Bob Balaban

Actor Bob Balaban arrives at the New York premiere of the film "Recount", Tuesday, May, 13, 2008. Balaban, born Aug. 16, 1945, is the son of Elmer Balaban who was last surviving of seven Balaban brothers who dominated the theater business in Chicago and much of the Midwest. His uncle Barney Balaban was president of Paramount Pictures for nearly 30 years from 1936 to 1964.

From left, actors Bob Balaban, Lisa Kudrow, and Sally Field talk at a press conference for "Campaign For a New G.I. Bill" in Beverly Hills, Calif., on Sunday, June 22, 2008. Balaban was nominated for two Emmys in 2008. One for Outstanding Director For a Miniseries, Movie, or a Dramatic Special, for "Bernard and Doris," the other for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie for "Recount."

Actor Bob Balaban arrives for the premiere of his new movie, "No Reservations," starring Aaron Eckhart and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Wednesday, July 25, 2007, in New York. Balaban played a therapist in the movie. He had a recurring role during the fourth season of Seinfeld when he played NBC president Russell Dalrymple. He has appeared in all of Christopher Guest's films from "Waiting for Guffman" to "For Your Consideration."

Bob Balaban speaks during a memorial service for director Robert Altman in New York, Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2007. One of his earliest film roles was in 1969's "Midnight Cowboy." He created the role of "Linus" in the original New York off-broadway production of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" in 1967. Other early roles included Orr in "Catch-22" and the interpreter in Steven Spielberg's "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."