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Bob Balaban Biography

Birth Name:Robert Elmer Balaban

Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Director, Producer, Writer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

  • Acted in a production of "8" at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre that's proceeds went to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights
  • Came from a family with powerful ties to both the Chicago theater business and cable and network television
  • Made a number of successful forays into the worlds of independent film and comedy, exercising a talent for humorous subtlety
  • Often plays soft-spoken characters with an aura of superiority
  • Authors books for young readers, including the McGrowl series and "The Creature from the Seventh Grade․"
  • Joined the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity while attending Colgate University

Awards

  • 1989Grand Prize-: nominated
  • 1989Critics Award-Best Film: winner
  • 1994Audience Award-Most Popular Film: winner
  • 1995Prix Tournage-USA: winner
  • 1995Grand Special Prize-: nominated
  • 2001ACCA-Best Cast Ensemble: nominated
  • 2002Oscar-Best Picture: nominated
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by the Cast of a Theatrical Motion Picture: winner
  • 2002Best Foreign Film Award-: nominated
  • 2002Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film-: winner
  • 2002Critics Choice Award-Best Acting Ensemble: winner
  • 2002FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2002OFCS Award-Best Ensemble: winner
  • 2002PFCS Award-Best Acting Ensemble: nominated
  • 2002Special Achievement Award-Outstanding Motion Picture Ensemble: winner
  • 2004FFCC Award-Best Ensemble Cast: winner
  • 2004Gold Derby Film Award-Ensemble Cast: nominated
  • 2004PFCS Award-Best Ensemble Acting: nominated
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: nominated
  • 2006Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Made for Television Movie: nominated
  • 2009DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Miniseries: nominated
  • 2009Golden Globe-Best Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 2009PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Long-Form Television: nominated
  • 2010DGA Award-Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television/Mini-Series: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries, Movie or a Dramatic Special: nominated
  • 2012Gotham Independent Film Award-Best Ensemble Performance: nominated
  • 2012SEFCA Award-Best Ensemble: nominated
  • 2013COFCA Award-Best Ensemble: winner