Stephen Tobolowsky
- Known for
- Acting
- Born
- May 30, 1951 (age 75)
- Place of birth
- Dallas, Texas, USA
- Credits
- 256
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.
Known for
Filmography
Freaks Part II
2026Movie
The Cowboy Killer
2026Movie
God
Mary the Widow
2026Movie
Ed
Woodstockers
2026Movie
Calvin
Mimics
2026Movie
Melvin Reinhold
Haul Out the Halloween
2025Movie
Ned Broadhead
Freakier Friday
2025Movie
Mr. Elton Bates
Thelma & Louise: Born to Live
2025Movie
Self
Nobody Wants This
2024TV
Rabbi Cohen
Watching Walter
2024Movie
Walter
Poolman
2024Movie
Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche
Candy Cane Lane
2023Movie
Mr. Benedetto (uncredited)
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up
2023Movie
Ned
Love Virtually
2023Movie
Dr. Divine
Frog and Toad
2023TV
Dragonfly (voice)
Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues
2023Movie
Self
Haul Out the Holly
2022Movie
Ned
The Really Loud House
2022TV
Walter Phillipini
Hollywood Signs
2022Movie
Self
Minx
2022TV
Conrad Ross
Hacks
2021TV
Henry Weeks
Dicktown
2020TV
John’s Dad
Stars in the House
2020TV
Self
ThunderCats Roar
2020TV
Driller (voice)
Green Eggs and Ham
2019TV
Chad (voice)
Fantastic Mr. Murray
2019Movie
Self - Interviewee
The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
2019Movie
Creepy Rattlechains (voice)
Fractured
2019Movie
Dr. Berthram
Loners
2019Movie
Mr. Tessman
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
2019Movie
Mr. Bentley
Schooled
2019TV
Earl Ball
The Cool Kids
2018TV
Leonard
Strange Nature
2018Movie
Mayor Paulson
Monsters at Large
2018Movie
Mr. Phillips
No Activity
2017TV
(voice)
White Famous
2017TV
Stu Beggs
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown
2017Movie
Andy Gunderson (voice)
One Day at a Time
2017TV
Dr. Berkowitz
Justice League Action
2016TV
Professor Stein (voice)
Mamaboy
2016Movie
Reverend Weld
Six L.A. Love Stories
2016Movie
Professor John Dobler
Welcome to the Men's Group
2016Movie
Bad Internet
2016TV
James
Where is Rocky II?
2016Movie
Byron (segment: "Monument One")
The Confirmation
2016Movie
Father Lyons
Fuller House
2016TV
Mr. Gerald
Dr. Ken
2015TV
Joe
We Bare Bears
2015TV
Stephen ( voice)
Another Period
2015TV
Thomas Edison
The Primary Instinct
2015Movie
Himself
The Barber
2015Movie
Chief Hardaway
Big Time in Hollywood, Fl
2015TV
Alan Dolfe
Hello Ladies: The Movie
2014Movie
Alan
Christian Mingle
2014Movie
Douglas McCarver
Atlas Shrugged: Part III
2014Movie
Dr. Hugh Akston
The Hotwives of Orlando
2014TV
Phil
Silicon Valley
2014TV
Jack Barker
Friends with Better Lives
2014TV
Dr. Adleman
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
2014Movie
Principal Purdy (voice)
Guys and Girls Can't Be Friends
2014Movie
Andy
Toy Story of Terror!
2013Movie
Ron (voice)
The Goldbergs
2013TV
Principal Ball
Pearblossom Hwy
2012Movie
Rick Lawler
The Mindy Project
2012TV
Marc Shulman
The Last Ride
2012Movie
Ray
Say It Ain't Solo
2012Movie
Self
The Lorax
2012Movie
Uncle Ubb (voice)
Magnificat
2011Movie
Neighbor
Hail Mary
2011Movie
Hard Breakers
2011Movie
Max
You May Not Kiss the Bride
2011Movie
Plumber
Pound Puppies
2010TV
Mr. Geekman (voice)
Buried
2010Movie
Alan Davenport (voice)
The Defenders
2010TV
Judge Gelineau
Peep World
2010Movie
Ephraim
Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want
2010Movie
Father Joe (segment "Trevor")
Justified
2010TV
Jerry Barkley
Community
2009TV
Professor Peter Sheffield
Archer
2009TV
Robert (voice)
The Time Traveler's Wife
2009Movie
Dr. Kendrick
The Face is Familiar
2009Movie
Glee
2009TV
Sandy Ryerson
Beethoven's Big Break
2008Movie
Sal
True Jackson, VP
2008TV
Lars Balthazar
The Rainbow Tribe
2008Movie
Principal Sands
Waiting for Yvette
2008Movie
Alan
Californication
2007TV
Stu Beggs
John from Cincinnati
2007TV
Mark Lewinsky
Blind Dating
2007Movie
Dr. Perkins
Boxboarders!
2007Movie
Dr. Stephen James
Raines
2007TV
Wild Hogs
2007Movie
Charley
The Sarah Silverman Program
2007TV
Bill Fantastimart
The Valley of Light
2007Movie
Littlefield
Loveless in Los Angeles
2007Movie
Jon
Big Day
2006TV
Heroes
2006TV
Bob Bishop
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
2006TV
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party
2006Movie
Self
The New Adventures of Old Christine
2006TV
Principal James Merrow
Failure to Launch
2006Movie
Bud
The Sasquatch Gang
2006Movie
Dalrymple
Promise Me Tomorrow
2006Movie
Carl Venable
Living 'til the End
2005Movie
Dr. Shaw
Night Stalker
2005TV
Titus Berry
Ghost Whisperer
2005TV
Dr. Peltier
The Closer
2005TV
James Bloom
McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really Out
2005Movie
Harry Evers
The Five Keys to Mastery
2005Movie
Self
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
2005Movie
Tom Abernathy
Robots
2005Movie
Bigmouth Executive / Forge (voice)
Desperate Housewives
2004TV
Bud Penrod
Boston Legal
2004TV
Dr. Alvin Azinabinacroft
Complete Savages
2004TV
Mr. Frehley
Debating Robert Lee
2004Movie
Debate Judge
Little Black Book
2004Movie
Carl
Entourage
2004TV
Mayor of Beverly Hills
Garfield
2004Movie
Happy Chapman
Deadwood
2004TV
Hugo Jarry
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
2004Movie
George Ruddy
Frankie and Johnny Are Married
2003Movie
Murray Mintz
Married to the Kellys
2003TV
Henry Conway
Las Vegas
2003TV
Donny Rollins
Freaky Friday
2003Movie
Mr. Bates
View from the Top
2003Movie
Frank Thomas (uncredited)
Oliver Beene
2003TV
Ringmaster Bob
Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey
2003Movie
Self
Kingpin
2003TV
National Security
2003Movie
Billy Narthax
Love Liza
2002Movie
Tom Bailey
CSI: Miami
2002TV
Don Haffman
Do Over
2002TV
Ritual
2002Movie
Dr. Javitz (uncredited)
The Country Bears
2002Movie
Norbert Barrington
The Dead Zone
2002TV
Jim Pratt
Par 6
2002Movie
T.T. Riley
Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time
2002Movie
Self
The Day the World Ended
2001Movie
Ed Turner
Off Centre
2001TV
Reba
2001TV
Judge
According to Jim
2001TV
Dr. Ted
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001TV
Jim Halliwell
Black River
2001Movie
Mayor Tom Thompson
On the Edge
2001Movie
Tom (wraparound segments)
The Prime Gig
2001Movie
Mick
Freddy Got Fingered
2001Movie
Uncle Neil
The Lone Gunmen
2001TV
Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes
2000Movie
Dewey Wise
Curb Your Enthusiasm
2000TV
Len Dunkel
Memento
2000Movie
Sammy
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000TV
Spencer Freiberg
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
2000TV
Gil (voice)
Stanley's Gig
2000Movie
Abe Cohen
Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion
2000Movie
B.J. McQueen
The Operator
2000Movie
Doc
Bossa Nova
2000Movie
Trevor
Malcolm in the Middle
2000TV
Mr. Fisher
The Insider
1999Movie
Eric Kluster
Don't Look Under the Bed
1999Movie
Michael McCausland
Roswell
1999TV
Julius Walters
Snoops
1999TV
Michael Bench
The West Wing
1999TV
Dr. Max Milkman
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999TV
Edwin Adelson, Mr. Kayman
One Man's Hero
1999Movie
Captain Gaine
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story
1998Movie
Tabaqui (voice)
Around the Fire
1998Movie
Doc
Will & Grace
1998TV
Ned Weathers
Hercules
1998TV
Numericles (voice)
That '70s Show
1998TV
Professor
Any Day Now
1998TV
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
1998Movie
Calculator (voice)
Black Dog
1998Movie
McClaren
Two Guys and a Girl
1998TV
Father Viteri
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn
1998Movie
Bill Bardo
Mr. Magoo
1997Movie
Agent FBI Chuck Stupak
The Practice
1997TV
Clyde Burrows
King of the Hill
1997TV
Dr. Benson / Burt Halverstrom (voice)
The Curse of Inferno
1996Movie
Lonnie Martin
Night Visitors
1996Movie
Taylor
The Glimmer Man
1996Movie
Christopher Maynard
Mr. Rhodes
1996TV
The Pretender
1996TV
Dr. Alan Trader
Suddenly Susan
1996TV
Dr. Gerken
Arli$$
1996TV
Craig Levitz
Power 98
1996Movie
Rick Harris
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
1996Movie
Bando (voice)
The Home Court
1995TV
Jeffrey Solomon
Dweebs
1995TV
Karl
Murder One
1995TV
Dr. Andross
The Drew Carey Show
1995TV
Councilman
The Naked Truth
1995TV
Vincent Hartford
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde
1995Movie
Oliver Mintz
Murder in the First
1995Movie
Mr. Henkin
A Whole New Ballgame
1995TV
Dr. Warner Brakefield
Radioland Murders
1994Movie
Max Applewhite
Chicago Hope
1994TV
Dr. Ted Joseph, Ted Joseph
Blue Skies
1994TV
Oak
My Father the Hero
1994Movie
Mike
Trevor
1994Movie
Father Joe
Josh & S.A.M.
1993Movie
Thomas 'Thom' Whitney
Against the Grain
1993TV
Niles Hardeman
Harts of the West
1993TV
Cafe Americain
1993TV
Roger Livingston
Calendar Girl
1993Movie
Antonio
The Pickle
1993Movie
Mike Krakower
Groundhog Day
1993Movie
Ned
Hero
1992Movie
Wallace
Mad About You
1992TV
Principal Hocksacker
Where the Day Takes You
1992Movie
Charles
Sneakers
1992Movie
Dr. Werner Brandes
Single White Female
1992Movie
Mitch Myerson
Roadside Prophets
1992Movie
Ranger Bob
Basic Instinct
1992Movie
Dr. Lamott
Memoirs of an Invisible Man
1992Movie
Warren Singleton
Deadly Medicine
1991Movie
Ron Sutton
To The Moon, Alice
1991Movie
Sitcom Producer
Thelma & Louise
1991Movie
Max
Wedlock
1991Movie
Warden Holliday
Baby Talk
1991TV
Tagget
1991Movie
Al Hentz
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster
1991Movie
Sergeant Phil Baranski
The Marla Hanson Story
1991Movie
Defense Attorney
Mirror Mirror
1990Movie
Mr. Anderson
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
1990Movie
Mayor Bill Klepler
Funny About Love
1990Movie
Hugo
The Grifters
1990Movie
Jeweler
Last Flight Out
1990Movie
Doctor Timothy Brandon
Bird on a Wire
1990Movie
Joe Weyburn
Shannon's Deal
1990TV
The Simpsons
1989TV
Merle (voice)
Breaking In
1989Movie
District Attorney
In Country
1989Movie
Pete
Seinfeld
1989TV
Tor Eckman
Great Balls of Fire!
1989Movie
Jud Phillips
Roe vs. Wade
1989Movie
Darryl Horwath
Mississippi Burning
1988Movie
Townley
Checking Out
1988Movie
Pharmacist
Two Idiots in Hollywood
1988Movie
Prosecuting Attorney
Spaceballs
1987Movie
Captain of the Guard
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
1987TV
Alex
Nobody's Fool
1986Movie
Kirk
Designing Women
1986TV
L.A. Law
1986TV
Michael Segal
227
1985TV
Crazy like a Fox
1984TV
Hotel Clerk
The Philadelphia Experiment
1984Movie
Barney
Swing Shift
1984Movie
French deMille / Documentary Narrator
Cocaine and Blue Eyes
1983Movie
TV Clerk
Cagney & Lacey
1982TV
Falcon Crest
1981TV
Doctor
Knots Landing
1979TV
Steve Comiskey
Keep My Grave Open
1977Movie
Robert
Alice
1976TV
Tony Awards
1956TV
Self - Nominee
American Men
TV
Sterling Moss
Butterfly in the Typewriter
Movie
The Abbot