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Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

Known For Acting
Birthday May 30, 1951 (74)
Birthplace Dallas, Texas, USA
Popularity 1 (history)
Updated Dec 19, 2024 (Update)
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

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, S ... tu 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

Headshots

Profile
Profile
Filmography

Freakier Friday

Freakier Friday

2025

as Mr. Elton Bates

Poolman

Poolman

2024

as Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche

Love Virtually

Love Virtually

2023

as Dr. Divine

Candy Cane Lane

Candy Cane Lane

2023

as Mr. Benedetto (uncredited)

Haul Out the Holly

Haul Out the Holly

2022

as Ned

Fractured

Fractured

2019

as Dr. Berthram

Loners

Loners

2019

as Mr. Tessman

The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-ween

The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants: Hack-a-ween

2019

as Creepy Rattlechains (voice)

Monsters at Large

Monsters at Large

2018

as Mr. Phillips

Strange Nature

Strange Nature

2018

as Mayor Paulson

Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown

Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown

2017

as Andy Gunderson (voice)

Mamaboy

Mamaboy

2016

as Reverend Weld

The Confirmation

The Confirmation

2016

as Father Lyons

Six L.A. Love Stories

Six L.A. Love Stories

2016

as Professor John Dobler

Where is Rocky II?

Where is Rocky II?

2016

as Byron (segment: "Monument One")

The Barber

The Barber

2015

as Chief Hardaway

Christian Mingle

Christian Mingle

2014

as Douglas McCarver

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

2014

as Principal Purdy (voice)

Atlas Shrugged: Part III

Atlas Shrugged: Part III

2014

as Dr. Hugh Akston

Toy Story of Terror!

Toy Story of Terror!

2013

as Ron (voice)

Pearblossom Hwy

Pearblossom Hwy

2012

as Rick Lawler

The Last Ride

The Last Ride

2012

as Ray

The Lorax

The Lorax

2012

as Uncle Ubb (voice)

Magnificat

Magnificat

2011

as Neighbor

You May Not Kiss the Bride

You May Not Kiss the Bride

2011

as Plumber

Hard Breakers

Hard Breakers

2011

as Max

Buried

Buried

2010

as Alan Davenport (voice)

Peep World

Peep World

2010

as Ephraim

Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want

Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want

2010

as Father Joe (segment "Trevor")

The Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife

2009

as Dr. Kendrick

Waiting for Yvette

Waiting for Yvette

2008

as Alan

Beethoven's Big Break

Beethoven's Big Break

2008

as Sal

The Rainbow Tribe

The Rainbow Tribe

2008

as Principal Sands

Boxboarders!

Boxboarders!

2007

as dr.james

The Valley of Light

The Valley of Light

2007

as Littlefield

Wild Hogs

Wild Hogs

2007

as Charley

Blind Dating

Blind Dating

2006

as Dr. Perkins

Promise Me Tomorrow

Promise Me Tomorrow

2006

as Carl Venable

Failure to Launch

Failure to Launch

2006

as Bud

The Sasquatch Gang

The Sasquatch Gang

2006

as Dalrymple

Living 'til the End

Living 'til the End

2005

as Dr. Shaw

Robots

Robots

2005

as Bigmouth Executive / Forge (voice)

Garfield

Garfield

2004

as Happy Chapman

Little Black Book

Little Black Book

2004

as Carl

Debating Robert Lee

Debating Robert Lee

2004

as Debate Judge

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

2004

as George Ruddy

Frankie and Johnny Are Married

Frankie and Johnny Are Married

2003

as Murray Mintz

Freaky Friday

Freaky Friday

2003

as Mr. Bates

National Security

National Security

2003

as Billy Narthax

View from the Top

View from the Top

2003

as Frank Thomas (uncredited)

Love Liza

Love Liza

2002

as Tom Bailey

Par 6

Par 6

2002

as T.T. Riley

The Country Bears

The Country Bears

2002

as Norbert Barrington

Ritual

Ritual

2002

as Dr. Javitz (uncredited)

Black River

Black River

2001

as Mayor Tom Thompson

The Day the World Ended

The Day the World Ended

2001

as Ed Turner

The Prime Gig

The Prime Gig

2001

as Mick

On The Edge

On The Edge

2001

as Tom (wraparound segments)

Freddy Got Fingered

Freddy Got Fingered

2001

as Uncle Neil

The Operator

The Operator

2000

as Doc

Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion

Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion

2000

as B.J. McQueen

Stanley's Gig

Stanley's Gig

2000

as Abe Cohen

Memento

Memento

2000

as Sammy

Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes

Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes

2000

as Dewey Wise

Bossa Nova

Bossa Nova

2000

as Trevor

The Insider

The Insider

1999

as Eric Kluster

Don't Look Under the Bed

Don't Look Under the Bed

1999

as Michael McCausland

One Man's Hero

One Man's Hero

1999

as Captain Gaine

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

1998

as Calculator (voice)

Around the Fire

Around the Fire

1998

as Doc

The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story

The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story

1998

as Tabaqui (voice)

Black Dog

Black Dog

1998

as McClaren

Mr. Magoo

Mr. Magoo

1997

as Agent FBI Chuck Stupak

Night Visitors

Night Visitors

1996

as Taylor

The Curse of Inferno

The Curse of Inferno

1996

as Lonnie Martin

The Glimmer Man

The Glimmer Man

1996

as Christopher Maynard

Power 98

Power 98

1996

as Rick Harris

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde

1995

as Oliver Mintz

Murder in the First

Murder in the First

1995

as Mr. Henkin

Trevor

Trevor

1994

as Father Joe

My Father the Hero

My Father the Hero

1994

as Mike

Radioland Murders

Radioland Murders

1994

as Max Applewhite

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day

1993

as Ned Ryerson

Josh and S.A.M.

Josh and S.A.M.

1993

as Thomas 'Thom' Whitney

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl

1993

as Antonio

The Pickle

The Pickle

1993

as Mike Krakower

Romeo Is Bleeding

Romeo Is Bleeding

1993

as District Attorney (uncredited)

Single White Female

Single White Female

1992

as Mitch Myerson

Memoirs of an Invisible Man

Memoirs of an Invisible Man

1992

as Warren Singleton

Hero

Hero

1992

as Wallace

Roadside Prophets

Roadside Prophets

1992

as Ranger Bob

Basic Instinct

Basic Instinct

1992

as Dr. Lamott

Where the Day Takes You

Where the Day Takes You

1992

as Charles

Sneakers

Sneakers

1992

as Dr. Werner Brandes

Deadly Medicine

Deadly Medicine

1991

as Ron Sutton

Tagget

Tagget

1991

as Al Hentz

Wedlock

Wedlock

1991

as Warden Holliday

Thelma & Louise

Thelma & Louise

1991

as Max

The Marla Hanson Story

The Marla Hanson Story

1991

as Defense Attorney

Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster

Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster

1991

as Sergeant Phil Baranski

To the Moon, Alice

To the Moon, Alice

1991

as Sitcom Producer

Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

1990

as Mayor Bill Klepler

Funny About Love

Funny About Love

1990

as Hugo

Bird on a Wire

Bird on a Wire

1990

as Joe Weyburn

The Grifters

The Grifters

1990

as Jeweler

Last Flight Out

Last Flight Out

1990

as Doctor Timothy Brandon

Mirror Mirror

Mirror Mirror

1990

as Mr. Anderson

Great Balls of Fire!

Great Balls of Fire!

1989

as Jud Phillips

Roe vs. Wade

Roe vs. Wade

1989

as Darryl Horwath

Breaking In

Breaking In

1989

as District Attorney

In Country

In Country

1989

as Pete

Checking Out

Checking Out

1989

as Pharmacist

Two Idiots in Hollywood

Two Idiots in Hollywood

1988

as Prosecuting Attorney

Mississippi Burning

Mississippi Burning

1988

as Townley

Spaceballs

Spaceballs

1987

as Captain of the Guard

Nobody's Fool

Nobody's Fool

1986

as Kirk

Swing Shift

Swing Shift

1984

as French deMille / Documentary Narrator

Cocaine and Blue Eyes

Cocaine and Blue Eyes

1983

as TV Clerk

Keep My Grave Open

Keep My Grave Open

1976

as Robert

The Primary Instinct

The Primary Instinct

2015

Writer

True Stories

True Stories

1986

Writer

Two Idiots in Hollywood

Two Idiots in Hollywood

1988

Director

The Primary Instinct

The Primary Instinct

2015

Executive Producer

Organization Category Movie
Television Credits

One Day at a Time

as Dr. Berkowitz

Episodes: 46

First Aired: Jan 06, 2017

The Goldbergs

as Principal Ball

Episodes: 44

First Aired: Sep 24, 2013

Californication

as Stu Beggs

Episodes: 30

First Aired: Aug 13, 2007

Silicon Valley

as Jack Barker

Episodes: 17

First Aired: Apr 06, 2014

Heroes

as Bob Bishop

Episodes: 14

First Aired: Sep 25, 2006

Archer

as Robert (voice)

Episodes: 11

First Aired: Sep 17, 2009

Big Time in Hollywood, Fl

as Alan Dolfe

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Mar 25, 2015

Deadwood

as Hugo Jarry

Episodes: 9

First Aired: Mar 21, 2004

Glee

as Sandy Ryerson

Episodes: 8

First Aired: May 19, 2009

Against the Grain

as Niles Hardeman

Episodes: 8

First Aired: Oct 01, 1993

Blue Skies

as Oak

Episodes: 8

First Aired: Sep 12, 1994

Justice League Action

as Professor Stein (voice)

Episodes: 8

First Aired: Dec 16, 2016

The Hotwives of Orlando

as Phil

Episodes: 7

First Aired: Jul 15, 2014

CSI: Miami

as Don Haffman

Episodes: 5

First Aired: Sep 23, 2002

The Mindy Project

as Marc Shulman

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 25, 2012

Schooled

as Earl Ball

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Jan 09, 2019

Nobody Wants This

as Rabbi Cohen

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 26, 2024

Frog and Toad

as Dragonfly (voice)

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Apr 27, 2023

Justified

as Jerry Barkley

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Mar 16, 2010

Seinfeld

as Tor Eckman

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jul 05, 1989

The New Adventures of Old Christine

as Principal James Merrow

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Mar 13, 2006

The Really Loud House

as Walter Phillipini

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Nov 03, 2022

Dicktown

as John’s Dad

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jul 09, 2020

A Whole New Ballgame

as Dr. Warner Brakefield

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Jan 09, 1995

White Famous

as Stu Beggs

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Oct 15, 2017

That '70s Show

as Professor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 23, 1998

Two Guys and a Girl

as Father Viteri

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 10, 1998

Falcon Crest

as Doctor

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 04, 1981

Mad About You

as Principal Hocksacker

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 1992

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Spencer Freiberg

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 06, 2000

The Closer

as James Bloom

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 13, 2005

Desperate Housewives

as Bud Penrod

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 2004

L.A. Law

as Dr. Michael Segal

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 15, 1986

Ghost Whisperer

as Dr. Peltier

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 23, 2005

The Pretender

as Dr. Alan Trader

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1996

According to Jim

as Dr. Ted

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 2001

King of the Hill

as Dr. Benson / Burt Halverstrom (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 12, 1997

Malcolm in the Middle

as Mr. Fisher

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 09, 2000

Knots Landing

as Steve Comiskey

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 27, 1979

Roswell

as Julius Walters

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 06, 1999

Will & Grace

as Ned Weathers

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 21, 1998

Boston Legal

as Dr. Alvin Azinabinacroft

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 2004

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

as Jim Halliwell

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 30, 2001

We Bare Bears

as Stephen ( voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 24, 2015

True Jackson, VP

as Lars Balthazar

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 08, 2008

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

as Principal Flutie

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 10, 1997

Complete Savages

as Mr. Frehley

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 24, 2004

Another Period

as Thomas Edison

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 23, 2015

Community

as Professor Peter Sheffield

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 17, 2009

Fuller House

as Mr. Gerald

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 26, 2016

Curb Your Enthusiasm

as Len Dunkel

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 15, 2000

Dr. Ken

as Joe

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 2015

Pound Puppies

as Mr. Geekman (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 10, 2010

Hercules

as Numericles (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 31, 1998

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Edwin Adelson

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1999

Minx

as Conrad Ross

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 17, 2022

Green Eggs and Ham

as Chad (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 08, 2019

The West Wing

as Dr. Max Milkman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 1999

Crazy like a Fox

as Hotel Clerk

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Dec 30, 1984

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

as Gil (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 02, 2000

Bad Internet

as James

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 25, 2016

The Cool Kids

as Leonard

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 28, 2018

The Drew Carey Show

as Councilman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 13, 1995

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd

as Alex

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 21, 1987

No Activity

as (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 11, 2017

ThunderCats Roar

as Driller (voice)

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 22, 2020

Friends with Better Lives

as Dr. Adleman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 31, 2014

The Naked Truth

as Vincent Hartford

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 13, 1995

The Sarah Silverman Program.

as Bill Fantastimart

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 01, 2007

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

as Mr. Kayman

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 20, 1999

Suddenly Susan

as Dr. Gerken

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 1996

Cafe Americain

as Roger Livingston

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 1993

The Defenders

as Judge Gelineau

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 2010

The Dead Zone

as Jim Pratt

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 16, 2002

Mr. Rhodes

Episodes: 19

First Aired: Sep 23, 1996

Dweebs

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Sep 22, 1995

Big Day

Episodes: 5

First Aired: Nov 28, 2006

John from Cincinnati

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Jun 10, 2007

Murder One

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Sep 20, 1995

Chicago Hope

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 18, 1994

Alice

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 31, 1976

Reba

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 2001

Designing Women

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1986

Night Stalker

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 2005

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 18, 2006

227

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 14, 1985

Las Vegas

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 2003

Any Day Now

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 18, 1998

Off Centre

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 14, 2001

The Practice

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 04, 1997

Cagney & Lacey

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 25, 1982

Oliver Beene

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 09, 2003

Kingpin

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Feb 02, 2003

The Lone Gunmen

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 04, 2001

Raines

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 15, 2007

Married to the Kellys

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 03, 2003

Do Over

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 19, 2002

Baby Talk

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 08, 1991

Shannon's Deal

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 16, 1990

Harts of the West

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 25, 1993

Tony Awards

as Self - Nominee

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 01, 1956

Stars in the House

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 16, 2020

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 5 23 23 23
2024 6 20 27 12
2024 7 31 45 13
2024 8 22 51 13
2024 9 21 56 7
2024 10 12 20 6
2024 11 11 23 5
2024 12 14 30 6
2025 1 22 41 9
2025 2 10 28 1
2025 3 5 19 1
2025 4 1 2 1
2025 5 3 4 1
2025 6 1 2 1
2025 7 1 1 0
2025 8 6 14 1

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 5 1171 1171
2024 6 835 742

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