Dan Bucatinsky
Biography
Dan Bucatinsky (pronounced /ˌbʊkəˈtɪnski/) is an American male actor, writer and producer born on September 22 1965 in New York City, New York. He is also credited as Daniel Bucatinsky. Bucatinsky is best known for portraying James Novak in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Scandal, a performance that earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2013. In 2014 he starred on NBC’s series Marry Me and appeared in the revived HBO series The Comeback, which he also executive‑produced. According to The Movie Database he has 79 credited acting roles and is listed primarily for acting.
Career overview
Dan Bucatinsky, born September 22, 1965 in New York City, New York, is an American actor, writer and producer. Over the course of his career he has accumulated a substantial body of work, with the TMDB record listing 79 acting credits. He is also credited under the name Daniel Bucatinsky. His professional profile identifies him primarily as a male performer in film and television.
Bucatinsky achieved notable recognition for his portrayal of James Novak in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Scandal. His performance earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series in 2013. The following year he expanded his on‑screen presence with a starring role on NBC’s series Marry Me. In the same period he returned to HBO for the revived series The Comeback, a project on which he served not only as an actor but also as an executive producer. These roles underscore his combined contributions as an actor and a producer within contemporary television.
The breadth of his work spans both television series and film projects, reflecting a versatile career in the entertainment industry. His contributions as a writer and producer complement his on‑screen performances, illustrating a multifaceted involvement in the creation of television content.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
91 titles- The Highest Stakes (2026) as Dr. Scott Stevens
- Mid-Century Modern (2025) Writer
- elle/elle (2025)
- Elsbeth (2024) as Kidder Hawes
- Our Little Secret (2024) as Leonard
- Air (2023) as Richard
- Pictionary (2022)
- How I Met Your Father (2022) as Fred
- The Grotto (2022) as Kip Gorman
- Hacks (2021) as Rob
- The Sex Lives of College Girls (2021) as Danny Marawitz
- Rebel (2021) as Professor Jason Erickson
- Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (2020) as Self - Contestant
- The Baker and the Beauty (2020) as Lewis
- All Rise (2019) as Tim Landy
- Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019) Executive Producer
- 25 Words or Less (2018) as Self
- 25 Words or Less (2018)
- A Million Little Things (2018) as Harrison
- Second Act (2018) as Arthur Coyle
- So Close (2018) as Christopher
- Every Act of Life (2018) as Dr. Jason Pepper (voice)
- The Good Doctor (2017) as Spence
- The Post (2017) as Joe Alsop
- Will & Grace (2017) as Neil
- 24: Legacy (2017) as Andy Shalowitz
- Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life (2016) as Jim Nelson
- Chicago Med (2015) as Richard Evans
- Superstore (2015) as Steve
- Grace and Frankie (2015) as Arnold
- Dinner at Tiffani's (2015) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Celebrity Name Game (2014) as Self
- Marry Me (2014) as Kevin Two
- Mom (2013) as Arthur
- Scandal (2012) as James Novak
- Web Therapy (2011) as Jerome Sokoloff
- Web Therapy (2011) Creator
- Who Do You Think You Are? (2010) Producer
- The Other Woman (2010) Executive Producer
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- In Plain Sight (2008) as Fred Zeitlin
- Web Therapy (2008) as Jerome Sokoloff
- Web Therapy (2008) Producer
- Web Therapy (2008) Creator
- Lipstick Jungle (2008) Writer
- Lipstick Jungle (2008) Producer
- Dirt (2007) as Dillon Frawley
- Fabulous! The Story of Queer Cinema (2006) as Self
- When Do We Eat? (2006) as High Strung Client
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Jeffrey
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) Writer
- Hell's Kitchen (2005) as Self - Restaurant Patron
- Weeds (2005) as Max
- The Comeback (2005) as Billy
- The Comeback (2005) Executive Producer
- Call Waiting (2004) Producer
- The Best TV Shows That Never Were (2004) as Narrator (voice)
- All Grown Up! (2003) as TV Doctor / Body Cast Man (voice)
- Picking Up & Dropping Off (2003) Executive Producer
- I Love Your Work (2003) as The Director
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Oscar Serino
- That '80s Show (2002) as Rick
- MDs (2002) as Kurt
- Directed by Alan Smithee (2002) as Narrator
- All Over the Guy (2001) as Eli Wyckoff
- All Over the Guy (2001) Writer
- The Sky is Falling (2001) as Lab Technician
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000) as Man on the cell phone
- M.Y.O.B. (2000) as Reuben
- Will & Grace (1998) as Neil
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998) as Ramon (voice)
- The Opposite of Sex (1998) as Timothy
- Significant Others (1998)
- Jenny (1997) as Carl
- The Pretender (1996) as Emery
- Cybill (1995) as Casting Director
- Cybill (1995) as Troy
- Friends (1994) as Waiter
- Chicago Hope (1994) as Politico Man
- Party of Five (1994) as Check Out Guy
- Another Midnight Run (1994) as Bellhop
- Frasier (1993) as Jewelry Clerk
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self - It Got Better
- Entertainment Tonight (1981) as Self
- 13 Going on 30
- August
- She Gets It from Me
- She Gets It from Me Writer
- She Gets It from Me Executive Producer
- Carry Me Creator
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Dan Bucatinsky best known for?
Dan Bucatinsky is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Mid-Century Modern (2025), Elsbeth (2024), Our Little Secret (2024), Air (2023).
When and where was Dan Bucatinsky born?
Dan Bucatinsky was born on September 22, 1965 in New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Dan Bucatinsky have?
Dan Bucatinsky has accumulated over 91 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1981 to 2026.
What is Dan Bucatinsky's background in cinema and television?
Dan Bucatinsky (pronounced /ˌbʊkəˈtɪnski/) is an American male actor, writer and producer born on September 22 1965 in New York City, New York. He is also credited as Daniel Bucatinsky. Bucatinsky is best known for portraying James Novak in the Shonda Rhimes drama series Scandal, a performance that earned him the Prime...