That Guy Actor of the Week: Bob Balaban
How is it even possible that I never put the character Russell Dowripple on this site before? Remember Russell, the hot headed network head of NBC in Seinfeld? That man was played by none other than Bob Balaban. I would say that Balaban is somewhat on the spectrum of being a “that guy” actor because a lot of people from the 70s and 80s would probably remember him from movies like Close Encounters of the Third Kind or Whose Life is it Anyway?
But I know Balaban for Seinfeld and his roles in Christopher Guest movies like Waiting for Guffman and Best in Show. In any event, Balaban has 89 titles to his name and there’s just this calming yet quirky/funny thing about him that tends to make him enjoyable to watch.
Speaking of which, check him out on Seinfeld after the jump….
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAPixgvd5N4
“Because it’s on TV!” “Not yet.” Classic
Aw I love this guy. I was just watching some friends reruns on sunday, and there is this episode where he plays Phoebe’s dad. I just adore when the dude shows up in a movie. There is this nice little flick with Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick called Marie and Bruce, Balaban plays Bruce’s friend during a scene where he goes to eat with Broderick’s Bruce and he is just a joy to watch. Its like watching the most forced and boring luncheon ever, but Balaban is delicious in it, you know you just love his voice, you cant help it. I started to think that I definetely would be as entranced as Bruce if I ever eat lunch with Balaban.