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Stephen Tobolowsky
★ Acting

Stephen Tobolowsky

Born 1951 · Dallas, Texas, USA · Active 1956–2026

Born in 1951 in Dallas, Texas, Stephen Tobolowsky has carved a niche for himself as a distinctive character actor in cult cinema. He appears in Great Balls of Fire! (1989), portraying a pivotal role that captures the flamboyant essence of rock and roll culture. His versatility shines again in The Day the World Ended (2001), where he navigates the gritty and catastrophic themes of post-apocalyptic survival. With a background in drama from the University of Illinois, Tobolowsky's unique contributions enrich the landscape of exploitation and cult films.

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The Day the World Ended

The Day the World Ended

2001 ★ 4.3
as Ed Turner

An alien, who is misunderstood, is bent on hunting down and devouring people. A school psychologist, Dr Jennifer Stillman investigates the death of a student's mother and finds that the boy believes he is the son of the being. His earthling father is also a doctor, who has the boy in his care and holds that it is all in the boy's imagination.

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Career Highlights Top 6 by popularity · TMDB

Filmography

262 credits
2020s 23 credits
2026
Mimics as Melvin Reinhold
Movie
2026
Woodstockers as Calvin
Movie
2026
Movie
2025
Freakier Friday as Mr. Elton Bates
Movie ★ 6.8
2025
Movie ★ 8.5
2025
Movie
2025
Haul Out the Halloween as Ned Broadhead
Movie ★ 6.3
2024
Poolman as Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche
Movie ★ 4.3
2024
Movie
2024
Nobody Wants This as Rabbi Cohen
TV ★ 7.3
2023
Love Virtually as Dr. Divine
Movie ★ 5.0
2023
Movie ★ 6.1
2023
Candy Cane Lane as Mr. Benedetto (uncredited)
Movie ★ 5.9
2023
Frog and Toad as Dragonfly (voice)
TV ★ 8.4
2022
Movie ★ 6.1
2022
Movie ★ 1.5
2022
The Really Loud House as Walter Phillipini
TV ★ 7.5
2022
Minx as Conrad Ross
TV ★ 6.8
2021
Hacks as Henry Weeks
TV ★ 7.5
2020
Dicktown as John’s Dad
TV ★ 5.6
2020
TV
2020
ThunderCats Roar as Driller (voice)
TV ★ 2.9
2010s 53 credits
2019
Fractured as Dr. Berthram
Movie ★ 6.8
2019
Loners as Mr. Tessman
Movie ★ 3.2
2019
Movie ★ 6.6
2019
Fantastic Mr. Murray as Self - Interviewee
Movie ★ 6.3
2019
Green Eggs and Ham as Chad (voice)
TV ★ 8.0
2019
Schooled as Earl Ball
TV ★ 6.3
2018
Monsters at Large as Mr. Phillips
Movie ★ 5.1
2018
Strange Nature as Mayor Paulson
Movie ★ 5.7
2018
The Cool Kids as Leonard
TV ★ 5.3
2017
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown as Andy Gunderson (voice)
Movie ★ 7.8
2017
One Day at a Time as Dr. Berkowitz
TV ★ 7.8
2017
No Activity as (voice)
TV ★ 6.7
2017
White Famous as Stu Beggs
TV ★ 4.4
2016
The Confirmation as Father Lyons
Movie ★ 6.4
2016
Where is Rocky II? as Byron (segment: "Monument One")
Movie ★ 5.0
2016
Mamaboy as Reverend Weld
Movie ★ 4.2
2016
Movie ★ 2.7
2016
Six L.A. Love Stories as Professor John Dobler
Movie ★ 5.0
2016
Fuller House as Mr. Gerald
TV ★ 7.4
2016
TV ★ 6.8
2016
Justice League Action as Professor Stein (voice)
TV ★ 7.2
2015
The Barber as Chief Hardaway
Movie ★ 5.7
2015
Movie ★ 6.9
2015
We Bare Bears as Stephen ( voice)
TV ★ 7.7
2015
Another Period as Thomas Edison
TV ★ 6.9
2015
TV ★ 7.1
2015
Dr. Ken as Joe
TV ★ 5.6
2014
Mr. Peabody & Sherman as Principal Purdy (voice)
Movie ★ 6.7
2014
Atlas Shrugged: Part III as Dr. Hugh Akston
Movie ★ 4.5
2014
Movie ★ 6.4
2014
Christian Mingle as Douglas McCarver
Movie ★ 5.7
2014
Movie ★ 6.0
2014
Silicon Valley as Jack Barker
TV ★ 8.1
2014
TV ★ 5.3
2014
TV ★ 6.5
2013
Toy Story of Terror! as Ron (voice)
Movie ★ 7.2
2013
The Goldbergs as Principal Ball
TV ★ 7.5
2012
The Lorax as Uncle Ubb (voice)
Movie ★ 6.5
2012
Movie ★ 5.3
2012
Movie ★ 2.0
2012
Pearblossom Hwy as Rick Lawler
Movie ★ 4.7
2012
The Mindy Project as Marc Shulman
TV ★ 6.2
2011
Movie ★ 5.6
2011
Movie ★ 3.6
2011
Magnificat as Neighbor
Movie ★ 6.7
2011
Movie
2010
Buried as Alan Davenport (voice)
Movie ★ 6.6
2010
Peep World as Ephraim
Movie ★ 4.8
2010
Boys On Film 4: Protect Me From What I Want as Father Joe (segment "Trevor")
Movie ★ 3.5
2010
Pound Puppies as Mr. Geekman (voice)
TV ★ 5.3
2010
Justified as Jerry Barkley
TV ★ 8.0
2010
The Defenders as Judge Gelineau
TV ★ 7.2
2000s 79 credits
2009
Movie ★ 2.0
2009
Movie ★ 6.9
2009
Glee as Sandy Ryerson
TV ★ 6.8
2009
Community as Professor Peter Sheffield
TV ★ 8.0
2009
Archer as Robert (voice)
TV ★ 7.9
2008
Movie ★ 5.2
2008
Movie ★ 5.1
2008
The Rainbow Tribe as Principal Sands
Movie ★ 5.8
2008
True Jackson, VP as Lars Balthazar
TV ★ 7.9
2007
Boxboarders! as dr.james
Movie ★ 4.2
2007
Wild Hogs as Charley
Movie ★ 6.0
2007
The Valley of Light as Littlefield
Movie ★ 6.5
2007
Movie ★ 3.9
2007
TV ★ 6.2
2007
TV ★ 7.5
2007
Californication as Stu Beggs
TV ★ 7.6
2007
The Sarah Silverman Program. as Bill Fantastimart
TV ★ 6.3
2006
Blind Dating as Dr. Perkins
Movie ★ 6.0
2006
Movie ★ 6.2
2006
Promise Me Tomorrow as Carl Venable
Movie ★ 9.0
2006
Movie ★ 5.8
2006
Movie ★ 5.9
2006
TV ★ 5.7
2006
Heroes as Bob Bishop
TV ★ 7.4
2006
The New Adventures of Old Christine as Principal James Merrow
TV ★ 7.1
2005
Movie ★ 5.5
2005
Movie ★ 7.8
2005
Movie ★ 5.7
2005
Robots as Bigmouth Executive / Forge (voice)
Movie ★ 6.5
2005
The Closer as James Bloom
TV ★ 7.9
2005
Ghost Whisperer as Dr. Peltier
TV ★ 8.1
2005
TV ★ 5.6
2004
Garfield as Happy Chapman
Movie ★ 5.7
2004
Movie ★ 5.7
2004
Debating Robert Lee as Debate Judge
Movie ★ 6.5
2004
Movie ★ 5.3
2004
Deadwood as Hugo Jarry
TV ★ 8.1
2004
TV ★ 7.9
2004
Boston Legal as Dr. Alvin Azinabinacroft
TV ★ 7.9
2004
Complete Savages as Mr. Frehley
TV ★ 6.4
2004
Entourage as Mayor of Beverly Hills
TV ★ 7.4
2003
Movie ★ 7.5
2003
Movie ★ 7.9
2003
National Security as Billy Narthax
Movie ★ 6.0
2003
Freaky Friday as Mr. Bates
Movie ★ 6.6
2003
View from the Top as Frank Thomas (uncredited)
Movie ★ 5.6
2003
Las Vegas as Donny Rollins
TV ★ 7.0
2003
Oliver Beene as Ringmaster Bob
TV ★ 8.3
2003
TV ★ 6.4
2003
Married to the Kellys as Henry Conway
TV ★ 9.3
2002
Love Liza as Tom Bailey
Movie ★ 6.4
2002
The Country Bears as Norbert Barrington
Movie ★ 4.8
2002
Par 6 as T.T. Riley
Movie ★ 7.0
2002
Ritual as Dr. Javitz (uncredited)
Movie ★ 4.7
2002
Movie ★ 6.5
2002
CSI: Miami as Don Haffman
TV ★ 7.7
2002
TV ★ 6.8
2002
The Dead Zone as Jim Pratt
TV ★ 7.3
2001
Freddy Got Fingered as Uncle Neil
Movie ★ 4.7
2001
Black River as Mayor Tom Thompson
Movie ★ 5.6
2001
Movie ★ 6.0
2001
Movie ★ 4.3
2001
On the Edge as Tom (wraparound segments)
Movie ★ 5.8
2001
Reba as Judge
TV ★ 6.5
2001
TV ★ 6.5
2001
TV ★ 8.3
2001
TV ★ 6.8
2001
TV ★ 7.6
2000
Memento as Sammy
Movie ★ 8.2
2000
Movie ★ 4.6
2000
Movie ★ 4.1
2000
Bossa Nova as Trevor
Movie ★ 5.5
2000
Stanley's Gig as Abe Cohen
Movie ★ 6.2
2000
Movie ★ 4.1
2000
TV ★ 7.6
2000
TV ★ 8.5
2000
TV ★ 8.0
2000
TV ★ 6.6
1990s 75 credits
1999
The Insider as Eric Kluster
Movie ★ 7.5
1999
Don't Look Under the Bed as Michael McCausland
Movie ★ 6.5
1999
One Man's Hero as Captain Gaine
Movie ★ 5.4
1999
Roswell as Julius Walters
TV ★ 7.7
1999
TV ★ 7.9
1999
The West Wing as Dr. Max Milkman
TV ★ 8.3
1999
TV ★ 7.9
1999
Snoops as Michael Bench
TV ★ 7.5
1998
Movie ★ 5.7
1998
Black Dog as McClaren
Movie ★ 6.4
1998
Movie ★ 5.7
1998
Movie ★ 3.9
1998
Movie ★ 3.9
1998
That '70s Show as Professor
TV ★ 7.9
1998
Two Guys and a Girl as Father Viteri
TV ★ 7.2
1998
TV ★ 7.5
1998
Will & Grace as Ned Weathers
TV ★ 6.9
1998
Hercules as Numericles (voice)
TV ★ 6.9
1997
Mr. Magoo as Agent FBI Chuck Stupak
Movie ★ 4.5
1997
King of the Hill as Dr. Benson / Burt Halverstrom (voice)
TV ★ 7.4
1997
The Practice as Clyde Burrows
TV ★ 7.7
1996
Power 98 as Rick Harris
Movie ★ 4.3
1996
Movie ★ 6.5
1996
The Glimmer Man as Christopher Maynard
Movie ★ 5.4
1996
Movie ★ 6.6
1996
The Curse of Inferno as Lonnie Martin
Movie ★ 5.0
1996
The Pretender as Dr. Alan Trader
TV ★ 7.4
1996
TV ★ 10.0
1996
Suddenly Susan as Dr. Gerken
TV ★ 5.9
1996
Arli$$ as Craig Levitz
TV ★ 6.8
1995
Murder in the First as Mr. Henkin
Movie ★ 7.1
1995
Movie ★ 4.7
1995
TV ★ 7.7
1995
TV ★ 7.0
1995
A Whole New Ballgame as Dr. Warner Brakefield
TV ★ 10.0
1995
The Drew Carey Show as Councilman
TV ★ 6.5
1995
The Naked Truth as Vincent Hartford
TV ★ 6.5
1995
Murder One as Dr. Andross
TV ★ 7.7
1995
The Home Court as Jeffrey Solomon
TV ★ 7.0
1994
Radioland Murders as Max Applewhite
Movie ★ 5.9
1994
Trevor as Father Joe
Movie ★ 6.8
1994
Movie ★ 5.4
1994
Chicago Hope as Dr. Ted Joseph
TV ★ 7.3
1994
TV ★ 8.0
1994
Chicago Hope as Ted Joseph
TV ★ 7.3
1993
Groundhog Day as Ned Ryerson
Movie ★ 7.6
1993
The Pickle as Mike Krakower
Movie ★ 5.0
1993
Josh & S.A.M. as Thomas 'Thom' Whitney
Movie ★ 4.9
1993
Calendar Girl as Antonio
Movie ★ 5.2
1993
Against the Grain as Niles Hardeman
TV ★ 6.5
1993
TV ★ 6.8
1993
Cafe Americain as Roger Livingston
TV ★ 7.0
1992
Basic Instinct as Dr. Lamott
Movie ★ 6.9
1992
Memoirs of an Invisible Man as Warren Singleton
Movie ★ 5.9
1992
Single White Female as Mitch Myerson
Movie ★ 6.3
1992
Movie ★ 6.1
1992
Sneakers as Dr. Werner Brandes
Movie ★ 6.9
1992
Roadside Prophets as Ranger Bob
Movie ★ 5.5
1992
Hero as Wallace
Movie ★ 6.3
1992
Mad About You as Principal Hocksacker
TV ★ 6.7
1991
Movie ★ 7.6
1991
Wedlock as Warden Holliday
Movie ★ 5.8
1991
Deadly Medicine as Ron Sutton
Movie ★ 4.0
1991
Tagget as Al Hentz
Movie ★ 8.0
1991
The Marla Hanson Story as Defense Attorney
Movie ★ 6.7
1991
To the Moon, Alice as Sitcom Producer
Movie ★ 7.0
1991
Movie ★ 6.7
1991
TV ★ 7.0
1990
Bird on a Wire as Joe Weyburn
Movie ★ 6.2
1990
Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael as Mayor Bill Klepler
Movie ★ 6.2
1990
Movie ★ 4.9
1990
The Grifters as Jeweler
Movie ★ 6.5
1990
Last Flight Out as Doctor Timothy Brandon
Movie
1990
Mirror Mirror as Mr. Anderson
Movie ★ 5.2
1990
TV ★ 7.7
1980s 21 credits
1989
Movie ★ 6.3
1989
Roe vs. Wade as Darryl Horwath
Movie ★ 6.0
1989
In Country as Pete
Movie ★ 5.6
1989
Breaking In as District Attorney
Movie ★ 5.7
1989
Seinfeld as Tor Eckman
TV ★ 8.3
1989
The Simpsons as Merle (voice)
TV ★ 8.0
1988
Movie ★ 7.7
1988
Two Idiots in Hollywood as Prosecuting Attorney
Movie ★ 4.0
1988
Checking Out as Pharmacist
Movie ★ 4.4
1987
Spaceballs as Captain of the Guard
Movie ★ 6.9
1987
TV ★ 7.0
1986
Movie ★ 4.4
1986
TV ★ 6.9
1986
L.A. Law as Michael Segal
TV ★ 7.1
1985
TV ★ 6.8
1984
Movie ★ 6.1
1984
Swing Shift as French deMille / Documentary Narrator
Movie ★ 5.6
1984
Crazy like a Fox as Hotel Clerk
TV ★ 7.2
1983
Movie ★ 4.3
1982
TV ★ 7.0
1981
Falcon Crest as Doctor
TV ★ 5.7
1970s 3 credits
1979
Knots Landing as Steve Comiskey
TV ★ 6.9
1977
Movie ★ 3.9
1976
TV ★ 7.1
1950s 1 credit
1956
Tony Awards as Self - Nominee
TV
s 2 credits
Movie
American Men as Sterling Moss
TV
Crew Credits
2010s 2 credits
2015
Movie ★ 6.9
2015
The Primary Instinct Executive Producer
Movie ★ 6.9
1980s 3 credits
1988
Movie ★ 4.0
1988
Movie ★ 4.0
1986
Movie ★ 6.7