Basil Hoffman

Personal Info

Birthday

January 18, 1938

Day of Death

2021-09-17

(83 years old)

Place of Birth

Houston, Texas, USA

Also Known As

Basil Harry Hoffman

Basil Hoffman

Biography

Basil Harry Hoffman (January 18, 1938 — September 17, 2021) was an American actor with a film and television career spanning five decades, mostly in supporting roles. He starred in films with many award-winning directors, including Alan Pakula and Robert Redford.

He has also authored two books about acting, including Acting and How to Be Good at It. Hoffman was born in Houston, Texas in January 1938, the son of Beulah (née Novoselsky) and David Hoffman, an antique dealer. He graduated from Tulane University; and he spent two years at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, receiving a scholarship for the second, graduating year.

Known For

Seinfeld

Columbo

Murder, She Wrote

The West Wing

M*A*S*H

The Waltons

The Twilight Zone

Barney Miller

Filmography

2023
Discovering Ella
as Bob Stephens
Lucky Louie
as Wilbert Moser
2022
Third Act
as Uncle Paul
2019
Mr. Roberts
as Mr. Roberts
2017
The Last Word
as Christopher Georrge
Mommy I Didn't Do It
as Otis Pell
2016
The Pineville Heist
as Principal Parker
Hail, Caesar!
as Stu Schwartz (Accounting)
2015
The French American
as Monsieur Tissot
2014
Throwdown
as Judge Eller
Rio, I Love You
as James (segment "La Fortuna")
2013
3 Geezers!
as Victor
2011
Surreal Estate
as Mr. Black
The Artist
as Auctioneer
2010
When Life Gives You Lemons
as Calvin Adams
2009
The Box
as Don Poates
2003
Down with Love
as C. W. (uncredited)
1999
Hefner: Unauthorized
as Lawyer
1997
Culture
as Editor
1993
The Elvira Show
as Dr. Marvin Zislis
1992
The Ice Runner
as J.C. Kruck
1991
Mimi & Me
as Professor Sauer
Switch
as Higgins
1990
Lambada
as Superintendent Leland
1989
Communion
as Dr. Friedman
1988
The Milagro Beanfield War
as In the Governor's Office
1984
The Ratings Game
as Frank Friedlander
All of Me
as Court Clerk
Welcome Home, Jellybean
as Mr. Rasmussen
1982
Games Mother Never Taught You
as Dwayne Hilson
My Favorite Year
as Herb Lee
Night Shift
as Drollhauser
1980
Scout's Honor
as Alexander
Ordinary People
as Sloan
1979
The Electric Horseman
as Toland
Love at First Bite
as Hotel Manager (uncredited)
Jennifer: A Woman’s Story
as Neil Turner
1978
Comes a Horseman
as George Bascomb
Love’s Dark Ride
as Dr. Kanlan
1977
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
as Longly (uncredited)
1976
All the President's Men
as Assistant Metro Editor
1975
Ellery Queen: Too Many Suspects
as Fingerprint Expert
Cage Without a Key
as Judge
At Long Last Love
as Movie Theatre Manager
1974
The Great Ice Rip-Off
as Richards
1971
Lady Liberty
as Willett (uncredited)