# Richard Portnow

Richard Portnow (born January 26, 1947) is an American actor known for such films and television series as Good Morning, Vietnam, Barton Fink, Kindergarten Cop, Man of the House, Sister Act, Seven, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Bogus, The Spirit, Law Abiding Citizen, Private Parts, Fallen Arches, Double Down, Poolhall Junkies, The Sopranos, Hannah Montana, The Nanny, Trumbo, Oldboy, Find Me Guilty, Underdogs and Boston Legal.
Portnow played the role of defense attorney Harold "Mel" Melvoin on the Emmy-winning HBO series The Sopranos (1999), the lawyer for Uncle Junior.
Portnow appeared in Matthew Charles Santoro's sci-fi film Higher Power, which was released in 2018.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1980 | Roadie | First New York Wino | |
| 1985 | Desperately Seeking Susan | Party Guest | |
| 1987 | Radio Days | Sy | |
| 1987 | Tin Men | Carly Benelli |
| 1987 | The Squeeze | Ruben | |
| 1987 | Weeds | Guard | |
| 1987 | Hiding Out | Mr. Lessig | |
| 1987 | Good Morning, Vietnam | Dan 'The Man' Levitan | |
| 1988 | In Dangerous Company | Kellog | |
| 1988 | Twins | Chop Shop Owner | |
| 1989 | Meet the Hollowheads | Mr. Crabneck | |
| 1989 | Say Anything... | IRS Agent Stewart | |
| 1989 | Chattahoochee | Dr. Debner | |
| 1990 | Tune in Tomorrow | Uncle Luke | |
| 1990 | Havana | Mike MacClaney | |
| 1990 | Kindergarten Cop | Captain Salazar | |
| 1991 | Barton Fink | Detective Mastrionotti | |
| 1991 | For the Boys | Milt, Recording Studio | |
| 1991 | Father of the Bride | Al, The Tux Salesman | |
| 1992 | Beethoven | Ammo Gun Salesman | |
| 1992 | Sister Act | Willy | |
| 1992 | There Goes the Neighborhood | Marty Rollins | |
| 1993 | Heart and Souls | Max Marco | |
| 1993 | Night Eyes 3 | Edgar Kaplan | |
| 1994 | Lipstick Camera | Detective Vorkopich | |
| 1994 | Trial by Jury | Leo Greco | |
| 1994 | S.F.W. | Gerald Parsley | |
| 1994 | Across the Moon | Roy | |
| 1995 | Man of the House | Joey Renda | |
| 1995 | Seven | Dr. Beardsley | |
| 1996 | Guy | Al | |
| 1996 | Bogus | M. Clay Thrasher | |
| 1996 | Brittle Glory | Sid Higgins | |
| 1997 | Private Parts | Ben Stern | |
| 1997 | Mad City | Brackett's Agent | |
| 1998 | Milo | Lieutenant Parker | |
| 1998 | Shadow of Doubt | Marvin Helm | |
| 1998 | My Giant | Producer | |
| 1998 | Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas | Wine Colored Tuxedo | |
| 1998 | Postal Worker | Dr. Nicholas Brink | |
| 1999 | Road Kill | Charboneau | |
| 1999 | Ballad of the Nightingale | Arnie D'Angelo | |
| 1999 | Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai | Frank 'Handsome Frank' | |
| 1999 | Desert Thunder | Admiral Le Clair | |
| 2000 | Fallen Arches | Nicky Kaplan | |
| 2000 | Happy Accidents | Trip | |
| 2000 | Lured Innocence | Jack Shelby | |
| 2000 | The Unscarred | Tommy Matolla | |
| 2000 | The Mystery of Spoon River | Agent Cicarelli | |
| 2001 | Double Down | Arnold Zigman | |
| 2001 | Double Bang | Lieutenant Shatkin | |
| 2002 | Poolhall Junkies | Jay 'Toupee Jay' | |
| 2004 | Tony n' Tina's Wedding | Vinnie Black | |
| 2004 | Under the City | Minks | |
| 2005 | Meet the Mobsters | Jerry Kaminski | |
| 2006 | Find Me Guilty | Max Novardis | |
| 2006 | National Lampoon's TV: The Movie | Sergeant | |
| 2007 | Perfect Stranger | Narron | |
| 2007 | Good Time Max | Head Administrator | |
| 2007 | Made in Brooklyn | Louis / Vito Ungaro | |
| 2007 | Chasing Robert | Ed Thorton | |
| 2007 | The Minis | Jack | |
| 2007 | The Indian | Elliot | |
| 2008 | Tinker Bell | Minister of Autumn | Direct-to-video |
| 2008 | The Spirit | Donenfeld | |
| 2009 | Life Is Hot in Cracktown | Guy From 4 K | |
| 2009 | Law Abiding Citizen | Bill Reynolds | |
| 2009 | Under New Management | Carmello Conforte | |
| 2010 | Privileged | Mr. Rothman | Direct-to-video |
| 2010 | Killer by Nature | Walter | |
| 2012 | Dirty People | Max | |
| 2012 | A Night of Nightmares | Cliff Tanner | |
| 2012 | Two Jacks | Lorenzo | |
| 2012 | Hitchcock | Barney Balaban | |
| 2013 | Underdogs | John Handon II | |
| 2013 | Slightly Single in L.A. | Older Bar Guy | |
| 2013 | A Voice in the Dark | Dr. Levi | |
| 2013 | Oldboy | Bernie Sharkey | |
| 2014 | The Fourth Noble Truth | Aaron's Lawyer | |
| 2014 | This Last Lonely Place | Jason Pure | |
| 2014 | Nanny Cam | Detective Jones | |
| 2015 | Parallel | Stewart | |
| 2015 | Trumbo | Louis B. Mayer | |
| 2016 | Soy Nero | Murray, The Garage Owner | |
| 2016 | Café Society | Walt | |
| 2017 | Swing State | 'Shoe' Montgomery | |
| 2017 | Andover | Shamus Trout | |
| 2017 | The Gliksmans | Tim Neuman | |
| 2017 | An American Dog Story | Ripper | Voice |
| 2018 | Red Team Go | Pawn Shop Owner | |
| 2018 | Higher Power | Charles Margrey | |
| 2018 | Frank and Ava | Walter Winchell | |
| 2018 | Holly Day | Benny | |
| 2019 | Stakeout | Pat Reed | |
| 2019 | Duke | Carroll Green | |
| 2021 | Roe v. Wade | William O. Douglas | |
| 2021 | GodHead: In a fiction, in a dream of passion | Martin | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1983 | Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer | Bartender | Television film |
| 1985–1986 | The Equalizer | Policeman / Detective / Lieutenant | 3 episodes |
| 1986 | Courage | Frankie Ce De Baca | Television film |
| 1987 | Tales from the Darkside | Curtis | Episode: "Everybody Needs a Little Love" |
| 1987 | Almost Partners | Nicky | Television film |
| 1987 | American Playhouse | Billy Einhorn | Episode: "The House of Blue Leaves" |
| 1987 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam | Harry Long | Television film |
| 1987 | The Oldest Rookie | Albert Moont | Episode: "Ike and Son" |
| 1987 | Hooperman | Mr. Byrne | Episode: "Hot Wired" |
| 1987 | Beauty and the Beast | Naj | Episode: "A Children's Story" |
| 1988 | Wiseguy | Louis Cabra | Episode: "Blood Dance" |
| 1988 | Dear John | Harry | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1988 | Something Is Out There | Jimmy 'Blue Eyes', Eddie's Ex-Boss | Episode: "Gladiator" |
| 1989 | Original Sin | Vincent | Television film |
| 1989 | A Deadly Silence | District Attorney Ed Jablonski | Television film |
| 1989 | Peter Gunn | Spiros | Television film |
| 1990 | Singer & Sons | Maurice | Episode: "Our's Not to Reason Why Shmy" |
| 1990 | Father Dowling Mysteries | Cameron Prince | Episode: "The Movie Mystery" |
| 1991 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster | Dave Barrett | Television film |
| 1991 | The New WKRP in Cincinnati | Cleeve Peevey | Episode: "Every Move a Work of Art" |
| 1991-1992 | Dinosaurs | Mel Luster | 2 episodes |
| 1991-1995 | Murder, She Wrote | Walter Pell / Lieutenant Walt Murphy | 2 episodes |
| 1992 | Middle Ages | Buddy | Episode: "The Pig in the Python" |
| 1992 | Civil Wars | Jerry DeSantos | Episode: "The Naked and the Wed" |
| 1992 | Homefront | Actor / Announcer | Episode: "The Lemo Tomato Juice Hour" |
| 1993 | Seinfeld | Ray | Episode: "The Handicap Spot" |
| 1993 | Based on an Untrue Story | Disturbing Caller | Television film |
| 1993 | Home Free | Vic | 13 episodes |
| 1994 | The Commish | Benny | Episode: "Benny" |
| 1994 | Dragstrip Girl | Detective Dryden | Television film |
| 1994 | The Nanny | Phillipe | Episode: "A Star Is Unborn" |
| 1995 | Double Rush | Ed Foley | 2 episodes |
| 1995 | Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning | Monaghan | Television film |
| 1995 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Barry Barker | Episode: "Whine, Whine, Whine" |
| 1995 | Indictment: The McMartin Trial | Judge George | Television film |
| 1995 | Fallen Angels | Jack Malkov | Episode: "A Dime a Dance" |
| 1995 | Donor Unknown | Hal Cooney | Television film |
| 1995-2005 | NYPD Blue | Howard Segal / Harry Bernstein | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Dave's World | Leon | Episode: "Loves Me Like a Rock" |
| 1996 | Dream On | Roy | Episode: "Finale - Part One" |
| 1996-1997 | Mad About You | Arthur | 2 episodes |
| 1996–1997 | EZ Streets | Detective Frank Collero | 10 episodes |
| 1997 | Walker, Texas Ranger | Irving Rothbart, LaRue's Attorney | Episode: "Trial of LaRue" |
| 1997 | JAG | Sibby Lonegro | Episode: "Ghost Ship" |
| 1997 | Bella Mafia | Anthony Moreno | Television film |
| 1998 | Spin City | Mr. Paterno | Episode: "Deaf Man Walking" |
| 1999 | Boy Meets World | Stan | Episode: "Can I Help to Cheer You?" |
| 1999 | The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All | Vincent Lo Russo | Television film |
| 1999 | Witness Protection | Nikos 'The Greek' Stephanos | Television film |
| 1999 | Ryan Caulfield: Year One | Sergeant Palermo | 2 episodes |
| 1999 | Kilroy | Ed Gray | Television film |
| 1999–2004 | The Sopranos | Harold 'Mel' Melvoin | 13 episodes |
| 2000 | 18 Wheels of Justice | Anthony Guardino Jr. | Episode: "Two Eyes for an Eye" |
| 2000 | Judging Amy | Assistant Attorney General Charles Novotny | Episode: "The Out-of-Towners" |
| 2001 | Laughter on the 23rd Floor | Harry Prince | Television film |
| 2001 | Going to California | Lou Barlow | Episode: "The Naked and the Nude" |
| 2002 | The Shield | Jim Wright | Episode: "Cherrypoppers" |
| 2004–2006 | Boston Legal | Judge Peter Harding | 4 episodes |
| 2004-2009 | Nip/Tuck | Manny Caldarello | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Trump Unauthorized | Ed Koch | Television film |
| 2005 | Head Cases | Max | Episode: "In the Club" |
| 2005 | Las Vegas | Lester Colette | Episode: "Everything Old Is You Again" |
| 2006 | Hannah Montana | Marty Kline | Episode: "On the Road Again" |
| 2007 | Dirt | Teddy Jick | Episode: "Ovophagy" |
| 2008 | Cold Case | Oscar Anderson | Episode: "The Dealer" |
| 2010 | How to Make It in America | Ben's Father | Episode: "Paper, Denim + Dollars" |
| 2010 | The Wish List | Lenny | Television film |
| 2010 | Jack's Family Adventure | Denny Simpkins | Television film |
| 2010 | Outlaw | Senator Sidney Vidalin | 3 episodes |
| 2011 | The Mentalist | Phil | Episode: "Scarlet Ribbons" |
| 2011 | The Christmas Pageant | Leo Brenner | Television film |
| 2012 | CSI: NY | Preston Seville Sr. | Episode: "Brooklyn Til I Die" |
| 2012 | Hawaii Five-0 | Creed's Attorney | Episode: "Kupale" |
| 2012 | Imaginary Friend | Dan | Television film |
| 2012 | Franklin & Bash | Richard Kohl | Episode: "For Those About to Rock" |
| 2014 | Castle | Milt Boyle | Episode: "That '70s Show" |
| 2014 | Parks and Recreation | Mitch Savner | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Suits | Pete Kreeling | Episode: "Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner" |
| 2014 | Seasons of Love | Pop | Television film |
| 2015 | Grimm | Daniel Troyer | Episode: "Maiden Quest" |
| 2015 | The Good Wife | Judge Ben Margovski | Episode: "Restraint" |
| 2016 | Elementary | Eddie Eichorn | Episode: "You've Got Me, Who's Got You?" |
| 2017 | Timeless | William Hale Thompson | Episode: "Public Enemy No. 1" |
| 2017 | Major Crimes | The Gardener | Episode: "Dead Drop" |
| 2017 | Real Rob | Jerry | Episode: "Acupuncture & Spring Rolls" |
| 2019 | The Detour | Marty | Episode: "The Return" |
| 2020 | Grey's Anatomy | Saul Schmitt | Episode: "The Last Supper" |
| 2021 | Shameless | Johnny 'Boxcars' | Episode: "Survivors" |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2003 | X2: Wolverine's Revenge | Beast | Voice |