Photo: Steve Granitz © WireImage.com

Born Robert Balaban in Chicago, IL; educated at Colgate University, Hamilton, NY and NYU (film). Diminutive supporting player who began working with Chicago's Second City troupe while still in high school. Although he has played a range of roles, Balaban is at his best as unsympathetic bureaucratic types. He's a member of the "Christopher Guest rep company," appearing in WAITING FOR GUFFMAN (1996), BEST IN SHOW (2000) and A MIGHTY WIND (2003). Balaban has directed for the stage (e.g. Girls, Girls, Girls at the New York Shakespeare Festival in 1980) and TV ("Tales From the Darkside" 1983, etc.) and made his feature directorial debut with the stylish, overlooked black comedy, PARENTS (1989). Producing credits include THE LAST GOOD TIME (1994, also screenplay), THE DEFINITE MAYBE (1997, exec. prod.), GOSFORD PARK (2001, also idea), "The Burbs" (2002, TV: also writer), "Celebrity Charades" (2005, TV series: exec. prod.), "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman" (2006, TV series: exec. prod.), BERNARD AND DORIS (2007, also director), and JACK & ADDIE (exec. prod.) and KISS THE BRIDE (also director) (both scheduled for release in 2009). Cousin of director Burt Balaban and nephew of the late studio head Barney Balaban. Visit the Internet Movie Database for a detailed listing of Balaban's acting, writing, producing and directing credits.  Nominated for Best Picture of the Year 2001: GOSFORD PARK - Producer at Sandcastle 5 (w. Robert Altman & David Levy) 1 nomination