Biography for
Philip Baker Hall More at IMDbPro »

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Baker Hall shot to cult fame when he turned in an electrifying performance as Sydney, the veteran gambler, in Paul Thomas Anderson's debut feature, Sydney (1996). However, it was his underrated work in the same director's star-studded Magnolia (1999) that really caught the mass film public's attention. His performance as the legendary quiz show presenter "Jimmy Gator" was an incredible performance. He has since been in a few blockbuster movies, like The Sum of All Fears (2002), and stars in Dogville (2003), directed by Lars von Trier.

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Trade Mark

Can often be seen playing govenment/military officials (Air Force One (1997), The Rock (1996), Path to War (2002) (TV)).

Trivia

Graduated from the University of Toledo.

Is frequently cast by Paul Thomas Anderson.

Philip Baker Hall is one of those character actors who you see all the time but never take note of. However, his portrayal of Mr. Bookman, the library cop in an episode of "Seinfeld" (1990) has to go down as one of the all time comedy classics. His dead pan delivery about overdue library books, made this episode of "Seinfeld" (1990) one of their best ever.

Starred alone in Robert Altman's Secret Honor (1984), a fictional account of Richard Nixon's life after the White House, making him one of the few actors to ever carry an entire film.

Appeared in The Zodiac (2005) and Zodiac (2007/I), both about the serial killer nicknamed the Zodiac Killer.

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