Bob Balaban

Robert Elmer Balaban Born August 16 1945 Chicago Illinois US Height 5 5 165 m is an American actor author comedian director and producer He is best known for his appearances in the Christopher Guest mockumentary comedies Waiting for Guffman 1996 Best in Show 2000 A Mighty Wind 2003 and For Your Consideration 2006 as well as his roles in the films Midnight Cowboy 1969 Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977 Altered States 1980 2010 1984 Deconstructing Harry 1997 and Capote 2005 Balaban has also directed three feature films in addition to numerous television episodes and films He is also an author of childrens novels Balaban began his career in the 1960s appearing in small roles in films and television shows He made his breakthrough role in the 1969 film Midnight Cowboy playing a young hustler who befriends an aging rodeo cowboy In the 1970s Balaban appeared in a number of popular films including Close Encounters of the Third Kind 1977 Altered States 1980 and 2010 1984 He also continued to work in television appearing in recurring roles on the shows Lou Grant and Designing Women In the 1990s Balaban began a long and fruitful collaboration with filmmaker Christopher Guest He appeared in all of Guests mockumentary comedies including Waiting for Guffman 1996 Best in Show 2000 A Mighty Wind 2003 and For Your Consideration 2006 Balabans performances in these films were widely praised and he earned a reputation as one of the most reliable comedic actors in Hollywood In addition to his work in film and television Balaban has also directed three feature films The Last Shot 1999 Bernie 2011 and A Little Help 2010 He is also a successful author of childrens novels and he has won several awards for his writing Balaban is a respected and versatile actor who has enjoyed a long and successful career in the entertainment industry He is known for his sharp wit his impeccable comedic timing and his ability to create memorable characters He is a true Renaissance man and he is sure to continue to entertain audiences for many years to come Balaban has been nominated for numerous awards throughout his career He has won two Primetime Emmy Awards for his work on the television shows Lou Grant and Designing Women He has also been nominated for two Tony Awards for his performances in the Broadway plays The Norman Conquests and The Plough and the Stars Balaban is a recipient of the American Film Institutes Lifetime Achievement Award He is also a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Balaban is married to Lynn Grossman and they have two children together He is a resident of New York City