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Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

Actor · Writer
75 years (May 30, 1951)Dallas, Texas, USA
You may not know his name, but you know his face: Stephen Tobolowsky, from Dallas, Texas, is one of Hollywood's most prolific character actors, with hundreds of credits. His masterpiece of comic irritation is Ned Ryerson, the insurance salesman who ambushes Bill Murray in 'Groundhog Day' (1993). He was also the unforgettable Sammy Jankis of 'Memento' (2000), and appeared in 'Thelma & Louise' (1991), 'Basic Instinct' (1992) and 'Silicon Valley'. A celebrated storyteller off screen, he specialises in cheerfully oblivious men who make everything worse.
You may not know his name, but you know his face: Stephen Tobolowsky, from Dallas, Texas, is one of Hollywood's most prolific character actors, with hundreds of credits. His masterpiece of comic irritation is Ned Ryerson, the insurance salesman who ambushes Bill Murray in 'Groundhog Day' (1993). He was also the unforgettable Sammy Jankis of 'Memento' (2000), and appeared in 'Thelma & Louise' (1991), 'Basic Instinct' (1992) and 'Silicon Valley'. A celebrated storyteller off screen, he specialises in cheerfully oblivious men who make everything worse.
113 Movies
Latest Trailers
The Cowboy Killer
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The Cowboy Killer
Full Filmography
The Cowboy Killer
God
★ 7.5
2026
Mary the Widow
Ed
2026
Woodstockers
Calvin
2026
Mimics
Melvin Reinhold
★ 5.0
2026
Nobody Wants This
Rabbi Cohen
★ 7.3
2025Season 2
The Simpsons
Merle (voice)
★ 8.0
2025Season 37
Freakier Friday
Mr. Elton Bates
★ 6.8
2025
Nobody Wants This
Rabbi Cohen
★ 7.3
2024Season 1
Frog and Toad
Dragonfly (voice)
★ 8.4
2024Season 2
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Stephen Tobolowsky and where are they from?
Stephen Tobolowsky is 75 years old, born on May 30, 1951 in Dallas, Texas, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Stephen Tobolowsky?
Stephen Tobolowsky is best known for roles in Memento, Groundhog Day, Robots.
How many movies has Stephen Tobolowsky been in?
Over a 49-year career (since 1977), Stephen Tobolowsky has appeared in 113 movies and 80 TV shows.
What was Stephen Tobolowsky's first movie?
The career of Stephen Tobolowsky began with Keep My Grave Open (1977).
What is Stephen Tobolowsky's most recent movie or series?
Stephen Tobolowsky's most recent release is Freaks Part II, which premiered on August 2, 2026.
What TV shows has Stephen Tobolowsky appeared in?
On television, Stephen Tobolowsky has appeared in The Simpsons, Malcolm in the Middle, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Heroes.
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Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen Tobolowsky
1951-05-30 · Dallas, Texas, USA

Stephen Harold Tobolowsky is an American character actor. He is known for film roles such as insurance agent Ned Ryerson in Groundhog Day and amnesiac Sammy Jankis in Memento, as well as such television characters as Commissioner Hugo Jarry in Deadwood, Bob Bishop in Heroes, Sandy Ryerson in Glee, Stu Beggs in Californication and White Famous, "Action" Jack Barker in Silicon Valley, Dr. Leslie Berkowitz in One Day at a Time, Principal Earl Ball in The Goldbergs, and Dr. Schulman in The Mindy Project.

Tobolowsky was born on May 30, 1951, in Dallas, Texas. He studied geology at Southern Methodist University but switched to theater after being cast in a production of "The Crucible." He later attended the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated with a degree in drama.

Tobolowsky began his acting career in the early 1980s, appearing in films such as The Philadelphia Experiment (1984), Nobody's Fool (1986), and Spaceballs (1987). He also had a recurring role on the television series Seinfeld (1989-1998).

Tobolowsky's breakthrough role came in 1993, when he played Ned Ryerson in the comedy Groundhog Day. His performance in the film was critically acclaimed, and he has since become one of the most recognizable character actors in Hollywood.

Tobolowsky has continued to work steadily in film and television over the years. He has appeared in numerous other films, including Memento (2000), Mulholland Drive (2001), and The Informant! (2009). He has also had recurring roles on the television series Deadwood (2004-2006), Heroes (2006-2007), Californication (2007-2014), and Silicon Valley (2014-2019).

In addition to his acting career, Tobolowsky is also a writer and a podcaster. He has written two books, The Dangerous Animals Club (2002) and The Tobolowsky Files (2017). He also hosts the podcast The Tobolowsky Files, in which he tells stories about his life and career.

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