Biography
William Mills Irwin (born April 11, 1950) is an American actor, choreographer, clown, and comedian. He began as a vaudeville-style stage performer and has been noted for his contribution to the renaissance of the American circus during the 1970s. He has made several appearances on film and television. He won a for his role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He also worked as a choreographer on Broadway. He was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Choreography in 1989 for Largely New York. He is...
Known For
Complete Filmography

The Odyssey
2026
An adaptation of Homer's epic poem of the same name, follow Odysseus in his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, showcasing his encounters with...

High Tide
2024
as Scott
Lourenço decides to leave his homophobic family and country behind to get lost in the queer mecca of Provincetown, until the intense and unexpected ro...

4th Dementia
2024
as Lou
In this multiverse comedy about Alzheimer's, Nellie travels through alternate dimensions in search of her husband.

Rustin
2023
as A. J. Muste
Activist Bayard Rustin faces racism and homophobia as he helps change the course of Civil Rights history by orchestrating the 1963 March on Washington...

Endgame
2023
as Clov
Endgame tells the story of Hamm, who is reduced to living in one room, in which he sits blind and chair-bound. His only escape from his solitary world...

Spoiler Alert
2022
as Bob
Journalist Michael Ausiello embarks on a rollercoaster ride of emotions when Kit Cowan, his partner of 14 years, is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Lust Life Love
2021
as Richard
A star-crossed love story set in the world of polyamory and sex parties in New York City.

Irresistible
2020
as Elton Chambers
A Democratic political consultant helps a retired Marine colonel run for mayor in a small, conservative Wisconsin town.

Sesame Street's 50th Anniversary Celebration
2019
as Mr. Noodle
C is for Celebrate! Join host Joseph Gordon-Levitt and the residents of Sesame Street - human and monsters alike - to celebrate 50 years of learning, ...

It Takes a Lunatic
2019
as Self
The extraordinary life of beloved acting teacher and theatre producer Wynn Handman is recalled in this portrait of a provocative, innovative artist.

The Great Buster: A Celebration
2018
as Self
A celebration of the life and career of one of America's most influential and celebrated filmmakers and comedians—Buster Keaton—whose singular style a...

Circus Kid
2016
as Himself
The Pickle Family Circus was founded by Lorenzo Pisoni's parents in 1974. The film documents the spirit, the lunacy, the daring, the danger and the dy...

Confirmation
2016
as Senator Jack Danforth
Judge Clarence Thomas' nomination to the United States' Supreme Court is called into question when former colleague, Anita Hill, testifies that he had...

Old Hats
2016
Bill Irwin and David Shiner in their award-winning, critically acclaimed production of Old Hats from Signature Theatre. This production reunites the c...

Old Hats
2016
Writer
Bill Irwin and David Shiner in their award-winning, critically acclaimed production of Old Hats from Signature Theatre. This production reunites the c...

Sesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo!
2015
as Mr. Noodle
Come Play with Elmo! Everyone's favorite furry red friend is joined by all kinds of kids to play Elmo Says, Red Light Green Light, Freeze Dance, Pat-a...

Ricki and the Flash
2015
as Single Dad
Meryl Streep stars as Ricki Rendazzo, a guitar heroine who made a world of mistakes as she followed her dreams of rock-and-roll stardom. Returning hom...

Show Boat
2015
as Cap'n Andy Hawks
Hammerstein and Kern’s Show Boat is a true classic of American musical theater - a tale of life on the Mississippi from the 1880s to the 1920s is both...

Identity Theft
2015
as Mark
A story about separation.

Interstellar
2014
as TARS (voice)
The adventures of a group of explorers who make use of a newly discovered wormhole to surpass the limitations on human space travel and conquer the va...
Never Stand Still
2012
as Himself
The film explores why dance matters - to those who create and perform it and to those who watch it. This documentary tells the remarkable story of how...

Higher Ground
2011
as Pastor Bud
Vera Farmiga's directorial debut, HIGHER GROUND, depicts the landscape of a tight-knit spiritual community thrown off-kilter when one of their own beg...

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Penguins and Friends
2011
as Voice
Hop to it and join Elmo for this riveting and ribbiting video where he learns all about frogs, penguins and horses. Featuring 3 Elmo's World shows ful...

Goldstar, Ohio
2010
as Chief Jeff 'Goob' Garver
Four families and a chief of police recount the day marine casualty officers came to their respective small towns in Ohio.

Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
2010
as Mr. Noodle (uncredited) (archive footage)
A look back at 40 years of Seasame Street.

Rachel Getting Married
2008
as Paul Buchman
A young woman who has been in and out from rehab for the past 10 years returns home for the weekend for her sister's wedding.

Across the Universe
2007
as Uncle Teddy
When young dockworker Jude leaves Liverpool to find his estranged father in the United States, he is swept up by the waves of change that are re-shapi...

Raving
2007
as Dito
In New York City, a young woman forms a curious bond with a lonely older man after they encounter one another on a street corner.

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy?
2007
as Mr. Noodle
Join Sesame Street's curious red monster as he explores the things that make him happy: friends, singing, and dancing.

Lady in the Water
2006
as Mr. Leeds
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...

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Reach for the Sky!
2006
as Mr Noodle
Join Elmo as he discovers how much fun it can be to go to school, to jump really high, and to reach for the sky. Elmo finds out the importance of goin...

The Manchurian Candidate
2004
as Scoutmaster
Years after his squad was ambushed during the Gulf War, Major Ben Marco finds himself having terrible nightmares. He begins to doubt that his fellow s...

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Families, Mail & Bath Time!
2004
as Mr. Noodle
What is the Noodle's family dance? Can you guess what Cookie Monster gets in the mail? Discover the answers to these questions and more with Elmo and ...

Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song?
2004
as Self (archive footage)
Come one, come all for Sesame Street's 35th anniversary musical gathering! Is there one song the whole world can sing together? Find out when Super Gr...

Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin
2003
as Self
Brilliant, long in-the-works story of the life and art of the world's greatest comedian and the cinema's first genius, Charlie Chaplin. Produced, writ...

Igby Goes Down
2002
as Lt. Smith
Igby Slocumb, a rebellious and sarcastic 17-year-old boy, is at war with the stifling world of old money privilege he was born into. With a schizophre...

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Wake Up with Elmo!
2002
as Mr. Noodle
Waking up is easier when your friend Elmo is there to help you greet the day! Join him as he learns all about sleep, getting dressed, and teeth. With ...

The Laramie Project
2002
as Harry Woods
"The Laramie Project" is set in and around Laramie, Wyoming, in the aftermath of the murder of 21-year-old Matthew Shepard. To create the stage versio...

Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Wild Wild West!
2001
as Mr. Noodle
Sesame Street's favorite furry red cowpoke saddles up to learn all about the wild frontier. Join Elmo as he finds out how to ride a horse, kicks up hi...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas
2000
as Lou Lou Who
The Grinch decides to rob Whoville of Christmas - but a dash of kindness from little Cindy Lou Who and her family may be enough to melt his heart...

A Midsummer Night's Dream
1999
as Tom Snout
The lovely Hermia is to wed Demetrius, but she truly cares for Lysander. Hermia's friend, Helena, is in love with Demetrius, while other romantic enta...

Niagara: A History of the Falls
1999
as Self - Historian
The history of Niagara Falls and the people that made it famous.

Illuminata
1998
as Marco
It's the start of the 20th century, and Tuccio, resident playwright of a theatre repertory company offers the owners of the company his new play, "Ill...

Just the Ticket
1998
as Ray Charles
Gary Starke is one of the best ticket scalpers in New York City. His girlfriend, Linda, doesn't approve of his criminal lifestyle, though, and dumps h...

Waiting for Godot in San Quentin
1998
as Himself
Documentary about the staging of 'Waiting for Godot' in prison.

Subway Stories
1997
as Bill Irwin (segment "Subway Car from Hell")
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.

Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
1993
as Unnamed Brother #1
Deloris Van Cartier is again asked to don the nun's habit to help a run-down Catholic school, presided over by Mother Superior. And if trying to reach...

Silent Tongue
1993
as Comic
Mad with grief after the death of his Kiowa wife, Roe awaits death under a tree with her body beside him. She begins to haunt him because he won't bur...

The Last Mile
1992
as The Maestro
Backstage at the Metropolitan Opera House a soprano is preparing for her debut in the opera Tosca. The stage manager gives her encouraging advice. She...

Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
1992
as Self
This program features the music of Broadway composer Stephen Sondheim in a 1992 performance at Carnegie Hall. An American Musical Theatre writer for o...

Stepping Out
1991
as Geoffrey
A has-been Broadway performer gives tap lessons to a group of misfits who, through their dance classes, bond and realize what they can achieve.

Hot Shots!
1991
as Buzz Harley
The gang that created Airplane and The Naked Gun sets its sights on Top Gun in this often hilarious spoof starring Charlie Sheen, who previously only ...

Scenes from a Mall
1991
as Mime
A comedy about a married couple -- he's a sports lawyer, she's a psychologist -- which takes place on their 16th wedding anniversary, when they make s...

Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers
1991
as Reader
Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers is a 1991 American short documentary film directed by Bill Couturié. It shows footage from World War I, World...

Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
1990
as Self
This music special is dedicated to dispelling the prejudices associated with the HIV infection and raising money for AIDS research and relief. Some of...

My Blue Heaven
1990
as Kirby
FBI agent Barney Coopersmith is assigned to protect former Mafia figure turned informant Vincent Antonelli. In the witness protection program one is s...

Eight Men Out
1988
as Eddie Collins
Buck Weaver and Hap Felsch are young idealistic players on the Chicago White Sox, a pennant-winning team owned by Charles Comiskey - a penny-pinching...

A New Life
1988
as Eric
Steve Giardino, an abrasive workaholic Wall Streeter, and his wife Jackie divorce after twenty-six years of marriage and find themselves thrust back i...

Bette Midler's Mondo Beyondo
1988
as Self
In this spoof of a television talk show, Midler portrays the Italian bombshell hostess, Mondo Beyondo. Her guests include monologuist David Cale; Bill...

The Regard of Flight
1983
A performer/artist with a bag of vaudeville tricks and the help of his trusty piano player must prove to a critic that there is still a way to present...

Popeye
1980
as Ham Gravy
Popeye is a super-strong, spinach-scarfing sailor man who's searching for his father. During a storm that wrecks his ship, Popeye washes ashore and wi...
Mudflat
1980
Years ago, artists would walk around the muck at the edge of the San Francisco Bay in Emeryville, and build loads of sculptures out there on the flats...