Buck Henry
Biography
Buck Henry was born Henry Zuckerman on December 9, 1930, in New York City, New York, and died on January 8, 2020, at the age of 89. He was an American actor, screenwriter, and director whose career spanned both television and film. His film contributions included co-directing Heaven Can Wait in 1978 with Warren Beatty and co-writing The Graduate in 1967 with Mike Nichols, as well as What's Up, Doc? in 1972 with Peter Bogdanovich. His television work began with The New Steve Allen Show in 1961, and he co-created Get Smart with Mel Brooks, which ran from 1965 to 1970. He also hosted Saturday Night Live ten times between 1976 and 1980 and guest-starred on Murphy Brown, Hot in Cleveland, Will and Grace, and 30 Rock.
Career overview
Buck Henry was an American actor, screenwriter, and director born as Henry Zuckerman on December 9, 1930, in New York City, New York. His long career spanned both film and television, accumulating ninety-eight known acting credits. His television work began with appearances on shows with Steve Allen, including The New Steve Allen Show in 1961. Alongside Mel Brooks, he co-created the television series Get Smart, which ran from 1965 to 1970. Later in his career, he made guest appearances on several popular television shows, including Murphy Brown, Hot in Cleveland, Will & Grace, and 30 Rock. Additionally, he hosted Saturday Night Live ten times between 1976 and 1980.
In addition to his television work, Henry contributed significantly to film as a screenwriter, co-writing Mike Nichols's The Graduate in 1967 and Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up, Doc? in 1972. He also worked as a co-director alongside Warren Beatty on the 1978 film Heaven Can Wait. Henry passed away on January 8, 2020, at the age of eighty-nine.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
120 titles- SEGAL (2025) as Self
- Kiss Kiss Fingerbang (2015) as Cat Owner
- The Humbling (2014) Screenplay
- Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) as Self - Actor
- Mel Brooks: Make a Noise (2013) as Self
- A Fuller Life (2013) as Self - Reader (segment "The Pursuit of Happiness")
- Passion for Snow (2013) as Narrator
- Casting By (2012) as Self
- Franklin & Bash (2011) as Judge Henry Dinsdale
- The Story of Film: An Odyssey (2011) as Self
- A Bird of the Air (2011) as Duncan Weber
- Hot in Cleveland (2010) as Fred
- Moguls & Movie Stars: A History of Hollywood (2010) as Self
- American Swing (2009) as Self
- It Came from Kuchar (2009) as Self
- Get Smart (2008) Characters
- Cinemaville (2007) as Self
- Students of 'The Graduate' (2007) as Self
- Students of 'The Graduate' (2007) as Himself
- 30 Rock (2006) as Dick Lemon
- The Last Shot (2004) as Lonnie Bosco
- Reel Radicals: The Sixties Revolution in Film (2002) as Self (uncredited)
- Serendipity (2001) as Customer at Bloomingdales (uncredited)
- Town & Country (2001) as Suttler
- Town & Country (2001) Writer
- Lisa Picard Is Famous (2000) as Buck Henry
- The Directors: Milos Forman (2000) as Self
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Mr. Morton
- Dilbert (1999) as Dadbert (voice)
- Breakfast of Champions (1999) as Fred T. Barry
- Psycho Path (1999) as Self
- Will & Grace (1998) as Leonard
- The Real Blonde (1998) as Dr. Leuter
- Playboy: The Story of X (1998) as Self - Host
- I'm Losing You (1998) as Phillip Dagrom
- Curtain Call (1998) as Charles Van Allsburg
- 1999 (1997) as Mr. Goldman
- Shakespeare's Plan 12 from Outer Space (1996) as The Priest
- To Die For (1995) as Mr. H. Finlaysson
- To Die For (1995) Screenplay
- Harrison Bergeron (1995) as TV Producer
- Shotgun Freeway: Drives Through Lost L.A. (1995) as self
- Even Cowgirls Get the Blues (1994) as Dr. Dreyfus
- Grumpy Old Men (1993) as Snyder
- Short Cuts (1993) as Gordon Johnson
- Eek! The Cat (1992) as Cupid (voice)
- The Player (1992) as Buck Henry
- Mastergate (1992) as Clay Fielder
- The Lounge People (1992) as Lewis Louis
- Keep the Change (1992) as Smitty
- 'The Graduate' at 25 (1992) as Self
- The Graduate at 25 (1992) as Himself
- Defending Your Life (1991) as Dick Stanley
- The Linguini Incident (1991) as Cecil
- The Republic Pictures Story (1991) as Self
- Tune in Tomorrow... (1990) as Father Serafim
- Tales from the Crypt (1989) as George
- Saturday Night Live: 15th Anniversary (1989) as Self
- Rude Awakening (1989) as Lloyd Stool
- Murphy Brown (1988) as Dr. Victor Rudman
- Aria (1987) as Preston
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as Walter Lang
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) Writer
- The Best of John Belushi (1985) as Various Characters
- Steve Martin Live! (1984) as Self
- The New Show (1984)
- Protocol (1984) Screenplay
- Eating Raoul (1982) as Mr. Leech
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Foster Glenn
- Strong Medicine (1981)
- Great Railway Journeys (1980) as Self - Presenter
- Gloria (1980) as Jack Dawn
- The Nude Bomb (1980) Characters
- First Family (1980) as Father Sandstone / TV Anchorman
- First Family (1980) Director
- First Family (1980) Writer
- Old Boyfriends (1979) as Art Kopple
- Playboy's 25th Anniversary Celebration (1979) as Self
- Heaven Can Wait (1978) as The Escort
- Heaven Can Wait (1978) Director
- Quark (1977) as Dignitary (uncredited)
- Quark (1977) Writer
- Quark (1977) Creator
- The Absent-Minded Waiter (1977) as Bernie Cates
- The Man Who Fell to Earth (1976) as Oliver Farnsworth
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- The Day of the Dolphin (1973) as Man Standing Outside Women's Club (uncredited)
- The Day of the Dolphin (1973) Screenplay
- What's Up, Doc? (1972) Screenplay
- I Miss Sonia Henie (1971) as Doctor
- I Miss Sonia Henie (1971) Director
- I Miss Sonia Henie (1971) Writer
- Taking Off (1971) as Larry Tyne
- Is There Sex After Death? (1971) as Dr. Louise Manos
- Catch-22 (1970) as Lt. Col. Korn
- Catch-22 (1970) Screenplay
- The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) as Man Looking Through Doubleday's Bookstore (uncredited)
- The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) Screenplay
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- Candy (1968) as Mental Patient (uncredited)
- Candy (1968) Screenplay
- The Secret War of Harry Frigg (1968) as Stockade Commandant
- Captain Nice (1967) Writer
- Captain Nice (1967) Executive Producer
- Captain Nice (1967) Creator
- The Graduate (1967) as Room Clerk
- The Graduate (1967) Screenplay
- Get Smart: A Man Called Smart (1967) Writer
- ABC Stage 67 (1966) Writer
- Get Smart (1965) Writer
- Get Smart (1965) Story Editor
- Get Smart (1965) Teleplay
- Get Smart (1965) Creator
- The Troublemaker (1964) as T. R. Kingston
- The Troublemaker (1964) Screenplay
- The Troublemaker (1964) Original Story
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Mary Woronov: Cult Queen as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Buck Henry best known for?
Buck Henry is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Confessions of a Driving Instructor (1976), Hot in Cleveland (2010), Joe (1970), American Swing (2009).
When and where was Buck Henry born?
Buck Henry was born on December 9, 1930 in New York City, New York, USA. They passed away on January 8, 2020.
How many credits does Buck Henry have?
Buck Henry has accumulated over 120 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1961 to 2025.
What is Buck Henry's background in cinema and television?
Buck Henry was born Henry Zuckerman on December 9, 1930, in New York City, New York, and died on January 8, 2020, at the age of 89. He was an American actor, screenwriter, and director whose career spanned both television and film. His film contributions included co-directing Heaven Can Wait in 1978 with Warren Beatty ...