Stephen Tobolowsky

Stephen Tobolowsky

Acting
Born 1951-05-30Dallas, Texas, USA

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.

Movies (149)

Memento
8.2

Memento

2000Movie8.2
Groundhog Day
7.6

Groundhog Day

1993Movie7.6
Basic Instinct
6.9

Basic Instinct

1992Movie6.9
Freaky Friday
6.6

Freaky Friday

2003Movie6.6
Spaceballs
6.9

Spaceballs

1987Movie6.9
Thelma & Louise
7.6

Thelma & Louise

1991Movie7.6
The Lorax
6.5

The Lorax

2012Movie6.5
Sneakers
6.9

Sneakers

1992Movie6.9
Robots
6.5

Robots

2005Movie6.5
The Time Traveler's Wife
7.0

The Time Traveler's Wife

2009Movie7.0
Freakier Friday
6.8

Freakier Friday

2025Movie6.8
The Insider
7.5

The Insider

1999Movie7.5
Garfield
5.7

Garfield

2004Movie5.7
Mr. Peabody & Sherman
6.7

Mr. Peabody & Sherman

2014Movie6.7
Failure to Launch
5.9

Failure to Launch

2006Movie5.9
Buried
6.6

Buried

2010Movie6.6
Bird on a Wire
6.2

Bird on a Wire

1990Movie6.2
Mississippi Burning
7.7

Mississippi Burning

1988Movie7.7
Wild Hogs
6.0

Wild Hogs

2007Movie6.0
Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous
5.7

Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous

2005Movie5.7
National Security
6.0

National Security

2003Movie6.0
The Grifters
6.5

The Grifters

1990Movie6.5
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown
7.8

Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown

2017Movie7.8
Fractured
6.8

Fractured

2019Movie6.8
Memoirs of an Invisible Man
5.9

Memoirs of an Invisible Man

1992Movie5.9
Freddy Got Fingered
4.7

Freddy Got Fingered

2001Movie4.7
Par 6
7.0

Par 6

2002Movie7.0
My Father the Hero
5.4

My Father the Hero

1994Movie5.4
Murder in the First
7.1

Murder in the First

1995Movie7.1
Candy Cane Lane
6.0

Candy Cane Lane

2023Movie6.0
The Glimmer Man
5.4

The Glimmer Man

1996Movie5.4
Wedlock
5.8

Wedlock

1991Movie5.8
View from the Top
5.6

View from the Top

2003Movie5.6
The Philadelphia Experiment
6.1

The Philadelphia Experiment

1984Movie6.1
Little Black Book
5.4

Little Black Book

2004Movie5.4
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael
6.2

Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael

1990Movie6.2
You May Not Kiss the Bride
5.6

You May Not Kiss the Bride

2011Movie5.6
Black Dog
6.4

Black Dog

1998Movie6.4
The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
6.6

The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween

2019Movie6.6
Mr. Magoo
4.5

Mr. Magoo

1997Movie4.5
Love Liza
6.4

Love Liza

2002Movie6.4
Atlas Shrugged: Part III
4.5

Atlas Shrugged: Part III

2014Movie4.5
Single White Female
6.3

Single White Female

1992Movie6.3
Hello Ladies: The Movie
6.5

Hello Ladies: The Movie

2014Movie6.5
Hero
6.3

Hero

1992Movie6.3
Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!
5.7

Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!

2004Movie5.7
Blind Dating
6.0

Blind Dating

2006Movie6.0
Great Balls of Fire!
6.3

Great Balls of Fire!

1989Movie6.3
Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco
6.6

Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

1996Movie6.6
Poolman
4.3

Poolman

2024Movie4.3
The Country Bears
4.7

The Country Bears

2002Movie4.7
Radioland Murders
5.8

Radioland Murders

1994Movie5.8
Swing Shift
5.6

Swing Shift

1984Movie5.6
Fantastic Mr. Murray
6.2

Fantastic Mr. Murray

2019Movie6.2
The Barber
5.6

The Barber

2015Movie5.6
Ritual
4.7

Ritual

2002Movie4.7
Last Flight Out

Last Flight Out

1990Movie
Around the Fire
3.9

Around the Fire

1998Movie3.9
The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story
5.7

The Jungle Book: Mowgli's Story

1998Movie5.7
The Sasquatch Gang
5.9

The Sasquatch Gang

2006Movie5.9
Hollywood Signs
1.5

Hollywood Signs

2022Movie1.5
Mary the Widow

Mary the Widow

2026Movie
The Prime Gig
6.0

The Prime Gig

2001Movie6.0
The Rainbow Tribe
5.8

The Rainbow Tribe

2008Movie5.8
Don't Look Under the Bed
6.5

Don't Look Under the Bed

1999Movie6.5
Where the Day Takes You
6.1

Where the Day Takes You

1992Movie6.1
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
5.7

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

1998Movie5.7
Beethoven's Big Break
5.2

Beethoven's Big Break

2008Movie5.2
The Valley of Light
6.5

The Valley of Light

2007Movie6.5
Calendar Girl
5.2

Calendar Girl

1993Movie5.2
Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde
4.7

Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde

1995Movie4.7
An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn
3.9

An Alan Smithee Film: Burn, Hollywood, Burn

1998Movie3.9
Funny About Love
4.9

Funny About Love

1990Movie4.9
Haul Out the Holly
6.1

Haul Out the Holly

2022Movie6.1
Butterfly in the Typewriter

Butterfly in the Typewriter

Movie
In Country
5.6

In Country

1989Movie5.6
The Last Ride
5.3

The Last Ride

2012Movie5.3
The Confirmation
6.4

The Confirmation

2016Movie6.4
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up
6.1

Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up

2023Movie6.1
Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey
7.9

Thelma & Louise: The Last Journey

2003Movie7.9
Peep World
4.8

Peep World

2010Movie4.8
Thelma & Louise: Born to Live
8.5

Thelma & Louise: Born to Live

2025Movie8.5
Where is Rocky II?
5.0

Where is Rocky II?

2016Movie5.0
The Cowboy Killer

The Cowboy Killer

2026Movie
The Face is Familiar
2.0

The Face is Familiar

2009Movie2.0
Woodstockers

Woodstockers

2026Movie
Haul Out the Halloween
6.4

Haul Out the Halloween

2025Movie6.4
The Curse of Inferno
5.0

The Curse of Inferno

1996Movie5.0
Say It Ain't Solo
2.0

Say It Ain't Solo

2012Movie2.0
One Man's Hero
5.4

One Man's Hero

1999Movie5.4
The Pickle
5.0

The Pickle

1993Movie5.0
Hard Breakers
3.6

Hard Breakers

2011Movie3.6
Mimics
5.0

Mimics

2026Movie5.0
Roe vs. Wade
6.0

Roe vs. Wade

1989Movie6.0
On the Edge
5.5

On the Edge

2001Movie5.5
Christian Mingle
5.7

Christian Mingle

2014Movie5.7
Monsters at Large
5.1

Monsters at Large

2018Movie5.1
Mirror Mirror
5.2

Mirror Mirror

1990Movie5.2
Love Virtually
5.0

Love Virtually

2023Movie5.0
The Day the World Ended
4.3

The Day the World Ended

2001Movie4.3
Roadside Prophets
5.6

Roadside Prophets

1992Movie5.6
Strange Nature
5.7

Strange Nature

2018Movie5.7
Six L.A. Love Stories
5.0

Six L.A. Love Stories

2016Movie5.0
Josh & S.A.M.
4.9

Josh & S.A.M.

1993Movie4.9
Checking Out
4.4

Checking Out

1988Movie4.4
Promise Me Tomorrow
9.0

Promise Me Tomorrow

2006Movie9.0
Debating Robert Lee
6.5

Debating Robert Lee

2004Movie6.5
Freaks Part II

Freaks Part II

2026Movie
Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want
3.5

Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want

2010Movie3.5
To The Moon, Alice
7.0

To The Moon, Alice

1991Movie7.0
The Operator
4.1

The Operator

2000Movie4.1
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster
6.7

Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster

1991Movie6.7
Bossa Nova
5.5

Bossa Nova

2000Movie5.5
Breaking In
5.7

Breaking In

1989Movie5.7
Cocaine and Blue Eyes
4.3

Cocaine and Blue Eyes

1983Movie4.3
Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
6.6

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"

2019Movie6.6
Hail Mary

Hail Mary

2011Movie
Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party
6.2

Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday Party

2006Movie6.2
Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes
4.6

Sleep Easy, Hutch Rimes

2000Movie4.6
Black River
5.6

Black River

2001Movie5.6
Nobody's Fool
4.4

Nobody's Fool

1986Movie4.4
Mamaboy
4.2

Mamaboy

2016Movie4.2
Trevor
7.0

Trevor

1994Movie7.0
Deadly Medicine
4.0

Deadly Medicine

1991Movie4.0
Power 98
4.3

Power 98

1996Movie4.3
Welcome to the Men's Group
2.7

Welcome to the Men's Group

2016Movie2.7
Two Idiots in Hollywood
4.0

Two Idiots in Hollywood

1988Movie4.0
Night Visitors
6.5

Night Visitors

1996Movie6.5
Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion
4.1

Alien Fury: Countdown to Invasion

2000Movie4.1
Loveless in Los Angeles
3.9

Loveless in Los Angeles

2007Movie3.9
The Marla Hanson Story
6.7

The Marla Hanson Story

1991Movie6.7
Waiting for Yvette
4.6

Waiting for Yvette

2008Movie4.6
McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really Out
6.9

McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really Out

2005Movie6.9
Stanley's Gig
6.2

Stanley's Gig

2000Movie6.2
Pearblossom Hwy
4.7

Pearblossom Hwy

2012Movie4.7
Magnificat
6.7

Magnificat

2011Movie6.7
Living 'til the End
5.5

Living 'til the End

2005Movie5.5
Tagget
8.0

Tagget

1991Movie8.0
Loners
3.8

Loners

2019Movie3.8
Boxboarders!
4.2

Boxboarders!

2007Movie4.2
Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time
6.5

Groundhog Day: The Weight of Time

2002Movie6.5
Keep My Grave Open
4.0

Keep My Grave Open

1977Movie4.0
The Primary Instinct
6.9

The Primary Instinct

2015Movie6.9
Guys and Girls Can't Be Friends
6.0

Guys and Girls Can't Be Friends

2014Movie6.0
Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues
7.4

Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues

2023Movie7.4
Frankie and Johnny Are Married
7.5

Frankie and Johnny Are Married

2003Movie7.5
Watching Walter

Watching Walter

2024Movie
The Five Keys to Mastery
9.0

The Five Keys to Mastery

2005Movie9.0
Toy Story of Terror!
7.3

Toy Story of Terror!

2013Movie7.3

TV Shows (107)

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
8.0

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999Series8.0
The Simpsons
8.0

The Simpsons

1989Series8.0
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
7.6

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

2000Series7.6
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
7.6

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2001Series7.6
Desperate Housewives
7.9

Desperate Housewives

2004Series7.9
CSI: Miami
7.7

CSI: Miami

2002Series7.7
King of the Hill
7.4

King of the Hill

1997Series7.4
The West Wing
8.3

The West Wing

1999Series8.3
The Closer
7.8

The Closer

2005Series7.8
Seinfeld
8.3

Seinfeld

1989Series8.3
The Goldbergs
7.4

The Goldbergs

2013Series7.4
Ghost Whisperer
8.1

Ghost Whisperer

2005Series8.1
Boston Legal
7.9

Boston Legal

2004Series7.9
Heroes
7.4

Heroes

2006Series7.4
Curb Your Enthusiasm
8.1

Curb Your Enthusiasm

2000Series8.1
Malcolm in the Middle
8.5

Malcolm in the Middle

2000Series8.5
Entourage
7.4

Entourage

2004Series7.4
Chicago Hope
7.2

Chicago Hope

1994Series7.2
Alice
7.0

Alice

1976Series7.0
Glee
6.8

Glee

2009Series6.8
The Drew Carey Show
6.5

The Drew Carey Show

1995Series6.5
Community
8.0

Community

2009Series8.0
Falcon Crest
5.5

Falcon Crest

1981Series5.5
Mad About You
6.8

Mad About You

1992Series6.8
Californication
7.6

Californication

2007Series7.6
That '70s Show
7.9

That '70s Show

1998Series7.9
Las Vegas
7.0

Las Vegas

2003Series7.0
Hacks
7.5

Hacks

2021Series7.5
Will & Grace
6.9

Will & Grace

1998Series6.9
We Bare Bears
7.7

We Bare Bears

2015Series7.7
L.A. Law
7.1

L.A. Law

1986Series7.1
The Practice
7.6

The Practice

1997Series7.6
Archer
7.9

Archer

2009Series7.9
The Mindy Project
6.3

The Mindy Project

2012Series6.3
Knots Landing
7.0

Knots Landing

1979Series7.0
Justified
8.0

Justified

2010Series8.0
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
Silicon Valley
8.1

Silicon Valley

2014Series8.1
The Pretender
7.4

The Pretender

1996Series7.4
Deadwood
8.1

Deadwood

2004Series8.1
Cagney & Lacey
6.9

Cagney & Lacey

1982Series6.9
The Dead Zone
7.3

The Dead Zone

2002Series7.3
According to Jim
6.5

According to Jim

2001Series6.5
Designing Women
6.8

Designing Women

1986Series6.8
Hercules
6.9

Hercules

1998Series6.9
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
6.6

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command

2000Series6.6
Pound Puppies
5.3

Pound Puppies

2010Series5.3
Two Guys and a Girl
7.2

Two Guys and a Girl

1998Series7.2
The New Adventures of Old Christine
7.2

The New Adventures of Old Christine

2006Series7.2
Roswell
7.7

Roswell

1999Series7.7
Reba
6.5

Reba

2001Series6.5
Green Eggs and Ham
8.0

Green Eggs and Ham

2019Series8.0
Fuller House
7.4

Fuller House

2016Series7.4
Arli$$
6.9

Arli$$

1996Series6.9
One Day at a Time
7.7

One Day at a Time

2017Series7.7
Nobody Wants This
7.3

Nobody Wants This

2024Series7.3
Stars in the House

Stars in the House

2020Series
Justice League Action
7.2

Justice League Action

2016Series7.2
The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd
6.8

The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd

1987Series6.8
Murder One
7.7

Murder One

1995Series7.7
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip
7.5

Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip

2006Series7.5
227
6.8

227

1985Series6.8
Another Period
6.8

Another Period

2015Series6.8
True Jackson, VP
7.9

True Jackson, VP

2008Series7.9
The Sarah Silverman Program
6.3

The Sarah Silverman Program

2007Series6.3
Any Day Now
7.5

Any Day Now

1998Series7.5
Crazy like a Fox
7.2

Crazy like a Fox

1984Series7.2
Suddenly Susan
6.0

Suddenly Susan

1996Series6.0
No Activity
6.6

No Activity

2017Series6.6
Minx
6.8

Minx

2022Series6.8
The Lone Gunmen
6.8

The Lone Gunmen

2001Series6.8
Dr. Ken
5.6

Dr. Ken

2015Series5.6
The Really Loud House
7.5

The Really Loud House

2022Series7.5
The Naked Truth
6.5

The Naked Truth

1995Series6.5
Frog and Toad
8.4

Frog and Toad

2023Series8.4
White Famous
4.4

White Famous

2017Series4.4
Complete Savages
6.4

Complete Savages

2004Series6.4
Oliver Beene
8.3

Oliver Beene

2003Series8.3
John from Cincinnati
6.3

John from Cincinnati

2007Series6.3
Friends with Better Lives
6.5

Friends with Better Lives

2014Series6.5
Cafe Americain
7.0

Cafe Americain

1993Series7.0
Bad Internet
6.7

Bad Internet

2016Series6.7
The Defenders
7.2

The Defenders

2010Series7.2
Kingpin
6.4

Kingpin

2003Series6.4
Big Day
5.7

Big Day

2006Series5.7
Raines
7.5

Raines

2007Series7.5
Schooled
6.3

Schooled

2019Series6.3
Night Stalker
5.6

Night Stalker

2005Series5.6
ThunderCats Roar
2.9

ThunderCats Roar

2020Series2.9
Off Centre
8.1

Off Centre

2001Series8.1
Snoops
7.5

Snoops

1999Series7.5
Dicktown
6.2

Dicktown

2020Series6.2
Married to the Kellys
9.3

Married to the Kellys

2003Series9.3
The Cool Kids
5.4

The Cool Kids

2018Series5.4
Against the Grain
6.5

Against the Grain

1993Series6.5
Mr. Rhodes
10.0

Mr. Rhodes

1996Series10.0
Shannon's Deal
7.7

Shannon's Deal

1990Series7.7
Harts of the West
6.8

Harts of the West

1993Series6.8
Do Over
6.8

Do Over

2002Series6.8
The Home Court
7.0

The Home Court

1995Series7.0
A Whole New Ballgame
10.0

A Whole New Ballgame

1995Series10.0
Big Time in Hollywood, Fl
7.0

Big Time in Hollywood, Fl

2015Series7.0
Dweebs
7.0

Dweebs

1995Series7.0
The Hotwives of Orlando
5.3

The Hotwives of Orlando

2014Series5.3
Blue Skies
8.0

Blue Skies

1994Series8.0
American Men

American Men

Series
Baby Talk
7.0

Baby Talk

1991Series7.0