Stephen Tobolowsky

Infobox actor
birthname = Stephen Harold Tobolowsky
caption =
birthdate = Birth date and age|1951|05|30
birthplace = Dallas, Texas
yearsactive = 1987 – present
occupation = character actor
spouse = Ann Hearn (1988-present)

Stephen Harold Tobolowsky (born May 30, 1951) is a Tony Award-nominated American actor. He is perhaps best known for playing amiable, brainy and/or clueless characters, in television, stage and film.

Biography

Early life

Tobolowsky was born and raised to a middle-class family in Dallas, Texas, and graduated from Justin F. Kimball High School in 1969. While attending high school, he was also a guitarist and back-up singer in the first band formed by musician Stevie Ray Vaughan and Stevie Ray's brother Jimmie Vaughan. Tobolowsky later graduated from Southern Methodist University, majoring in theater, along with his friend Patricia Richardson.

Career

Stephen Tobolowsky has appeared in over 200 films and at least as many television projects with mostly minor roles. In 1994's "Radioland Murders", he portrayed Max Applewhite, a gentle sound man with a dark secret. He appeared on "Seinfeld" as Tor Eckman, Kramer's holistic healer, in the second season episode, "The Heart Attack". He is also known for playing Sammy Jankis in 2001's "Memento", starring Guy Pearce. In 2005, he was the eponymous subject of the documentary film, "Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party", that featured him preparing for, and hosting, his own birthday party, while delivering a series of anecdotes from his life. He was a member of the cast of NBC's television series "Heroes" for its second season, portraying Bob, the new boss of The Company.

Tobolowsky is perhaps best-known for his role in the 1993 film, "Groundhog Day", in which he played Bill Murray's annoying former high school classmate - and now insurance salesman - Ned Ryerson. Murray's character (Phil Connors) continuously runs into Ryerson when reliving the day of February 2. Tobolowsky reunited with Murray 11 years later, appearing in the movie version of the comic strip "", playing the sinister dog trainer Happy Chapman, with Murray providing the voice of Garfield.

Tobolowsky has also been involved in theater; directing and acting in plays in New York City, San Francisco and Los Angeles. He has directed one movie, "Two Idiots in Hollywood", based on his play of the same name. He also co-wrote the film "True Stories" with David Byrne. 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".

Personal life

On August 5, 2008, on the [http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/08/05/filmcast-ep-11-the-mummy-tomb-of-the-dragon-emperor-guest-stephen-tobolowsky/ 11th episode] of the [http://www.slashfilm.com /Filmcast] , Tobolowsky revealed that he had been thrown off of a horse in Iceland and broke his neck in five places, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Filmography

Films

* "Spaceballs" (1987) as Captain of the Guards
* "Mississippi Burning" (1988) as Clayton Townley
* "Great Balls of Fire!" (1989) as Jud Phillips
* "Bird on a Wire" (1990) as Joe Weyburn
* "Thelma and Louise" (1991) as Max
* "Wedlock" (1991) as Warden Holliday
* "Basic Instinct" (1992) as Dr. Lamott
* "Single White Female" (1992) as Mitch Myerson
* "Sneakers" (1992) as Werner Brandes
* "Groundhog Day" (1993) as Ned Ryerson
* "Trevor" (1994) as Father Jon
* "Radioland Murders" (1994) as Max Applewhite
* "Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde" (1995) as Oliver Mintz
* "The Glimmer Man" (1996) as Cristopher Maynard
* "Mr. Magoo" (1997) as FBI Agent Chuck Stupak
* "Black Dog" (1998) as ATF Agent McClaren
* "The Insider" (1999) as Eric Kluster
* "Bossa Nova" (1999) as Trevor
* "Memento" (2000) as Sammy Jankis
* "Freddy Got Fingered" (2001) as Uncle Neil
* "Country Bears" (2002) as Beary's Father
* "Freaky Friday" (2003) as Mr. Bates
* "Garfield" (2004) as Happy Chapman
* "Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party" (2005) as himself
* "Pope Dreams" (2006) as Carl
* "Robots" (2006) Voice
* "Blind Dating" (2006) as Dr. Perkins
* "" (2006) as Jesco Rollins
* "Wild Hogs" (2007) as Charley
* "Loveless in Los Angeles" (2007) as Jon Gillece
* "Howl" (2008) as Christopher Cox

Television

*"Heroes" as Robert Bishop
*"Entourage" as the Mayor of Beverly Hills
*"John From Cincinnati" as Mark Lewinsky
* "Big Day" as the Garf, eccentric father of the groom
* "Deadwood" as Commissioner Hugo Jarry
* "Complete Savages" as Mr. Frehley
* "The Drew Carey Show" as Judge
* "Seinfeld" as Tor Eckman
* "Will and Grace" as Ned
* "Malcolm in the Middle" as Lois' boss at Lucky Aide
*The unaired pilot episode of "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" as Principal Flutie
* "That '70s Show" as Laurie's professor.
* "Off Centre" as Mike's dad.

External links

*imdb name|id=0864997|name=Stephen Tobolowsky
* [http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/4110/58/ Interview] - "Now Playing magazine"
*ibdb|83432|Stephen Tobolowsky

Persondata
NAME= Tobolowsky, Stephen
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Tobolowsky, Stephen Harold
SHORT DESCRIPTION= character actor
DATE OF BIRTH= 1951-05-30
PLACE OF BIRTH= Dallas, Texas
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=