Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban

  • Birthday: 1945-08-16
  • Place of birth: Chicago, Illinois, USA
  • Also know as: Robert Elmer Balaban

Biography

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.

Filmography

Best in Show

2000

As Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III

A Mighty Wind

2003

As Jonathan Steinbloom

The Definite Maybe

1997

As Wolfe Rollins

Hitchcock/Truffaut

2015

As Narrator (voice)

Do You Like to Read?

2012

As The Narrator

Scene Stealers

2004

As Jonathan Crouch Esq.

Conversation with the Beast

1997

As Mr. Webster

The Majestic

2001

As Elvin Glyde

Recount

2008

As Ben Ginsberg

End of the Line

1987

As Warren Gerber

Eva Hesse

2016

As Wilhelm Hesse (voice)

Funny

1988

As Self

Altered States

1980

As Arthur Rosenberg

Absence of Malice

1981

As Elliott Rosen

Making It

1971

As Wilkie

Isle of Dogs

2018

As King (voice)

Marie and Bruce

2004

As Roger

The Windmill Movie

2009

As Self

An L.A. Minute

2018

As Shelley

Deconstructing Harry

1997

As Richard

2010

1984

As Dr. R. Chandra

Dead Bang

1989

As Elliott Webley

The Late Shift

1996

As Warren Littlefield

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

1981

As Carter Hill

Rage

2009

As Mr. White

Lady in the Water

2006

As Harry Farber

The Face of Fear

1990

As Ira Preduski

Marriage: Year One

1971

As Bernie

The Five Stages of Grief

2011

As Voice of Daniel's father

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977

As David Laughlin

The Monster Hunter

1999

As Dr. William Powell

The Bank Shot

1974

As Victor Karp

Capote

2005

As William Shawn

F--k

2010

As Bob

How Moving

2021

As Uncle Aaron

Carl Laemmle

2019

As Himself

Ghost World

2001

As Enid's Dad

Jakob the Liar

1999

As Kowalsky

No Reservations

2007

As Therapist

The Mexican

2001

As Bernie Nayman

Dedication

2007

As Arthur Planck

Me, Natalie

1969

As Morris

Three to Tango

1999

As Decker

Howl

2010

As Judge Clayton Horn

Waiting for Guffman

1996

As Lloyd Miller

Girl Most Likely

2012

As Maxwell

Fading Gigolo

2013

As Sol

Pie in the Sky

1996

As Paul Entamen

Report to the Commissioner

1975

As Joey Egan

Moonrise Kingdom

2012

As The Narrator

The Monuments Men

2014

As Pvt. Preston Savitz

Girlfriends

1978

As Martin

Swing Vote

1999

As Justice Eli MacCorckle

Thin Ice

2012

As Leonard Dahl

Gosford Park

2001

As Morris Weissman

Prince of the City

1981

As Santimassino

Everything Is Copy

2015

As Self

Little Man Tate

1991

As Quizmaster

Clockwatchers

1997

As Milton Lasky

Greedy

1994

As Ed

Plan B

2001

As James Foster

For Your Consideration

2006

As Philip Koontz

Catch-22

1970

As Capt. Orr

The French Dispatch

2021

As Uncle Nick

Unnatural Pursuits

1992

As Lou Finkleberg

A Monster in Paris

2011

As Pâté

80 for Brady

2023

As Mark

Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'

2015

As Self / The Narrator

For Love or Money

1993

As Ed Drinkwater

Cradle Will Rock

1999

As Harry Hopkins

Bob Roberts

1992

As Cutting Edge Producer

License to Wed

2007

As Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)

Trust the Man

2005

As Tobey's Therapist

Amos & Andrew

1993

As Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink

The Grand Budapest Hotel

2014

As Monsieur Martin

Midnight Cowboy

1969

As The Young Student

Alice

1990

As Sid Moscowitz

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold

1994

As Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)

Mascots

2016

As Sol Lumpkin

Spielberg

2017

As Self

Asteroid City

2023

As Larkings Executive

Nothing Lasts Forever

1984

As Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar

The Tuxedo

2002

As Winton Chalmers (uncredited)

Production

My Boyfriend's Back

1993

As Director

Parents

1989

As Director

Bernard and Doris

2006

As Director

The Last Good Time

1994

As Director

Georgia O'Keeffe

2009

As Director

Subway Stories

1997

As Director

The Exonerated

2006

As Director

The Brass Ring

1983

As Director

Tales from the Darkside

1990

As Director

The Wedding Toast

1999

As Director

Gosford Park

2001

As Producer

The Last Good Time

1994

As Producer

Bernard and Doris

2006

As Executive Producer

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

2018

As Executive Producer

The Exonerated

2006

As Executive Producer

The Wedding Toast

1999

As Producer

Rebel Girl

0000

As Producer

The Last Good Time

1994

As Screenplay

Gosford Park

2001

As Idea

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