---
name: "Albert Brooks"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/albert-brooks"
fi1m_id: "albert-brooks"
imdb_id: "nm0000983"
tmdb_id: 13
wikidata_id: "Q356303"
roles: ["Actor","Director"]
born: "22 July 1947"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 13
average_fi1m_score: 75
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 12
updated: "2026-10-05T13:47:48.776925+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Albert Brooks

## Identity

Albert Brooks

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/albert-brooks
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** albert-brooks
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000983
- **TMDB ID:** 13
- **Wikidata ID:** Q356303
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Brooks, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q356303, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000983/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13

Actor and director. Born 22 July 1947 in Beverly Hills, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Director
- **Born:** 22 July 1947, Beverly Hills, California, USA
- **Active:** 1976–2016
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 13: 12 acting, 1 directing
- **Frequently works with:** [Andrew Stanton](https://film.one/person/andrew-stanton.md), [Ellen DeGeneres](https://film.one/person/ellen-degeneres.md), [James L. Brooks](https://film.one/person/james-l-brooks.md), [Oscar Isaac](https://film.one/person/oscar-isaac.md)
- **Academy Awards:** 1 Oscar nomination
- **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 12 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 84 (2), 1980s 73 (4), 1990s 68 (2), 2000s 78 (2), 2010s 76 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 73 across 11 titles
- **Score spread:** 6 at 80+, 5 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 3 of 10 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Crime 4, Drama 4, Family 4, Animation 3, Adventure 2
- **Screen time:** 22 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,264m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Brooks, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q356303, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000983/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13

## Coming up

- *Oswald* (2027-02-17)

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Finding Nemo*](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md) (85), [*The Simpsons Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md) (70), [*Finding Dory*](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md) (68)
- **HBO Max:** [*A Most Violent Year*](https://film.one/film/a-most-violent-year.md) (77)
- **Tubi:** [*Private Benjamin*](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md) (64)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Twilight Zone: The Movie*](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md) (63)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Albert Brooks

> Albert Brooks makes insecurity funny without assuming it deserves our sympathy. We rate him for that distance from the men he plays, and for the menace he can bring when comedy is no longer required.

In *Out of Sight* (1998), Albert Brooks’s Richard Ripley has a Detroit mansion full of things nobody uses. We laughed at the waste; production designer Gary Frutkoff makes this rich man look foolish before he speaks. It is a useful setting for Brooks, who so often plays men too absorbed in their own concerns to notice how they look. Soderbergh’s relaxed, funny film is a particularly agreeable place to encounter him, without requiring him to carry the evening. We rate Brooks most when a film lets that self-absorption be funny without asking us to find it endearing.

His film acting debut came as Tom in *Taxi Driver* (1976), with Martin Scorsese allowing him to improvise much of the dialogue. Even here, though, there is a limit to what a supporting actor can contribute when the film is so firmly fixed on one man. We strongly recommend it for the frightening company of Travis, but find too little room for those around him. For a clearer sense of Brooks’s comic thinking, we would turn to the films he wrote, directed and starred in.

*Real Life* (1979), his feature directing debut, takes aim at documentary filmmaking, with Harry Shearer among its co-writers. By *Lost in America* (1985), the subject is yuppie disillusionment, part of a continuing interest in middle-class anxieties and everyday disappointment. Monica Johnson co-wrote five films with him, an important collaboration to remember when discussing such a recognisable comic personality. The recurring self-absorption can grow tiring: there is only so long we want to spend listening to someone’s dissatisfaction. His willingness to make these men look foolish is what keeps us interested.

James L. Brooks gives that insecurity a more sympathetic setting in *Broadcast News* (1987), with Brooks playing the ethical reporter Aaron Altman. His later supporting and voice work includes Marlin in *Finding Nemo* (2003) and the vicious gangster Bernie Rose in *Drive* (2011). Those parts are worth remembering before reducing him to the anxious men of his own comedies. Start with *Out of Sight* for the pleasures of the ensemble, then try *Broadcast News* for a character whose worries deserve more of our patience.

## Biography

Albert Brooks is an American actor, comedian, director and screenwriter. Born Albert Lawrence Einstein on 22 July 1947 in Beverly Hills, California, he began performing stand-up comedy in the late 1960s and appeared in short films for Saturday Night Live in 1975. He made his feature-film acting debut in Taxi Driver (1976).

Brooks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Broadcast News (1987). He appeared as Richard Ripley in Out of Sight (1998) and as Bernie Rose in Drive (2011). His voice credits include Marlin in Finding Nemo (2003) and Finding Dory (2016), and several characters in The Simpsons.

Brooks has written, directed and starred in comedy features including Real Life (1979), Modern Romance (1981), Lost in America (1985) and Defending Your Life (1991).

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, albertbrooks.com.*

## On Fi1m (13)

### Performed in (12) — the average rests on these

- *Finding Dory* (2016), Fi1m 68, as Marlin (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md)
- *A Most Violent Year* (2014), Fi1m 77, as Andrew Walsh — [page](https://film.one/film/a-most-violent-year.md)
- *Drive* (2011), Fi1m 83, as Bernie Rose — [page](https://film.one/film/drive.md)
- *The Simpsons Movie* (2007), Fi1m 70, as Russ Cargill (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md)
- *Finding Nemo* (2003), Fi1m 85, as Marlin (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md)
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), Fi1m 50, as Tiger (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Richard Ripley — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Broadcast News* (1987), Fi1m 84, as Aaron Altman — [page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md)
- *Terms of Endearment* (1983), Fi1m 81, as Rudyard Greenway (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/terms-of-endearment.md)
- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), Fi1m 63, as Driver — [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), Fi1m 64, as Yale Goodman — [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Taxi Driver* (1976), Fi1m 92, as Tom — [page](https://film.one/film/taxi-driver.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Real Life* (1979), Fi1m 77, as Albert Brooks — [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md)

## Complete filmography (50)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Oswald* (2027), series, Actor
- *Ella McCay* (2025), as Governor Bill
- *I Love You, Daddy* (2017), as Dick Welker (voice)
- *The Secret Life of Pets* (2016), as Tiberius (voice)
- *Finding Dory* (2016), as Marlin (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-dory.md)
- *Concussion* (2015), as Dr. Cyril Wecht
- *The Little Prince* (2015), as The Businessman (voice)
- *A Most Violent Year* (2014), as Andrew Walsh — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/a-most-violent-year.md)
- *This Is 40* (2012), as Larry
- *Drive* (2011), as Bernie Rose — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/drive.md)
- *The Pixar Story* (2007), as Marlin (voice) (archive footage)
- *The Simpsons Movie* (2007), as Russ Cargill (voice) — Fi1m 70, [page](https://film.one/film/the-simpsons-movie.md)
- *Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World* (2006), as Albert Brooks · Director, Writer
- *Weeds* (2005), series, as Lenny Botwin — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/weeds.md)
- *Exploring the Reef* (2003), as Marlin (voice)
- *Finding Nemo* (2003), as Marlin (voice) — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-nemo.md)
- *The In-Laws* (2003), as Jerry Peyser
- *My First Mister* (2001), as Randall ("R")
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Albert Brooks — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *The Muse* (1999), as Steven Phillips · Director, Writer
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), as Tiger (voice) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), as Richard Ripley — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Critical Care* (1997), as Dr. Butz
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor
- *Mother* (1996), as John Henderson · Director, Writer
- *The Scout* (1994), as Al Percolo · Screenplay
- *I'll Do Anything* (1994), as Burke Adler
- *Defending Your Life* (1991), as Daniel Miller · Screenplay, Director
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Hank Scorpio (voice), Slick Manager (voice), Brad Goodman (voice), Jacques (voice), Cowboy Bob (voice), Tab Spangler / Jacques (voice), Dr. Raufbold (voice), Greg (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Broadcast News* (1987), as Aaron Altman — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/broadcast-news.md)
- *Lost in America* (1985), as David Howard · Director, Writer
- *Unfaithfully Yours* (1984), as Norman Robbins
- *Terms of Endearment* (1983), as Rudyard Greenway (voice) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/terms-of-endearment.md)
- *Twilight Zone: The Movie* (1983), as Driver — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/twilight-zone-the-movie.md)
- *Modern Romance* (1981), as Robert Cole · Director, Screenplay
- *Private Benjamin* (1980), as Yale Goodman — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/private-benjamin.md)
- *Real Life* (1979), as Albert Brooks · Writer, Director — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/real-life.md)
- *Taxi Driver* (1976), as Tom — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/taxi-driver.md)
- *Audience Research* (1976), as Albert Brooks · Director, Writer
- *Sick* (1975), as Albert Brooks · Writer, Director
- *Upcoming Season* (1975), as Bob · Director, Writer
- *Open Heart Surgery* (1975), as Albert Brooks · Director, Writer
- *Home Movies & Failed Candid-Camera Stunts* (1975), as Albert Brooks · Director, Writer
- *The Impossible Truth* (1975), as Interviewer (voice) · Writer, Director
- *Albert Brooks' Famous School for Comedians* (1972), Writer, Editor, Director
- *The New Dick Van Dyke Show* (1971), series, as Dr. Norman
- *The Odd Couple* (1970), series, as Rudy
- *Love, American Style* (1969), series, as Christopher
- *Hot Wheels* (1969), series, as Kip Chogi (voice)
- *Loving Dory*, as Marlin (voice)

## Gallery

- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-6e7f031b3a49.jpg) Albert Brooks — Melissa cybermelli@aol.com from New York, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/52/Albert_Brooks_at_%27Drive%27_premiere_TIFF_9.10.11.jpg/1280px-Albert_Brooks_at_%27Drive%27_premiere_TIFF_9.10.11.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Albert Brooks at a Q&A following a screening of Drive (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-4dd58c17a3a5.jpg) Albert Brooks at a Q&A following a screening of Drive (2011) — current events from Los Angeles, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7c/Albert_Brooks_at_a_Q%26A.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Albert Brooks at a Q&A following a screening of Drive (2011)](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-a9d104f89075.jpg) Albert Brooks at a Q&A following a screening of Drive (2011) — current events, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/78/Albert_Brooks_at_a_Q%26A_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-ebf9ed91105b.jpg) Albert Brooks — Image via TMDB
- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-665ceade49a3.jpg) Albert Brooks — Image via TMDB
- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-057e078ba95e.jpg) Albert Brooks — Image via TMDB
- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-555b9e30c0d7.jpg) Albert Brooks — Image via TMDB
- ![Albert Brooks](https://film.one/media/person/9878/gallery-855873432d86.jpg) Albert Brooks — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 1988: Best Supporting Actor (nominated), for *Broadcast News*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/albert-brooks