Highest rated as cast or director
Thelma & Louise
1991
One Day at a Time
2017 · 4 Seasons
Groundhog Day
1993
The Grifters
1990
Freaky Friday
2003
Buried
2010
Stephen Tobolowsky's 6 titles from the 2010s have a median Balasaur Score of 69, led by One Day at a Time (80) and Buried (71), against 57 for those from the 1990s.
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, 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.
Acted in 239
2020s
- 2026
Freaks Part II
Movie
Mary the Widow
Ed
Woodstockers
Calvin
- 2025
Haul Out the Halloween
Ned Broadhead
- 2024
- 2023
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
Loners
Mr. Tessman
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
Mr. Bentley
- 2018
Strange Nature
Mayor Paulson
- 2017
- 2016
Mamaboy
Reverend Weld
Bad Internet
James · 1 episode
Where is Rocky II?
Byron (segment: "Monument One")
- 2015
The Barber
Chief Hardaway
Big Time in Hollywood, Fl
Alan Dolfe · 10 episodes
- 2014
Guys and Girls Can't Be Friends
Andy
- 2013
- 2012
Pearblossom Hwy
Rick Lawler
The Last Ride
Ray
- 2011
Magnificat
Neighbor
Hail Mary
Movie
Hard Breakers
Max
- 2010
Peep World
Ephraim
Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want
Father Joe (segment "Trevor")
2000s
- 2009
The Face is Familiar
Movie
- 2008
Beethoven's Big Break
Sal
Waiting for Yvette
Alan
- 2007
Boxboarders!
Dr. Stephen James
Loveless in Los Angeles
Jon
- 2006
Big Day
TV
The Sasquatch Gang
Dalrymple
Promise Me Tomorrow
Carl Venable
- 2005
Living 'til the End
Dr. Shaw
McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really Out
Harry Evers
- 2004
Debating Robert Lee
Debate Judge
- 2003
Frankie and Johnny Are Married
Murray Mintz
Married to the Kellys
Henry Conway · 1 episode
Kingpin
TV
- 2002
Love Liza
Tom Bailey
Ritual
Dr. Javitz (uncredited)
- 2001
Black River
Mayor Tom Thompson
On the Edge
Tom (wraparound segments)
The Prime Gig
Mick
- 2000
Stanley's Gig
Abe Cohen
Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion
B.J. McQueen
The Operator
Doc
Bossa Nova
Trevor
1990s
- 1999
Snoops
Michael Bench · 3 episodes
- 1998
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn
Bill Bardo
- 1997
- 1996
Night Visitors
Taylor
Mr. Rhodes
TV
Power 98
Rick Harris
- 1995
Dweebs
Karl · 10 episodes
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde
Oliver Mintz
- 1994
Radioland Murders
Max Applewhite
Trevor
Father Joe
- 1993
Against the Grain
Niles Hardeman · 8 episodes
Harts of the West
TV
Calendar Girl
Antonio
The Pickle
Mike Krakower
- 1992
Where the Day Takes You
Charles
Roadside Prophets
Ranger Bob
- 1991
Deadly Medicine
Ron Sutton
To The Moon, Alice
Sitcom Producer
Baby Talk
TV
Tagget
Al Hentz
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster
Sergeant Phil Baranski
The Marla Hanson Story
Defense Attorney
- 1990
Funny About Love
Hugo
Last Flight Out
Doctor Timothy Brandon
Shannon's Deal
TV
1980s
- 1989
Breaking In
District Attorney
In Country
Pete
Great Balls of Fire!
Jud Phillips
Roe vs. Wade
Darryl Horwath
- 1988
Checking Out
Pharmacist
Two Idiots in Hollywood
Prosecuting Attorney
- 1987
- 1986
Nobody's Fool
Kirk
- 1985
- 1984
Swing Shift
French deMille / Documentary Narrator
- 1983
Cocaine and Blue Eyes
TV Clerk
- 1982
- 1981
1970s
- 1979
- 1977
Keep My Grave Open
Robert
- 1976
No release date
Butterfly in the Typewriter
The Abbot
Wrote 3
2010s
- 2015
The Primary Instinct
Writer
1980s
- 1988
Two Idiots in Hollywood
Writer
- 1986
True Stories
Writer
Directed 1
1980s
- 1988
Two Idiots in Hollywood
Director
Produced 1
2010s
- 2015
The Primary Instinct
Executive Producer
Appearances10
2020s
- 2025
Thelma & Louise: Born to Live
Self
- 2023
Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues
Self
- 2022
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
Fantastic Mr. Murray
Self - Interviewee
- 2015
The Primary Instinct
Himself
2000s
- 2006
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party
Self
- 2003
Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey
Self
- 2002
Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time
Self
