Richard Schiff

Biography

Richard Schiff is an American actor who started out studying directing and mounted several off-Broadway plays, among them Antigone in 1983, before turning to acting in the mid-1980s. Born in Bethesda, Maryland, he took small film and television parts early in his career, and Steven Spielberg noticed him in the series High Incident, which led to a role in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). He became best known as Toby Ziegler on The West Wing, a part that won him an Emmy Award, and he also directed an episode of the show. His film work includes City Hall (1996), Deep Impact (1998), I Am Sam (2001), Ray (2004) and Man of Steel (2013). He played Dr. Aaron Glassman on The Good Doctor between 2017 and 2024, had a recurring role on Ballers, and portrayed Odin in the video game God of War: Ragnarök.

71years old

Turns 72 on May 27in 225 days

Born May 27, 1955Bethesda
Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20

Movie Career

Films: 51
Career span: 31 years1989 to 2020

Genres

Drama63%, 32 films
Comedy47%, 24 films
Romance24%, 12 films
Crime20%, 10 films
Action18%, 9 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

Big break
Steven Spielberg noticed Schiff on the TV drama High Incident and cast him in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). More frequent casting followed, and eventually he played White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler on The West Wing.
A change of course
Schiff initially studied directing and directed several off-Broadway plays, including a 1983 production of Antigone with a just-graduated Angela Bassett, before deciding to try acting in the mid-1980s.
Behind the camera
Richard Schiff directed an episode of The West Wing called "Talking Points", which was his first time directing for television.
Beyond film
Schiff took the lead in the premiere run of Glen Berger's Underneath the Lintel, a one-act play performed by a single character, staged at the George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Own stunts
In God of War Ragnarök, the 2022 video game from Santa Monica Studio, Schiff did the performance capture for the character Odin.

Richard Schiff movies on Netflix

A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote2020IMDb rating 8.4as Toby Ziegler
Psych 2: Lassie Come Home2020IMDb rating 7.3as Dr. Emile Herschel
After Class2019IMDb rating 5.8as Jeff Cohen
Clemency2019IMDb rating 6.5as Marty Lumetta
Alien Code2018IMDb rating 5.7as Dr. Miles Driskoll
American Fable2017IMDb rating 5.8as Jonathan
Geostorm2017IMDb rating 5.4as Senator Cross
Shock and Awe2017IMDb rating 6.4as The Usual
Take Me to the River2015IMDb rating 6.2as Don
Before I Disappear2014IMDb rating 7.2as Bruce
The Gambler2014IMDb rating 6.0as Jeweler
Decoding Annie Parker2013IMDb rating 6.2as Allen
Knife Fight2013IMDb rating 5.3as Dimitris Vargas
Man of Steel2013IMDb rating 7.1as Dr. Emil Hamilton
Fire with Fire2012IMDb rating 5.6as Harold Gethers
Johnny English Reborn2011IMDb rating 6.3as Fisher
The Infidel2010IMDb rating 6.3as Lenny Goldberg
Imagine That2009IMDb rating 5.6as Carl Simons
Solitary Man2009IMDb rating 6.3as Steve Heller
Last Chance Harvey2008IMDb rating 6.6as Marvin
Martian Child2007IMDb rating 6.7as Lefkowitz
Civic Duty2006IMDb rating 6.2as FBI Agent Tom Hilary
Ray2004IMDb rating 7.7as Jerry Wexler
People I Know2002IMDb rating 5.4as Elliot Sharansky
I Am Sam2001IMDb rating 7.6as Mr. Turner
What's the Worst That Could Happen?2001IMDb rating 5.5as Walter Greenbaum
Forever Lulu2000IMDb rating 5.6as Jerome Ellsworth
Gun Shy2000IMDb rating 5.6as Elliott
Lucky Numbers2000IMDb rating 5.1as Jerry Green
Whatever It Takes2000IMDb rating 5.5as P.E. Teacher
Crazy in Alabama1999IMDb rating 6.3as Norman
Forces of Nature1999IMDb rating 5.5as Joe
Deep Impact1998IMDb rating 6.3as Don Biederman
Doctor Dolittle1998IMDb rating 5.5as Dr. Gene Reiss
Living Out Loud1998IMDb rating 6.5as Phil Francato
The Pentagon Wars1998IMDb rating 7.1as Colonel Smith
The Lost World: Jurassic Park1997IMDb rating 6.6as Eddie Carr
City Hall1996IMDb rating 6.2as Larry Schwartz
Grace of My Heart1996IMDb rating 6.8as Audition Record Producer
Michael1996IMDb rating 5.7as Italian Waiter
The Arrival1996IMDb rating 6.2as Calvin
Rough Magic1995IMDb rating 5.4as Marvin Wiggins
Tank Girl1995IMDb rating 5.4as Trooper in Trench
Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas1994IMDb rating 6.3as Deputy Dano
Speechless1994IMDb rating 5.8as Sound Technician
Ghost in the Machine1993IMDb rating 4.7as Scanner Technician
My Life1993IMDb rating 6.8as Young Bill Ivanovich
Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot1992IMDb rating 4.4as Gun Clerk
The Bodyguard1992IMDb rating 6.4as Skip Thomas
The Public Eye1992IMDb rating 6.5as Photographer - Thompson Street
Trenchcoat in Paradise1989IMDb rating 7.0as Mole

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

Top

Man of Steel2013 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fias Dr. Emil Hamilton
IMDb rating 7.1877K votes
I Am Sam2001 Dramaas Mr. Turner
IMDb rating 7.6164K votes
The Lost World: Jurassic Park1997as Eddie Carr
IMDb rating 6.6483K votes
Doctor Dolittle1998as Dr. Gene Reiss
IMDb rating 5.5108K votes
Johnny English Reborn2011as Fisher
IMDb rating 6.3151K votes
The Arrival1996as Calvin
IMDb rating 6.242K votes
The Gambler2014as Jeweler
IMDb rating 6.079K votes
Ray2004as Jerry Wexler
IMDb rating 7.7167K votes

Most often with

Nora Ephron directed two of these films, Rachel Talalay two. Five actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

Top

Danny DeVito

Oliver Platt

Bradley Whitford

Chris Mulkey

Mary McCormack

Martin Sheen

Nora EphronDirector, 2 films

Rachel TalalayDirector, 2 films

Films together

Danny DeVito3 films together, 1998 to 2009
Danny DeVito's page
- Solitary Man2009IMDb rating 6.3Schiff as Steve HellerDeVito as Jimmy Merino
- What's the Worst That Could Happen?2001IMDb rating 5.5Schiff as Walter GreenbaumDeVito as Max Fairbanks
- Living Out Loud1998IMDb rating 6.5Schiff as Phil FrancatoDeVito as Pat Francato
Oliver Platt3 films together, 1998 to 2007
Oliver Platt's page
- Martian Child2007IMDb rating 6.7Schiff as LefkowitzPlatt as Jeff
- Gun Shy2000IMDb rating 5.6Schiff as ElliottPlatt as Fulvio Nesstra
- Doctor Dolittle1998IMDb rating 5.5Schiff as Dr. Gene ReissPlatt as Dr. Mark Weller
Bradley Whitford3 films together, 1993 to 2020
Bradley Whitford's page
- A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote2020IMDb rating 8.4Schiff as Toby ZieglerWhitford as Josh Lyman
- Decoding Annie Parker2013IMDb rating 6.2Schiff as AllenWhitford as Marshall
- My Life1993IMDb rating 6.8Schiff as Young Bill IvanovichWhitford as Paul Ivanovich
Chris Mulkey3 films together, 1993 to 2013
Chris Mulkey's page
- Decoding Annie Parker2013IMDb rating 6.2Schiff as AllenMulkey as Ralph Parker
- Knife Fight2013IMDb rating 5.3Schiff as Dimitris VargasMulkey as Roger Fillmore
- Ghost in the Machine1993IMDb rating 4.7Schiff as Scanner TechnicianMulkey as Bram Wlaker
Mary McCormack3 films together, 1998 to 2018
Mary McCormack's page
- Alien Code2018IMDb rating 5.7Schiff as Dr. Miles DriskollMcCormack as Rebecca
- Gun Shy2000IMDb rating 5.6Schiff as ElliottMcCormack as Gloria Minetti Nesstra
- Deep Impact1998IMDb rating 6.3Schiff as Don BiedermanMcCormack as Andrea Baker
Martin Sheen2 films together, 2009 to 2020
Martin Sheen's page
- A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote2020IMDb rating 8.4Schiff as Toby ZieglerSheen as President Josiah Bartlett
- Imagine That2009IMDb rating 5.6Schiff as Carl SimonsSheen as Dante D'Enzo
Nora EphronDirector, 2 films, 1996 to 2000
All films by Nora Ephron
- Lucky Numbers2000IMDb rating 5.1Schiff as Jerry Green
- Michael1996IMDb rating 5.7Schiff as Italian Waiter
Rachel TalalayDirector, 2 films, 1993 to 1995
All films by Rachel Talalay
- Tank Girl1995IMDb rating 5.4Schiff as Trooper in Trench
- Ghost in the Machine1993IMDb rating 4.7Schiff as Scanner Technician
Also two films together31 more actors
- John CusackMartian Child (2007) and City Hall (1996)
- John TravoltaLucky Numbers (2000) and Michael (1996)
- Al PacinoPeople I Know (2002) and City Hall (1996)
- Michael KeatonSpeechless (1994) and My Life (1993)
- Russell CroweMan of Steel (2013) and Rough Magic (1995)
- Kevin CostnerMan of Steel (2013) and The Bodyguard (1992)
- Eddie MurphyImagine That (2009) and Doctor Dolittle (1998)
- Rob LoweA West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020) and Knife Fight (2013)
- Sandra BullockGun Shy (2000) and Forces of Nature (1999)
- Queen LatifahLiving Out Loud (1998) and My Life (1993)
- Melanie GriffithForever Lulu (2000) and Crazy in Alabama (1999)
- Jon FavreauDeep Impact (1998) and Speechless (1994)
- Clifton PowellRay (2004) and The Pentagon Wars (1998)
- Paul Ben-VictorGun Shy (2000) and Crazy in Alabama (1999)
- Lee GarlingtonForever Lulu (2000) and My Life (1993)
- Wendell PierceClemency (2019) and Ray (2004)
- Ronny CoxImagine That (2009) and Forces of Nature (1999)
- Bridget FondaCity Hall (1996) and Rough Magic (1995)
- Harry LennixMan of Steel (2013) and Ray (2004)
- Thomas Rosales Jr.The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997) and Rough Magic (1995)
- Aaron PaulDecoding Annie Parker (2013) and Whatever It Takes (2000)
- Gailard SartainSpeechless (1994) and Stop! Or My Mom Will Shoot (1992)
- Marin HinkleImagine That (2009) and I Am Sam (2001)
- Kip PardueAmerican Fable (2017) and Whatever It Takes (2000)
- Ken JenkinsI Am Sam (2001) and Lucky Numbers (2000)
- Dulé HillA West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote (2020) and Psych 2: Lassie Come Home (2020)
- Téa LeoniPeople I Know (2002) and Deep Impact (1998)
- Azura SkyeAlien Code (2018) and Take Me to the River (2015)
- Dennis HaskinsClemency (2019) and Saved by the Bell: Wedding in Las Vegas (1994)
- Ellen McElduffLiving Out Loud (1998) and The Public Eye (1992)
- John F. O'DonohueLucky Numbers (2000) and Living Out Loud (1998)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.