Peter Riegert (born April 11, 1947) is an American actor, screenwriter and film director, best known for his roles as Donald "Boon" Schoenstein in Animal House Local Hero (1983), fast-talking gangster Aldo in Oscar The Mask (1994), newspaper editor Delbert McGinty in We Bought a Zoo American Pastoral By Courier (2000) and, along with producer Ericka Frederick, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film .
On television , he had a recurring role as crooked New Jersey State Assemblyman Ronald Zellman in seasons three and four of the HBO series The Sopranos Damages Seth Green 's father in the comedy series Dads HBO film Barbarians at the Gate
Riegert was born in The Bronx, the son of Lucille, a piano teacher, and Milton Riegert, a food wholesaler. Riegert grew up in Hartsdale, New York , and was raised in a nonobservant Jewish household. He graduated from Ardsley High School in 1964 and later from the University at Buffalo. He worked at a number of jobs, including teaching, waiting tables, and social worker before settling on acting as a career.
He made his Broadway debut in the musical Dance with Me The Old Neighborhood , An American Daughter The Nerd , and Censored Scenes From King Kong . Off-Broadway he has appeared in Road to Nirvana , The Birthday Party Isn't It Romantic , Sexual Perversity in Chicago A Rosen by Any Other Name .
Riegert made his television debut in two episodes of M*A*S*M*A*S*H . He has also portrayed New Jersey State Assemblyman Ronald Zellman in The Sopranos Law & Order: Special Victims Unit . He starred opposite former girlfriend Bette Midler in the television adaptation of Gypsy Barbarians at the Gate Seinfeld NBC and the television movie Back When We Were Grownups When You Wish Upon a Weinstein " of Family Guy Leverage as corrupt lawyer Peter Blanchard. In 2011, Riegert began a multi-episode arc on One Tree Hill Damages . He also appears in a recurring role of Judge Harvey Winter in CBS's The Good Wife Dads as David Sachs, the father of Eli Sachs, played by Seth Green . Riegert also appears in Season 3 of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt .
Director and writer
Riegert made his screenwriting and directorial debuts with By Courier , based on a short story by O. Henry. It received an Academy Award nomination for Best Live Action Short Film and won him the Festival Award for Best First Feature at the Marco Island Film Festival.
Riegert directed and co-wrote King of the Corner Isabella Rossellini , and includes Eric Bogosian , Dominic Chianese , Beverly D'Angelo and Rita Moreno .
Riegert narrated the audiobook of Michael Chabon 's The Yiddish Policemen's Union literary fiction . He narrated the audiobook of The Voyage of the Narwhal, a mid-19th century romance with the Arctic , and also read the stories of Raymond Carver .
He was also the narrator for The First Basket
Actor
2023
Harlan Coben's Shelter (TV Series) as
Allen
- The Dirt Locker (2023) - Allen
2023
Hit Man: Secrets of Lies (TV Movie) as
Ed Vandemeer
2023
Extrapolations (TV Series) as
Ben Zucker
- 2037: A Raven Story (2023) - Ben Zucker
2022
Bull (TV Series) as
Dr. Cohen
- The Envelope, Please (2022) - Dr. Cohen
2021
Succession (TV Series) as
Roger Pugh
- Retired Janitors of Idaho (2021) - Roger Pugh
- Mass in Time of War (2021) - Roger Pugh
2019
Extra Innings (Short) as
Pete
2017
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (TV Series) as
Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Says Bye! (2019) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Meets an Old Friend! (2018) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Is- Little Girl, Big City! (2018) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy and the Trolley Problem! (2017) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Learns About the Weather! (2017) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Does a Puzzle! (2017) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Steps on a Crack! (2017) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Goes to College! (2017) - Artie Goodman
- Kimmy Bites an Onion! (2017) - Artie Goodman
2018
Disjointed (TV Series) as
Walter
- Dr. Dankerson's Revivifying Wellness Tincture (2018) - Walter
- A-A-R-Pot (2018) - Walter
- Emperor Shennong (2018) - Walter
- B.Y.O.P.F.U. (2018) - Walter
- Main Street, USA (2018) - Walter
2016
American Pastoral as
Lou Levov
2015
Show Me a Hero (TV Mini Series) as
Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.6 (2015) - Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.5 (2015) - Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.4 (2015) - Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.3 (2015) - Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.2 (2015) - Oscar Newman
- Episode #1.1 (2015) - Oscar Newman
2015
Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (TV Series) as
Ted
- Supercalifragilisticjuliefriggingandrews (2015) - Ted
2013
Dads (TV Series) as
David Sachs
- Jerk in a Box (2014) - David Sachs
- Have a Heart- Attack! (2014) - David Sachs
- Enemies of Bill (2014) - David Sachs
- Warner's Got It Made (2014) - David Sachs
- Baby Face (2014) - David Sachs
- Bully Gene (2014) - David Sachs
- Eli Nightingale (2014) - David Sachs
- Mister Edna (2014) - David Sachs
- The Glitch That Stole Christmas (2013) - David Sachs
- Dad Abuse (2013) - David Sachs
- Comic Book Issues (2013) - David Sachs
- Doubles Trouble (2013) - David Sachs
- Foul Play (2013) - David Sachs
- My Dad's Hotter Than Your Dad (2013) - David Sachs
- Oldfinger (2013) - David Sachs
- Funny Girl (2013) - David Sachs
- Clean on Me (2013) - David Sachs
- Heckuva Job, Brownie (2013) - David Sachs
- Pilot (2013) - David Sachs
2014
The Walk (Short) as
Alfred Foxman
2013
At Middleton as
Boneyard Sims
2009
The Good Wife (TV Series) as
Judge Harvey Winter
- Blue Ribbon Panel (2012) - Judge Harvey Winter
- Affairs of State (2011) - Judge Harvey Winter
- Hi (2010) - Judge Harvey Winter
- Bad (2010) - Judge Harvey Winter
- Unprepared (2009) - Judge Harvey Winter
2011
We Bought a Zoo as
Delbert McGinty
2010
One Tree Hill (TV Series) as
Dr. August Kellerman
- The Man Who Sailed Around His Soul (2011) - Dr. August Kellerman
- Where Not to Look for Freedom (2011) - Dr. August Kellerman
- The Smoker You Drink, the Player You Get (2011) - Dr. August Kellerman
- Holding Out for a Hero (2011) - Dr. August Kellerman
- The Drinks We Drank Last Night (2011) - Dr. August Kellerman
- Lists, Plans (2010) - Dr. August Kellerman
2010
White Irish Drinkers as
Whitey
2010
The Chosen One (Video) as
Bob
2009
Love Conquers Paul as
Mr. Feigenbaum
2009
Leverage (TV Series) as
Peter Blanchard
- The Lost Heir Job (2009) - Peter Blanchard
2008
The Response (Short) as
Colonel Jefferson
2008
Cashmere Mafia (TV Series) as
Len Dinerstein
- Dog Eat Dog (2008) - Len Dinerstein
2007
Damages (TV Series) as
George Moore / The Executive
- Because I Know Patty (2007) - George Moore
- I Hate These People (2007) - George Moore
- Sort of Like a Family (2007) - George Moore
- Do You Regret What We Did? (2007) - George Moore
- Blame the Victim (2007) - George Moore
- We Are Not Animals (2007) - The Executive
- She Spat at Me (2007) - The Executive
- A Regular Earl Anthony (2007) - The Executive
- Tastes Like a Ho-Ho (2007) - The Executive
2004
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) as
Chauncey Zeirko
- Savant (2007) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Loophole (2007) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Influence (2006) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Design (2005) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Conscience (2004) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Lowdown (2004) - Chauncey Zeirko
- Sick (2004) - Chauncey Zeirko
2006
Welcome to the Jungle Gym (TV Movie) as
Bill Bragen
2005
Surrender, Dorothy (TV Movie) as
Mel
2004
Back When We Were Grownups (TV Movie) as
Zeb Davitch
2004
King of the Corner as
Leo Spivak
2003
Where Are They Now?: A Delta Alumni Update (Video short) as
Donald 'Boon' Schoenstein
2003
Family Guy (TV Series) as
Max Weinstein
- When You Wish Upon a Weinstein (2003) - Max Weinstein (voice)
2001
The Sopranos (TV Series) as
Assemblyman Zellman / Assemblyman Ronald Zellman
- Watching Too Much Television (2002) - Assemblyman Zellman
- Christopher (2002) - Assemblyman Zellman
- For All Debts Public and Private (2002) - Assemblyman Zellman
- Another Toothpick (2001) - Assemblyman Zellman
- Employee of the Month (2001) - Assemblyman Zellman
- Proshai, Livushka (2001) - Assemblyman Ronald Zellman
2001
Bleacher Bums (TV Movie) as
Decker
2001
The Beast (TV Series) as
Ted Fisher
- Travinia: Part 2 (2001) - Ted Fisher
- Travinia: Part 1 (2001) - Ted Fisher
- Functional Family (2001) - Ted Fisher
- The Delivery (2001) - Ted Fisher
- The Damage Done (2001) - Ted Fisher
- The Price (2001) - Ted Fisher
2001
Bojangles (TV Movie) as
Marty
2001
Club Land (TV Movie) as
Rabbi
2000
Traffic as
Attorney Michael Adler
2000
How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog as
Larry
2000
Sports Night (TV Series) as
Jay Rydell
- The Cut Man Cometh (2000) - Jay Rydell
2000
Passion of Mind as
Dr. Peters
1998
Scandalous Me: The Jacqueline Susann Story (TV Movie) as
Irving Mansfield
1998
The Baby Dance (TV Movie) as
Richard
1998
Seinfeld (TV Series) as
James Kimbrough
- The Finale (1998) - James Kimbrough
1997
Face Down (TV Movie) as
Lt. Coop Cooper
1997
North Shore Fish (TV Movie) as
Porker
1996
Law & Order (TV Series) as
Jerold Dixon
- Deceit (1996) - Jerold Dixon
1995
An Element of Truth (TV Movie) as
Sidney Wiltz
1995
Pie in the Sky as
Dad Dunlap
1995
Mystery Dance (TV Series) as
Alan Baker
- Episode #1.1 (1995) - Alan Baker
1995
The Infiltrator (TV Movie) as
Rabbi Cooper
1994
Bleeding Hearts as
Doctor
1994
The Mask as
Lt. Mitch Kellaway
1993
Gypsy (TV Movie) as
Herbie
1993
Barbarians at the Gate (TV Movie) as
Peter Cohen
1992
Middle Ages (TV Series) as
Walter Cooper
- Murmur of the Heart (1992) - Walter Cooper
- Forever Young (1992) - Walter Cooper
- Night Moves (1992) - Walter Cooper
- Pygmalian in the Python (1992) - Walter Cooper
- The Pig in the Python (1992) - Walter Cooper
1992
Passed Away as
Peter Syracusa
1991
The Runestone as
Capt. Gregory Fanducci
1991
The Object of Beauty as
Larry (Lawrence Oates)
1990
A Shock to the System as
Robert Benham
1989
Trying Times (TV Series) as
Bill
- The Hit List (1989) - Bill
1989
American Masters (TV Series documentary) as
W. Eugene Smith
- W. Eugene Smith: Photography Made Difficult (1989) - W. Eugene Smith
1989
That's Adequate as
Adult Baby Elroy
1988
Crossing Delancey as
Sam Posner
1987
The Stranger as
Dr. Harris Kite
1986
News at Eleven (TV Movie) as
Eric Ross
1985
The Twilight Zone (TV Series) as
Gus Rosenthal (segment "One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty")
- The Beacon/One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty (1985) - Gus Rosenthal (segment "One Life, Furnished in Early Poverty")
1984
Ellis Island (TV Mini Series) as
Jacob Rubinstein
- Episode #1.3 (1984) - Jacob Rubinstein
- Episode #1.2 (1984) - Jacob Rubinstein
- Episode #1.1 (1984) - Jacob Rubinstein
1984
American Playhouse (TV Series) as
Richard M. Nixon
- Concealed Enemies, Part IV: Verdict (1984) - Richard M. Nixon
- Concealed Enemies, Part III: Investigation (1984) - Richard M. Nixon
- Concealed Enemies, Part II: Accusation (1984) - Richard M. Nixon
- Concealed Enemies, Part I: Suspicion (1984) - Richard M. Nixon
1983
Le grand carnaval as
Walter Giammanca
1982
Table Settings (TV Movie)
1982
Movie Madness as
Jason Cooper ("Growing Yourself")
1981
War Babies (TV Movie)
1979
Chilly Scenes of Winter as
Sam
1979
Americathon as
Eric McMerkin
1978
National Lampoon's Animal House as
Donald Schoenstein
1977
M*A*S*H (TV Series) as
Cpl. Igor Straminsky
- Change Day (1977) - Cpl. Igor Straminsky
- War of Nerves (1977) - Cpl. Igor Straminsky
1976
Isabella and the Magic Brush (Short)(voice, as Peter Riegart)
Director
Writer
2001
By Courier (Short) (adaptation - uncredited)
Producer
2001
By Courier (Short) (producer - uncredited)
Soundtrack
1993
Gypsy (TV Movie) (performer: "Small World", "Mr. Goldstone", "You'll Never Get Away from Me", "Together, Wherever We Go")
Miscellaneous
2013
50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus (Documentary) (board of advisors)
Thanks
1998
The Yearbook: An 'Animal House' Reunion (Video documentary) (special thanks)
Self
2023
The Arts Scene Podcast with Lynette and Ari (Podcast Series) as
Self - Guest
- Karen Allen, Stephen Lang and Peter Riegert discuss their film, "White Irish Drinkers" (2023) - Self - Guest
2021
Talking Sopranos (TV Series) as
Self
- Calling All Cars (2021) - Self
2018
Gilbert Gottfried's Amazing Colossal Podcast (Podcast Series documentary) as
Self - Guest
- Peter Riegert (2018) - Self - Guest
2018
Animal House 40th Anniversary Reunion (Video) as
Self
2017
Stand for Rights (TV Special) as
Self
2013
Good Day L.A. (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode dated 18 November 2013 (2013) - Self - Guest
- Episode dated 4 October 2013 (2013) - Self - Guest
2013
Fox Fall Preview (TV Special) as
Self
2011
Sholem Aleichem: Laughing in the Darkness (Documentary) as
Tevye
2009
Movie Connections (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Local Hero (2009) - Self
2008
Animal House: The Inside Story (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2008
Starz Inside: In the Gutter (TV Movie documentary) as
Self
2007
The First Basket (Documentary) as
Narrator
2006
After Hours with Daniel Boulud (TV Series) as
Self
- Daniel (2006) - Self
2006
Wanderlust (TV Movie documentary) as
Self (voice)
2001
The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (TV Special) as
Self
1998
The Yearbook: An 'Animal House' Reunion (Video documentary) as
Self - 'Boone'
1996
Biography (TV Series documentary) as
Self
- Burt Lancaster: Daring to Reach (1996) - Self
1993
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Peter Riegert/Carol Alt/Don Martin (1993) - Self - Guest
1992
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) as
Self - Guest
- Episode #1.77 (1992) - Self - Guest
1983
Late Night with David Letterman (TV Series) as
Self
- Episode dated 15 February 1983 (1983) - Self
Archive Footage
2019
¿De dónde salen estos doblajes? (Video documentary short) as
Donald Schoenstein
2011
You've Been Trumped (Documentary) as
Mac
2009
What If...? (TV Series) as
Voice Talent
- Episode #1.1 (2009) - Voice Talent
2005
Live from New York: The First 5 Years of Saturday Night Live (TV Special documentary)
