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Don Stark
View on WikipediaDonald Martin Stark (born July 5, 1954) is an American actor known for his role as Bob Pinciotti on the Fox Network sitcom That '70s Show for all eight seasons (1998–2006) and fictional Los Angeles Devils owner Oscar Kinkade in VH1's Hit the Floor, Star Trek: First Contact (1996), and John Carter (2012). He also provided the voice of Vincent in Father of the Pride (2004–2005) and voiced Rhino in Spider-Man: The Animated Series (1995-1997). He has two daughters.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. (March 2021) |
As a child, Stark and his family relocated to Los Angeles, California, settling in the San Fernando Valley.[1] Stark graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, in 1972. He played football for the school team, and he won leading roles in the theater arts department. He portrayed Marvin Hudgens in Dark of the Moon, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, and, in an award-winning Shakespeare Festival scene, the title role in Othello.[1]
After high school, Stark attended California State University, Northridge, originally studying business before deciding to major in theater arts.[1]
Career
[edit]Stark is probably best recognized as Bob Pinciotti, the bumbling next-door neighbor of the Forman family and the father of Donna Pinciotti (Laura Prepon) on the FOX sitcom That '70s Show.
Stark's roles in movies include Switchblade Sisters (1975), Tilt (1979), Evilspeak (1981), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986) and The Couch Trip (1988), as well as a small role as a clerk in the comedy film Feds (1988). He has also been a guest on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and had a small role in the Star Trek film Star Trek: First Contact. He had a small role in an episode of Supernatural as a victim of a ghost that had been summoned by ritual to murder. He also guest starred on Viper, Disney Channel's Cory in the House, Stargate SG-1 and CSI.
He had a supporting role in the 1996 television series Time Cop. In addition, he appeared in iCarly's movie: iGo to Japan as Freight Dog, the pilot who flies the gang over to Tokyo, Japan.
Stark appears in the first episode of the 1987 TV series Beauty and the Beast as one of the attackers who puts Linda Hamilton's character "Catherine" in Central Park where the beast, or "Vincent", played by Ron Perlman, finds her and helps her, which begins the series. He appeared as David in the film My Name is Jerry. He appeared as the Prime Minister of Russia in the episode of Cory in the House, "Air Force One Too Many". He plays the boss, Stan, in the web series Corey & Lucas For the Win. He also provided his voice for Rhino in few episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series.
One of his more recent appearances was as a mobster in the episode of Castle, "Murder He Wrote". He also had a small, uncredited role as a principal in Anger Management, "Charlie Lets Kate Take Charge". Stark plays the role of Oscar Kincade in the television series Hit the Floor.[2] He played Uncle Frank in the 2015 film Hello, My Name Is Doris. He played Judge Talbertson in the 2017 Scorpion episode, "Who Let the Dog Out ('Cause Now It's Stuck In a Cistern')". Also in 2017, Stark played Bernie Greenfield, a drug-addicted Hollywood executive in There's...Johnny!.
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Outrage | Carl Dibble | |
| 1975 | Switchblade Sisters | Hook | |
| 1979 | Tilt | Gary Laswitz | |
| 1981 | Evilspeak | Bubba Caldwell | |
| 1981 | Choices | Lance | |
| 1986 | Peggy Sue Got Married | Doug Snell | |
| 1988 | The Couch Trip | Peterson | |
| 1988 | Under the Gun | Joey | |
| 1988 | Arthur 2: On the Rocks | Diner Customer | |
| 1988 | Feds | Willy | |
| 1991 | 9 1/2 Ninjas! | 'Sledge' | |
| 1991 | Liquid Dreams | Escort to Penthouse | |
| 1993 | The Baby Doll Murders | Eric Green | |
| 1993 | Freaked | Editor | |
| 1993 | Lightning in a Bottle | Yard Messenger | |
| 1993 | Arcade | Finster | Direct-to-video |
| 1994 | 3 Ninjas Kick Back | Umpire | |
| 1994 | Revenge of the Red Baron | Detective Lewis | |
| 1994 | Ring of Steel | Lieutenant Taylor | |
| 1994 | Maverick | Riverboat Poker Player (uncredited) | |
| 1995 | 3 Ninjas Knuckle Up | Sheriff | |
| 1995 | Night of the Running Man | Rodney | |
| 1995 | Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead | Gus | |
| 1995 | Bombmeister | Unknown | |
| 1996 | Heaven's Prisoners | Eddie Keats | |
| 1996 | Santa with Muscles | Lenny | |
| 1996 | Star Trek: First Contact | Nicky 'The Nose' | |
| 1997 | Earth Minus Zero | John "J. W." Wayne | |
| 1998 | Letters from a Killer | Geary | |
| 1998 | American Dragons | Rocco | |
| 1999 | California Myth | Marshall | |
| 1999 | Goosed | Dick | |
| 2002 | The 4th Tenor | Tony | |
| 2004 | Slammed | Uncle Mack | |
| 2005 | Spider-Man: The Venom Saga | Venom (voice) | Direct-to-video |
| 2009 | Dark House | Detective Gorog | |
| 2009 | My Name Is Jerry | David | |
| 2011 | Meeting Spencer | "Wolfie" | |
| 2012 | John Carter | Dix, The Storekeeper | |
| 2013 | Wrong Cops | Gary | |
| 2013 | Random Encounters | Dr. Tim | |
| 2014 | Roswell FM | Howard Bellringo | |
| 2015 | Hello, My Name Is Doris | Uncle Frank | |
| 2015 | Safelight | Jack | |
| 2016 | Monkey Up | Tucker (voice) | |
| 2016 | Café Society | Sol | |
| 2016 | C Street | Super | |
| 2018 | Green Book | Jules Podell | |
| 2019 | 7 Days to Vegas | Jim "Angry Jim" |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | Welcome Back, Kotter | Student Extra | Episodes: "Welcome Back (Pilot)" and "Whodunit?" |
| 1975–1977 | The Streets of San Francisco | Jim Riley / Henry Brown | Episodes: "School of Fear" and "Innocent No More" |
| 1978 | Black Sheep Squadron | Radio Operator | Episode: "Wolves in the Sheep Pen" |
| 1978 | Police Story | Ron | Episode: "A Chance to Live" |
| 1978 | CHiPs | Officer Allen | Episode: "Family Crisis" |
| 1978 | Return Engagement | Waiter | Television movie |
| 1979 | Quincy, M.E. | Henessey | Episode: "Semper-Fidelis" |
| 1984 | Riptide | Matt | Episode: "Where the Girls Are" |
| 1985 | Hell Town | Joe | Episode: "Love and the Four Corners" |
| 1986 | The Twilight Zone | Punk #2 | Episode: "A Day in Beaumont/The Last Defender of Camelot" |
| 1986–1987 | Sledge Hammer! | Kurt Kruggle | Episodes: "Under the Gun" and "Sledgepoo" |
| 1987 | Beauty and the Beast | Stocky Guy | Episode: "Once Upon a Time in the City of New York" |
| 1987 | Cagney & Lacey | Perry DeScarfo | Episode: "Video Verite" |
| 1988 | The Charmings | Marty | Episode: "Birth of a Salesman" |
| 1988 | Night Court | Monroe | Episode: "Chrizzi's Honor" |
| 1988 | General Hospital | Ripley | 13 episodes |
| 1989 | Beauty and the Beast | Eddie | Episode: "Brothers" |
| 1989 | Starting Now | Chuck | Television movie |
| 1989 | A Cry for Help: The Tracey Thurman Story | Officer Driscoll | Television movie |
| 1989 | Hardball | Unknown | Episode: "The Cleveland Indian" |
| 1991 | Equal Justice | Sergeant Samuelson | Episode: "The Big Game and Other Crimes" |
| 1991 | The Man in the Family | Cha Cha | 7 episodes |
| 1991 | Empty Nest | Timmy | Episode: "Almost Like Being in Love" |
| 1991 | The Golden Girls | Sheriff | Episode: " |
| 1992 | Blossom | Cop #2 | Episode: "Three O'Clock and All Is Hell" |
| 1992 | Civil Wars | Marty DeMeo | Episode: "Whippet 'Til It Breaks" |
| 1992 | Sinatra | Unknown | Television miniseries |
| 1993 | Elvis and the Colonel: The Untold Story | Dutch | Television movie |
| 1993 | Baywatch | Policeman | Episode: "The Tower" |
| 1993 | South of Sunset | Bus Driver | Episode: "Satyricon" |
| 1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Ashrock | Episode: "Melora" |
| 1994 | Viper | Manny | Episode: "Safe as Houses" |
| 1994 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | David's Shrink | Episode: "Heartbreakers" |
| 1994 | NYPD Blue | Richard Corday | Episode: "Black Men Can't Jump" |
| 1994 | Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man | IRS Agent / Additional Voice (voice) | Episode: "T.V. or Not to Be" and "Not So Easy Riders" |
| 1994 | Silk Stalkings | Tony – Strip Club Manager | Episode: "The Deep End$ |
| 1994 | Ellen | Repairman | Episode: "The Refrigerator" |
| 1995 | Charlie Grace | Detective Simms | Episodes: "Take Me to the Pilot" and "The Kid" |
| 1995–1996 | Bless This House | Lenny | 16 episodes |
| 1995–1997 | Spider-Man | Rhino / Alex O'Hirn (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 1996 | Picket Fences | Stubby Muller | Episode: "Dante's Inferno" |
| 1996 | Murder One | Carmine D'Nardis | Episodes: "Chapter Seven, Year Two" and "Chapter Eight, Year Two" |
| 1997 | Dark Skies | Gallagher | Episode: "Both Sides Now" |
| 1997 | Murder Live! | Man in Yellow Suit | Television movie |
| 1997–1998 | Timecop | Eugene Matuzek | 9 episodes |
| 1997 | Diagnosis Murder | Detective Dave Groeber | Episode: "Blood Brothers Murder" |
| 1997 | L.A. Heat | Treat Donnelly | Episode: "Chester Nut" |
| 1998 | Brooklyn South | George Hauer | Episode: "Exposing Johnson" |
| 1998–2006 | That '70s Show | Bob Pinciotti | Main cast |
| 1998 | Early Edition | Stan Kowaleski | Episode: "Walk, Don't Run" |
| 1998 | Michael Hayes | Rutigliano | Episode: "Imagine: Part 2" |
| 2000 | Diagnosis Murder | Stanley Bomgarden | Episode: "All Dressed Up and Nowhere to Die" |
| 2001 | That's Life | Alan Derwin | Episode: "Idiots" |
| 2002 | Maybe It's Me | Ed | Episode: "The Lab Partner Episode" |
| 2002–2004 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Stu Braudy | 3 episodes |
| 2003 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Sam Hopkins | Episode: "Grissom Versus the Volcano" |
| 2004–2005 | Father of the Pride | Vincent (voice) | 10 episodes |
| 2006 | Stargate SG-1 | Sal | Episode: "Memento Mori" |
| 2007 | The Young and the Restless | Minister Frank McCallister | 1 episode |
| 2007 | Supernatural | Jay Wiley | Episode: "Hollywood Babylon" |
| 2007 | Cory in the House | Russian Prime Minister | Episode: "Air Force One Too Many" |
| 2008 | iCarly | Freight Dog | Episode: "iGo to Japan" |
| 2008 | Dirty Sexy Money | Detective Moffett (uncredited) | Episode: "The Family Lawyer" |
| 2010 | Melissa & Joey | Phil DeMarco | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2011 | Workshop | Terry Tompkins | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Mayor Jack Velman | Episode: "East Pasadena" |
| 2012 | The Mentalist | Armon Gagnon | Episode: "Not One Red Cent" |
| 2012–2014 | Castle | Vincent Cardano | Episodes: "Murder He Wrote" and "Driven" |
| 2012 | NCIS | Marty Fiero | Episode: "The Good Son" |
| 2012 | American Horror Story | Kit's Lawyer | Episode: "Dark Cousin" |
| 2013 | Anger Management | Principal | Episode: "Charlie Lets Kate Take Change" |
| 2013–2018 | Hit the Floor | Oscar Kincade | Main cast |
| 2013 | Blockhead | Marcos | Episode: "Linus and the Landlord" |
| 2014 | Red Sleep | Dr. George Reed | Episode: "Adapt" |
| 2015 | The Mindy Project | Don Castellano | Episode: "Mindy and Ninny" |
| 2015 | The Good Wife | Manny Hofstedter | Episode: "KSR" |
| 2016 | The Odd Couple | Mr. Blaustein | Episode: "All the Residents' Men" |
| 2016 | Maron | Gerry | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Rosewood | Captain Roy Murillo | Episode: "Eddie & the Empire State of Mind" |
| 2016 | The Strain | James O'Neill | Episode: "Do or Die" |
| 2017 | NCIS | Auto Mechanic | Episode: "Voices" |
| 2017 | There's...Johnny! | Bernie Greenfield | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Scorpion | Judge Kramer | Episode: "Who Let the Dog Out ('Cause Now It's Stuck in a Cistern)" |
| 2018 | Shameless | Congressman Wayne Ubberman | Episode: "Weirdo Gallagher Vortex" |
| 2019 | General Hospital | Judge Benjamin | Episode: Feb 20, 2019 |
| 2022 | Dollface | Craig Wiley | Episode: "Homecoming Queen" |
| 2023–2024 | That '90s Show | Bob Pinciotti | 9 episodes |
| 2024–present | The Family Business | Senator Patrick Pettway | Recurring cast |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Campaign | Hawke Executive |
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Karras, Steven (August 13, 2014). "VH1'S 'Hit The Floor' Actor Don Stark: Prolific Character Actor on Hard Work and Hollywood". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on April 2, 2021.
- ^ ‘Hit the Floor’ returns for season four after long break on new network: BET, ajc.com
External links
[edit]Don Stark
View on GrokipediaEarly life
Childhood and upbringing
Don Stark was born Donald Martin Stark on July 5, 1954, in New York City, to Nate Stark, manager of Wilson's House of Suede, and his wife Harriet, a homemaker.[4][9] The family, of Jewish descent, relocated during Stark's childhood to Los Angeles, California, where they settled in the San Fernando Valley.[4] Stark's father, Nate (1924–1978), played a significant role in shaping the family's dynamics through his dry sense of humor, which influenced the household environment.[9] This Jewish heritage contributed to the cultural backdrop of Stark's early years, though specific details on religious practices remain limited in public records.[4] Initially disinterested in acting, Stark attended Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, where he was dared by a friend to join the drama club and audition for school plays.[10] This reluctant participation led to leading roles in productions such as Dark of the Moon, Guys and Dolls, and Fiddler on the Roof, marking his first exposure to performing despite his initial hesitation.[10]Education and early influences
Stark graduated from Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, in 1972, following his family's relocation to Los Angeles from New York City.[4] During high school, he initially focused on athletics, including football, but was reluctantly drawn into theater when friends dared him to audition for a school production of Howard Richardson and William Berney's Dark of the Moon, in which he secured the lead role of John.[5][4] This experience, along with subsequent roles in productions like Guys and Dolls and Fiddler on the Roof, sparked his interest in acting despite his initial hesitation.[11] After high school, Stark enrolled at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), initially majoring in business before switching to theater arts, attracted by the department's creative environment.[11] He ultimately left the university to pursue acting full-time, moving to New York City for professional training.[12] There, he studied acting, honing skills that would shape his versatile approach to character work.[12] Stark's early influences included the camaraderie and challenges from high school peers who pushed him beyond his athletic pursuits.[10] These foundational elements, combined with his formal training, prepared him for a career blending humor, intensity, and physicality in stage and screen performances.Career
Early career and theater work
After studying theater arts at California State University, Northridge, where he initially studied business before switching majors, Don Stark entered the professional acting world in the early 1970s.[5] His foundational training in theater during college provided the skills that propelled him into on-screen opportunities, though he faced the typical hurdles of a budding actor, including competitive auditions and financial instability common to newcomers in the industry.[5] Stark's professional debut occurred in 1973 with a minor role as a thug in the television movie Outrage, opposite Robert Culp.[5] Throughout the late 1970s and into the early 1980s, he continued accumulating small parts in television guest spots and films, gradually gaining representation and transitioning from novice roles to more consistent work that showcased his versatile presence.[5]Television roles
Stark achieved his breakthrough in television with the role of Bob Pinciotti on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show (1998–2006), where he portrayed the eccentric, hot-tempered neighbor to the Forman family across all eight seasons, contributing to the show's comedic dynamic through his over-the-top reactions and interactions with the ensemble cast. Earlier in his career, Stark made guest and recurring appearances in notable series, including the role of the Yridian trader Ashrock in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Melora" (1993), where his character navigated interstellar negotiations with a mix of cunning and opportunism.[13] In recent years, Stark returned to the role of Bob Pinciotti in Netflix's That '90s Show (2023–2024), appearing in a heavy recurring capacity during Season 2 to bridge the original series' legacy, with his character's familiar bluster providing continuity and humor amid the new generation of Point Place teens; the series was canceled after Season 2 in October 2024.[14] Other notable television credits include his portrayal of Congressman Wayne "Wubby" Ubberman in the Showtime series Shameless (2018), where he played a sleazy politician entangled in the Gallagher family's chaotic schemes, adding satirical edge to the episode "Weirdo Gallagher Vortex."[15]Film roles
Don Stark began his film career in the 1970s, establishing himself as a versatile character actor in supporting roles across genres. His early work included appearances in cult films such as Switchblade Sisters (1975), where he portrayed a gang member, contributing to the film's gritty exploitation style. Over the decades, Stark's filmography reflects a consistent pattern of embodying quirky, often comedic or eccentric side characters that add depth to ensemble casts in both comedies and dramas.[5] One of Stark's notable early roles came in the time-travel comedy Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), directed by Francis Ford Coppola, where he played Doug Snell, a hapless high school acquaintance of the protagonist, providing comic relief in the film's nostalgic exploration of youth and regret.[16] This performance highlighted his ability to infuse everyday characters with memorable awkwardness and humor, a trait that became a hallmark of his screen presence.[17] In the sci-fi blockbuster Star Trek: First Contact (1996), Stark portrayed Nicky the Nose, a Borg drone assimilated into the collective during a pivotal holodeck sequence, blending his comedic timing with the film's high-stakes action narrative.[18] This role in the popular franchise underscored his adaptability to genre pieces, where he often played distinctive, scene-stealing figures amid larger-than-life ensembles.[19] Stark's later film work continued this trajectory, with a minor but impactful appearance as Jules Podell, a club manager, in the critically acclaimed dramedy Green Book (2018), which earned multiple Academy Awards and showcased his knack for portraying authoritative yet flawed authority figures. More recently, in the short film The End of Me (2023), he took on the role of Flightman, demonstrating his ongoing commitment to character-driven projects even in concise formats. Throughout the 1980s to the 2020s, Stark's film roles frequently featured him as quirky supporting players—bombastic neighbors, inept officials, or oddball allies—in a range of comedies like The Couch Trip (1988) and dramas such as Café Society (2016), complementing his television success from shows like That '70s Show by opening doors to similar on-screen personas.[2]Voice acting and other contributions
Stark has provided voice work for several animated television series, showcasing his versatility in character portrayal. In the 1990s, he voiced Alex O'Hirn, better known as the villain Rhino, in multiple episodes of Spider-Man: The Animated Series, contributing to the show's dynamic roster of antagonists.[20] His performance brought a gruff, imposing quality to the character, appearing in eight episodes between 1995 and 1997.[21] Later, Stark lent his voice to additional roles in animation, including Vincent in the short-lived NBC series Father of the Pride (2004–2005), a computer-animated comedy featuring the cast of the Las Vegas Siegfried & Roy show. He also provided additional voices for Duckman: Private Dick/Family Man in 1994, supporting the satirical adult animated series on USA Network.[22] Beyond animation, Stark's early theater experience, honed through roles in high school productions like Guys and Dolls and Fiddler on the Roof, informed his vocal range and timing in these non-visual performances.[10] Stark has also directed episodes of television series, including multiple episodes of That '70s Show.[1]Personal life
Family and relationships
Don Stark was first married to Julie Stark from 1980 until their divorce in 1988.[23] The couple had two daughters, Nicole Stark and Samantha Stark, both of whom have pursued private lives outside the entertainment industry.[24][4] Following his divorce, Stark married actress Aubrey Robinson in 1989, a union that has endured as of 2025 and provided personal stability amid his rising career prominence in television and film during the 1990s and 2000s.[23][4]Later years and activities
In his seventies, Don Stark has maintained an active presence in the entertainment industry, reprising his iconic role as Bob Pinciotti in multiple episodes of Netflix's That '90s Show, including a heavy recurring capacity during Season 2 (released in 2024).[25] He also voiced the character Hawke Executive in the 2025 video game Delta Force: Black Hawk Down Campaign.[1] Additionally, Stark appeared in the 2023 indie short film The End of Me as Flightman, demonstrating his continued interest in smaller-scale projects.[26] Stark has remained engaged with fans through appearances at conventions focused on Star Trek and That '70s Show, including events organized by Alliance Con in 2023 where he connected with audiences over his roles in both franchises.[27] He has shared insights from his extensive career in science fiction and sitcoms at such gatherings.[19] Beyond acting, Stark has pursued creative outlets like comedy writing, notably authoring and performing the sketch "Weed-Rite" in 2012, which reflects his longstanding affinity for humor honed over decades in the industry.[28] In interviews, he has reflected on the longevity of his career, acknowledging the frequent rejections inherent to acting while emphasizing the rewards of persistent work and collaborations with longtime colleagues.[29] Stark resides in Agoura Hills, California, a suburb of Los Angeles, where family support has underpinned his ability to sustain late-career endeavors.[30]Filmography
Notable television appearances
Stark's breakthrough in television came with his recurring role as Bob Pinciotti, the eccentric father of Donna Pinciotti, in the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, where he appeared in all 200 episodes across eight seasons from 1998 to 2006, establishing his pattern of long-term comedic supporting roles.[31] This role not only showcased his ability to portray bumbling yet endearing characters but also marked a significant career milestone, leading to further opportunities in ensemble casts.[2] Earlier, in 1993, he made a memorable guest appearance as the Yridian informant Ashrock in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Melora," highlighting his range in science fiction.[19] In the late 1980s, Stark had a recurring role as Ripley in 13 episodes of the ABC soap opera General Hospital, demonstrating his early versatility in dramatic daytime television.[32] He reprised Bob Pinciotti as a recurring character in the Netflix sequel series That '90s Show (2023–2024), appearing in 9 episodes across the first two seasons, including a heavier presence in season 2 that emphasized the character's ongoing family dynamics.[25] Other notable guest spots include his portrayal of Congressman Wayne "Wubby" Ubberman in the 2018 Shameless episode "Weirdo Gallagher Vortex," adding to his repertoire of quirky authority figures in ensemble dramas.[15]| Year(s) | Show | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | General Hospital | Ripley | 13 |
| 1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Ashrock | 1 |
| 1998–2006 | That '70s Show | Bob Pinciotti | 200 |
| 2018 | Shameless | Congressman Wayne Ubberman | 1 |
| 2023–2024 | That '90s Show | Bob Pinciotti (recurring) | 9 |
