Acting · Chicago, Illinois, USA · Born August 16, 1945
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.
MovieFantasy Life
2026
as Lenny
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2024
MovieDesperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
2023
as Self
MovieAsteroid City
2023
as Larkings Executive
Movie80 for Brady
2023
as Mark
MovieHow Dare You Want More: The Short Film
2022
TVSeverance
2022
as Mark Wilkins
MovieThe French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
2021
as Uncle Nick
TVThe Chair
2021
as Elliot Rentz
MovieHow Moving
2021
as Uncle Aaron
TVSpace Force
2020
as Ron (voice)
TVThe Politician
2019
as Keaton Hobart
MovieCarl Laemmle
2019
as Himself
MovieAn L.A. Minute
2018
as Shelley
TVSummer Camp Island
2018
as Gerald (voice)
TVCondor
2018
as Reuel Abbott
TVJames Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
2018
as Self
MovieIsle of Dogs
2018
as King (voice)
TVWormwood
2017
as Dr. Harold A. Abramson
MovieSpielberg
2017
as Self
MovieMike Nichols: An American Master
2016
as Self
TVGraves
2016
as Secretary Burns
MovieMascots
2016
as Sol Lumpkin
MovieI Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
2016
as Mr. Waxcap
MovieEva Hesse
2016
as Wilhelm Hesse (voice)
MovieStarring Austin Pendleton
2016
as Self
MovieEverything Is Copy
2015
as Self
MovieExploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'
2015
as Self / The Narrator
MovieHitchcock/Truffaut
2015
as Narrator (voice)
TVShow Me a Hero
2015
as Leonard B. Sand
TVLast Week Tonight with John Oliver
2014
as Self
MovieThe Grand Budapest Hotel
2014
as M. Martin
MovieThe Monuments Men
2014
as Pvt. Preston Savitz
TVBroad City
2014
as Arthur Wexler
MovieMuhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
2013
as Lawyer (uncredited)
MovieFading Gigolo
2013
as Sol
TVFamily Tree
2013
as Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim
TVAlpha House
2013
as Senator Elliot Robeson
MovieGirl Most Likely
2012
as Maxwell
MovieDo You Like to Read?
2012
as The Narrator
MovieMoonrise Kingdom
2012
as The Narrator
TVGirls
2012
as Therapist
MovieThin Ice
2012
as Leonard Dahl
TVChina, IL
2011
as (voice)
TVWeb Therapy
2011
as Ted Mitchell
MovieThe Five Stages of Grief
2011
as Voice of Daniel's father
TVMoguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
2010
as Self
MovieHowl
2010
as Judge Clayton Horn
MovieF--k
2010
as Bob
MovieRage
2009
as Mr. White
TVThe Good Wife
2009
as Gordon Higgs
MovieThe Windmill Movie
2009
as Self
TVWeb Therapy
2008
as Ted Mitchell
MovieRecount
2008
as Ben Ginsberg
MovieDedication
2007
as Arthur Planck
MovieLicense to Wed
2007
as Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)
MovieNo Reservations
2007
as Therapist
MoviePrince of the City: The Real Story
2007
as Self / Santimassino
MovieFor Your Consideration
2006
as Philip Koontz
MovieLady in the Water
2006
as Harry Farber
MovieControversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film
2006
as Self
MovieCapote
2005
as William Shawn
MovieTrust the Man
2005
as Tobey's Therapist
TVHopeless Pictures
2005
TVAmerican Dad!
2005
as Glen Hanover (voice)
MovieKramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo
2004
as Self
TVTom Goes to the Mayor
2004
as Walt Pickle (voice)
TVEntourage
2004
as Doctor
MovieScene Stealers
2004
as Jonathan Crouch Esq.
MovieMarie and Bruce
2004
as Roger
MovieA Mighty Wind
2003
as Jonathan Steinbloom
MovieThe Tuxedo
2002
as Winton Chalmers (uncredited)
MovieThe Making of Gosford Park
2002
as Self
MoviePlan B
2002
as James Foster
MovieGosford Park
2001
as Morris Weissman
MovieThe Majestic
2001
as Elvin Glyde
MovieGhost World
2001
as Enid's Dad
MovieThe Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
2001
as Self
MovieThe Mexican
2001
as Bernie Nayman
MovieBest in Show
2000
as Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
MovieTex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger
2000
as Tex
MovieCradle Will Rock
1999
as Harry Hopkins
MovieThree to Tango
1999
as Decker
TVNow and Again
1999
TVThe West Wing
1999
as Ted Marcus
MovieJakob the Liar
1999
as Kowalsky
MovieSwing Vote
1999
as Justice Eli MacCorckle
MovieThe Monster Hunter
1999
as Dr. William Powell
MovieGiving Up the Ghost
1998
as Bob
MovieDeconstructing Harry
1997
as Richard
MovieThe Definite Maybe
1997
as Wolfe Rollins
MovieClockwatchers
1997
as Milton Lasky
MovieConversation with the Beast
1997
as Mr. Webster
MovieWaiting for Guffman
1997
as Lloyd Miller
MovieThe Late Shift
1996
as Warren Littlefield
MoviePie in the Sky
1996
as Paul Entamen
TVDr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995
as Bob (voice)
TVLegend
1995
MovieGeorge Romero's Golden Tales 2
1995
TVFriends
1994
as Frank Sr.
MovieCity Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
1994
as Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)
MovieGreedy
1994
as Ed
MovieFor Love or Money
1993
as Ed Drinkwater
MovieAmos & Andrew
1993
as Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink
MovieBob Roberts
1992
as Cutting Edge Producer
MovieUnnatural Pursuits
1992
as Lou Finkleberg
MovieLittle Man Tate
1991
as Quizmaster
MovieAlice
1990
as Sid Moscowitz
MovieThe Face of Fear
1990
as Ira Preduski
TVThe Simpsons
1989
as Narrator (voice)
TVSeinfeld
1989
as Russell Dalrymple
MovieDead Bang
1989
as Elliott Webley
MovieFunny
1988
as Self
MovieEnd of the Line
1987
as Warren Gerber
TVAmazing Stories
1985
as Jo-Jo Gillespie
Movie2010
1984
as Dr. R. Chandra
TVMiami Vice
1984
as Ira Stone
MovieNothing Lasts Forever
1984
as Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar
Movie2010 : The Odyssey Continues
1984
as Himself
MovieWhose Life Is It Anyway?
1981
as Carter Hill
MovieAbsence of Malice
1981
as Elliott Rosen
MoviePrince of the City
1981
as Santimassino
MovieAltered States
1980
as Arthur Rosenberg
TVFridays
1980
as Self
MovieGirlfriends
1978
as Martin
MovieClose Encounters of the Third Kind
1977
as David Laughlin
MovieReport to the Commissioner
1975
as Joey Egan
MovieThe Bank Shot
1974
as Victor Karp
TVMaude
1972
as Ambrose Riley
MovieMarriage: Year One
1971
as Bernie
MovieMaking It
1971
as Wilkie
MovieThe Strawberry Statement
1970
as Elliot
MovieCatch-22
1970
as Capt. Orr
TVLove, American Style
1969
as Nick
TVRoom 222
1969
MovieMe, Natalie
1969
as Morris
MovieMidnight Cowboy
1969
as The Young Student
TVThe Mod Squad
1968
TVHank
1965
TVThe Mike Douglas Show
1961
as Self
