Bob Balaban backdrop
ACTING . Acting . 80 years . Chicago, Illinois, USA

Bob Balaban_

Chicago, Illinois, USA

"Born "

Born Chicago, Illinois, USA
Birthday
80
Age
50
Credits
Actor
Known For
1.4
Popularity
57 yrs
Career
Updated Feb 20, 2026

Details

Known For
Actor
Occupations
Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Stage actor
Birthday
(Thursday)
Birthplace
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Nationality
Citizenship
United States
Languages
English
Parents
Elmer Balaban
Education
Latin School of Chicago, Colgate University, HB Studio
Zodiac Sign
♌ Leo
Chinese Zodiac
鸡 Rooster
Popularity
Tier B -- 32,566 Wikipedia views/month

DROPTHE_ GOSSIP

Birthday twin
Shares a birthday (August 16) with James Cameron
James Cameron →
Career
Career spanning 57 years (1969-2026)
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 23
Year context
Born in 1945 -- WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Japan; UN founded; Franklin D. Roosevelt / Harry S. Truman was US president
Year 1945 →
Frequent co-star
Appeared in 5 films with Fisher Stevens
Fisher Stevens →

DROPTHE GOOD_

18
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
75
Public Vote
Be the first to vote
How is this calculated?

Filmography (50)

Fantasy Life
Fantasy Life
2026 / Film
Lenny
Asteroid City
Asteroid City
2023 / Film
Film
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun
2021 / Film
Uncle Nick
The Chair
The Chair
2021 / TV
TV Series
The Politician
The Politician
2019 / TV
TV Series
Condor
Condor
2018 / TV
Reuel Abbott
Isle of Dogs
Isle of Dogs
2018 / Film
King (voice)
Hitchcock/Truffaut
Hitchcock/Truffaut
2015 / Film
Narrator (voice)
Show Me a Hero
Show Me a Hero
2015 / TV
TV Series
The Monuments Men
The Monuments Men
2014 / Film
Pvt. Preston Savitz

Biography

Robert Elmer Balaban, Born: August 16, 1945, Chicago, Illinois, U.S (Height: 5' 5" [1.65 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 children's 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 Guest's mockumentary comedies, including Waiting for Guffman (1996), Best in Show (2000), A Mighty Wind (2003), and For Your Consideration (2006). Balaban's 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 children's 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 impeccabl

Connections (1)

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Bob Balaban?
Bob Balaban is 80 years old, born on .
Where was Bob Balaban born?
Bob Balaban was born in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
What movies or shows has Bob Balaban been in?
Bob Balaban has 50 credits in our database. Notable titles include Fantasy Life (2026), Asteroid City (2023), The French Dispatch of the Liberty, Kansas Evening Sun (2021), The Chair (2021), The Politician (2019).
What is Bob Balaban known for?
Bob Balaban is primarily known as an actor. Robert Elmer Balaban, Born: August 16, 1945, Chicago, Illinois, U.S (Height: 5' 5" [1.65 m]). is an American actor, author, comedian, director, and producer. He…
Where can I find more information about Bob Balaban?
You can find more about Bob Balaban on IMDB, TMDB, Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
SHARE