Person
Joel Polis
Acting · Born 1951-10-03 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Biography
An American television, film and stage actor. He has appeared in over one hundred television programs and films during his career. Polis' first film role was the character 'Fuchs' in the science fiction film The Thing. He appeared in numerous television series including Cheers, Alien Nation, Northern Exposure, Star Trek: Voyager, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Chicago Hope, Boston Legal and CSI. He appeared in a recurring role on the television series Cheers as the mischievous Gary, owner of the rival bar, Gary's Olde Towne Tavern. Polis's theater credits include performances at the Astor Place Theatre, Hartford Stage, Old Globe Theater, South Coast Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, Odyssey Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Lillian Theater and the Pasadena Playhouse.
Known for
Law & Order
Dr. Joel Friedman
NCIS
Ronald Ostrowski
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Silvio Peters
Bones
Mario Trivisonno
CSI: Miami
Robert Wynn
Seinfeld
Reilly
Castle
John Raglan
Cheers
Gary
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Banker
Rizzoli & Isles
Starbridge Warden
Filmography
- 2026The Thing ExpandedSelf
- 2014Growing Up FisherRichard Barr
- 2013Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.The Banker
- 2010Rizzoli & IslesStarbridge Warden
- 2009The ForgottenJudge Cooperman
- 2009Chasing a DreamDr. Aldicott
- 2009CastleJohn Raglan
- 2007Fallen AngelsHorace Millhouse
- 2006The UnitAdministrator
- 2005BonesMario Trivisonno
- 2004Boston LegalAttorney Eric Yavitch
- 2004CSI: NYClark Risenhoover
- 2004Stargate AtlantisElson
- 2004SwallowAgent Miller
- 2003NCISRonald Ostrowski
- 2003Alien HunterCopeland
- 2003Mister SterlingQuinn
- 2002Without a TraceJoel Landers
- 2002CSI: MiamiRobert Wynn
- 2002The Best Sex EverDonald
- 2001The GuardianJerry Lazar
- 2001AttractionWilliam
- 2000Boston PublicDawson
- 2000CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSilvio Peters
- 2000Rocket's Red GlareCol. Mitchell
- 2000Bull
- 2000The Invisible ManJohn Castagnacci
- 2000ShadowsKapo
- 1999TumbleweedsVice Principal
- 1999AngelCaptain Franklin
- 1999Judging AmyDr. Eaton
- 1998L.A. DoctorsER Doctor
- 1998The Thing: Terror Takes ShapeSelf
- 1997Dharma & GregColonel Glickman
- 1997Ally McBealAttorney Woodson
- 1997Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionDr. Sapperstein (segment "Morning Sickness")
- 1997The Sleepwalker KillingAsst. Atty. Jimmy
- 1997Prison of SecretsBrad
- 1996The PretenderAgent Russell Gillson
- 1996Dark AngelJastrow
- 19967th HeavenTed Jacob
- 1996Twilight ManHarper
- 1996It's My PartyTim Bergen
- 1995Serial KillerJack Blund
- 1995Star Trek: VoyagerNy Terla
- 1994Touched by an AngelGarland Ketter
- 1994Chicago HopeSidney Herman
- 1994Party of FiveDr. Michael Frieder
- 1994One West Waikiki
- 1993Diagnosis: MurderLarry Macklin
- 1992The Larry Sanders ShowRon
- 1991Deadly MedicineDr. George Reardon
- 1991Home ImprovementWes Davidson
- 1991Eddie Dodd
- 1990The RookieLance
- 1990Beverly Hills, 90210Pharmacist
- 1990Law & OrderDr. Joel Friedman
- 1990My Blue HeavenU.S. Attorney
- 1990Northern ExposureMatthew Miller
- 1990Burning BridgesDr. Paletsky
- 1990Capital NewsVartan
- 1989Doogie Howser, M.D.Jack Fogle
- 1989Alien NationCarl Peterson
- 1989SeinfeldReilly
- 1989Those She Left BehindKerns
- 1989True BelieverDean Rabin
- 1986MatlockGary Benton
- 1985Misfits of ScienceLonnie / Dwayne
- 1985The Twilight Zone(segment "The Uncle Devil Show")
- 1985MoonlightingFrank Herbert
- 1984Fatal VisionBrian Murtagh
- 1984Best DefenseFirst Agent
- 1984All The Kids Do ItCoach
- 1983The HitchhikerCarl
- 1983Scarecrow and Mrs. King
- 1982Born BeautifulTed
- 1982St. ElsewhereJeff Hassett
- 1982Remington SteeleEldon Veckmer
- 1982CheersGary
- 1982The ThingFuchs
- 1982Cagney & Lacey
- 1982T. J. HookerJohn Jenkins
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