Jim Piddock

James Anthony Piddock (born 8 April 1956) is an English actor, writer, and producer who began his career on the stage in the United Kingdom, before emigrating to the U.S. in 1981.

Personal life
Piddock was born in Rochester, Kent, the son of Celia Mary (née O'Callaghan) and Charles Frederick Piddock.[1] After completing his tertiary studies at Worth School, a Roman Catholic Benedictine boarding school in the south of England, Piddock attended London University, gaining an Honours degree in English literature.[citation needed]

Piddock began his acting career on the stage in the UK, before emigrating to the U.S in his early twenties. He made his U.S theatrical debut in The Boy's Own Story in 1982. A large number of film and television credits followed, most notably Lethal Weapon 2, Independence Day, The Prestige, Austin Powers In Goldmember, The Five Year Engagement, Think Like A Man Too, and several Christopher Guest films, including Best in Show and A Mighty Wind.[2][3]

Stage career
Piddock made his theatrical debut in the U.S. in The Boy's Own Story, a one-man show about a football (soccer) goalkeeper, at the Julian Theatre in San Francisco. The show won Piddock the Bay Area Critics' Best Actor Award. The show was then produced Off-Broadway. That same year (1982), he was cast in Noël Coward's Present Laughter, and other Broadway and Off-Broadway shows followed, including the original US production of Noises Off, The Knack at the Roundabout Theatre, Make and Break, and Design For Living.[2][3] He won a Drama Desk award for his performance in "Noises Off".

"I spent the first few years of my career pretty much doing nothing but stage work. I started in rep companies in England then did a one-man show in the U.S which led very quickly to doing several Broadway shows. I got very lucky early on. They were fun shows to do. I was in the first ever production of 'Noises off' in America and my first ever job in New York was being directed by and appearing with George C. Scott", Piddock said.[4] In the '80s, Piddock moved to Los Angeles where he pursued work in Television.

In November 2007, he was seen onstage at the Ricardo Montalbán Theatre in Hollywood, starring in a production of What About Dick? alongside an all British expat cast, including Billy Connolly, Tim Curry, Eric Idle, Eddie Izzard, Jane Leeves, Emily Mortimer and Tracey Ullman.[5] When that play finally officially premiered in 2012, he was again in the cast.[6] He also appeared in 2009 at the Montalban Theatre and on Broadway in "An Evening Without Monty Python".[2][3]

Television career
Following a successful stint as a stage performer, Piddock started successfully carving out a career for himself as a TV actor, now spanning over three decades. "I’d always wanted to end up working in film and TV. I guess I could have stayed in New York and probably had a long and fruitful career in the theatre but in the mid-1980’s I felt like it was time to change gears and I’d certainly not been short-changed in terms of getting to perform live", Piddock said of his transition into television.[7]

He also appeared in several TV films and mini-series, including From The Earth to the Moon, A Mom for Christmas, She Creature on HBO, and The Women of Windsor.[2][3] He also created, wrote and produced the BBC series Too Much Sun.[2][3]

Film career
He appeared in the Christopher Guest comedies Best in Show (as the Dog Show commentator with Fred Willard), A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration, and Mascots, the last of which he co-wrote.[2][3]

Voice work
As a voice actor, Piddock provided the voice of Major Zero in the English version of the video game Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater as well as Agent One in Return to Castle Wolfenstein for Xbox and PlayStation 2. Regarding films he provided the voice of Bolero the Bull in the film Garfield 2, the fictional artistic director of Forever Young Films, Kenneth Loring, doing the commentary in the directors' cut of the Coen Brothers' Blood Simple, he also voiced the part of King Mufasa's hornbill majordomo, Zazu in the Disney games Timon & Pumbaa's Jungle Gamesand The Lion King: Simba's Mighty Adventure, in the DC Comics animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, he voiced the part of Batman's butler, Alfred Pennyworth, and also voiced Chic for the animated science fiction film Dead Space: Downfall, based on the video game Dead Space.[8][9]

Recent work
Piddock appeared in 2012's The Five-Year Engagement, which starred Jason Segel and Emily Blunt, playing Blunt's father, The Cold Light of Day starring Henry Cavill, Bruce Willis and Sigourney Weaver, and The Dictator with Sacha Baron Cohen.[2][3]

In August, 2012 it was announced[10] that Piddock would be co-writing, acting, and producing a new TV comedy series with Christopher Guest for HBO and the BBC titled Family Tree.[2][3] On 13 October 2016, Mascots, which he co-wrote with Guest, stars in, and produced, premiered on Netflix.

Filmography
2018 Modern Family (TV Series) Malcolm Fennerman

- The Escape (2018) ... Malcolm Fennerman

2017 Designated Survivor (TV Series) Dr. Rune

- Line of Fire (2017) ... Dr. Rune

2017 Get Shorty (TV Series) Julian Pynter

- A Man of Letters (2017) ... Julian Pynter

2017 The Tom and Jerry Show (TV Series) Alistair

- Downton Tabby/Growing Pains/Toodle Boom (2017) ... Alistair

2017 Training Day (TV Series) Abel Cribbs

- Sunset (2017) ... Abel Cribbs

2017 Elementary (TV Series) Tom Saunders

- Fidelity (2017) ... Tom Saunders (voice, uncredited)

2016 Blunt Talk (TV Series)

- Your Therapist and His Pussy Are Here (2016)

2016 Mascots Owen Golly, Sr.

2015 The Royals (TV Series) Truman

- Taint Not Thy Mind, Nor Let Thy Soul Contrive Against Thy Mother (2015) ... Truman

- Stand and Unfold Yourself (2015) ... Truman

2015 The Grinder (TV Series) Barrister Cromwell

- Buckingham Malice (2015) ... Barrister Cromwell

2015 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TV Series) Overmind / Warbot / Lord Simultaneous / ...

- The Outlaw Armaggon (2015) ... Overmind / Warbot (voice)

- Turtles in Time (2015) ... Lord Simultaneous / Sir John (voice)

2015 Kill Your Friends Derek Sommers

2015 Instant Mom (TV Series) Dr. Ian Houser

- Ghost Busted (2015) ... Dr. Ian Houser

2015 Marry Me (TV Series) Chuck

- Date Me (2015) ... Chuck

2015 1915 Jeffrey

2015 Man Seeking Woman (TV Series)

- Stain (2015)

2014 Mom (TV Series) Kenneth

- Forged Resumes and the Recommended Dosage (2014) ... Kenneth

2014 Franklin & Bash (TV Series) Dean Casseday

- Spirits in the Material World (2014) ... Dean Casseday

2014 Lucky Stiff Mr. Hobbs

2014 Think Like a Man Too Declan

2014 Turbo FAST (TV Series) Sir Reginald / Rich Man #2

- A Tale of Two Turbos/The Escargot Affair (2014) ... Sir Reginald / Rich Man #2 (voice)

2013 Work It (TV Series) Carl

- My So-Called Mid-Life Crisis (2013) ... Carl

2013 Skylanders: SWAP Force (Video Game) Willow Bark (voice)

2013 NTSF:SD:SUV (TV Series) Hobson Chipps

- Hawaii Die-0 (2013) ... Hobson Chipps

2013 Family Tree (TV Series) Mr. Pfister

- Indians (2013) ... Mr. Pfister

- Country Life (2013) ... Mr. Pfister

- The Austerity Games (2013) ... Mr. Pfister

- Treading the Boards (2013) ... Mr. Pfister

- The Box (2013) ... Mr. Pfister

2012 Lego the Lord of the Rings: The Video Game (Video Game) Additional Voices (voice)

2012 What About Dick? (Video) Sergeant Ken Russell

2012 Childrens Hospital (TV Series) Cyrus Mittleman

- British Hospital (2012) ... Cyrus Mittleman

2012 The Dictator (uncredited)

2012 Touch (TV Series) Dr. Knox

- Zone of Exclusion (2012) ... Dr. Knox

2012 The Five-Year Engagement George Barnes

2012 The Cold Light of Day Meckler

2011 Two and a Half Men (TV Series) Edward

- One False Move, Zimbabwe! (2011) ... Edward

2011 The Lord of the Rings: War in the North (Video Game) Bilbo / Elrond (voice)

2011 Up All Night (TV Series) Matthew Taylor

- New Car (2011) ... Matthew Taylor

2009-2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold (TV Series) Dr. Sivana / Shazam the Wizard / Thaddeus Sivana Jr. / ...

- The Malicious Mr. Mind! (2011) ... Dr. Sivana (voice)

- The Power of Shazam! (2010) ... Dr. Sivana / Shazam the Wizard / Thaddeus Sivana Jr. (voice)

- Legends of the Dark Mite! (2009) ... Calendar Man / Calendar King (voice)

- Trials of the Demon! (2009) ... Dr. Watson (voice)

2010 Castle (TV Series) Lord Henry

- Punked (2010) ... Lord Henry

2010 Law & Order: LA (TV Series) Jay Bickson

- Hollywood (2010) ... Jay Bickson

2010 The Lord of the Rings: Aragorn's Quest (Video Game) Elrond / Bilbo Baggins (voice)

2010 Batman: Under the Red Hood (Video) Alfred Pennyworth (voice)

2010 Party Down (TV Series) Leland Corke

- Not on Your Wife Opening Night (2010) ... Leland Corke

2010 Get Him to the Greek Limousine Driver in London

2010 You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger Peter Wicklow

2010 Ben 10: Ultimate Alien (TV Series) King Urien / Color Commentator / Chair Umpire

- Duped (2010) ... King Urien / Color Commentator / Chair Umpire (voice)

2010 Chuck (TV Series) Curator of Classical Art

- Chuck Versus the Mask (2010) ... Curator of Classical Art

2009 Endless Bummer Mr. Newell

2009 Falling Up Phillip Dowling

2009 Dollhouse (TV Series) Biz

- Stage Fright (2009) ... Biz

2008 Dead Space: Downfall (Video) Chic (voice)

2008 The Middleman (TV Series) Arthur Mendelson

- The Cursed Tuba Contingency (2008) ... Arthur Mendelson

2008 Meet the Spartans Loyalist / Simon Cowell Look-a-Like

2007 Without a Trace (TV Series) Dr. McNeil

- Claus and Effect (2007) ... Dr. McNeil

2007 The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising Old George

2007 Who's Your Caddy? Harrington

2007 Epic Movie Magneto

2006 Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (Video Game) Major Zero (English version, voice)

2006 The Prestige Prosecutor

2006 For Your Consideration Simon Whitset

2006 Monk (TV Series) Jake Colbert

- Mr. Monk Can't See a Thing (2006) ... Jake Colbert

2006 Garfield 2 Bolero (voice)

2006 That '70s Show (TV Series) TV Announcer

- Crazy Little Thing Called Love (2006) ... TV Announcer (voice, uncredited)

2005 Metal Gear Solid 3: Subsistence (Video Game) Major Zero (English version, voice)

2005 Death to the Supermodels (Video) Self-help Ryan (voice)

2005 Love for Rent Frank Bauman

2005 Lost (TV Series) Francis Heatherton

- Homecoming (2005) ... Francis Heatherton

2004 Harry Green and Eugene (TV Series) Tom (2004)

2004 Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (Video Game) Major Zero (English version, voice)

2004 The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch (TV Movie) Troy Nixon

2004 The Bard's Tale (Video Game) (voice)

2004 A Different Loyalty George Quennell

2004 See This Movie Martin Hughes

2003 A Mighty Wind Leonard Crabbe

2003 Crossing Jordan (TV Series) Norman Gibson

- Family Ties (2003) ... Norman Gibson

2002/I The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (Video Game) Elrond / Bilbo Baggins / Hamfast 'Gaffer' Gamgee (voice)

2002 ER (TV Series) Dr. Earl Whitehead

- Chaos Theory (2002) ... Dr. Earl Whitehead

2002 Austin Powers in Goldmember Headmaster

2002 The Drew Carey Show (TV Series) Lord Mercer

- The Underpants Guy (2002) ... Lord Mercer

- Daddy Dearest (2002) ... Lord Mercer

- Bringing Up Boss (2002) ... Lord Mercer

- The Enabler (2002) ... Lord Mercer

2002 Maybe It's Me (TV Series) Judge Parks

- The Quahog Festival Episode (2002) ... Judge Parks

2001 Return to Castle Wolfenstein (Video Game) Agent One (voice, uncredited)

2001 Citizen Baines (TV Series) Larry

- The Appraisal (2001) ... Larry

2001 Mermaid Chronicles Part 1: She Creature (TV Movie) Captain Dunn

2001 Friends (TV Series) Dennis Phillips

- The One After I Do (2001) ... Dennis Phillips

2001 Yes, Dear (TV Series) Vet

- Worst in Show (2001) ... Vet

2001 Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot (TV Series)

- Sickout (2001)

- Patriot Games (2001)

2000 C-12: Final Resistance (Video Game) Col. Grisham (voice)

2000 Angel (TV Series) The Valet

- The Trial (2000) ... The Valet

2000 The Geena Davis Show (TV Series) Mr. Levenstein

- Piece of Cake (2000) ... Mr. Levenstein

2000 Best in Show Trevor Beckwith

1999 Tracey Takes On... (TV Series) Vicar

- Hair (1999) ... Vicar

1998 The New Batman Adventures (TV Series) Martin / Robber #1

- Cult of the Cat (1998) ... Martin / Robber #1 (voice)

1998 From the Earth to the Moon (TV Mini-Series) John Hodge

- Can We Do This? (1998) ... John Hodge

1997-1998 Team Knight Rider (TV Series) Max Amendas

- Legion of Doom (1998) ... Max Amendas

- Sky One (1997) ... Max Amendas

1997 Extreme Ghostbusters (TV Series)

- The Sphinx (1997) ... (voice)

1997 An Alan Smithee Film: Burn Hollywood Burn Attendant #1

1996 Multiplicity Maitre d'

1996 Independence Day Reginald

1994-1996 Mad About You (TV Series) Hal Conway / Logic Professor

- The Sample (1996) ... Hal Conway

- Up in Smoke (1995) ... Hal Conway

- My Boyfriend's Back! (1995) ... Hal Conway

- Mad Without You (1995) ... Hal Conway

- Pandora's Box (1994) ... Hal Conway

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1995 The Lion King: Timon and Pumbaa's Jungle Games (Video Game) Zazu (voice)

1993 Murder, She Wrote (TV Series) Malcolm Brooker

- Murder in White (1993) ... Malcolm Brooker

1992 The Women of Windsor (TV Movie) HRH Prince Charles, Prince of Wales

1992 Traces of Red Mr. Martyn

1990-1991 Coach (TV Series) Attendant / Alan

- Puppy Love (1991) ... Attendant (as James Piddock)

- Kelly Girl (1990) ... Alan (as James Piddock)

1990 A Mom for Christmas (TV Movie) Wilkins

1989 Tour of Duty (TV Series) Maj. Shadlow

- Lonely at the Top (1989) ... Maj. Shadlow (as James Piddock)

1989 Lethal Weapon 2 Consulate Envoy

1988 CBS Summer Playhouse (TV Series) Hank

- Old Money (1988) ... Hank

1988 Max Headroom (TV Series) Mr. Kelly

- Neurostim (1988) ... Mr. Kelly

1987 The Tracey Ullman Show (TV Series) Derrick

- Episode #2.5 (1987)

- Episode #2.2 (1987) ... Derrick

1986 Fame (TV Series) The Record Producer

- Fame and Fortune (1986) ... The Record Producer

1986 The Twilight Zone (TV Series) Brian (segment "Devil's Alphabet")

- Take My Life... Please!/Devil's Alphabet/The Library (1986) ... Brian (segment "Devil's Alphabet")

1985 Royal Match (TV Movie) Royal Interpreter

1985 Wildside (TV Series) Bank Robber

- The Crimea of the Century (1985) ... Bank Robber