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