Robert Klein
Acting • Born 1942-02-08
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
127 credits
The Last Unicorn
Movie • 1982
The Butterfly (voice)
Reign Over Me
Movie • 2007
Jonathan Timpleman
Two Weeks Notice
Movie • 2002
Larry Kelson
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie
Movie • 1990
Wyatt (segment ‘Lover’s Vow’)
One Fine Day
Movie • 1996
Dr. Martin
Mixed Nuts
Movie • 1994
Mr. Lobel
Jerry Seinfeld: I'm Telling You for the Last Time
Movie • 1998
Self
The Safety of Objects
Movie • 2002
Howard Gold
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Movie • 2003
Phillip Warren
The Owl and the Pussycat
Movie • 1970
Barney
The Gypsy
Movie • 1975
Hooper
Movie • 1978
Roger Deal
The Gang
Movie • 1977
Comedian
Movie • 2002
Self
I'm with Lucy
Movie • 2002
Dr. Mort Zalkind
An Evening with Robert Klein
Movie • 1975
Himself
Robert Klein: Unfair & Unbalanced
Movie • 2010
Robert Klein
National Lampoon's Dirty Movie
Movie • 2011
The CEO
Dangerous Curves
Movie • 1988
Bam Bam
Robert Klein: Child of the 50's, Man of the 80's
Movie • 1984
Himself
Robert Klein on Broadway
Movie • 1986
Himself
Robert Klein Revisited
Movie • 1977
Himself
The Marx Brothers in a Nutshell
Movie • 1982
Self
Yesterday's Tomorrows
Movie • 1999
Self
Funny Is Money
Movie • 1999
Self
The Back-Up Plan
Movie • 2010
Dr. Scott Harris
Rivals
Movie • 1972
Peter
Nobody's Perfekt
Movie • 1981
Walter
The Bell Jar
Movie • 1979
Lenny
Suits
Movie • 1999
Tom Cranston
On Location: Robert Klein at Yale
Movie • 1982
Himself
Robert Klein: Child in His 50s
Movie • 2000
Himself
Robert Klein: It All Started Here
Movie • 1995
Himself
Robert Klein: The Amorous Busboy of Decatur Avenue
Movie • 2005
Self
Summer Switch
Movie • 1984
Bill Andrews
Dick Clark's Good Old Days
Movie • 1977
Echoes of the Sixties: A Musical Trip
Movie • 1979
Self
Sharknado 2: The Second One
Movie • 2014
Mayor
Goosed
Movie • 1999
Mel
The Best of John Belushi
Movie • 1985
Various Characters
This Wife for Hire
Movie • 1985
Alan Harper
Night of 100 Stars III
Movie • 1990
Self
The Pursuit of Happiness
Movie • 1971
Melvin Lasher
Labor Pains
Movie • 2000
David Raymond
Definitely, Maybe
Movie • 2008
Robert Klein
Ira & Abby
Movie • 2006
Seymour Black
Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No!
Movie • 2015
Mayor of New York
Putzel
Movie • 2012
Narrator (voice)
Night of 100 Stars II
Movie • 1985
Self
Poison Ivy
Movie • 1985
'Big Irv' Klopper
Piñero
Movie • 2001
Doctor
Robert Klein Still Can't Stop His Leg
Movie • 2016
Clarissa
Movie • 1995
Hugh Hamilton
National Lampoon's Another Dirty Movie
Movie • 2012
CEO
Primary Colors
Movie • 1998
Norman Asher
Notice to Quit
Movie • 2024
Demoted
Movie • 2011
Bob Farrell
People I Know
Movie • 2002
Dr. Sandy Napier
The Landlord
Movie • 1970
Peter
Next Stop Wonderland
Movie • 1998
Arty Lesser
From Where I Sit
Movie • 2000
Lenny
The Best of The Tony Awards: The Plays
Movie • 2006
Mervyn Kant (segment "The Sisters Rosensweig")
Pocket Full of Soul: The Harmonica Documentary
Movie • 2009
Self
All Commercials... A Steve Martin Special
Movie • 1980
Self
Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
Movie • 1990
Narrator (voice)
Monty Python Conquers America
Movie • 2008
Self
Radioland Murders
Movie • 1994
Father Writer
Jeffrey
Movie • 1995
Skip Winkley
Your Place... or Mine?
Movie • 1983
Nick
Before I Go
Movie • 2021
Jasper
Pajama Tops
Movie • 1983
Lenny Jolie-Jolie
Laurel and Hardy: A Tribute to the Boys
Movie • 1992
Self
Monty Python: Live at Aspen
Movie • 1998
Host
Night of 100 Stars
Movie • 1982
Self
Comic Relief '90
Movie • 1990
Self
An All-Star Toast to the Improv
Movie • 1988
Self
They're Playing Our Song
Movie
Vernon Gersch
The Contract
Movie • 1999
Jackson
Jerry Seinfeld: The Comedian Award
Movie • 2007
Self
Let's Go Mets
Movie • 1986
Self
Murder, She Wrote
TV • 1984
Barney Drake
Family Ties
TV • 1982
Roger "Eggy" Erdman
Mad About You
TV • 1992
Stan Freitus
Duckman
TV • 1994
Uncle Mo Dorkin (voice)
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self
The Twilight Zone
TV • 1985
(segment "Wordplay")
The View
TV • 1997
Self
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist
TV • 1995
Robert (voice)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV • 1999
Dwight Stannich
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
TV • 1992
Oz
TV • 1997
Self (uncredited)
Frasier
TV • 1993
Gary (voice)
Inside Comedy
TV • 2012
Self
The Early Show
TV • 1999
Self
The King of Queens
TV • 1998
Bruce Degner
Rock Concert
TV • 1973
Self
Yes, Dear
TV • 2000
Robert Klein
Bob Patterson
TV • 2001
Landau
The Stones
TV • 2004
Stan Stone
The Flip Wilson Show
TV • 1970
Self
Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers
TV • 1974
Comedy Tonight
TV • 1970
Gravity
TV • 2010
Father Anthony
The Midnight Special
TV • 1972
Self
Hollywood Squares
TV • 1998
Self - Panelist
The Good Wife
TV • 2009
Lyle
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
The Bob Hope Show
TV • 1950
Self
The History of Comedy
TV • 2017
Self
The Good Wife
TV • 2009
Lyle Pollard
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self - Guest Host
Law & Order
TV • 1990
Rick Mason
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self - Co-Host
The Rosie O'Donnell Show
TV • 1996
Self
Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee
TV • 2012
Self
The Mike Douglas Show
TV • 1961
Self
Life on Mars
TV • 2008
Elliott Casso
Saturday Night Live
TV • 1975
Self - Host
Will & Grace
TV • 2017
Martin Adler
Heartland
TV • 2007
Dwayne Trent
The Dick Cavett Show
TV • 1968
Self - Guest
George Burns Comedy Week
TV • 1985
The Mysteries of Laura
TV • 2014
Leo Diamond
The Comedy Factory
TV • 1985
Robert Morgan
The Merv Griffin Show
TV • 1962
Self
Madam Secretary
TV • 2014
Lester Clark