Bob Balaban
Known for
An American actor, director and producer with a distinctive niche in offbeat, intellectual character roles. He debuted memorably in 'Midnight Cowboy' (1969) and appeared in Steven Spielberg's 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) and 'Altered States' (1980). A favorite of Wes Anderson, he has featured in 'Moonrise Kingdom' (2012) and 'Isle of Dogs' (2018), and served as narrator on the acclaimed series 'Gosford Park' as producer. Bespectacled and mild-mannered on screen, he has parlayed a specialty in fussy, cerebral figures into a long and respected American career on both sides of the camera.
Bob Balaban
69 Movies
28 Series
An American actor, director and producer with a distinctive niche in offbeat, intellectual character roles. He debuted memorably in 'Midnight Cowboy' (1969) and appeared in Steven Spielberg's 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' (1977) and 'Altered States' (1980). A favorite of Wes Anderson, he has featured in 'Moonrise Kingdom' (2012) and 'Isle of Dogs' (2018), and served as narrator on the acclaimed series 'Gosford Park' as producer. Bespectacled and mild-mannered on screen, he has parlayed a specialty in fussy, cerebral figures into a long and respected American career on both sides of the camera.
Movies
Plays M. Martin
The Grand Budapest Hotel
2014
Plays David Laughlin
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
1977
Plays King (voice)
Isle of Dogs
2018
Plays Uncle Nick
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
2021
Plays Larkings Executive
Asteroid City
2023
Plays Pvt. Preston Savitz
The Monuments Men
2014
Plays The Young Student
Midnight Cowboy
1969
Plays Dr. R. Chandra
2010
1984
Plays Capt. Orr
Catch-22
1970
Plays Richard
Deconstructing Harry
1997
Plays Bernie Nayman
The Mexican
2001
Producer
Plays Morris Weissman
Gosford Park
2001
Plays Therapist
No Reservations
2007
Plays Elvin Glyde
The Majestic
2001
Plays Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
Best in Show
2000
Plays Enid's Dad
Ghost World
2001
Plays Harry Farber
Lady in the Water
2006
Plays Ed
Greedy
1994
Plays Mark
80 for Brady
2023
Plays Ed Drinkwater
For Love or Money
1993
Plays Arthur Rosenberg
Altered States
1980
Plays Jonathan Crouch Esq.
Scene Stealers
2004
Plays Carter Hill
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
1981
Plays Leonard Dahl
Thin Ice
2012
Plays Quizmaster
Little Man Tate
1991
Plays Sol
Fading Gigolo
2013
Plays William Shawn
Capote
2005
Plays Sid Moscowitz
Alice
1990
Plays Lloyd Miller
Waiting for Guffman
1997
Plays Harry Hopkins
Cradle Will Rock
1999
Plays Philip Koontz
For Your Consideration
2006
Plays Elliott Rosen
Absence of Malice
1981
Plays Kowalsky
Jakob the Liar
1999
Plays Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink
Amos & Andrew
1993
Plays Jonathan Steinbloom
A Mighty Wind
2003
Plays Elliott Webley
Dead Bang
1989
Plays Morris
Me, Natalie
1969
Plays Martin
Girlfriends
1978
Plays Tobey's Therapist
Trust the Man
2005
Plays Cutting Edge Producer
Bob Roberts
1992
Plays Maxwell
Girl Most Likely
2012
Plays Lenny
Fantasy Life
2026
Plays Sol Lumpkin
Mascots
2016
Plays Mr. Waxcap
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
2016
Plays Decker
Three to Tango
1999
Plays Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar
Nothing Lasts Forever
1984
Plays Warren Gerber
End of the Line
1987
Plays Paul Entamen
Pie in the Sky
1996
Plays James Foster
Plan B
2002
Plays Joey Egan
Report to the Commissioner
1975
TV Shows
Plays Reuel Abbott
Condor
2018
Plays Keaton Hobart
The Politician
2019
Plays Elliot Rentz
The Chair
2021
Plays Russell Dalrymple
Seinfeld
1989
Plays Leonard B. Sand
Show Me a Hero
2015
Plays Arthur Wexler
Broad City
2014
Plays Ted Mitchell
Web Therapy
2008
Plays Dr. Harold A. Abramson
Wormwood
2017
Plays Ira Stone
Miami Vice
1984
Director
Plays Senator Elliot Robeson
Alpha House
2013
Plays Gordon Higgs
The Good Wife
2009
Plays Mark Wilkins
Severance
2022
Plays Ted Marcus
The West Wing
1999
Plays Frank Sr.
Friends
1994
Director
Plays Ambrose Riley
Maude
1972
Director
Plays Jo-Jo Gillespie
Amazing Stories
1985
Plays Therapist
Girls
2012
Plays Ron (voice)
Space Force
2020
Plays Walt Pickle (voice)
Tom Goes to the Mayor
2004
Plays Nick
Love, American Style
1969
Plays Ted Mitchell
Web Therapy
2011
Plays Gerald (voice)
Summer Camp Island
2018
Plays (voice)
China, IL
2011
Plays Glen Hanover (voice)
American Dad!
2005
Plays Bob (voice)
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
1995
Plays Melvin Schmelff / Tumbleweed Tim
Family Tree
2013
Plays Doctor
Entourage
2004
Director
Plays Secretary Burns
Graves
2016
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Fantasy Life
Full Filmography
Fantasy Life
Lenny
2026
Film
Asteroid City
Larkings Executive
2023
Film
80 for Brady
Mark
2023
Film
Space Force
Ron (voice) · 1 episode
2022
TV
Severance
Mark Wilkins · 2 episodes
2022–
TV
The Chair
Elliot Rentz · 6 episodes
2021
TV
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
Uncle Nick
2021
Film
How Moving
Uncle Aaron
2021
Film
Broad City
Arthur Wexler · 3 episodes
2015–2019
TV
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bob Balaban and where are they from?
Bob Balaban is 80 years old, born on August 16, 1945 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Bob Balaban?
Bob Balaban is best known for roles in The Grand Budapest Hotel, Moonrise Kingdom, Isle of Dogs.
How many movies has Bob Balaban been in?
Over a 57-year career (since 1969), Bob Balaban has appeared in 68 movies and 27 TV shows.
What was Bob Balaban's first movie?
The career of Bob Balaban began with Midnight Cowboy (1969).
What is Bob Balaban's most recent movie or series?
Bob Balaban's most recent release is Fantasy Life, which premiered on March 27, 2026.
What TV shows has Bob Balaban appeared in?
On television, Bob Balaban has appeared in The Simpsons, Friends, Severance, American Dad!.
Bob Balaban
1945-08-16 · Chicago, Illinois, USA
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.