Stephen Fisher(born November 27, 1963), known professionally asFisher Stevens,is an American actor, director, producer and writer. As an actor, he is best known for his portrayals of Ben inShort Circuit(1986) andShort Circuit 2(1988). He is also a documentary filmmaker, having won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary FeatureforThe Cove(2009). He also directed the documentariesCrazy Love(2007) andBefore the Flood(2016).

Fisher Stevens
Stevens in November 2016
Born
Stephen Fisher

(1963-11-27)November 27, 1963(age 61)
EducationNew York University
Occupation(s)Actor, director, producer, writer
Years active1981–present
Spouse
(m.2017)
Children2

Stevens is known for his roles in films such asReversal of Fortune(1990),Bob Roberts(1992),Hackers(1995),Anything Else(2003), andHail, Caesar!(2016). He has acted in theWes AndersonfilmsThe Grand Budapest Hotel(2014),Isle of Dogs(2018),The French Dispatch(2021), andAsteroid City(2023).

In television he portrayed Chuck Fishman inCBSseriesEarly Edition(1996–2000), Marvin Gerard onNBC'sThe Blacklist(2015–2022), Gabriel Kovac in CBS'sThe Good Fight(2017–2020), and Hugo Baker in theHBOdrama seriesSuccession(2019–2023).

Early life

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Stevens was born Stephen Fisher in 1963 inChicago,the son of Sally and Norman Fisher.[1]Stevens grew up in the Chicago, Illinois, area, living inHyde Park,Highland Park,andEvanston[2]and describes himself as a "whiteJewishkid from Chicago. "[3]

His parents divorced when he was 13, after which he moved to New York with his mother. At age 16, Stevens landed his first film role, acting in the horror filmThe Burning.He completed one year atNew York Universitybefore deciding to pursue acting full time.[2]He adopted the stage name "Fisher Stevens" upon joining theScreen Actors Guildbecause the Guild had several existing actors named "Steven Fisher".[4]

Career

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Stevens in 2006

He co-founded theNaked Angels Theater Companywith longtime friendsRob Morrow,Nicole Burdette,Pippin Parker,Charles Landry,Nancy TravisandNed Eisenbergin 1986. He co-founded Greene Street Films, a film production company located in Tribeca,New York City,in 1996. Stevens performed asEdgar Allan PoeonLou Reed's albumThe Ravenin 2003. He is a harmonica player.[citation needed]

As an actor, he is known for his roles as Chuck Fishman onEarly Edition,Seamus O'Neill onKey West,Eugene "The Plague" Belford inHackers,Iggy inSuper Mario Bros.,Hawk Ganz inThe Flamingo Kid,and his role as theIndianrobotics scientist Ben Jabituya/Jahveri inShort CircuitandShort Circuit 2,respectively.[3]His television credits includeColumbo,Frasier,Friends,Law & Order,Key West,Damages,The MentalistandLost.He appeared on two episodes of the television seriesNumbers.[5][better source needed]

Fisher has a Broadway and off-Broadway career spanning nearly three decades. In 1988, he andJohn Leguizamoappeared in a production ofA Midsummer Night's Dreamwhere he played Demetrius[6]He played Jigger Craigin in the 1994Lincoln Centerrevival ofRodgers and Hammerstein'sCarousel.He had an early success in the 1982 Broadway production ofTorch Song Trilogyplaying David, the adopted son of the gay protagonist played by the show's writerHarvey Fierstein,and the original Broadway production ofBrighton Beach Memoirs,where he succeededMatthew Broderickin the starring role of Eugene. Throughout his career, he has acted in and directed more than 50 stage productions.[7]

Stevens in 2007

In 2010, Fisher co-founded a new media and documentary film company, Insurgent Media, withAndrew Karschand Erik H. Gordon.[citation needed]

In June 2010, Stevens made his major theatrical directing debut withJohn Leguizamo's one-man show,Ghetto Klown(originally calledKlass Klown), which eventually ran on Broadway from March to July 2011.[8][9]The two had appeared together in a production ofA Midsummer Night's DreamatThe Public Theaterabout 20 years earlier. On July 13, 2012,PBSdebutedTales From a Ghetto Klown,a documentary about the development of the show which prominently features Stevens.[10]

In 2010, Stevens won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurefor co-producingThe Cove.[11]

He directed the 2012 crime storyStand Up Guys,starringAl PacinoandChristopher Walken.He teamed up with his longtime partnerAlexis Bloomto direct the filmBright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds,which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016. The film was a tribute to both mother and daughter as they passed in the same year. Both were close friends with Stevens.[citation needed]

In 2018, Stevens had a recurring role as Hugo Baker in the second season ofHBO's satirical-comedy-drama seriesSuccession.He was promoted to series regular in season 3.[citation needed]

In 2021, he directed theApple TVdramafilmPalmer,starringJustin Timberlake.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Stevens dated actressMichelle Pfeifferfrom 1989 until 1992.[12]Stevens later dated longtime filmmaking partner and producerAlexis Bloom.The couple married in 2017 in a private ceremony. They have two children.[13]

Stevens is a survivor ofHodgkin lymphoma.[1]

Filmography

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Actor

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Burning Woodstock
1983 Baby It's You Stage Manager
1984 The Brother from Another Planet Card Trickster
The Flamingo Kid 'Hawk' Ganz
1985 My Science Project Vince Latello
1986 Short Circuit Ben Jahveri
The Boss' Wife Carlos Delgado
1988 Short Circuit 2 Ben Jahveri
1989 Bloodhounds of Broadway Harry 'Hotfoot Harry'
1990 Point of View Performer
Reversal of Fortune David Marriott
1991 The Marrying Man Sammy
Mystery Date Dwight
1992 Lift Joe Short
Bob Roberts 'Rock' Bork
Hero Director of Channel 4 Crash Feature Cameo
1993 When the Party's Over Alexander
Super Mario Bros. Iggy
1994 Nina Takes a Lover Paulie
Only You Larry
1995 Cold Fever Jack
Hackers 'The Plague'
1996 The Pompatus of Love Sitcom Star
1997 Four Days in September Mowinkel
1999 Taxman Kenneth Green
The Tic Code Morris
2000 Sam the Man Sam Manning
Lisa Picard Is Famous Himself
2001 3 A.M. Haplin
Prison Song Prosecutor
Piñero Public Theatre Cashier
2002 Undisputed James 'Ratbag' Kroycek
2003 Kill the Poor Stuffed Shirt
Uptown Girls Himself
Anything Else Manager
Easy Six Officer Donny
Reply Blu (voice)
2004 On the Couch Gary Short
2005 Factotum Manny
Undiscovered Garret Schweck
Slow Burn Alan Turlock
2006 Kettle of Fish Bruce
2007 Red Angel David Short
Awake Dr. Puttnam
2010 Fake Tom Kozinski
Rio Sex Comedy Fish / Tourist Guide
Rising Stars Mo
The Experiment Archaleta
Henry's Crime Eddie's Vibes
2012 One for the Money Morty Beyers
LOL Roman
2013 Movie 43 Vrankovich / Minotaur Alternate version
2014 The Grand Budapest Hotel M. Robin
Mission Blue Himself Documentary
United Passions Carl Hirschmann
2016 Hail, Caesar! Communist Writer
2018 Isle of Dogs Scrap (voice)
2019 Motherless Brooklyn Lou
2021 Palmer Additional voices
The French Dispatch Story Editor
Sing 2 Additional voice
2023 Asteroid City Detective 1
Coup! Upton Sinclair
TBA In the Grey TBA Post-production
Song Sung Blue TBA Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1980 One Life to Live Unknown
1983 Ryan's Hope Henry Popkin
1984 CBS Schoolbreak Special Gary Gordon Season 1, episode 4
1986 Tall Tales & Legends Indian Chief Episode: "Ponce de Leon"
1989 Columbo Alex Brady Episode: "Murder, Smoke and Shadows"
1990 The Young Riders "Bulldog" Episode: "Bull Dog"
1991 General Motors Theatre Wally Zuckerman Episode: "It's Called the Sugar Plum"
1993 Key West Seamus O'Neill 13 episodes
1995 Friends Roger Episode: "The One with the Boobies"
Homicide: Life on the Street Jonathan Heine Episode: "Autofocus"
Law & Order Ross Fineman Episode: "Angel"
1996 The Right to Remain Silent Dale Meyerson Television movie
1996–2000 Early Edition Chuck Fishman 48 episodes
2000 The Hunger Max Armstrong Episode: "The Suction Method"
2001 Frasier Dr. Sheldon Morey Episode: "The Wizard and Roz"
100 Centre Street Ben Berkowitz Episode: "Queenie's Running"
Jenifer Dr. Aaron Sanders Television movie
2002 Is It College Yet? (voice) Television movie
Hack Donnie Franco Episode: "Favors"
2003 The Lives They Lived Narrator Television movie
2004 Hope & Faith Nick Spinelli Episode: "The Diner Show"
Dr. Vegas Charlie Episode: "Dead Man, Live Bet"
2004–2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Performer 2 episodes
2008 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Lyle Korman Episode: "Paddy's Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia"
2008–2010 Lost George Minkowski 6 episodes
2009 Medium Neal Greybridge Episode: "Medium is the Message"
Numb3rs John Buckley 2 episodes
The Grean Teem Jack Fisher Television movie
2010 Ugly Betty Mr. Z Episode: "Back in her Place"
The Mentalist Tolman Bunting Episode: "Season 2 Episode 21"
2011 Californication 'Zig' Semetauer Episode: "Monkey Business"
Damages Therapist 4 episodes
2012–2016 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Alvin Gilbert / Ted Scott 2 episodes
2015 Elementary Marty Ward Episode: "Under My Skin"
2015–2022 The Blacklist Marvin Gerard 15 episodes
2016 The Night Of Saul, The Pharmacist 3 episodes
2017 Red Oaks Jerry Episode: "Summer in the City"
Vice Principals Brian Biehn 4 episodes
2017–2020 The Good Fight Gabriel Kovac 3 episodes
2019–2023 Succession Hugo Baker 19 episodes
2022 Would I Lie to You? (US) Himself Episode: "Banana Bread"
2024 Ripley Edward T. Cavanagh
2024 Sing: Thriller Additional voice Halloween special

Director

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Year Title Notes
1995 Call of the Wylie
1996 Phinehas
1998–1999 Early Edition 2 episodes
2002 Just a Kiss
2007 Crazy Love Co-directed with Dan Klores
2010–2011 John Leguizamo- Ghetto Klown Opened on Broadway March 2011
2012 Stand Up Guys
2016 Before the Flood [14]
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds
2019 And We Go Green
2021 Palmer
2023 Beckham

Producer

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Year Title Notes
2000 Sam the Man
2001 The Château
Piñero
2002 Swimfan
2003 Uptown Girls
2004 Yes
2005 Slow Burn
2006 A Prairie Home Companion
Once in a Lifetime: The Extraordinary Story of the New York Cosmos
Wedding Daze
2007 Crazy Love
Meet Bill
Feast of Love
Awake
2008 The Midnight Meat Train
2009 The Grean Teem
Balls Out: Gary the Tennis Coach
Tenderness
The Cove Academy Award for Best Documentary
2011 Blank City
Hollywood Renegade
Bad Trip
Mission Blue
2012 Beware of Mr. Baker
2015 Racing Extinction
2016 Sky Ladder: The Art of Cai Guo-Qiang
Before the Flood
2020 Tiger King
2023 Beckham

Writer

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Narrator

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Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
Academy Award Best Documentary Feature The Cove Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Documentary Series American Masters Nominated
Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking Racing Extinction Nominated
Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Nominated
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary Program Nominated
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Tiger King Nominated
Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series Beckham Won
Outstanding Directing for a Documentary Program Beckham:What Makes David Run Nominated
2016
Cannes Film Festival Golden Eye Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds Nominated
2016
Toronto International Film Festival People's Choice Award Before the Flood Nominated
Saturn Award Best Guest-Starring Performance in a Network or Cable Television Series The Blacklist Nominated
2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series Succession Won [15]
2024 Won [16]

References

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  1. ^abLipton, Michael A. (July 13, 1992)."The Two Lives of Catwoman – Couples, Batman Returns, Fisher Stevens, Michelle Pfeiffer".People.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
  2. ^abJohnson, Steven (June 26, 1986). "Fisher Stevens Scoots Into The Limelight 'Short Circuit' Role Puts Chicago Native On Fast Track".Chicago Tribune.p. 11.
  3. ^abSteve Weinstein (August 2, 1988)."Shooting Stars: 'Short Circuit's' Stevens No Foreigner to Ethnic Roles".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on March 7, 2011.RetrievedDecember 15,2018.
  4. ^Leonardo DiCaprio Helped Fisher Stevens Land His Director Role for Beckham,October 26, 2023,retrievedOctober 27,2023
  5. ^Fisher StevensatIMDb
  6. ^"Director Fisher Stevens on Being the Ringmaster of John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown".
  7. ^"Biography for Fisher Stevens".Internet Movie Database.
  8. ^Hurwitt, Robert (June 3, 2010)."John Leguizamo goes deeper, darker in 'Klown'".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedJuly 13,2012.
  9. ^Isherwood, Charles (March 22, 2011)."A Queens Guy Toughs It Out in Hollywood".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 13,2012.
  10. ^Aucoin, Don (July 12, 2012)."In 'Tales From a Ghetto Klown,' Broadway minus the glitz".The Boston Globe.
  11. ^"Nominees & Winners for the 82nd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences".Oscars.org. Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2010.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
  12. ^Jones, Isabel (January 28, 2021)."TBT: Michelle Pfeiffer and Fisher Stevens".InStyle.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
  13. ^"Fisher Stevens is a Married New Dad".Hollywood.com.March 10, 2017.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
  14. ^"Before the Flood [programme note]".Toronto International Film Festival. 2016. Archived fromthe originalon August 27, 2016.RetrievedAugust 27,2016.
  15. ^Lewis, Hilary; Coates, Tyler (January 12, 2022)."SAG Awards: 'House of Gucci,' 'The Power of the Dog' Lead Film Nominations".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedJanuary 12,2022.
  16. ^"Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®"(Press release).Screen Actors Guild.January 10, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 10,2024.
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