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 | |
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![]() Stevens in November 2016 | |
Born | Stephen Fisher November 27, 1963 |
Education | New York University |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, producer, writer |
Years active | 1981–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 2 |
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
editStevens 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
editHe 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]
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
editStevens 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
editActor
editFilm
editYear | 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
editYear | 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
editYear | 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
editYear | 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
edit- Sam the Man(2000, story)
- The Grean Teem(2009, story)
Narrator
editAwards and nominations
editYear | 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
edit- ^abLipton, Michael A. (July 13, 1992)."The Two Lives of Catwoman – Couples, Batman Returns, Fisher Stevens, Michelle Pfeiffer".People.RetrievedApril 22,2014.
- ^abJohnson, Steven (June 26, 1986). "Fisher Stevens Scoots Into The Limelight 'Short Circuit' Role Puts Chicago Native On Fast Track".Chicago Tribune.p. 11.
- ^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.
- ^Leonardo DiCaprio Helped Fisher Stevens Land His Director Role for Beckham,October 26, 2023,retrievedOctober 27,2023
- ^Fisher StevensatIMDb
- ^"Director Fisher Stevens on Being the Ringmaster of John Leguizamo's Ghetto Klown".
- ^"Biography for Fisher Stevens".Internet Movie Database.
- ^Hurwitt, Robert (June 3, 2010)."John Leguizamo goes deeper, darker in 'Klown'".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedJuly 13,2012.
- ^Isherwood, Charles (March 22, 2011)."A Queens Guy Toughs It Out in Hollywood".The New York Times.RetrievedJuly 13,2012.
- ^Aucoin, Don (July 12, 2012)."In 'Tales From a Ghetto Klown,' Broadway minus the glitz".The Boston Globe.
- ^"Nominees & Winners for the 82nd Academy Awards | Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences".Oscars.org. Archived fromthe originalon April 8, 2010.RetrievedApril 7,2011.
- ^Jones, Isabel (January 28, 2021)."TBT: Michelle Pfeiffer and Fisher Stevens".InStyle.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
- ^"Fisher Stevens is a Married New Dad".Hollywood.com.March 10, 2017.RetrievedOctober 18,2021.
- ^"Before the Flood [programme note]".Toronto International Film Festival. 2016. Archived fromthe originalon August 27, 2016.RetrievedAugust 27,2016.
- ^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.
- ^"Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®"(Press release).Screen Actors Guild.January 10, 2024.RetrievedJanuary 10,2024.