigMick
The Day the World EndedPrincipal Ed TurnerTelevision film
Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes Dewey Wise
Freddy Got FingeredUncle NeilUncredited
2002Love LizaTom Bailey
The Country BearsNorbert Barrington
AdaptationRanger Steve NeelyScenes cut
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, ForgeVoice[15]
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 DavenportVoice
Hard BreakersEphraim
Peep WorldEphraim
2011You May Not Kiss the BridePlumber
The Last RideRay
2012A Little Something on the SideLarryShort
The LoraxUncle UbbVoice[15]
Pearblossom Hwy Rick Lawler
2014The BarberChief Gary Hardaway
Mr. Peabody & ShermanPrincipal PurdyVoice[15]
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 GundersonVoice[15]
MamaboyReverend Weld
2018Strange NatureMayor Paulson
Monsters At LargeMr. Phillips
2019FracturedDr. Berthram

Television
Year Title Role Notes
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?"
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"
1997–1998Life with LouieVoice, 2 episodes
1998The CloserPhilEpisode: "Morality Bites"
HerculesNumericlesVoice, 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 CommandGilVoice, episode: "Mindwarp"[15]
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 HalverstromVoice, 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"
Lloyd in SpaceVoice, episode: "At Home with the Bolts"
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 LipkowskiVoice, 2 episodes[15]
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. GeekmanVoice, episode: "Taboo"[15]
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 ManagerVoice, television film[15]
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 SteinVoice, recurring role (10 episodes)[15]
2017–2020The Loud HousePrincipal HugginsVoice, recurring role[15]
One Day at a TimeDr. BerkowitzMain role
2017White FamousStu Beggs3 episodes
We Bare BearsStephenVoice, episode: "Tubin"
2018DIYMister WonderwormVoice, television film
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Defense Attorney Kayman Episode: "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 HamChadVoice, episode: "House"[15]
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Creepy Rattlechains Voice, episode: "The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-Ween"[15]
2019-2022Puppy Dog PalsChipVoice, 2 episodes
2020ThunderCats RoarDrillerVoice, episode: "Driller"[15]
2020-2021ArcherRobertVoice, 8 episodes
2022Grace and FrankieAllenEpisode: "The Horrible Family"
Haul Out the HollyNedTelevision film (Hallmark)
2023Lopez vs LopezSam Van BryanRecurring
The Really Loud HouseWalter Phillipini2 episodes
AnimaniacsLocal DJVoice, 2 episodes

Discography

Stage appearances

Selected stage appearances

Year Title Venue Role Notes
1976Meredith Monk Dance Company's ParisRoyce HallMan with a clipboard[19]
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[20]
2019Angela J. Davis' The Spanish Prayer BookRoad Theater Los AngelesAlexander[21]

Writing credits
Year Title Notes
1984Two Idiots in HollywoodStage play and film
1986True StoriesFilm

Directing credits
Year Title Notes
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
  1. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 29 – The Classic". slashfilm.com. Archived from the original on June 18, 2010. Retrieved June 3, 2010.
  2. "iTunes - Podcasts - The Tobolowsky Files by PRI". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  3. "Big Problems". Retrieved September 28, 2017.
  4. "Stephen Tobolowsky". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
  5. Currey, Mason (October 3, 2012). "Stephen Tobolowsky: What I learned in the seventh grade". Slate.com. Retrieved April 24, 2013.
  6. "Stephen Tobolowsky". Retrieved November 23, 2018.
  7. Dolsten, Josefin (May 18, 2016). "Who Was Prominent Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky – and Did 'Jihad' Man Want Him Dead?". Forward. Retrieved July 6, 2016.
  8. Keomoungkhoun, Nataly (April 27, 2022). "What We Know About the 2016 Slaying of Dallas Lawyer Ira Tobolowsky". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  9. Thompson, Jamie (May 2017). "A Place Where Something Evil Happened". D Magazine. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  10. A New Hi (Dallas 1971)
  11. Phipps, Keith (August 2, 2011). "Random Roles Stephen Tobolowsky". The A.V. Club. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  12. Tobolowsky, Stephen (September 16, 2010). "Op-Ed Contributor - They Had Great Character". New York Times. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  13. Chapman, Glen (March 16, 2010). "Celebrating Stephen Tobolowsky". Den of Geek. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
  14. 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. 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.
  16. "Various – A New Hi (Dallas 1971 - Part 1)". Discogs. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  17. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, Volume 3 Showstoppers". Discogs. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  18. "Glee Cast – Glee: The Music, The Complete Season One". Discogs. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  19. "The Tobolowsky Files Ep. 85 - The Resume". Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  20. "In 'Holy Days,' a story full of grit and grace". Los Angeles Times. August 19, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  21. "The Spanish Prayer Book". Retrieved October 14, 2020.
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