By Ben Falk
You’ve seen Bob Balaban, most people have. He has one of those faces that makes an impression. You may not know why it’s so familiar or why it’s a pleasant surprise, but you know it.
Balaban is everywhere. He portrays the characters that hold films together. Not background players, but those supporting parts that bring audiences into a film. These actors become their characters and transport the audience into a story. They are not stars, as they do not draw attention away from everything else. They are craftsmen, creating characters that serve the story and in turn, become a part of it. This is why you know Bob Balaban but cannot really place him. It’s a compliment. His type of acting marks the difference between a high school production and a run at the Old Vic. In high school it’s, “There’s Johnny playing a pirate;” with Balaban it’s, “there’s a pirate.”
While “pirate” may not have been a part played in one of Balaban’s many film or TV appearances, it very well could have been. In a 40-plus year career Balaban has performed in Midnight Cowboy; Catch-22; the TV-series Love, American Style; The Mod Squad (the boss 70’s version); Close Encounters of the Third Kind; Prince of the City; Absence of Malice; Miami Vice; Bob Roberts; Seinfeld; City Slickers II; The Late Shift; Waiting for Guffman; Deconstructing Harry; The West Wing; Gosford Park; A Mighty Wind; Capote; For Your Consideration; Entourage; Recount; Howl; and many, many more. Oh, and he’s also found time to direct: the HBO movie Bernard and Doris; produce: the Oscar-nominated Gosford Park; and write six children’s books about a bionic dog – who may or may not be the seal-team six dog sent in to kill Osama Bin Laden – named McGrowl.
It’s a varied, accomplished career. Filled with nominations, awards won, and even a few failures. But in the end it is clear: Balaban creates the characters we remember, if not the name of the person who played them.
Tags: Absence of Malice, Bob Balaban
Someone I work with visits your site quite often and recommended it to me to read as well. The writing style is excellent and the content is interesting. Thanks for the insight you provide the readers!