Larry Miller (comedian)

Larry Miller
Larry Miller
Miller in 2014
Born
Lawrence John Miller

(1953-10-15) October 15, 1953 (age 71)
Alma materAmherst College (BA)
Occupations
Years active1982–present
Spouse
(m. 1993)
Children2

Lawrence John Miller (born October 15, 1953)[1] is an American comedian, actor, podcaster, and columnist. He is primarily regarded as a character actor, with The A.V. Club noting that he "can be counted upon to improve every film or television show he appears in".[2] His better-known roles include Lou Bonaparte in Mad About You (1993–1998), Pointy-haired Boss in Dilbert (1999–2000), Edwin Poole in Boston Legal (2004–2008), Mr. Hollister in Pretty Woman (1990), Dean Richmond in The Nutty Professor (1996) and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Walter Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999) and Paolo Puttanesca in The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004). He reprised his role as Walter Stratford in the television series 10 Things I Hate About You (2009–2010).

Miller has also served as one of the regular players in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films.

Early life and education

Miller was born in Brooklyn into a Jewish family, and grew up in Valley Stream, New York,[1][3] on Long Island. He studied music at Amherst College.[4]

Career

Miller's first acting job was as the emcee on the TV series Fame. He gained mainstream attention for his part in popular scenes of Pretty Woman involving him as a store clerk for the main characters.

His film roles include Walter Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You as well as several characters in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films. He has held prominent supporting roles in Carry On Columbus, Radioland Murders, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Max Keeble's Big Move. He has over 50 film appearances.[5]

He was part of the main cast of Life's Work, The Pursuit of Happiness, and High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story. He is also a frequent guest actor on television, most notably as the nasty doorman on Seinfeld in the episode "The Doorman". He played Edwin Poole in the ABC dramedy Boston Legal. He played nightclub owner Michael Dobson in two Law & Order episodes, first in the episode "Coma" and then later in "Encore". Miller appeared as himself in a third episode, "Smoke". He was also in 8 Simple Rules, where he played Tommy, Kyle's obnoxious father and Paul's (John Ritter) colleague.[6]

Miller is friends with Jerry Seinfeld, and once auditioned for the part of George Costanza.[7][8]

Other work

As a stand-up comic, he is best known for his monologue "The Five Levels of Drinking", which Vulture hailed as "masterful, well-written, and influential".[9]

From 2002 to 2004, Miller wrote a column for the magazine The Weekly Standard that usually ran once every two weeks.[10] Since then, he continued to occasionally contribute to the magazine, and to the Washington Examiner, which absorbed The Weekly Standard when it ceased publication.[11] His subject matter has included politics as well as reminiscences about fellow entertainers and anecdotes from his own life.[11]

Two of the columns he wrote in 2002 served as the text for frequently forwarded emails at the time, though in both cases his words were attributed to others. The first was his very first Weekly Standard column in January 2002, in which he mocked various anti-war platitudes of the time;[10] the text was incorrectly attributed to retired Air Force general Richard E. Hawley.[12] The second was an April 2002 column defending Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict,[13] which was attributed to fellow comedian Dennis Miller.[14] Another email which also began to be forwarded in 2002, purporting to offer "George Carlin's Views on Aging", was derived in part from a stand-up routine that Larry Miller performed in the 1990s.[15]

Miller began a weekly podcast on the Carolla Digital Network, This Week with Larry Miller, suspending it after falling and injuring his head severely in April 2012. After hospitalization and a coma, he said in January 2013 that he was convalescing. Miller resumed the podcast on January 9, 2013.[16] In February 2015 the podcast was retitled The Larry Miller Show with direct distribution.[citation needed] The podcast ended with the December 2, 2020, episode. Miller referred to it as the "grand finale" after not broadcasting a new show in the previous six months. The show page cited issues with producing the show safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.[17]

Personal life

Miller married television writer Eileen Conn in 1993. The couple have two children.[18]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1989 Three Fugitives Street Cop - Second Officer
Out Cold Plumber No. 2
1990 Pretty Woman Mr. Hollister
Almost an Angel Teller
1991 L.A. Story Tom
Suburban Commando Adrian Beltz
Necessary Roughness Dean Phillip Elias
Frankenstein: The College Years Professor Loman Television film
1992 Carry On Columbus The Chief
Frozen Assets Newton Patterson
1993 Undercover Blues Halsey
Dream Lover Norman
1994 The Favor Joe Dubin
Corrina, Corrina Sid
Radioland Murders Herman Katzenback
1995 The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes Dean Al Valentine Television film
1996 The Nutty Professor Dean Richmond
Waiting for Guffman Mayor Glenn Welsch
Dear God State Judge
1997 For Richer or Poorer IRS Inspector Derek Lester
Bayou Ghost Reverend Carmichael
1998 Chairman of the Board Bradford McMillan
Carnival of Souls Louis Seagram
1999 The Minus Man Paul
10 Things I Hate About You Walter Stratford
Runaway Bride N.Y.C. Bartender Kevin Uncredited
The Big Tease Dunston Cactus
Pros & Cons Ben Babbitt
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Dean Richmond
Best in Show Max Berman
2001 What's the Worst That Could Happen? Earl Radburn
The Princess Diaries Paolo Uncredited
Max Keeble's Big Move Principal Elliot T. Jindraike
2002 Teddy Bears' Picnic Uncredited
2003 A Guy Thing Minister Ferris
A Mighty Wind Wally Fenton
2004 Raising Helen Car Buyer Uncredited
The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Paolo
2005 Kiss Kiss Bang Bang Dabney Shaw
Uncommon Sense Larry Television film
Life of the Party Dr. Trent
2006 Keeping Up with the Steins Arnie Stein
Lance is a Jerk Ron DeLuca
The Ant Bully Fred Nickle Voice[19]
For Your Consideration Syd Finkleman
2007 The Pre Nup Daniel Short
Chasing Robert Peter Vondra
Bagboy Pike
The Final Season Roger Dempsey Voice
Bee Movie Buzzwell[19]
Blonde Ambition Richard Connelly
2008 Get Smart CIA Agent
Senior Skip Day Principal Dickwalder
The Spleenectomy Sir Henry Pierre Short
The Other End of the Line Kit Hawksin
2009 The Six Wives of Henry Lefay Lipschutz
2010 Valentine's Day Oversized Baggage Agent
Alpha and Omega Marcel Voice[19]
Keep It in Your Pants Dr. Rosenrosen
Federal Bureau of Manners: The Nod Short
Federal Bureau of Manners: Cell Phones
2011 New Year's Eve Harley Segment "Ahern Party"
Deck the Halls Willie Meehan Television film
2012 Foodfight! Vlad Chocool Voice[19]
General Education Rich Collins
The Mystery Cruise Willy Meehan
2014 Night Vet Rich Short
New Soul New Soul Advisor No. 51
2015 Road Hard Barry 'Baby Doll' Weissman
Pearly Gates Rabbi
2016 Hot Bot Senator Biter
Mother's Day Motorcycle Cop
2018 Rock Steady Row The Dean
The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot Ed [20]
Second Act Weiskopf [21]

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1982 Fame The Emcee Episode: "But Seriously, Folks"
1984 Late Night with David Letterman Himself Episode: "October 4, 1984"
The Bob Monkhouse Show Episode #1.7
1986–1989 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 3 episodes
1995 Seinfeld Doorman Episode: "The Doorman"
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist Himself Voice, episode: "Everybody's Got a Tushy"[19]
The Single Guy The Cable Guy Episode: "Pilot"
The Pursuit of Happiness Larry Rutledge 7 episodes
1990–1996 Dream On Sgt. McDougal/Irwin Bader 9 episodes
1996 Boston Common Warren Episode: "Everybody's Stalking"
1996–1997 Life's Work Jerome Nash 18 episodes
1997 George & Leo Lloyd Episode: "The Bribe"
Just Shoot Me! Emerson Gray Episode: "The Assistant"
1993–1998 Mad About You Lou Bonaparte 5 episodes
1998 The Larry Sanders Show Himself Episode: "I Buried Sid"
Michael Hayes Orwell 2 episodes
3rd Rock from the Sun Garvin Episode: "Dr. Solomon's Traveling Show"
1998–1999 Hercules Lynceus Voice, 2 episodes
2000 Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane Professor Episode: "No Good Deed"
1999–2000 Dilbert Pointy-haired Boss Voice, 30 episodes
2000 Bull C.J. Cox 4 episodes
2000-2001 DAG Special Agent Nash 2 episodes
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command XR Voice, 38 episodes[19]
2001 TV Funhouse Narrator Voice, episode: "Astronaut Day"
The Weakest Link Himself (contestant) Episode: "Scene Stealers Edition"
2002 Providence Dr. Minkus Episode: "Shadow Play"
The Guardian Dale Petrocki Episode: "Lawyers, Guns and Money"
My Wife and Kids Stuart Tyler 3 episodes
The Mind of the Married Man Ernie Spivak Episode: "Peter Pan"
1994–2003 Law & Order Michael Dobson, Himself 3 episodes
2003 The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire Scott Haggis 4 episodes
2002–2003 8 Simple Rules Tommy 12 episodes
2004 King of the Hill Doctor Tabor Voice, episode: "Dale Be Not Proud"
2005 Desperate Housewives Leonard Harper Episode: "Color and Light"
2006 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Charlie Brown Episode #14.224
2007 Medium Dylan Kravitz Episode: "Joe Day Afternoon"
2005–2007 Monk Garrett Price 2 episodes
2008 Dirt Bill Hope Episode: "God Bless the Child"
Burn Notice Harvey Gunderson Episode: "Comrades"
2004–2008 Boston Legal Edwin Poole 4 episodes
2009 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Larry Steves Episode: "Hair"
2009–2010 10 Things I Hate About You Walter Stratford 20 episodes
2010 Gravity Dr. Tepperman 4 episodes
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Himself Voice, episode: "Larry Miller Hair System"
Late Night Liars Episode #1.1
2011 The Protector Alan Bronski Episode: "Help"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Eddie Kravitz Episode: "Palestinian Chicken"
Shake It Up Larry Diller Episode: "Camp It Up"
2012 Bent Bob Episode: "A-Game"
2011–2012 The Penguins of Madagascar Clemson Voice, 3 episodes[19]
2013 Devious Maids Frank Episode: "Cleaning Out the Closet"
Liv and Maddie Principal Fickman Episode: "Team-A-Rooney"
2014 Hot in Cleveland Larry Episode: "Elka Takes a Lover"
Comedy Bang! Bang! Jery Pickens Episode: "Alison Brie Wears a Black Mesh Top & Mini-Skirt"
Mystery Girls Arthur J. Stanwick Episode: "Passing the Torch"
2015 Clipped unnamed character Episode: "Free Wednesday"
2017 Runaways Phil Episode: "Rewind"
2016–2017 High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story Principal Perkales 9 episodes
2011–2019 NCIS Ed Slater 2 episodes

Videos

Year Video Role Notes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins XR Voice[19]
2005 Final Approach Walter
The Legend of Frosty the Snowman Principal Pankley Voice[19]
2008 Senior Skip Day Mr. Frankfurt Dickwalder
Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control Underchief/CIA Chief

Video games

Year Game Role Notes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command XR Voice[19]

References

  1. ^ a b "Larry Miller Biography". FilmReference.com. Archived from the original on July 25, 2014. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  2. ^ Rabin, Nathan (July 14, 2008). "Random Roles: Larry Miller". The A.V. Club. G/O Media. Retrieved June 6, 2021.
  3. ^ Miller, Larry (December 22, 2006). "I'm... dreaming... of a white... Chri -- ummm, holidays". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 6, 2010. Retrieved December 22, 2006.
  4. ^ Sauro, Tony (July 25, 2013). "Longtime friends Larry Miller and Jerry Seinfeld team up for Stockton show". The Record. Stockton, California. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. ^ "Cocktails with Larry Miller". Louisiana Entertainment. Louisiana Economic Development.
  6. ^ Smith, Austin (November 6, 2003). "Fate's 'Simple Rules'". New York Post.
  7. ^ Evans, Bradford (April 14, 2011). "The Lost Roles of Seinfeld". Splitsider. New York Media, LLC. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  8. ^ W, Joe (November 2, 2010). "Larry Miller - The Original George Costanza". Idolizing Clowns. Retrieved January 3, 2016.
  9. ^ Boone, Brian (March 21, 2017). "Revisiting Larry Miller's Bit 'The Five Levels of Drinking'". Vulture.com. New York Media, LLC. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  10. ^ a b Miller, Larry (January 13, 2002). "You Say You Want a Resolution". The Weekly Standard. Archived from the original on January 29, 2017.
  11. ^ a b "Larry Miller". Washington Examiner. November 24, 2016.
  12. ^ Mikkelson, David (March 9, 2008). "Dick Hawley Speech". Snopes.
  13. ^ Miller, Larry (April 21, 2002). "Whosoever Blesses Them". The Weekly Standard. Archived from the original on December 8, 2015.
  14. ^ Mikkelson, David (August 2, 2014). "A Brief Overview of the Situation". Snopes.
  15. ^ Mikkelson, David (August 4, 2011). "George Carlin on Aging". Snopes.
  16. ^ Heyman, J.D. (January 8, 2013). "Larry Miller Recovers from Life-Threatening Brain Injury". People. Archived from the original on January 8, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
  17. ^ "The Final Episode! Does He Drink Coffee? (2020)".
  18. ^ Allin, Olivia (April 4, 2012). "'10 Things I Hate About You' dad Larry Miller hospitalized". On the Red Carpet. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved March 9, 2013.
  19. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Larry Miller (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 15, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  20. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 9, 2017). "Ron Livingston, Larry Miller & Rizwan Manji Cast In The Man Who Killed Hitler And Then The Bigfoot". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  21. ^ Busch, Anita (November 3, 2017). "Treat Williams, Larry Miller Join Cast Of STXfilms' Romantic Comedy Second Act". Deadline. Retrieved October 15, 2024.