---
name: "Flea"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/flea"
fi1m_id: "flea"
imdb_id: "nm0281359"
tmdb_id: 1237
wikidata_id: "Q202859"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "16 October 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-04T20:47:11.997350+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."
---

# Flea

## Identity

Flea

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/flea
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** flea
- **IMDb ID:** nm0281359
- **TMDB ID:** 1237
- **Wikidata ID:** Q202859
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_(musician), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202859, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0281359/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1237

Actor. Born 16 October 1962 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 16 October 1962, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- **Active:** 1989–present
- **Also known as:** Mike B. The Flea, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Michael Peter Balzary, Richard 'Flea' Balzari, Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Майкл Питер Бэлзари
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 74 (1), 1990s 84 (2), 2010s 81 (3), 2020s 68 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 79 to 75 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 5, Adventure 4, Animation 3, Family 3, Crime 2, Drama 2
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $4,244m across 7 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flea_(musician), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q202859, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0281359/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1237

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Baby Driver*](https://film.one/film/baby-driver.md) (79)

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

## Fi1m on Flea

> Flea brings a restless, punkish energy to supporting parts, and we enjoy the disruption. The small roles suit him; his sporadic film work gives us less reason to make grand claims for his acting.

Flea often appears among people who do not fit in, and looks entirely at home. As one of the nihilists in *The Big Lebowski* (1998), he gives the Coens another distinct, unruly presence in a film already well supplied with them. We enjoy this sort of casting: a small part can be right without needing to become a large one. His physical energy makes sense here, though the brief appearance gives us little basis for judging how he might sustain a film.

That use of him goes back to Penelope Spheeris’s punk film *Suburbia* (1983), in which he played Razzle. Needles in *Back to the Future Part II* (1989) took him into a major franchise, with the part reprised in *Back to the Future Part III* (1990). Acting remained occasional and secondary to music, rather than developing through a steady succession of larger parts. The attraction is easy to understand: he brings a recognisable physical restlessness, and filmmakers tend to find room for that rather than disguise it.

*My Own Private Idaho* (1991) puts him, as Budd, in Gus Van Sant’s company alongside River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves. We were moved by Phoenix’s Mike because his loneliness remains painful even when the Shakespearean passages grow laboured. That distinction matters when considering Flea: our affection for the film is not a claim that its small supporting performances do the same work. We recommend both this and *The Big Lebowski*, but Phoenix in one, and Jeff Bridges and John Goodman in the other, give us the strongest reasons.

*Low Down* (2014), with Flea as jazz trumpeter Hobbs, offered a more substantial dramatic part than the cameos. It is worth keeping that role in view rather than assuming that a brief opportunity to be odd is all his acting amounts to. The later supporting appearance as Eddie in *Baby Driver* (2017) sits more readily within the familiar pattern. Start with *The Big Lebowski*, and do not expect him to be in charge of the evening.

## Biography

Flea, born Michael Peter Balzary, is an Australian-American musician and actor. He is a founding member and bassist of the rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, formed in 1983 with Anthony Kiedis.

Born on 16 October 1962 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, he moved to the United States as a child. He has appeared in films including *My Own Private Idaho* (1991) as Budd and *The Big Lebowski* (1998) as Nihilist #2. His other acting credits include *Back to the Future Part II* (1989) and *Back to the Future Part III* (1990) as Needles, and voice roles such as in the *Inside Out* films.

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

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Inside Out 2* (2024), Fi1m 68, as Jake (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md)
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Caboom TV Announcer (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Baby Driver* (2017), Fi1m 79, as Eddie — [page](https://film.one/film/baby-driver.md)
- *Inside Out* (2015), Fi1m 87, as Mind Worker Cop Jake (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md)
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), Fi1m 85, as Nihilist — [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *My Own Private Idaho* (1991), Fi1m 82, as Budd — [page](https://film.one/film/my-own-private-idaho.md)
- *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), Fi1m 74, as Needles — [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md)

## Complete filmography (71)

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

- *Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Tokyo Dome 2023* (2024), Actor
- *Inside Out 2* (2024), as Jake (voice) — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out-2.md)
- *Lolla: The Story of Lollapalooza* (2024), series, Actor
- *Codice Carla* (2023), Original Music Composer
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live at Tokyo Dome* (2023), Actor
- *Babylon* (2022), as Bob Levine
- *Obi-Wan Kenobi* (2022), series, as Vect Nokru
- *I Heart Arlo* (2021), series, as Ruff (voice)
- *Arlo the Alligator Boy* (2021), as Ruff (voice)
- *Queen & Slim* (2019), as Mr. Shepherd
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), as Caboom TV Announcer (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Love, Death & Robots* (2019), series, as Flea (voice) · Music
- *Boy Erased* (2018), as Brandon
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers - Rock in Rio* (2017), as Bass
- *Baby Driver* (2017), as Eddie — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/baby-driver.md)
- *Song to Song* (2017), as Michael Peter Balzary
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers - Live Reading Festival 2016* (2016), as Bass
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: Lollapalooza, Chicago 2016* (2016), as Bass
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers – Rock am Ring 2016* (2016), as Bass
- *Highston* (2015), series, as Flea
- *Riley's First Date?* (2015), as Jordan's Fear (voice)
- *Zelos* (2015), Co-Producer
- *Inside Out* (2015), as Mind Worker Cop Jake (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/inside-out.md)
- *Stan Lee's Mighty 7* (2014), as Roller Man (voice)
- *Low Down* (2014), as Hobbs · Executive Producer
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: Live from the Basement* (2012), as bass, piano, backing vocals
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: Bonnaroo 2012* (2012), Actor
- *My Own Private River* (2012), as Budd (archive footage)
- *Bob and the Monster* (2011), Actor
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: A Dutch Connection* (2007), Actor
- *Lil' Bush* (2007), series, Actor
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Orderly (voice)
- *Rugrats Go Wild* (2003), as Donnie Thornberry (voice)
- *The Wild Thornberrys Movie* (2002), as Donnie Thornberry (voice)
- *The Wild Thornberrys: The Origin of Donnie* (2001), as Donald 'Donnie' Michael Thornberry (voice)
- *Woodstock '99* (2000), Actor
- *Goodbye, Casanova* (2000), as Silent
- *Liar's Poker* (1999), as Freddie
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Flea (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Psycho* (1998), as Bob Summerfield
- *The Lionhearts* (1998), series, as (voice)
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Donnie Thornberry (voice)
- *Gen¹³* (1998), as Grunge / Edward Chang (voice)
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Musician
- *The Big Lebowski* (1998), as Nihilist — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/film/the-big-lebowski.md)
- *Just Your Luck* (1996), as Johnny
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: Tibetan Freedom Concert* (1996), Actor
- *Afros, Macks & Zodiacs* (1995), as (archive footage)
- *Duckman* (1994), series, as Flea (voice)
- *The Chase* (1994), as Dale
- *Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!* (1994), Actor
- *Son in Law* (1993), as Tattoo Artist (uncredited)
- *Roadside Prophets* (1992), as Too Free Stooges
- *Motorama* (1991), as Busboy
- *My Own Private Idaho* (1991), as Budd — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/my-own-private-idaho.md)
- *Flea Sings* (1991), as Él mismo
- *Back to the Future Part III* (1990), as Needles
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Flea (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Back to the Future Part II* (1989), as Needles — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/back-to-the-future-part-ii.md)
- *MTV Rockumentary* (1989), series, Actor
- *The Blue Iguana* (1988), as Floyd
- *Stranded* (1987), as Jester The Alien
- *Less Than Zero* (1987), as Musician #1
- *Dudes* (1987), as Milo
- *Zabagabee* (1987), Actor
- *Red Hot Chili Peppers: [1986] St. Louis, MO* (1986), as Bass
- *Tough Guys* (1986), as Red Hot Chili Peppers Member
- *Thrashin'* (1986), as Flea
- *Suburbia* (1984), as Razzle
- *Nightmares* (1983), as Singer (voice)
- *The Outsiders* (1983), as Soc (uncredited)

## Gallery

- ![ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-10da7d535f65.jpg) ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/15/2016_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary2_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-2016_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary2_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Канцэрты ARGO, фестываль, канцэрт, жывы канцэрт, жывая музыка, Michael «Flea» Balzary, музыка, «Red Hot Chili Peppers», RiP, Rock im Park 2016, Seat Zeppelin St](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-f29db3adc730.jpg) Канцэрты ARGO, фестываль, канцэрт, жывы канцэрт, жывая музыка, Michael «Flea» Balzary, музыка, «Red Hot Chili Peppers», RiP, Rock im Park 2016, Seat Zeppelin St — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/2016_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-8b8b1b4de878.jpg) ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0085.jpg/1280px-2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0085.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-7606543dad63.jpg) ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0108.jpg/1280px-2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0108.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Flea](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-c1ee0ef3a396.jpg) Flea — Image via TMDB
- ![ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-2d603dc0e328.jpg) ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c4/2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0181.jpg/1280px-2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0181.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage](https://film.one/media/person/79598/gallery-792bf786e802.jpg) ARGO-Konzerte,Festival,Konzert,Livekonzert,Livemusik,Michael „Flea“ Balzary,Musik,Red Hot Chili Peppers,RiP,Rock im Park 2016,Seat Zeppelin Stage — Stefan Brending (2eight), CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/17/2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0041.jpg/1280px-2016_RiP_Red_Hot_Chili_Peppers_-_Michael_Flea_Balzary_-_by_2eight_-_DSC0041.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© 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/flea