Richard Portnow
- Known For
- Acting
- Born
- January 26, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
- Active Years
- 1982–2026 (45 Years)
- Total Credits
- 165 credits in database
Acting Born Jan 26, 1947 Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA 165 credits
Biography
Richard Portnow is a prolific American character actor born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on January 26, 1947. Known for his extensive work across film, television, and video games, he has 162 known acting credits according to archive data. Among his notable appearances, Portnow played Ben, the father of Howard Stern, in the feature film Private Parts. His television career includes roles in prominent series such as The Sopranos, Hannah Montana, and Boston Legal. As a versatile character actor, Portnow's career encompasses numerous screen appearances in various media productions.
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Career overview
Richard Portnow is a prolific American character actor born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on January 26, 1947. With a career spanning numerous films, television shows, and video games, he has accumulated 162 known acting credits in the database.
Among his notable appearances, Portnow played Howard Stern's father, Ben, in the film Private Parts. His extensive television work includes roles on well-known programs such as The Sopranos, Hannah Montana, and Boston Legal.
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Frequent co-stars
John Mahoney
3 shared titles
Mykelti Williamson
2 shared titles
Eric Balfour
2 shared titles
Michael Irby
2 shared titles
Roger Bart
2 shared titles
Whoopi Goldberg
2 shared titles
Kathy Najimy
2 shared titles
Pamela Adlon
2 shared titles
Samuel L. Jackson
2 shared titles
Katherine Helmond
2 shared titles
Career timeline
The Drop: A Snowfall Saga
Dog Patrol: Operation Santa PawsSinatra! Eternity
Matlock
Roe v. Wade
Talking SopranosFrank and Ava
Stakeout
Higher PowerAndoverHolly Day
The Gliksmans
TimelessCafé Society
TrumboParallel
Nanny CamThis Last Lonely Place
OldboyIn the DarkUnderdogs
ElementaryHitchcockA Night of NightmaresImaginary Friend2 Jacks
ShamelessSuitsGrimmFranklin & BashThe Christmas Pageant
Hawaii Five-0How to Make It in AmericaOutlawKiller by NatureThe Wish List
CastleThe Good WifeParks and RecreationLaw Abiding CitizenUnder New Management
The MentalistTinker BellThe SpiritGood Time Max
DirtPerfect StrangerThe IndianChasing Robert
Hannah MontanaFind Me GuiltyNational Lampoon's TV: The Movie
Grey's AnatomyTrump UnauthorizedMeet the MobstersUnder the City
Boston LegalTony n' Tina's Wedding
Nip/TuckNip/TuckCold CaseLas Vegas
The ShieldPoolhall Junkies
Laughter on the 23rd FloorDouble BangZigs
The UnscarredHappy AccidentsFallen ArchesThe Ghost of Spoon River
The SopranosThe SopranosJudging AmyGhost Dog: The Way of the SamuraiThe Substitute 3: Winner Takes All
Fear and Loathing in Las VegasPostal WorkerShadow of DoubtLured InnocenceMilo
Private PartsMad CityBella MafiaGuy
Spin CityEZ StreetsBogus
JAGSe7enMan of the HouseS.F.W.Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning
Full Filmography
165 titles- The Drop: A Snowfall Saga (2026)
- Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws (2025) as Oscar Golden
- Sinatra! Eternity (2025) as Walter Winchell
- Matlock (2024) as Judge Colton P. Davidson
- Roe v. Wade (2021) as Justice William Douglas
- Talking Sopranos (2020) as Self
- Frank and Ava (2020) as Walter Winchell
- Stakeout (2019) as Pat Reed
- Higher Power (2018) as Charles Margrey
- Andover (2018) as Shamus Trout
- Holly Day (2018) as Benny
- The Gliksmans (2017) as Tim Neuman
- Timeless (2016) as Mayor William Hale Thompson
- Café Society (2016) as Walt
- Trumbo (2015) as Louis B. Mayer
- Parallel (2015) as Stewart
- Nanny Cam (2014) as Detective Jones
- This Last Lonely Place (2014) as Jason Pure
- Oldboy (2013) as Bernie Sharkey
- In the Dark (2013) as Detective Archer
- Underdogs (2013) as John Handon II
- Elementary (2012) as Eddie Eichorn
- Hitchcock (2012) as Barney Balaban
- A Night of Nightmares (2012) as Cliff Tanner
- Imaginary Friend (2012) as Dan
- 2 Jacks (2012) as Lorenzo
- Shameless (2011) as Johnny Boxcars
- Suits (2011) as Pete Kreeling
- Grimm (2011) as Daniel Troyer
- Franklin & Bash (2011) as Richard Kohl
- The Christmas Pageant (2011) as Leo Brenner
- Hawaii Five-0 (2010) as Creed's Attorney
- How to Make It in America (2010)
- Outlaw (2010) as Sen. Sidney Vidalin
- Killer by Nature (2010) as Walter
- The Wish List (2010) as Lenny
- Castle (2009) as Milt Boyle
- The Good Wife (2009) as Judge Ben Margovski
- Parks and Recreation (2009) as Mitch Savner
- Law Abiding Citizen (2009) as Bill Reynolds
- Under New Management (2009) as Carmello Conforte
- Life Is Hot in Cracktown (2009) as Guy from 4 K
- The Minis (2009) as Jack
- The Mentalist (2008) as Phil
- Tinker Bell (2008) as Minister of Autumn (voice)
- The Spirit (2008) as Donenfeld
- Good Time Max (2008) as Head Administrator
- Dirt (2007) as Teddy Jick
- Perfect Stranger (2007) as Narron
- The Indian (2007) as Elliot
- Chasing Robert (2007) as Ed Thorton
- Hannah Montana (2006) as Marty Kline
- Find Me Guilty (2006) as Max Novardis
- National Lampoon's TV: The Movie (2006) as Sergeant
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Saul Schmitt
- Trump Unauthorized (2005) as Mayor Ed Koch
- Meet the Mobsters (2005) as Jerry Kaminski
- Under the City (2005) as Minks
- Boston Legal (2004) as Judge Peter Harding
- Tony n' Tina's Wedding (2004) as Vinnie Black
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Manny Caldarelo
- Nip/Tuck (2003) as Manny Caldarello
- Cold Case (2003) as Oscar Anderson (2008)
- Las Vegas (2003) as Lester Colette
- The Shield (2002) as Jim Wright
- Poolhall Junkies (2002) as Toupee Jay
- Laughter on the 23rd Floor (2001) as Harry Prince
- Double Bang (2001) as Lieutenant Shatkin
- Zigs (2001) as Arnold Zigman
- The Unscarred (2000) as Tommy Matolla
- Happy Accidents (2000) as Trip
- Fallen Arches (2000) as Nicky Kaplan
- The Ghost of Spoon River (2000) as Agent Cicarelli
- The Sopranos (1999) as Attorney Melvoin
- The Sopranos (1999) as Harold 'Mel' Melvoin
- Judging Amy (1999) as AAG Charles Novotny
- Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) as Handsome Frank
- The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All (1999) as Vincent Lo Russo
- Ryan Caulfield: Year One (1999)
- Witness Protection (1999) as Niko
- Ballad of the Nightingale (1999) as Arnie D'Angelo
- Road Kill (1999) as Charboneau
- Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) as Wine Colored Tuxedo
- Postal Worker (1998) as Dr. Nicolas Brink
- Shadow of Doubt (1998) as Marvin Helm
- Lured Innocence (1998) as Jack Shelby
- Milo (1998) as Lieutenant Parker
- My Giant (1998) as Producer
- Desert Thunder (1998) as Adm. Le Clair
- Private Parts (1997) as Ben Stern
- Mad City (1997) as Brackett's Agent
- Bella Mafia (1997) as Anthony Moreno
- Guy (1997) as Al
- Spin City (1996) as Mr. Paterno
- EZ Streets (1996) as Frank Collero
- Bogus (1996) as M. Clay Thrasher
- JAG (1995) as Sibby Lonegro
- Se7en (1995) as Dr. Beardsley
- Man of the House (1995) as Joey Renda
- S.F.W. (1995) as Gerald Parsley
- Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning (1995) as Monaghan
- Donor Unknown (1995) as Hal Cooney
- Lipstick Camera (1994) as Detective Vorkopich
- Across the Moon (1994) as Roy
- Dragstrip Girl (1994) as Det. Dryden
- Trial by Jury (1994) as Leo Greco
- Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice (1994)
- The Nanny (1993) as Phillipe
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) as Barry Barker
- Boy Meets World (1993) as Stan
- Walker, Texas Ranger (1993) as Irving Rothbart - LaRue's Attorney
- Fallen Angels (1993) as Jack Malkov
- Dave's World (1993) as Leon
- Heart and Souls (1993) as Max Marco
- Home Free (1993) as Vic
- Night Eyes 3 (1993) as Kaplan
- Based on an Untrue Story (1993) as Disturbing Caller
- The Incredible Life and Times of Robert Ripley Believe It or Not! (1993) as Robert L. Ripley
- Mad About You (1992) as Arthur
- Sister Act (1992) as Willy
- Beethoven (1992) as Ammunition Company Representative (uncredited)
- There Goes the Neighborhood (1992) as Marty Rollins
- Dinosaurs (1991) as Mel Luster (voice)
- The Commish (1991)
- The New WKRP in Cincinnati (1991)
- Father of the Bride (1991) as Al - the Tux Salesman
- Barton Fink (1991) as Detective Mastrionotti
- For the Boys (1991) as Milt, Recording Studio
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster (1991) as Dave Barrett
- Dream On (1990) as Roy
- Kindergarten Cop (1990) as Captain Salazar
- Havana (1990) as Mike MacClaney
- Tune in Tomorrow... (1990) as Uncle Luke
- Chattahoochee (1990) as Dr. Debner
- Seinfeld (1989) as Ray
- Say Anything... (1989) as Agent Stewart
- A Deadly Silence (1989) as D.A. Ed Jablonski
- Meet the Hollowheads (1989) as Mr. Crabneck
- Original Sin (1989) as Vincent
- Peter Gunn (1989) as Spiros
- Dear John (1988) as Harry
- Twins (1988) as Chop Shop Owner
- Something Is Out There (1988)
- In Dangerous Company (1988) as Kellog
- Wiseguy (1987)
- Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) as Dan 'The Man' Levitan
- The Oldest Rookie (1987)
- Tin Men (1987) as Carly
- Radio Days (1987) as Sy
- Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) as Agent
- The Squeeze (1987) as Ruben
- Beauty and the Beast (1987) as Naj
- Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam (1987) as Harry Long
- The House of Blue Leaves (1987) as Billy Einhorn
- Hiding Out (1987) as Mr. Lessig
- Almost Partners (1987) as Nicky
- Courage (1986) as Frankie Ce De Baca
- The Equalizer (1985) as Police Lieutenant
- The Equalizer (1985) as Detective
- Desperately Seeking Susan (1985) as Party Guest
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Walter Pell
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Lt. Walt Murphy
- Tales from the Darkside (1984) as Curtis
- Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer (1983) as Bartender
- American Playhouse (1982) as Billy Einhorn
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Richard Portnow best known for?
Richard Portnow is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Drop: A Snowfall Saga (2026), Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws (2025), Matlock (2024), Roe v. Wade (2021).
When and where was Richard Portnow born?
Richard Portnow was born on January 26, 1947 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Richard Portnow have?
Richard Portnow has accumulated over 165 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1982 to 2026.
What is Richard Portnow's background in cinema and television?
Richard Portnow is a prolific American character actor born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, on January 26, 1947. Known for his extensive work across film, television, and video games, he has 162 known acting credits according to archive data. Among his notable appearances, Portnow played Ben, the father of Howard...
Richard Portnow by the numbers
165credits
109films
56TV series
1982–2026active years
Age in their best-rated roles
- Talking Sopranos (2020) as Self — aged about 73
- The Sopranos (1999) as Attorney Melvoin — aged about 52
- The Sopranos (1999) as Harold 'Mel' Melvoin — aged about 52
- The Mentalist (2008) as Phil — aged about 61
- Se7en (1995) as Dr. Beardsley — aged about 48
- Grimm (2011) as Daniel Troyer — aged about 64
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