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Robert Picardo

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Robert Picardo
Picardo at GalaxyCon San Jose in 2024
Born
Robert Alphonse Picardo

(1953-10-27) October 27, 1953 (age 71)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
EducationYale University (BA)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1975–present
Spouse
Linda Pawlik
​
​
(m. 1984; div. 2014)​
Children2

Robert Alphonse Picardo (born October 27, 1953) is an American actor. He is best known for playing the Doctor on Star Trek: Voyager. He also appeared as Richard Woolsey in the Stargate franchise, the Cowboy in Innerspace, Coach Cutlip on The Wonder Years, and Captain Dick Richard on the ABC series China Beach. He is a frequent collaborator of Joe Dante and is a member of The Planetary Society's Board of Directors.

Early life

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Picardo was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Joe Picardo. Robert is of Italian heritage, with his father's family originating from Montecorvino Rovella, Salerno, and his mother's parents originally from Bomba in Abruzzo. He graduated from William Penn Charter School in 1971 and originally entered Yale University as a pre-medical student, but opted to act instead. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in drama from Yale University.

Picardo is an accomplished singer. While he was at Yale University, he was a member of the Society of Orpheus and Bacchus, the second longest running undergraduate a cappella group in the United States. Also while at Yale, he had a major role in the 1973 European premiere production of Leonard Bernstein's "Mass" in Vienna, conducted by John Mauceri. The production was televised by ORF and broadcast on PBS during the 1970s. His singing was also incorporated into his role in Star Trek: Voyager.

After earning his degree, he enrolled at the Circle in the Square Professional Theater Workshop. He waited tables for a few years until his theatrical work started to take off around 1976. His first breaks were appearing in the David Mamet play Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and with Diane Keaton in The Primary English Class.[1]

Career

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Picardo at ComicCon, 2008.

In 1977, Picardo made his Broadway debut. He appeared in Gemini (1977) and Tribute (1978).[2]

On television, Picardo appeared on Kojak in a 1977 episode and Taxi in a 1979 episode. He made his feature film debut as Eddie Quist, the serial killer werewolf in the Joe Dante film The Howling (1981). He also had a recurring role in the sitcom Alice and played a doctor on an episode of The Golden Girls.

He played a number of roles in Dante's family science fiction film Explorers (1985), and later appeared in Dante's Innerspace (1987), The 'Burbs (1989), Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Matinee (1993), Small Soldiers (1998) and Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003). Picardo often plays roles under layers of prosthetic latex, having also played the swamp-dwelling Meg Mucklebones in Ridley Scott's film Legend. He also had a small role as a funeral director in John Landis's Amazon Women on the Moon. Picardo also portrayed the voice and face of the robotic Johnny Cab in Total Recall.

During the 1988–1991 television seasons, Picardo was simultaneously seen on the ABC Vietnam series China Beach in the role of Dr. Dick Richard, and the ABC series The Wonder Years in the role of Coach Cutlip. He is among a small group of television actors to achieve notice on two television series at the same time.

In 1993, Picardo had a brief role as Joe "The Meat Man" Morton, a butcher and neighbor to Tim Allen's character on the sitcom Home Improvement. He also appeared in one episode of ER in 1995 as Abraham Zimble (Season 2 - Episode 6, "Days Like This"). That same year, he voiced Pfish in two Pfish & Chip shorts as seen on Cartoon Network's What-A-Cartoon! Show.

Star Trek

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From 1995 to 2001, he played the role of the Emergency Medical Hologram (EMH) in the television series Star Trek: Voyager. Before being accepted for this role, Picardo initially auditioned for the role of Neelix. He later also directed two episodes. In the series, his character finally chose the name "Joe", after both the name of his wife's grandfather and Picardo's own father.

He played additional copies of the role of the EMH in the 1996 film Star Trek: First Contact[3] and the 1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?" He also played Dr. Lewis Zimmerman, the creator of the EMH, in episodes of Deep Space Nine and Voyager.[citation needed]

In 2002, Picardo authored The Hologram's Handbook, published by Pocket Books.[4]

In 2007 and 2008, Star Trek: The Music was a multi-city tour with John de Lancie.[5] Picardo and de Lancie narrated around the orchestral performance, explaining the history of the music in Star Trek.

In 2015, Picardo reprised the role of Dr. Lewis Zimmerman in the pilot episode of the fan series Star Trek: Renegades.[6]

In 2024, he reprised the role of the EMH in the second season of Star Trek: Prodigy,[7] and will also appear as the Doctor in the upcoming series Star Trek: Starfleet Academy[8].

Stargate

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In 2004, he began playing the recurring role of International Oversight Advisory (IOA) member Richard Woolsey in both Stargate SG-1 and Stargate Atlantis. His first appearance in those series was in the Stargate SG-1 episode "Heroes (Part 2)".

On February 5, 2008, it was announced that Picardo would be joining the regular cast of Stargate Atlantis full-time for the series' fifth and final season. He took over the role of mission commander of the Atlantis Expedition.[9]

Later career

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Picardo at the 2011 San Diego Comic Con

In 2001, Picardo guest starred in the 7 Days episode "Revelation", purporting to be a time traveler from seven years in the future.

In 2007, he played Principal White in Ben 10: Race Against Time, and starred in the independent feature film by director Russ Emanuel, P.J., alongside John Heard and Vincent Pastore.[10] He also starred in Russ Emanuel's Chasing the Green in 2008, with William Devane, Jeremy London and Ryan Hurst.

Picardo appeared on four episodes of E-Ring, as an enraged father in Cold Case, and as a police officer in CSI: NY. He was a recurring guest star in two episodes of Season 7 of Smallville, and appeared on a season 6 episode of Supernatural titled "Clap Your Hands if You Believe", as a leprechaun.

Outside of acting, Picardo was a member of the Board of Directors' Advisory Council of The Planetary Society from 1999 through 2015. Beginning in 2015, he was elected to serve on the Board itself.[11]

Picardo's other career highlights include performing in Leonard Bernstein's Mass during its European debut tour, performing with the Yale University Society of Orpheus & Bacchus a cappella singing group as an undergraduate, and dozens of other television and film roles, including the film Our Last Days as Children.

Picardo provided the voice of Loki in the Xbox 360 video game Too Human. In 2009, he appeared in Pushing Daisies, Chuck and Castle, and had the lead role in the independent psychological thriller film Sensored. In 2010, he had a cameo in the final episode of Persons Unknown, as a member of "the program"'s governing board. He also voiced Robert McNamara in the video game Call of Duty: Black Ops. He appeared in four episodes of The Mentalist from 2012 through 2013 as Jason Cooper, a lieutenant of cult leader Bret Styles.

In May 2014, Cartoon Hangover announced Picardo as a guest voice actor in the second season of Bravest Warriors, in the episode "The Parasox Pub".

In 2017, Picardo played Lt. Kitan's father Prof. Ildis Kitan in the first season episode of The Orville titled "Firestorm", and reprised the role in the 2019 episode "Home" together with John Billingsley who played Doctor Phlox in Star Trek: Enterprise.

Picardo appeared as himself in an episode of Schooled.[12]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1981 The Howling Eddie Quist
1983 Star 80 Interviewer
Get Crazy O'Connell
1984 Oh, God! You Devil Joe Ortiz
1985 Explorers Starkiller / Wak / Wak and Neek's Father
Legend Meg Mucklebones
1986 Back to School Giorgio
1987 Munchies Bob Marvalle
Innerspace The Cowboy
Amazon Women on the Moon Rick Raddnitz (segment "Roast Your Loved One")
1988 Jack's Back Dr. Carlos Battera
Dead Heat Lieutenant Herzog
976-EVIL Mark Dark
1989 The 'Burbs Garbageman
Loverboy Dr. Reed Palmer
1990 Total Recall Johnnycab Voice and likeness[13]
Gremlins 2: The New Batch Forster Nominated–Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor
1991 L.A. Story Voicephone Voice, uncredited
Frame Up Frank Govers
Samantha Neil Otto / Mr. Samantha
Motorama Jerry
1993 Matinee Howard
1994 Wagons East Ben Wheeler
The Pagemaster Pirate Voice[13]
1996 Star Trek: First Contact Holographic Doctor
1997 Menno's Mind Senator Taylor
1998 Small Soldiers Ralph
2000 The Amati Girls Grace's Doctor
2002 Until Morning Brad Scott
2003 Looney Tunes: Back in Action Acme VP, Rhetorical Questions
2008 Universal Signs Father Joe
2009 Chasing the Green Dave Foxx
2010 Quantum Quest: A Cassini Space Odyssey Milton Voice[13]
Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus Admiral Calvin Direct-to-video
2011 Beethoven's Christmas Adventure Smirch
2012 Camilla Dickinson Mr. Stephanowski
Atlas Shrugged: Part II Dr. Robert Stadler
2014 Don't Blink Man in Black
2015 Star Trek: Renegades Dr. Lewis Zimmerman
The Meddler Cos
2016 Hail, Caesar! Rabbi
Unbelievable!!!!! Boris, Dr. Nontu Soon, Award Show Presenter
2018 Buttons: A Christmas Tale Mr. Wentworth
2022 MEAD[14] Admiral Gillette
Confess, Fletch Count Clementi Arbogastes De Grassi
2024 Space Command Redemption Yusef Sekander
TBA Werewolf Game TBA

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1977 Kojak Thomas Rindone 2 episodes
1979 Taxi Philip Polevoy Episode: "Nardo Loses Her Marbles"
1980 The Dream Merchants Mark Kessler 2 episodes
1982 Silver Spoons Louis Morgan Episode: "Pilot"
1982–84 Alice Freddie, Officer Maxwell 8 episodes
1983 Archie Bunker's Place Larry Burnett Episode: "Captain Video"
It Takes Two Chad Hunter Episode: "Looks Bad, Feels Good"
The Other Woman Chuchi Television film
1984 Steambath Rod Tandy 6 episodes
1986 The Golden Girls Doctor Revell Episode: "The Operation"
Benson Richard Alan Tracy Episode: "Reel Murder: Part 1"
Hardcastle and McCormick Manny Episode: "Brother, Can You Spare a Crime?"
Amazing Stories Tony Sepulveda Episode: "Boo!"
Scarecrow and Mrs. King Randall Skylar Episode: "Three Little Spies"
Throb Todd Episode: "Pilot"
1987 Roses Are for the Rich Durant Television film
21 Jump Street Ralph Buckley Episode: "Gotta Finish the Riff"
The Man Who Fell to Earth Agent Richard Morse Television film
Bates Motel Dr. Goodman
Private Eye Eddie Rosen Episode: "Pilot"
Mr. President Reinbeck Episode: "Armageddon Kinda Sore"
St. Elsewhere Eli Muzzy Episode: "Weigh In, Way Out"
1987, 1991 L.A. Law John Dunphy 2 episodes
1988–91 The Wonder Years Coach Cutlip 15 episodes
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Specialty Player
1988–91 China Beach Dr. Dick Richard 54 episodes
Nominated—Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Drama Series (1990–91)
1989 The Cover Girl and the Cop Denise's Date Television film
Newhart Terry Episode: "The Little Match Girl"
1992 CBS Schoolbreak Special Paul Lance Episode: "Two Teens and a Baby"
Capitol Critters Additional voices Episode: "The KiloWatts Riots"
The Witches of Eastwick Raymond Gentry Television film
The Powers That Be Larry Yablonsky Episode: "Sophie's Big Decision"
1992–93 Dinosaurs Ted, Muse, Clerk Voice, 3 episodes
1993 Batman: The Animated Series Eddie G. Voice, episode: "The Man Who Killed Batman"[13]
The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. Puel Episode: "The Orb Scholar"
Home Improvement Joe Morton 2 episodes
Fatal Deception: Mrs. Lee Harvey Oswald David Lifton Television film
Tales from the Crypt Frank Bobo Episode: "Till Death Do We Part"
1994 Revenge of the Nerds IV: Nerds in Love Chad Penrod Television film
White Mile Tom Horton
Rebel Highway Mr. Ed Cahn Episode: "Runaway Daughters"
1995 ER Abraham Zimble Episode: "Days Like This"
Dumb and Dumber Colonel Drab, Control Tower Voice, Chief, Cook Voice, 2 episodes[13]
1995, 1997 What a Cartoon! Pfish Voice, 2 episodes
1995–2001 Star Trek: Voyager The Doctor, Dr. Lewis Zimmerman 172 episodes
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television
1996 The Savage Dragon Additional voices 13 episodes
1997 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Dr. Lewis Zimmerman Episode: "Doctor Bashir, I Presume?"
The Second Civil War Godfrey Television film
Early Edition Doctor Episode: "Faith"
1998 The Outer Limits Emmet Harley Episode: "Sarcophagus"
Cow and Chicken President, Narrator Voice, episode: "101 Uses for Cow and Chicken"[13]
1999 Ally McBeal Barry Philbrick Episode: "Love's Illusions"
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Professor Reddschift Voice, episode: "First Missions"[13]
2001 Seven Days Maj. Michael McGrath Episode: "Revelation"
Frasier Charlie Koechner Episode: "Bully for Martin"
2002 Crossing Jordan Father Bruno Casnelli Episode: "Miracles & Wonders"
The Grim Adventures of Billy & Mandy Cod Commando Voice, episode: "The Pie Who Loved Me"
The Practice Dr. Edmunds Episode: "Neighboring Species"
2002–03 Justice League Blackhawk, Amazo Voice, 4 episodes[13]
2003 Sabrina, the Teenage Witch Bob Jacobs 2 episodes
The Dead Zone Mitch McMurty Episode: "The Storm"
The Lyon's Den Det. Nick Traub 7 episodes
2004 The West Wing E. Bradford Shelton Episode: "The Supremes"
Justice League Unlimited Amazo Voice, 2 episodes[13]
2004–07 Stargate SG-1 Richard Woolsey 6 episodes
2005 The 4400 Trent Appelbaum Episode: "Weight of the World"
Masters of Horror Kurt Rand Episode: "Homecoming"
2005–06 E-Ring Larry Kincaid 4 episodes
2006 The O.C. Bill Merriam Episode: "The Pot Stirrer"
Eve Professor Dunson Episode: "To Sir, with Mom"
Ben 10 Leader Alien Voice, episode: "The Big Tick"[13]
2006–09 Stargate: Atlantis Richard Woolsey 20 episodes
2007 Cold Case Arthur Lennox Episode: "Knuckle Up"
The Closer Mr. Sheffield Episode: "Saving Face"
CSI: NY Sheriff Benson Episode "Boo"
Women's Murder Club Allen Douglas Episode: "Grannies, Guns and Love Mints"
Ben 10: Race Against Time Principal White Television film
2008 Smallville Edward Teague 2 episodes
2009 Chuck Dr. Howard Busgang Episode: "Chuck Versus the Lethal Weapon"
Pushing Daisies Detective Puget 2 episodes
2009–10 Castle Dr. Clark Murray
2010 Justified Karl Hanselman Episode: "The Collection"
Persons Unknown Silver-Haired Man Episode: "Shadows in the Cave"
Monsterwolf Stark Television film
Supernatural Wayne Whittaker Jr. Episode: "Clap Your Hands If You Believe"
2011 No Ordinary Family Vice Principal Nance Episode: "No Ordinary Animal"
Stargate Universe Richard Woolsey Episode: "Seizure"
United States of Tara Dr. Smolow Episode: "Bryce Will Play"
NTSF:SD:SUV Damian Episode: "Twistin' the Night Away"
2012 Harry's Law Annie's Psychiatrist Episode: "Gorilla My Dreams"
Body of Proof Henry Pedroni Episode: "Cold Blooded"
Femme Fatales Hieronymus Hawks Episode: "Bad Science"
Austin & Ally Dr. Grant Episode: "Successes & Setbacks"
2012–13 The Mentalist Jason Cooper 4 episodes
2013 Happy Endings Mr. Logan Episode: "The Marry Prankster"
The Client List Judge Hughes Episode: "My Main Trial Is Yet to Come"
Jessie Cyril Lipton Episode: "To Be or Not to Be Me"
Hawaii Five-0 CIA Agent Episode: "Olelo Pa'a"
Perception A.Z. Weyland Episode: "Alienation"
2014 Bones Dr. Lawrence Rozran Episode: "The Heiress in the Hill"
2015 Aquarius Neil Jacobs Episode: "A Whiter Shade of Pale"
Significant Mother Dr. Robert Richter Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?"
2016 Suspense Arnold Keene Episode: "The Shadow on the Screen"
Lucifer Yuri Episode: "Lady Parts"
Salem Mr. Stoughton Episode: "Night's Black Agents"
2017 The Good Fight Alan Mannheim Episode: "First Week"
Justice League Action Harvey Dent / Two-Face Voice, episode: "Double Cross"[13]
The Last Tycoon Leopold Ferber Episode: "Eine Kleine Reichmusik"
2017–18 Grey's Anatomy Mr. Nelligan 2 episodes
2017, 2019 The Orville Ildis Kitan
2019 Schooled Himself Episode: "Money for RENT"[12]
Hot Streets The Concierge Voice, episode: "The Moon Masters"
The Flash Dexter Myles 2 episodes
The Code Col. Zugler
2019–21 Dickinson Ithamar Conkey 10 episodes
2020 Space Command Yusef Sekander 3 episodes
Station 19 Mr. Nelligan Episode: "Nothing Seems the Same"
The Family Business Bernie 2 episodes
2022 CSI: Vegas Carlo Rey Episode: "Burned"[15]
2023 NCIS Dale Harding Episode: "Too Many Cooks"
Quantum Leap Dr. Edwin Woolsey Episode: "Leap. Die. Repeat."
A Biltmore Christmas Harold Balaban Television film
2024 Star Trek: Prodigy The Doctor Season 2
Young Sheldon Professor Salzman Episode: "A Roulette Wheel and a Piano Playing Dog"

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2000 Star Trek: Voyager – Elite Force Emergency Medical Hologram —
2007 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End Singapore Townsfolk —
2008 Too Human Loki —
2010 Star Trek Online The Doctor [13]
Call of Duty: Black Ops Robert McNamara Also motion capture[13]
2012 Call of Duty: Black Ops II Erik Breighner
2015 Call of Duty: Black Ops III Shadowman, Sebastian Krueger, Robert McNamara Also motion capture for Sebastian Krueger
Fallout 4 Alan Binet, Vault-Tech Scientist [13]
2018 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 Robert McNamara, Shadowman Appears in Blood of the Dead
TBA Hellraid Adon

Web series

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Untitled Web Series About a Space Traveler Who Can Also Travel Through Time Bernard Episode: "Second Season Prequel"
2014–18 Bravest Warriors Puddingtown, Eyeball Voice, 7 episodes

References

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  1. ^ "Biography - robertpicardo.com". robertpicardo.com.
  2. ^ "Robert Picardo (Performer)". playbill.com. PLAYBILL INC. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
  3. ^ Hanson, Dana (March 25, 2021). "Why Voyager's Doctor Cameoed In Star Trek: First Contact". screenrant.com. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  4. ^ Picardo, Robert (2002). The Hologram's Handbook. Pocket Books.
  5. ^ "John de Lancie". thomaspainememorial.org. Thomas Paine Memorial Association (TPMA). Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  6. ^ PINCHEFSKY, CAROL. "CHECK OUT THE PILOT FOR FAN SERIES STAR TREK: RENEGADES". syfy.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "WARP FIVE: Robert Picardo Gives His Prognosis on The Doctor's Return". www.startrek.com. July 19, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Legacy Cast Joins Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Series". www.startrek.com. July 27, 2024. Retrieved November 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Sumner, Darren (February 5, 2008). "Robert Picardo joins Atlantis cast". GateWorld. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
  10. ^ Russ Emanuel. "P.J.: A Journey of the Heart - A Russ Emanuel Film". pjthemovie.com.
  11. ^ "Robert Picardo". Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Schooled: Money for RENT (1/23)". Retrieved January 7, 2019.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Robert Picardo (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved August 25, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  14. ^ "Robert Picardo, Others Join 'To Meet the Faces You Meet' Film Cast". Creepy Kingdom. September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 12, 2020.
  15. ^ "(#207) "Burned"". The Futon Critic. Retrieved October 25, 2022.


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