Bob Balaban's notable film, TV and theater roles

Bill Murray, left, co-stars with Bob Balaban in the war movie "The Monuments Men," opening Feb. 7. In the film, Balaban plays a cultured but trigger-happy private.

Bob Balaban has starred in several David Mamet plays, including 1999's "Mr. Happiness," in which he played a 1930s radio personality who provides some funny and touching answers to listeners' mail on the air.

"Monuments Men" actor Bob Balaban has appeared in many memorable films over the past 45 years including "Midnight Cowboy," "Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind" and "Gosford Park."

Bob Balaban, in glasses, deals with a complicated case and a complicated personal relationship with his lover, played by Keith Nobbs, in David Mamet's 2005 play "Romance." Also in the cast were Steven Hawley as the bailiff, Larry Bryggman as the judge and Jim Frangione as a doctor.

Bob Balaban has carved a niche as a versatile character actor on stage, screen and television. One of his best stage roles was as a prosecutor with a troubled personal life in David Mamet's Off-Broadway comedy "Romance" in 2005.

Bob Balaban, whom TV viewers may remember as an NBC exec on "Seinfeld" and as Lisa Kudrow's father on "Friends," stars in George Clooney's "The Monuments Men" opening Feb. 7.

On HBO's "Girls," Balaban has a recurring role as Lena Dunham's therapist who has also written a bestselling series of children’s books about a bionic dog. In real life, Balaban has written several stories for children.