Stephen Tobolowsky
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.
Media of
Stephen Tobolowsky
Photos (21)
Filmography of
Stephen Tobolowsky
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Mr. Elton Bates
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Walter
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Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche
... 2024
Mr. Benedetto (uncredited)
... 2023
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Dr. Divine
... 2023
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Self
... 2022
Self - Interviewee
... 2019
Creepy Rattlechains (voice)
... 2019
Dr. Berthram
... 2019
Mr. Tessman
... 2019
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Mayor Paulson
... 2018
Mr. Phillips
... 2018
Andy Gunderson (voice)
... 2017
Reverend Weld
... 2016
Professor John Dobler
... 2016
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Byron (segment: "Monument One")
... 2016
Father Lyons
... 2016
Himself
... 2015
Chief Hardaway
... 2015
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Douglas McCarver
... 2014
Dr. Hugh Akston
... 2014
Principal Purdy (voice)
... 2014
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Ron (voice)
... 2013
Rick Lawler
... 2012
Ray
... 2012
Himself
... 2012
Uncle Ubb (voice)
... 2012
Neighbor
... 2011
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Max
... 2011
Plumber
... 2011
Alan Davenport (voice)
... 2010
Ephraim
... 2010
Father Joe (segment "Trevor")
... 2010
Dr. Kendrick
... 2009
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Principal Sands
... 2008
Alan
... 2008
dr.james
... 2007
Charley
... 2007
Littlefield
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Dr. Perkins
... 2006
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Dalrymple
... 2006
Carl Venable
... 2006
Dr. Shaw
... 2005
Harry Evers
... 2005
Tom Abernathy
... 2005
Bigmouth Executive / Forge (voice)
... 2005
Debate Judge
... 2004
Carl
... 2004
Happy Chapman
... 2004
George Ruddy
... 2004
Murray Mintz
... 2003
Mr. Bates
... 2003
Frank Thomas (uncredited)
... 2003
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Billy Narthax
... 2003
Tom Bailey
... 2002
Dr. Javitz (uncredited)
... 2002
Norbert Barrington
... 2002
T.T. Riley
... 2002
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Ed Turner
... 2001
Mayor Tom Thompson
... 2001
Tom (wraparound segments)
... 2001
Mick
... 2001
Uncle Neil
... 2001
Dewey Wise
... 2000
Sammy
... 2000
Abe Cohen
... 2000
B.J. McQueen
... 2000
Doc
... 2000
Trevor
... 2000
Eric Kluster
... 1999
Michael McCausland
... 1999
Captain Gaine
... 1999
Tabaqui (voice)
... 1998
Doc
... 1998
Calculator (voice)
... 1998
McClaren
... 1998
Bill Bardo
... 1998
Agent FBI Chuck Stupak
... 1997
Lonnie Martin
... 1996
Taylor
... 1996
Christopher Maynard
... 1996
Rick Harris
... 1996
Bando (voice)
... 1996
Oliver Mintz
... 1995
Mr. Henkin
... 1995
Max Applewhite
... 1994
Mike
... 1994
Father Joe
... 1994
Thomas 'Thom' Whitney
... 1993
District Attorney (uncredited)
... 1993
Antonio
... 1993
Mike Krakower
... 1993
Ned Ryerson
... 1993
Wallace
... 1992
Charles
... 1992
Dr. Werner Brandes
... 1992
Mitch Myerson
... 1992
Ranger Bob
... 1992
Dr. Lamott
... 1992
Warren Singleton
... 1992
Ron Sutton
... 1991
Sitcom Producer
... 1991
Max
... 1991
Warden Holliday
... 1991
Al Hentz
... 1991
Sergeant Phil Baranski
... 1991
Defense Attorney
... 1991
Mr. Anderson
... 1990
Mayor Bill Klepler
... 1990
Hugo
... 1990
Jeweler
... 1990
Doctor Timothy Brandon
... 1990
Joe Weyburn
... 1990
District Attorney
... 1989
Pete
... 1989
Jud Phillips
... 1989
Darryl Horwath
... 1989
Townley
... 1988
Pharmacist
... 1988
Prosecuting Attorney
... 1988
Captain of the Guard
... 1987
Kirk
... 1986
Barney
... 1984
French deMille / Documentary Narrator
... 1984
TV Clerk
... 1983
Robert
... 1977
The Abbot
Melvin Reinhold