Raye Birk
Biography
Raye Birk is an American film and television actor born on May 27, 1943, in Flint, Michigan. He is known for playing the role of Pahpshmir in the first and third installments of the Naked Gun film series, serving as the main villain in the final insult. His extensive film credits include appearances in Best Defense in 1984, Amazon Women on the Moon and Throw Momma from the Train in 1987, Doc Hollywood in 1991, and Star Trek Insurrection in 1998. On television, his work includes roles in Due South as the terrorist Francis Bolt in the episodes All the Queens Horses, Red White and Blue, Call of the Wild Part One, and Call of the Wild Part Two, as well as roles in The X-Files, Babylon 5, The Wonder Years, The Golden Girls, Wings, and Cheers, where he portrayed the mailman Walt Twitchell.
Career overview
Raye Birk is an American film and television actor who was born on May 27, 1943, in Flint, Michigan. He is known for playing the role of Pahpshmir in the first and last of the Naked Gun movies, serving as the main villain in Naked Gun 331 and one third: The Final Insult. His extensive film credits include appearances in Best Defense in 1984, Amazon Women on the Moon in 1987, Throw Momma from the Train in 1987, Doc Hollywood in 1991, and Star Trek: Insurrection in 1998.
In addition to his film work, Birk has a wide range of television credits. He starred in Due South as the terrorist Francis Bolt in the episodes All the Queens Horses, Red, White and Blue, Call of the Wild Part One, and Call of the Wild Part Two. His television appearances also include roles in The X-Files, Babylon 5, The Wonder Years, The Golden Girls, Wings, and Cheers, where he portrayed the mailman Walt Twitchell.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
78 titles- New Neighbors (2016)
- A Serious Man (2009) as Dr. Shapiro
- North Country (2005) as Tom Motel Clerk
- Sweet Land (2005) as Postal Clerk
- Factotum (2005) as Heathercliff
- Black Scorpion (2001) as Dr. Phineas Phoenix
- Star Trek: Insurrection (1998) as Son'a Doctor
- 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) as Jeweler
- The Big Squeeze (1996) as Contractor
- After Jimmy (1996) as John Davies
- Caroline in the City (1995) as Danny
- Nowhere Man (1995) as Tobe Alder
- Illegal in Blue (1995) as Gary Dedmarch
- My Brother's Keeper (1995) as Dr. Roth
- ER (1994) as Mr. Hartley
- Babylon 5 (1994) as William
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Mr. McFarlane
- Due South (1994) as Francis Bolt
- Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult (1994) as Papshmir
- Cries from the Heart (1994)
- Frasier (1993) as Walt Twitchell
- The X-Files (1993) as Dr. Jeff Eckerle
- Saved by the Bell: The New Class (1993) as Superintendent Stoneman
- The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. (1993) as Prosecuting Attorney
- Barbarians at the Gate (1993) as Travis Gaines
- Caught in the Act (1993) as Sterling
- Class Act (1992) as Principal Kratz
- Home Improvement (1991) as Fred
- Silk Stalkings (1991) as Atticus Dunn
- Doc Hollywood (1991) as Simon Tidwell, First Patient
- Under Cover (1991) as Grimbach
- Aftermath: A Test of Love (1991) as Dr. Frenzel
- Under Cover (1991) as Grimbach
- Wings (1990) as Prince Restivon
- Working Girl (1990) as Mr. Dixon
- Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again (1990) as Judge Brown
- Challenger (1990) as Joseph Kilminster
- Seinfeld (1989) as Mr. Pless
- Coach (1989) as Riley Pringle
- Snoops (1989) as Mr. Nelson
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Lethal Lesson (1989) as Sam Morgan
- The Wonder Years (1988) as Mr. Diperna
- Murphy Brown (1988) as Barney
- Empty Nest (1988) as Judge Talmadge
- Empty Nest (1988) as Albert
- Dear John (1988) as Dr. Hendricks
- The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad! (1988) as Pahpshmir
- Eisenhower and Lutz (1988) as Bjorn
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Wrenn
- J.J. Starbuck (1987)
- Throw Momma from the Train (1987) as Pinsky
- Burglar (1987) as The Jogger
- The Popcorn Kid (1987) as Leonard Brown
- The Stepford Children (1987) as George Larson
- Beauty and the Beast (1987) as Edmonton
- L.A. Law (1986) as Judge Steven Lang
- Matlock (1986) as Simon Le Simple
- ALF (1986) as Lenny Scott
- ALF (1986) as Officer Griswald
- Fresno (1986) as Mr. Loats
- The Golden Girls (1985) as Caterer
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as Time-Traveller (segment "Lost and Found")
- Deadly Messages (1985) as Harding
- Night Court (1984) as Dworkin
- Night Court (1984) as God #1
- Night Court (1984) as Ward
- Night Court (1984) as Frank Pepitone
- Blue Thunder (1984) as Martin C. Sharp
- Best Defense (1984) as Sonny
- Mister Roberts (1984) as Dowdy
- Cheers (1982) as Walt Twitchell
- St. Elsewhere (1982) as Irish Patient
- A Christmas Carol (1981) as Marley's Ghost
- The Taming of the Shrew (1976) as Gremio
- Columbo (1971) as Howard Seltzer
- Gas! -Or- It Became Necessary to Destroy the World in Order to Save It. (1970) as Mort Catafalque
- Hawaii Five-O (1968) as Parole Officer
- Seed of Doubt as Dr. Bill Larson
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Raye Birk best known for?
Raye Birk is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including A Serious Man (2009), North Country (2005), Sweet Land (2005), Inch High, Private Eye (1973).
When and where was Raye Birk born?
Raye Birk was born on May 27, 1943 in Flint, Michigan, USA .
How many credits does Raye Birk have?
Raye Birk has accumulated over 78 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1968 to 2016.
What is Raye Birk's background in cinema and television?
Raye Birk is an American film and television actor born on May 27, 1943, in Flint, Michigan. He is known for playing the role of Pahpshmir in the first and third installments of the Naked Gun film series, serving as the main villain in the final insult. His extensive film credits include appearances in Best Defense in ...
Raye Birk by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The X-Files (1993) as Dr. Jeff Eckerle — aged about 50
- Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987) as Wrenn — aged about 44
- Seinfeld (1989) as Mr. Pless — aged about 46
- The Wonder Years (1988) as Mr. Diperna — aged about 45
- Columbo (1971) as Howard Seltzer — aged about 28
- Babylon 5 (1994) as William — aged about 51
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