James Urbaniak

James Christian Urbaniak (born September 17, 1963) is an American actor. As a character actor, is best known for his roles as Simon Grim in three Hal Hartley films: Henry Fool, Fay Grim (2006) and Ned Rifle (2014), Robert Crumb in American Splendor (2003), Grant Grunderschmidt on Review (2014–2017), and Arthur Tack on Difficult People (2015–2017). Urbaniak also voiced Dr. Thaddeus "Rusty" Venture on Cartoon Network/Adult Swim's animated series The Venture Bros. (2003–2023).

Personal life Urbaniak was born in Bayonne, New Jersey and lives in Los Angeles, California. He is of Polish descent.

Career Urbaniak's first media appearance occurred in 1983 when, at the age of 20, he went onstage from the audience of Late Night with David Letterman to try his hand at a monologue joke that Letterman had flubbed.

One of his first noteworthy roles was in the avant-garde playwright/director Richard Foreman's The Universe, for which Urbaniak won an Obie. He has also been acclaimed for his acting in the films Henry Fool and American Splendor, in the latter of which he played legendary cartoonist R. Crumb. He was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his role in Thom Pain (based on nothing). He provides the voice for main character Dr. Thaddeus Venture on The Venture Bros. as well as the Doctor's brother Jonas Venture Junior, (in his first appearance, the role of Jonas Venture Junior was played by Paul Boocock for all subsequent appearances) and the super-villain Phantom Limb.

Urbaniak played a pizza guy in the famous "Whassup?" television commercials for Budweiser. The commercial was especially prominent on commercial television networks in the United Kingdom, where it became a cultural phenomenon. He also portrayed the moderator in "Human Centipede Anonymous", a Funny or Die short depicting three men who grapple with their past as a human centipede.

Urbaniak appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast on May 13, 2015.

From 2015 to 2017, Urbaniak played Arthur Tack for all three seasons of the critically-acclaimed Hulu comedy series Difficult People, opposite Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner.

In 2017, Urbaniak played Dr. Kincaid in the film Wonderstruck, directed by Todd Haynes. Also in 2017, he played the Maaldorian Doctor on the hit series Supergirl.

In 2018, Urbaniak played the recurring role of Special Agent Owen Quinn on the CBS series Criminal Minds.

In 2019, Urbaniak played Marcus Strang in the film Where'd You Go, Bernadette, written and directed by Richard Linklater. Also in 2019, he played the recurring role of Gavin Donahue on the Apple TV+ series For All Mankind.

In 2020, Urbaniak played Professor Anthony in the film Tesla, opposite Ethan Hawke. Also in 2020, he played The Trinket Man on the Netflix series The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.

In 2021, Urbaniak played Bram in the film Things Heard & Seen, opposite Amanda Seyfried. Also in 2021, he appeared on the television shows Dickinson, 9-1-1: Lone Star, and as the Backstage Manager on The Morning Show.

In 2022, Urbaniak played the Principal of Grand View High School in the film The Fabelmans, directed by Steven Spielberg. Also in 2022, he appeared on the television series Made for Love and appeared as Norm Wakely in an episode of the series Better Call Saul.

In 2023, Urbaniak played Kurt Godel in the film Oppenheimer, directed by Christopher Nolan. The film won 7 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

In 2024, Urbaniak played the character Kirby in the independent film Breakup Season, alongside an ensemble cast which included Chandler Riggs, Samantha Isler, and Jacob Wysocki. Urbaniak won Best Actor at the Mystic Film Festival for his work on the film.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 NYC 3/94 Short film Opera No. 1 James Short film 1997 Henry Fool Simon Grim Isaac 1998 Aphrodisiac Deli Assistant True Believer 1999 Ride with the Devil Poker Player Sweet and Lowdown Harry 2000 Intern Olivier Di Santo 2001 No Such Thing Concierge Upheaval Martin Short film 2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Rod Flexnor Teknolust Agent Hopper Passengers Man Short film Daypass Simple Simon Short film 2003 Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde Lab Technician Briar Patch Druden Hunt Grasshopper James Short film American Splendor Robert Crumb 2004 Thanksgiving Willy Short film B Movie Professor Friend Boutique Nick Short film 2005 Fortunes Lewis Croshere Road The Ranger Funk 2006 Fay Grim Simon Grim The Last Romantic Alex Scarvey Death of a President Dr. James Pearn 2007 Across the Universe Sadie's Manager The Nanny Diaries Educational Consultant Chicago 10 Rennie Davis, Richard Schultz Voice, documentary 2008 The Bentfootes Jim Raritan The Diagnosis Dr. Besman Short film 2010 Beware the Gonzo Principal Roy Hello Lonesome Gary Human Centipede Anonymous James Short film Drones Pete 2011 Mike Tapplin Sound of My Voice Mr. Pritchett From the Head Danny 2012 Pig Goat Banana Mantis Mantis Voice, short film 2013 iSteve Bill Gates Bitter Orange Sweetie Short film 2014 The Boxtrolls Sir Broderick, Workers Voice Ned Rifle Simon Grim The Occupants Glen Such Good People Dr. Cooper Whitehead 2015 Advantageous Fisher 2016 After Adderall The Agent 2017 Dave Made a Maze Harry Rebel in the Rye Gus Lobrano Wonderstruck Dr. Kincaid2018 Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay Professor PygVoice Narrator Podcast2014God is Disappointed in YouNarratorAudio book 2014-2016, 2019, 2025 Welcome to Night Vale Intern James, Leonard Burton Podcast (4 episodes, 1 live show recording, and 1 live show recording bonus track) 2015 Special Relativity Mr. Wandell, Art Director Radio 2016 A Night Called Tomorrow Arch Hutton Podcast; also writer and producer2016Apocrypha NowNarratorAudio book2017 Patient Zero The Dresser Music Video Written and performed by Aimee Mann2021 Suicide Is Murder Man Music Video Written and performed by Aimee Mann