Bob Balaban
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.
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Movies (118)
Fantasy Life
2026 · Lenny
Brooklyn, Minnesota
2024 · Producer
Bad Actors
2024
Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
2023 · Self
Asteroid City
2023 · Larkings Executive
La Última Yarda
2023 · Mark
How Dare You Want More: The Short Film
2022
La Crónica Francesa
2021 · Uncle Nick
How Moving
2021 · Uncle Aaron
Carl Laemmle
2019 · Himself
¿Podrás perdonarme?
2018 · Executive Producer
An L.A. Minute
2018 · Shelley
Isla de perros
2018 · King (voice)
Spielberg
2017 · Self
Mike Nichols: An American Master
2016 · Self
Mascots
2016 · Sol Lumpkin
Soy la cosa bella que vive en esta casa
2016 · Mr. Waxcap
Eva Hesse
2016 · Wilhelm Hesse (voice)
Starring Austin Pendleton
2016 · Self
Nora Ephron: Todo es Copia
2015 · Self
Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'
2015 · Self / The Narrator
Hitchcock/Truffaut
2015 · Narrator (voice)
We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss
2014 · Director
Aprendiz de gigolo
2014 · Sol
El Gran Hotel Budapest
2014 · M. Martin
Operación monumento
2014 · Pvt. Preston Savitz
El gran combate de Muhammad Ali
2013 · Lawyer (uncredited)
Casi Perfecta
2013 · Maxwell
Do You Like to Read?
2012 · The Narrator
Moonrise Kingdom: Amor Infantil
2012 · The Narrator
Thin Ice
2012 · Leonard Dahl
The Five Stages of Grief
2011 · Voice of Daniel's father
Howl
2010 · Judge Clayton Horn
F--k
2010 · Bob
Rage
2009 · Mr. White
Georgia O'Keeffe
2009 · Director
The Windmill Movie
2009 · Self
Recuento
2008 · Ben Ginsberg
Dedication
2007 · Arthur Planck
Licencia para casarse
2007 · Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)
Sin reservas
2007 · Therapist
Prince of the City: The Real Story
2007 · Self / Santimassino
For Your Consideration
2006 · Philip Koontz
Bernard y Doris
2006 · Director, Executive Producer
La dama en el agua
2006 · Harry Farber
The Exonerated
2006 · Director, Executive Producer
Controversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film
2006 · Self
Truman Capote
2005 · William Shawn
Confía en mi
2005 · Tobey's Therapist
Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo
2004 · Self
Scene Stealers
2004 · Jonathan Crouch Esq.
Marie and Bruce
2004 · Roger
A Mighty Wind
2003 · Jonathan Steinbloom
El smoking
2002 · Winton Chalmers (uncredited)
The Making of Gosford Park
2002 · Self
Plan B
2002 · James Foster
Muerte a la media noche
2001 · Morris Weissman, Producer, Idea
The Majestic
2001 · Elvin Glyde
Mundo Fantasma
2001 · Enid's Dad
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
2001 · Self
La Mexicana
2001 · Nayman
El perro ganador
2000 · Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
Tex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger
2000 · Tex
Cradle Will Rock
1999 · Harry Hopkins
Three to Tango
1999 · Decker
Jakob the Liar
1999 · Kowalsky
The Wedding Toast
1999 · Director, Producer
Swing Vote
1999 · Justice Eli MacCorckle
The Monster Hunter
1999 · Dr. William Powell
Giving Up the Ghost
1998 · Bob
Deconstructing Harry
1997 · Richard
Subway Stories
1997 · Director
The Definite Maybe
1997 · Wolfe Rollins
Clockwatchers
1997 · Milton Lasky
Conversation with the Beast
1997 · Mr. Webster
Waiting for Guffman
1997 · Lloyd Miller
The Late Shift
1996 · Warren Littlefield
Pie in the Sky
1996 · Paul Entamen
Golden Tales 2
1995 · Writer
George Romero's Golden Tales 3
1995 · Director
The Last Good Time
1994 · Director, Screenplay, Producer
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
1994 · Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)
Greedy
1994 · Ed
For Love or Money
1993 · Ed Drinkwater
My Boyfriend's Back
1993 · Director
Amos & Andrew
1993 · Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink
Golden Tales
1993 · Writer
Bob Roberts
1992 · Cutting Edge Producer
Unnatural Pursuits
1992 · Lou Finkleberg
Little Man Tate
1991 · Quizmaster
Alice
1990 · Sid Moscowitz
Tales from the Darkside
1990 · Director
The Face of Fear
1990 · Ira Preduski
Dead Bang
1989 · Elliott Webley
Parents
1989 · Director
Funny
1988 · Self
End of the Line
1987 · Warren Gerber
Penn & Teller's Invisible Thread
1987 · Director
2010
1984 · Dr. R. Chandra
Nothing Lasts Forever
1984 · Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
1984 · Himself
Tales from the Darkside: Trick or Treat
1983 · Director
The Brass Ring
1983 · Director
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
1981 · Carter Hill
Absence of Malice
1981 · Elliott Rosen
Prince of the City
1981 · Santimassino
Altered States
1980 · Arthur Rosenberg
Girlfriends
1978 · Martin
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977 · David Laughlin
Report to the Commissioner
1975 · Joey Egan
The Bank Shot
1974 · Victor Karp
Marriage: Year One
1971 · Bernie
Making It
1971 · Wilkie
The Strawberry Statement
1970 · Elliot
Catch-22
1970 · Capt. Orr
Me, Natalie
1969 · Morris
Midnight Cowboy
1969 · The Young Student
Handle with Care
TV shows (50)
Severance
2022 · Mark Wilkins
La directora
2021 · Elliot Rentz
Fuerza Espacial
2020 · Ron (voice)
El Político
2019 · Keaton Hobart
Campamento de Verano
2018 · Gerald (voice)
Cóndor
2018 · Reuel Abbott
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
2018 · Self
Wormwood
2017 · Dr. Harold A. Abramson
Graves
2016 · Secretary Burns, Director
Show Me a Hero
2015 · Leonard B. Sand
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
2014 · Self
Broad City
2014 · Arthur Wexler
Family Tree
2013 · Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim
Alpha House
2013 · Senator Elliot Robeson, Director
Girls
2012 · Therapist
China, IL
2011 · (voice)
Web Therapy
2011 · Ted Mitchell
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
2010 · Self
La esposa ejemplar
2009 · Gordon Higgs
Nurse Jackie
2009 · Director
Web Therapy
2008 · Ted Mitchell
Swingtown
2008 · Director
The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman
2006 · Producer
Hopeless Pictures
2005
American Dad!
2005 · Glen Hanover (voice)
Tom Goes to the Mayor
2004 · Walt Pickle (voice)
Entourage: El séquito
2004 · Doctor
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
2003 · Self - Guest
La Dimensión Desconocida
2002 · Director
Now and Again
1999 · Director
The West Wing
1999 · Ted Marcus
Strangers with Candy
1999 · Director
Oz
1997 · Director
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995 · Bob (voice), Additional Writing
Legend
1995 · Director
Friends
1994 · Frank Sr.
Eerie, Indiana
1991 · Director
Los Simpson
1989 · Narrator (voice)
Seinfeld
1989 · Russell Dalrymple
Monsters
1988 · Writer
Amazing Stories
1985 · Jo-Jo Gillespie, Director
Tales from the Darkside
1984 · Writer
Miami Vice
1984 · Ira Stone
Fridays
1980 · Self
Maude
1972 · Ambrose Riley, Director
Love, American Style
1969 · Nick
Room 222
1969
The Mod Squad
1968
Hank
1965
The Mike Douglas Show
1961 · Self