Roger Bart Explained

Roger Bart
Birth Date:29 September 1962
Birth Place:Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.
Education:Rutgers University, New Brunswick (BFA)
Occupation:Actor, singer
Years Active:1987–present

Roger Bart (born September 29, 1962) is an American actor and singer. He won a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award for his performance as Snoopy in the 1999 revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.

Bart received his second Tony Award nomination for playing Carmen Ghia in the original production of The Producers and his third for his performance as "Doc" Brown in . His other accolades include a SAG Award and three Outer Critics Circle Award nominations. In 2007, he began a three-year stint as Frederick Frankenstein in the Broadway and touring production of Young Frankenstein.

Bart performed the song "Go the Distance" from the 1997 animated film Hercules, which was nominated for an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

Early life and education

Bart was born in Norwalk, Connecticut, the son of a teacher and a chemical engineer, and grew up in Bernardsville, New Jersey.[1] His uncle is journalist Peter Bart.[2] He graduated from Bernards High School in 1980 and was later inducted into the school's hall of fame.[3]

He earned his BFA in Acting from Mason Gross School of the Arts at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey in 1985.[4]

Bart was close friends with Jonathan Larson: both worked as waiters between theater jobs and frequently hung out at each other's workplaces. He participated in early presentations of Larson's work including Tick, Tick... Boom! and Rent; the main character "Roger" from Rent is named after him.[5] [6]

Career

He made his Broadway debut in Big River as Tom Sawyer in 1985. Additional theatre credits include Jonathan in the Alan Menken/Tim Rice musical King David, Harlequin in Triumph of Love, Snoopy in the Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown (for which he won the Drama Desk Award and a Tony), Carmen Ghia and later Leo Bloom in The Producers (earning Drama Desk and Tony nominations), and The Frogs at Lincoln Center, which reunited him with fellow Producers star Nathan Lane and Susan Stroman.

In 1996 and 1997, Bart appeared as Bud Frump in the USA national tour of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.[7] [8] [9]

On television, Bart played George Carlin's son on The George Carlin Show (1994), and on Bram & Alice (2002) he portrayed Bram's assistant, Paul Newman. He became widely known to viewers with his portrayal of George Williams, the unhinged homicidal pharmacist in love with Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), on Desperate Housewives, which earned him a SAG Award.

Bart provided the singing voice for teenage Hercules in Disney's Hercules, as well as the singing voice of Scamp in . He was featured in the 2004 remake of The Stepford Wives with Nicole Kidman, Matthew Broderick, Bette Midler, Christopher Walken and Glenn Close, and in The Producers (2005), in which he reprised his role of "common-law assistant" Carmen Ghia.

In December 2006, Bart played Howard "The Weasel" Montague in the Sci Fi Channel miniseries The Lost Room. In 2007, he starred as Stuart in , the sequel to 2005's Hostel, and had supporting roles in American Gangster and Spy School. In 2008, he appeared in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay, the sequel to 2004's Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle, and The Midnight Meat Train.

Bart also originated the lead role of Dr. Frederick Frankenstein in the musical adaptation of Mel Brooks' Young Frankenstein, which opened on Broadway in November 2007, following a run in Seattle. He reprised the role alongside former Broadway co-stars Shuler Hensley and Cory English in the United States national tour that launched in September 2009.[10] He ended his run on August 8, 2010, and was succeeded by Christopher Ryan. Bart originally portrayed the role of Igor in the original workshop read-through.

Brad Oscar and Bart reprised their roles as Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom, respectively, in a production of The Producers at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Missouri. The show ran from August 23–29, 2010.[11]

In 2011, Bart was cast in the recurring role of Mason Treadwell on the ABC drama series Revenge.[12]

In 2013, Bart was cast in the recurring role of Roger Riskin on the Showtime drama series Episodes.[13]

Bart was originally set to play the dual role of Charles Frohman and Captain James Hook in the 2014 A.R.T. pre-Broadway production of Finding Neverland. He was ultimately replaced by Michael McGrath.[14]

In 2016, Bart returned to Broadway in the musical Disaster![15]

In 2017, Bart was cast in the recurring role of Vice Principal Nero on the second season of the Netflix comedy-drama series A Series of Unfortunate Events.[16]

In 2018, Bart was cast in the main role of Judge Wilson on the Freeform drama series Good Trouble, the spin-off of The Fosters.

In 2019, Bart was cast as Hades in the world premiere of Disney's musical, Hercules. That same year, he was announced to play Dr. Emmett Brown in the musical adaptation of Back to the Future.[17] After playing the role at the Manchester Opera House and West End's Adelphi Theatre, he reprised the part in the Broadway production.[18]

In 2021, Bart cameoed in the film adaptation of Tick, Tick... Boom!, 30 years after performing in the original show with Jonathan Larson.[19] A character in the film played by Joshua Henry is named "Roger" after him, and is loosely inspired by Bart.[20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997HerculesYoung Hercules (singing voice)
1999The InsiderSeelbach Hotel Manager
2001Scamp (singing voice)Direct-to-video
2004The Stepford WivesRoger BannisterRemake of the 1975 film
2005The ProducersCarmen GhiaBased on the 2001 musical
2006I Want Someone to Eat Cheese WithBurl Canasta
2007Stuart
American GangsterU.S. Attorney
2008Spy SchoolPrincipal Hampton
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo BayDr. Beecher
The Midnight Meat TrainJurgis
2009Law Abiding CitizenBrian Bringham
2011One Night StandHimself
2012ExcisionBob
Freaky DeakyJerry Baker
A Green StoryJohnson
The ProducersCarmen GhiaDirect-to-video
SmileyProfessor Clayton
The Last ManWillShort film
2013April ApocalypseJack
Last VegasMaurice Tischler
2015MollyBradShort film
TrumboBuddy Ross
2016Internet FamousChris!
2017Speech & DebatePrincipal Bellingham
2018Ghost LightHenry Asquith
2019Bayou TalesAdam
2021Tick, Tick... Boom!Featured Diner
TBABroadway: The Next GenerationHimselfDocumentary; filming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1994The George Carlin ShowRon BlessingtonEpisode: "George Gets a Big Surprise"
2000Law & OrderAlec HughesEpisode: "Surrender Dorothy"
Benjy DoweEpisode: "Closure"
2002Bram & AlicePaulRecurring role (8 episodes)
2005Out of PracticeLou PimskyEpisode: "Losing Patients"
International Digital Emmy AwardsHimself (host)Television special
2005–2006,
2007, 2012
Desperate HousewivesGeorge Williams16 episodes (recurring season 1, also starring season 2 episodes 2–9, special guest star season 2 episode 24, uncredited season 8)
2006The Lost RoomHoward 'The Weasel' MontagueTelevision miniseries (2 episodes)
My Ex LifeUnknown roleTelevision movie
200930 RockBrad HalsterEpisode: "Cutbacks"
2010Bob Starling2 episodes
Human TargetJohn DoeEpisode: "Dead Head"
2011MediumDennis CarusoEpisode: "Me Without You"
Traffic LightMartyEpisode: "Pilot"
The EventRichard PeelRecurring role (10 episodes)
The Life & Times of TimMayor (voice)Episode: "Percey Davis/Boulevard/Cool Uncle Stu Balls"
2012Jeffrey FitzgeraldEpisode: "Tressed to Kill"
Hot in ClevelandJimmyEpisode: "Claus, Tails & High-Pitched Males: Birthdates 3"
Himself (uncredited)Episode: "Some Like it Hot"
GrimmConstantine BrinkerhofEpisode: "Big Feet"
PerceptionIRS Agent Ethan KendrickEpisode: "Messenger"
Political AnimalsBarry HarrisTelevision miniseries
Recurring role (6 episodes)
Adam CainEpisode: "Twenty-Five Acts"
Easy to AssembleHoward FriskeRecurring role (9 episodes)
2012–2015RevengeMason TreadwellRecurring role (11 episodes)
2013It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaRepEpisode: "The Gang Tries Desperately to Win an Award"
2013–2014How I Met Your MotherCurtisRecurring role (5 episodes)
2014JessieMr. Phil McNicholEpisode: "Krumping and Crushing"
The ExesSamEpisode: "When Haskell Met Sammy"
How to Build a Better BoyDr. James HartleyTelevision movie
Celebrity Ghost StoriesHimselfEpisode: "Julie White/Roger Bart/Dominique Swain/Thomas Ian Nicholas"
2014–2017EpisodesRoger RiskinRecurring role (11 episodes)
2015Modern FamilyAndersEpisode: ""
Sex & Drugs & Rock & RollJeremyEpisode: "Supercalifragilisticjuliefriggingandrews"
Scream QueensDr. HerfmannEpisode: "Chainsaw"
You're the WorstJonathan R. StrasburgEpisode: "All About That Paper"
4th International Academy of Web Television AwardsHimself (host)Television special
2016Doc McStuffinsFerris (voice)Episode: "Blast Off to the Unknown!/Bust a Move"
Code BlackHank GoldmanEpisode: "What Lies Beneath"
2016–2017No TomorrowCory Casey2 episodes
GravesLawrence MillsRecurring role (11 episodes)
2017Grace and FrankieSteve ClarringtonRecurring role (3 episodes)
There's... Johnny!AngeloRecurring role (5 episodes)
2018–2019A Series of Unfortunate EventsVice Principal Nero4 episodes
2018QuanticoFedowitzEpisode: "Bullet Train"
ElementaryKip LowellEpisode: "You've Come a Long Way, Baby"
2019–2021Good TroubleJudge WilsonSeries regular (19 episodes)
2019The Good FightBrad CaymanEpisode: "The One Where Kurt Saves Diane"
2021The BlacklistScooter Rovenpor2 episodes

Theatre

YearTitleRoleVenueNotes
1985–1987Big RiverTom Sawyer (replacement)Eugene O'Neill Theatre
1991Tobias RaggNew Israeli Opera
1992–1994The Secret GardenDickonTouring production
1993–1995The Who's TommyCousin KevinTouring production
1996–1997How to Succeed in Business Without Really TryingBud FrumpTouring production
1997King DavidJonathanNew Amsterdam Theatre
1997–1998Triumph of LoveHarlequin, the valetRoyale Theatre
1999You're a Good Man, Charlie BrownSnoopyAmbassador Theatre
2001The ProducersCarmen GhiaCadillac Palace Theatre
2001–2002St. James TheatreBroadway
2002–2003Leo Bloom
2003–2004Carmen Ghia
2004The FrogsXanthiasVivian Beaumont Theater
2005The ProducersLeo BloomSt. James Theatre
2006
Young FrankensteinIgorUnknownWorkshop
2006–2007The ProducersLeo BloomSt. James TheatreBroadway
2007Young FrankensteinFrederick FrankensteinParamount TheatreSeattle, Washington (pre-Broadway try-out)
2007-2009Hilton TheatreBroadway
2010Providence Performing Arts CenterBroadway Across America tour (First National Tour)
2012The ProducersCarmen GhiaHollywood Bowl
2016Disaster!TonyNederlander TheatreBroadway
2018AnnieRooster HanniganHollywood Bowl
2019HerculesHadesDelacorte Theatre[21]
2020Back to the Future:
The Musical
Dr. Emmett BrownManchester Opera House
2021–2023Adelphi TheatreWest End
2023–2024Winter Garden TheatreBroadway

Awards and nominations

AssociationYearCategoryNominated WorkResult
Broadway.com Audience Awards2024Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical
Favorite Funny Performance
Favorite Onstage Pair (with Casey Likes)
Drama Desk Awards1999Outstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalYou're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
2001The Producers
DVD Exclusive Awards2001Best Original Song for "A World Without Fences"Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamp's Adventure
Online Film & Television Association Awards1998Best Music, Original Song for "Go the Distance"Hercules
Screen Actors Guild Awards2006Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesDesperate Housewives
Tony Awards1999Best Featured Actor in a MusicalYou're a Good Man, Charlie Brown
2001The Producers
2024

External links

Notes and References

  1. Gardner, Amanda. "THEATER; Tony Awards' New Jersey Ties", The New York Times, July 23, 2008. Retrieved March 21, 2011.
  2. News: Horwitz. Simi. First Banana. Backstage. November 8, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20141106003654/http://connection.ebscohost.com/c/articles/27947250/first-banana. dead. November 6, 2014. April 4, 2009.
  3. Hatala, Greg. "Glimpse of History: Arm-in-arm at commencement", The Star-Ledger, June 23, 2014. Retrieved September 5, 2019. "Some of the school's notable alumni include Tony Award-winning actor Roger Bart ('80), John Geils Jr. of the J. Geils Band ('64) and Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep ('67)."
  4. Web site: Roger Bart. IMDb.
  5. Web site: McPhee . Ryan . To Days of Inspiration: Explore the Evolution of Rent Through Jonathan Larson's Own Notes . Playbill . 17 November 2021.
  6. Web site: Buckley . Michael . STAGE TO SCREENS: Roger Bart Discusses Producers and "Housewives" . Playbill . 22 November 2021.
  7. Web site: A cheery revival for 'How to Succeed' . J. Wynn . Rousuck . The Baltimore Sun . May 31, 1996 . May 20, 2017 . September 22, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120922084255/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1996-05-31/features/1996152118_1_ralph-macchio-finch-rosemary . dead .
  8. Web site: Ralph Macchio is fun in 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' Oct. 1-6 . sacnews.net . https://web.archive.org/web/20110720233816/http://www.sacnews.net/sacstage/reviews/howto.html . July 20, 2011 . dead.
  9. News: How To Succeed in Show Business ... – Since His 'Karate Kid' Days, Ralph Macchio Has Matured – In Age And Talent. The Seattle Times. Misha. Berson. October 10, 1996.
  10. Web site: Jones . Kenneth . Together Again: Bart and Hensley Will Tour in Young Frankenstein . Playbill . November 18, 2021 . July 30, 2009.
  11. Web site: The Producers. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091116235829/http://www.kcstarlight.com/broadway_shows/the_producers.aspx . November 16, 2009 .
  12. Web site: Desperate Housewives' Roger Bart Uncovers Revealing Revenge Role. Stanhope. Kate. November 17, 2011. Yahoo Entertainment. April 1, 2018.
  13. Web site: Roger Bart to Recur on Showtime's 'Episodes' (Exclusive). Marechal. AJ. June 3, 2013. Variety. April 2, 2018.
  14. https://playbill.com/article/tony-winner-swap-michael-mcgrath-to-replace-roger-bart-in-arts-finding-neverland-opening-july-23-com-322454 Tony Winner Swap: Michael McGrath To Replace Roger Bart in A.R.T.'s Finding Neverland Opening July 23
  15. Web site: Imogen. Lloyd Webber. Look Out! All-Star Disaster! Will Hit Broadway, Starring Adam Pascal, Roger Bart, Faith Prince & More. Broadway.com. November 5, 2015. February 2, 2016.
  16. Web site: 'Series Of Unfortunate Events': Nathan Fillion, Tony Hale, Sara Rue, Lucy Punch & Roger Bart Join Season 2 Cast. Petski. Denise. June 9, 2017. Deadline Hollywood. April 1, 2018.
  17. Web site: Tony Winner Roger Bart Joins Cast of Back to the Future Musical. Gans. Andrew. October 15, 2019. Playbill. October 15, 2019.
  18. Web site: Hall . Margaret . 22 March 2023 . Jelani Remy, Liana Hunt, Nathaniel Hackmann, More Join Back to the Future on Broadway .
  19. Web site: Goffe . Nadira . An Exhaustive List of Every Broadway Cameo in Tick, Tick … Boom! . Slate . November 19, 2021 . 20 November 2021.
  20. Web site: Murray . Rebecca . 'tick, tick…BOOM!' Q&A with Andrew Garfield and Lin-Manuel Miranda . Showbizjunkies . November 17, 2021 . 19 November 2021.
  21. Web site: Evans . Greg . 'Hercules' Stage Musical Adaptation Finds Its Strongman: Jelani Alladin Among Cast Announced For Shakespeare In The Park Production . Deadline . June 20, 2019.