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Brian Haley

Brian Haley has followed an unusually winding route to the screen, moving from childhood theater in Seattle to military service, stand-up comedy and a career filled with both broad comic parts and grounded dramatic roles. Born in Seattle on February 12, 1963, Haley began acting in community and school productions. As a teenager, he encountered the filming of Scorchy in downtown Seattle, slipped into a few shots as an extra and met star Connie Stevens—an experience that helped set his sights on show business. Before pursuing it fully, he worked as a lumberjack, hay buck and ranch hand, then served in the U.S. Army from 1980 to 1985. After leaving the Army, Haley began performing stand-up in Seattle and later moved to Los Angeles. His 1990 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson proved pivotal, leading to more television and film work as well as an HBO comedy special. That comedy background made him a natural fit for characters who arrive at full volume. In 1994, he starred in Baby’s Day Out and played the over-the-top Mike Hammersmith—better known as Spike’s dad—in Little Giants. He later joined Wings as mechanic Budd Bronski and appeared as the Hooded Avenger on The Weird Al Show. Haley’s career has never stayed inside comedy alone. He played a detective in the Coen brothers’ The Man Who Wasn’t There and another detective in Martin Scorsese’s The Departed, followed by Police Captain Hill in The Taking of Pelham 123. In Gran Torino, he appeared as Mitch, the discontented son of Clint Eastwood’s character. His television work has also included appearances on 30 Rock, ER and The Drew Carey Show, alongside recurring roles on The Hughleys, Third Watch and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Whether playing an agitated father, a mechanic or a police officer, Haley brings the timing of a stand-up performer to a notably varied screen career.