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IMDbPro

Stephen Root(I)

  • Actor
  • Soundtrack
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0001
Soloist Prem.
A hit man from the Midwest moves to Los Angeles and gets caught up in the city's theatre arts scene.
Play trailer0:59
Barry (2018–2023)
87 Videos
99+ Photos
Stephen Root, one of today's most prolific character actors, is currently starring in HBO's hit series Barry, for which he received a Best Supporting Actor Emmy Nomination. Barry has been nominated for multiple Emmy's and Golden Globes, and has been renewed through season four. Stephen recently starred in Amazon's drama Uncle Frank (2020) and plays a role in the Michael Morris feature directorial debut To Leslie (2020).

Stephen starred opposite of Nicole Kidman in the Roger Ailes, Fox News sexual harassment scandal, Bombshell (2019). Stephen a pivotal role in the AFI Film Festival winner On the Basis Sex (2018), the Ruth Bader Ginsberg biopic and starred opposite Melissa McCarthy in the New Line hit comedy Life of the Party (2018). Stephen was also part of the talented ensemble in Netflix's The Ballad of Buster Scruggs (2018), reuniting with directors Joel & Ethan Coen. Stephen was part of Jordan Peele's box office hit Get Out (2017). Aside from his feature films, Stephen can be seen in his recurring role on HBO's drama Perry Mason (2020), also renewed for a second season, and Amazon's hit drama series The Man in the High Castle (2015).

Root has earned rave reviews for bringing a variety of characters to life in such films as O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Selma (2014), No Country for Old Men (2007), Leatherheads (2008), J. Edgar (2011), Cedar Rapids (2011), and Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004). He was catapulted into the realm of cult hero when he starred as the put-upon Milton Waddams in Mike Judge's Office Space (1999). His animated features include Rango (2011), Finding Nemo (2003), Finding Dory (2016), Ice Age (2002) & Ice Age: The Melt Down (2006), and The Country Bears (2002).

Root starred as the eccentric station owner, Jimmy James, for five seasons on NBC's NewsRadio (1995-99). Stephen has also recurred on FX's Justified (2010), Boardwalk Empire (2010), Turn: Washington's Spies (2014), Idiotsitter (2016), True Blood (2008), 24 (2001), West Wing (1999) and Pushing Daisies (2007). His many memorable guest appearances include Veep (2012), Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2017), Big Bang Theory (2018), Angie Tribeca (2016), Fringe (2008), Raising Hope (2010), Children's Hospital (2010), CSI (2000), and Louie (2010).

Root was the voice of Bill Dauterieve and Mr. Strickland on FOX's Emmy-winning hit animated series King of the Hill (1997) for an impressive 13 seasons. He has also lent his voice to several animated series including Kevin Smith's revival of Masters of the Universe (2021), Amphibia (2019), BoJack Horseman (2019), Adventure Time (2010), Gravity Falls (2012), American Dad (2005), The Cleveland Show (2009), DreamWorks' Dragons: Riders of Berk (2012), Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness (2011), The X's (2005), and SyFy's Tripping the Rift (2004).

Born in Sarasota, Root received his initial training in the BFA program at the University of Florida and remains a die-hard Gators fan. After three years of touring the U.S. and Canada with the National Shakespeare Company, Root settled in New York, honing his craft in many regional theaters and starring off-Broadway in Journey's End and The Au Pair Man. His Broadway debut came in So Long on Lonely Street, which was followed by the Tony award-winning production of All My Sons, with Richard Kiley. A starring role as Boolie in the Broadway national touring company of Driving Miss Daisy with Julie Harris, brought Root to Los Angeles where he currently resides.
BornNovember 17, 1951
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornNovember 17, 1951
IMDbProStarmeterTop 5,0001
  • Unlock contact info on IMDbPro
  • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
    • 1 win & 12 nominations total

The Greatest Character Actors of All Time

The Greatest Character Actors of All Time

Jennifer Coolidge, Danny Trejo, Uzo Aduba, and more familar faces you've seen in everything.
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Photos

Photos175

Stephen Root in Office Space (1999)
Stephen Root in Barry (2018)
Justin Long, Joel David Moore, Stephen Root, Christine Taylor, and Chris Williams in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Stephen Root and Daniel Kaluuya in Get Out (2017)
Stephen Root and Alexa Davalos in The Man in the High Castle (2015)
Stephen Root and Natalia Abelleyra in 710N (2022)
Stephen Root and Natalia Abelleyra in 710N (2022)
Stephen Root in forgiving jeff (2022)
Yvan Attal, Stephen Root, and Kristen Stewart in Seberg (2019)
Delta Burke and Stephen Root in DAG (2000)
Stephen Root in DAG (2000)
Stephen Root in Get Out (2017)

Known for

Version A, 1 sheet
Office Space
7.6
  • Milton
  • 1999
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
6.7
  • Gordon
  • 2004
Kathy Najimy, Breckin Meyer, Brittany Murphy, Ashley Gardner, Beth Grant, Johnny Hardwick, Toby Huss, Jonathan Joss, Mike Judge, Stephen Root, Pamela Adlon, and Lauren Tom in King of the Hill (1997)
King of the Hill
7.5
TV Series
  • Bill Dauterive
  • Buck Strickland
  • Additional Voices
  • 'Topsy' Toppington
  • Toppington
  • Alamo Ghost
  • Burly Redneck Driver
  • Cop
  • Dr. Pitt
  • Dr. Sampson
  • Dr. Yandell
  • Foreman
  • Head Referee
  • Husband
  • Jim
  • Mailman
  • Mr. Higgs
  • Officer #1
  • Steven
  • Wang(voice)
Bill Hader in Barry (2018)
Barry
8.4
TV Series
  • Monroe Fuches
  • Fuches

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Paint
    • Tony
    • Completed
    • 2023
  • Praise Petey
    • (voice)
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
  • Thelma
    • Pre-production
  • King of the Hill Revival
    • Bill (voice)
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
  • Bedrock
    • Fred
    • Pre-production
    • TV Series
  • Bill Hader in Barry (2018)
    Barry
    • Monroe Fuches
    • Fuches
    • TV Series
    • 2018–2023
  • Kieran Culkin, Alan Ruck, Brian Cox, Peter Friedman, Matthew Macfadyen, Nicholas Braun, and Sarah Snook in Succession (2018)
    Succession
    • Ron Petkus
    • TV Series
    • 2021–2023
  • Hamster & Gretel (2022)
    Hamster & Gretel
    • Jeff Strawberry (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Mindy Kaling in Velma (2023)
    Velma
    • Chief Cogburn (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2023
  • Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind (2023)
    Harley Quinn & The Joker: Sound Mind
    • Dr. Grunfeld
    • Podcast Series
    • 2023
  • Bee & Puppycat: Lazy in Space (2022)
    Bee & Puppycat: Lazy in Space
    • Warlock G
    • Mr. Assam
    • Police Officer (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Solar Opposites (2020)
    Solar Opposites
    • (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Mike Judge in Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe (2022)
    Beavis and Butt-Head Do the Universe
    • Jail Tattoo Artist (voice)
    • 2022
  • Amphibia (2019)
    Amphibia
    • Mayor Toadstool
    • Additional Voices
    • Mayor (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2019–2022
  • Lacey Chabert, Danica McKellar, Jesse McCartney, Nolan North, Stephanie Lemelin, Khary Payton, and Denise Boutte in Young Justice (2010)
    Young Justice
    • Jack Haly (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2012–2022
  • Andrea Riseborough in To Leslie (2022)
    To Leslie
    • Dutch
    • 2022
  • The Legend of Vox Machina (2022)
    The Legend of Vox Machina
    • Professor Anders (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • We Baby Bears (2022)
    We Baby Bears
    • Rexford
    • Trees
    • Video Person (voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Ming-Na Wen and Temuera Morrison in The Book of Boba Fett (2021)
    The Book of Boba Fett
    • Lortha Peel
    • TV Series
    • 2022
  • Blade Runner: Black Lotus (2021)
    Blade Runner: Black Lotus
    • Police Chief Earl Grant (English version, voice)
    • TV Series
    • 2021

Soundtrack

  • The Man in the High Castle (2015)
    The Man in the High Castle
    • performer: "Happy Trails"
    • TV Series
    • 2019
  • First Viewing (2017)
    First Viewing
    • performer: "I'm Only In It For The Honey"
    • TV Series
    • 2019
  • Ben Affleck and Raquel Castro in Jersey Girl (2004)
    Jersey Girl
    • performer: "God That's Good"
    • 2004
  • Brad Garrett, Diedrich Bader, Kaefan Shaw, Toby Huss, Brian La Rosa, Stephen Root, Jody St. Michael, and Tony Sabin Prince in The Country Bears (2002)
    The Country Bears
    • performer: "I'm Only In It for the Honey"
    • 2002
  • Donal Logue, Lynsey Bartilson, Jake Burbage, Kevin Corrigan, Griffin Frazen, Megyn Price, and Richard Riehle in Grounded for Life (2001)
    Grounded for Life
    • performer: "Summer Nights"
    • TV Series
    • 2002
  • Kathy Najimy, Breckin Meyer, Brittany Murphy, Ashley Gardner, Beth Grant, Johnny Hardwick, Toby Huss, Jonathan Joss, Mike Judge, Stephen Root, Pamela Adlon, and Lauren Tom in King of the Hill (1997)
    King of the Hill
    • performer: "Uptown Girl" (Uncredited)
    • TV Series
    • 1999
  • Andy Dick, David Foley, Maura Tierney, Khandi Alexander, Phil Hartman, Vicki Lewis, Joe Rogan, and Stephen Root in NewsRadio (1995)
    NewsRadio
    • performer: "Old Time Rock and Roll"
    • performer: "Hallelujah Chorus" (uncredited)
    • TV Series
    • 1997–1998

Videos90

'Buster Scruggs': The Coen Bros.' Misunderstood, Misanthropic Masterwork
Clip 3:23
'Buster Scruggs': The Coen Bros.' Misunderstood, Misanthropic Masterwork
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Clip 1:04
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 1:00
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 1:21
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 1:06
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 0:39
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 0:58
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 0:35
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
Clip 1:04
Finding Nemo: 3D BD
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition
Clip 0:45
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition
Clip 1:07
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition
Clip 1:21
The Fox and the Hound 2: Special Edition

Personal details

Edit
  • Alternative name
    • Steve Root
  • Height
    • 5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
  • Born
    • November 17, 1951
    • Sarasota, Florida, USA
  • Spouses
      Romy RosemontDecember 14, 2008 - present
  • Parents
      Rolland Clair Root
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Interview
    • 2 Articles

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    With his part as the squirrelly "Milton Waddams" in the cult classic Office Space (1999), Root has developed a fan base; he has said that, from time to time, fans of the movie will either mail him or give him, in person, a red Swingline stapler.
  • Quotes
    I'm actually a Midwest kid. My dad was in construction, so we moved around every couple of years. I've lived in Muncie, Indiana, Sioux City, Iowa, Kansas City MO, Glen Rock, Wyoming; all over the Midwest. My Dad moved down to Florida when I was in senior high. It was cheap to go to college in Florida, so I became a Gator for four years. That's where I started doing theater.
  • Trademarks
      Often works with writer/director/producer/animator Mike Judge

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