Bob Balaban

Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
Birthday: August 16, 1945

Born into a family of showmen (studio executives and movie theater owners), Bob Balaban pursued instead his passion for creativity, first as an actor on stage (including a 1979 Tony-nominated turn in "The Inspector General") and screen and later as a director of quirky genre TV and features. The diminutive supporting player began working with Chicago's celebrated Second City comedy troupe while still in high school, originated the role of Linus in "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" (1967) off-Broadway, and made a memorable film debut as a nervo…more

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Credits

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Career Milestones

2008
Directed the HBO film "Bernard and Doris" about tobacco millionairess Doris Duke (Susan Sarandon) and her relationship with her gay butler (Ralph Fiennes); earned an Emmy nomination for Directing a Miniseries or TV-Movie
2008
Portrayed Ben Ginsberg, the national counsel to the Bush-Cheney presidential campaign in the HBO film "Recount"; earned an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV-Movie
2007
Costarred in Justin Theroux's directing debut, "Dedication," a romantic comedy premiered at Sundance
2006
Co-starred in M. Night Shyamalan's "Lady in the Water" with Bryce Dallas Howard and Paul Giamatti
2006
Played a screenwriter in the Christopher Guest ensemble "For Your Consideration"