Bill Irwin | |
|---|---|
 Irwin at the 2018 San Diego Comic Con | |
| Born | William Mills Irwin (1950-04-11)April 11, 1950 (age 75) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1974–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
William Mills Irwin (born April 11, 1950)[1] is an American actor, choreographer,clown,[2][3] and comedian. He began as avaudeville-style stage performer and has been noted for his contribution to the renaissance of American circus during the 1970s. He has made a number of appearances on film and television, and he won aTony Award for his role inWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? He also worked as a choreographer on Broadway and was nominated for theTony Award for Best Choreography in 1989 forLargely New York. He is also known asMr. Noodle on theSesame Street segmentElmo's World, and he appeared in theSesame Street film shortDoes Air Move Things?[4] He has regularly appeared as Dr. Peter Lindstrom onLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit, and had a recurring role as "The Dick & Jane Killer" onCSI: Crime Scene Investigation.[5] From 2017 to 2019, he appeared as Cary Loudermilk on theFX television seriesLegion.
Irwin was born inSanta Monica, California, to Elizabeth (née Mills), a teacher, and Horace G. Irwin, anaerospace engineer.[6] He graduated fromOberlin College in 1974 and attendedRingling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College the following year. In 1975, he helped found thePickle Family Circus in San Francisco, California.[7] He credits his experience with the circus, and performing in schools under theComprehensive Employment and Training Act, as having made him a working artist.[8] In 1979, Irwin left the company to pursue stage work.
Irwin has created several highly regarded stage shows that incorporate elements of clowning, often in collaboration with composerDoug Skinner. These works includedThe Regard of Flight (1982), which ran onBroadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theatre in April 1987 for 17 performances,[9]Largely New York (1989),Fool Moon (1993),[10]The Harlequin Studies (2003),[11] andMr. Fox: A Rumination (2004).[12]Mr. Fox is a production that Irwin has worked on for years, a biography of 19th century clownGeorge Washington Lafayette Fox that also has autobiographical elements. In 2013, he teamed with his occasional partnerDavid Shiner to create and perform in theOff-Broadway "clowning revue-with-music"Old Hats along with actress and musicianNellie McKay.[13][14]Old Hats won the 2013 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revue.[15]Old Hats was revived in New York City in 2016, with Shiner and Irwin returning and a new third performer, musicianShaina Taub, performing with her band between the sketches.[16]
He adaptedMolière's playLes Fourberies de Scapin as a comedy calledScapin, and has played the title role in several productions. He appeared in the play at theoff-BroadwayRoundabout Theatre CompanyLaura Pels Theatre in January through March 1997, after performing in the play at theSeattle Rep.[17] His adaptation allowed him to incorporate his signature clowning routines into the course of the action.
Irwin performed withThe Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps at the1996 Summer Olympics, in a "band on the run" sequence where he played Dr. Hubert Peterson of the fictitious Federation of United Marching Associations of America.[18]
Although Irwin is best known for his theatrical clown work, he has also been featured in a number of dramatic plays. Irwin appeared withSteve Martin andRobin Williams in theLincoln Center Off-Broadway production ofWaiting for Godot, in 1988, in the role ofLucky.[19] Lucky's only lines consist of a famous 500-word-long monologue, an ironic element for Irwin since much of his clown-based stage work was silent.
He directed the 1998Roundabout Theatre Company production ofA Flea in Her Ear. He appeared in 2002 withSally Field in the replacement cast ofThe Goat or Who is Sylvia?[20] In 2005, he starred as George alongsideKathleen Turner in a revival ofEdward Albee'sWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, for which he won a Tony Award.[21] He played Vladimir (Didi) in the 2009 Broadway revival ofWaiting for Godot,[22] and Mr. McAfee in the Broadway revival ofBye Bye Birdie. In 2011, he appeared inKing Lear at thePublic Theatre.[23] In 2023, he played Clov in theIrish Repertory Theatre's Off-Broadway production ofEndgame.[24]
Irwin's first featured film role was in 1980, appearing asHarold Hamgravy in Robert Altman'sPopeye starringRobin Williams. He has appeared in over 20 films, mainly in supporting roles. Irwin's principal film roles include playingEddie Collins inEight Men Out, which tells the story of the "Black Sox" gambling scandal of 1919, andMy Blue Heaven, a 1990 comedy withSteve Martin andRick Moranis. Irwin tap-danced in a leading role in 1991'sStepping Out withLiza Minnelli, appeared as a mime in thePaul Mazursky filmScenes from a Mall alongsideWoody Allen andBette Midler, and playedCharlie Sheen's father inHot Shots! (1991). His authentic vaudevillian skills landed him a role in theSam Shepard filmSilent Tongue in 1994, and he appeared in film adaptations ofHow the Grinch Stole Christmas,The Laramie Project andA Midsummer Night's Dream. He played an ex-brain surgeon and house salesman in the Nickelodeon seriesThe Adventures of Pete & Pete. In 2006, Irwin played the solitary Mr. Leeds inM. Night Shyamalan'sLady in the Water and had a small role as Uncle Teddy in 2007'sAcross the Universe. He received critical acclaim for his role as Paul, father toAnne Hathaway's character Kym, in the 2008 dramaRachel Getting Married.[7][25]
Irwin's most notable television roles have been Enrico Ballati, "The Flying Man", on the television seriesNorthern Exposure,Mr. Noodle in theElmo's World segment of the PBS children's showSesame Street, and the "Dick & Jane" serial killerNate Haskell onCSI: Crime Scene Investigation. He was featured in the 1988 music video of "Don't Worry, Be Happy" byBobby McFerrin (along with McFerrin and Robin Williams) and the 1996 music video of "Let Me into Your Heart" byMary Chapin Carpenter. Irwin was also featured in HBO's 1997 productionSubway Stories. He has also appeared onThe Cosby Show,Saturday Night Live,3rd Rock from the Sun,Law & Order, andLights Out.
In 2011, Irwin guest starred in the pilot episode of the CBS television dramaA Gifted Man.[26] He starred in the 2013medical drama TNT television series,Monday Mornings as Buck Tierney.[27] In 2014, he guest starred in the episode "The One Percent Solution" of CBS'Elementary.
Irwin voices the robot TARS in the filmInterstellar and puppeteers the robot in most scenes (those which are not computer-generated). He is featured in thePBS seriesGreat Performances, in the episode titled "Bill Irwin, Clown Prince", initially broadcast in December 2004.[28]
He regularly appears on theNBC crime seriesLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit as therapist Dr. Peter Lindstrom. Lindstrom normally appears on the show while counseling main character CaptainOlivia Benson.[5] Irwin also appeared on the television seriesSleepy Hollow, playing the character of Atticus Nevins. Between 2017 and 2019, he appeared in theFX television seriesLegion.
In 2020, he appeared as Su'Kal inStar Trek: Discovery. In 2022, Irwin guest starred onThe Gilded Age onHBO.
He is married to Martha Roth, an "actress-turned-nurse midwife", whom he met while seeking treatment for a stiff neck.[29] They have an adopted son, Santos Patrick Morales Irwin, who was born on December 9, 1991.[29]
Irwin was awarded theNational Endowment for the Arts Choreographer's Fellowship in 1981 and 1983. In 1984, he was named aGuggenheim Fellow and was the first performance artist to be awarded a five-yearMacArthur Fellowship. ForLargely New York, he won aNew York Drama Critics Circle Special Citation in 1988, and anOuter Critics Circle Award andDrama Desk Award in 1989. This show also received five nominations for Tony Awards.[30]
In 1992, he won anObie Award for his performance inTexts for Nothing. Together withDavid Shiner, he won a specialTony Award for Live Theatrical Presentation in 1999 for their show,Fool Moon.[31] In 1993, this show had already won a Drama Desk Award for "Unique Theatrical Experience" and an Outer Critics Circle "Special Achievement" Award.[citation needed]
In 2000, the Jazz Tap Ensemble in Los Angeles received a $10,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) "for a commission of a new work by Bill Irwin."[32]
In 2004, the Signature Theatre Company (New York), received a $40,000 NEA grant for "the world premiere production of 'Mr. Fox: A Rumination' by Bill Irwin."[33]
In 2005, he won theTony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his appearance as George in the revival ofEdward Albee'sWho's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?[34]
Irwin received a 2008CFCA Award nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role inRachel Getting Married. In 2010,The New Victory Theater presented Irwin with the first-ever New Victory Arts Award.[35] He was honored for "bringing the arts to kids and kids to the arts."Nathan Lane andJonathan Demme spoke at the ceremony. Irwin is also on the board ofThe New 42nd Street, Inc.
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Popeye | Ham Gravy, the Old Boyfriend | |
| 1988 | A New Life | Eric | |
| Eight Men Out | Eddie Collins | ||
| 1990 | My Blue Heaven | Kirby | |
| 1991 | Scenes from a Mall | Mime | |
| Hot Shots! | Buzz Harley | ||
| Stepping Out | Geoffrey | ||
| 1993 | Silent Tongue | Comic | |
| Manhattan by Numbers | Floyd | ||
| Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit | Unnamed Brother #1 | Uncredited | |
| 1994 | Water Ride | The Man in the Gray Hat | Short film |
| 1998 | Illuminata | Marco | |
| 1999 | Just the Ticket | Ray Charles | |
| A Midsummer Night's Dream | Tom Snout | ||
| 2000 | How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Lou Lou Who | |
| 2001 | Elmo's World: The Wild Wild West | Mr. Noodle | Direct-to-video |
| 2002 | Igby Goes Down | Lt. Smith | |
| 2004 | The Truth About Miranda | Emile | |
| The Manchurian Candidate | Scoutmaster | ||
| 2005 | Elmo Visits the Doctor | Mr. Noodle | Direct-to-video |
| 2006 | Elmo's World: Reach for the Sky | Mr. Noodle | Direct-to-video |
| Lady in the Water | Mr. Leeds | ||
| Elmo's World: Pets! | Mr. Noodle | Direct-to-video | |
| 2007 | Dark Matter | Hal Silver | |
| Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy? | Mr. Noodle | Direct-to-video | |
| Across the Universe | Uncle Teddy | ||
| 2008 | Rachel Getting Married | Paul Buchman | |
| 2010 | Goldstar, Ohio | Chief Jeff 'Goob' Garver | Short film |
| 2011 | Higher Ground | Pastor Bud | |
| Elmo's World: Penguins and Friends | Additional voices | Direct-to-video | |
| Elmo's World: People in Your Neighborhood | Additional voices | Direct-to-video | |
| 2012 | Elmo's World - Favorite Things | Additional voices | Direct-to-video |
| 2014 | Interstellar | TARS (voice) | Provides puppetry for TARS and CASE |
| Frozen on Broadway: First Look | Director | Short film | |
| 2015 | Identity Theft | Mark | Short film |
| Ricki and the Flash | Single Dad | ||
| 2016 | Old Hats | Himself | |
| 2018 | Ballet Now | Himself | Documentary |
| 2020 | Irresistible | Elton Chambers | |
| 2022 | Spoiler Alert | Bob | |
| 2023 | Rustin | A. J. Muste | |
| 2024 | High Tide | Scott | |
| 2026 | The Odyssey | Post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Struck by Lightning | Episode: "Frank Meets the Press" | |
| 1982 | Saturday Night Live | The Dancing Man | Segment: "The Dancing Man" |
| 1983 | The Regard of Flight | Performer | TV movie |
| 1987 | The Cosby Show | Eddie Bartholomew | Episode: "The Show Must Go On" |
| 1990 | The Circus | Pierrot The Clown / Miranda's Father | TV movie |
| 1991–1992 | Northern Exposure | Enrico Bellati | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | The Last Mile | The Maestro | TV short |
| 1992–2010; 2017–present | Sesame Street | Mr. Noodle, Air Mime, Professor Television | Recurring; 25 episodes |
| 1993 | Great Performances | Master of Ceremony | Episode: "Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall" |
| TriBeCa | Gene Kelly Clone | Episode: "The Loft" | |
| 1994 | Monte Video | Clown | Episode: "Erntedankfest" |
| 1996 | The Adventures of Pete & Pete | The Broker | Episode: "35 Hours" |
| 1997 | Subway Stories | Himself | TV movie; segment: "Subway Car from Hell" |
| 1998 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Pickles | Episode: "Pickles and Ice Cream" |
| 2002 | The Laramie Project | Harry Woods | TV movie |
| 2006 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Nate Royce | Episode: "Masquerade" |
| 2008 | Law & Order | Ellison Conway | Episode: "Bogeyman" |
| Life on Mars | Dr. Schwahn | Episode: "Tuesday's Dead" | |
| 2008–2011 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Nate Haskell | Recurring |
| 2011 | The Good Wife | Fred Medkiff | Episode: "Ham Sandwich" |
| Lights Out | Hal Brennan | Recurring | |
| A Gifted Man | Ron Vinetz | Episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2013 | Monday Mornings | Dr. Buck Tierney | Main cast |
| 2013–2022[36][37] | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dr. Peter Lindstrom | Recurring; 17 episodes |
| 2014 | Elementary | Richard Balsille | Episode: "The One Percent Solution" |
| Blue Bloods | Cardinal Brennan | 2 episodes | |
| 2015 | South of Hell | Enos Abascal | Main cast |
| 2015–2016 | Sleepy Hollow | Atticus Nevins | 4 episodes |
| 2016 | Confirmation | Jack Danforth | TV movie |
| Quarry | Harlowe | Episode: "Seldom Realized" | |
| 2017 | Julie's Greenroom | Himself | 2 episodes |
| Doubt | Judge | 2 episodes | |
| 2017–2019 | Legion | Cary Loudermilk | Main cast |
| 2018, 2022 | This Is Us | Dr. Spencer | 2 episodes |
| 2020–2021 | Star Trek: Discovery | Su'Kal | 3 episodes |
| 2021 | New Amsterdam | Grandpa Calvin | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | The Gilded Age | Cornelius Eckhard | Episode: "Face the Music" |
| The Dropout | Channing Robertson | 4 episodes | |
| The Andy Warhol Diaries | Andy Warhol (voice) | 6 episodes | |
| 2025 | The Beast in Me | James Ingram | good show |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | "Don't Worry, Be Happy" | Himself | Music video;Bobby McFerrin |
| 1996 | "Let Me into Your Heart" | Himself | Music video;Mary Chapin Carpenter |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Accidental Death of an Anarchist | The Sergeant | Broadway |
| 1987 | The Regard of Flight | Writer and performer | Broadway |
| 1988 | Waiting for Godot | Lucky | Off-Broadway Drama Desk Award nomination |
| 1989 | Largely New York | The Post-Modern Hoofer Director, choreographer, and writer | Broadway Drama Desk Award for Unique Theatrical Experience Tony Award nominations for Best Actor in a Play, Best Choreography, Best Direction of a Play, and Best Play |
| 1993 | Fool Moon | Creator and performer | Broadway |
| 1995 | Fool Moon | Creator and performer | Broadway |
| 1998 | Fool Moon | Creator and performer | Broadway |
| 2002 | The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? | Martin | Broadway |
| 2005 | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? | George | Broadway Tony Award Drama Desk Award nomination |
| 2007 | Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? | George | National tour |
| 2009 | Waiting for Godot | Vladimir | Broadway Drama Desk Award nomination |
| Bye Bye Birdie | Harry MacAfee | Broadway | |
| 2011 | King Lear | The Fool | Off-Broadway Drama Desk Award nomination |
| 2018 | The Iceman Cometh | Ed Mosher | Broadway |
| 2019 | Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus | Movement choreographer | Broadway |
| 2023 | Endgame[38] | Clov | Off-Broadway |
| 2024 | On Beckett | Himself | Guthrie Theater |
| Eureka Day[39] | Don | Broadway |
