Bob Balaban
Known for: 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.
Filmography
Series
The Simpsons
Narrator (voice)
1989
Series
Friends
Frank Sr.
1994
Series
American Dad!
Glen Hanover (voice)
2005
Series
The West Wing
Ted Marcus
1999
Series
The Mike Douglas Show
Self
1961
Series
Seinfeld
Russell Dalrymple
1989
Series
The Good Wife
Gordon Higgs
2009
Series
Entourage
Doctor
2004
Series
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Self
2014
Series
Severance
Mark Wilkins
2022
Series
Miami Vice
Ira Stone
1984
Series
Love, American Style
Nick
1969
Series
Summer Camp Island
Gerald (voice)
2018
Series
Girls
Therapist
2012
Film
The Grand Budapest Hotel
M. Martin
2014
Series
Broad City
Arthur Wexler
2014
Series
Amazing Stories
Jo-Jo Gillespie
1985
Series
Room 222
1969
Series
Space Force
Ron (voice)
2020
Film
Isle of Dogs
King (voice)
2018
Series
Condor
Reuel Abbott
2018
Series
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Bob (voice)
1995
Series
Maude
Ambrose Riley
1972
Film
The Tuxedo
Winton Chalmers (uncredited)
2002
Film
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
David Laughlin
1977
Series
The Mod Squad
1968
Film
Asteroid City
Larkings Executive
2023
Film
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
Uncle Nick
2021
Series
Web Therapy
Ted Mitchell
2008
Series
Alpha House
Senator Elliot Robeson
2013
Series
Fridays
Self
1980
Series
Graves
Secretary Burns
2016
Film
Moonrise Kingdom
The Narrator
2012
Film
2010
Dr. R. Chandra
1984
Film
Gosford Park
Morris Weissman
2001
Series
The Politician
Keaton Hobart
2019
Series
Web Therapy
Ted Mitchell
2011
Film
The Monuments Men
Pvt. Preston Savitz
2014
Film
Catch-22
Capt. Orr
1970
Film
Midnight Cowboy
The Young Student
1969
Series
Tom Goes to the Mayor
Walt Pickle (voice)
2004
Film
No Reservations
Therapist
2007
Film
The Mexican
Bernie Nayman
2001
Series
China, IL
(voice)
2011
Series
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
Self
2018
Film
Deconstructing Harry
Richard
1997
Film
The Majestic
Elvin Glyde
2001
Film
80 for Brady
Mark
2023
Series
Show Me a Hero
Leonard B. Sand
2015
Film
Little Man Tate
Quizmaster
1991
Film
Fading Gigolo
Sol
2013
Film
Lady in the Water
Harry Farber
2006
Film
Altered States
Arthur Rosenberg
1980
Film
License to Wed
Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)
2007
Film
Best in Show
Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
2000
Series
Now and Again
1999
Series
Wormwood
Dr. Harold A. Abramson
2017
Series
The Chair
Elliot Rentz
2021
Film
Ghost World
Enid's Dad
2001
Series
Hank
1965
Film
Greedy
Ed
1994
Film
For Love or Money
Ed Drinkwater
1993
Film
Thin Ice
Leonard Dahl
2012
Series
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
Self
2010
Film
Capote
William Shawn
2005
Film
Jakob the Liar
Kowalsky
1999
Series
Legend
1995
Film
Amos & Andrew
Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink
1993
Series
Family Tree
Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim
2013
Film
Cradle Will Rock
Harry Hopkins
1999
Film
Absence of Malice
Elliott Rosen
1981
Film
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)
1994
Film
Conversation with the Beast
Mr. Webster
1997
Film
For Your Consideration
Philip Koontz
2006
Film
Spielberg
Self
2017
Film
Three to Tango
Decker
1999
Film
Dead Bang
Elliott Webley
1989
Film
A Mighty Wind
Jonathan Steinbloom
2003
Film
Girl Most Likely
Maxwell
2012
Film
Mike Nichols: An American Master
Self
2016
Film
Alice
Sid Moscowitz
1990
Film
Mascots
Sol Lumpkin
2016
Film
Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo
Self
2004
Film
Scene Stealers
Jonathan Crouch Esq.
2004
Film
Bob Roberts
Cutting Edge Producer
1992
Film
Girlfriends
Martin
1978
Film
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Carter Hill
1981
Film
Me, Natalie
Morris
1969
Film
Trust the Man
Tobey's Therapist
2005
Film
Howl
Judge Clayton Horn
2010
Film
Marriage: Year One
Bernie
1971
Film
Waiting for Guffman
Lloyd Miller
1997
Film
The Strawberry Statement
Elliot
1970
Film
Recount
Ben Ginsberg
2008
Film
The Late Shift
Warren Littlefield
1996
Film
Prince of the City
Santimassino
1981
Film
Clockwatchers
Milton Lasky
1997
Film
Starring Austin Pendleton
Self
2016
Film
Carl Laemmle
Himself
2019
Film
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
Mr. Waxcap
2016
Film
Fantasy Life
Lenny
2026
Film
F--k
Bob
2010
Film
End of the Line
Warren Gerber
1987
Film
The Bank Shot
Victor Karp
1974
Series
Hopeless Pictures
2005
Film
Report to the Commissioner
Joey Egan
1975
Film
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
Lawyer (uncredited)
2013
Film
Nothing Lasts Forever
Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar
1984
Film
The Making of Gosford Park
Self
2002
Film
Swing Vote
Justice Eli MacCorckle
1999
Film
Marie and Bruce
Roger
2004
Film
Hitchcock/Truffaut
Narrator (voice)
2015
Film
Dedication
Arthur Planck
2007
Film
Everything Is Copy
Self
2015
Film
Plan B
James Foster
2002
Film
Pie in the Sky
Paul Entamen
1996
Film
Rage
Mr. White
2009
Film
The Monster Hunter
Dr. William Powell
1999
Film
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
Himself
1984
Film
Giving Up the Ghost
Bob
1998
Film
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
Self
2001
Film
George Romero's Golden Tales 2
1995
Film
Bad Actors
2024
Film
Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'
Self / The Narrator
2015
Film
Prince of the City: The Real Story
Self / Santimassino
2007
Film
An L.A. Minute
Shelley
2018
Film
The Face of Fear
Ira Preduski
1990
Film
Controversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film
Self
2006
Film
Unnatural Pursuits
Lou Finkleberg
1992
Film
Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
Self
2023
Film
Funny
Self
1988
Film
Making It
Wilkie
1971
Film
The Definite Maybe
Wolfe Rollins
1997
Film
How Dare You Want More: The Short Film
2022
Film
The Windmill Movie
Self
2009
Film
Do You Like to Read?
The Narrator
2012
Film
The Five Stages of Grief
Voice of Daniel's father
2011
Film
Tex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger
Tex
2000
Film
Eva Hesse
Wilhelm Hesse (voice)
2016
Film
How Moving
Uncle Aaron
2021