Robert R. Shafer

Robert Ray Shafer (born April 10, 1958) is an American character actor who has appeared in film and television. Shafer, sometimes credited as Bobby Ray Shafer, is best known for playing Bob Vance on the American sitcom The Office. In 1989, he portrayed Officer Ted Warnicky (also known as Joe Vickers) in the horror-comedy Psycho Cop and later reprised the role in Psycho Cop 2.

Early life and education Robert Ray Shafer, Jr. was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in 1958. His father, a heavy equipment operator, died in a car accident when he was nine years old. He attended high school in Romeo, Michigan, and graduated in 1976.

Shafer attended Broward College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, before moving to Los Angeles where he modeled and took acting classes with Peggy Feury.

Filmography Film M-16 Man 2007 Protecting the King| Officer Gibbs

Stiletto| Krieger Direct-to-video Dark Honeymoon| Sheriff Fields Direct-to-video

Heat Wave| Roy Rogan TV film The Scenesters| George Porter The Gold Retrievers| Sheriff Mike Denton Reconciliation| Pastor Hughes Maneater| Gus Direct-to-video

Turbulent Skies| Jackson TV film Screwball: The Ted Whitfield Story| Nick Middlesworth Mega Shark Versus Crocosaurus| Charlie Ross Direct-to-video

Hard Hats| Arno Jones Short film Mega Python vs. Gatoroid| Zeke TV film Knifepoint| Michael Video Breakups| Short film Getting That Girl| Coach Thieson Super Shark| Commander Williams

The Temple| Zipper Voice role Collision Course| Pilot Revelations| Dad Short film FDR: American Badass!| Robby Kreeger Retribution| James Cooper TV film The Adventures of Soap Man| Sexual Harasser Short film

Abner, the Invisible Dog| Charlie Mrs. Sweeney| Mr. O'Neal Short film

Zombeavers| Trucker Asteroid vs Earth| Lieutenant Rouse TV film Friended to Death| Chuck Henson

Loaded| Mechanic Helen Keller vs. Nightwolves| Arthur A Christmas Reunion| Frank O'Brien TV film

Pee-wee's Big Holiday| Construction Worker Mark Upon the Flesh| Homeless Man Short film

Awaken the Shadowman| Tom Blotched| Edward Gluer 2018 Dick Dickster| Dick Dickster

The Onania Club| Military Dad Caged'' Officer Ganser

Television YearTitleRoleNotes 1985 Highway to Heaven Dennis Episode: "As Difficult as ABC" 1993 Wings Otto Episode: "The Key to Alex" 1998 Arli$ Reporter Episode: "Where Do Clients Come From?" 1999 Becker Mr. Preston Episode: "Hate Thy Neighbour" 2000 Titus Bar Patron Episode: "Red Asphalt"2001 Malcolm in the Middle Police Officer Episode: Flashback Ultimate Revenge Mobster Episode: "2 December 2001" 2002 Son of the Beach Main Crony Episode: "The Long Hot Johnson" 2004 The West Wing Cable Pundit Episode: "The Dover Test"2005 Las Vegas Wally Ford Episode: "For Sail by Owner" Boston Legal Smith Episode: "Gone" 2005–2013 The Office Bob Vance Recurring role; 24 episodes 2006 In Justice Prison Guard Episode: "Pilot"2008 MANTIME with Fran and Ramis Santa Episode: "Christmas Special" The Young and the Restless Howard Sullivan Guest role, 1 episode 2009 Desperate Housewives Supervisor Episode: "The Coffee Cup" 2010 Cold Case Nate 'Red Scare' Beecher '10 Episode: "One Fall" 2011 How I Met Your Mother Uncle Pete Episode: "Last Words"2012 The Life & Times of Tim Rodney's Dad Episode: "Strip Club Hostage Situation/Game Night" Pair of Kings King Malakai Episode: "The Evil King" Sherman's in Sanity Vern Pfinger 2 episodes2013 The Silicon Assassin Project Episode: "The Medusa Meeting" The Bridge Karl Millwright Episode: "Pilot" Side Effects Police Chief Episode: "Pilot" 2015 The Messengers Earl Cowen Episode: "Why We Fight" 2016 Criminal Minds Chief Arthur Emmett Episode: "The Crimson King" 2016-2017 Adam Ruins Everything Ray Murphy Recurring role, 4 episodes 2017 A Girl Is a Gun Van De Moortel 2018 I'm a Man Frank Mini-series 2025 The Paper Bob VanceEpisode: "Pilot"