
Stephen Tobolowsky
Biography
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). 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.
Filmography

Freaks Part II
2026

The Cowboy Killer
2026
as God

Mary the Widow
2026
as Ed

Woodstockers
2026
as Calvin

Mimics
2026
as Melvin Reinhold

Haul Out the Halloween
2025
as Ned Broadhead

Freakier Friday
2025
as Mr. Elton Bates

Thelma & Louise: Born to Live
2025
as Self
- No poster
Watching Walter
2024
as Walter

Poolman
2024
as Stephen Toronkowski / Blanche

Candy Cane Lane
2023
as Mr. Benedetto (uncredited)

Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up
2023
as Ned

Love Virtually
2023
as Dr. Divine

Jimmie & Stevie Ray Vaughan: Brothers in Blues
2023
as Self

Haul Out the Holly
2022
as Ned

Hollywood Signs
2022
as Self

Fantastic Mr. Murray
2019
as Self - Interviewee

The Spooky Tale of Captain Underpants Hack-a-ween
2019
as Creepy Rattlechains (voice)

Fractured
2019
as Dr. Berthram

Loners
2019
as Mr. Tessman

Live in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's "All in the Family" and "The Jeffersons"
2019
as Mr. Bentley

Strange Nature
2018
as Mayor Paulson

Monsters at Large
2018
as Mr. Phillips

Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown
2017
as Andy Gunderson (voice)