Jeffrey Michael Tambor (born July 8, 1944) is an American actor and voice actor, widely known for his roles as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show; George Bluth Sr. and Oscar Bluth on Arrested Development and Maura Pfefferman on Transparent for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy in 2015.
Early life
Tambor was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Eileen (née Salzberg), a housewife, and Michael Bernard "Mike" Tambor, a flooring contractor. He grew up in a Conservative Jewish family with roots in Hungary and Kyiv, Ukraine.[1][2][3] Tambor is a graduate of San Francisco State University, where he studied acting and then went on to receive a master's degree from Wayne State University.
Career
Early career
Tambor first moved to repertory theater in Milwaukee, later making his Broadway debut in the comedy Sly Fox (1976), appearing with George C. Scott and directed by Arthur Penn. He appeared in Measure for Measure in the same year. In 1979 he starred in Norman Jewison's ...And Justice For All, as a lawyer friend of the protagonist, Arthur Kirkland (Al Pacino). In an early TV job, an ad for Avis rent-a-car, he was seen running (huffing and puffing) through an airport, mocking O. J. Simpson's "Go, O. J., go!" ads for Hertz. He has had a significant career in episodic TV, where he made numerous guest appearances on different shows, including Taxi, Kojak, M*A*S*H, The Golden Girls, and Three's Company. In 1979 Tambor got his first role as a main character in television in the short-lived show The Ropers. Throughout the 1980s Tambor had a recurring role on Hill Street Blues playing a defense attorney who eventually becomes a judge. In 1981 he appeared in an episode of Barney Miller, where he appeared as a man who was trying to bring exposure to the members of the Trilateral Commission in charge of the coming New World Order. The names David Rockefeller, James Earl Carter, Henry Kissinger, Walter Mondale, John Anderson, George H. W. Bush are mentioned in relation to the United States presidential election, 1980.[4] In 1987 and 1988, Tambor appeared as a regular on the prime time ABC series Max Headroom as Murray, Edison's editor.
The Larry Sanders Show
Tambor is often remembered as Hank Kingsley, the narcissistic sidekick of fictional talk show host Larry Sanders on The Larry Sanders Show. Tambor received four Emmy nominations for his performance on the show—all of which he would lose, to Michael Richards for Seinfeld, David Hyde Pierce for Frasier, and his co-star, Rip Torn. He is also often remembered for Kingsley's then-famous catch phrase "Hey Now!"
Arrested Development
Beginning in 2003, Tambor starred in the television comedy Arrested Development as George Bluth, Sr. and in some episodes as his twin brother Oscar Bluth. The show was cancelled in 2006, after three seasons, but a fourth season was released on Netflix in 2013.
In 2004, Tambor received his fifth Emmy nomination for his work on the show. He lost to David Hyde Pierce for the final season of the sitcom Frasier. Tambor was nominated for a sixth time in 2005 but lost to Brad Garrett for the final season of Everybody Loves Raymond. The second episode of Arrested Development's third season lampooned this loss: Tambor's character's son describes his acting ability by saying, "It's a wonderful performance, Dad. You're a regular Brad Garrett."
Later work
Tambor served as the announcer (and occasional square) for the game show Hollywood Squares in 2002 and 2003. He was also the voice of King Neptune in 2004's The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie. In the spring of 2005, he starred as George Aaronow in the Broadway revival of Glengarry Glen Ross.
After the cancellation of Arrested Development in April 2006, Tambor signed on to a series with John Lithgow called Twenty Good Years about two men who ponder the last 20 years of their life. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 2006, but was taken off the air after only a few episodes. Also in 2006, he portrayed George Washington on The Radio Adventures of Dr. Floyd. He also starred as "Uncle" Saul in the CBS comedy Welcome to The Captain until its cancellation in March 2008. He has made several cameo appearances in Entourage as a fictionalized version of himself who regularly annoys his agent, Ari Gold.
For several years, based on his availability, Tambor has also taught a popular class for actors. He was formerly a longtime teaching associate of famed acting coach Milton Katselas.
In 2009, Tambor appeared in the animated film Monsters vs. Aliens and in the comedy The Hangover.
A role Tambor began in 2009 is that of the recurring character Len Trexler in the sardonic comedy Archer, an animated television series on the FX network. He is a major love interest to Malory Archer played by Jessica Walter – the two formerly playing husband and wife in Arrested Development.
Tambor replaced Kelsey Grammer as Georges in the Broadway revival of the musical La Cage aux Folles on February 15, 2011, but withdrew from the production after the Feb. 24 performance. Also in 2011, Tambor starred in an indie comedy, Lucky.[5] That same year, he had a minor role in the film Paul with Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, reprised his Hangover role for its sequel, and was featured in Flypaper, with Patrick Dempsey and Ashley Judd.
In 2012, he co-starred as Walt, Pete's aspiring musician father on the sitcom Bent starring Amanda Peet and David Walton.
In May 2013 he returned to season 4 of Arrested Development.
Transparent
In February 2014, Amazon premiered its original series Transparent, which stars Tambor as a transgender, divorced, Jewish father-turned-mother of three.[6] Tambor won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy for his portrayal and thanked the transgender community in the midst of his speech.[7] He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance in season 1 of the show, his first win in 7 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, following nominations for The Larry Sanders Show and Arrested Development. This makes him the first actor to win an Emmy for portraying a transgender character.[8]
For the show's second season, Tambor, once again, received rave reviews, and his performance earned him a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy, as well as wins for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series, and the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series.
Personal life
Tambor has five children. His oldest child, Molly Tambor, was born on July 5, 1975. He has four children with Kasia Ostlun, whom he married in October 2001.
Tambor's second child and first grandchild were born within a few days of each other in December 2004. His wife Kasia gave birth to son Gabriel Kasper on December 10, 2004, and his daughter Molly Tambor gave birth to son Mason Jay Moore on December 14, 2004. On December 10, 2006, his wife gave birth to their second child, daughter Eve Julia ("Evie").
In 2007, Tambor was reported to be a Scientologist.[9] However, in February 2008, Tambor expressed concern about "Internet reports" about his alleged involvement with the cult and stated that he "took some Scientology classes at one time, studied Scientology for a while, but no more. I have nothing against it, but I am no longer a Scientologist."[10]
On The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson on June 3, 2009, Tambor announced his wife was pregnant with twin boys due in October 2009. The boys, Hugo Bernard and Eli Nicholas, were born on October 4, 2009.[11]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | The Summertime Killer | Sully Tambor | |
| 1979 | ...And Justice for All | Jay Porter | |
| 1981 | Saturday the 14th | Waldemar | |
| 1982 | The Dream Chasers | Jeffrey Bauman | |
| 1983 | Mr. Mom | Jinx Latham | |
| 1983 | The Man Who Wasn't There | Boris Potemkin | |
| 1984 | No Small Affair | Ken | |
| 1985 | Desert Hearts | Jerry | Uncredited |
| 1987 | Three O'Clock High | Mr. Rice | |
| 1989 | Brenda Starr | Vladimir | |
| 1990 | Lisa | Mr. Marks | |
| 1990 | Pastime | Peter LaPorte | |
| 1991 | City Slickers | Lou | |
| 1991 | Life Stinks | Vance Crasswell | |
| 1992 | Article 99 | Dr. Leo Krutz | |
| 1992 | Crossing the Bridge | Uncle Alby | |
| 1993 | Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun | Dr. Stockton | |
| 1993 | A House in the Hills | Willie | |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Walt Whalen Jr. | |
| 1995 | Heavyweights | Maury Garner | |
| 1996 | Big Bully | Art Lundstrom | |
| 1998 | Dr. Dolittle | Dr. Fish | |
| 1998 | There's Something About Mary | Sully | |
| 1998 | Meet Joe Black | Quince | |
| 1999 | Muppets from Space | K. Edgar Singer | |
| 1999 | Teaching Mrs. Tingle | Coach "Spanky" Wenchell | |
| 1999 | My Teacher's Wife | Jack Boomer | |
| 1999 | Girl, Interrupted | Dr. Melvin Potts | |
| 2000 | Pollock | Clement Greenberg | |
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Mayor Augustus Maywho | |
| 2001 | Never Again | Christopher | |
| 2001 | Get Well Soon | Mitchell | |
| 2003 | Malibu's Most Wanted | Dr. Feldman | |
| 2003 | Scorched | Employer | |
| 2003 | My Boss's Daughter | Ken | |
| 2004 | EuroTrip | Mr Thomas | Uncredited |
| 2004 | Hellboy | Tom Manning | |
| 2004 | Funky Monkey | Crane | |
| 2004 | SpongeBob SquarePants Movie, TheThe SpongeBob SquarePants Movie | King Neptune (voice) | |
| 2007 | Super Sleuth Christmas Movie | Santa Claus (voice) | |
| 2007 | Slipstream | Geek/Jeffrey/Dr. Geekman | |
| 2008 | Superhero Movie | Dr. Whitby | |
| 2008 | Hellboy II: The Golden Army | Tom Manning | |
| 2009 | Invention of Lying, TheThe Invention of Lying | Anthony James | |
| 2009 | Hangover, TheThe Hangover | Sid Garner | |
| 2009 | Monsters vs. Aliens | Carl Murphy (voice) | |
| 2010 | Tangled | Big-nosed thug (voice) | |
| 2010 | Meeting Spencer | Harris Chapell | |
| 2010 | Operation: Endgame | Devil | |
| 2010 | Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo | Mr. Calvin Curdles (voice) | |
| 2011 | Paul | Adam Shadowchild | |
| 2011 | Hangover Part II, TheThe Hangover Part II | Sid Garner | |
| 2011 | Lucky | Detective Waylon | |
| 2011 | Win Win | Stephen Vigman | |
| 2011 | Flypaper | Gordon Blythe | |
| 2011 | Mr Popper's Penguins | Mr. Gremmins | |
| 2012 | For the Love of Money | Mr. Solomon | |
| 2012 | Branded | Bob Gibbons | |
| 2013 | The Hangover Part III | Sid Garner | |
| 2014 | The Clockwork Girl | Wilhelm the Tinkerer (voice) | |
| 2014 | A Merry Friggin' Christmas | Snow Globe Snowman (voice) | |
| 2015 | The D Train | Bill Shurmur | |
| 2016 | The Accountant | Lorenzo | Post-production |
| 2016 | Trolls | (voice) | Post-production |
| 2018 | Gigantic | Giant (voice) |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Kojak | Medical examiner | Episode: "Lady in the Squadroom" |
| 1978 | Starsky and Hutch | Randy | Episode: "Cover Girl" |
| 1979 | Taxi | Congressman Walter Griswald | Episode: "Elaine and the Lame Duck" |
| 1979–1980 | Ropers, TheThe Ropers | Jeffrey P. Brookes III | 28 episodes |
| 1980 | Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story | Dankworth | Television film |
| 1981–1983 | The Love Boat | Mr. Rogers / Lawrence Jurgens | 2 episodes |
| 1981 | Barney Miller | William Klein | Episode: "Field Associate"[12] |
| 1981 | A Gun in the House | Lance Kessler | Television film |
| 1981 | The Star Maker | Harry Lanson | Television film |
| 1981–1982 | Three's Company | Winston Cromwell III / Dr. Tom Miller / Dr. Phillip Greene | 3 episodes |
| 1981–1987 | Hill Street Blues | Judge Alan Wachtel | 22 episodes |
| 1982 | Take Your Best Shot | Alden Pepper | Television film |
| 1982 | Nine to Five | Franklin Hart | 5 episodes |
| 1982 | M*A*S*H | Major Reddish | Episode: "Foreign Affairs" |
| 1983 | Gloria | Dr. Webber | Episode: "Gloria on the Couch" |
| 1983 | Oh Madeline | Wesley | Episode: "Madeline Acts Forward at the Retreat" |
| 1983 | Cocaine: One Man's Seduction | Mort Broome | Television film |
| 1983 | Sadat | Sharaff | Television film |
| 1983 | The Awakening of Candra | Professor Michael Silver | Television film |
| 1984 | The Three Wishes of Billy Grier | Dr. Lindsay | Television film |
| 1985 | Robert Kennedy & His Times | Pierre Salinger | Episode 1.1 |
| 1985–1986 | The Twilight Zone | Klye Montgomery / Milton | Episodes: "Dead Woman's Shoes", "The World Next Door" |
| 1986 | Mr. Sunshine | Paul Stark | 11 episodes |
| 1986–1987 | Jonny Quest | Hard Rock (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 1987 | Max Headroom | Murray | 14 episodes |
| 1988 | Murder, She Wrote | Russell Armstrong | Episode: "Harbinger of Death" |
| 1988 | L.A. Law | Gordon Salt | 3 episodes |
| 1989 | The Golden Girls | Dr. Stevens | Episode: "Sick and Tired: Part 1" |
| 1989 | Doogie Howser, M.D. | Hospital board member | Episode: "Every Dog Has His Doogie" |
| 1990 | Who's the Boss? | Fred / Ed Hartwall | Episode: "Tony Kills" |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Harry Beeker | Episode: "The Art of the Possible" |
| 1990 | Tales from the Crypt | Charlie Marno | Episode: "Dead Right" |
| 1990 | Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures | Additional voices | Episode: "One Sweet and Sour Chinese Adventure to Go" |
| 1990 | American Dreamer | Joe Baines | 17 episodes |
| 1990 | A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder | Don Hecker | Television film |
| 1991 | Empty Nest | Dr. Binder | Episode: "The Dreyfuss Affair" |
| 1992 | The Burden of Proof | Sennett | Television film |
| 1992 | Batman: The Animated Series | Crocker / SWAT leader (voices) | Episode: "Appointment in Crime Alley" |
| 1992–1998 | Larry Sanders Show, TheThe Larry Sanders Show | Hank Kingsley | 89 episodes Nominated—CableACE Award for Actor in a Comedy Series (1994–1997) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (1993, 1996–1998) |
| 1992 | 1775 | Colonial Govornor | Television pilot |
| 1993 | Dinosaurs | Hank Hiber (voice) | Episode: "Charlene and Her Amazing Humans" |
| 1993 | At Home with the Webbers | Gerald Webber | Television film |
| 1993 | Jonny's Golden Quest | Dr. Zin (voice) | Television special |
| 1994 | Another Midnight Run | Bernie Abbot | Television film |
| 1995 | Jonny Quest Versus the Cyber Insects | Dr. Zin (voice) | Television special |
| 1995 | Pinky and the Brain | Beetle Fiero (voice) | Episode: "Of Mouse and Man" |
| 1996 | The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest | Black Jack Lee (voice) | Episode: "The Darkest Fathoms" |
| 1996 | The Man Who Captured Eichmann | Isser Harel | Television film |
| 1997 | Weapons of Mass Distraction | Alan Blanchard | Television film |
| 1997 | Duckman | Psychiatrist (voice) | Episode: "Hamlet 2: This Time It's Personal" |
| 1997 | Johnny Bravo | Felinius / TV voices #1 (voices) | Episode: "Hip Hop Flop/Talk to Me, Baby/Blanky Hanky Panky" |
| 1997 | Aaahh!!! Real Monsters | Jerry (voice) | Episode: "Laugh, Krumm, Laugh/Rookie Monsters" |
| 1998 | Hercules | King Salmoneus (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the King of Thessaly" |
| 1998 | The Lionhearts | Hank (voice) | 2 episodes Nominated—Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program (1999) |
| 1999 | Tracey Takes On... | Mobster | Episode: "America" |
| 1999 | Everything's Relative | Jake Gorelick | 4 episodes |
| 2001 | The Practice | Sid Herman | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | 3 South | Dean Earhart (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Proud Family | Randolph Verascola (voice) | Episode: "Romeo Must Wed" |
| 2002 | That Was Then | Gary 'Double G' Glass | 3 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | Ozzy & Drix | Mole (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | Eloise at the Plaza | Mr. Salomone | Television film |
| 2003 | Eloise at Christmastime | Mr. Salomone | Television film |
| 2003–2006 2013 |
Arrested Development | George Bluth, Sr. / Oscar Bluth | 66 episodes Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series – Drama and Musical/Comedy (2004) Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2004–2005) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2005–2006, 2014) Nominated—TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2004) |
| 2005 | The Muppets' Wizard of Oz | Wizard of Oz | Television film |
| 2006 | Twenty Good Years | Jeffrey | 13 episodes |
| 2007 | Law & Order | Judge Barry Dilwynn | Episode: "The Family Hour" |
| 2007–present | WordGirl | Mr. Big / Mr. Birg / Various voices | 32 episodes |
| 2008 | Welcome to The Captain | Saul Fish (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2008 | Good Behavior | Hy | Pilot |
| 2008 | The New Adventures of Old Christine | Neil | Episode: "Snakes on a Date" |
| 2008–2009 | Entourage | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2008 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Jerzy Skaggs | Episode: " Art Imitates Life" |
| 2009 | Medium | Todd Emory / Allison Dubois | Episode: "The Main in the Mirror" |
| 2009 | Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Crazy Quilt (voice) | Episode: "The Color of Revenge!" |
| 2009 | Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space | Carl Murphy (voice) | Television special |
| 2009 | Rex Is Not Your Lawyer | Dr. Barry Cohen | Pilot |
| 2010–2011 | Archer | Torvald Utne / Len Trexler (voices) | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated | Gill Littlefoot (voice) | Episode: "The Grasp of the Gnome" |
| 2011 | Running Wilde | Mr. Wilde | Episode: "Basket Cases" |
| 2011 | Love Bites | Dr. O | Episode: "How To..." |
| 2011 | China, IL | Professor Cakes (voice) | 11 episodes |
| 2011 | The Trivial Pursuits of Arthur Banks | The Therapist | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | Five | Danny Dinlear | Television film |
| 2012 | Bent | Walt | 6 episodes |
| 2012 | The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange | Mr. Orange / Blueberry (voices) | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | Next Caller | Jefferson Mingus | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | Bob's Burgers | Captain Flarty (voice) | Episode: "Mutiny on the Windbreaker" |
| 2013–2014 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Ben Cohen | 4 episodes |
| 2013 | Psych | Lloyd French | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | Phil Spector | Bruce Cutler | Television film |
| 2013 | Onion News Empire | David Bryant | Pilot |
| 2013 | Sofia the First | Nigel (voice) | Episode: "Baileywick's Day Off" |
| 2013 | Bubble Guppies | The Night Wizard (voice) | Episode: "The Puppy and the Ring" |
| 2013–2014 | The Good Wife | Judge George Kluger | 4 episodes |
| 2013–2014 | Raising Hope | Arnold | 2 episodes |
| 2014–present | Transparent | Maura Pfefferman | 20 episodes Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (2015) Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (2016) Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2015) Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2015, 2016) Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (2015, 2016) Dorian Award for Best TV Performance of the Year — Actor (2015, 2016) Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Musical or Comedy (2016) Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2016) Nominated—TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2015) |
| 2014 | The Millers | Ed Dolan | 2 episodes |
| 2014 | Jennifer Falls | Don Hirsh | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2015 | Star vs. the Forces of Evil | Glossaryck (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | W/ Bob and David | Audiobook Narrator (voice) | Episode: "Episode Four" |
| 2016 | Cassius and Clay | (voice) | Pilot |
References
- ↑ Schleier, Curt (May 21, 2004). A ‘bagelly Jew’, Jewish News Weekly of Northern California.
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Pfefferman, Naomi (March 28, 2013) The real Jeffrey Tambor. Jewish Journal
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Beck, Marilyn and Jenel, Stacy (February 4, 2008). The Hollywood Exclusive, LA.com.
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
- ↑ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Utilities at line 60: bad argument #1 to 'ipairs' (table expected, got nil).
External links
- Jeffrey Tambor at the Internet Movie Database
- Template:Emmytvlegends name
| Preceded by Shadoe Stevens |
Hollywood Squares announcer 2002–2003 |
Succeeded by John Moschitta |