Stephen Root

Stephen Root (born November 1, 1952) is an American actor. He has starred as Jimmy James on the television sitcom NewsRadio, as Milton Waddams in the film Office Space (1999), and provided the voices of Bill Dauterive and Buck Strickland on the animated series King of the Hill (1997–2010).[2] His other roles have included Capt. K’Vada in the Star Trek: The Next Generation two-part episode “Unification” (1991), several roles in Coen Brothers films including Mr. Lund in O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Gordon Pibb in DodgeBall (2004), Hawthorne Abendsen in seasons 2-4 of the series The Man in the High Castle, Jim Hudson in Get Out (2017), and supporting roles in a variety of HBO series, including Boardwalk Empire, Barry, True Blood, and Perry Mason.

Root was born in Sarasota, Florida, the son of Leona Estelle and Rolland Clair Root, a project superintendent and site manager on major civil engineering projects throughout the United States and Mexico. Root has likened his childhood to that of an “Army brat”, as his family frequently relocated while his father finished each construction project.[3] Root graduated from Vero Beach High School in Vero Beach, Florida. He received his AA from the University of Florida and trained in the BFA acting program. The university recognized him as one of its distinguished alumni in 2008.[4] Subsequently he was granted his BFA after completion of his final semester based on the quality and character of his acting career, having left college to pursue Broadway in his final semester.

Root began his career on stage in 1986. He made his Broadway acting debut in the play So Long on Lonely Street, where he played King Vaughnum III. He also appeared in All My Sons as Frank Lubey, and as Jon in the 2015 play Marjorie Prime.[5]

Root made his feature film debut in the 1988 film Crocodile Dundee II as a DEA Agent. That same year, he acted in the psychological horror film Monkey Shines as Dean Burbage.[6] He had a brief cameo in the 1990 movie Ghost. Among his most recognized television roles are eccentric billionaire Jimmy James on the sitcom NewsRadio and in a recurring role on the final two seasons of The West Wing as Republican campaign consultant Bob Mayer. He appeared in many memorable comedy films, including as the mumbling, quirky Milton Waddams in Office Space;[7][6] the mild-mannered gym rat Gordon Pibb in Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story; Suds, a drunk sportswriter, in Leatherheads; and the dimwitted principal in the 2008 Judd Apatow-produced comedy Drillbit Taylor.

Root is a favorite of the Coen brothers. He has appeared in O Brother, Where Art Thou?, The Ladykillers, No Country For Old Men, and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.[6] Kevin Smith wrote a role in Jersey Girl specifically for Root.