Acting
Bob Balaban
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
Fantasy Life
Film · 2026
Bad Actors
Film · 2024
80 for Brady
Film · 2023
Asteroid City
Film · 2023
Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy
Film · 2023
How Dare You Want More: The Short Film
Film · 2022
Severance
Series · 2022
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
Film · 2021
How Moving
Film · 2021
The Chair
Series · 2021
Space Force
Series · 2020
Carl Laemmle
Film · 2019
The Politician
Series · 2019
An L.A. Minute
Film · 2018
Isle of Dogs
Film · 2018
Condor
Series · 2018
Summer Camp Island
Series · 2018
James Cameron's Story of Science Fiction
Series · 2018
Spielberg
Film · 2017
Wormwood
Series · 2017
Mascots
Film · 2016
Eva Hesse
Film · 2016
I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House
Film · 2016
Mike Nichols: An American Master
Film · 2016
Starring Austin Pendleton
Film · 2016
Graves
Series · 2016
Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'
Film · 2015
Everything Is Copy
Film · 2015
Hitchcock/Truffaut
Film · 2015
Show Me a Hero
Series · 2015
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Film · 2014
The Monuments Men
Film · 2014
Broad City
Series · 2014
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver
Series · 2014
Fading Gigolo
Film · 2013
Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight
Film · 2013
Alpha House
Series · 2013
Family Tree
Series · 2013
Girl Most Likely
Film · 2012
Moonrise Kingdom
Film · 2012
Thin Ice
Film · 2012
Do You Like to Read?
Film · 2012
Girls
Series · 2012
The Five Stages of Grief
Film · 2011
Web Therapy
Series · 2011
China, IL
Series · 2011
Howl
Film · 2010
F--k
Film · 2010
Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood
Series · 2010
Rage
Film · 2009
The Windmill Movie
Film · 2009
The Good Wife
Series · 2009
Recount
Film · 2008
Web Therapy
Series · 2008
No Reservations
Film · 2007
Dedication
Film · 2007
License to Wed
Film · 2007
Prince of the City: The Real Story
Film · 2007
Lady in the Water
Film · 2006
For Your Consideration
Film · 2006
Controversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film
Film · 2006
Trust the Man
Film · 2005
Capote
Film · 2005
Hopeless Pictures
Series · 2005
American Dad!
Series · 2005
Scene Stealers
Film · 2004
Marie and Bruce
Film · 2004
Kramer vs. Kramer: Kenny to Cosmo
Film · 2004
Tom Goes to the Mayor
Series · 2004
Entourage
Series · 2004
A Mighty Wind
Film · 2003
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Series · 2003
The Tuxedo
Film · 2002
Plan B
Film · 2002
The Making of Gosford Park
Film · 2002
Ghost World
Film · 2001
Gosford Park
Film · 2001
The Majestic
Film · 2001
The Mexican
Film · 2001
The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'
Film · 2001
Best in Show
Film · 2000
Tex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger
Film · 2000
Jakob the Liar
Film · 1999
The Monster Hunter
Film · 1999
Swing Vote
Film · 1999
Three to Tango
Film · 1999
Cradle Will Rock
Film · 1999
Now and Again
Series · 1999
The West Wing
Series · 1999
Giving Up the Ghost
Film · 1998
Conversation with the Beast
Film · 1997
Deconstructing Harry
Film · 1997
Waiting for Guffman
Film · 1997
Clockwatchers
Film · 1997
The Definite Maybe
Film · 1997
The Late Shift
Film · 1996
Pie in the Sky
Film · 1996
George Romero's Golden Tales 2
Film · 1995
Legend
Series · 1995
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
Series · 1995
City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold
Film · 1994
Greedy
Film · 1994
Friends
Series · 1994
For Love or Money
Film · 1993
Amos & Andrew
Film · 1993
Unnatural Pursuits
Film · 1992
Bob Roberts
Film · 1992
Little Man Tate
Film · 1991
The Face of Fear
Film · 1990
Alice
Film · 1990
Dead Bang
Film · 1989
The Simpsons
Series · 1989
Seinfeld
Series · 1989
Funny
Film · 1988
End of the Line
Film · 1987
Amazing Stories
Series · 1985
2010
Film · 1984
Nothing Lasts Forever
Film · 1984
2010 : The Odyssey Continues
Film · 1984
Miami Vice
Series · 1984
Whose Life Is It Anyway?
Film · 1981
Absence of Malice
Film · 1981
Prince of the City
Film · 1981
Altered States
Film · 1980
Fridays
Series · 1980
Girlfriends
Film · 1978
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Film · 1977
Report to the Commissioner
Film · 1975
The Bank Shot
Film · 1974
Maude
Series · 1972
Making It
Film · 1971
Marriage: Year One
Film · 1971
The Strawberry Statement
Film · 1970
Catch-22
Film · 1970
Midnight Cowboy
Film · 1969
Me, Natalie
Film · 1969
Room 222
Series · 1969
Love, American Style
Series · 1969
The Mod Squad
Series · 1968
Hank
Series · 1965
The Mike Douglas Show
Series · 1961