LOADING
Actor
Stephen Tobolowsky
Stephen Tobolowsky’s screen credits include Sammy in Memento, Mr. Bates in Freaky Friday, and God in The Cowboy Killer.
Born May 30, 1951 Dallas, Texas, USA4 movies on MoviHero
Explore movies WHERE TO START
Where to start
A selection of released films from our catalog, with the credited role to help you choose.
THE PERSON BEHIND THE ROLES
About Stephen Tobolowsky
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). …
Continue reading biographyClose full biography
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.
GALLERY
Photos
Portraits of Stephen Tobolowsky.
MOVIHERO CREDITS
Movies and roles
Explore 4 movie guides, credited roles and upcoming releases.
Movies on MoviHero 4
Showing 4 of 4 credits
More film credits 97 additional titles
These credits do not currently have a MoviHero movie guide. Use the filters to separate released and upcoming work.
Showing 8 of 97 credits
- 2026Freaks Part IIActor
- 2026Mary the WidowEd
- 2026WoodstockersCalvin
- 2026MimicsMelvin Reinhold
- 2025Haul Out the HalloweenNed Broadhead
- 2025Freakier FridayMr. Elton Bates
- 2025Thelma & Louise: Born to LiveSelf
- 2024Watching WalterWalter
- 2024PoolmanStephen Toronkowski / Blanche
- 2023Candy Cane LaneMr. Benedetto (uncredited)
- 2023Haul Out the Holly: Lit UpNed
- 2023Love VirtuallyDr. Divine
- 2023Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in BluesSelf
- 2022Haul Out the HollyNed
- 2022Hollywood SignsSelf
- 2019Fantastic Mr. MurraySelf - Interviewee
- 2019The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-weenCreepy Rattlechains (voice)
- 2019FracturedDr. Berthram
- 2019LonersMr. Tessman
- 2019Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"Mr. Bentley
- 2018Strange NatureMayor Paulson
- 2018Monsters at LargeMr. Phillips
- 2017Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's ShowdownAndy Gunderson (voice)
- 2016MamaboyReverend Weld
- 2016Six L.A. Love StoriesProfessor John Dobler
- 2016Welcome to the Men's GroupActor
- 2016Where is Rocky II?Byron (segment: "Monument One")
- 2016The ConfirmationFather Lyons
- 2015The Primary InstinctProducer · Writer · Himself
- 2015The BarberChief Hardaway
- 2014Hello Ladies: The MovieAlan
- 2014Christian MingleDouglas McCarver
- 2014Atlas Shrugged: Part IIIDr. Hugh Akston
- 2014Mr. Peabody & ShermanPrincipal Purdy (voice)
- 2014Guys and Girls Can't Be FriendsAndy
- 2013Toy Story of Terror!Ron (voice)
- 2012Pearblossom HwyRick Lawler
- 2012The Last RideRay
- 2012Say It Ain't SoloSelf
- 2012The LoraxUncle Ubb (voice)
- 2011MagnificatNeighbor
- 2011Hail MaryActor
- 2011Hard BreakersMax
- 2011You May Not Kiss the BridePlumber
- 2010BuriedAlan Davenport (voice)
- 2010Peep WorldEphraim
- 2010Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I WantFather Joe (segment "Trevor")
- 2009Justice League MortalAlfred Pennyworth
- 2009The Time Traveler's WifeDr. Kendrick
- 2009The Face is FamiliarActor
- 2008Beethoven's Big BreakSal
- 2008The Rainbow TribePrincipal Sands
- 2008Waiting for YvetteAlan
- 2007Blind DatingDr. Perkins
- 2007Boxboarders!Dr. Stephen James
- 2007Wild HogsCharley
- 2007The Valley of LightLittlefield
- 2007Loveless in Los AngelesJon
- 2006Stephen Tobolowsky's Birthday PartySelf
- 2006Failure to LaunchBud
- 2006The Sasquatch GangDalrymple
- 2006Promise Me TomorrowCarl Venable
- 2005Living 'til the EndDr. Shaw
- 2005McBride: The Doctor is Out...Really OutHarry Evers
- 2005The Five Keys to MasterySelf
- 2005Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and FabulousTom Abernathy
- 2005RobotsBigmouth Executive / Forge (voice)
- 2004Debating Robert LeeDebate Judge
- 2004Little Black BookCarl
- 2004GarfieldHappy Chapman
- 2004Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!George Ruddy
- 2003Frankie and Johnny Are MarriedMurray Mintz
- 2003View from the TopFrank Thomas (uncredited)
- 2003Thelma & Louise: The Last JourneySelf
- 2003National SecurityBilly Narthax
- 2002Love LizaTom Bailey
- 2002RitualDr. Javitz (uncredited)
- 2002The Country BearsNorbert Barrington
- 2002Par 6T.T. Riley
- 2002Groundhog Day: The Weight of TimeSelf
- 2001The Day the World EndedEd Turner
- 2001Black RiverMayor Tom Thompson
- 2001On the EdgeTom (wraparound segments)
- 2001The Prime GigMick
- 2001Freddy Got FingeredUncle Neil
- 2000Sleep Easy, Hutch RimesDewey Wise
- 2000Stanley's GigAbe Cohen
- 2000Alien Fury: Countdown to InvasionB.J. McQueen
- 2000The OperatorDoc
- 2000Bossa NovaTrevor
- 1999The InsiderEric Kluster
- 1999Don't Look Under the BedMichael McCausland
- 1999One Man's HeroCaptain Gaine
- 1998The Jungle Book: Mowgli's StoryTabaqui (voice)
- 1998Around the FireDoc
- 1998The Brave Little Toaster Goes to MarsCalculator (voice)
- 1998Black DogMcClaren
CHARACTER GUIDES
Characters and roles
Explore character guides connected to Stephen Tobolowsky's movie credits.
God
The Cowboy Killer
Open character guideCONNECTED THROUGH MOVIES
Shared credits
Discover the people who share these films.
Actor
Bruce A. Young
1 shared film on MoviHeroActor
Callum Keith Rennie
1 shared film on MoviHeroActor
Carrie-Anne Moss
1 shared film on MoviHeroActor