Philip Baker Hall (born September 10, 1931) is an American actor. In film, Hall has portrayed the lead roles of President Richard Nixon in Robert Altman's Secret Honor (1984) and Arthur Pratt in Duck (2005). He also starred in several of Paul Thomas Anderson's films, Hard Eight (1996), Boogie Nights (1997) and Magnolia (1999). Hall is known for his portrayal of Lieutenant Bookman, Library Cop on Seinfeld.
Hall was born in Toledo, Ohio, the son of Alice Birdene (née McDonald) and William Alexander Hall, a factory worker who was from Montgomery, Alabama. He attended the University of Toledo. As a young man, Hall served in the military, had two children, and became a high school English teacher. In 1960, he decided to become an actor. He moved to New York, enjoying success in Off Broadway and Broadway productions. He now resides in Los Angeles, California with his wife, Holly and two daughters, Adella and Anna.
Career
In 1975, Hall moved to Los Angeles to make a career in television. Since then, he has had more than 200 guest roles on television shows. He starred in many films, including Robert Altman's Secret Honor, a one-man show in which he played the film's only role, Richard Nixon. Hall got his first high-profile film role when Paul Thomas Anderson wrote a role in his film Hard Eight, specifically for Hall. Hall went on to have roles in two of Anderson's subsequent films, Boogie Nights and Magnolia. He also had a minor role as Captain Diel in the Rush Hour trilogy (though his scenes were cut from the theatrical release of Rush Hour 2 and he was uncredited for his scenes in Rush Hour 3).
Hall acted in Seinfeld as Lt. Joe Bookman, the 'library cop' who tracks down Jerry for a long-overdue library book in "The Library". He reprised the role in the May 1998 finale where his character is one of many to testify against Jerry. More recently he has appeared as the crotchety Dr. Morrison, Larry David's physician, on Curb Your Enthusiasm and an equally crotchety neighbor of the Dunphy family on Modern Family. In 2012, he appeared in an episode of Aaron Sorkin's The Newsroom.
Hall also appeared in a series of humorous Holiday Inn commercials.
Filmography
Actor
2020
Messiah (TV Series) as
Zelman Katz
- The Wages of Sin (2020) - Zelman Katz
- God Is Greater (2020) - Zelman Katz
- Force Majeure (2020) - Zelman Katz
- The Finger of God (2020) - Zelman Katz
- He That Hath an Ear (2020) - Zelman Katz
- Trial (2020) - Zelman Katz
2018
Dear Chickens (Short) as
Emil
2018
Corporate (TV Series) as
Arthur
- Powerpoint of Death (2018) - Arthur
2017
Room 104 (TV Series) as
Charlie
- My Love (2017) - Charlie
2017
The Last Word as
Edward
2017
Person to Person as
Jimmy
2016
Second Chance (TV Series) as
Old Jimmy Pritchard
- May Old Acquaintance Be Forgot (2016) - Old Jimmy Pritchard
- Scratch That Glitch (2016) - Old Jimmy Pritchard
- Admissions (2016) - Old Jimmy Pritchard
- One More Notch (2016) - Old Jimmy Pritchard
- A Suitable Donor (2016) - Old Jimmy Pritchard
2015
BoJack Horseman (TV Series) as
Hank Hippopopalous
- Hank After Dark (2015) - Hank Hippopopalous (voice)
- Higher Love (2015) - Hank Hippopopalous (voice)
2015
Madam Secretary (TV Series) as
Ezra Helsinger
- The Necessary Art (2015) - Ezra Helsinger
2014
Playing It Cool as
Granddad
2014
Rake (TV Series) as
Mitch Markham
- Remembrance of Taxis Past (2014) - Mitch Markham
2013
Bad Words as
Dr. Bowman
2013
Clear History (TV Movie) as
McKenzie
2012
Ruth & Erica (TV Series) as
Harry
- January (2012) - Harry
- October (2012) - Harry
- July (2012) - Harry
- June (2012) - Harry
- May (2012) - Harry
- April (2012) - Harry
- March (2012) - Harry
- January (2012) - Harry
2012
Childrens Hospital (TV Series short) as
Dr. Joseph Mengele
- A Year in the Life (2012) - Dr. Joseph Mengele
2012
Argo as
C.I.A Director Stansfield Turner (uncredited)
2012
The Newsroom (TV Series) as
Bryce Delancy
- The 112th Congress (2012) - Bryce Delancy (as Phillip Baker Hall)
2012
Dog Eat Dog (Short) as
Old Man
2012
People Like Us as
Ike Rafferty
2012
Departure Date (Short) as
Old Jake
2011
Modern Family (TV Series) as
Walt Kleezak
- Election Day (2012) - Walt Kleezak
- Lifetime Supply (2012) - Walt Kleezak
- Boys' Night (2011) - Walt Kleezak
2012
Bending the Rules as
Herb Gold
2011
50/50 as
Alan
2011
Mr. Popper's Penguins as
Franklin
2011
The Chicago 8 as
Judge Julius Hoffman
2010
All Good Things as
Malvern Bump
2010
Warren the Ape (TV Series) as
Dr. Ralph Schwartz
- Rock Opera (2010) - Dr. Ralph Schwartz
2010
The Life & Times of Tim (TV Series) as
Norman Walker
- London Calling/Novelist (2010) - Norman Walker (voice)
2009
True Jackson, VP (TV Series) as
Mr. Jenkins
- Flirting with Fame (2009) - Mr. Jenkins
2004
Curb Your Enthusiasm (TV Series) as
Doctor Morrison
- The Hot Towel (2009) - Doctor Morrison
- Mel's Offer (2004) - Doctor Morrison
2009
Wonderful World as
The Man
2009
Fired Up! as
Coach Byrnes
2009
The Lodger as
Captain Smith
2008
Worst Week (TV Series) as
Reverend Lowell
- The Wedding (2008) - Reverend Lowell
- The Vows (2008) - Reverend Lowell
2008
Psych (TV Series) as
Irving Parker
- Dis-Lodged (2008) - Irving Parker
2007
Thesis: Work vs. Play (Video short)
2007
Wildlife (TV Movie)
2007
Big Love (TV Series) as
Ned Johanssen
- Take Me as I Am (2007) - Ned Johanssen
2007
Rush Hour 3 as
Captain William Diel (uncredited)
2006
The Loop (TV Series) as
Russ
- Crazy Goat (2007) - Russ
- The Stranger (2007) - Russ
- Fatty (2007) - Russ
- Stride (2007) - Russ
- The Dutch (2007) - Russ
- Lady Business (2007) - Russ
- Yeah, Presents (2007) - Russ
- CSI: Donut Idol Bowl (2007) - Russ
- The Phantom (2007) - Russ
- Windows (2007) - Russ
- The Rusty Trombone (2006) - Russ
- Bear Drop Soup (2006) - Russ
- The Year of the Dog (2006) - Russ
- Trouble in the Saddle (2006) - Russ
- The Tiger Express (2006) - Russ
- Jack Air (2006) - Russ
- Pilot (2006) - Russ
2007
You Kill Me as
Roman Krzeminski
2007
Zodiac as
Sherwood Morrill
2006
Islander as
Popper
2006
The TV Set as
Vernon Maxwell
2006
The Shaggy Dog as
Lance Strictland
2005
Edith (Short) as
Grandfather
2005
Mrs. Harris (TV Movie) as
Arthur Schulte
2005
The Zodiac as
Frank Perkins
2005
The Amityville Horror as
Father Callaway
2005
Duck as
Arthur Pratt
2005
The Matador as
Mr. Randy
2005
A Buck's Worth (Short)(voice)
2004
In Good Company as
Eugene Kalb
2004
The West Wing (TV Series) as
Senator Matt Hunt
- A Change Is Gonna Come (2004) - Senator Matt Hunt
- An Khe (2004) - Senator Matt Hunt
2004
Boston Legal (TV Series) as
Ernie Dell
- Head Cases (2004) - Ernie Dell
2004
Monk (TV Series) as
Salvatore Lucarelli
- Mr. Monk Meets the Godfather (2004) - Salvatore Lucarelli (as Phillip Baker Hall)
2003
Everwood (TV Series) as
Dr. Donald Douglas
- Your Future Awaits (2004) - Dr. Donald Douglas
- Do or Die (2004) - Dr. Donald Douglas
- Home (2003) - Dr. Donald Douglas
2003
Dogville as
Tom Edison Sr.
2003
Bruce Almighty as
Jack Baylor
2003
Die, Mommie, Die! as
Sol Sussman
2002
Without a Trace (TV Series) as
Noah Ridder
- Silent Partner (2002) - Noah Ridder
2002
Night Visions (TV Series) as
Dennis Brascom (segment "Cargo")
- Cargo/Switch (2002) - Dennis Brascom (segment "Cargo")
2002
A Gentleman's Game as
Charlie Logan
2001
Pasadena (TV Series) as
George Reese Greeley
- Don't It Always Seem to Go? (2002) - George Reese Greeley
- A Lie Worth Fighting For (2002) - George Reese Greeley
- Run Lily Run (2002) - George Reese Greeley
- The Bones (2002) - George Reese Greeley
- Hostile Environment (2001) - George Reese Greeley
- The Rat (2001) - George Reese Greeley
- Pilot (2001) - George Reese Greeley
2002
The Sum of All Fears as
Defense Secretary Becker
2002
Path to War (TV Movie) as
Everett Dirksen
2000
Baby Blues (TV Series) as
Mr. Saunders / Mr. Thompson
- Wanda Proof (2002) - Mr. Saunders (voice)
- Ugly Zoe (2000) - Mr. Thompson (voice)
2001
Loomis (TV Movie) as
'Big Jack' Caruso
2001
A House on a Hill as
Harry Mayfield
2000
The Fugitive (TV Series) as
Stuart Kimble
- St. Christopher's Prayer (2000) - Stuart Kimble
2000
Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis (TV Movie) as
Aristotle Onassis
2000
Lost Souls as
Father James
2000
The Contender as
Oscar Billings
2000
Rules of Engagement as
General H. Lawrence Hodges
1999
The Talented Mr. Ripley as
Alvin MacCarron
1999
Magnolia as
Jimmy Gator
1999
Aimee Mann: Save Me (Music Video short) as
Jimmy Gator
1999
The Insider as
Don Hewitt
1999
Partners (TV Movie) as
Scarpatti
1999
Cradle Will Rock as
Gray Mathers
1999
Let the Devil Wear Black as
Sol Hirsch
1998
Implicated as
John Sawyer
1998
Psycho as
Sheriff Chambers
1998
Enemy of the State as
Attorney Mark Silverberg (uncredited)
1998
L.A. Doctors (TV Series) as
Vincent Cattano
- Fear of Flying (1998) - Vincent Cattano
1998
Rush Hour as
Captain Diel
1998
Judas Kiss as
Pobby Malavero
1997
Michael Hayes (TV Series) as
William Vaughn
- Vaughn Mower (1998) - William Vaughn
- Faith (1998) - William Vaughn
- Devotion (1998) - William Vaughn
- Power Play (1998) - William Vaughn
- Gotterdammerung (1998) - William Vaughn
- Lawyers, Guns and Money (1998) - William Vaughn
- Under Color of Law (1998) - William Vaughn
- Imagine: Part 2 (1998) - William Vaughn
- Imagine: Part 1 (1998) - William Vaughn
- Arise and Fall (1998) - William Vaughn
- Mob Mentality (1998) - William Vaughn
- Retribution (1997) - William Vaughn
- The Confidence Man (1997) - William Vaughn
- Slaves (1997) - William Vaughn
- Death and Taxes (1997) - William Vaughn
- Radio Killer (1997) - William Vaughn
- Heroes (1997) - William Vaughn
- Act of Contrition (1997) - William Vaughn
- The Doctor's Tale (1997) - William Vaughn
- True Blue (1997) - William Vaughn
1998
The Truman Show as
Network Executive
1991
Seinfeld (TV Series) as
Lt. Joe Bookman
- The Finale (1998) - Lt. Joe Bookman
- The Library (1991) - Lt. Joe Bookman
1998
Witness to the Mob (TV Movie) as
Toddo Aurello
1998
Sour Grapes as
Mr. Bell
1998
Tempting Fate (TV Movie) as
Dr. Bardwell
1997
Millennium (TV Series) as
Group Elder
- Roosters (1998) - Group Elder
- The Hand of Saint Sebastian (1997) - Group Elder
1997
The Practice (TV Series) as
Judge Joseph Vinocour
- Betrayal (1997) - Judge Joseph Vinocour
- Part VI (1997) - Judge Joseph Vinocour
- Part V (1997) - Judge Joseph Vinocour
- Part I (1997) - Judge Joseph Vinocour
1997
Boogie Nights as
Floyd Gondolli
1997
Air Force One as
U.S. Attorney General Ward
1997
Buddy as
Minister
1997
3rd Rock from the Sun (TV Series) as
President Dewey
- Proud Dick (1997) - President Dewey
1996
The John Larroquette Show (TV Series) as
Mr. Frank
- Napping to Success (1996) - Mr. Frank
1996
Life's Work (TV Series) as
Judge Conklin
- Contempt (1996) - Judge Conklin
1996
Hit Me as
Lenny Ish
1996
The Rock as
Chief Justice (uncredited)
1996
The Little Death as
Snyder / Detective
1996
Hard Eight as
Sydney
1996
Eye for an Eye as
Sidney Hughes
1995
Kiss of Death as
Big Junior Brown
1995
The Last Laugh (Short) as
William T.
1994
Without Warning (TV Movie) as
Dr. Kurt Lowden
1994
Hardball (TV Series) as
Beanball McGee
- Lee's Bad, Bad Day (1994) - Beanball McGee
1994
Chicago Hope (TV Series) as
Mr. Wellington
- You Gotta Have Heart (1994) - Mr. Wellington
1994
Madman of the People (TV Series) as
Kent
- All Work and No Play Makes Jack a Mad Boy (1994) - Kent
1994
Roswell (TV Movie) as
Roswell General
1994
The Good Life (TV Series) as
Mr. Humphreys
- Melissa the Thief (1994) - Mr. Humphreys
1994
Empty Nest (TV Series) as
Jerod
- Brotherly Shove (1994) - Jerod
1994
M.A.N.T.I.S. (TV Movie) as
Smitty
1993
Bob (TV Series) as
Jeweler
- Have Yourself a Married Little Christmas (1993) - Jeweler
1993
Cigarettes & Coffee (Short) as
Sydney (as Phillip Baker Hall)
1993
Cheers (TV Series) as
City Councilman Kevin Fogerty
- Woody Gets an Election (1993) - City Councilman Kevin Fogerty
1991
Civil Wars (TV Series) as
Judge Bianchi
- A Bus Named Desire (1992) - Judge Bianchi
- His Honor's Offer (1992) - Judge Bianchi
- Daveja-Vu All Over Again (1991) - Judge Bianchi
1992
Nurses (TV Series) as
Mr. Todd
- Playing Doctor (1992) - Mr. Todd
1992
Stormy Weathers (TV Movie) as
Dr. Comden
1992
Live Wire as
Senator Thyme
1992
Crash Landing: The Rescue of Flight 232 (TV Movie) as