--- name: "John Michael Higgins" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-michael-higgins" fi1m_id: "john-michael-higgins" imdb_id: "nm0383422" tmdb_id: 8265 wikidata_id: "Q967130" roles: ["Actor"] born: "12 February 1963" reviewed_on_fi1m: 15 average_fi1m_score: 66 average_as: "actor" average_over: 14 updated: "2026-10-07T19:22:04.004801+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." --- # John Michael Higgins ## Identity John Michael Higgins - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-michael-higgins - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-michael-higgins - **IMDb ID:** nm0383422 - **TMDB ID:** 8265 - **Wikidata ID:** Q967130 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Michael_Higgins, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q967130, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0383422/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8265 Actor. Born 12 February 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 12 February 1963, Boston, Massachusetts, USA - **Active:** 1984–present - **Titles on Fi1m:** 15: 14 acting, 1 other - **Frequently works with:** [Bradley Cooper](https://film.one/person/bradley-cooper.md), [Christopher Guest](https://film.one/person/christopher-guest.md), [Jim Carrey](https://film.one/person/jim-carrey.md), [Nicholas Stoller](https://film.one/person/nicholas-stoller.md), [Peyton Reed](https://film.one/person/peyton-reed.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 66, as actor, over 14 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 81 (1), 1990s 77 (1), 2000s 65 (8), 2010s 60 (4), 2020s 80 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 62 across 13 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 6 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 13, Drama 5, Romance 5, Crime 3, Action & Adventure 1, Family 1 - **Screen time:** 18 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $1,372m across 9 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Michael_Higgins, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q967130, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0383422/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/8265 ## Streaming the US now - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Licorice Pizza*](https://film.one/film/licorice-pizza.md) (80), [*Fun with Dick and Jane*](https://film.one/film/fun-with-dick-and-jane.md) (50) - **Apple TV:** [*Best in Show*](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) (84) - **Disney+:** [*We Bought a Zoo*](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md) (58) - **Tubi:** [*The Ugly Truth*](https://film.one/film/the-ugly-truth.md) (39) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on John Michael Higgins > A supporting player who plays wanting rather than jokes. Higgins gives his oddballs a need so large that the comedy takes care of itself, and he is at his best in Christopher Guest's improvised ensembles, where the camera waits for him. Watch what John Michael Higgins does when he is not speaking. In *Yes Man* (2008) he is Nick, the colleague who talks Jim Carrey into saying yes to everything, and in a film that spends most of its time getting to the romance he has a handful of scenes. He does not push the lines. He wants something, plainly and a little too much, and he lets us watch him want it. Higgins has put it better than we can: "I just play the need and the bigger the need in comedy, the funnier it is." He came up on stage, first as a child actor around Washington, D.C. and then on Broadway in *La Bête* (1991), and the screen work began in the middle of the 1990s. *The Late Shift* (1996) cast him as David Letterman, a portrait its subject did not care for, and for a while that was what he was known for. The turn came with *Best in Show* (2000), as Scott Donlan, the first of four films with Christopher Guest. *A Mighty Wind* (2003) followed, with Higgins as Terry Bohner and also arranging the vocals for the New Main Street Singers, a job he could do because he had led an a cappella group at college. The singing led, eventually, to *Pitch Perfect* (2012) and its sequels, three films alongside Elizabeth Banks, in which he is the commentator John Smith. The Guest films are where he works best, and it is not hard to see why. Guest lets his actors improvise, so the part is whatever the actor brings to it, and what Higgins brings is that need. We scored *Best in Show* 84 and found it generous towards people who make generosity difficult; Higgins is part of the ensemble that earns that, though Fred Willard gets the bigger laughs and a few routines go round once too often. Away from Guest he is cast as authority figures and odd professionals and given less to do. We laughed at him in *Yes Man*, properly, and then noticed how few scenes the film had found for him. Rhys Darby beamed and waited while the editor held the shot; Higgins was doing the same thing in the margins, and the film itself was gone from our heads by the next morning. Since 2018 he has spent much of his time presenting game shows, *America Says* and *Split Second*, which is honest work and a poor use of him. Start with *Best in Show*, then *A Mighty Wind*, and notice how long Guest is willing to leave him on screen with nothing to say. Most directors are not, and that, more than anything Higgins does, is why the rest of the CV is thinner than it should be. ## Biography John Michael Higgins is an American actor and comedian. Born on 12 February 1963 in Boston, Massachusetts, he graduated from Amherst College, where he was a member of the a cappella group the Zumbyes. He is known for roles in Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, including Scott Donlan in *Best in Show* (2000) and Terry Bohner in *A Mighty Wind* (2003). Other film credits include *Pitch Perfect* (2012) and *Pitch Perfect 2* (2015) as John Smith, *Yes Man* (2008) and *Evan Almighty* (2007). He portrayed David Letterman in the HBO film *The Late Shift* (1996) and starred in the American version of *Kath & Kim*. Higgins has been married to actress Margaret Welsh since 2003; they have two children. He hosted the game show *America Says* from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2026. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (15) ### Performed in (14) — the average rests on these - *Licorice Pizza* (2021), Fi1m 80, as Jerry Frick — [page](https://film.one/film/licorice-pizza.md) - *Angie Tribeca* (2016), Fi1m 66, as Dr. Zaius — [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md) - *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), Fi1m 40, as Dandy #1 — [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md) - *Pitch Perfect* (2012), Fi1m 77, as John Smith — [page](https://film.one/film/pitch-perfect.md) - *We Bought a Zoo* (2011), Fi1m 58, as Walter Ferris — [page](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md) - *Glee* (2009), Fi1m 68, as Russell — [page](https://film.one/tv/glee.md) - *The Ugly Truth* (2009), Fi1m 39, as Larry Freeman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-ugly-truth.md) - *Yes Man* (2008), Fi1m 56, as Nick — [page](https://film.one/film/yes-man.md) - *The Break-Up* (2006), Fi1m 55, as Richard Meyers — [page](https://film.one/film/the-break-up.md) - *Fun with Dick and Jane* (2005), Fi1m 50, as Garth — [page](https://film.one/film/fun-with-dick-and-jane.md) - *Arrested Development* (2003), Fi1m 87, as Wayne Jarvis — [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md) - *Best in Show* (2000), Fi1m 84, as Scott Donlan — [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) - *Wag the Dog* (1997), Fi1m 77, as John Levy — [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md) - *Miami Vice* (1984), Fi1m 81, as Murray Phillips — [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) ### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), Fi1m 81, as Emergency Room Physician (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md) ## Complete filmography (137) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *President Curtis* (2026), series, as Ken Jeffries (voice) - *Spinal Tap II: The End Continues* (2025), as Bob Kitness - *Prom Dates* (2024), as Lundy - *Classmates* (2023), as Dean Cain - *Split Second* (2023), series, as Host · Creator - *Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie* (2022), as Warren Stone (voice) - *The Curse of Bridge Hollow* (2022), as Principal Floyd - *Super Pumped: The Battle for Uber* (2022), series, as Mike Ovitz - *Licorice Pizza* (2021), as Jerry Frick — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/licorice-pizza.md) - *Ghosts* (2021), series, as Paul - *Monsters at Work* (2021), series, as Argus Blinks (voice) - *Saved by the Bell* (2020), series, as Principal Toddman - *Sunnyside* (2019), series, as Wallace Furley - *Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island* (2019), as Alan Smithee (voice) - *Fortune Rookie* (2018), series, as Mikey - *Single Parents* (2018), series, as Bud Cooper - *Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (2018), series, as Warren Stone (voice) - *Status Update* (2018), as Mr. Moody - *Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold* (2018), as The Riddler (voice) - *Pitch Perfect 3* (2017), as John - *#realityhigh* (2017), as Principal Dixon - *Shimmer Lake* (2017), as Brad Dawkins - *Great News* (2017), series, as Chuck - *Wally's Opening Day* (2017), as Announcer (voice) - *Dropping The Soap* (2017), as Flock Deluge - *Almost Christmas* (2016), as Brooks - *Is That a Gun in Your Pocket?* (2016), as Mayor Wally - *Mascots* (2016), as Upton French - *Internet Famous* (2016), as Dave Larson - *Breaking the Bank* (2016), as Richard Grinding - *Sundown* (2016), as Kent - *Angie Tribeca* (2016), series, as Randy / Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/angie-tribeca.md) - *Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise* (2015), as Evan - *Pitch Perfect 2* (2015), as John Smith - *All Hail King Julien* (2014), series, as Barty (voice) - *Tell* (2014), as Huffman - *Sofia the First: The Curse of Princess Ivy* (2014), as Flambeau (voice) - *Planes: Fire & Rescue: Cad Spinner* (2014), as Cad Spinner (voice) - *Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars* (2014), as Additional Voices (voice) - *Planes: Fire & Rescue* (2014), as Cad Spinner (voice) - *Terry the Tomboy* (2014), as Doctor Larry - *A Million Ways to Die in the West* (2014), as Dandy #1 — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/a-million-ways-to-die-in-the-west.md) - *Turbo FAST* (2013), series, as Pasadena Paul / Trash Fire Snail (voice) - *The Best Man Holiday* (2013), as Stan - *Instant Mom* (2013), series, as Hoyt Ebnetter - *Super Buddies* (2013), as Drex (voice) - *Rapture-Palooza* (2013), as Mr. Lewis - *Sofia the First* (2013), series, as Flambeau (voice), (voice) - *Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse* (2012), as Prince John (voice) - *Pitch Perfect* (2012), as John Smith — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/pitch-perfect.md) - *My Uncle Rafael* (2012), as Damon - *Sullivan & Son* (2012), series, Actor - *Time Travel Mater* (2012), as Stanley (voice) - *Men at Work* (2012), series, as Lindesy Tucker - *The Legend of Korra* (2012), series, as Varrick (voice) - *Doc McStuffins* (2012), series, as Zero (voice) - *Big Miracle* (2012), as Wes Handrick - *We Bought a Zoo* (2011), as Walter Ferris — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/we-bought-a-zoo.md) - *6 Month Rule* (2011), as Paul - *Jessie* (2011), series, as Carlisle - *2 Broke Girls* (2011), series, as Elliot - *Awkward.* (2011), series, as Garrett Gibson - *Wilfred* (2011), series, as Dr. Cahill - *Happily Divorced* (2011), series, as Peter Lovett - *Switched at Birth* (2011), series, as Larry Shimingo - *Franklin & Bash* (2011), series, as Dominic - *Bad Teacher* (2011), as Principal Wally Snur - *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Doug (voice), RV Guy (voice), Mr. Perkins (voice), Glencrest President (voice) - *Glory Daze* (2010), series, as Brother Jerrod - *Human Target* (2010), series, as Richard Applebaum - *Wright vs. Wrong* (2010), Actor - *The Good Wife* (2009), series, as Rodney Jesko — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-good-wife.md) - *Couples Retreat* (2009), as Therapist - *Community* (2009), series, as Professor Whitman — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/tv/community.md) - *The Ugly Truth* (2009), as Larry Freeman — Fi1m 39, [page](https://film.one/film/the-ugly-truth.md) - *Glee* (2009), series, as Russell — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/glee.md) - *Fired Up!* (2009), as Coach Keith - *Still Waiting...* (2009), as Dennis - *Yes Man* (2008), as Nick — Fi1m 56, [page](https://film.one/film/yes-man.md) - *Batman: The Brave and the Bold* (2008), series, as Riddler (voice) - *Cars Toon Mater's Tall Tales* (2008), as Stanley (voice) - *Kath & Kim* (2008), series, as Phil Knight - *The Suite Life on Deck* (2008), series, as Mr. Tipton - *Raising the Bar* (2008), series, as Judge Albert Farnsworth - *The Thick of It* (2007), as Rep. 'Chad' Alger - *Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story* (2007), as Record Producer (uncredited) - *Fred Claus* (2007), as Willie - *Evan Almighty* (2007), as Marty - *For Your Consideration* (2006), as Corey Taft - *Psych* (2006), series, as Clive Prescott - *The Break-Up* (2006), as Richard Meyers — Fi1m 55, [page](https://film.one/film/the-break-up.md) - *So NoTORIous* (2006), series, as Phillip Walker - *Fun with Dick and Jane* (2005), as Garth — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/fun-with-dick-and-jane.md) - *ESL: English as a Second Language* (2005), as Norman Benjamin - *Jiminy Glick in Lalawood* (2005), as Andre Devine - *Numb3rs* (2005), series, as Floyd Mayborne - *Blade: Trinity* (2004), as Dr. Edgar Vance - *After the Sunset* (2004), as Hotel Manager (uncredited) - *Boston Legal* (2004), series, as Jerry Austin — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/boston-legal.md) - *Joey* (2004), series, as Albert - *Game Over* (2004), series, as Deli Guy / Pet #1 (voice), Ransom Transom / Sparks (voice), Sully / Frank / Cashier (voice), Sully / Guidance Counselor / Proctor (voice) - *Killer Diller* (2004), as Deermont - *Arrested Development* (2003), series, as Wayne Jarvis — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/tv/arrested-development.md) - *A Mighty Wind* (2003), as Terry Bohner - *Monte Walsh* (2003), as Robert Slocum - *Monk* (2002), series, as Roddy Lankman - *George Lopez* (2002), series, as Charles - *The Kronenberg Chronicles* (2002), as Julius Kronenberg - *The Man Who Wasn't There* (2001), as Emergency Room Physician (uncredited) — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/film/the-man-who-wasnt-there.md) - *Cats & Dogs* (2001), as Ginger Kitten (voice) - *Teddy Bears' Picnic* (2001), as Whit Summers - *Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law* (2000), series, as Mentok the Mindtaker (voice) - *CSI: Crime Scene Investigation* (2000), series, as Anthony Caprice - *Best in Show* (2000), as Scott Donlan — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/best-in-show.md) - *7 Days to Live* (2000), as Social Worker - *Bicentennial Man* (1999), as Bill Feingold - *Get Real* (1999), series, as George Clark - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as King (voice), Auctioneer (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *Brother's Keeper* (1998), series, as Mark - *From the Earth to the Moon* (1998), series, as Master of Ceremonies - *Wag the Dog* (1997), as John Levy — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/wag-the-dog.md) - *Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show* (1997), series, Actor - *Ally McBeal* (1997), series, as Steven Milter — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/ally-mcbeal.md) - *G.I. Jane* (1997), as Chief of Staff - *The Late Shift* (1996), as David Letterman - *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Reverend Fuller - *Cybill* (1995), series, as Chip - *Party of Five* (1994), series, as Glenn — Fi1m 73, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-of-five.md) - *Weird Science* (1994), series, Actor - *Frasier* (1993), series, as William — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/frasier.md) - *Mad About You* (1992), series, as Patrick - *Seinfeld* (1989), series, as Kurt — Fi1m 90, [page](https://film.one/tv/seinfeld.md) - *Vampire's Kiss* (1989), as Ed - *Class of '86* (1986), as Various - *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Murray Phillips — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md) - *The Frog King* (1981), Actor - *Intimacy Party*, Actor ## Gallery - ![John Michael Higgins](https://film.one/media/person/96997/gallery-96b1f07fe71f.jpg) John Michael Higgins — Sidewalks Entertainment, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0e/John_Michael_Higgins_2018_%28275563741%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![John Michael Higgins](https://film.one/media/person/96997/gallery-dd45fb4d3b45.jpg) John Michael Higgins — Image via TMDB --- © 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/john-michael-higgins