# Larry Miller (comedian)

Lawrence John Miller (born October 15, 1953) is an American comedian, actor, podcaster, and columnist. He is primarily regarded as a character actor, with The A.V. Club noting that he "can be counted upon to improve every film or television show he appears in". His better-known roles include Lou Bonaparte in Mad About You (1993–1998), Pointy-haired Boss in Dilbert (1999–2000), Edwin Poole in Boston Legal (2004–2008), Mr. Hollister in Pretty Woman (1990), Dean Richmond in The Nutty Professor (1996) and Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Walter Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), Principal Elliot T. Jindraike in Max Keeble's Big Move (2001) and Paolo Puttanesca in The Princess Diaries (2001) and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement (2004). He reprised his role as Walter Stratford in the television series 10 Things I Hate About You (2009–2010).
Miller has also served as one of the regular players in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films.

## Early life and education

Miller was born in Brooklyn into a Jewish family, and grew up in Valley Stream, New York, on Long Island. He studied music at Amherst College.

## Career

Miller's first acting job was as the emcee on the TV series Fame. He gained mainstream attention for his part in popular scenes of Pretty Woman involving him as a store clerk for the main characters.
His film roles include Walter Stratford in 10 Things I Hate About You as well as several characters in Christopher Guest's mockumentary films. He has held prominent supporting roles in Carry On Columbus, Radioland Murders, The Nutty Professor, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps, and Max Keeble's Big Move. He has over 50 film appearances.
He was part of the main cast of Life's Work, The Pursuit of Happiness, and High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story. He is also a frequent guest actor on television, most notably as the nasty doorman on Seinfeld in the episode "The Doorman". He played Edwin Poole in the ABC dramedy Boston Legal. He played nightclub owner Michael Dobson in two Law & Order episodes, first in the episode "Coma" and then later in "Encore". Miller appeared as himself in a third episode, "Smoke". He was also in 8 Simple Rules, where he played Tommy, Kyle's obnoxious father and Paul's (John Ritter) colleague.
Miller is friends with Jerry Seinfeld, and once auditioned for the part of George Costanza.

### Other work

As a stand-up comic, he is best known for his monologue "The Five Levels of Drinking", which Vulture hailed as "masterful, well-written, and influential".
From 2002 to 2004, Miller wrote a column for the magazine The Weekly Standard that usually ran once every two weeks. Since then, he continued to occasionally contribute to the magazine, and to the Washington Examiner, which absorbed The Weekly Standard when it ceased publication. His subject matter has included politics as well as reminiscences about fellow entertainers and anecdotes from his own life.
Two of the columns he wrote in 2002 served as the text for frequently forwarded emails at the time, though in both cases his words were attributed to others. The first was his very first Weekly Standard column in January 2002, in which he mocked various anti-war platitudes of the time; the text was incorrectly attributed to retired Air Force general Richard E. Hawley. The second was an April 2002 column defending Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, which was attributed to fellow comedian Dennis Miller. Another email which also began to be forwarded in 2002, purporting to offer "George Carlin's Views on Aging", was derived in part from a stand-up routine that Larry Miller performed in the 1990s.
Miller began a weekly podcast on the Carolla Digital Network, This Week with Larry Miller, suspending it after falling and injuring his head severely in April 2012. After hospitalization and a coma, he said in January 2013 that he was convalescing. Miller resumed the podcast on January 9, 2013. In February 2015, the podcast was retitled The Larry Miller Show with direct distribution. The podcast ended on December 2, 2020. Miller referred to it as the "grand finale" after not broadcasting a new show in the previous six months. The show page cited issues with producing the show safely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Personal life

Miller married television writer Eileen Conn in 1993. The couple have two children.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1989 | Three Fugitives | Street Cop - Second Officer | |
| 1989 | Out Cold | Plumber No. 2 | |
| 1990 | Pretty Woman | Mr. Hollister | |
| 1990 | Almost an Angel | Teller | |
| 1991 | L.A. Story | Tom | |
| 1991 | Suburban Commando | Adrian Beltz | |
| 1991 | Necessary Roughness | Dean Phillip Elias | |
| 1991 | Frankenstein: The College Years | Professor Loman | Television film |
| 1992 | Carry On Columbus | The Chief | |
| 1992 | Frozen Assets | Newton Patterson | |
| 1993 | Undercover Blues | Halsey | |
| 1993 | Dream Lover | Norman | |
| 1994 | The Favor | Joe Dubin | |
| 1994 | Corrina, Corrina | Sid | |
| 1994 | Radioland Murders | Herman Katzenback | |
| 1995 | The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes | Dean Al Valentine | Television film |
| 1996 | The Nutty Professor | Dean Richmond | |
| 1996 | Waiting for Guffman | Mayor Glenn Welsch | |
| 1996 | Dear God | State Judge | |
| 1997 | For Richer or Poorer | IRS Inspector Derek Lester | |
| 1997 | Bayou Ghost | Reverend Carmichael | |
| 1998 | Chairman of the Board | Bradford McMillan | |
| 1998 | Carnival of Souls | Louis Seagram | |
| 1999 | The Minus Man | Paul | |
| 1999 | 10 Things I Hate About You | Walter Stratford | |
| 1999 | Runaway Bride | N.Y.C. Bartender Kevin | Uncredited |
| 1999 | The Big Tease | Dunston Cactus | |
| 1999 | Pros & Cons | Ben Babbitt | |
| 2000 | Nutty Professor II: The Klumps | Dean Richmond | |
| 2000 | Best in Show | Max Berman | |
| 2001 | What's the Worst That Could Happen? | Earl Radburn | |
| 2001 | The Princess Diaries | Paolo | Uncredited |
| 2001 | Max Keeble's Big Move | Principal Elliot T. Jindraike | |
| 2002 | Teddy Bears' Picnic | | Uncredited |
| 2003 | A Guy Thing | Minister Ferris | Uncredited |
| 2003 | A Mighty Wind | Wally Fenton | |
| 2004 | Raising Helen | Car Buyer | Uncredited |
| 2004 | The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement | Paolo | |
| 2005 | Kiss Kiss Bang Bang | Dabney Shaw | |
| 2005 | Uncommon Sense | Larry | Television film |
| 2005 | Life of the Party | Dr. Trent | |
| 2006 | Keeping Up with the Steins | Arnie Stein | |
| 2006 | Lance is a Jerk | Ron DeLuca | |
| 2006 | The Ant Bully | Fred Nickle | Voice |
| 2006 | For Your Consideration | Syd Finkleman | |
| 2007 | The Pre Nup | Daniel | Short |
| 2007 | Chasing Robert | Peter Vondra | |
| 2007 | Bagboy | Pike | |
| 2007 | The Final Season | Roger Dempsey | Voice |
| 2007 | Bee Movie | Buzzwell | Voice |
| 2007 | Blonde Ambition | Richard Connelly | |
| 2008 | Get Smart | CIA Agent | |
| 2008 | Senior Skip Day | Principal Dickwalder | |
| 2008 | The Spleenectomy | Sir Henry Pierre | Short |
| 2008 | The Other End of the Line | Kit Hawksin | |
| 2009 | The Six Wives of Henry Lefay | Lipschutz | |
| 2010 | Valentine's Day | Oversized Baggage Agent | |
| 2010 | Alpha and Omega | Marcel | Voice |
| 2010 | Keep It in Your Pants | Dr. Rosenrosen | |
| 2010 | Federal Bureau of Manners: The Nod | | Short |
| 2010 | Federal Bureau of Manners: Cell Phones | | Short |
| 2011 | New Year's Eve | Harley | Segment "Ahern Party" |
| 2011 | Deck the Halls | Willie Meehan | Television film |
| 2012 | Foodfight! | Vlad Chocool | Voice |
| 2012 | General Education | Rich Collins | |
| 2012 | The Mystery Cruise | Willy Meehan | |
| 2014 | Night Vet | Rich | Short |
| 2014 | New Soul | New Soul Advisor No. 51 | Short |
| 2015 | Road Hard | Barry 'Baby Doll' Weissman | |
| 2015 | Pearly Gates | Rabbi | |
| 2016 | Hot Bot | Senator Biter | |
| 2016 | Mother's Day | Motorcycle Cop | |
| 2018 | Rock Steady Row | The Dean | |
| 2018 | The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot | Ed | |
| 2018 | Second Act | Weiskopf | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1982 | Fame | The Emcee | Episode: "But Seriously, Folks" |
| 1984 | Late Night with David Letterman | Himself | Episode: "October 4, 1984" |
| 1984 | The Bob Monkhouse Show | Himself | Episode #1.7 |
| 1986–1989 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | Seinfeld | Doorman | Episode: "The Doorman" |
| 1995 | Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | Himself | Voice, episode: "Everybody's Got a Tushy" |
| 1995 | The Single Guy | The Cable Guy | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1995 | The Pursuit of Happiness | Larry Rutledge | 7 episodes |
| 1990–1996 | Dream On | Sgt. McDougal/Irwin Bader | 9 episodes |
| 1996 | Boston Common | Warren | Episode: "Everybody's Stalking" |
| 1996–1997 | Life's Work | Jerome Nash | 18 episodes |
| 1997 | George & Leo | Lloyd | Episode: "The Bribe" |
| 1997 | Just Shoot Me! | Emerson Gray | Episode: "The Assistant" |
| 1993–1998 | Mad About You | Lou Bonaparte | 5 episodes |
| 1998 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Episode: "I Buried Sid" |
| 1998 | Michael Hayes | Orwell | 2 episodes |
| 1998 | 3rd Rock from the Sun | Garvin | Episode: "Dr. Solomon's Traveling Show" |
| 1998–1999 | Hercules | Lynceus | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane | Professor | Episode: "No Good Deed" |
| 1999–2000 | Dilbert | Pointy-haired Boss | Voice, 30 episodes |
| 2000 | Bull | C.J. Cox | 4 episodes |
| 2000-2001 | DAG | Special Agent Nash | 2 episodes |
| 2000-2001 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | XR | Voice, 38 episodes |
| 2001 | TV Funhouse | Narrator | Voice, episode: "Astronaut Day" |
| 2001 | The Weakest Link | Himself (contestant) | Episode: "Scene Stealers Edition" |
| 2002 | Providence | Dr. Minkus | Episode: "Shadow Play" |
| 2002 | The Guardian | Dale Petrocki | Episode: "Lawyers, Guns and Money" |
| 2002 | My Wife and Kids | Stuart Tyler | 3 episodes |
| 2002 | The Mind of the Married Man | Ernie Spivak | Episode: "Peter Pan" |
| 1994–2003 | Law & Order | Michael Dobson, Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire | Scott Haggis | 4 episodes |
| 2002–2003 | 8 Simple Rules | Tommy | 12 episodes |
| 2004 | King of the Hill | Doctor Tabor | Voice, episode: "Dale Be Not Proud" |
| 2005 | Desperate Housewives | Leonard Harper | Episode: "Color and Light" |
| 2006 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno | Charlie Brown | Episode #14.224 |
| 2007 | Medium | Dylan Kravitz | Episode: "Joe Day Afternoon" |
| 2005–2007 | Monk | Garrett Price | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Dirt | Bill Hope | Episode: "God Bless the Child" |
| 2008 | Burn Notice | Harvey Gunderson | Episode: "Comrades" |
| 2004–2008 | Boston Legal | Edwin Poole | 4 episodes |
| 2009 | Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! | Larry Steves | Episode: "Hair" |
| 2009–2010 | 10 Things I Hate About You | Walter Stratford | 20 episodes |
| 2010 | Gravity | Dr. Tepperman | 4 episodes |
| 2010 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Himself | Voice, episode: "Larry Miller Hair System" |
| 2010 | Late Night Liars | Himself | Episode #1.1 |
| 2011 | The Protector | Alan Bronski | Episode: "Help" |
| 2011 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Eddie Kravitz | Episode: "Palestinian Chicken" |
| 2011 | Shake It Up | Larry Diller | Episode: "Camp It Up" |
| 2012 | Bent | Bob | Episode: "A-Game" |
| 2011–2012 | The Penguins of Madagascar | Clemson | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Devious Maids | Frank | Episode: "Cleaning Out the Closet" |
| 2013 | Liv and Maddie | Principal Fickman | Episode: "Team-A-Rooney" |
| 2014 | Hot in Cleveland | Larry | Episode: "Elka Takes a Lover" |
| 2014 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Jery Pickens | Episode: "Alison Brie Wears a Black Mesh Top & Mini-Skirt" |
| 2014 | Mystery Girls | Arthur J. Stanwick | Episode: "Passing the Torch" |
| 2015 | Clipped | unnamed character | Episode: "Free Wednesday" |
| 2017 | Runaways | Phil | Episode: "Rewind" |
| 2016–2017 | High School Cupid, a Cupid Inc. Story | Principal Perkales | 9 episodes |
| 2011–2019 | NCIS | Ed Slater | 2 episodes |

### Videos

| Year | Video | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins | XR | Voice |
| 2005 | Final Approach | Walter | |
| 2005 | The Legend of Frosty the Snowman | Principal Pankley | Voice |
| 2008 | Senior Skip Day | Mr. Frankfurt Dickwalder | |
| 2008 | Get Smart's Bruce and Lloyd Out of Control | Underchief/CIA Chief | |

### Video games

| Year | Game | Role | Notes |
| 2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | XR | Voice |