Robert Klein
Biography
Robert Klein is an American actor born on February 8, 1942, in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He is known for his appearances on stage and screen. Klein made his Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Apple Tree opposite Alan Alda. He earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination for his performance in Neil Simon's musical comedy They're Playing Our Song in 1979. Klein hosted Saturday Night Live in its first season in 1975 and again in 1978. He has released four standup comedy specials and received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations for two of them.
Career overview
Robert Klein is a known actor who has appeared in various stage and screen productions. He made his Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Apple Tree, opposite Alan Alda. Klein's Broadway career continued with his performance in Neil Simon's musical comedy They're Playing Our Song, for which he received a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination in 1979.
In addition to his stage work, Klein has also appeared on television, including hosting Saturday Night Live in its first season in 1975 and again in 1978. His acting credits span over 131 titles, although specific details about these roles are not provided.
Klein's versatility as an actor has allowed him to work in various capacities, including stand-up comedy and music. He has released four stand-up comedy specials, including A Child of the 50s, Mind Over Matter, New Teeth, and Let's Not Make Love. The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
145 titles- Notice to Quit (2024)
- Before I Go (2021) as Jasper
- Will & Grace (2017) as Martin Adler
- The History of Comedy (2017) as Self
- Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg (2016)
- Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! (2015) as Mayor of New York
- Madam Secretary (2014) as Lester Clark
- The Mysteries of Laura (2014) as Leo Diamond
- Sharknado 2: The Second One (2014) as Mayor
- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012) as Self
- Inside Comedy (2012) as Self
- National Lampoon's Another Dirty Movie (2012) as CEO
- Putzel (2012) as Narrator (voice)
- Dirty Movie (2011) as The CEO
- Demoted (2011) as Bob Farrell
- The Back-Up Plan (2010) as Dr. Scott Harris
- Gravity (2010) as Father Anthony
- Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced (2010) as Robert Klein
- Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced (2010) Writer
- The Good Wife (2009) as Lyle
- The Good Wife (2009) as Lyle Pollard
- Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary (2009) as Self
- Life on Mars (2008) as Elliott Casso
- Definitely, Maybe (2008) as Robert Klein
- Monty Python Conquers America (2008) as Self
- Heartland (2007) as Dwayne Trent
- Reign Over Me (2007) as Jonathan Timpleman
- Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award (2007) as Self
- Ira & Abby (2006) as Seymour Black
- The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays (2006) as Mervyn Kant (segment "The Sisters Rosensweig")
- Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue (2005) as Self
- Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue (2005) Writer
- Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue (2005) Original Music Composer
- Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue (2005) Executive Producer
- The Stones (2004) as Stan Stone
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) as Phillip Warren
- Two Weeks Notice (2002) as Larry Kelson
- People I Know (2002) as Dr. Sandy Napier
- The Safety of Objects (2002) as Howard Gold
- I'm with Lucy (2002) as Dr. Mort Zalkind
- Comedian (2002) as Self
- Bob Patterson (2001) as Landau
- Piñero (2001) as Doctor
- Yes, Dear (2000) as Robert Klein
- From Where I Sit (2000) as Lenny
- Labor Pains (2000) as David Raymond
- Robert Klein: Child in His 50s (2000) as Himself
- Robert Klein: Child in His 50s (2000) Writer
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Dwight Stannich
- The Early Show (1999) as Self
- The Contract (1999) as Jackson
- Yesterday's Tomorrows (1999) as Self
- Funny Is Money (1999) as Self
- Goosed (1999) as Mel
- Suits (1999) as Tom Cranston
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- The King of Queens (1998) as Bruce Degner
- Primary Colors (1998) as Norman Asher
- Next Stop Wonderland (1998) as Arty Lesser
- Monty Python: Live at Aspen (1998) as Host
- Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time (1998) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- Oz (1997) as Self (uncredited)
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) as Self
- One Fine Day (1996) as Dr. Martin
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995) as Robert (voice)
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995) Additional Writing
- Jeffrey (1995) as Skip Winkley
- Robert Klein: It All Started Here (1995) as Himself
- Robert Klein: It All Started Here (1995) Writer
- Clarissa (1995) as Hugh Hamilton
- Duckman (1994) as Uncle Mo Dorkin (voice)
- Mixed Nuts (1994) as Mr. Lobel
- Radioland Murders (1994) as Father Writer
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self - Guest
- Frasier (1993) as Gary (voice)
- Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) as Self - Guest
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992)
- Mad About You (1992) as Stan Freitus
- Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys (1992) as Self
- Law & Order (1990) as Rick Mason
- Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) as Wyatt (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
- Night of 100 Stars III (1990) as Self
- Comic Relief '90 (1990) as Self
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (1990) as Narrator (voice)
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel (1990) Writer
- Dangerous Curves (1988) as Bam Bam
- An All-Star Toast to the Improv (1988) as Self
- Let's Go Mets (1986) as Self
- Robert Klein on Broadway (1986) as Himself
- Robert Klein on Broadway (1986) Writer
- The Twilight Zone (1985) as (segment "Wordplay")
- The Comedy Factory (1985) as Robert Morgan
- Poison Ivy (1985) as 'Big Irv' Klopper
- George Burns Comedy Week (1985)
- Night of 100 Stars II (1985) as Self
- The Best of John Belushi (1985) as Various Characters
- This Wife for Hire (1985) as Alan Harper
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Barney Drake
- Robert Klein: Child of the 50's, Man of the 80's (1984) as Himself
- Robert Klein: Child of the 50's, Man of the 80's (1984) Writer
- Summer Switch (1984) as Bill Andrews
- Pajama Tops (1983) as Lenny Jolie-Jolie
- Your Place... or Mine? (1983) as Nick
- Family Ties (1982) as Roger "Eggy" Erdman
- The Last Unicorn (1982) as The Butterfly (voice)
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Table Settings (1982)
- The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell (1982) as Self
- On Location: Robert Klein at Yale (1982) as Himself
- On Location: Robert Klein at Yale (1982) Writer
- Nobody's Perfekt (1981) as Walter
- All Commercials... A Steve Martin Special (1980) as Self
- The Bell Jar (1979) as Lenny
- Since '45 (1979) as Self - Performer
- Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip (1979) as Self
- They're Playing Our Song (1979) as Vernon Gersch
- Hooper (1978) as Roger Deal
- Puzzle (1978) Executive Producer
- The Gang (1977)
- Dick Clark's Good Old Days (1977)
- Robert Klein Revisited (1977) as Himself
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- The Gypsy (1975)
- An Evening with Robert Klein (1975) as Himself
- An Evening with Robert Klein (1975) Writer
- Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (1974)
- Rock Concert (1973) as Self
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self
- Rivals (1972) as Peter
- The Pursuit of Happiness (1971) as Melvin Lasher
- The Flip Wilson Show (1970) as Self
- The Owl and the Pussycat (1970) as Barney
- The Landlord (1970) as Peter
- Comedy Tonight (1970)
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self - Guest Host
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self - Co-Host
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert Klein best known for?
Robert Klein is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Will & Grace (2017), Madam Secretary (2014), The Mysteries of Laura (2014), Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee (2012).
When and where was Robert Klein born?
Robert Klein was born on February 8, 1942 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA.
How many credits does Robert Klein have?
Robert Klein has accumulated over 145 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1948 to 2024.
What is Robert Klein's background in cinema and television?
Robert Klein is an American actor born on February 8, 1942, in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. He is known for his appearances on stage and screen. Klein made his Broadway debut in the 1966 production of The Apple Tree opposite Alan Alda. He earned a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical nomination for his pe...
Robert Klein by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Heartland (2007) as Dwayne Trent — aged about 65
- Rock Concert (1973) as Self — aged about 31
- The Midnight Special (1972) as Self — aged about 30
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Dwight Stannich — aged about 57
- Oz (1997) as Self (uncredited) — aged about 55
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist (1995) as Robert (voice) — aged about 53
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