Bob Balaban
Date of Birth: August 16, 1945 (81)
Birth Place: Chicago, IL, USA
Latest News on Bob Balaban:
BIO
Bob Balaban has spent more than five decades moving seamlessly between the stage, film, and television as an actor, director, and producer. His career began in the theater, where he originated the role of Linus in the 1967 Off-Broadway production of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. He later earned a Tony Award nomination for his performance in The Inspector General in 1979.
On screen, Balaban quickly became a familiar character actor, with early film appearances in Midnight Cowboy, Catch-22, The Strawberry Statement, and Steven Spielberg's Close Encounters of the Third Kind. His film career has since included Altered States, 2010, Absence of Malice, Deconstructing Harry, Ghost World, The Majestic, and Lady in the Water. He has also been a frequent member of Christopher Guest's ensemble, appearing in Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration.
Television audiences may recognize Balaban from his recurring role as fictional NBC president Russell Dalrymple on Seinfeld, as well as appearances on Miami Vice, Friends, and Entourage. He memorably played real-life NBC executive Warren Littlefield in The Late Shift and later narrated Littlefield's memoir, Top of the Rock: Inside the Rise and Fall of Must See TV. His later credits include playing Judge Clayton Horn in Howl and lending his voice to The Simpsons.
Balaban's work behind the camera has been equally varied. He directed the films Parents and The Last Good Time, as well as Bernard and Doris and Georgia O'Keeffe, and has directed episodes of Nurse Jackie. As a producer, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture for Robert Altman's Gosford Park, in which he also appeared as Hollywood producer Morris Weissman.
He has also continued to return to the stage throughout his career. In 2011, Balaban joined Morgan Freeman and John Lithgow for the Broadway premiere of 8, portraying Judge Vaughn Walker in the staged reenactment of the federal trial challenging California's Proposition 8. He later appeared in Peter Sagal's short play Milton Bradley for Playing On Air in 2016.
Photos
STAGE CREDITS
Productions
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Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
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Bob Balaban
Connection
Movies
[ 1969 ] Morris
[ 1969 ] The Young Student - New York
[ 1970 ] Elliot - Organizer
[ 1970 ] Orr
[ 1971 ] Wilkie
[ 1974 ] Victor Karp
[ 1977 ] David Laughlin
[ 1978 ] Martin
[ 1980 ] Arthur Rosenberg
[ 1981 ] Carter Hill
[ 1981 ] Elliott Rosen
[ 1984 ] Dr. R. Chandra
[ 1987 ] Warren Gerber
[ 1989 ] Elliot Webly
[ 1989 ] director
[ 1990 ] Sid Moscowitz
[ 1992 ] Michael Janes
[ 1993 ] Dr. R.A.RoyFink
[ 1993 ] Ed Drinkwater
[ 1994 ] Ed
[ 1994 ] producer
[ 1995 ] Paul Entamen
[ 1996 ] Lloyd Miller
[ 1996 ] Mr. Webster
[ 1997 ] Milton Lky
[ 1997 ] Richard
[ 1997 ] Wolfe Rollins
[ 1999 ] Decker
[ 1999 ] Dr. William Powell
[ 1999 ] Harry Hopkins
[ 1999 ] Kowalsky
[ 2000 ] Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III
[ 2001 ] Bernie Nayman
[ 2001 ] Elvin Clyde
[ 2001 ] Enid's Dad
[ 2001 ] James Foster
[ 2001 ] Morris Weissman
[ 2003 ] Jonathan Steinbloom
[ 2004 ] Jonathan Crouch Esq.
[ 2004 ] Roger
[ 2005 ] William Shawn
[ 2006 ] Harry Farber
[ 2006 ] Philip Koontz
[ 2007 ] Arthur Planck
[ 2007 ] Therapist
[ 2009 ] Mr. White
[ 2010 ] Judge Clayton Horn
[ 2011 ] Leonard Dahl
[ 2011 ] Pâté
[ 2012 ] Maxwell P. Duncan
[ 2012 ] The Narrator
[ 2013 ] Sol
[ 2014 ] M. Martin
[ 2014 ] Preston Savitz
[ 2016 ] Mr. Waxcap
[ 2016 ] Sol Lumpkin
[ 2018 ] King
[ 2018 ] Shelly
[ 2021 ] Uncle Nick
[ 2025 ] Lenny
TV Shows
Arthur Wexler
Reuel Abbott
Dr. Rice
Ira Stone
Tony, Walter
Russell Dalrymple
Gordon Higgs
[ 2022-2025 ] Mark Wilkins
Awards and Nominations
winner
Bob Balaban, The Exonerated
Bob Balaban, The Inspector General
News
by Sidney Paterra - May 21, 2026
BroadwayWorld is taking a look back at the history of Celebrity Autobiography, including where the show has played, which stars have appeared over the years, which memoirs have been featured, and who is appearing in the Broadway production now.
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 26, 2026
For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 11, 2025
The Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center have announced the full lineup for the 35th annual New York Jewish Film Festival, returning to the Walter Reade Theater in Manhattan.
by Stephi Wild - Nov 7, 2025
Savage Wonder Art Center will present an exclusive one-day industry reading of Brat, a new play by Afghanistan veteran Jason Pizzarello, directed by Bob Balaban.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 20, 2025
Performances are now underway for the first-ever Broadway revival of the Tony Award-winning ART. As the show returns to New York, we're looking back on the play's history and notable stars who have taken on these roles.
by Bruce Glikas - Aug 8, 2025
Following a run at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, AVA: The Secret Conversations, written by and starring Elizabeth McGovern just made its New York premiere at NY City Center, Stage I. Check out photos from inside the opening night gala celebration below!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 10, 2025
The Tony Awards Administration Committee has revealed the Nominating Committee for the 2025-2026 Broadway season. Learn more about the Tony Awards here!
by Sidney Paterra - Apr 25, 2025
For Broadway fans, the highlight of every spring is the announcement of the Tony Award nominations—the most prestigious recognition in American theatre. But how are Tony nominees chosen, and who gets to decide? In this guide, we break down the Tony Awards nomination process and reveal how Broadway’s biggest honors are determined.
by Rebecca Kaplan - Apr 4, 2025
The acclaimed Broadway and cabaret singer - still going strong at 100 – celebrated her birthday with 4/1 and 4/2 shows at Don't Tell Mama featuring hits of the Great American Songbook, guest stars and plenty of fun.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 12, 2025
On the evening of her 100th birthday, legendary performer Lynne Charnay will take the stage at Don't Tell Mama. Learn more about the upcoming performance!
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 24, 2025
Tickets are selling fast for Island City Stage's milestone production of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Delicate Balance. In response to popular demand, an additional show has been added on Wednesday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m.
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 8, 2025
In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day and in collaboration with Jewish Story Partners, Holocaust Museum LA will present the Los Angeles premiere of the acclaimed new documentary, 'Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round,' Sunday, Jan. 19, at 6 p.m. at AMC The Grove.
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 20, 2024
Family secrets, friendship and loyalties drive the heart of Island City Stage's milestone production of Edward Albee's Pulitzer Prize-winning play A Delicate Balance, running January 16 – February 9.
by Nicole Rosky - Oct 1, 2024
The Tony Awards Administration Committee announced the Nominating Committee for the 2024-2025 Broadway season. Find out who made the list!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Bob Balaban has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.
Bob Balaban has not appeared in the West End.
Unique Theatrical Experience (The Lortels) for The Exonerated and Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for The Inspector General.
I'd be happy to help clean up Bob Balaban's awards information for your Broadway FAQ, but I notice the answer section appears to be incomplete or unclear. It shows "and .." without any actual awards data. Could you please provide the full list of awards and nominations you'd like me to format? Once you share that information, I'll reorganize it into: - Clear, readable paragraphs - SEO-friendly formatting - Broadway expert tone - Complete retention of all wins and nominations - Compliance with Google FAQ best practices Please paste the complete awards and nominations information, and I'll format it for you right away.
