Stephen Root Movies
Though best known for his work as radio station bigwig Jimmy James on the television series NewsRadio, Stephen Root is one of the busier character actors at work today, and a familiar face to television and movie audiences. Born in Sarasota, FL, on November 17, 1951, Root received a degree in acting and broadcasting from the University of Florida, and after graduating passed an audition to join the touring company of the National Shakespeare Company. After three years with the NSC, Root settled in New York City, where he began working in off-Broadway theater, making his debut in a revival of Journey's End. His first Broadway role, in So Long on Lonely Street, was a bust at the box office, but the 1987 revival of All My Sons was a big hit which generated plenty of enthusiastic press for Root.1988 saw Root making his motion-picture debut in the George Romero horror opus Monkey Shines, and over the next several years Root worked steadily in feature films, episodic television, and made-for-TV movies, scoring recurring roles on L.A. Law, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Blossom; guest spots on Northern Exposure, Murphy Brown, and Quantum Leap; supporting parts in Ghost, Dave, and Robocop 3; and an acclaimed turn in A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story, as well as its sequel, Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, The Last Chapter.
In 1993, Root was cast as R.O. on the television series Harts of the West; the show only lasted a season, but his next role on a series would last a bit longer; cast as Jimmy on the sitcom NewsRadio in 1995, Root would last with the show for five seasons, until the show was canceled after a disappointing final season following the death of co-star Phil Hartman. During hiatus from NewsRadio and after the series ended, Root continued his busy schedule, making memorable appearances in feature films (including Office Space and O Brother, Where Art Thou?) and guesting on other shows. Root also began doing voice work, speaking for Buck Strickland and Bill Dauterive on the animated series King of the Hill and the Sheriff on Buzz Lightyear of Star Command.
Root's small-screen voice-work would soon lead to his involvement in two popular big-screen animated features. In 2002's Ice Age, audiences could hear him along with Cedric the Entertainer as a pair of Rhinos. And the next year, Root lent his pipes to the blockbuster underwater adventure Finding Nemo.
While his voice became more familiar to moviegoers, Root continued to become more of a presence in live-action films as well. Turning in no less than four supporting performances in high-profile films, Root spent 2004 reteaming with the Coen brothers for The Ladykillers, showing up in a prominent role in Kevin Smith's Jersey Girl, and costarring in the broad comedies Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Mad Money, and Leatherheads. ~ All Movie Guide
The Oprah Book Club best-seller by Janet Fitch makes it to the big screen in this adaptation from British director Peter Kosminsky. White Oleander recounts the traumatic adolescence of Astrid Magnusson (Alison Lohman), who finds herself an orphan after her short-fused, enigmatic artist mother Ingrid (Michelle Pfeiffer) is carted off to prison on murder charges. Astrid first finds herself in the care of Starr (Robin Wright Penn), a garish, born-again mother of two with a gruff but sensitive boyfriend (Cole Hauser). From there, she's shunted back to a state-run facility, where she tangles with other troubled teens and finds temporary solace in the arms of Paul (Patrick Fugit), a dough-faced comic book artist with dreams of moving to New York City. Astrid then lucks into a living arrangement with a successful but insecure actress (Renee Zellweger) who offers her unconditional love. But Ingrid's stifling influence continues to haunt her daughter, whether through the occasional prison visit or via manipulative letters to Astrid's caretakers. White Oleander received a Gala North American premiere at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival before reaching multiplexes later that fall. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alison Lohman, Michelle Pfeiffer, (more)
- 2002
Redneck reactionary Hank Hill should by rights be delighted that his "not right" son Bobby has a new girlfriend named Jordan as King of the Hill launches its seventh season; unfortunately, Jordan's parents are the "progressive" kind -- and if there's anything that Hank is opposed to, it is progress! In later episodes, Hank's barber buddy Bill joins the International Federation of Competitive Easting; Peggy Hill's new hairdo literally makes Hank sick just before Thanksgiving; Hank accidentally cuts off the finger of his conspiracy theorist buddy Dale Gribble; Peggy opens a combination bookstore and gun shop; the owner of a pork sausage empire obsessively forces a fashion makeover upon the Hills' niece Luanne (in an episode titled "Pigmalion"); John Redcorn wants Hank to take Joseph (who is John's biological son) on a "vision quest," while Joseph's supposed dad, Dale, still doesn't know what has been going on between his wife Nancy and the redoubtable Redcorn; Bobby is sent to a politically correct boot camp; Peggy is forced to use insecticides after going on a pro-ecological kick; and a black handyman accuses the Hills' dog of racism. The season ends with an episode wherein Bobby's tarot card hobby attracts the attention of a bizarre coven. Guest voices heard during King of the Hill's seventh season include Debra Messing, Eliza Dushku, Milla Jovovich, Elizabeth Perkins, Kid Rock, Lucy Liu, Allison Janney, Michael Keaton, Tom Arnold, George Foreman, Bruce Dern, Carmen Electra, Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Kennedy, Bernie Mac, and Janeane Garofalo. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mike Judge, Kathy Najimy, (more)
