Richard Portnow

Acting

Richard Portnow

Born 26 January 1947 · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA · 79

Richard Portnow (born January 26, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American character actor. His films include Good Morning, Vietnam, Kindergarten Cop, Barton Fink, Sister Act, Seven, Private Parts, in which he played Howard Stern's father, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, Law Abiding Citizen and Trumbo. On television he played defense attorney Harold Melvoin on The Sopranos and Judge Peter Harding on Boston Legal.

Known for

Highlights

Se7en1995 · Film · Dr. Beardsley
Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · Saul Schmitt
The Sopranos1999 · Series · Attorney Melvoin
The Mentalist2008 · Series · Phil
Suits2011 · Series · Pete Kreeling
Grimm2011 · Series · Daniel Troyer

Filmography

Movies

107 films

Dog Patrol: Operation Santa Paws2025 · Film · Oscar Golden
Sinatra! Eternity2025 · Film · Walter Winchell
Roe v. Wade2021 · Film · Justice William Douglas
Stakeout2019 · Film · Pat Reed
Holly Day2018 · Film · Benny
Frank and Ava2018 · Film · Walter Winchell
Higher Power2018 · Film · Charles Margrey
Andover2018 · Film · Shamus Trout
The Gliksmans2017 · Film · Tim Neuman
Café Society2016 · Film · Walt
Trumbo2015 · Film · Louis B. Mayer
Nanny Cam2014 · Film · Detective Jones
This Last Lonely Place2014 · Film · Jason Pure
Oldboy2013 · Film · Bernie Sharkey
Underdogs2013 · Film · John Handon II
Duke2013 · Film · Carroll Green
In the Dark2013 · Film · Detective Archer
Hitchcock2012 · Film · Barney Balaban
2 Jacks2012 · Film · Lorenzo
Imaginary Friend2012 · Film · Dan
The Christmas Pageant2011 · Film · Leo Brenner
The Wish List2010 · Film · Lenny
Killer by Nature2010 · Film · Walter
Law Abiding Citizen2009 · Film · Bill Reynolds
Life Is Hot in Cracktown2009 · Film · Guy from 4 K
The Minis2009 · Film · Jack
Under New Management2009 · Film · Carmello Conforte
The Spirit2008 · Film · Donenfeld
Good Time Max2008 · Film · Head Administrator
Tinker Bell2008 · Film · Minister of Autumn (voice)
Chasing Robert2007 · Film · Ed Thorton
Perfect Stranger2007 · Film · Narron
The Indian2007 · Film · Elliot
National Lampoon's TV: The Movie2006 · Film · Sergeant
Find Me Guilty2006 · Film · Max Novardis
Meet the Mobsters2005 · Film · Jerry Kaminski
Trump Unauthorized2005 · Film · Mayor Ed Koch
Under the City2005 · Film · Minks
Tony n' Tina's Wedding2004 · Film · Vinnie Black
Poolhall Junkies2002 · Film · Toupee Jay
Double Bang2001 · Film · Lieutenant Shatkin
Zigs2001 · Film · Arnold Zigman
Laughter on the 23rd Floor2001 · Film · Harry
The Unscarred2000 · Film · Tommy Matolla
The Ghost of Spoon River2000 · Film · Agent Cicarelli
Happy Accidents2000 · Film · Trip
Fallen Arches2000 · Film · Nicky Kaplan
Witness Protection1999 · Film · Niko
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai1999 · Film · Handsome Frank
The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All1999 · Film · Vincent Lo Russo
Ballad of the Nightingale1999 · Film · Arnie D'Angelo
Road Kill1999 · Film · Charboneau
Lured Innocence1998 · Film · Jack Shelby
Postal Worker1998 · Film · Dr. Nicolas Brink
Milo1998 · Film · Lieutenant Parker
Desert Thunder1998 · Film · Adm. Le Clair
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas1998 · Film · Wine Colored Tuxedo
My Giant1998 · Film · Producer
Shadow of Doubt1998 · Film · Marvin Helm
Guy1997 · Film · Al
Bella Mafia1997 · Film · Anthony Moreno
Mad City1997 · Film · Brackett's Agent
Private Parts1997 · Film · Ben Stern
Bogus1996 · Film · M. Clay Thrasher
Se7en1995 · Film · Dr. Beardsley
Ed McBain's 87th Precinct: Lightning1995 · Film · Monaghan
Man of the House1995 · Film · Joey Renda
S.F.W.1995 · Film · Gerald Parsley
Lipstick Camera1994 · Film · Detective Vorkopich
Across the Moon1994 · Film · Roy
Trial by Jury1994 · Film · Leo Greco
Dragstrip Girl1994 · Film · Det. Dryden
Ray Alexander: A Taste For Justice1994 · Film
The Incredible Life and Times of Robert Ripley Believe It or Not!1993 · Film · Robert L. Ripley
Based on an Untrue Story1993 · Film · Disturbing Caller
Night Eyes 31993 · Film · Kaplan
Heart and Souls1993 · Film · Max Marco
There Goes the Neighborhood1992 · Film · Marty Rollins
Sister Act1992 · Film · Willy
Beethoven1992 · Film · Ammunition Company Representative (uncredited)
Father of the Bride1991 · Film · Al - the Tux Salesman
For the Boys1991 · Film · Milt, Recording Studio
Barton Fink1991 · Film · Detective Mastrionotti
Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster1991 · Film · Dave Barrett
Kindergarten Cop1990 · Film · Captain Salazar
Havana1990 · Film · Mike MacClaney
Tune in Tomorrow...1990 · Film · Uncle Luke
Chattahoochee1990 · Film · Dr. Debner
Meet the Hollowheads1989 · Film · Mr. Crabneck
Peter Gunn1989 · Film · Spiros
A Deadly Silence1989 · Film · D.A. Ed Jablonski
Say Anything...1989 · Film · Agent Stewart
Original Sin1989 · Film · Vincent
Twins1988 · Film · Chop Shop Owner
In Dangerous Company1988 · Film · Kellog
Good Morning, Vietnam1987 · Film · Dan 'The Man' Levitan
Hiding Out1987 · Film · Mr. Lessig
Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam1987 · Film · Harry Long
The Squeeze1987 · Film · Ruben
The House of Blue Leaves1987 · Film · Billy Einhorn
Almost Partners1987 · Film · Nicky
Tin Men1987 · Film · Carly
Radio Days1987 · Film · Sy
Wanted: Dead or Alive1987 · Film · Agent
Courage1986 · Film · Frankie Ce De Baca
Desperately Seeking Susan1985 · Film · Party Guest
Trackdown: Finding the Goodbar Killer1983 · Film · Bartender

Filmography

Series

50 shows

Matlock2024 · Series · Judge Colton P. Davidson
Timeless2016 · Series · Mayor William Hale Thompson
Elementary2012 · Series · Eddie Eichorn
Grimm2011 · Series · Daniel Troyer
Suits2011 · Series · Pete Kreeling
Franklin & Bash2011 · Series · Richard Kohl
Shameless2011 · Series · Johnny Boxcars
Hawaii Five-02010 · Series · Creed's Attorney
Outlaw2010 · Series · Sen. Sidney Vidalin
How to Make It in America2010 · Series
The Good Wife2009 · Series · Judge Ben Margovski
Parks and Recreation2009 · Series · Mitch Savner
Castle2009 · Series · Milt Boyle
The Mentalist2008 · Series · Phil
Dirt2007 · Series · Teddy Jick
Hannah Montana2006 · Series · Marty Kline
Grey's Anatomy2005 · Series · Saul Schmitt
Boston Legal2004 · Series · Judge Peter Harding
Cold Case2003 · Series · Oscar Anderson (2008)
Las Vegas2003 · Series · Lester Colette
Nip/Tuck2003 · Series · Manny Caldarelo
The Shield2002 · Series · Jim Wright
Ryan Caulfield: Year One1999 · Series
Judging Amy1999 · Series · AAG Charles Novotny
The Sopranos1999 · Series · Attorney Melvoin
EZ Streets1996 · Series · Frank Collero
Spin City1996 · Series · Mr. Paterno
JAG1995 · Series · Sibby Lonegro
The Nanny1993 · Series · Phillipe
Boy Meets World1993 · Series · Stan
Dave's World1993 · Series · Leon
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman1993 · Series · Barry Barker
Fallen Angels1993 · Series · Jack Malkov
Walker, Texas Ranger1993 · Series · Irving Rothbart - LaRue's Attorney
Home Free1993 · Series · Vic
Mad About You1992 · Series · Arthur
The Commish1991 · Series · Benny
The New WKRP in Cincinnati1991 · Series
Dinosaurs1991 · Series · Mel Luster (voice)
Dream On1990 · Series · Roy
Seinfeld1989 · Series · Ray
Something Is Out There1988 · Series
Dear John1988 · Series · Harry
Beauty and the Beast1987 · Series · Naj
Wiseguy1987 · Series
The Oldest Rookie1987 · Series
The Equalizer1985 · Series · Police Lieutenant
Murder, She Wrote1984 · Series · Walter Pell
Tales from the Darkside1984 · Series · Curtis
American Playhouse1982 · Series · Billy Einhorn