Robert Klein
Born: 1942-02-08 in The Bronx, New York City, New York, USA
Known For: Acting
Biography
Robert Klein (born February 8, 1942) is an American stand-up comedian, singer, and actor. He is known for his appearances on stage and screen. He has released four standup comedy specials including, A Child of the 50s (1973), Mind Over Matter (1974), New Teeth (1975), and Let's Not Make Love (1990). The first two albums received Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album nominations. Klein hosted Saturday Night Live in its first season in 1975 and again in 1978. 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 (1979). He is known for his film roles in The Owl and the Pussycat (1970), Mixed Nuts (1994), One Fine Day (1996), Primary Colors (1998), Two Weeks Notice (2002), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and Reign Over Me (2007). He is also known for his recurring television roles in Law & Order: SVU (2009-2012), The Good Wife (2013-2014), Madam Secretary (2014), Will & Grace (2018-2019). He has received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his specials, Child in his 50's (2001), and Unfair and Unbalanced (2010). He was profiled in the Starz documentary Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg (2016).
Filmography
2024
2021
- Before I Go as Jasper
2017
- Will & Grace as Martin Adler
- The History of Comedy as Self
2015
- Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! as Mayor of New York
2014
- Madam Secretary as Lester Clark
- The Mysteries of Laura as Leo Diamond
- Sharknado 2: The Second One as Mayor
2012
- Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee as Self
- Inside Comedy as Self
- National Lampoon's Another Dirty Movie as CEO
- Putzel as Narrator (voice)
2011
- Dirty Movie as The CEO
- Demoted as Bob Farrell
2010
- Gravity as Father Anthony
- The Back-Up Plan as Dr. Scott Harris
- Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced as Robert Klein
2009
- The Good Wife as Lyle
- Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary as Self
2008
- Life on Mars as Elliott Casso
- Definitely, Maybe as Robert Klein
- Monty Python Conquers America as Self
2007
- Heartland as Dwayne Trent
- Reign Over Me as Jonathan Timpleman
- Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award as Self
2006
- The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays as Mervyn Kant (segment "The Sisters Rosensweig")
- Ira & Abby as Seymour Black
2005
2004
- The Stones as Stan Stone
2003
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! as Self
- How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days as Phillip Warren
2002
- Two Weeks Notice as Larry Kelson
- The Safety of Objects as Howard Gold
- People I Know as Dr. Sandy Napier
- Comedian as Self
- I'm with Lucy as Dr. Mort Zalkind
2001
- Bob Patterson as Landau
- Piñero as Doctor
2000
- Yes, Dear as Robert Klein
- From Where I Sit as Lenny
- Labor Pains as David Raymond
- Robert Klein: Child in His 50s as Himself
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Dwight Stannich
- The Early Show as Self
- Goosed as Mel
- Suits as Tom Cranston
- Yesterday's Tomorrows as Self
- Funny Is Money as Self
- The Contract as Jackson
1998
- The King of Queens as Bruce Degner
- Hollywood Squares as Self - Panelist
- Primary Colors as Norman Asher
- Next Stop Wonderland as Arty Lesser
- Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time as Self
- Monty Python: Live at Aspen as Host
1996
- The Rosie O'Donnell Show as Self
- One Fine Day as Dr. Martin
1995
- Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist as Robert (voice)
- Jeffrey as Skip Winkley
- Clarissa as Hugh Hamilton
- Robert Klein: It All Started Here as Himself
1994
- Duckman as Uncle Mo Dorkin (voice)
- Mixed Nuts as Mr. Lobel
- Radioland Murders as Father Writer
1993
- Frasier as Gary (voice)
1992
- Mad About You as Stan Freitus
- The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
- Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys as Self
1990
- Law & Order as Rick Mason
- Tales from the Darkside: The Movie as Wyatt (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
- Night of 100 Stars III as Self
- Comic Relief '90 as Self
- Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel as Narrator (voice)
1988
- Dangerous Curves as Bam Bam
- An All-Star Toast to the Improv as Self
1986
- Robert Klein on Broadway as Himself
- Let's Go Mets as Self
1985
- The Twilight Zone as (segment "Wordplay")
- The Comedy Factory as Robert Morgan
- George Burns Comedy Week
- Poison Ivy as 'Big Irv' Klopper
- Night of 100 Stars II as Self
- The Best of John Belushi as Various Characters
- This Wife for Hire as Alan Harper
1984
- Murder, She Wrote as Barney Drake
- Summer Switch as Bill Andrews
- Robert Klein: Child of the 50's, Man of the 80's as Himself
1983
- Pajama Tops as Lenny Jolie-Jolie
- Your Place... or Mine? as Nick
1982
- Family Ties as Roger "Eggy" Erdman
- The Last Unicorn as The Butterfly (voice)
- Night of 100 Stars as Self
- The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell as Self
- On Location: Robert Klein at Yale as Himself
1981
- Nobody's Perfekt as Walter
1980
1979
- Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip as Self
- The Bell Jar as Lenny
- Since '45 as Self - Performer
1977
1975
- Saturday Night Live as Self - Host
- The Gypsy
- An Evening with Robert Klein as Himself
1973
- Rock Concert as Self
1972
- The Midnight Special as Self
- Rivals as Peter
1971
- The Pursuit of Happiness as Melvin Lasher
1970
- The Flip Wilson Show as Self
- The Owl and the Pussycat as Barney
- The Landlord as Peter
- Comedy Tonight
1968
- The Dick Cavett Show as Self - Guest
1962
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson as Self
- The Merv Griffin Show as Self
1961
- The Mike Douglas Show as Self - Co-Host
1956
- Tony Awards as Self - Performer
1950
- The Bob Hope Show as Self
1948
- The Ed Sullivan Show as Self