Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Known For
Actor
Occupations
Actor, Film director, Screenwriter, Stage actor
Birthday
(Thursday)
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
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 →
DROPTHE GOOD_
18
Notable
out of 100
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Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
100
Cultural Uplift
75
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Filmography (50)
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
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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.
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