Richard Schiff

Richard Schiff's Key Accomplishments Include . . .
Richard Schiff was raised in New York City. He began his adventures in theater at the City College of New York under the tutelage of greats such as Herman Shumlin and Earl Gister. After landing his first role in a successful revival of James Baldwin's Blue for Mr. Charlie, Richard Schiff decided that acting wasn't for him and turned to directing.
 
After several successful Off-Broadway productions, Richard Schiff co-founded The Manhattan Repertory Theater for which he served as Artistic Director. He immersed himself in producing and directing critically praised plays, while driving a cab at night to pay the rent. While supplementing his theater education by studying acting with master teacher, Bill Esper, Richard Schiff was challenged to re-enter the world of acting. He did. His first role in Talking Minks Off-Broadway was a huge success and led to more roles on stage.
 
Richard Schiff soon found himself in Los Angeles, on a set shooting his first film. Since then, Richard Schiff has acted in over 45 movies such as Steven Speilberg's The Lost World, Deep Impact, City Hall, Seven, I Am Sam, Ray, Malcolm X and Living Out Loud. His latest films include Last Chance Harvey opposite Dustin Hoffman and Another Harvest Moon with Ernest Borgnine.

Richard Schiff has done countless roles on TV, most notably Relativity, NYPD Blue, The Practice, Ally Macbeal, Eli Stone, Entourage and of course, as White House Communications Director, Toby Zeigler on The West Wing. It is this role which landed Richard Schiff an Emmy Award, two SAG Awards and numerous nominations.

More About Richard Schiff . . .
Richard Schiff has also won an Ovation Award and several Dramalogue Awards for his work in LA Theater, which included performances with Tim Robbins' renowned troupe The Actor's Gang. Richard Schiff recently performed on London's West End in the highly acclaimed and award-nominated one-man show, Underneath The Lintel. Mr. Schiff is also involved in the first revival of the Pulitzer Prize winning play, Talley's Folly in its pre-Broadway run.

Richard Schiff has received the "Townsend Harris" medal for post graduate achievement from CCNY. This award has been bestowed upon 11 Nobel Laureates and other arts luminaries including Zero Mostel, James Cagney and Paddy Chayevsky. In 2004 Richard Schiff received an honorary Doctorate from the school, but demurred keynote speech status to another honoree that day…President Bill Clinton.