Bob Balaban

Bob Balaban

1945-08-16 Chicago, Illinois, USA 117 Credits

Biography

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...

Known For

Filter by:

Complete Filmography

Fantasy Life

2025

Acting

After losing his job as a paralegal, Sam Stein suffers a panic attack and stumbles into a job babysitting his psychiatrist's three granddaughters. The...

Brooklyn, Minnesota

Brooklyn, Minnesota

2024

Producer

Producing

Follows Maisie and her father Kurt who have to leave their Brooklyn bubble to go back to Kurt's childhood home in Minnesota, where Maisie upsets long-...

Bad Actors

2024

Acting

A spirited group of activists inadvertently glue themselves together while preparing for a protest.

Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy

Desperate Souls, Dark City and the Legend of Midnight Cowboy

2023

as Self

5.8
Acting

This is not a documentary about the making of Midnight Cowboy. It is about a humane and groundbreaking masterpiece and the flawed but gifted people wh...

Asteroid City

Asteroid City

2023

as Larkings Executive

6.5
Acting

In an American desert town circa 1955, the itinerary of a Junior Stargazer/Space Cadet convention is spectacularly disrupted by world-changing events.

80 for Brady

80 for Brady

2023

as Mark

6.3
Acting

Four lifelong friends set out on an unforgettable journey to see their hero Tom Brady play in Super Bowl LI and witness one of the greatest comebacks ...

How Dare You Want More: The Short Film

How Dare You Want More: The Short Film

2022

Acting

A short film sequel to the six-episode web miniseries “Thank You and Sorry.”

The French Dispatch

The French Dispatch

2021

as Uncle Nick

7.0
Acting

The staff of an American magazine based in France puts out its last issue, with stories featuring an artist sentenced to life imprisonment, student ri...

How Moving

How Moving

2021

as Uncle Aaron

Acting

With some apprehension, Jared (Richard Ellis) flew across the country to move in with his boyfriend, Owen (writer-director Owen Thiele). On top of the...

Carl Laemmle

Carl Laemmle

2019

as Himself

4.8
Acting

A documentary about the life of Carl Laemmle, early cinema pioneer and founder of Universal Studios, documenting his life in Hollywood and his efforts...

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

2018

Executive Producer

6.8
Producing

When a bestselling celebrity biographer is no longer able to get published because she has fallen out of step with current tastes, she turns her art f...

An L.A. Minute

An L.A. Minute

2018

as Shelley

2.0
Acting

Best-selling author Ted Gold faces a moral dilemma when Velocity, an avant-garde performance artist and the living embodiment of integrity, rocks his ...

Isle of Dogs

Isle of Dogs

2018

as King (voice)

7.9
Acting

In the future, an outbreak of canine flu leads the mayor of a Japanese city to banish all dogs to an island used as a garbage dump. The outcasts must ...

Spielberg

Spielberg

2017

as Self

7.6
Acting

A documentary on the life and career of one of the most influential film directors of all time, Steven Spielberg.

Mascots

Mascots

2016

as Sol Lumpkin

5.4
Acting

Eager contestants don big heads and furry suits to vie for the title of World's Best Mascot.

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House

2016

as Mr. Waxcap

4.6
Acting

A young nurse takes care of an elderly author who lives in a haunted house.

Eva Hesse

Eva Hesse

2016

as Wilhelm Hesse (voice)

6.5
Acting

German American artist Eva Hesse (1936 – 1970) created her innovative art in latex and fiberglass in the whirling aesthetic vortex of 1960s New York. ...

Starring Austin Pendleton

Starring Austin Pendleton

2016

as Self

6.7
Acting

A quirky and inspirational documentary film on the philosophical approach to the life and work of character actor, Austin Pendleton.

Mike Nichols: An American Master

Mike Nichols: An American Master

2016

as Self

6.3
Acting

With charm and wit, Nichols discusses his life and 50-year career as a performer and director.

Everything Is Copy

Everything Is Copy

2015

as Self

7.4
Acting

A candid portrait of writer/director Nora Ephron, directed by her son, journalist Jacob Bernstein.

Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'

Exploring the Set of 'Moonrise Kingdom'

2015

as Self / The Narrator

6.1
Acting

Martin Scali, who was Wes Anderson's assistant on "Fantastic Mr. Fox", shot this short documentary in Newport, Rhode Island, during the filming of "Mo...

Hitchcock/Truffaut

Hitchcock/Truffaut

2015

as Narrator (voice)

7.3
Acting

Filmmakers discuss the legacy of Alfred Hitchcock and the book “Hitchcock/Truffaut” (“Le cinéma selon Hitchcock”), written by François Truffaut and pu...

We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss

We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss

2014

Director

7.0
Directing

Everyone’s talking about it, but who can explain it? Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Productions and Morgan Spurlock’s Cinelan have partnered to produce WE TH...

The Grand Budapest Hotel

The Grand Budapest Hotel

2014

as M. Martin

8.0
Acting

The Grand Budapest Hotel tells of a legendary concierge at a famous European hotel between the wars and his friendship with a young employee who becom...

The Monuments Men

The Monuments Men

2014

as Pvt. Preston Savitz

6.1
Acting

Based on the true story of the greatest treasure hunt in history, The Monuments Men is an action drama focusing on seven over-the-hill, out-of-shape m...

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight

Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight

2013

as Lawyer (uncredited)

6.3
Acting

Muhammad Ali’s historic Supreme Court battle from behind closed doors. When Ali was drafted into the Vietnam War at the height of his boxing career, h...

Fading Gigolo

Fading Gigolo

2013

as Sol

5.8
Acting

Fioravante decides to become a professional Don Juan as a way of making money to help his cash-strapped friend, Murray. With Murray acting as his "man...

Girl Most Likely

Girl Most Likely

2012

as Maxwell

5.6
Acting

A failed New York playwright stages a suicide in an attempt to win back her ex, only to wind up in the custody of her gambling-addict mother.

Do You Like to Read?

Do You Like to Read?

2012

as The Narrator

6.3
Acting

The librarian of the town of New Penzance introduces six animated segments illustrating Suzy's favorite books.

Moonrise Kingdom

Moonrise Kingdom

2012

as The Narrator

7.7
Acting

Set on an island off the coast of New England in the summer of 1965, Moonrise Kingdom tells the story of two twelve-year-olds who fall in love, make a...

Thin Ice

Thin Ice

2012

as Leonard Dahl

6.5
Acting

A dishonest insurance salesman's life quickly disintegrates during a Wisconsin winter when he teams up with a psychopath to steal a rare violin at the...

The Five Stages of Grief

The Five Stages of Grief

2011

as Voice of Daniel's father

7.0
Acting

Daniel's father died yesterday. He seems to be totally fine. Luckily his friends can teach him to be miserable.

Howl

Howl

2010

as Judge Clayton Horn

6.5
Acting

It's San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial. Howl, the film, recounts this dark moment using three interwoven threads: the...

F--k

F--k

2010

as Bob

5.8
Acting

Some people will do anything to find the location.

Rage

Rage

2009

as Mr. White

3.4
Acting

A schoolboy uses his cellphone camera to shoot intimate interviews with people working at a New York fashion house and secretly posts them on the inte...

Georgia O'Keeffe

Georgia O'Keeffe

2009

Director

5.3
Directing

Biopic of American artist Georgia O'Keeffe and her husband, photographer Alfred Stieglitz.

The Windmill Movie

The Windmill Movie

2009

as Self

7.0
Acting

Filmmaker Richard P. Rogers tried for twenty years to make a documentary about his own life. He died in 2001, leaving the project unfinished, until hi...

Recount

Recount

2008

as Ben Ginsberg

6.8
Acting

In 2000, the election of the U.S. Presidential boiled down to a few precious votes in the state of Florida — and a recount that would add "hanging cha...

Dedication

Dedication

2007

as Arthur Planck

6.3
Acting

A modern love story in which a misanthropic, emotionally complex author of a hit children's book is forced to team with a beautiful illustrator after ...

License to Wed

License to Wed

2007

as Jewelry Store Clerk (uncredited)

5.7
Acting

Newly engaged, Ben and Sadie can't wait to start their life together and live happily ever after. However Sadie's family church's Reverend Frank won't...

No Reservations

No Reservations

2007

as Therapist

6.7
Acting

Master chef Kate Armstrong runs her life and her kitchen with intimidating intensity. However, a recipe for disaster may be in the works when she beco...

Prince of the City: The Real Story

Prince of the City: The Real Story

2007

as Self / Santimassino

Acting

The true story behind the Prince of the City.

For Your Consideration

For Your Consideration

2006

as Philip Koontz

5.8
Acting

The possibility of Oscar gold holds the cast and crew of an independent film in its grip after the performance of its virtually unknown, veteran star ...

Bernard and Doris

Bernard and Doris

2006

Director, Executive Producer

6.0
Directing Producing

Tobacco heiress Doris Duke develops an unlikely friendship with her butler, Bernard Lafferty.

Lady in the Water

Lady in the Water

2006

as Harry Farber

5.6
Acting

Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep rescues what he thinks is a young woman from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is act...

The Exonerated

The Exonerated

2006

Director, Executive Producer

7.2
Directing Producing

Six people tell their stories on a single subject - how they got wrongfully convicted to death penalty, but later got exonerated.

Controversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film

Controversy and Acclaim: The Timelessness of a Groundbreaking Film

2006

as Self

Acting

Documentary featuring the contentious news surrounding the movie "Midnight Cowboy" (1969), including its Oscar win for feature film.

Capote

Capote

2005

as William Shawn

7.0
Acting

A biopic of writer Truman Capote and his assignment for The New Yorker to write the non-fiction book "In Cold Blood".

Trust the Man

Trust the Man

2005

as Tobey's Therapist

5.2
Acting

Overachieving actress Rebecca must come to grips with her failing marriage to stay-at-home dad Tom. While Rebecca's slacker brother Tobey can't seem t...

Scene Stealers

Scene Stealers

2004

as Jonathan Crouch Esq.

Acting

Billy Bottomsly, a struggling artist, is plagiarised by a Hollywood mogul. He involves his "typecast" friends in a star-jacking retribution plan. Bill...

Marie and Bruce

Marie and Bruce

2004

as Roger

3.9
Acting

A day in the life of a couple trapped in a sadomasochistic relationship. When Marie decides to break up with Bruce, their conversation devolves into a...

A Mighty Wind

A Mighty Wind

2003

as Jonathan Steinbloom

6.7
Acting

Three eclectic, never-quite-famous folk bands come together for the first time in decades following the death of their manager to put on an reunion co...

The Tuxedo

The Tuxedo

2002

as Winton Chalmers (uncredited)

5.7
Acting

Cabbie-turned-chauffeur Jimmy Tong learns there is really only one rule when you work for playboy millionaire Clark Devlin : Never touch Devlin's priz...

The Making of 'Gosford Park'

The Making of 'Gosford Park'

2002

as Self

5.0
Acting

A documentary giving film fans a behind-the-scenes look at the making this Robert Altman film about a murder at an English country estate. Includes in...

Gosford Park

Gosford Park

2001

as Morris Weissman

6.8
Acting

In 1930s England, a group of pretentious rich and famous gather together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, ea...

Gosford Park

Gosford Park

2001

Producer, Idea

6.8
Producing

In 1930s England, a group of pretentious rich and famous gather together for a weekend of relaxation at a hunting resort. But when a murder occurs, ea...

The Majestic

The Majestic

2001

as Elvin Glyde

6.8
Acting

Set in 1951, a blacklisted Hollywood writer gets into a car accident, loses his memory and settles down in a small town where he is mistaken for a lon...

Ghost World

Ghost World

2001

as Enid's Dad

7.1
Acting

Two quirky, cynical teenaged girls try to figure out what to do with their lives after high school graduation. After they play a prank on an eccentric...

The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

The Making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

2001

as Self

6.9
Acting

A documentary film on the making of 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'

The Mexican

The Mexican

2001

as Bernie Nayman

5.9
Acting

Jerry Welbach, a reluctant bagman, has been given two ultimatums: The first is from his mob boss to travel to Mexico and retrieve a priceless antique ...

Plan B

Plan B

2001

as James Foster

4.3
Acting

A bookkeeper who thinks she killed three mobsters is subsequently promoted by her boss to be a hitman.

Best in Show

Best in Show

2000

as Dr. Theodore W. Millbank, III

6.9
Acting

The tension is palpable, the excitement is mounting and the heady scent of competition is in the air as hundreds of eager contestants from across Amer...

Tex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger

Tex, the Passive/Aggressive Gunslinger

2000

as Tex

Acting

The legend of Tex, who never lost a gunfight.

Cradle Will Rock

Cradle Will Rock

1999

as Harry Hopkins

6.5
Acting

A true story of politics and art in the 1930s USA, centered around a leftist musical drama and attempts to stop its production.

George Romero's Golden Tales 2

George Romero's Golden Tales 2

1999

Acting

Compilation of five horror stories from Tales from the Darkside (1983) that takes the viewer into the dark world of vampires, cursed objects and sinis...

George Romero's Golden Tales 2

George Romero's Golden Tales 2

1999

Writer

Writing

Compilation of five horror stories from Tales from the Darkside (1983) that takes the viewer into the dark world of vampires, cursed objects and sinis...

Three to Tango

Three to Tango

1999

as Decker

5.7
Acting

Oscar and Peter land a career-making opportunity when a Chicago tycoon chooses them to compete for the design of a cultural center. The tycoon mistake...

Jakob the Liar

Jakob the Liar

1999

as Kowalsky

6.7
Acting

In 1944 Poland, a Jewish shop keeper named Jakob is summoned to ghetto headquarters after being caught out after curfew. While waiting for the German ...

The Wedding Toast

1999

Director, Producer

Directing Producing

A best man gives an increasingly uncomfortable toast at his friends' wedding reception.

Swing Vote

Swing Vote

1999

as Justice Eli MacCorckle

5.6
Acting

A newly-appointed Supreme Court Justice must settle a controversial moral and legal dilemma with his tie-breaking decision which may also have serious...

The Monster Hunter

The Monster Hunter

1999

as Dr. William Powell

4.8
Acting

Residents of an East Texas town react strangely when a serial killer invades their small town world.

Giving Up the Ghost

Giving Up the Ghost

1998

as Bob

6.0
Acting

After a woman's husband dies while jogging in the park, the young widow's deep grief helps to awaken his ghost. The ghost urges her to commit suicide ...

Deconstructing Harry

Deconstructing Harry

1997

as Richard

7.3
Acting

Writer Harry Block draws inspiration from people he knows, and from events that happened to him, sometimes causing these people to become alienated fr...

Subway Stories

Subway Stories

1997

Director

5.6
Directing

An anthology of 10 stories depicting real-life incidents of subway riders in New York City, which range from compassion and love to violence and loss.

The Definite Maybe

The Definite Maybe

1997

as Wolfe Rollins

2.0
Acting

When 25-year-old New Yorker Eric Traber gets fired from his job and kicked out of his apartment, he fears the worst. But his best friend, Ziggy, shows...

Clockwatchers

Clockwatchers

1997

as Milton Lasky

6.1
Acting

The relationship between four female temps all working for the same credit company is threatened with the arrival of a new hire, who lands a permanent...

Conversation with the Beast

Conversation with the Beast

1997

as Mr. Webster

Acting

An American historian (Mr Webster) comes to Berlin to visit an old man who claims to be the real Adolf Hitler and to be 103 years old. The Hitler who ...

Waiting for Guffman

Waiting for Guffman

1996

as Lloyd Miller

7.0
Acting

Aspiring director Corky St. Clair and the marginally talented amateur cast of his hokey small-town musical production go overboard when they learn tha...

The Late Shift

The Late Shift

1996

as Warren Littlefield

6.4
Acting

David Letterman vies with Jay Leno and his manager to succeed Johnny Carson, retiring from "The Tonight Show."

Pie in the Sky

Pie in the Sky

1996

as Paul Entamen

6.6
Acting

A young man obsessed with traffic patterns attempts to reunite with his first love.

The Last Good Time

The Last Good Time

1994

Director, Screenplay, Producer

6.0
Directing Writing Producing

A reclusive aging widower struggling with tax problems has a complete change in his views of life as he has a chance encounter with a young woman who ...

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold

City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold

1994

as Dr. Jeffrey Sanborn (uncredited)

5.3
Acting

Mitch Robbins' 40th birthday begins quite well until he returns home and finds his brother Glen, the black sheep of the family, in his sofa. Neverthel...

Greedy

Greedy

1994

as Ed

6.2
Acting

Meet the McTeagues. They've come to stake a claim in their wealthy uncle's will… only he's not dead yet!

For Love or Money

For Love or Money

1993

as Ed Drinkwater

6.2
Acting

New York concierge Doug Ireland wants to go into business for himself and refurbish a hotel on Roosevelt Island, N.Y., but he needs an investor. With ...

My Boyfriend's Back

My Boyfriend's Back

1993

Director

5.7
Directing

Missy McCloud is the most beautiful girl in school and Johnny Dingle has been in love with her for years. One night, Johnny is killed trying to win he...

Amos & Andrew

Amos & Andrew

1993

as Dr. R. A. (Roy) Fink

5.4
Acting

When Andrew Sterling, a successful black urbanite writer, buys a vacation home on a resort in New England the police mistake him for a burglar. After ...

Bob Roberts

Bob Roberts

1992

as Cutting Edge Producer

6.5
Acting

Millionaire conservative Bob Roberts launches an insurgent campaign against incumbent senator Brickley Paiste, firing up crowds at his rallies by sing...

Unnatural Pursuits

Unnatural Pursuits

1992

as Lou Finkleberg

Acting

An English playwright sacrifices his health waiting for his play's make-or-break opening on Broadway.

Little Man Tate

Little Man Tate

1991

as Quizmaster

6.6
Acting

Dede is a sole parent trying to bring up her son Fred. When it is discovered that Fred is a genius, she is determined to ensure that Fred has all the ...

Alice

Alice

1990

as Sid Moscowitz

6.4
Acting

Alice Tate, mother of two, with a marriage of 16 years, finds herself falling for a handsome sax player, Joe. Stricken with a backache, she consults h...

Tales from the Darkside

Tales from the Darkside

1990

Director

6.0
Directing

A compilation of episodes from the classic '80s horror anthology TV series "Tales From The Darkside" for the VHS market.

The Face of Fear

The Face of Fear

1990

as Ira Preduski

6.6
Acting

Graham Harris was once one of the world's foremost mountain climbers, until a fall five years earlier left him with a lame leg, a fear of heights...an...

Dead Bang

Dead Bang

1989

as Elliott Webley

6.3
Acting

Los Angeles homicide detective Jerry Beck searches for the murderer who killed a police officer on Christmas Eve. The investigation takes Beck inside ...

Parents

Parents

1989

Director

5.9
Directing

Michael is a young boy living in a typical 1950s suburbanite home... except for his bizarre and horrific nightmares, and continued unease around his p...

Funny

Funny

1988

as Self

Acting

People are asked to tell their favorite jokes.

End of the Line

End of the Line

1987

as Warren Gerber

5.2
Acting

When the closure of a railway is announced, employees commandeer a locomotive to get to corporate headquarters and confront the president.

Penn & Teller's Invisible Thread

Penn & Teller's Invisible Thread

1987

Director

6.4
Directing

Penn Jillette and Teller are called upon to display their unique brand of humor to save civilization from strange extraterrestrial beings who have inv...

Stephen King's Golden Tales

Stephen King's Golden Tales

1985

Writer

4.4
Writing

A collection of horror stories taking the viewer into the dark world of Stephen King, featuring vampires, strange objects and sinister humor. The five...

2010

2010

1984

as Dr. R. Chandra

6.6
Acting

While planet Earth poises on the brink of nuclear self-destruction, a team of Russian and American scientists aboard the Leonov hurtles to a rendezvou...

Nothing Lasts Forever

Nothing Lasts Forever

1984

as Guy with Sunglasses in Espresso Bar

6.3
Acting

An artist fails a test and is required to direct traffic in New York City's Holland Tunnel. He winds up falling in love with a beautiful woman, who ta...

2010 : The Odyssey Continues

2010 : The Odyssey Continues

1984

as Himself

Acting

This promotional short for 2010 (1984) shows moviegoers how some of the film's visual effects were created. This includes makeup for Keir Dullea's cha...

The Brass Ring

The Brass Ring

1983

Director

7.0
Directing

A mother afflicted with depression comes into conflict with own mother and children when she refuses to seek professional health care.

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

Whose Life Is It Anyway?

1981

as Carter Hill

7.1
Acting

Ken Harrison is an artist that lives to make sculptures. One day he is involved in a car accident, and is paralyzed from his neck down. All he can do ...

Absence of Malice

Absence of Malice

1981

as Elliott Rosen

6.6
Acting

Megan Carter is a reporter duped into running an untrue story on Michael Gallagher, a suspected racketeer. He has an alibi for the time his crime was ...

Prince of the City

Prince of the City

1981

as Santimassino

7.0
Acting

New York City detective Daniel Ciello agrees to help the United States Department of Justice help eliminate corruption in the police department, as lo...

Altered States

Altered States

1980

as Arthur Rosenberg

6.7
Acting

A research scientist explores the boundaries and frontiers of consciousness. Using sensory deprivation and hallucinogenic mixtures from native America...

Girlfriends

Girlfriends

1978

as Martin

6.7
Acting

A photographer and her best friend are roommates. She is stuck with small-change shooting jobs and dreams of success. When her roommate decides to get...

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

Close Encounters of the Third Kind

1977

as David Laughlin

7.3
Acting

After an encounter with UFOs, an electricity linesman feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is abou...

Report to the Commissioner

Report to the Commissioner

1975

as Joey Egan

6.6
Acting

Police officer Patty Butler, alias "Chicklet," is the live-in girlfriend of Thomas 'Stick' Henderson to gather evidence. Detective Bo Lockley is instr...

The Bank Shot

The Bank Shot

1974

as Victor Karp

5.4
Acting

A bank temporarily housed in a mobile home while a new building is built, looks like an easy target to break into. On the other hand, why not steal th...

Marriage: Year One

Marriage: Year One

1971

as Bernie

6.0
Acting

A medical student marries a millionaire's daughter but insists they live on the money he earns.

Making It

Making It

1971

as Wilkie

4.5
Acting

A cocky high school student thinks nothing of using the people around him to satisfy his self-centered needs, until someone in his life gets pregnant.

The Strawberry Statement

The Strawberry Statement

1970

as Elliot

6.1
Acting

A college student joins a group of revolutionaries to meet girls but ends up committed to their goals.

Catch-22

Catch-22

1970

as Capt. Orr

6.7
Acting

A bombardier in World War II tries desperately to escape the insanity of the war. However, sometimes insanity is the only sane way to cope with a craz...

Me, Natalie

Me, Natalie

1969

as Morris

5.6
Acting

Since she was a child, Natalie Miller has always thought she was an ugly ducking. Despite her mother's encouragement that she will grow up to be prett...

Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy

1969

as The Young Student

7.5
Acting

Joe Buck is a wide-eyed hustler from Texas hoping to score big with wealthy New York City women; he finds a companion in Enrico "Ratso" Rizzo, an aili...

George Romero's Golden Tales 3

George Romero's Golden Tales 3

N/A

Director

4.0
Directing