James Christian Urbaniak (born September 17, 1963) is an American actor. As a character actor, is best known for his roles as Simon Grim in three Hal Hartley films: Henry Fool (1997), Fay Grim (2006) and Ned Rifle (2014), Robert Crumb in American Splendor (2003), Grant Grunderschmidt on Review (2014–2017), and Arthur Tack on Difficult People (2015–2017). Urbaniak also voiced Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim's animated series The Venture Bros. (2003–2023).
Personal life Urbaniak was born in Bayonne, New Jersey and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is of Polish descent.
Career Urbaniak's first media appearance occurred in 1983 when, at the age of 20, he went onstage from the audience of Late Night with David Letterman to try his hand at a monologue joke that Letterman had flubbed.
One of his first noteworthy roles was in the avant-garde playwright/director Richard Foreman's The Universe, for which Urbaniak won an Obie. He has also been acclaimed for his acting in the films Henry Fool and American Splendor, in the latter of which he played legendary cartoonist R. Crumb. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his role in Thom Pain (based on nothing). He provides the voice for main character Dr. Thaddeus Venture on The Venture Bros. as well as the Doctor's brother Jonas Venture Junior, (in his first appearance, the role of Jonas Venture Junior was played by Paul Boocock for all subsequent appearances) and the super-villain Phantom Limb.
Urbaniak played a pizza guy in the famous "Whassup?" television commercials for Budweiser. The commercial was especially prominent on commercial television networks in the United Kingdom, where it became a cultural phenomenon. He also portrayed the moderator in "Human Centipede Anonymous", a Funny or Die short depicting three men who grapple with their past as a human centipede.
Urbaniak appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on May 13, 2015.
From 2015 to 2017, Urbaniak played Arthur Tack for all three seasons of the critically-acclaimed Hulu comedy series Difficult People, opposite Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.
In 2017, Urbaniak played Dr. Kincaid in the film Wonderstruck, directed by Todd Haynes. Also in 2017, he played the Maaldorian Doctor on the hit series Supergirl.
In 2018, Urbaniak played the recurring role of Special Agent Owen Quinn on the CBS series Criminal Minds.
In 2019, Urbaniak played Marcus Strang in the film Where'd You Go, Bernadette, written and directed by Richard Linklater. Also in 2019, he played the recurring role of Gavin Donahue on the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind.
In 2020, Urbaniak played Professor Anthony in the film Tesla, opposite Ethan Hawke. Also in 2020, he played The Trinket Man on the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.
In 2021, Urbaniak played Bram in the film Things Heard & Seen, opposite Amanda Seyfried. Also in 2021, he appeared on the television shows Dickinson, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and as the Backstage Manager on The Morning Show.
In 2022, Urbaniak played the Principal of Grand View High School in the film The Fabelmans, directed by Steven Spielberg. Also in 2022, he appeared on the television series Made for Love and appeared as Norm Wakely in an episode of the series Better Call Saul.
In 2023, Urbaniak played Kurt Godel in the film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan. The film won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
In 2024, Urbaniak played the character Kirby in the independent film Breakup Season, alongside an ensemble cast which included Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, and Jacob Wysocki. Urbaniak won Best Actor at the Mystic Film Festival for his work on the film.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 NYC 3/94 Short film Opera No. 1 James Short film 1997 Henry Fool Simon Grim Isaac 1998 Aphrodisiac Deli Assistant True Believer 1999 Ride with the Devil Poker Player Sweet and Lowdown Harry 2000 Intern Olivier Di Santo 2001 No Such Thing Concierge Upheaval Martin Short film 2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Rod Flexnor Teknolust Agent Hopper Passengers Man Short film Daypass Simple Simon Short film 2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Lab Technician Briar Patch Druden Hunt Grasshopper James Short film American Splendor Robert Crumb 2004 Thanksgiving Willy Short film B Movie Professor Friend Boutique Nick Short film 2005 Fortunes Lewis Croshere Road The Ranger Funk 2006 Fay Grim Simon Grim The Last Romantic Alex Scarvey Death of a President Dr. James Pearn 2007 Across the Universe Sadie's Manager The Nanny Diaries Educational Consultant Chicago 10 Rennie Davis, Richard Schultz Voice, documentary 2008 The Bentfootes Jim Raritan The Diagnosis Dr. Besman Short film 2010 Beware the Gonzo Principal Roy Hello Lonesome Gary Human Centipede Anonymous James Short film Drones Pete 2011 Mike Tapplin Sound of My Voice Mr. Pritchett From the Head Danny 2012 Pig Goat Banana Mantis Mantis Voice, short film 2013 iSteve Bill Gates Bitter Orange Sweetie Short film 2014 The Boxtrolls Sir Broderick, Workers Voice A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. Ned Rifle Simon Grim The Occupants Glen Such Good People Dr. Cooper Whitehead 2015 Advantageous Fisher 2016 After Adderall The Agent 2017 Dave Made a Maze Harry Rebel in the Rye Gus Lobrano Wonderstruck Dr. Kincaid2018 Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Professor PygVoice 2019 Where'd You Go, Bernadette Marcus Strang 2020 Tesla Professor AnthonyFor Madmen OnlyDel CloseDocumentary 2021 Things Heard & Seen Bram2022 Beauty Irv Merlin The Fabelmans Grand View High School Principal 2023 Condor's Nest Heinrich Himmler Invitation to a Murder Gordon Taz: Quest for Burger Rocky VoiceThe Country Club Victor Simmons Oppenheimer Kurt Gödel The Venture Bros.: Radiant Is the Blood of the Baboon Heart Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture Voice Gonzo Girl Lionel2024The Rainbow Bridge HerbShort film Puddysticks BossBreakup SeasonKirbyThelma the UnicornConfused FanVoice Test Screening The ObserverLaws of Man Proprietor Isaac2025Every Heavy Thing William ShafferTheatre PeopleDrama Teacher2026GrindRichard The Last Temptation of Becky Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 Sex and the City Buster Episode: "La Douleur Exquise!" 2003 Ed Gallery Owner Episode: "Blips" Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dr. Roger Stern Episode: "Zoonotic" 2003–2018 Dr. Venture / Phantom Limb / Jonas Venture Jr. / Various voices Voice, main role 2004 Hi no tori Susanoo Voice, English dub Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Wade Donato Episode: "Head" 2006–2007 Kidnapped The Accountant 7 episodes 2007 SuperNormal Meowman/Mr. Tabby Voice, episode: "Evil Barks and Wets the Carpet" Numb3rs Binky Moore Episode: "Primacy" 2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Cafe Manager / Sarkissian 2 episodes Without a Trace Damon Lafloer Episode: "Closure" Gary 4 episodes CSI: Miami Max Paulson Episode: "Power Trip" 2009 NCIS Dr. Rod Daniels Episode: "Love & War" Medium Mr. Enright Episode: "Soul Survivor" Snake 'n' Bacon Bacon Voice, pilot Weeds The Wizard Episode: "Van Nuys" 2009–2013 Rolf 4 episodes 2010 Adam Voice, episode: "The Salty Jazz/Jews Love to Laugh" You Don't Know Jack Jack Lessenberry Television film 2011 Cinema Verite Dick Cavett Television film Wizards of Waverly Place Rob Robinson Episode: "Alex the Puppetmaster" 2011–2012 Homeland Larry 2 episodes 2011–2013 H+: The Digital Series Francis Peters 5 episodes 2012 Metalocalypse Dr. Fsmilejera Irlelwoll Voice, episode: "Going Downklok" Electric City Mr. Orwell Voice, episode: "What Aren't We Capable Of?"; web series The Good Wife Judge Bernard Temple Episode: "And the Law Won" The New Normal Mr. Blakeney Episode: "The XY Factor" Unforgettable Walter Morgan / John Fox 3 episodes Body of Proof Daniel Grubstick Episode: "Mind Games" 2013 Scandal Mike Sylva Episode: "Whiskey Tango Foxtrot" Childrens Hospital Future Doctor Episode: "Old Fashioned Day" The Mentalist Aaron Kalinoski Episode: "Black-Winged Redbird" Monsters vs. Aliens Rule-Bot Voice, 2 episodes Hawaii Five-0 Gary Nathan Episode: "Pukana" 2014 Teen Wolf The Chemist Episode: "Weaponized" You're the Worst Army Priest Episode: "PTSD" Comedy Bang! Bang! Victor Kahn Episode: "The Lonely Island Wear Holiday Sweaters & White Pants" All Hail King Julien Lemur #1 Voice, episode: "Enter the Fanaloka" Infomercials Rev. Boxley Fryer Episode: "Book of Christ" 2014–2016 Adventure Time Various roles Voice, 2 episodes 2014–2017 Review Grant Grunderschmidt 19 episodes 2015 Agent Carter Miles Van Ert 2 episodes Newsreaders Carob Landis Episode: "The FMK Killer; Newsreaders: Behind the Scenes" Pig Goat Banana Cricket Nose Picker Fish Voice, episode: "Pig Goat Banana Cricket High Five!" Gigi Does It Gigi's Attorney Episode: "Glock Schlock" Dr. Ken James Miller Episode: "The Seminar" Brooklyn Nine-Nine Nick Lingeman Episode: "Boyle's Hunch" 2015–2016 The Adventures of Puss in Boots Thriffith Voice, 3 episodes Gortimer Gibbon's Life on Normal Street Dr. Grapehall 2 episodes 2015–2017 Guardians of the Galaxy Ebony Maw, Acolyte Voice, 6 episodes Difficult People Arthur Tack 28 episodes 2016 Dice Director of the "Welcome to Vegas" Commercial Episode: "Prestige" 2017 Supergirl Maaldorian Doctor Episode: "Supergirl Lives" Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures M-OC Voice, 10 episodes Teachers Carl Fromm Episode: "Dire Straights" Apollo Gauntlet Dr. Benign, Prince Belenus Voice, 5 episodes 2017–2018 OK K.O.! Let's Be Heroes Mr. Logic, Joff the Shaolin Monk, Baby Ernesto Voice, 4 episodes 2018 Criminal Minds Special Agent Owen Quinn 2 episodes Elementary Doctor Leo Demopoulos Episode: "Our Time Is Up" Big Hero 6: The Series Art Teacher Voice, episode: "Rivalry Weak" 2019 FamTomEpisode: "It's Been a While" At Home with Amy SedarisDenny ShnarksEpisode: "Creativity" Documentary Now! Howard Pine Episode: "Original Cast Album: Co-Op" Too Old to Die Young Stevie Crockett Episode: "The Fool" Ollie & Scoops Dr. Toodles Voice, episode: "Gimmie a Hand" Lodge 49 Tony 2 episodes Just Add MagicPierce HamiltonEpisode: "New Protectors" For All Mankind Gavin Donahue 3 episodes 2020 Just Add Magic: Mystery City Pierce Hamilton 9 episodes Close Enough Commercial Bot Voice, episode: "Robot Tutor/Golden Gamer" Chilling Adventures of Sabrina The Trinket Man 2 episodes Red Bird Lane Tanner Pilot 2021 Dickinson Ophthalmologist Episode: "Before I Got My Eye Put Out" 9-1-1: Lone Star Imp Episode: "Friends with Benefits" The Morning Show Backstage Manager Episode: "My Least Favorite Year" 2022 Better Call Saul Norm Wakely Episode: "Wine and Roses" Made for Love Gogol Interviewer 2 episodes Bubble Guppies Julius Rangoon Voice, Episode: "Escape from Volcano Island!" 2023 History of the World, Part II Roman Soldier Episode: "II" Carol & the End of the World Voice, 2 episodes 2024–2025 Palm Royale Palm Royale Manager 5 episodes 2024 Code Geass: Rozé of the Recapture Christoph Scissorman Voice, English dub FBI Mike Holland Episode: "Trusted"2026Batman: Caped CrusaderHugo StrangeVoice, Episode: "Brute Force"
Video games Year Title Voice role 2003 Manhunt Innocentz gang member 2007 Manhunt 2 Bloodhound member 2009 Avatar: The Game RDA 2011 Fallout New Vegas: Old World Blues Dr. 0 2011 Star Wars: The Old Republic C2-D4, Needles 2014 Star Wars: The Old Republic – Shadow of Revan C2-D4 2015 Code Name: S.T.E.A.M. Randolph Carter 2015 The Magic Circle Ishmael Gilder 2019 Star Wars: The Old Republic - Onslaught C2-D4 / Additional voices 2022 High on Life Nipulon / Additional voices 2023 Redfall Hollow Man / Kildere's Father 2024 Destiny 2: The Final Shape Targe 2025 The Outer Worlds 2 Officer Durban / Middle Manager Twombly 2026 High on Life 2 Nipulon / Additional voices
Other works