Robert Klein

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).

Known For

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Good Wife

The Good Wife

Saturday Night Live

Late Show with David Letterman

All Movies (82)

• Notice to Quit2024
• Before I Go2021 · as Jasper
• Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg2016
• Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!2015 · as Mayor of New York
• Sharknado 2: The Second One2014 · as Mayor
• Putzel2012 · as Narrator (voice)
• National Lampoon's Another Dirty Movie2012 · as CEO
• Demoted2011 · as Bob Farrell
• Dirty Movie2011 · as The CEO
• Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced2010 · as Robert Klein
• The Back-Up Plan2010 · as Dr. Scott Harris
• Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary2009 · as Self
• Definitely, Maybe2008 · as Robert Klein
• Monty Python Conquers America2008 · as Self
• Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award2007 · as Self
• Reign Over Me2007 · as Jonathan Timpleman
• Ira & Abby2006 · as Seymour Black
• The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays2006 · as Mervyn Kant (segment "The Sisters Rosensweig")
• Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue2005 · as Self
• How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days2003 · as Phillip Warren
• Two Weeks Notice2002 · as Larry Kelson
• People I Know2002 · as Dr. Sandy Napier
• The Safety of Objects2002 · as Howard Gold
• Comedian2002 · as Self
• I'm with Lucy2002 · as Dr. Mort Zalkind
• Piñero2001 · as Doctor
• Robert Klein: Child in His 50s2000 · as Himself
• Labor Pains2000 · as David Raymond
• From Where I Sit2000 · as Lenny
• Funny Is Money1999 · as Self
• Goosed1999 · as Mel
• Yesterday's Tomorrows1999 · as Self
• The Contract1999 · as Jackson
• Suits1999 · as Tom Cranston
• Next Stop Wonderland1998 · as Arty Lesser
• Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time1998 · as Self
• Monty Python: Live at Aspen1998 · as Host
• Primary Colors1998 · as Norman Asher
• One Fine Day1996 · as Dr. Martin
• Robert Klein: It All Started Here1995 · as Himself
• Clarissa1995 · as Hugh Hamilton
• Jeffrey1995 · as Skip Winkley
• Mixed Nuts1994 · as Mr. Lobel
• Radioland Murders1994 · as Father Writer
• Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys1992 · as Self
• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel1990 · as Narrator (voice)
• Night of 100 Stars III1990 · as Self
• Comic Relief '901990 · as Self
• Tales from the Darkside: The Movie1990 · as Wyatt (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
• Dangerous Curves1988 · as Bam Bam
• An All-Star Toast to the Improv1988 · as Self
• Robert Klein on Broadway1986 · as Himself
• Let's Go Mets1986 · as Self
• The Best of John Belushi1985 · as Various Characters
• This Wife for Hire1985 · as Alan Harper
• Night of 100 Stars II1985 · as Self
• Poison Ivy1985 · as 'Big Irv' Klopper
• Summer Switch1984 · as Bill Andrews
• Robert Klein: Child of the 50's, Man of the 80's1984 · as Himself
• Pajama Tops1983 · as Lenny Jolie-Jolie
• Your Place... or Mine?1983 · as Nick
• The Last Unicorn1982 · as The Butterfly (voice)
• On Location: Robert Klein at Yale1982 · as Himself
• Table Settings1982
• Night of 100 Stars1982 · as Self
• The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell1982 · as Self
• Nobody's Perfekt1981 · as Walter
• All Commercials... A Steve Martin Special1980 · as Self
• Since '451979 · as Self - Performer
• Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip1979 · as Self
• The Bell Jar1979 · as Lenny
• Hooper1978 · as Roger Deal
• Dick Clark's Good Old Days1977
• Robert Klein Revisited1977 · as Himself
• The Gang1977
• An Evening with Robert Klein1975 · as Himself
• The Gypsy1975
• Rivals1972 · as Peter
• The Pursuit of Happiness1971 · as Melvin Lasher
• The Owl and the Pussycat1970 · as Barney
• The Landlord1970 · as Peter
• They're Playing Our Song— · as Vernon Gersch

All TV Shows (50)

• Will & Grace2017 · as Martin Adler
• The History of Comedy2017 · as Self
• Madam Secretary2014 · as Lester Clark
• The Mysteries of Laura2014 · as Leo Diamond
• Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee2012 · as Self
• Inside Comedy2012 · as Self
• Gravity2010 · as Father Anthony
• The Good Wife2009 · as Lyle
• The Good Wife2009 · as Lyle Pollard
• Life on Mars2008 · as Elliott Casso
• Heartland2007 · as Dwayne Trent
• The Stones2004 · as Stan Stone
• Jimmy Kimmel Live!2003 · as Self
• Bob Patterson2001 · as Landau
• Yes, Dear2000 · as Robert Klein
• The Early Show1999 · as Self
• Law & Order: Special Victims Unit1999 · as Dwight Stannich
• The King of Queens1998 · as Bruce Degner
• Hollywood Squares1998 · as Self - Panelist
• The View1997 · as Self
• Oz1997 · as Self (uncredited)
• The Rosie O'Donnell Show1996 · as Self
• Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist1995 · as Robert (voice)
• Duckman1994 · as Uncle Mo Dorkin (voice)
• Frasier1993 · as Gary (voice)
• Late Night with Conan O'Brien1993 · as Self - Guest
• Late Show with David Letterman1993 · as Self - Guest
• Mad About You1992 · as Stan Freitus
• The Tonight Show with Jay Leno1992
• Law & Order1990 · as Rick Mason
• The Twilight Zone1985 · as (segment "Wordplay")
• George Burns Comedy Week1985
• The Comedy Factory1985 · as Robert Morgan
• Murder, She Wrote1984 · as Barney Drake
• Family Ties1982 · as Roger "Eggy" Erdman
• Saturday Night Live1975 · as Self - Host
• Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers1974
• Rock Concert1973 · as Self
• The Midnight Special1972 · as Self
• The Flip Wilson Show1970 · as Self
• Comedy Tonight1970
• The Dick Cavett Show1968 · as Self - Guest
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self - Guest Host
• The Merv Griffin Show1962 · as Self
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self - Co-Host
• The Mike Douglas Show1961 · as Self
• Tony Awards1956 · as Self - Performer
• The Bob Hope Show1950 · as Self
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self