Bob Balaban

Biography

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 l…

Movies & TV Shows

1. The Grand Budapest Hotel (2014) — M. Martin
2. The Simpsons (1989) — Narrator (voice)
3. Friends (1994) — Frank Sr.
4. Moonrise Kingdom (2012) — The Narrator
5. Isle of Dogs (2018) — King (voice)
6. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) — David Laughlin
7. The Monuments Men (2014) — Pvt. Preston Savitz
8. The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021) — Uncle Nick
9. Severance (2022) — Mark Wilkins
10. Asteroid City (2023) — Larkings Executive
11. American Dad! (2005) — Glen Hanover (voice)
12. Seinfeld (1989) — Russell Dalrymple
13. The Tuxedo (2002) — Winton Chalmers (uncredited)
14. Capote (2005) — William Shawn
15. Midnight Cowboy (1969) — The Young Student
16. The Mexican (2001) — Bernie Nayman
17. Ghost World (2001) — Enid's Dad
18. No Reservations (2007) — Therapist
19. Lady in the Water (2006) — Harry Farber
20. Gosford Park (2001) — Morris Weissman
21. 2010 (1984) — Dr. R. Chandra
22. Deconstructing Harry (1997) — Richard
23. License to Wed (2007) — Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)
24. The Majestic (2001) — Elvin Glyde
25. Space Force (2020) — Ron (voice)
26. Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (2014) — Self
27. Altered States (1980) — Arthur Rosenberg
28. The Good Wife (2009) — Gordon Higgs
29. Best in Show (2000) — Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
30. Entourage (2004) — Doctor
31. I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House (2016) — Mr. Waxcap
32. Fading Gigolo (2013) — Sol
33. The West Wing (1999) — Ted Marcus
34. Miami Vice (1984) — Ira Stone
35. Girls (2012) — Therapist
36. Jakob the Liar (1999) — Kowalsky
37. For Love or Money (1993) — Ed Drinkwater
38. Catch-22 (1970) — Capt. Orr
39. City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold (1994) — Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)
40. Alice (1990) — Sid Moscowitz

Directed

1. Oz (1997) — Director
2. Nurse Jackie (2009) — Director
3. Amazing Stories (1985) — Director
4. Parents (1989) — Director
5. The Twilight Zone (2002) — Director
6. Bernard and Doris (2006) — Director
7. My Boyfriend's Back (1993) — Director
8. Eerie, Indiana (1991) — Director
9. Alpha House (2013) — Director
10. Strangers with Candy (1999) — Director
11. Maude (1972) — Director
12. Now and Again (1999) — Director
13. Graves (2016) — Director
14. Subway Stories (1997) — Director
15. Georgia O'Keeffe (2009) — Director
16. Swingtown (2008) — Director
17. Tales from the Darkside (1990) — Director
18. The Exonerated (2006) — Director
19. Penn & Teller's Invisible Thread (1987) — Director
20. Legend (1995) — Director
21. The Last Good Time (1994) — Director
22. The Brass Ring (1983) — Director
23. We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss (2014) — Director
24. George Romero's Golden Tales 3 (1995) — Director
25. The Wedding Toast (1999) — Director
26. Trick or Treat (1983) — Director