Bill Irwin

Bill Irwin, born as William Mills Irwin on April 11, 1950, is a multitalented American artist known for his work as an actor, choreographer, clown, and comedian. He initiated his career as a vaudeville-style stage performer, playing an integral role in reviving the American circus during the 1970s. His contributions to film and television are equally significant, having made numerous appearances throughout his career. Notably, he won a Tony Award for his role in 'Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?', and his work as a Broadway choreographer earned him a Tony Award nomination for 'Largely New York'. He is fondly remembered as Mr. Noodle on the 'Sesame Street' segment 'Elmo's World' and had recurring roles on 'Law & Order: Special Victims Unit' and 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'. From 2017 to 2019, he played Cary Loudermilk on the FX television series 'Legion'.

Irwin was born in Santa Monica, California. He graduated from Oberlin College in 1974 and attended Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. In 1975, he co-founded the Pickle Family Circus in San Francisco. His diverse body of work includes his highly regarded stage shows incorporating elements of clowning, often in collaboration with composer Doug Skinner. Amongst his well-known film roles, he appeared as Harold Hamgravy in Robert Altman's 'Popeye', starring Robin Williams, and received critical acclaim for his role in the 2008 drama 'Rachel Getting Married'. Being the voice and puppeteer for the robot TARS in the film 'Interstellar' showcases the breadth of his capabilities. He is an influential figure in the American entertainment industry, with his innovative contributions shaping the landscape of both stage and screen acting.