Richard Schiff

Photo of Richard Schiff

Biography

A relatively late starter, Schiff racked up an impressive number of credits quickly into his career, landing increasingly larger roles in film, and becoming a familiar face due to his prolific guest work on television, in addition to regular roles on the series "Relativity" (ABC, 1996-97) and "The West Wing" (NBC, 1999- ). The balding actor's realistic, average looks, sad eyes and world-weary demeanor made him an especially believable frazzled …
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Job Title

Actor

Born

May 27, 1955

Career Milestones

2010

Cast as FBI director Jack Fickler on CBS' "Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior"

2009

Appeared opposite Michael Douglas in the drama "Solitary Man"

2009

Played a supporting role in the family comedy "Imagine That," starring Eddie Murphy

2008

Appeared opposite Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson in "Last Chance Harvey"

2007

Starred along with Peter Krause in the thriller "Civic Duty"

2007

Appeared in the West End production of "Underneath the Lintel"

2006

Returned to the stage, starring in the premiere run of "Underneath the Lintel," a one-act, single-character play by Glen Berger

2004

Starred as Jerry Wexler opposite Jamie Foxx in "Ray" the biopic of legendary blues singer Ray Charles

2001

Cast as Turner in Jesse Nelson's feature drama "I Am Sam"

1999

Appeared in the ensemble of the NBC drama series "The West Wing" as Toby Ziegler, the president's cynical communications director; earned Emmy nominations in 2001 and 2002

1999

Guest starred on an episode of The WB's high school set sci-fi drama "Roswell"

1999

Appeared in the romantic comedy "Forces of Nature"

1998

Played Philly, the the successful brother of elevator operator Pat (Danny De Vito), in "Living Out Loud"

1998

Had a featured role as Dr Gene Reiss, a colleague of Eddie Murphy's "Dr. Dolittle"

1998

Co-starred in the HBO political satire "The Pentagon Wars"

1998

Played a disgruntled transit employee who plans the hijack of a subway train, in ABC's TV-movie remake "The Taking of Pelham One Two Three"

1997

Had memorable key role as an equipment specialist outfitting the research team in "The Lost World: Jurassic Park"

1996

Played Barry Roth on the low-rated but critically praised ABC series "Relativity"

1996

Featured in the CBS TV movie "Special Report: Journey to Mars"

1996

Had a featured role in the political drama "City Hall"

1995

Guest starred on "NYPD Blue" as a suspected terrorist bomber

1992

Had supporting roles in the NBC true crime TV-movies "Till Death Do Us Part" and "Cruel Doubt"

1992

Had a small role as a reporter in the Spike Lee drama, "Malcolm X"

1990

Appeared in "Young Guns II"

1990

Featured in an HBO "Tales From the Crypt" installment entitled "Korman's Kalamity"

1989

Made TV-movie debut, "Trenchcoat in Paradise" (CBS)

1988

Made feature acting debut with a small part in "Medium Straight"

Joined Tim Robbins' acclaimed Actors Gang

Moved to Los Angeles

1987

Appeared in the independent short "Arena Brains"

Turned his attention to acting, performing in downtown NYC theater productions

1983

Staged a production of "Antigone" featuring Angela Bassett

Began career as stage director in Manhattan

1975

Returned to NYC

1974

Moved to Colorado for one year

1973

Enrolled at City College of New York but dropped out after one year

Awards

2006

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2005

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2004

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2003

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2002

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2002

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2001

Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2001

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in The West Wing

2000

Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in The West Wing