---
name: "Jeff Garlin"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jeff-garlin"
fi1m_id: "jeff-garlin"
imdb_id: "nm0307531"
tmdb_id: 60074
wikidata_id: "Q983082"
roles: ["Actor","Producer","Director"]
born: "5 June 1962"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 76
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-10-05T01:33:37.747212+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."
---

# Jeff Garlin

## Identity

Jeff Garlin

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jeff-garlin
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jeff-garlin
- **IMDb ID:** nm0307531
- **TMDB ID:** 60074
- **Wikidata ID:** Q983082
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Garlin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q983082, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307531/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/60074

Actor and producer. Born 5 June 1962 in Chicago, Illinois, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor, Producer, Director
- **Born:** 5 June 1962, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Active:** 1999–2019
- **Also known as:** Jeffrey Todd Garlin , Τζεφ Γκάρλιν, جف گارلین
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 7 acting, 1 directing, 1 producing
- **Average Fi1m score:** 76, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 73 (1), 2000s 76 (4), 2010s 77 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 76 to 72 across 7 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Animation 4, Family 4, Adventure 3, Crime 1, Romance 1
- **Screen time:** 10 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,085m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Garlin, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q983082, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0307531/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/60074

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*WALL·E*](https://film.one/film/walle.md) (92), [*ParaNorman*](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md) (76)
- **HBO Max:** [*Curb Your Enthusiasm*](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md) (84)

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

## Fi1m on Jeff Garlin

> Jeff Garlin is at his funniest when he makes an unreasonable conversation feel ordinary. We rate him as an ensemble actor whose relaxed rapport with Larry David gives *Curb Your Enthusiasm* much of its plausibility.

In *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), Jeff Garlin's Jeff Greene looks comfortably at home while Larry David turns a disagreement into an ordeal. As David's manager and sounding board, he gives the other man room to talk and makes their familiarity convincing. We rate that ease: Garlin does not need to make every exchange about himself to be funny. His presence helps the conversations stay plausible as they become more awkward.

His improvisational background suits the programme's outline-based scenes, which leave the performers room to adapt. Cheryl Hines supplies a steadiness against which David's behaviour can be measured; Susie Essman supplies a force he cannot talk around. We laughed and then felt uncomfortable, because Garlin and his colleagues let the embarrassment develop without announcing the punchline. Garlin cannot make every repeated quarrel feel fresh, and the programme becomes wearing in a long sitting.

His voice roles are worth following, though we would not make him the chief reason to watch either of the animated films we have reviewed. Andrew Stanton's *WALL·E* (2008) casts him as the Captain in a robot romance we found patient, funny and moving. *ParaNorman* (2012), in which he voices Perry Babcock, is a stop-motion ghost story whose humour survives a repetitive middle and an over-explained moral. These are useful reminders that he can fit into stories which do not depend on his rapport with David.

He wrote, directed and starred in *I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With* (2006), then played family patriarch Murray Goldberg in *The Goldbergs* (2013). He has also directed episodes of *Curb Your Enthusiasm*. Those jobs take him beyond the supporting parts, though his partnership with David remains the work we value most here. For the clearest reason to watch him, start with *Curb Your Enthusiasm*, one episode at a time.

## Biography

Jeff Garlin is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he trained at the Second City theatre in his hometown and studied filmmaking at the University of Miami before beginning his career in stand-up and sketch comedy.

He is best known for playing Jeff Greene on the HBO series *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000–2024), on which he also served as executive producer. Garlin appeared as Harvey in Steven Soderbergh's *Full Frontal* (2002). His voice work includes the Captain in *WALL·E* (2008) and Buttercup in *Toy Story 3* (2010) and *Toy Story 4* (2019). He has also played Murray Goldberg in the ABC sitcom *The Goldbergs* (2013–2023) and had recurring roles in series such as *Mad About You* and *Arrested Development*.

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

## On Fi1m (9)

### Performed in (7) — the average rests on these

- *Toy Story 4* (2019), Fi1m 78, as Buttercup (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *ParaNorman* (2012), Fi1m 76, as Perry Babcock (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md)
- *Toy Story 3* (2010), Fi1m 87, as Buttercup (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md)
- *WALL·E* (2008), Fi1m 92, as Captain (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md)
- *Arrested Development* (2003), Fi1m 87, as Mont Meyers — [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Full Frontal* (2002), Fi1m 40, as Harvey, probably — [page](https://film.one/film/full-frontal.md)
- *Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me* (1999), Fi1m 73, as Cyclops — [page](https://film.one/film/austin-powers-the-spy-who-shagged-me.md)

### Directed (1)

- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Jeff Greene — [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)

### Produced (1)

- *Finding Vivian Maier* (2014), Fi1m 68, Executive Producer — [page](https://film.one/film/finding-vivian-maier.md)

## Complete filmography (82)

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

- *Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America* (2026), series, as Benjamin Donner — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/tv/life-larry-and-the-pursuit-of-unhappiness-an-almost-history-of-america.md)
- *Babylon* (2022), as Don Wallach
- *Studio 666* (2022), as Jeremy Shill
- *This Is the Year* (2021), as Mr. Elmer
- *Never Have I Ever* (2020), series, as Len — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/never-have-i-ever-2020.md)
- *Forky Asks a Question: What Is Cheese?* (2020), as Buttercup (voice)
- *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), as Junn Gobint (uncredited) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md)
- *Mad About You* (2019), series, as Marvin
- *Jeff Garlin: Our Man in Chicago* (2019), Writer
- *Forky Asks a Question* (2019), series, as Buttercup (voice)
- *Toy Story 4* (2019), as Buttercup (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-4.md)
- *Todd Glass: Act Happy* (2018), as Bus Driver
- *Handsome: A Netflix Mystery Movie* (2017), as Detective Gene Handsome · Executive Producer, Director, Writer
- *Becoming Bond* (2017), as Harry
- *Lemon* (2017), as Guy Roach
- *Laggies* (2014), as Ed Burch
- *Finding Vivian Maier* (2014), Executive Producer — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/finding-vivian-maier.md)
- *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Murray Goldberg
- *Dealin' with Idiots* (2013), as Max Morris · Writer, Director
- *ParaNorman* (2012), as Perry Babcock (voice) — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/paranorman.md)
- *Safety Not Guaranteed* (2012), as Mr. Britt
- *Adventures in the Sin Bin* (2012), as Dean Theatard
- *2 Broke Girls* (2011), series, as David
- *Hawaiian Vacation* (2011), as Buttercup (voice)
- *Cars 2* (2011), as Otis (voice)
- *Breakup in a Noisy Diner* (2010), Director
- *Toy Story 3* (2010), as Buttercup (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/toy-story-3.md)
- *The Bounty Hunter* (2010), as Sid
- *Community* (2009), series, as Jeff Garlin — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md)
- *BURN·E* (2008), as Captain (voice) (uncredited)
- *The Rocker* (2008), as Stan
- *WALL·E* (2008), as Captain (voice) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/walle.md)
- *Young and Handsome: A Night with Jeff Garlin* (2008), Writer
- *Naked Movie* (2008), as Writer #1
- *Strange Wilderness* (2008), as Ed Lawson
- *Wizards of Waverly Place* (2007), series, as Kelbo Russo
- *American Loser* (2007), as Lenny
- *This Filthy World* (2006), Director, Producer
- *Jimmy Timmy Power Hour 3: The Jerkinators!* (2006), as Villain (voice)
- *I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With* (2006), as James Aaron · Director, Writer, Producer
- *Fun with Dick and Jane* (2005), as Pyramid Tech CEO (uncredited) — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/fun-with-dick-and-jane.md)
- *Too Late with Adam Carolla* (2005), series, Actor
- *Fat Albert* (2004), as Jer
- *Tom Goes to the Mayor* (2004), series, as Pat Croce (voice)
- *After the Sunset* (2004), as Ron
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Roger — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Sleepover* (2004), as Jay
- *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as Mont Meyers — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Duck Dodgers* (2003), series, as Camoman (voice)
- *Daddy Day Care* (2003), as Phil
- *Full Frontal* (2002), as Harvey, probably — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/full-frontal.md)
- *The Third Wheel* (2002), as Office Worker (uncredited)
- *Run Ronnie Run* (2002), as Birthday Woman's Friend
- *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Barry Freeburg
- *What About Joan?* (2001), series, as Steinie
- *Self Storage* (2000), as Duncan Baumgartner
- *Bounce* (2000), as Emcee
- *The Michael Richards Show* (2000), series, as Jeff Schaffer
- *Curb Your Enthusiasm* (2000), series, as Jeff Greene · Executive Producer, Director — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/curb-your-enthusiasm.md)
- *Yes, Dear* (2000), series, as Howie
- *Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm* (1999), as Jeff Greene
- *Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me* (1999), as Cyclops — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/film/austin-powers-the-spy-who-shagged-me.md)
- *SpongeBob SquarePants* (1999), series, as Cuddle E. Hugs (voice)
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Jeff Garlin (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Jeff Greene (uncredited) (archive footage) — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Senseless* (1998), as Arlo Vickers
- *The Love Bug* (1997), as Highway Patrolman
- *King of the Hill* (1997), series, as Dan (voice) — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/king-of-the-hill-1997.md)
- *Everybody Loves Raymond* (1996), series, as Jimmy
- *MADtv* (1995), series, as Hank Whitley
- *Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist* (1995), series, as Jeff (voice), Additional Writing
- *Bringing up Jack* (1995), series, Actor
- *The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes* (1995), as Agent Reese
- *Little Big League* (1994), as Opposing Little League Manager
- *RoboCop 3* (1993), as Donut Jerk
- *Hero* (1992), as News Vendor
- *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Marvin Bluestone
- *Straight Talk* (1992), as Bob
- *Roseanne* (1988), series, Actor — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/roseanne.md)
- *Dear John* (1988), series, as Deliveryman
- *Friday Night Videos* (1983), series, Actor
- *Spring Break* (1983), as Gut Gut

## Gallery

- ![Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-21f665f7680f.jpg) Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016) — SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison.jpg/1280px-2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-d8b7554ee1d6.jpg) Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016) — SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/ff/2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison_%28v2%29.jpg/1280px-2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison_%28v2%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-d34b1a2e410a.png) Was taking a photo of the scene at the intersection. Only later, when I looked at the photos I had taken, did I realize among those in the crowd was Jeff Garlin (2016) — SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison_%28v3%29.png/1280px-2016-WS-G4_IMG_4430_Jeff_Garlin_among_crowd_at_Sheffield_and_Addison_%28v3%29.png?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![I'm not sure what I was taking a photo of (possibly was supposed to be a crowd shot), but incidentally comedian Jeff Garlin walked into the frame. Also note the (2016)](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-c8ad4403a733.jpg) I'm not sure what I was taking a photo of (possibly was supposed to be a crowd shot), but incidentally comedian Jeff Garlin walked into the frame. Also note the (2016) — SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/05/2016-WS-G4_IMG_4442_Jef_Garlin_among_crowd_outside_of_Wrigley.jpg/1280px-2016-WS-G4_IMG_4442_Jef_Garlin_among_crowd_outside_of_Wrigley.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jeff Garlin](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-f0a2c294201b.jpg) Jeff Garlin — Image via TMDB
- ![Jeff Garlin](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-1fdbc78ea5f3.jpg) Jeff Garlin — Image via TMDB
- ![Comedian Jeff Garlin among the crowd outside of Wrigley Field ahead of the Game 4 of the 2016 World Series. Garlin later gave a pre-game pep rally to the crowd ](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-cee05f5a65e8.jpg) Comedian Jeff Garlin among the crowd outside of Wrigley Field ahead of the Game 4 of the 2016 World Series. Garlin later gave a pre-game pep rally to the crowd  — SecretName101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/2016-WS-G4_Jeff_Garlin.jpg/1280px-2016-WS-G4_Jeff_Garlin.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![The Goldbergs on ABC (2014)](https://film.one/media/person/9778/gallery-13ce3c284b54.jpg) The Goldbergs on ABC (2014) — Mingle MediaTV, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/78/Cast_of_%22The_Goldbergs%22_-_DSC_0053.jpg/1280px-Cast_of_%22The_Goldbergs%22_-_DSC_0053.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/jeff-garlin