Lance Barber
Biography
Lance Barber, born June 29, 1973, in Battle Creek, Michigan, is an American actor. He first gained recognition for his main role as Paulie G on the HBO sitcom The Comeback, which aired in 2005 and returned in 2014. That same year he appeared in the film The Godfather of Green Bay. During the 2010s he held recurring parts as Bill Ponderosa on the FX/FXX series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia from 2010 to 2013 and again from 2015 to 2018, and as Lucas on MTV’s Faking It between 2014 and 2016. More recently, Barber is known for portraying George Cooper Sr. on the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon, a role he has played from 2017 through 2024.
Career overview
Lance Barber, born June 29 1973 in Battle Creek, Michigan, is an American actor whose career spans television and film. He first gained recognition portraying Paulie G in the HBO sitcom The Comeback, appearing in its original 2005 run and its 2014 revival. That same year he moved into film with a starring role in The Godfather of Green Bay.
During the 2010s Barber became a familiar presence on several sitcoms. He held a recurring part as Bill Ponderosa on the FX and later FXX series It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, appearing in episodes from 2010 through 2013 and again from 2015 to 2018. Concurrently, he played Lucas on MTV’s Faking It, a role that extended across the series’ 2014‑2016 seasons.
Barber’s most recent high‑profile work is his portrayal of George Cooper Sr., the father of the title character on the CBS sitcom Young Sheldon. He has been a main cast member on that series from its debut in 2017 through its 2024 season, a role that has brought renewed attention to his career. Throughout his work, Barber has been credited in more than fifty productions, reflecting a steady presence in American television comedy.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (2024) as George Cooper
- Fool's Paradise (2023) as Side Kick
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self
- Stars in the House (2020) as Self
- Young Sheldon (2017) as George Cooper
- Dr. Ken (2015) as Phil Stockton
- black-ish (2014) as Dr. Gabler
- All Hail King Julien (2014) as Bruce (voice)
- Faking It (2014) as Lucas Ashcroft
- Garfunkel and Oates (2014) as Drew
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013) as Patrick
- Masters of Sex (2013) as Larry
- The Crazy Ones (2013) as Clyde
- Gangster Squad (2013) as Comanche
- Timms Valley (2013) as 2nd Executive
- Baby Daddy (2012) as Tommy
- Key & Peele (2012) as Cop
- The Soul Man (2012) as Mr. Richardson
- Bob's Burgers (2011) as Justgrillin' (voice)
- Franklin & Bash (2011) as Teddy Lazlow
- Harry's Law (2011) as David Kerwin
- Whitney (2011) as Nate
- Free Agents (2011) as Thad
- The Talk (2010) as Self
- Justified (2010) as Frank
- Hot in Cleveland (2010) as Tyler
- Penny (2010) as Frank
- United States of Tara (2009)
- Men of a Certain Age (2009)
- The Mentalist (2008) as Daniel
- The Middleman (2008) as Johnny John
- Leatherheads (2008) as Toledo Referee
- The Big Bang Theory (2007) as Jimmy Speckerman
- The Big Bang Theory (2007) as George Cooper
- Californication (2007) as Nick Lowry
- For Your Consideration (2006) as Dinkie
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Phil
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (2005) as Bill Ponderosa
- How I Met Your Mother (2005) as Guard #1
- The Comeback (2005) as Paulie G.
- The Godfather of Green Bay (2005) as Kenny Caruso
- Joey (2004) as Steve
- Bad Meat (2004) as Buddy
- Faking the Video (2004)
- On the Spot (2003)
- CSI: Miami (2002) as Al Wayons
- Monk (2002) as Bill the Deliveryman
- What I Like About You (2002) as Phone Guy
- Like Mike (2002) as Director in Commercial (uncredited)
- Gilmore Girls (2000) as The Man at Inn
- Gilmore Girls (2000) as Hugo Gray
- ER (1994) as Howard Norden
- The Hill as Eric