About

Known credits:
152
Birthday:
1951-05-30
Place of birth:
Dallas, Texas, USA
Website:

Stephen Tobolowsky

Overview

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

Acting

2025 Freakier Friday Actor Mr. Bates N/A
N/A
2024 Poolman Actor Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche 57
Average
2023 Candy Cane Lane Actor Mr. Benedetto (uncredited) 59
Average
2023 Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up Actor Ned 59
Average
2023 Love Virtually Actor Dr. Divine 58
Average
2023 Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues Actor Self 59
Average
2022 Haul Out the Holly Actor Ned 59
Average
2022 Hollywood Signs Actor Self 59
Average
2019 Fantastic Mr. Murray Actor Self - Interviewee 59
Average
2019 The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-ween Actor Creepy Rattlechains (voice) 59
Average
2019 Fractured Actor Dr. Berthram 65
Fair
2019 Loners Actor Mr. Tessman 58
Average
2019 Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons" Actor Mr. Bentley 59
Average
2018 Strange Nature Actor Mayor Paulson 59
Average
2018 Monsters at Large Actor Mr. Phillips 58
Average
2017 Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown Actor Andy Gunderson (voice) 64
Fair
2017 One Day at a Time Actor Dr. Berkowitz 76
Good
2016 Mamaboy Actor Reverend Weld 58
Average
2016 Six L.A. Love Stories Actor Professor John Dobler 58
Average
2016 Welcome to the Men's Group Actor 58
Average
2016 Where is Rocky II? Actor Byron (segment: "Monument One") 59
Average
2016 The Confirmation Actor Father Lyons 60
Fair
2015 The Primary Instinct Actor Himself 59
Average
2015 The Barber Actor Chief Hardaway 58
Average
2015 Big Time in Hollywood, Fl Actor Alan Dolfe 70
Good
2014 Hello Ladies: The Movie Actor Alan 60
Fair
2014 Christian Mingle Actor Douglas McCarver 59
Average
2014 Atlas Shrugged: Part III Actor Dr. Hugh Akston 56
Average
2014 The Hotwives of Orlando Actor Phil 68
Fair
2014 Mr. Peabody & Sherman Actor Principal Purdy (voice) 65
Fair
2014 Guys and Girls Can't Be Friends Actor Andy 58
Average
2013 Toy Story of Terror! Actor Ron (voice) 67
Fair
2012 Pearblossom Hwy Actor Rick Lawler 58
Average
2012 The Last Ride Actor Ray 59
Average
2012 Say It Ain't Solo Actor Himself N/A
N/A
2012 The Lorax Actor Uncle Ubb (voice) 64
Fair
2011 Magnificat Actor Neighbor 59
Average
2011 Hail Mary Actor N/A
N/A
2011 Hard Breakers Actor Max 57
Average
2011 You May Not Kiss the Bride Actor Plumber 58
Average
2010 Buried Actor Alan Davenport (voice) 64
Fair
2010 Peep World Actor Ephraim 57
Average
2010 Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want Actor Father Joe (segment "Trevor") 59
Average
2009 The Time Traveler's Wife Actor Dr. Kendrick 67
Fair
2009 The Face is Familiar Actor N/A
N/A
2008 Beethoven's Big Break Actor Sal 57
Average
2008 The Rainbow Tribe Actor Principal Sands 59
Average
2008 Waiting for Yvette Actor Alan 59
Average
2007 Boxboarders! Actor dr.james 58
Average
2007 Wild Hogs Actor Charley 59
Average
2007 The Valley of Light Actor Littlefield 59
Average
2006 Blind Dating Actor Dr. Perkins 59
Average
2006 Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party Actor Self 59
Average
2006 Failure to Launch Actor Bud 58
Average
2006 The Sasquatch Gang Actor Dalrymple 58
Average
2006 Promise Me Tomorrow Actor Carl Venable 59
Average
2005 Living 'til the End Actor Dr. Shaw 59
Average
2005 McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really Out Actor Harry Evers 59
Average
2005 Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous Actor Tom Abernathy 57
Average
2005 Robots Actor Bigmouth Executive / Forge (voice) 64
Fair
2004 Debating Robert Lee Actor Debate Judge 59
Average
2004 Little Black Book Actor Carl 56
Average
2004 Garfield Actor Happy Chapman 57
Average
2004 Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! Actor George Ruddy 58
Average
2003 Frankie and Johnny Are Married Actor Murray Mintz 59
Average
2003 Freaky Friday Actor Mr. Bates 64
Fair
2003 View from the Top Actor Frank Thomas (uncredited) 56
Average
2003 Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey Actor Self 59
Average
2003 National Security Actor Billy Narthax 58
Average
2002 Love Liza Actor Tom Bailey 59
Average
2002 Ritual Actor Dr. Javitz (uncredited) 57
Average
2002 The Country Bears Actor Norbert Barrington 56
Average
2002 Par 6 Actor T.T. Riley N/A
N/A
2002 Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time Actor Self 59
Average
2001 The Day the World Ended Actor Ed Turner 58
Average
2001 Black River Actor Mayor Tom Thompson 58
Average
2001 On the Edge Actor Tom (wraparound segments) 58
Average
2001 The Prime Gig Actor Mick 59
Average
2001 Freddy Got Fingered Actor Uncle Neil 53
Average
2000 Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes Actor Dewey Wise 58
Average
2000 Memento Actor Sammy 81
Very good
2000 Manhattan, AZ Actor N/A
N/A
2000 Stanley's Gig Actor Abe Cohen 59
Average
2000 Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion Actor B.J. McQueen 58
Average
2000 The Operator Actor Doc 58
Average
2000 Bossa Nova Actor Trevor 58
Average
1999 The Insider Actor Eric Kluster 71
Good
1999 Don't Look Under the Bed Actor Michael McCausland 59
Average
1999 One Man's Hero Actor Captain Gaine 58
Average
1998 The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story Actor Tabaqui (voice) 58
Average
1998 Around the Fire Actor Doc 58
Average
1998 The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars Actor Calculator (voice) 58
Average
1998 Black Dog Actor McClaren 60
Fair
1998 An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn Actor Bill Bardo 57
Average
1997 Mr. Magoo Actor Agent FBI Chuck Stupak 52
Average
1996 The Curse of Inferno Actor Lonnie Martin 58
Average
1996 Night Visitors Actor Taylor N/A
N/A
1996 The Glimmer Man Actor Christopher Maynard 56
Average
1996 Mr. Rhodes Actor N/A
N/A
1996 Power 98 Actor Rick Harris 58
Average
1996 Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco Actor Bando (voice) 62
Fair
1995 Dweebs Actor N/A
N/A
1995 Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde Actor Oliver Mintz 57
Average
1995 Murder in the First Actor Mr. Henkin 65
Fair
1994 Radioland Murders Actor Max Applewhite 59
Average
1994 Blue Skies Actor Oak N/A
N/A
1994 My Father the Hero Actor Mike 57
Average
1994 Trevor Actor Father Joe 59
Average
1993 Josh and S.A.M. Actor Thomas 'Thom' Whitney 58
Average
1993 Against the Grain Actor Niles Hardeman N/A
N/A
1993 Romeo Is Bleeding Actor District Attorney (uncredited) 59
Average
1993 Calendar Girl Actor Antonio 58
Average
1993 The Pickle Actor Mike Krakower 58
Average
1993 Groundhog Day Actor Ned Ryerson 74
Good
1992 Hero Actor Wallace 60
Fair
1992 Where the Day Takes You Actor Charles 59
Average
1992 Sneakers Actor Dr. Werner Brandes 65
Fair
1992 Single White Female Actor Mitch Myerson 61
Fair
1992 Roadside Prophets Actor Ranger Bob 58
Average
1992 Basic Instinct Actor Dr. Lamott 67
Fair
1992 Memoirs of an Invisible Man Actor Warren Singleton 58
Average
1991 Deadly Medicine Actor Ron Sutton N/A
N/A
1991 To the Moon, Alice Actor Sitcom Producer N/A
N/A
1991 Thelma & Louise Actor Max 73
Good
1991 Wedlock Actor Warden Holliday 58
Average
1991 Tagget Actor Al Hentz N/A
N/A
1991 The Marla Hanson Story Actor Defense Attorney 59
Average
1990 Mirror Mirror Actor Mr. Anderson 58
Average
1990 Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael Actor Mayor Bill Klepler 59
Average
1990 Funny About Love Actor Hugo 58
Average
1990 The Grifters Actor Jeweler 61
Fair
1990 Last Flight Out Actor Doctor Timothy Brandon N/A
N/A
1990 Bird on a Wire Actor Joe Weyburn 60
Fair
1989 Breaking In Actor District Attorney 58
Average
1989 In Country Actor Pete 58
Average
1989 Great Balls of Fire! Actor Jud Phillips 60
Fair
1989 Roe vs. Wade Actor Darryl Horwath 59
Average
1988 Mississippi Burning Actor Townley 72
Good
1988 Checking Out Actor Pharmacist 58
Average
1988 Two Idiots in Hollywood Actor Prosecuting Attorney N/A
N/A
1987 Spaceballs Actor Captain of the Guard 67
Fair
1986 Nobody's Fool Actor Kirk 58
Average
1984 The Philadelphia Experiment Actor Barney 59
Average
1984 Swing Shift Actor French deMille / Documentary Narrator 58
Average
1983 Cocaine and Blue Eyes Actor TV Clerk 58
Average
1977 Keep My Grave Open Actor Robert 58
Average
Butterfly in the Typewriter Actor The Abbot N/A
N/A

Directing

1988 Two Idiots in Hollywood Directing Director N/A
N/A

Writing

2015 The Primary Instinct Writing Writer 59
Average
1988 Two Idiots in Hollywood Writing Writer N/A
N/A
1986 True Stories Writing Writer 60
Fair

Production

2015 The Primary Instinct Production Executive Producer 59
Average