Richard Schiff

Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955) is an esteemed American actor famously known for his portrayal of Toby Ziegler on The West Wing, a role that won him an Emmy Award. His acting career, which spans from 1983 to date, has seen Schiff showcasing his skills in a multitude of characters across various genres. Schiff's directorial debut was with The West Wing in an episode titled 'Talking Points'. He holds a spot on the National Advisory Board of the Council for a Livable World. Schiff enthralled viewers with his recurring role on the HBO series Ballers and again with his leading role in ABC's medical drama The Good Doctor as Dr. Aaron Glassman, a president of a fictional teaching hospital in San Jose, California. Schiff lent his voice and motion-capture for Odin in Santa Monica Studio's God of War: Ragnarök, released in 2022.

Schiff was born on May 27, 1955, in Bethesda, Maryland, and grew up in New York City. Before building a successful career in acting, he drove a taxi, cleaned buses, and laid cable for Manhattan Cable Television. Schiff, who comes from a Jewish background, studied acting at the William Esper Studio. His grandfather was rumored to have connections to New York’s Jewish Mafia. His first foray into the world of acting came in the mid-1980s seguing from directing. Steven Spielberg discovered Richard Schiff in an episode of the TV drama High Incident leading to his casting in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997). This success paved the way for his role as White House Communications Director Toby Ziegler in the television series The West Wing. Schiff has since been known for his reclusive and intense approach to acting as well as his low-key delivery style.