{{Short description|American film and stage actor (born 1940)}} {{Infobox person | name = Bill Weeden | image = | birth_date = {{birth_date_and_age|1940|8|8}} | birth_place = Melbourne, Florida, U.S. | years_active = 1965–present | alma_mater = Yale University | spouse = {{marriage|Dolores McDougal|1995}} }} '''Bill Weeden''' (born August 8, 1940<ref name="LOC">{{cite web |title=Weeden, Bill, 1940- - LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies {{!}} Library of Congress, from LC Linked Data Service: Authorities and Vocabularies (Library of Congress) |url=https://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2010200387.html |website=The Library of Congress |access-date=7 July 2022}}</ref>) is an American film<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Weeden |url=https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bill-weeden/credits/3000568613/ |magazine=TV Guide |language=en}}</ref> and stage actor,<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Weeden theatre profile |url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/307045-bill-weeden |website=www.abouttheartists.com}}</ref> comedy writer, and songwriter.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Weeden |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-weeden-mn0001863887 |website=AllMusic |language=en}}</ref>
==Early life== Weeden was born on August 8, 1940, in Melbourne, Florida<ref name="LOC"/> He graduated from Yale University in 1962.<ref>{{cite web |title=Yale '62 - Not Home for the Holidays - Bill Weeden |url=https://yale62.org/bweeden.html |website=yale62.org}}</ref>
==Film and television career== Weeden is known for his work in genre film, starring in a number of Troma productions and other indie films, including playing the lead villain, Reginald Stuart, in ''Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.'' (1990).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title=FILM REVIEW;A Superhero Lethal With Chopsticks |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/05/22/movies/film-review-a-superhero-lethal-with-chopsticks.html |website=The New York Times |date=22 May 1996}}</ref> He was called the "Troma Olivier" by the ''New York Post'' for the performance.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Adams |first1=Thelma |title=Received-3151941778465352 |url=https://ibb.co/st45pdq |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108180938/https://ibb.co/st45pdq |url-status=usurped |archive-date=November 8, 2021 |publisher=New York Post}}</ref>
Weeden starred in Rachel Mason's rock-opera ''The Lives of Hamilton Fish'' (2013) as the serial killer Hamilton Fish, whose life is contrasted with the lawmaker with the same name.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gorce |first1=Tammy La |title=Both Were Born Hamilton Fish, but Their Paths Differed |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/18/nyregion/the-film-the-lives-of-hamilton-fish-is-about-a-politician-and-a-criminal.html |website=The New York Times |date=17 January 2015}}</ref>
Weeden is the only actor in the "slow cinema" film ''Byron Jones''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://theartsofslowcinema.com/2017/09/17/tao-film-selection-and-other-news/?|title=Tao film selection and other news|date=17 September 2017}}</ref>
In 2020, Weeden starred as the protagonist, Dr. ZOOmis, alongside Kansas Bowling in the parody film ''Psycho Ape!''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lanier |first1=Hunter |title=Psycho Ape! {{!}} Film Threat |url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/psycho-ape/ |date=17 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Watching Movies - Psycho Ape - Without Your Head |url=https://withoutyourhead.com/viewnews.php?autoid=110965 |website=withoutyourhead.com |language=en}}</ref> He reprised his role in the 2024 sequel, ''Psycho Ape: Part II - The Wrath of Kong''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=LePire|first1=Bobby|title=Psycho Ape: Part 2 – The Wrath Of Kong|url=https://filmthreat.com/reviews/psycho-ape-part-2-the-wrath-of-kong/}}</ref>
In 2021, Weeden received a Best Actor award<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Christopher |title=THE WINNERS OF THE OCTOBER (2021) SESSION |url=https://europefilmfestival.com/award-winners-2021-10/ |website=Europe Film Festival U.K. |access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref> for his leading performance as a conflicted war veteran in the suspense-drama short film ''RedSin''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Christopher |title=RedSin (2021) Suspense-Drama Short Film |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SUbwxRx3Ko |website=YouTube |date=9 January 2021 |access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Ortiz |first1=Christopher |title=RedSin: Suspense-Drama on Hero-Making |url=https://www.indieshortsmag.com/reviews/2021/02/redsin-suspense-drama-on-hero-making/ |website=www.indieshortsmag.com |date=28 February 2021 |publisher=Indie Shorts Mag |access-date=9 November 2021}}</ref>
Weeden stars in the mockumentary film ''The Once and Future Smash,'' which premiered at FrightFest in London in August 2022<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.starburstmagazine.com/reviews/the-once-and-future-smash-end-zone-2|title=THE ONCE AND FUTURE SMASH + END ZONE 2 [FrightFest 2022]|date=29 August 2022 }}</ref> and at Screamfest in Los Angeles in October 2022.<ref name="auto1b">{{Cite web | title = Screamfest: The Once And Future Smash & End Zone 2 | url = https://screamfestla.com/2022/film/once-and-future-smash | access-date = 2022-11-09 | archive-date = 2022-09-23 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220923053341/https://screamfestla.com/2022/film/once-and-future-smash | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Weeden starred in the 2024 film ''Special Needs Revolt'' as the villain, President Kruger. The film premiered at Amazing Fantasy Fest in Buffalo, NY in September 2024.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://411mania.com/movies/amazing-fantasy-fest-2024-review-round-up-damnation-tales-from-end/|title=Amazing Fantasy Fest 2024 Review Round-Up: Damnation, Tales from the End!, More}}</ref>
==Stage career== Weeden is the composer of the Broadway show ''Hurry, Harry'' (opened 1972)<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Weeden |url=https://www.playbill.com/person/bill-weeden-vault-0000016890 |website=Playbill |language=en}}</ref> and composed additional material for the Broadway show ''I'm Solomon'' (opened 1968).<ref>{{cite web |title=I'm Solomon Broadway @ Mark Hellinger Theatre - Tickets and Discounts |url=https://www.playbill.com/production/im-solomon-mark-hellinger-theatre-vault-0000005801 |website=Playbill |language=en}}</ref>
Weeden played Hucklebee in the final cast of the original Sullivan Street production of ''The Fantasticks'',<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thefantasticks.com/author/thefantasticks|title=thefantasticks – The Fantasticks Official Website|date=4 July 2019 }}</ref> which closed in 2002.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fantastick Voyage to End {{!}} TheaterMania |url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/fantastick-voyage-to-end_1624.html |website=www.theatermania.com|date=5 September 2001 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=The Fantasticks Bids Farewell, Jan. 13, After 42 Years on Sullivan Street |url=https://www.playbill.com/article/the-fantasticks-bids-farewell-jan-13-after-42-years-on-sullivan-street-com-103329#:~:text=13%2C%20After%2042%20Years%20on%20Sullivan%20Street,-Win%20Free%20Tickets&text=The%20Fantasticks%2C%20the%20longest%2Drunning,Greenwich%20Village's%20Sullivan%20Street%20Playhouse. |website=Playbill |language=en |date=January 13, 2002}}</ref> He was also featured in ''Try to Remember: The Fantasticks'', a documentary examining the history of the show.<ref>{{cite web |title=Try to Remember: The Fantasticks |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0401846/?ref_=tt_ch |website=IMDb |date=14 May 2003}}</ref>
He created two original musical revues with performing and writing partners David Finkle and Sally Fay (as Weeden, Finkle & Fay) for the New York production company Playwrights Horizons<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilson |first1=John S. |title=Song: A Satirical Threesome |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/01/15/archives/song-a-satirical-threesome.html |website=The New York Times |date=15 January 1979}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Holden |first1=Stephen |title=REVUE: TRIO IN 'TRUST US' AT WEST BANK |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/05/01/theater/revue-trio-in-trust-us-at-west-bank.html |website=The New York Times |date=1 May 1983}}</ref> and a children's musical, ''Babar's Birthday'', for Theatreworks/USA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Piano Man – Central Jersey Archives |url=https://archive.centraljersey.com/2005/10/24/piano-man-3/ |date=7 November 2021|url-status=live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211107231443/https://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3Ac5orSYKWq9AJ%3Ahttps%3A%2F%2Farchive.centraljersey.com%2F2005%2F10%2F24%2Fpiano-man-3%2F+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us|archive-date = 2021-11-07}}</ref> The trio also toured as major market performers for a show organized by ''Fortune Magazine'' specifically to entertain and court potential advertisers,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Elliott |first1=Stuart |title=Good Housekeeping Puts on a Show to Celebrate Women |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/08/business/media/08adco.html |website=The New York Times |date=8 March 2010}}</ref> even receiving front-page coverage for the act in the ''Wall Street Journal''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kwitny |first1=Jonathan |title=Satirizing Companies Can Be Rewarding When They Foot Bill |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=September 22, 1986 |url=https://ibb.co/jw84dqQ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211108045834/https://ibb.co/jw84dqQ|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 8, 2021}}</ref> The trio also wrote the musical ''Move It and It’s Yours'', which has been performed numerous times in regional theater.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cooperman |first1=Deb |title=Review: 'Move It and It's Yours' |url=https://www.communitynews.org/princetoninfo/artsandentertainment/review-move-it-and-it-s-yours/article_c5e6ae76-b784-5cc7-a725-5e7fc759efd8.html |website=Community News |date=November 2005 |language=en}}</ref>
The musical revue ''Into the Weeds: Selections from the Bill Weeden Songbook'' features Weeden's songs, including his various collaborations.<ref name="auto1a">{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Into the Weeds Spotlights Songs of Bill Weeden in August |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Into-the-Weeds-Spotlights-Songs-of-Bill-Weeden-in-August-20060726 |website=Broadway World |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Felicia Finley and Stephanie D'Abruzzo Will Go Into the Weeds {{!}} TheaterMania |url=https://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/news/felicia-finley-and-stephanie-dabruzzo-will-go-into_8870.html |website=www.theatermania.com|date=21 August 2006 }}</ref>
Weeden has also performed in a number of off-Broadway and touring shows, including an East Village outdoor production of ''As You Like It'', ''George Bataille's Bathrobe'',<ref>{{cite web |last1=Saltz |first1=Rachel |title=Language, the Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial View |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/theater/reviews/13blood.html |website=The New York Times |date=12 August 2009}}</ref> ''The Magnificent Ambersons'',<ref name="auto">{{cite web |last1=Varley |first1=Eddie |title=BWW INTERVIEWS: GEORGE BATAILLE'S BATHROBE Star Bill Weeden |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-off-broadway/article/BWW-INTERVIEWS-GEORGE-BATAILLES-BATHROBE-Star-Bill-Weeden-20090827 |website=Broadway World |language=en}}</ref> an Atlantic City production of ''Little Shop of Horrors'',<ref name="auto"/> ''The Rocky Horror Show'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Credits for The Rocky Horror Show (Non-Equity Tour, 1993) |url=https://ovrtur.com/production/2901111/credits |website=Ovrtur |language=en}}</ref> ''The Wizard of Oz'',<ref>{{cite web |title=The Wizard of Oz (Non-Equity Tour, 1994) |url=https://ovrtur.com/production/2901118 |website=Ovrtur |language=en}}</ref> and ''Damn Yankees''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Weeden |url=https://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/players/bill-weeden/ |website=Playwrights Horizons |language=en}}</ref>
Weeden (with Finkle and Fay) contributed several songs to ''The No-Frills Revue'', the 1987 off-Broadway musical conceived by Martin Charnin.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/10/18/theater/stage-for-comedy-the-no-frills-revue.html|title=Stage: For Comedy 'The No-Frills Revue'|newspaper=The New York Times|date=18 October 1987|last1=Holden|first1=Stephen}}</ref>
==Comedy== Weeden has written comedy material, often with writing partner David Finkle, for Lily Tomlin,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/15/arts/going-out-guide.html | title=Going Out Guide | newspaper=The New York Times | date=15 March 1982 | last1=Shepard | first1=Richard F. }}</ref> Carol Channing,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://forward.com/culture/417640/the-essential-jewishness-of-carol-channing-and-lorelei-lee/|title=The Essential Jewishness Of Carol Channing — And Lorelei Lee|date=January 16, 2019|website=The Forward}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Carol Channing: Larger Than Life (2012) - Soundtrack.Net |url=https://www.soundtrack.net/movie/carol-channing-larger-than-life/ |website=www.soundtrack.net}}</ref> Stiller & Meara,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1982/03/15/arts/going-out-guide.html|title=Going Out Guide|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 March 1982|last1=Shepard|first1=Richard F.}}</ref> Dick Shawn,<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dietz |first1=Dan |title=The Complete Book of 1960s Broadway Musicals |date=10 April 2014 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-4422-3072-9 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6NBiAwAAQBAJ&dq=%22That+Guilty+Feeling%22+Dick+Shawn&pg=PA454 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Theater: 'Musical Fable'; I'm Solomon' Arrives at the Mark Hellinger | work=The New York Times |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1968/04/24/77085874.html |language=en}}</ref> Madeline Kahn,<ref>Warren, Rod; Audy, Robert; Cohen, Michael; Morris, Edward; Graubaut, Judy (1966). ''Upstairs at the Downstairs presents Mxide duobels = (Mixed doubles) : a new musical revue.'' Playbill.</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Dietz |first1=Dan |title=Off Broadway Musicals, 1910-2007: Casts, Credits, Songs, Critical Reception and Performance Data of More Than 1,800 Shows |date=10 March 2010 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-5731-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fgOqZWHCLbUC&dq=%22Madeline+Kahn%22+%22bill+weeden%22&pg=PA297 |language=en}}</ref> and others.
Weeden, Finkle & Fay's "Part of the Problem (The Inflation Song)" was released on 7" on MCA Records in 1980.<ref>{{cite web |title=Weeden, Finkle & Fay – Part Of The Problem (The Inflation Song) (Vinyl) |website=Discogs |date=4 May 2025 |url=https://www.discogs.com/release/14944569-Weeden-Finkle-Fay-Part-Of-The-Problem-The-Inflation-Song |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.45cat.com/record/mca41259|title=Weeden, Finkle And Fay - Part Of The Problem (The Inflation Song)|via=www.45cat.com}}</ref>
Weeden has often collaborated with Upright Citizens Brigade,<ref>{{cite web |title=100% All-Natural, Organic, Pure, Simple Juice Commercial {{!}} by Pocketwatch |website = YouTube| date=25 May 2015 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dyHdlYr-1Y&list=PLvMZxK22whIv68sXHqMtIW8lWimNr4oQc |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=UCB Comedy Round Up ft. Brandon Gulya & Bill Weeden |website = YouTube| date=25 October 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zqPZ5VA8Gds |language=en}}</ref> including the comedy video "Author Wrote a F***ing Book," a parody of James Patterson's commercials, written by Achilles Stamatelaky and directed by Ryan Hunter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIGvGt5UZ7Y|title = Author Wrote a Fucking Book: A COMMERCIAL PARODY by UCB's SCRAPS|website = YouTube| date=14 October 2013 }}</ref>
Weeden played the father of correspondent/comedian Jordan Klepper on a 2015 episode of ''The Daily Show''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4665750/?fbclid=IwAR1L-7RIToU817px170R5XVqjEz8NmUWznSSkcIFPfAkv1f7Gi0Rt_GGPbk|title=Melissa McCarthy|date=June 3, 2015|via=IMDb}}</ref>
==Other work== He has narrated a number of audio books, often paired with his wife Dolores McDougal.<ref>{{cite web |title=Audiobooks narrated by Bill Weeden {{!}} Audible.com |url=https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Bill+Weeden&ref=a_pd_Beside_c1_narrator_2&pf_rd_p=df6bf89c-ab0c-4323-993a-2a046c7399f9&pf_rd_r=101ASBSHC5EGW6KAERSM |website=www.audible.com}}</ref>
The song "One Big Team" was written and performed by Weeden for the 1988 New York Yankees' Old Timer's Day,<ref name="auto1a"/> and in 2006 by Tony-winning Broadway star James Naughton on the YES Network's ''Yankees Magazine''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Naughton-Recording-of-Yankees-Song-Featured-on-YES-20060907|title = Naughton Recording of Yankees Song Featured on YES}}</ref>
Weeden joins other horror filmmakers and performers, such as Larry Fessenden and Amy Seimetz, voicing the horror "radio" series ''Tales from Beyond the Pale''.<ref>{{cite book |title=Tales from Beyond the Pale, Season One, Volume 5 |url=https://www.audible.com/pd/Tales-from-Beyond-the-Pale-Season-One-Volume-5-Audiobook/B005WX80GQ?qid=1636326022&sr=1-5&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_5&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=0NAMQGW2NKHZJA7KN2QH |language=en}}</ref>
== Select filmography == *''Sgt. Kabukiman N.Y.P.D.'' (1990) - Reginald Stuart *''Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV'' (2000) - Abortion Doctor *''Never Again'' (2001) - Mr. Speedy *''Try to Remember: The Fantasticks'' (2003) - Self *''Bill W.'' (2012) - Financier *''The Lives of Hamilton Fish'' (2013) - Hamilton 'Albert' Fish *''Applesauce'' (2015) - Kate's Father *''The Ungovernable Force'' (2015) - Kevin *''Are We Not Cats'' (2016) - Diner Dad *''#ShakespearesShitstorm'' (2020) - Singing Executive *''Psycho Ape'' (2020) - Dr. ZOOmis *''Ramekins: Ramekin II'' (2021) - Jared * ''RedSin'' (2021) - Gregg Schulls/Jack Polaski * ''The Once and Future Smash'' (2022) - William Mouth * ''Special Needs Revolt'' (2024) - President Kruger *''Psycho Ape: Part II - The Wrath of Kong'' (2024) - Dr. ZOOmis
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{IMDb name|nm0917253}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Weeden, Bill}} Category:1940 births Category:Living people Category:Broadway composers and lyricists Category:Songwriters from Florida Category:American male songwriters Category:20th-century American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:Male actors from Florida Category:American male film actors Category:American male stage actors Category:American comedy writers Category:People from Melbourne, Florida Category:21st-century American male writers Category:20th-century American male writers Category:Yale University alumni Category:Audiobook narrators Category:MCA Records artists Category:Male actors from New York City Category:Songwriters from New York (state) Category:Writers from New York City Category:American male comedians Category:Comedians from Florida Category:Actors from Brevard County, Florida