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Stephen Root
StephenRootFeb09.jpg
Root in 2009
Born (1951-11-17) November 17, 1951 (age 72)
Education Vero Beach High School
Alma mater University of Florida (AA, BFA)
Occupation Actor
Years active 1980–present
Agent CESD
Spouse(s)
  • Laura Joan Hase
    (m. 1984; div. 1997)
  • Romy Rosemont
    (m. 2008)
Children 1
Signature
Stephen Root signature.svg

Stephen Root (born November 17, 1951) is an American actor. He has starred as Jimmy James on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio (1995–1999), as Milton Waddams in the film Office Space (1999), and voiced Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland on the animated series King of the Hill (1997–2010).

Root has appeared in numerous Coen brothers films including O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), The Ladykillers (2004), No Country for Old Men (2007), The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), and The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021). Other notable film roles include Dave (1993), DodgeBall (2004), Idiocracy (2006), Cedar Rapids (2011), Selma (2014), Trumbo (2015), and Get Out (2017).

His television roles have included Capt. K'Vada in the Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode "Unification" (1991) and Hawthorne Abendsen in seasons 2–4 of the series The Man in the High Castle. He has supporting roles in a variety of HBO series, including Boardwalk Empire, True Blood, Perry Mason, and Succession. He starred as Monroe Fuches in the HBO dark comedy series Barry, for which he was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2019.

Early life

Root was born in Sarasota, Florida, on November 17, 1951, the son of Leona Estelle and Rolland Clair Root, a project superintendent and site manager on major civil engineering projects throughout the US and Mexico. Root has likened his childhood to that of an Army brat, as his family frequently relocated while his father finished each construction project.

Root graduated from Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, Florida. He received his Associate of Arts degree from the University of Florida and trained in the Bachelor in Fine Arts (BFA) acting program. The university recognized him as one of its distinguished alumni in 2008. Subsequently he was granted a BFA after completion of his final semester based on the quality and character of his acting career, having left college to pursue Broadway theater in his final semester.

Career

Root began his career on stage in 1980, He made his Broadway acting debut in the play Journey's End, playing Second Lieutenant Trotter. He also appeared in All My Sons as Frank Lubey, and as Jon in the 2015 play Marjorie Prime.

Root made his feature film debut in the 1988 film Crocodile Dundee II as a DEA agent. That same year, he acted in the psychological horror film Monkey Shines as Dean Burbage. He makes a brief cameo appearance in the 1990 movie Ghost.

Among his most recognized television roles are eccentric billionaire Jimmy James on the sitcom NewsRadio and in a recurring role on the final two seasons of The West Wing as Republican campaign consultant Bob Mayer. He appeared in many comedy films, particularly as the mumbling, quirky Milton Waddams in Office Space; the mild-mannered gym rat Gordon Pibb in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story; Suds in Leatherheads; and the dimwitted principal in the 2008 Judd Apatow-produced comedy Drillbit Taylor.

Root is a favorite hire of the Coen brothers. He has appeared in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Ladykillers, No Country for Old Men, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. Kevin Smith wrote a role in Jersey Girl specifically for Root.

Root reunited with Mike Judge in Idiocracy and has also portrayed NASA flight director Chris Kraft in the miniseries From the Earth to the Moon. He took on the biographical role of Richard A. Clarke in The Path to 9/11. He has also had many guest appearances in television programs across several genres. He was Klingon Captain K'Vada in the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode "Unification" in 1991. In the 1993–1994 television season, Root appeared as a series regular as "R.O." on the Beau Bridges/Lloyd Bridges comedy/western series Harts of the West on CBS.

Stephen Root by Gage Skidmore
Root at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International, July 2011

Root guest-starred on Seinfeld as a bank manager in the episode "The Invitations", handling Kramer's hello greeting issue. He had a role in Frasier in the episode "Detour" as the father of the family helping Frasier when his car broke down. He also had a regular role on the short-lived CBS series Ladies Man, which starred Sharon Lawrence soon after she left NYPD Blue. He played Raymond, a hunting store owner involved in illegal gun trading, in the 1993 In the Heat of the Night episode "A Love Lost."

Root has an active career as a voice actor, most notably as the voice of divorced, down-and-out Army barber Bill Dauterive, Hank Hill's hedonistic boss Buck Strickland and various other characters on the Mike Judge animated television series King of the Hill. Root is also heard in animated films such as Ice Age, Finding Nemo, and Rango. In other animated television series, his regular roles include Commander Chode in Tripping the Rift and Homebase in The X's. He has also provided vocal talent in animated television series like Chowder and Teen Titans. In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, he voiced Woozy Winks and The Penguin.

Root has appeared in HBO's series True Blood as Eddie, a vampire. He had a multi-episode arc in the second season of Pushing Daisies on ABC, playing the mysterious Dwight Dixon. He appeared as Johnny Forreals, inventor of the word "boo-yah," on "Cangamangus", an episode of The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central. He appeared in the 2009 comedy film The Men Who Stare at Goats as Gus Lacey. In 2010, he appeared in a multi-episode arc in season 8 of the Fox television series 24 as a probation officer named Bill Prady and in the FX television series Justified as the eccentric Judge Mike "The Hammer" Reardon. In 2011, he appeared in Robert Redford's The Conspirator, playing John Lloyd, a key witness in the trial of alleged Lincoln conspirator Mary Surratt. In 2012, he began playing the role of Gaston Means in season 3 of the acclaimed HBO TV series Boardwalk Empire. He also portrays Lynn Boyle, father of Charles Boyle on the show Brooklyn Nine-Nine. In 2018, Root began starring in the HBO series Barry, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Personal life

Root married his first wife Laura Joan Hase in 1984, with whom he had a son, Cody. They divorced in August 1997. He married actress Romy Rosemont on December 14, 2008. They co-starred together in several television shows. They were due to appear on-screen together in the 2011 horror film Red State, but Rosemont was forced to pull out due to a scheduling conflict with Glee.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Crocodile Dundee II DEA Agent
Monkey Shines Dean Burbage
1989 Black Rain IA Detective Berg
1990 Stanley & Iris Mr. Hershey
Ghost Police Sergeant
1991 Guilty by Suspicion RKO Guard
V.I. Warshawski Mickey
Bed & Breakfast Randolph
1992 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Gary Murray
1993 Dave Don Durenberger
RoboCop 3 Coontz
Extreme Justice Max Alvarez
1995 Bye Bye Love Awakened Neighbor Uncredited
Night of the Scarecrow Uncle Frank, The Sheriff
1998 Krippendorf's Tribe Gerald Adams
1999 Office Space Milton Waddams
Natural Selection Mr. Crenshaw a.k.a. The Monster Hunter
Bicentennial Man Dennis Mansky – Head of NorthAm Robotics
Gut Feeling Kane Cohen
2000 O Brother, Where Art Thou? Mr. Lund
2002 Ice Age Frank, Start (voices)
The Country Bears Zeb Zoober (voice)
White Oleander Michael Scenes deleted
2003 Finding Nemo Bubbles (voice)
Grind Cameron
2004 Raising Genius Dwight Nestor
Ladykillers, TheThe Ladykillers Fernand Gudge
Jersey Girl Greenie
DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story Gordon Pibb
Surviving Christmas Dr. Freeman
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie Vince Masters
2005 Just Friends KC
2006 Ice Age: The Meltdown Aardvark Dad (voice)
Gretchen Herb
Idiocracy Judge Hank "The Hangman" BMW
Frank Anderson, TheThe Frank Anderson John Simon
The Fox and the Hound 2 Talent Scout (voice) Direct-to-video
2007 Cook Off! Morty Van Rookle
No Country for Old Men Man who hires Wells
Have Dreams, Will Travel Sheriff Brock
Sunny & Share Love You Clive Anderson
2008 Mad Money Glover
Over Her Dead Body Sculptor
Drillbit Taylor Principal Doppler
Leatherheads Suds
Tripping the Rift: The Movie Chode (voice)
2009 Glock Remington Short film
Bob Funk Steve
Soloist, TheThe Soloist Curt Reynolds
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts Turtle (voice) Direct-to-video
Imagine That Fred Franklin
Men Who Stare at Goats, TheThe Men Who Stare at Goats Gus Lacey
2010 Son of Mourning Senator Lewis
Unthinkable Charlie
Conspirator, TheThe Conspirator John M. Lloyd
Everything Must Go Elliot
Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare Burt (voice) Direct-to-video
2011 Cedar Rapids Bill Korgstad
Rango Doc, Merrimack (voices)
Red State Sheriff Wynan
J. Edgar Arthur Koehler
Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz Uncle Henry, Crows (voices) Direct-to-video
Batman: Year One Lt. Branden (voice)
2012 Big Miracle Gov. Haskell
Company You Keep, TheThe Company You Keep Billy Cusimano
2013 Sweet Vengeance Hugh a.k.a. Sweetwater
I Know That Voice Himself Documentary
Bad Milo! Roger
Superman: Unbound Zor-El (voice)
Lone Ranger, TheThe Lone Ranger Habberman
2014 Selma Al Lingo
Lennon or McCartney Himself Short film
2015 Hello, My Name Is Doris Todd
7 Chinese Brothers George
Trumbo Hymie King
2016 Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz Uncle Henry (voice)
Finding Dory Bubbles (voice)
Miles Ron Walton
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Burt Stangle
Looking for the Jackalope The Jackalope (voice)
Spectral Dr. Mindala
2017 Get Out Jim Hudson
Infinity Baby Fenton
Three Christs Dr. Rogers
2018 Life of the Party Michael "Mike" Cook
Ballad of Buster Scruggs, TheThe Ballad of Buster Scruggs Teller Segment: "Near Algodones"
On the Basis of ... Professor Brown
2019 Seberg Walt Breckman
2020 Four Good Days Chris
Uncle Frank Daddy Mac
Empty Man, TheThe Empty Man Arthur Parsons
Home Father Browning
2021 Happily Mr. Goodman
Queenpins Agent Flanagan
Tragedy of Macbeth, TheThe Tragedy of Macbeth The Porter
2022 To Leslie Dutch
Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe Jail Tattoo Artist (voice)
2023 Paint Tony
TBA Heads of State Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Cross of Fire Beggs Television film
1990 Wiseguy Bishop Episode: "Dead Right"
Roseanne Peter Lundy Episode: "Fender Bender"
Young Riders, TheThe Young Riders Unknown role Episode: "Bad Company"
Head of the Class Mr. Birch Episode: "My Son the Primate"
1990–1991 Jake and the Fatman Sgt. Moynihan, Hastings 2 episodes
1990–1992 Night Court Mr. Willard, Spirit of Death 2 episodes
1990–1994 L.A. Law Atty. Brandon McCafferty 4 episodes
1991 Davis Rules Porter Episode: "Soap"
Golden Years Major Moreland 6 episodes
My Life and Times Ross Episode: "Our Wedding"
Home Improvement Exterminator Episode: "Wild Kingdom"
Sons and Daughters Stevey Episode: "Melanie"
Torkelsons, TheThe Torkelsons Sheriff Bobby Clinton Episode: "I Fought the Law"
Star Trek: The Next Generation Captain K'Vada 2 episodes
1992 Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story, AA Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story Kevin McDonald Television film
Eerie, Indiana Mr. Chaney Episode: "Mr. Chaney"
Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last Chapter Kevin McDonald Television film
Murphy Brown John Brophy Episode: "Till Death or Next Thursday Do We Part"
Civil Wars Mrs. Caldecott's Lawyer 2 episodes
1993 Northern Exposure Brother Timothy Episode: "Revelations"
Golden Palace, TheThe Golden Palace Mr. Tucker Episode: "You've Lost That Livin' Feeling"
Quantum Leap John Tremaine Jr. Episode: "Goodbye Norma Jean - April 4, 1960"
Class of '61 Edwin Stanton Television film
Black Widow Murders: The Blanche Taylor Moore Story Dr. Kirby Television film
Sirens George Bailey Episode: "Looks Like Christmas"
Blossom Louie 4 episodes
In the Heat of the Night Raymond Mercer Episode: "A Love Lost"
1993–1994 Harts of the West R.O Main role
1994 NYPD Blue IAB Sgt. Fulmer Episode: "Guns 'n Rosaries"
Party of Five Football Coach Episode: "Good Sports"
Sweet Justice Unknown role Episode: "High School Confidential"
Diagnosis: Murder Charlie Lane Episode: "The Last Laugh: Part 2"
1995 Chicago Hope Trumpet Playing Mental Patient Episode: "Love and Hope"
Cybill Phil Asher Episode: "Starting on the Wrong Foot"
Christy Clarence Sweetwater Episode: "To Have and to Hold"
VR.5 F.A.A. Negotiator Episode: "Control Freak"
In the Line of Duty: Hunt for Justice Jaan Laaman Television film
1995–1999 NewsRadio Jimmy James Main role
1996 Seinfeld Mr. Lager Episode: "The Invitations"
Lottery, TheThe Lottery Graham Dunbar Television film
Pandora's Clock Mark Hastings Miniseries
Road to Galveston, TheThe Road to Galveston Ed Kirkman Television film
1997 Johnny Bravo Timmy's Dad, Announcer (voices) Episode: "Johnny Real Good"
1997–2010 King of the Hill Bill Dauterive, Buck Strickland, Additional voices 259 episodes
1998 From the Earth to the Moon Chris Kraft Main role
Profiler Houston Plant Manager 2 episodes
1999 Superman: The Animated Series Revered Amos Howell/Unity (voices) Episode: "Unity"
The Sissy Duckling Big Ducky (voice) Television film
Big Guy and Rusty the Boy Robot Dr. Donovan (voice) 26 episodes
1999–2001 Ladies Man Gene Main role
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Sheriff, Sentry No. 2 (voices) 3 episodes
2001 Me & My Needs Television film
Andy Dick Show, TheThe Andy Dick Show Manager of 98+1 Store Episode: "Andy Land"
Norm Show, TheThe Norm Show Mr. Sweeney 2 episodes
DAG Senator Culpepper Episode: "Smoke"
The Legend of Tarzan Theodore 'Teddy' Roosevelt (voice) Episode: "Tarzan and the Rough Rider"
Ed George MacPherson Episode: "Changes"
2002 Dexter Prep Charles Television film
The Proud Family Mr. Andrews (voice) Episode: "I Had a Dream"
Malcolm in the Middle John Pratt 2 episodes
Just Shoot Me! Dr. Drake Kelson Episode: "Blush Gets Some Therapy"
Justice League Cat Man (voice) 2 episodes
Teamo Supremo The Angler, Billy Jim Dixon, Fishmonger No. 1 (voices) Episode: Angler's Angle
According to Jim Al Crannis Episode: "The Christmas Party"
2002–2004 Grounded for Life Tony Bustamante 3 episodes
2002–2005 Kim Possible Pop-Pop Porter, Chester Yapsby, Memphis, Additional voices 6 episodes
2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Michael Kirkwood Episode: "Homebodies"
The Making of King of the Hill Himself Television documentary
2004 Frasier Harbin Episode: "Detour"
Brandy & Mr. Whiskers Santa Claus (voice) Episode: "On Whiskers, on Lola, on Cheryl, on Meryl"
2004–2007 Tripping the Rift Chode (voice) 39 episodes
2005 Teen Titans Val–Yor (voice) Episode: "TROQ"
Kim Possible: So the Drama Cowboy Gambler (voice) Television film
2005–2007 The X's Homebase (voice) 9 episodes
West Wing, TheThe West Wing Bob Mayer 9 episodes
2005–2007 American Dad! Dick, Dentist's Father (voices) 7 episodes
2006 Path to 9/11, TheThe Path to 9/11 Richard Clarke Miniseries
2007 Random! Cartoons Lance (voice) Episode: "Squirly Town"
2008 Head Case Pat Jennings Episode: "Come Together"
WordGirl Professor Robert Tubing (voice) Episode: "Lady Redundant Woman/A Game of Cat & Mouse"
Boston Legal Ethan Melman Episode: "Tabloid Nation"
Chowder Stilton, Dancer (voices) Episode: "The Apprentice Games"
Sarah Silverman Program, TheThe Sarah Silverman Program Johnny Forrealz Episode: "Kangamangus"
Pushing Daisies Dwight Dixon 5 episodes
2008–2009 True Blood Eddie 4 episodes
2009 Californication Ricardo Collini Episode: "Slow Happy Boys"
Slacker Cats Tommy (voice) Episode: "Buckley on the Run"
2010 24 Bill Prady 3 episodes
Defenders, TheThe Defenders Judge Taylor Episode: "Pilot"
Louie Dr. Heppa Episode: "Dentist/Tarese"
Glenn Martin, DDS Hoss Willicker (voice) 2 episodes
2010–2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Woozy Winks, Oswald Cobblepot/Penguin, Planet Master, Killer Croc / Waylon Jones, Carnival Baker (voices) 4 episodes
2010–2014 Justified Judge Mike Reardon Recurring role
2011 Childrens Hospital Hank Maestro Episode: "Party Down"
The Life & Times of Tim Lou (voice) Episode: "The Caddy's Shack/The Sausage Salesman"
Fringe Raymond Episode: "And Those We've Left Behind"
Thundercats Drifter, Hattanzo the Swordmaker (voices) Episode: "The Duelist and the Drifter"
Raising Hope Cap Collins Episode: "Sabrina Has Money"
2011–2016 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Master Junjie (voice) 5 episodes
2011–2017 Adventure Time The Royal Tart Toter, Grimby, Martin Mertens (voices) Recurring role
2012 The Legend of Korra Hobo, White Lotus Leader, Phonograph Vendor (voices) 2 episodes
Good Wife, TheThe Good Wife Judge Murphy Wicks 2 episodes
Outlaw Country Frank Television film
2012, 2022 Young Justice Jack Haly (voice) 2 episodes
2012–2013 Boardwalk Empire Gaston Means Recurring role
The Cleveland Show Neighbors Kellogg, Allister Monkarsh (voices) 2 episodes
2012–2014 Dragons: Riders of Berk Mildew (voice) 17 episodes
2012–2016 Gravity Falls Bud Gleeful, Additional voices 7 episodes
2013 Out There Mr. Shooty (voice) Episode: "Frosty King"
Newsroom, TheThe Newsroom General Stanislao Stomtonovich 2 episodes
Arrangement, TheThe Arrangement Avery Boomer Television film
Bee and PuppyCat Farmer (voice) Episode: "Farmer"
2014 Fargo Burt Canton 2 episodes
Big Bang Theory, TheThe Big Bang Theory Dan 2 episodes
Mike Tyson Mysteries Thomas J. Watson (voice) Episode: "Ultimate Judgment Day"
Hot in Cleveland Brian Episode: "The Bachelors"
Gravity Falls TV Shorts Bud Gleeful (voice) Episode: "TV Shorts 1"
2014–2015 Turn: Washington's Spies Nathaniel Sackett 4 episodes
Brooklyn Nine-Nine Lynn Boyle 4 episodes
Phineas and Ferb Floyd (voice) 2 episodes
2014–2017 Idiotsitter Kent Russell Main role
2015–2016 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Brian, Additional voices 2 episodes
2016 Workaholics Carty Episode: "Gone Catfishing"
All the Way J. Edgar Hoover Television film
Masters of ... Harvey Toplin Episode: "Topeka"
Con Man Pascal Episode: "New Deal, No Deal"
Guardians of the Galaxy Neeza (voice) Episode: "Jingle Bell Rock"
2016–2019 Man in the High Castle, TheThe Man in the High Castle Hawthorne Abendsen Recurring role
2017 Angie Tribeca Mortimer Begoyle Episode: "License to Drill"
Veep Judge Walsh Episode: "Judge"
Niko and the Sword of Light Diggantus, Exuber-Ant (voices) Episode: "From the Tunnels of Terror to the Den of Doom"
2018 Mr. Pickles Mr. Montgomery (voice) Episode: "Telemarketers Are the Devil"
Dallas & Robo Uncle Danny (voice) 8 episodes
The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Mr. Morty Fyde (voice) Episode: "Captain Underpants and the Squishy Predicament of Stanley Peet's Stinky Pits"
2018–2023 Barry Monroe Fuches / The Raven Main role
2019 BoJack Horseman Jeremiah Whitewhale (voice) Episode: "Feel-Good Story"
Bless the Harts Rick Ocean (voice) Episode: "Pig Trouble in Little Greenpoint"
2019–2021 Summer Camp Island Stuart, Additional voices 5 episodes
2019–2022 Amphibia Frodrick Toadstool (voice) Recurring role
2020 DuckTales J. W. Guidebook (voice) Episode: "Challenge of the Senior Junior Woodchucks!"
The Midnight Gospel Various voices 3 episodes
Adventure Time: Distant Lands Mr. M (voice) Episode: "BMO"
Perry Mason Maynard Barnes 7 episodes
Robot Chicken Wolf Spritzer, Predator Wilson (voices) Episode: "Sundancer Craig in: 30% of the Way to Crying"
2020–2022 The Mighty Ones Bernard (voice) 4 episodes
2021 The Simpsons Bildorf (voice) Episode: "Wad Goals"
Blindspotting Rick Episode: "Bride or Die"
Masters of the Universe: Revelation Cringer / Battle Cat (voice) 8 episodes
2021–2022 Blade Runner: Black Lotus Earl Grant (voice) English dub
11 episodes
2021–2023 Succession Ron Petkus 2 episodes
2022 The Legend of Vox Machina Professor Anders (voice) 4 episodes
The Book of Boba Fett Lortha Peel Episode: "Chapter 3: The Streets of Mos Espa"
We Baby Bears Various voices Episode: "Unica"
Solar Opposites (voice) Episode: "Edamame Duffle Bag"
Bee and PuppyCat: Lazy in Space Warlock G / various (voice) 3 episodes
2023 Velma Chief Cogburn (voice) 4 episodes
Hamster & Gretel Jeff Strawberry, Melvin Horsegobble (voices) 2 episodes
Bedrock Fred Flintstone (voice) Pilot
Beavis and Butt-Head Gary (voice) Episode: "Meditation Sucks/Polling Place"
Fired on Mars Mark (voice) 3 episodes
Clone High Mr Big Corporation (voice) Episode: "Saved by the Knoll"
Invincible Dr. Elias Brandyworth (voice) Episode: "Atom Eve"
Praise Petey Petey's father (voice) Main role

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Blade Runner Early Q
2000 Deus Ex Mechanic Uncredited
King of the Hill Bill Dauterive
2003 Finding Nemo Bubbles
Finding Nemo: Nemo's Underwater World of Fun

Theme parks

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Bubbles Short film

Web

Year Title Role Notes
2011, 2017 Kevin Pollak's Chat Show Himself/Guest Episodes: "95", "297"

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
1980 Journey's End 2nd Lieutenant Trotter Off-Broadway
1986 So Long on Lonely Street King Vaughnum III Broadway
1987 All My Sons Frank Lubey
2015 Marjorie Prime Jon Off-Broadway

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Stephen Root para niños

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