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Buck Henry

Actor

Buck Henry

Born December 9, 1930 in New York City, New York, USADied January 8, 202046 films

Buck Henry (born Henry Zuckerman; December 9, 1930 – January 8, 2020) was an American actor and filmmaker. His contributions to film included, his work as a co-director on Heaven Can Wait (1978) alongside Warren Beatty, and his work as a co-writer for Mike Nichols's The Graduate (1967) and Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up, Doc? (1972). His long career began on television with work on shows with Steve Allen in The New Steve Allen Show (1961). He went on to co-create Get Smart (1965-1970) with Mel Brooks, and hosted Saturday Night Live 10 times from 1976 to 1980. Henry later guest starred in such popular shows as Murphy Brown, Hot in Cleveland, Will & Grace, and 30 Rock.

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He was twice nominated for an Academy Award, for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Graduate (1967) and for Best Director for Heaven Can Wait (1978) alongside Warren Beatty.

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The best way into Buck Henry's work
The Graduate posterFirst watchThe Graduate19677.6as Room ClerkA disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

46 films as actor
  1. 2015Kiss Kiss FingerbangCat Owner
  2. 2011A Bird of the AirDuncan Weber
  3. 2004The Last ShotLonnie Bosco
  4. 2001SerendipityCustomer at Bloomingdales (uncredited)
  5. 2001Town & CountrySuttler
  6. 2000Lisa Picard Is FamousBuck Henry
  7. 1999Breakfast of ChampionsFred T. Barry
  8. 1998Curtain CallCharles Van Allsburg
  9. 1998I'm Losing YouPhillip Dagrom
  10. 1998The Real BlondeDr. Leuter
  11. 19971999Mr. Goldman
  12. 1996Shakespeare's Plan 12 from Outer SpaceThe Priest
  13. 1995To Die ForMr. H. Finlaysson
  14. 1995Harrison BergeronTV Producer
  15. 1994Even Cowgirls Get the BluesDr. Dreyfus
  16. 1993Grumpy Old MenSnyder
  17. 1993Short CutsGordon Johnson
  18. 1992MastergateClay Fielder
  19. 1992Keep the ChangeSmitty
  20. 1992The PlayerBuck Henry
  21. 1992The Lounge PeopleLewis Louis
  22. 1991The Linguini IncidentCecil
  23. 1991Defending Your LifeDick Stanley
  24. 1990Tune in Tomorrow...Father Serafim
  25. 1989Rude AwakeningLloyd Stool
  26. 1988Hot to TrotFred's Dad
  27. 1987AriaPreston
  28. 1985The Best of John BelushiVarious Characters
  29. 1982Eating RaoulMr. Leech
  30. 1981Strong Medicine
  31. 1980First FamilyFather Sandstone / TV Anchorman
  32. 1980GloriaJack Dawn
  33. 1979Old BoyfriendsArt Kopple
  34. 1978Heaven Can WaitThe Escort
  35. 1977The Absent-Minded WaiterBernie Cates
  36. 1976The Man Who Fell to EarthOliver Farnsworth
  37. 1973The Day of the DolphinMan Standing Outside Women's Club (uncredited)
  38. 1971Taking OffLarry Tyne
  39. 1971I Miss Sonia HenieDoctor
  40. 1970The Owl and the PussycatMan Looking Through Doubleday's Bookstore (uncredited)
  41. 1970Catch-22Lt. Col. Korn
  42. 1968CandyMental Patient (uncredited)
  43. 1968The Secret War of Harry FriggStockade Commandant
  44. 1967The GraduateRoom Clerk
  45. 1964The TroublemakerT. R. Kingston
  46. 1959The BridgeVoice of American Soldier