Don Lake
Biography
Don Lake is a Canadian actor, writer, and television producer born on November 26, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Known professionally by his birth name and also as Donald Lake, he is frequently cast by director Christopher Guest and is a close friend and frequent collaborator of Bonnie Hunt. Lake had a role in The Bonnie Hunt Show, receiving comedic praise for his performance. His film credits include Police Academy, Hot Shots!, Dumb and Dumber To, Corner Gas: The Movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Super Mario Bros., as well as a voice role as Stu Hopps in Zootopia. He also played Dr. Carl Whitehorn on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, he returned to Toronto.
Career overview
Don Lake, born Donald Lake on November 26, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, is a Canadian actor, writer, and television producer. After graduating from the California Institute of the Arts, he returned to Toronto to join the industry and eventually built a diverse career spanning both comedic and serious roles in film and television.
Throughout his career, he has appeared in numerous comedy films including Police Academy, Hot Shots!, Dumb and Dumber To, and Corner Gas: The Movie. He has also taken on more serious roles in Terminator 2: Judgment Day and Super Mario Bros., and provided a voice role as Stu Hopps in Zootopia. Frequently cast by director Christopher Guest, Lake is also known as a close friend and frequent collaborator of Bonnie Hunt, earning comedic praise for his role in The Bonnie Hunt Show.
His television and film credits further extend to appearances on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Dr. Carl Whitehorn, as well as roles associated with projects such as SCTV Network 90 and How I Met Your Mother. With an extensive portfolio consisting of numerous known acting credits on the movie database, Lake continues to be recognized for his contributions to television and film as an actor, writer, and producer.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
105 titles- Zootopia 2 (2025) as Stu Hopps (voice)
- John Candy: I Like Me (2025) as Self - Actor, Wagons East
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025) as Tour Guide
- ted (2024) as Bert
- Not Dead Yet (2023) as Rand
- Frasier (2023) as Dean Melvin
- Zootopia+ (2022) as Stu Hopps (voice)
- Ghosts (2021) as Tom
- Space Force (2020) as Brig. Gen. Brad Gregory
- Pup Academy (2019) as Charlie
- The Resident (2018) as Jerry Tolman
- Summer Camp Island (2018) as Doc Hogsbottom (voice)
- Summer Camp Island (2018) as Additional Voices (voice)
- Marlon (2017) as Hank Hoffstetter
- Downsizing (2017) as Leisureland Guide Matt
- Zootopia (2016) as Stu Hopps (voice)
- Teachers (2016) as Bob
- Mascots (2016) as Buddy Campbell
- The Odd Couple (2015) as Kent
- Dumb and Dumber To (2014) as Dr. Meldman
- Corner Gas: The Movie (2014) as Jerome
- Family Tree (2013) as Harvey Krupp
- Grudge Match (2013) as Video Game Producer
- Anger Management (2012) as James
- The Soul Man (2012) as Dr. Zagelman
- Last Man Standing (2011) as Professor
- Avalon High (2011) as Allie's Father
- $#*! My Dad Says (2010) as Marvin
- Modern Family (2009) as Dr. Sendroff
- The Bonnie Hunt Show (2008) Producer
- Smother (2008) as Minister
- Psych (2006) as C. Lee Banting
- The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006) as Carl
- For Your Consideration (2006) as Love It Film Critic
- Rugrats: Tales from the Crib: Three Jacks & A Beanstalk (2006) as Tom Thumb / Gingerbread Man (voice)
- American Dad! (2005) as Bad Larry / Spy (voice)
- How I Met Your Mother (2005) as Albert Donovan
- American Dragon: Jake Long (2005) as Stan the Sewer Troll (voice)
- Committed (2005) as Richard
- NCIS (2003) as Phillip Brooks
- A Mighty Wind (2003) as Elliott Steinbloom
- Life with Bonnie (2002) as Dr. Bill McClaw
- Life with Bonnie (2002) as Micky Travisi
- Life with Bonnie (2002) as Clown
- Life with Bonnie (2002) Writer
- Life with Bonnie (2002) Creator
- Watching Ellie (2002) as Dr. Don Zimmerman
- Philly (2001)
- Teacher's Pet (2000)
- Best in Show (2000) as Graham Chissolm
- Return to Me (2000) as Transplant Man
- Return to Me (2000) Story
- Return to Me (2000) Screenplay
- The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave (2000) as Don
- The Extreme Adventures of Super Dave (2000) Story
- Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm (1999) as HBO Director
- The Wild Thornberrys (1998) as Harold Fervel (voice)
- Almost Heroes (1998) as Elias
- Pepper Ann (1997) as Mr. Sherman Finky (voice)
- Pepper Ann (1997) as Mr. Sherman Finky / Butler (voice)
- RocketMan (1997) as Le Chirurgien du Vol
- Waiting for Guffman (1997) as Phil Burgess - Blaine Historian
- Men Behaving Badly (1996) as Epstein
- Goode Behavior (1996)
- Murder One (1995) as Joel Mytelka
- Bonnie (1995) as Keith Jedzik
- Double Rush (1995)
- Ellen (1994) as Bob
- Wagons East! (1994) as Lt. Bailey
- Hostage for a Day (1994) as Lieutenant Sneed
- Sodbusters (1994) as Roy Poulet
- Super Mario Bros. (1993) as Sgt. Simon
- Beethoven's 2nd (1993) as Window Display Manager
- The Building (1993) as Brad
- Love & War (1992)
- Camp Wilder (1992)
- Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures (1992) as Mr. Preston
- Super Dave: Daredevil for Hire (1992) as (voice)
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) as Mossberg
- Hot Shots! (1991) as Doctor
- Blossom (1990)
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990) as Dr. Whitehorn
- Parker Lewis Can't Lose (1990)
- The Dave Thomas Comedy Show (1990)
- The Rocket Boy (1989) as Store Customer
- Speed Zone (1989) as Whitman
- Murphy Brown (1988) as Stage Manager
- Empty Nest (1988)
- Short Circuit 2 (1988) as Manic Mike
- The Best of SCTV (1988)
- 110 Lombard (1988) as Frankie
- Super Dave (1987) as Donald Glanz
- The Big Town (1987) as Patsy Fuqua
- Hands of a Stranger (1987) as Grady
- Blue Monkey (1987) as Elliot Jacobs
- The Pink Chiquitas (1987) as Deputy Barney Drum
- L.A. Law (1986) as Bob Steinlage
- Murder Sees the Light (1986) as Thornton
- Really Weird Tales (1986) as Hugh Mullins (segment "Cursed With Charisma")
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Mr. Porter
- The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985) as A.C. Boone
- Mr. Belvedere (1985)
- Police Academy (1984) as Mr. Wig
- Lookin' to Get Out (1982) as Alfred Jordon - Registration Desk
- The Littlest Hobo (1979) as Mr. Wilkinson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Don Lake best known for?
Don Lake is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Zootopia 2 (2025), John Candy: I Like Me (2025), ted (2024), Zootopia+ (2022).
When and where was Don Lake born?
Don Lake was born on November 26, 1956 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
How many credits does Don Lake have?
Don Lake has accumulated over 105 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1979 to 2025.
What is Don Lake's background in cinema and television?
Don Lake is a Canadian actor, writer, and television producer born on November 26, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Known professionally by his birth name and also as Donald Lake, he is frequently cast by director Christopher Guest and is a close friend and frequent collaborator of Bonnie Hunt. Lake had a role in The...