Jeffrey Tambor

An incisive presence when it comes to playing bent, off-the-wall characters, Jeffrey (Michael) Tambor has been captivating audiences for nearly four decades in both comic and dramatic projects. Born (July 8,1944) in San Francisco to Eileen (Salzberg) and Michael Bernard Tambor, a flooring contractor, he was raised there. His family is Jewish (from Hungary and Ukraine). Following graduation from Abraham Lincoln High School, Jeffrey studied acting at San Francisco State University and earned his BA degree there. Following his Masters at Wayne State University, he started building up his resumé with repertory theaters in such places as Seattle and Milwaukee. He was first seen on episodic TV in the late 1970s in both comedies ("Taxi," "Barney Miller") and dramas ("Kojak," "Starsky and Hutch," ). A large, somewhat looming fellow, his sly-eyed look, obnoxious attitude and leering gaze, matched with a bright set of pearly teeth and stark pattern baldness, made him a natural for broad, warpe