---
name: "Jeffrey Tambor"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/jeffrey-tambor"
fi1m_id: "jeffrey-tambor"
imdb_id: "nm0001787"
tmdb_id: 4175
wikidata_id: "Q320204"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "8 July 1944"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 16
average_fi1m_score: 69
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 16
updated: "2026-10-05T12:56:13.617005+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."
---

# Jeffrey Tambor

## Identity

Jeffrey Tambor

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/jeffrey-tambor
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** jeffrey-tambor
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001787
- **TMDB ID:** 4175
- **Wikidata ID:** Q320204
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Tambor, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320204, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001787/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4175

Actor. Born 8 July 1944 in San Francisco, California, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 8 July 1944, San Francisco, California, USA
- **Active:** 1983–2017
- **Also known as:** Jeffery Tambor
- **Frequently works with:** [Bradley Cooper](https://film.one/person/bradley-cooper.md), [Daniel Goldberg](https://film.one/person/daniel-goldberg.md), [Ed Helms](https://film.one/person/ed-helms.md), [Jon Lucas](https://film.one/person/jon-lucas.md), [Justin Bartha](https://film.one/person/justin-bartha.md), [Scott Moore](https://film.one/person/scott-moore.md), [Todd Phillips](https://film.one/person/todd-phillips.md), [Zach Galifianakis](https://film.one/person/zach-galifianakis.md)
- **Golden Globes:** 1 Golden Globe (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 69, as actor, over 16 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 75 (2), 1990s 74 (4), 2000s 69 (5), 2010s 64 (5)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 69 to 66 across 14 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 7 at 60–79, 4 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 2 of 14 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 13, Family 4, Drama 3, Fantasy 3, Adventure 2, Animation 2
- **Screen time:** 21 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $3,770m across 12 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeffrey_Tambor, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q320204, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001787/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/4175

## Streaming the US now

- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Transparent*](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md) (82), [*Mr. Mom*](https://film.one/film/mr-mom.md) (62)
- **Disney+:** [*Tangled*](https://film.one/film/tangled.md) (75), [*Doctor Dolittle*](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md) (50)
- **Apple TV:** [*The Hangover Part II*](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-ii.md) (44), [*The Hangover Part III*](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-iii.md) (35)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Larry Sanders Show*](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md) (91)
- **Netflix:** [*Arrested Development*](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md) (87)
- **AMC+:** [*The Death of Stalin*](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md) (83)
- **Hulu:** [*The Hangover*](https://film.one/film/the-hangover.md) (72)
- **Peacock:** [*Monsters vs Aliens*](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md) (63)

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

## Fi1m on Jeffrey Tambor

> Jeffrey Tambor is particularly funny as a man who sees no reason to be embarrassed. We rate his George Bluth Sr. highly: the less troubled he looks, the more exasperating the family becomes.

George Bluth Sr. looks comfortable when he has little business being comfortable. In *Arrested Development* (2003), Jeffrey Tambor makes that ease aggravating enough to sustain a joke without having to announce it. We laughed at his composure because the family's predicament gives him so little excuse for it. Around him, Will Arnett's Gob strains to maintain his importance and Tony Hale's Buster struggles simply to occupy space; Tambor need not compete with either, and the contrast is a considerable part of the pleasure.

The earlier breakthrough was Hank Kingsley in *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), with Garry Shandling. That part established Tambor's gift for letting vulnerability remain visible in an absurd character, a useful qualification for the self-absorbed authority figures he is so often asked to play. As Sully in *There's Something About Mary* (1998), he belongs to another comedy we recommend for its performances, with a caveat about its slack two-hour length.

It would be a mistake to give Tambor sole credit for the restraint in *Arrested Development*. Michael Cera and Alia Shawkat's smaller reactions also keep the ensemble from becoming a competition to be heard. What we value in Tambor here is his willingness to be less strenuous than the people beside him; George remains irritating without making the performance exhausting. He also plays George's gentler twin. Neither part can do much about the programme's storytelling, which can grow tiring in its later stretches, and our affection for the performances does not make that complaint disappear.

*Transparent* (2014) moved him into a leading dramatic role as Maura Pfefferman. It is a significant turn from the ensemble comedies, though the capacity to play vulnerability was already there in Hank. Start with *Arrested Development*, and pay attention to the man who seems least inconvenienced by being a Bluth.

## Biography

Jeffrey Tambor is an American actor. He was born on 8 July 1944 in San Francisco, California, and studied at San Francisco State University and Wayne State University.

Tambor is known for playing George Bluth Sr. (and his twin brother Oscar Bluth) on the series *Arrested Development* (2003–2006, 2013, 2018–2019). His other television roles include Hank Kingsley on *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992–1998) and Maura Pfefferman on *Transparent* (2014–2017), for which he won two Primetime Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. Film appearances include Sid Garner in *The Hangover* (2009) and its sequels, Tom Manning in *Hellboy* (2004) and *Hellboy II: The Golden Army* (2008), and Georgy Malenkov in *The Death of Stalin* (2017).

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

## On Fi1m (16)

- *The Death of Stalin* (2017), Fi1m 83, as Georgy Malenkov — [page](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md)
- *Transparent* (2014), Fi1m 82, as Maura Pfefferman — [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *The Hangover Part III* (2013), Fi1m 35, as Sid Garner — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-iii.md)
- *The Hangover Part II* (2011), Fi1m 44, as Sid Garner — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-ii.md)
- *Tangled* (2010), Fi1m 75, as Big Nose Thug (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/tangled.md)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), Fi1m 63, as Carl Murphy (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *The Hangover* (2009), Fi1m 72, as Sid Garner — [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover.md)
- *Hellboy* (2004), Fi1m 71, as Tom Manning — [page](https://film.one/film/hellboy.md)
- *Arrested Development* (2003), Fi1m 87, as George Bluth Sr. — [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), Fi1m 54, as Mayor Augustus Maywho — [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), Fi1m 50, as Dr. Fish — [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *There's Something About Mary* (1998), Fi1m 78, as Sully — [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md)
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), Fi1m 91, as Hank Kingsley — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *City Slickers* (1991), Fi1m 76, as Lou — [page](https://film.one/film/city-slickers.md)
- *The Golden Girls* (1985), Fi1m 88, as Dr. Stevens — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md)
- *Mr. Mom* (1983), Fi1m 62, as Jinx — [page](https://film.one/film/mr-mom.md)

## Complete filmography (187)

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

- *Magic Camp* (2020), as Roy Preston
- *55 Steps* (2018), as Mort Cohen
- *The Death of Stalin* (2017), as Georgy Malenkov — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-death-of-stalin.md)
- *The Orville* (2017), series, as Ben Mercer
- *Star vs. the Forces of Evil: The Battle for Mewni* (2017), as Glossaryck (voice)
- *Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure* (2017), series, as Big Nose (voice)
- *Tangled: Before Ever After* (2017), as Big Nose (voice)
- *The Accountant* (2016), as Francis Silverberg
- *Trolls* (2016), as King Peppy (voice)
- *Brad Neely's Harg Nallin' Sclopio Peepio* (2016), series, as (voice)
- *China, Il The Musical* (2015), as Professor Cakes
- *The D Train* (2015), as Bill Shurmur
- *Star vs. the Forces of Evil* (2015), series, as Glossaryck (voice)
- *A Merry Friggin' Christmas* (2014), as Snowman (voice)
- *Transparent* (2014), series, as Maura Pfefferman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/transparent.md)
- *Apartment Troubles* (2014), as Bob
- *Jennifer Falls* (2014), series, as Don Hirsch
- *The Clockwork Girl* (2014), as Wilhelm the Tinkerer (voice)
- *The Millers* (2013), series, as Ed Dolan
- *Phil Spector* (2013), as Bruce Cutler
- *The Hangover Part III* (2013), as Sid Garner — Fi1m 35, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-iii.md)
- *Onion News Empire* (2013), as David Bryant
- *Monsters vs Aliens Stories* (2013), Actor
- *Branded* (2012), as Bob Gibbons
- *Robot and Monster* (2012), series, as St. Crispy (voice)
- *For the Love of Money* (2012), as Mr. Solomon
- *Doc McStuffins* (2012), series, as Santa Claus (voice)
- *Bent* (2012), series, as Walt Riggins
- *Night of the Living Carrots* (2011), as Carl Murphy (voice)
- *Five* (2011), as Danny
- *China, IL* (2011), series, as Professor Cakes (voice)
- *The Trivial Pursuits of Arthur Banks* (2011), series, Actor
- *Flypaper* (2011), as Gordon Blythe
- *Lucky* (2011), as Detective Harold Waylon
- *Mr. Popper's Penguins* (2011), as Mr. Gremmins
- *Love Bites* (2011), series, as Dr. O
- *The Hangover Part II* (2011), as Sid Garner — Fi1m 44, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover-part-ii.md)
- *Win Win* (2011), as Vigman
- *Paul* (2011), as Adam Shadowchild
- *Bubble Guppies* (2011), series, as Night Wizard (voice)
- *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Captain Flarty (voice)
- *Tangled* (2010), as Big Nose Thug (voice) — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/tangled.md)
- *Raising Hope* (2010), series, as Arnold
- *Running Wilde* (2010), series, as Steven's Father
- *The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!* (2010), series, as Bettys friend (voice)
- *Operation: Endgame* (2010), as Devil
- *Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated* (2010), series, as Gill Littlefoot (voice)
- *Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo* (2010), as Mr. Calvin Curdles (voice)
- *Rex Is Not Your Lawyer* (2010), series, as Dr. Barry Cohen
- *Meeting Spencer* (2010), as Harris Chappell
- *Prequel: The Dawn of Lying* (2009), as Anthony
- *The Invention of Lying* (2009), as Anthony James
- *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Judge George Kluger — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md)
- *Archer* (2009), series, as Torvald Utne (voice), Len Trexler (voice)
- *The Hangover* (2009), as Sid Garner — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/the-hangover.md)
- *Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space* (2009), as Carl Murphy (voice)
- *Monsters vs Aliens* (2009), as Carl Murphy (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/film/monsters-vs-aliens.md)
- *Batman: The Brave and the Bold* (2008), series, as Crazy Quilt / Green / Red (voice)
- *Hellboy II: The Golden Army* (2008), as Tom Manning
- *Superhero Movie* (2008), as Dr. Whitby
- *Welcome to the Captain* (2008), series, as Uncle Saul
- *Good Behavior* (2008), as Hy
- *My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Sleuth Christmas Movie* (2007), as Santa (voice)
- *The ChubbChubbs Save Xmas* (2007), as Santa Claus (voice)
- *WordGirl* (2007), series, Actor
- *Yo Gabba Gabba!* (2007), series, Actor
- *Not Just the Best of the Larry Sanders Show* (2007), Actor
- *The Making Of 'The Larry Sanders Show'* (2007), as Hank Kingsley
- *Slipstream* (2007), as Geek / Jeffrey / Dr. Geekman
- *Twenty Good Years* (2006), series, as Jeffrey Pyne
- *Psych* (2006), series, as Lloyd French
- *The New Adventures of Old Christine* (2006), series, as Neil
- *The Muppets' Wizard of Oz* (2005), as Wizard
- *Medium* (2005), series, as Todd Emory / Allison Dubois
- *The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie* (2004), as King Neptune (voice)
- *Funky Monkey* (2004), as Crane
- *Entourage* (2004), series, as Jeffrey Tambor — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/entourage.md)
- *Hellboy* (2004), as Tom Manning — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/hellboy.md)
- *Game Over* (2004), series, as Dr. Zed (voice)
- *EuroTrip* (2004), as Scott's Dad (uncredited)
- *Eloise at Christmastime* (2003), as Mr. Salomone the Manager
- *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as George Bluth Sr. — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md)
- *Under the Tuscan Sun* (2003), as Lawyer (uncredited)
- *My Boss's Daughter* (2003), as Ken
- *DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection* (2003), series, as Carl Murphy (voice)
- *Scorched* (2003), as Bank Employer
- *Eloise at the Plaza* (2003), as Mr. Salomone the Manager
- *Malibu's Most Wanted* (2003), as Dr. Feldman
- *3-South* (2002), series, Actor
- *3-South* (2002), as Dean Earhart
- *That Was Then* (2002), series, as Gary 'Double G' Glass
- *Ozzy & Drix* (2002), series, as The Mole (voice)
- *Get Well Soon* (2001), as Mitchell
- *The Proud Family* (2001), series, as Randolph Verascola (voice)
- *Never Again* (2001), as Christopher
- *Next Caller* (2001), series, as Jefferson
- *How the Grinch Stole Christmas* (2000), as Mayor Augustus Maywho — Fi1m 54, [page](https://film.one/film/how-the-grinch-stole-christmas.md)
- *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Jerzy Skaggs
- *Pollock* (2000), as Clem Greenberg
- *Sammy* (2000), series, as Steve (voice)
- *Girl, Interrupted* (1999), as Dr. Potts
- *My Teacher's Wife* (1999), as Jack Boomer
- *Law & Order: Special Victims Unit* (1999), series, as Lester Cohen
- *The Lot* (1999), series, as Myron Sylver
- *Teaching Mrs. Tingle* (1999), as Coach Wenchell
- *Muppets from Space* (1999), as K. Edgar Singer
- *Everything's Relative* (1999), series, as Jake Gorelick
- *Meet Joe Black* (1998), as Quince
- *The Lionhearts* (1998), series, as (voice)
- *Hercules* (1998), series, as King Salmoneus (voice)
- *There's Something About Mary* (1998), as Sully — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/theres-something-about-mary.md)
- *Doctor Dolittle* (1998), as Dr. Fish — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/doctor-dolittle-1998.md)
- *The Wonderful World of Disney* (1997), series, Actor
- *Weapons of Mass Distraction* (1997), as Alan Blanchard
- *The Practice* (1997), series, as Sid Herman
- *The Man Who Captured Eichmann* (1996), as Isser Harel
- *The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest* (1996), series, as Black Jack Lee (voice)
- *Big Bully* (1996), as Art Lundstrum
- *Jonny Quest versus the Cyber Insects* (1995), as Dr. Zin (voice)
- *Pinky and the Brain* (1995), series, as Beetle Fiero (voice)
- *Heavyweights* (1995), as Maury Garner
- *Radioland Murders* (1994), as Walt Whalen Jr.
- *Duckman* (1994), series, as Psychiatrist (voice)
- *Another Midnight Run* (1994), as Bernie Abbot
- *At Home with the Webbers* (1993), as Gerald Webber
- *Jonny's Golden Quest* (1993), as Dr. Zin (voice)
- *Living and Working in Space: The Countdown Has Begun* (1993), as Dr. Stockton
- *A House in the Hills* (1993), as Willie
- *Crossing the Bridge* (1992), as Uncle Alby
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Crocker (voice)
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Hank Kingsley — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Article 99* (1992), as Dr. Leo Krutz
- *The Burden of Proof* (1992), series, as Sennett
- *City Slickers* (1991), as Lou — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/film/city-slickers.md)
- *Life Stinks* (1991), as Vance Crasswell
- *Dinosaurs* (1991), series, as Hank Hibler (voice)
- *Pastime* (1990), as Peter LaPorte
- *A Quiet Little Neighborhood, a Perfect Little Murder* (1990), as Don Hecker
- *American Dreamer* (1990), series, as Joe Baines
- *Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventures* (1990), series, Actor
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Barry Dilwynn — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Seriously... Phil Collins* (1990), as Jeffrey Taglentini
- *Lisa* (1990), as Mr. Larry Marks
- *The Easter Story* (1990), as Peter (voice)
- *Doogie Howser, M.D.* (1989), series, as Board Member
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Charlie Marno (segment "Dead Right")
- *Brenda Starr* (1989), as Vladimir
- *Studio 5-B* (1989), series, Actor
- *Funny, You Don't Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville* (1987), as Writer
- *Three O'Clock High* (1987), as Mr. Rice
- *Max Headroom* (1987), series, as Murray
- *L.A. Law* (1986), series, as Gordon Salt
- *Mr. Sunshine* (1986), series, as Paul Stark
- *The Nativity* (1986), as Eli (voice)
- *Desert Hearts* (1985), as Jerry (uncredited)
- *The Twilight Zone* (1985), series, as Kyle Montgomery (segment "Dead Woman's Shoes"), Milton (segment "The World Next Door")
- *The Golden Girls* (1985), series, as Dr. Stevens — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-golden-girls.md)
- *Robert Kennedy & His Times* (1985), series, as Pierre Salinger
- *No Small Affair* (1984), as Ken
- *The Three Wishes of Billy Grier* (1984), as Dr. Lindsey
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Russell Armstrong
- *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, Actor
- *The Awakening of Candra* (1983), as Professor Michael Silver
- *Sadat* (1983), series, as Sharaff
- *The Man Who Wasn't There* (1983), as Boris Potemkin
- *Mr. Mom* (1983), as Jinx — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/mr-mom.md)
- *Cocaine: One Man's Seduction* (1983), as Mort Broome
- *Take Your Best Shot* (1982), as Alden Pepper
- *9 to 5* (1982), series, as Franklin Hart
- *The Dream Chasers* (1982), as Jeffrey Bauman
- *Saturday the 14th* (1981), as Waldemar
- *The Star Maker* (1981), as Harry Lanson
- *A Gun in the House* (1981), as Lance Kessler
- *Hill Street Blues* (1981), series, as Judge Alan Wachtel, Attorney Alan Wachtel — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/hill-street-blues.md)
- *Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story* (1980), as Dankworth
- *Alcatraz: The Whole Shocking Story* (1980), series, as Dankworth
- *...And Justice for All* (1979), as Jay Porter
- *The Ropers* (1979), series, as Jeffrey P. Brookes III
- *Taxi* (1978), series, as Congressman Walter Griswald — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/taxi.md)
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Lawrence Jurgens, Harold Rogers, Mr. Harold Rogers
- *Three's Company* (1977), series, as Winston Cromwell III, Tom Miller, Phillip Greene
- *Starsky & Hutch* (1975), series, Actor
- *Barney Miller* (1975), series, as William Klein
- *Kojak* (1973), series, as Medical Examiner — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/kojak.md)
- *M*A*S*H* (1972), series, as Reddish — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/m-a-s-h-1972.md)
- *Summertime Killer* (1972), as "Sully" Tambor
- *The Adventures of Drunky*, as God (voice)

## Gallery

- ![1993 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/62089/gallery-a5a21ca58b67.jpg) 1993 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/76/Michael_Richards%2C_Jeffrey_Tambor_%282078379092%29.jpg/1280px-Michael_Richards%2C_Jeffrey_Tambor_%282078379092%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Jeffrey Tambor](https://film.one/media/person/62089/gallery-f2440ddc1685.jpg) Jeffrey Tambor — Image via TMDB
- ![Jeffrey Tambor](https://film.one/media/person/62089/gallery-e87550939ae0.jpg) Jeffrey Tambor — Image via TMDB
- ![Jeffrey Tambor](https://film.one/media/person/62089/gallery-db66656223a8.jpg) Jeffrey Tambor — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Golden Globes — 1 won

- 2015: Golden Globe Awards (won)

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 2 won

- 2016: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Transparent*
- 2015: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (won), for *Transparent*

*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/jeffrey-tambor