{{Short description|American actor (born 1942)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = | image = Tobin Bell At For The Love Of Horror 2019 (cropped 3).jpg | image_size = | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = Bell in 2019 | birth_name = Joseph Henry Tobin Jr. | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1942|08|07}} | birth_place = New York City, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | education = Boston University<br>Montclair State University | other_names = Joseph Tobin | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|}} | years_active = 1979–present | known_for = ''Saw'' franchise | spouse = <!--MUST HAVE A RELIABLE SOURCE. SEE WP:BLP --> | children = 2 | website = }}
'''Tobin Bell''' (born '''Joseph Henry Tobin Jr.'''; August 7, 1942) is an American actor. Appearing in over 100 titles during a five-decade career, he is most recognized for his role as John Kramer / Jigsaw in the ''Saw'' franchise.
Bell started his acting career in the late 1970s and early 1980s doing stand-ins and background work on feature films. He had his first feature film role in ''Mississippi Burning'' (1988). Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Bell appeared in supporting roles in a number of films and television shows, including ''The Firm'' (1993), ''Unabomber: The True Story'' (1996), ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' (1998), ''The Sopranos'' (2001), and ''24'' (2003).
Bell's breakout role came in 2004 when he was cast as the serial killer Jigsaw in ''Saw'' (2004). The film was a box office success, and Bell went on to portray the character in eight of the nine sequels: ''Saw II'' (2005), ''Saw III'' (2006), ''Saw IV'' (2007), ''Saw V'' (2008), ''Saw VI'' (2009), ''Saw 3D'' (2010), ''Jigsaw'' (2017), and ''Saw X'' (2023). The series has become one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time and earned Bell recognition as a horror icon.
==Early life and education== Joseph Henry Tobin Jr. was born on August 7, 1942, in Queens, New York, and raised in Weymouth, Massachusetts.<ref name="PatriotLedger">{{Cite news |last=Barbuto |first=Dana |date=2008-10-24 |title=Weymouth native puts the buzz in ''Saw'' movies |work=The Patriot Ledger |url=http://www.patriotledger.com/entertainment/x1157495265/Weymouths-Tobin-Bell-is-star-of-Saw-V |url-status=dead|access-date=2008-10-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301133640/http://www.patriotledger.com/entertainment/x1157495265/Weymouths-Tobin-Bell-is-star-of-Saw-V |archive-date=2012-03-01}}</ref><ref name="yda" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Famous birthdays for Aug. 7: Abbie Cornish, Samantha Ronson |url=https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/08/07/Famous-birthdays-for-Aug-7-Abbie-Cornish-Samantha-Ronson/8081659823267/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=United Press International |archive-date=October 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002130729/https://www.upi.com/Entertainment_News/2022/08/07/Famous-birthdays-for-Aug-7-Abbie-Cornish-Samantha-Ronson/8081659823267/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His English mother, Eileen Julia (née Bell) Tobin, who also had Irish ancestry, was an actress who worked at the Quincy Repertory Company.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eileen Tobin Obituary (2018)|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southofboston-ledger/name/eileen-tobin-obituary?id=9167007|access-date=2023-02-11|website=Legacy.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211212816/http://web.archive.org/screenshot/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/southofboston-ledger/name/eileen-tobin-obituary?id=9167007|archive-date=February 11, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> His American father, Joseph H. Tobin, built and established the radio station WJDA in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1947 and once ran for mayor of Gloversville, New York.<ref name="yda"/> He has one sister and one brother.<ref name="yda">{{Cite news |date=1977-09-05 |title=Tobin, Ex-candidate In Gloversville, Dies |page=27 |work=Schenectady Gazette |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QqMtAAAAIBAJ&pg=1103,940993&dq=tobin-ex-candidate-in-gloversville-dies&hl=en |access-date=2010-07-19 |archive-date=November 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211120103855/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=QqMtAAAAIBAJ&pg=1103%2C940993&dq=tobin-ex-candidate-in-gloversville-dies&hl=en |url-status=live }}</ref>
Bell studied liberal arts and journalism in college, with the intention of becoming a writer and entering the broadcasting field. He also has an interest in environmental matters, holding a master's degree in environmental science from Montclair State University as well as having worked for the New York Botanical Garden.<ref name="rose">{{Cite web |last=Rose |first=Lisa |date=2009-10-22 |title=Tobin Bell ''Saw'' the future in horror series |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/10/tobin_bell_saw_the_future.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026155003/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2009/10/tobin_bell_saw_the_future.html |archive-date=2009-10-26 |access-date=2010-05-25 |website=NJ.com}}</ref> He credits hearing a seminar by Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy at Boston University with inspiring him to begin an acting career.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Dobuzinskis |first=Alex |date=2009-10-22 |title=A Minute With: Tobin Bell of the ''Saw'' horror films |website=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59L3MF20091022 |url-status=live |access-date=2010-01-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100124105853/http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE59L3MF20091022 |archive-date=2010-01-24}}</ref> Bell later joined the Actors Studio where he studied with Lee Strasberg and Ellen Burstyn, and joined Sanford Meisner's Neighborhood Playhouse.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Garfield |first=David |url=https://archive.org/details/playersplacestor00garf |title=A Player's Place: The Story of The Actors Studio |publisher=MacMillan Publishing Co., Inc. |year=1980 |isbn=0-02-542650-8 |location=New York |page=[https://archive.org/details/playersplacestor00garf/page/280 280] |chapter=Appendix: Life Members of The Actors Studio as of January 1980 |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name="TJG07">{{Cite journal |last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=2007-10-29 |title=Cult icon born with ''Saw'' star – Tobin Bell key to franchise's success |journal=The Journal Gazette|page=5D |place=Fort Wayne, Indiana}}</ref><ref name="MTV07">{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Larry |date=2007-10-22 |title=''Saw IV'' Star Tobin Bell Reveals Method Behind Jigsaw's Madness |url=http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1572520/20071022/story.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105045219/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1572520/saw-iv-actor-reveals-method-behind-jigsaws-madness.jhtml |archive-date=2012-11-05 |access-date=2010-03-25 |website=MTV.com}}</ref>
==Career== ===1979–2003: Work in background roles, film debut and television appearances=== [[File:Tobin Bell Saw 3D premiere.jpg|thumb|upright|Bell at the premiere of ''Saw 3D'' on October 27, 2010]]
Bell played background roles in the late 1970s and early 1980s in over 30 films, including Woody Allen's ''Manhattan'' (1979), while also performing on off-Broadway and off-off-Broadway.<ref name="TJG07" /><ref name="Movielineinterview3">{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=2009-10-16 |title=The Only Tobin Bell Interview You'll Ever Need |url=http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/tobin-bell-interview.php?page=3 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103221527/http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/tobin-bell-interview.php?page=3 |archive-date=2013-01-03 |access-date=2010-01-17 |website=Movieline |page=3}}</ref><ref name="RT"/> Bell said that other actors at the Actors Studio thought doing stand-in and background work was "stupid or degrading", but he believed otherwise.<ref name="WashingtonPost07">{{Cite news|last=Harrington |first=Richard |date=2007-10-26 |title=Tobin Bell: A Pivotal Piece of the ''Saw'' Puzzle |volume=130 |pages=32–35 |newspaper=The Washington Post |issue=325 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/25/AR2007102500750.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111141929/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/25/AR2007102500750.html |archive-date=2012-11-11}}</ref> In 1982, he had an uncredited scene in the Sydney Pollack film, ''Tootsie'', playing a waiter at the Russian Tea Room that Pollack used as a tracking shot. He told Movieline, "You know, when you're talking about ''Tootsie'', it's the tip of the iceberg, because those other twenty-nine films I did aren't even on IMDb."<ref name="Movielineinterview1">{{Cite web |last=Buchanan |first=Kyle |date=2009-10-16 |title=The Only Tobin Bell Interview You'll Ever Need |url=http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/tobin-bell-interview.php?page=1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103213432/http://www.movieline.com/2009/10/tobin-bell-interview.php?page=1 |archive-date=2013-01-03 |access-date=2010-01-17 |website=Movieline|page=1}}</ref>
He worked on ''The Verdict'' (1982) for two weeks as a courtroom reporter in the trial. He recollected it being a "great opportunity" watching Sidney Lumet and Paul Newman, while also learning the technical aspect of acting.<ref name="Movielineinterview1" /> For every role he plays, starting with the initial reading of the script to the final shot of a production, he keeps a journal of various questions about and motivations for his character. "I write all kinds of stream-of-consciousness things that help me."<ref name="MTV07" /> He would have his first speaking role in the 1983 film ''Svengali'' playing a waiter with three lines.<ref name="Movielineinterview1"/> The same year Bell had a small speaking role as a reporter in the drama ''Sophie's Choice''. In the mid-1980s, Bell said "I was doing off-Broadway plays three nights a week, working on my craft. And a director at the Actors Studio said, 'You know, Tobin, you've been doing that for a while. I think you should go to Hollywood and play bad guys'."<ref name="WashingtonPost07" /> Bell moved to Los Angeles and was cast in his first feature film, ''Mississippi Burning'' in 1988, as "tough and street smart" FBI agent Stokes.<ref name="WashingtonPost07" />
In 1993, Bell was cast in another Pollack film, ''The Firm'' as an assassin called "The Nordic Man".<ref name=rose/> The same year, he played Mendoza in ''In the Line of Fire'', where he attempts to taunt an undercover Clint Eastwood into proving his loyalty by murdering his partner, played by Dylan McDermott. He went on to appear in an episode of the sitcom ''Seinfeld'' titled "The Old Man" playing a record store owner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-11-15 |last=Van Voorhis |first=Justin |title=Best Newman Episodes of Seinfeld, Ranked According to IMDB |url=https://screenrant.com/best-newman-episodes-of-seinfeld-imdb/ |access-date=2021-11-19 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=November 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119172852/https://screenrant.com/best-newman-episodes-of-seinfeld-imdb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He appeared in two episodes of ''NYPD Blue'' playing different characters in 1993 and 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''NYPD Blue'': "Personal Foul" (1993)- cast and Crew |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/nypd-blue--personal-foul-v282622 |website=AllMovie |access-date=2023-02-11 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230918/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/nypd-blue--personal-foul-v282622 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=''NYPD Blue'': "He's Not Guilty, He's My Brother" (1996) – Cast and Crew |url=https://www.allmovie.com/movie/nypd-blue--hes-not-guilty-hes-my-brother-v285439/cast-crew |website=AllMovie |access-date=2023-02-11 |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230921/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/nypd-blue--hes-not-guilty-hes-my-brother-v285439/cast-crew |url-status=live }}</ref> In 1994, Bell played a hospital administrator in the second episode of the first season of ''ER'' and went on to appear in an episode of another medical drama ''Chicago Hope'', playing a terminally ill inmate on Death Row.<ref name="Movielineinterview1"/> That same year, he portrayed Ted Kaczynski in the made-for-television film ''Unabomber: The True Story''.<ref name="TobinBellAVClub"/> In 1997, Bell guest starred in an episode of ''La Femme Nikita'' and ''Nash Bridges''. The following year, he guest starred in an episode of ''Stargate SG-1'' and a two-part episode of ''Walker, Texas Ranger''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stargate Sg-1 – Enigma |url=https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/stargate-sg-1-enigma-episode-qxnzzxq6vlgtnjkzmtk1 |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=British Board of Film Classification |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230922/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/stargate-sg-1-enigma-episode-qxnzzxq6vlgtnjkzmtk1 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Bell made a one-scene appearance in the 2001 episode ''Army of One'' of "The Sopranos" playing Major Carl Zwingli.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Meenan |first=Devin |date=2021-09-09 |title=''The Sopranos'': 10 Best Characters (Who Only Appear in One Episode) |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-sopranos-best-single-appearance-characters/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=CBR.com |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230925/https://www.cbr.com/the-sopranos-best-single-appearance-characters/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2003, he was cast as the villain Peter Kingsley during the second season of ''24''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hyde |first=Gregory |date=2022-04-10 |title=How 24's Most Progressive Story Created Its Best Villain |url=https://screenrant.com/24-season-2-progressive-villain-kingsley-terrorist-story/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Screen Rant |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230925/https://screenrant.com/24-season-2-progressive-villain-kingsley-terrorist-story/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
===2004–2010: ''Saw'' breakthrough role=== Bell's breakthrough role came in 2004 when he was cast as John Kramer / Jigsaw in the horror film, ''Saw''. The film is about John Kramer, an engineer-turned-serial killer that wants others to appreciate the value of life by placing them in twisted "games" of physical and psychological torture.<ref name="Telegram">{{Cite web|last=Semon|first=Craig S.|title=''Saw'' star Tobin Bell a reluctant horror icon|url=https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2015/10/23/saw-star-tobin-bell/33221361007/|access-date=2023-02-11|website=The Worcester Telegram & Gazette|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211231835/https://www.telegram.com/story/lifestyle/columns/2015/10/23/saw-star-tobin-bell/33221361007/|archive-date=February 11, 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was James Wan's directorial debut and was shot in 18 days on a budget of $1.2 million. Bell spent two weeks lying on a floor and had very few lines, but his role was pivotal to the film. He gives two reasons for joining the film: the opportunity to work with Danny Glover for the first time and thinking very highly of the film's ending.<ref name="TobinBellAVClub">{{Cite web |last=Heisler |first=Steve |date=2008-10-29 |title=Tobin Bell Random Roles |url=https://www.avclub.com/tobin-bell-1798215087 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118125625/http://www.avclub.com/articles/tobin-bell,2513/ |archive-date=2012-01-18 |access-date=2011-10-29 |website=The A.V. Club}}</ref> Lionsgate acquired the worldwide distribution rights for the film days before its release at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 13, 2004 |title=Lions Gate Gets World Rights To Sundance Midnight Film ''Saw'' |url=https://www.indiewire.com/article/lions_gate_gets_world_rights_to_sundance_midnight_film_saw/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309222928/http://www.indiewire.com/article/lions_gate_gets_world_rights_to_sundance_midnight_film_saw |archive-date=March 9, 2016 |access-date=August 17, 2011 |website=indieWire}}</ref> While initially getting a direct-to-video release, test screenings that March turned out positive prompting Lionsgate to release it theatrically that Halloween.<ref name="BInsider"/> It became a box office success, grossing $103 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Saw'' |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2289010177/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=February 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130218110925/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=saw.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Even though Bell would join the first film with no intention of a second film being made, as a result of the financial success, six direct sequels were released on every October from 2005 to 2010.<ref name="TobinBellAVClub"/>
The following year, Bell starred in ''Saw II'', which he said was because "the character of John Kramer was not fully defined and he had an opportunity as an actor to take him to the next level".<ref name="TobinBellAVClub"/> In 2006's ''Saw III'' his character was killed off, however he later signed on for up to five sequels.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Topel |first=Fred |date=May 15, 2007 |title=New Writers Onboard, But 'Saw IV' Still Promises Surprises – And Jigsaw |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/new-writers-onboard-but-saw-iv-still-promises-surprises-and-jigsaw/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221223222519/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/new-writers-onboard-but-saw-iv-still-promises-surprises-and-jigsaw/ |archive-date=December 23, 2022 |access-date=December 23, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Tobin">{{Cite web |last=McCabe |first=Joseph |date=November 5, 2009 |title=Exclusive: Tobin Bell Talks 'Saw VII' |url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/interviews/b17252_exclusive_tobin_bell_talks_lsquosaw_vii.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100120070900/http://www.fearnet.com/news/interviews/b17252_exclusive_tobin_bell_talks_lsquosaw_vii.html |archive-date=January 20, 2010 |access-date=January 1, 2010 |website=Fearnet}}</ref> He would return to ''Saw IV'', ''Saw V'', ''Saw VI'' and ''Saw 3D'' where Jigsaw is featured in flashbacks, some focusing on his origin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hassenger |first=Jesse |date=2017-10-27 |title=Jigsaw brings new blood but no new tricks to the ''Saw'' series |url=https://www.avclub.com/jigsaw-brings-new-blood-but-no-new-tricks-to-the-saw-se-1819899743 |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=The A.V. Club |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200552/https://www.avclub.com/jigsaw-brings-new-blood-but-no-new-tricks-to-the-saw-se-1819899743 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CastIGN"/> He explained, "''Saw'' doesn't happen in a straight line so, you know, in Hollywood everything's possible. It just depends on if you can do it well you can do it. There's a certain thing that we've done in ''Saw'' where it's like pieces of a puzzle. It happens out of sync. So that's how it's done."<ref name="CastIGN">{{Cite web |last=Stax |date=May 15, 2008 |title=''Saw V'' Cast Talks |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/15/saw-v-cast-talks |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229053933/https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/05/15/saw-v-cast-talks |archive-date=December 29, 2022 |access-date=December 28, 2022 |website=IGN}}</ref> He provided his voice and likeness for the Jigsaw character in the 2009 ''Saw'' video game and its 2010 sequel, ''Saw II: Flesh & Blood''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berardini |first=César |date=2009-07-04 |title=Konami Signs Tobin Bell To Voice Jigsaw In Saw Game |url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/19877/Konami-Signs-Tobin-Bell-to-Voice-Jigsaw-in-Saw-Game |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605113530/http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/19877/Konami-Signs-Tobin-Bell-to-Voice-Jigsaw-in-Saw-Game/ |archive-date=2011-06-05 |access-date=2010-01-17 |website=Team Xbox}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-06-21 |title=Konami Announces Tobin Bell's Reprisal As Jigsaw in ''Saw II: Flesh & Blood'' |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/21/konami-announces-tobin-bells-reprisal-as-jigsaw-in-saw-ii-flesh-blood |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=IGN |archive-date=August 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230807032806/https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/21/konami-announces-tobin-bells-reprisal-as-jigsaw-in-saw-ii-flesh-blood |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[Image:Tobin Bell at Comic Con 2010 (Cropped).jpg|thumb|right|upright|Bell at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con]]
For his role as Jigsaw, Bell received MTV Movie Awards nominations in 2006 and 2007 for "Best Villain".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carroll |first=Larry |date=June 14, 2006 |title=Man Behind Jigsaw Swears ''Saw'' Killer Is Back For Third Bloodbath |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534188/man-behind-jigsaw-dishes-on-saw-iii.jhtml |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108015029/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1534188/man-behind-jigsaw-dishes-on-saw-iii.jhtml |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=September 20, 2011 |website=MTV.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2007/ |title=2007 MTV Movie Awards |website=MTV.com |access-date=March 10, 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805010715/http://www.mtv.com/ontv/movieawards/2007/ |archive-date=August 5, 2010 }} Note: Click on the 'Winners' tab.</ref> He won "Best Butcher" in the Fuse/''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards and was given the "Best Villain in a Film Series" title at the 2010 Chiller-Eyegore Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-10-16 |title=fuse Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Winners Announced |url=https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/fuse-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-winners-announced/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=AMC Networks |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230923/https://www.amcnetworks.com/press-releases/fuse-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-winners-announced/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Dread Central at the 2009 Chiller-Eyegore Awards and Halloween Horror Nights |url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33839/dread-central-2009-chiller-eyegore-awards-and-halloween-horror-nights |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203162840/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/33839/dread-central-2009-chiller-eyegore-awards-and-halloween-horror-nights |archive-date=2012-02-03 |access-date=2010-09-02 |website=DreadCentral }}</ref> The ''Saw'' franchise went on to become one of the highest-grossing horror franchises of all time making, as of 2021, over $1 billion worldwide.<ref name="BInsider">{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Travis |date=May 28, 2021 |title=How ''Saw'' became a $1 billion horror franchise after nearly going straight-to-DVD, and what the producers have planned for the future |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-saw-franchises-path-to-1-billion-at-box-office-2021-5 |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Business Insider |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230920/https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-saw-franchises-path-to-1-billion-at-box-office-2021-5 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Rebecca |date=2021-05-23 |title=''Spiral'' Pushes ''Saw'' Franchise Past $1 Billion at Global Box Office |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/spiral-saw-franchise-billion-dollar-box-office-1234979765/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Variety |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200552/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/spiral-saw-franchise-billion-dollar-box-office-1234979765/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The character Jigsaw has been labeled a horror icon.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2022-10-24 |title=Tobin Bell To Reprise Role As Jigsaw Killer John Kramer In Next 'Saw' Film |url=https://deadline.com/2022/10/tobin-bell-to-reprise-role-as-jigsaw-killer-in-next-saw-film-1235153421/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212144844/https://deadline.com/2022/10/tobin-bell-to-reprise-role-as-jigsaw-killer-in-next-saw-film-1235153421/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Telegram"/>
===2014–present: Later work and return to the ''Saw'' franchise=== In March 2014, Bell played the antagonist Seth in Victor Salva's horror film ''Dark House''. The following month he was featured in an episode of ''Criminal Minds'', playing a farmer from West Virginia.<ref name="RT">{{Cite web|last=Lordygan|first=Kerr|title=Interview: Tobin Bell Discusses His Career and His New Horror Film ''Dark House''|url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/interview-tobin-bell-discusses-his-career-and-his-new-horror-film-dark-house/|access-date=2023-02-13|website=Rotten Tomatoes|archive-date=February 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200545/https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/article/interview-tobin-bell-discusses-his-career-and-his-new-horror-film-dark-house/|url-status=live}}</ref> In the comedy ''Manson Family Vacation'' Bell plays a guy who is one of Charlie Manson's followers and lives on his old property in Death Valley.<ref name="RT"/> It premiered at South by Southwest in March 2015 to positive reviews with ''Variety'' pointing out the "creepy gravitas" with which Bell portrayed the role.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Chang |first=Justin |date=2015-04-08 |title=Film Review: ''Manson Family Vacation'' |url=https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/manson-family-vacation-review-1201468274/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Variety |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200547/https://variety.com/2015/film/festivals/manson-family-vacation-review-1201468274/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
In March 2016, Bell joined the soap opera ''Days of Our Lives'' for a five-episode arc playing Yo Ling, who is revealed to be John Black's long lost father.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Rice |first=Lynette |date=February 26, 2016 |title=Days of Our Lives just hired an actor from Saw |url=http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/26/days-of-our-lives-john-black-dad-tobin-bell |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160413063905/http://www.ew.com/article/2016/02/26/days-of-our-lives-john-black-dad-tobin-bell |archive-date=April 13, 2016 |access-date=February 10, 2023 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly }}</ref> From 2016 and 2017, he guest starred as the voices of the villain Doctor Alchemy and the malicious speed god and main antagonist Savitar on the third season of ''The Flash'', in which he was uncredited throughout the season until his last episode.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |title=Tobin Bell Reflects on His Time on ''The Flash'' |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/the-flash-season-3-savitar-dr-alchemy-tobin-bell/ |access-date=2023-02-11 |website=ComicBook.com |archive-date=February 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230211051829/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/the-flash-season-3-savitar-dr-alchemy-tobin-bell/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He reprised his role in the ninth season for its season and series finale "A New World: Part Four".<ref>{{Cite web |last=Patton |first=Joshua |date=2023-05-26 |title=All the Characters Who Came Back for The Flash Series Finale |url=https://www.cbr.com/the-flash-finale-harrison-wells-joe-west-nora/ |access-date=2023-05-26 |website=CBR |language=en |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526213949/https://www.cbr.com/the-flash-finale-harrison-wells-joe-west-nora/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bell was cast in April 2017 in a short film, ''My Pretty Pony'' based on Stephen King's short story ''My Pretty Pony''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dry |first=Jude |date=2017-04-03 |title=''My Pretty Pony'' Casts ''Saw'' Alum Tobin Bell as Lead In Stephen King Adaptation (Exclusive) |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/my-pretty-pony-casts-saw-alum-tobin-bell-lead-stephen-king-1201799894/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=IndieWire |language=en |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200547/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/04/my-pretty-pony-casts-saw-alum-tobin-bell-lead-stephen-king-1201799894/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In October 2017, seven years after ''Saw 3D'' was released and marketed as the final ''Saw'' film, Bell reprises his role as Jigsaw in the standalone film ''Jigsaw''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-26 |last=Dobbs |first=Sarah |title=Tobin Bell on Jigsaw, creating John Kramer and why we can't get enough of Saw |url=https://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/tobin-bell-on-jigsaw-creating-john-kramer-and-why-we-cant-get-enough-of-saw/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=SciFiNow |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230926/https://www.scifinow.co.uk/interviews/tobin-bell-on-jigsaw-creating-john-kramer-and-why-we-cant-get-enough-of-saw/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It grossed $103 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Jigsaw'' |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2172552705/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Box Office Mojo |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200545/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2172552705/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bell was also featured in other horror films released in October 2017, including the television film ''The Sandman'', the Mexican film ''Belzebuth'', and Italian film ''Gates of Darkness''.
Bell guest starred in a September 2019 episode of ''Creepshow'', alongside Giancarlo Esposito in the segment "Gray Matter" that is based on King's short story.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Petski |first=Denise |date=2019-04-03 |title=''Creepshow'': Adrienne Barbeau, Giancarlo Esposito & Tobin Bell To Star In Shudder Anthology Series |url=https://deadline.com/2019/04/creepshow-adrienne-barbeau-giancarlo-esposito-tobin-bell-star-shudder-anthology-series-stephen-king-1202587319/ |access-date=2023-02-13 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213200545/https://deadline.com/2019/04/creepshow-adrienne-barbeau-giancarlo-esposito-tobin-bell-star-shudder-anthology-series-stephen-king-1202587319/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2021, he played Dr. Lasher in an eight-part found footage fictional podcast series, ''The Gloom''. The series is about a string of unsolved crimes committed by a group of teens in the 1990s while an investigative journalist uncovers a supernatural cover-up that is tied to her past.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2021-04-28 |title=Exclusive: ''Saw'' Franchise Star Tobin Bell Leads the Cast of Horror Fiction Podcast ''The Gloom'' [Trailer] |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3662502/exclusive-saw-franchise-star-tobin-bell-leads-cast-horror-fiction-podcast-gloom-trailer/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Bloody Disgusting |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230925/https://bloody-disgusting.com/exclusives/3662502/exclusive-saw-franchise-star-tobin-bell-leads-cast-horror-fiction-podcast-gloom-trailer/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In March 2023, he played Von in the indie psychological thriller ''ReBroken''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Squires |first=John |date=2023-02-06 |title=''ReBroken'' Trailer – Tobin Bell Stars in New Horror Movie Ahead of His ''Saw 10'' Return |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3750130/rebroken-trailer-tobin-bell-stars-in-new-horror-movie-ahead-of-his-saw-10-return/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Bloody Disgusting |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230925/https://bloody-disgusting.com/movie/3750130/rebroken-trailer-tobin-bell-stars-in-new-horror-movie-ahead-of-his-saw-10-return/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bell played Kramer once again in ''Saw X'', released in September 2023.<ref name="Saw X">{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2023-07-20 |title=Tobin Bell Becomes Desperate Jigsaw Killer in ''Saw X'' First-Look Image |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/saw-x-first-look-tobin-bell-jigsaw-killer-1235540383/ |access-date=2023-07-21 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US |archive-date=July 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230721213807/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/saw-x-first-look-tobin-bell-jigsaw-killer-1235540383/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film received positive reviews, with Bell's performance and his return as a main character being praised by critics.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hibberd |first=James |date=2023-09-28 |title=''Saw X'' Gets Franchise's Best Reviews, First "Fresh" Rotten Tomatoes Score |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/saw-x-critic-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-score-1235603273/ |access-date=2023-09-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002181018/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/saw-x-critic-reviews-rotten-tomatoes-score-1235603273/ |url-status=live }}</ref> For his performance, Bell was nominated for the "Best Actor in a Horror Movie" award at the 4th Critics' Choice Super Awards, and "Best Lead Performance" at the ''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 7, 2024|title=Nominations Announced for the Critics Choice Association's 4th Annual "Critics Choice Super Awards" Honoring Superhero, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Horror, and Action Movies and Series|url=https://www.criticschoice.com/2024/03/07/nominations-announced-for-the-critics-choice-associations-4th-annual-critics-choice-super-awards-honoring-superhero-science-fiction-fantasy-horror-and-action-movies-and-s/ |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=Critics' Choice Super Awards}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Melanson |first=Angel |date=2024-07-16 |title=46 Movies Nominated For 2024 Fangoria Chainsaw Awards |url=https://www.fangoria.com/horror-movies-nominated-2024-fangoria-chainsaw-awards/ |access-date=2024-07-20 |website=Fangoria}}</ref>
==Personal life== Bell has two sons.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sachs |first=Mark |date=2008-10-31 |title=Tobin Bell's game plan includes plenty of football |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-31-et-fav31-story.html |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Los Angeles Times |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730064629/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-oct-31-et-fav31-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref> He has coached a Little League Baseball team and flag football, with other hobbies including hiking and playing guitar.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Koltnow |first=Barry |date=2008-10-25 |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2008/10/23/tobin-bell-carves-out-a-niche-as-jigsaw/ |title=Tobin Bell carves out a niche as 'Jigsaw' |website=The Orange County Register |access-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-date=February 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230213000404/https://www.ocregister.com/2008/10/23/tobin-bell-carves-out-a-niche-as-jigsaw/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="MooreSentinel2010">{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Roger |date=2010-10-24 |title="Jigsaw" Tobin Bell would rather be cutting a rug |url=http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/10/tobin-bell-wants-to-go-from-saw-cuts-to-cutting-a-rug.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926005125/http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_movies_blog/2010/10/tobin-bell-wants-to-go-from-saw-cuts-to-cutting-a-rug.html |archive-date=2011-09-26 |access-date=2011-03-04 |website=Orlando Sentinel}}</ref>
==Credits== === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+List of films and roles |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{abbr|Ref.|Reference}} |- | 1979 | ''Manhattan'' | Man on Street | rowspan="2" | Uncredited cameo appearance | |- | 1981 | ''Tales of Ordinary Madness'' | Bar Patron | |- | rowspan=3 | 1982 | ''Sophie's Choice'' | Reporter | Credited as Joseph Tobin | align=center|<ref name="BFI">{{Cite web |title=Joseph Tobin |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0c3f9ea |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=British Film Institute |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230925/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0c3f9ea |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | ''{{sortname|The|Verdict}}'' | Courtroom Observer | rowspan="3" | Uncredited cameo appearance | |- | ''Tootsie'' | rowspan="2" | Waiter | |- | 1983 | ''Svengali'' | |- | 1985 | ''Turk 182'' | Sergeant on Bridge | Credited as Joseph Tobin | align=center| <ref name="BFI"/> |- | 1988 | ''Mississippi Burning'' | FBI Agent Stokes | | |- | 1989 | ''{{sortname|An|Innocent Man|An Innocent Man (film)}}'' | Zeke | | |- | rowspan=3 | 1990 | ''Loose Cannons'' | Gerber | | |- | ''False Identity'' | Marshall Errickson | | |- | ''Goodfellas'' | Parole Officer | | |- | 1992 | ''Ruby'' | David Ferrie | | |- | rowspan=4 | 1993 | ''Boiling Point'' | Freddie Roth | | |- | ''{{sortname|The|Firm|The Firm (1993 film)}}'' | The Nordic Man | | |- | ''In the Line of Fire'' | Marty Mendoza | | |- | ''Malice'' | Earl Leemus | | |- | rowspan=2 | 1995 | ''Serial Killer'' | William Lucian Morrano | | |- | ''{{sortname|The|Quick and the Dead|The Quick and the Dead (1995 film)}}'' | Leonard 'Dog' Kelly | | |- | 1996 | ''Cheyenne'' | Marshal Toynbee | | |- | rowspan=3 | 1998 | ''Overnight Delivery'' | John Dwayne Beezly | | |- | ''Best of the Best 4: Without Warning'' | Lukasz Slava | | |- | ''Brown's Requiem'' | Stan 'Stan The Man' | | |- | 1999 | ''The 4th Floor'' | The Locksmith | | |- | 2000 | ''{{sortname|The|Road to El Dorado}}'' | Zaragoza (voice) | | |- | 2001 | ''Good Neighbor'' | Geoffrey Martin | | |- | 2002 | ''Black Mask 2: City of Masks'' | Moloch | | |- | 2003 | ''Power Play'' | Clemens | | |- | 2004 | ''Saw'' | rowspan="3" |John Kramer / Jigsaw | | |- | 2005 | ''Saw II'' | | |- | 2006 | ''Saw III'' | | |- | rowspan=5 | 2007 | ''Decoys 2: Alien Seduction'' | Professor Erwin Buckton | | |- | ''The Haunting Hour: Don't Think About It'' | The Stranger | | |- | ''Boogeyman 2'' | Dr. Mitchell Allen | | |- | ''Buried Alive'' | Lester | | |- | ''Saw IV'' | John Kramer / Jigsaw | | |- | rowspan=2 | 2008 | ''Boogeyman 3'' | Dr. Mitchell Allen (voice) | Uncredited voice role | |- | ''Saw V'' | rowspan="3" | John Kramer / Jigsaw | | |- | 2009 | ''Saw VI'' | | |- | 2010 | ''Saw 3D'' | | |- | rowspan=3 | 2014 | ''Dark House'' | Seth | Also co-producer | align=center|<ref>{{Cite web |title=Head Into a "Dark House" with the Director of ''Jeepers Creepers'' and Star of ''Saw'': In Theaters Starting in NY & LA on March 14, Home Entertainment Rolls Out March 11 |url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/head_into_a_dark_house_with_the_director_of_jeepers_creepers_and_star_of_saw_in_theaters_starting_in_ny_la_on_march_14_home_entertainment_rolls_out_march_11/prweb11585699.htm |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=PRWeb |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230923/https://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/02/prweb11585699.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''Finders Keepers'' | Dr. Freeman | | |- | ''Phantom Halo'' | Smashmouth | | |- | 2015 | ''Manson Family Vacation'' | Blackbird | | |- | 2016 | ''Rainbow Time'' | Peter | | |- | rowspan=4 | 2017 | ''61: Highway to Hell'' | The Devil | | |- | ''12 Feet Deep'' | McGradey | | |- | ''Belzebuth'' | Vasilio Canetti | | |- | ''Jigsaw'' | John Kramer / Jigsaw | | |- | rowspan=3 | 2019 | ''The Way We Weren't'' | Jerry | Also producer | |- | ''Ice Cream in the Cupboard'' | Pop | | |- | ''Gates of Darkness'' | Monsignor Canell | | |- | 2020 | ''The Call'' | Edward Cranston | | |- | rowspan=3 | 2021 | ''A Father's Legacy'' | Billy Ford | | |- | ''Let Us In'' | Mr. Munch | | |- | ''Aileen Wuornos: American Boogeywoman'' | Lewis Fell | | |- | 2022 | ''Sleep No More'' | Smashmouth | | |- | rowspan=5 | 2023 | ''ReBroken'' | Von | | |- | ''The Curse of Wolf Mountain'' | Dr. Avery | | align=center| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=2023-03-29 |title=Danny Trejo and Tobin Bell Action-Horror ''The Curse Of Wolf Mountain'' Gets U.S. Deal |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/danny-trejo-and-tobin-bell-the-curse-of-wolf-mountain-us-deal-1235312421/ |access-date=2023-03-29 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=March 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329144229/https://deadline.com/2023/03/danny-trejo-and-tobin-bell-the-curse-of-wolf-mountain-us-deal-1235312421/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''The Cello'' | Vincent | | |- | ''Saw X'' | John Kramer / Jigsaw | | |- | ''The Curse of the Clown Motel'' | Mr. Wilson | | align=center|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cordero |first=Rosy |date=2022-08-22 |title=''Fatal Attraction'': Doreen Calderon Joins Paramount+ Series |url=https://deadline.com/2022/08/fatal-attraction-doreen-calderon-paramount-plus-series-1235097756/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=October 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019005603/https://deadline.com/2022/08/fatal-attraction-doreen-calderon-paramount-plus-series-1235097756/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"| 2024 | ''Altered Reality'' | Cooper Mason | | align=center| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=2020-03-02 |title=''Awaken'': Tobin Bell, Lance Henriksen And Ed Asner To Star In Charles Agron's Indie Thriller |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/awaken-tobin-bell-lance-henriksen-ed-asner-charles-agron-thriller-mystery-indie-k-street-pictures-1202872656/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212230918/https://deadline.com/2020/03/awaken-tobin-bell-lance-henriksen-ed-asner-charles-agron-thriller-mystery-indie-k-street-pictures-1202872656/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | ''The Bunker'' | Mr. Riley | | align=center| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Grater |first=Tom |date=2021-05-18 |title=Tony Todd, Tobin Bell, Chelsea Edmundson Starring In Sci-Fi Horror ''The Bunker'' |url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/tony-todd-tobin-bell-chelsea-edmundson-sci-fi-horror-the-bunker-1234759082/ |access-date=2023-02-12 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518180736/https://deadline.com/2021/05/tony-todd-tobin-bell-chelsea-edmundson-sci-fi-horror-the-bunker-1234759082/ |url-status=live }}</ref> <!--|- | Film must be in production 2025 | {{Pending film|Saw XI}} | John Kramer / Jigsaw | <ref name="SawXI" />--> |} {{pending films key}}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+List of television appearances and roles |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- | rowspan="2"| 1987–1988 | rowspan="2"| ''{{sortname|The|Equalizer|The Equalizer (1985 TV series)}}'' | Cronin / Weber | Episode: "Mission: McCall" |- | Deputy Secretary | Episode: "Day of the Covenant" |- | 1989 | ''Perfect Witness'' | Dillon | Television film |- | rowspan=5 | 1990 | ''Alien Nation'' | Brian Knox / Dr. Death | Episode: "Crossing the Line" |- | ''Nasty Boys'' | Finley | Episode: "The Line" |- | ''Jake and the Fatman'' | Vic | Episode: "More Than You Know" |- | ''Broken Badges'' | Martin Valentine | Episode: "Pilot" |- | ''Vendetta: Secrets of a Mafia Bride'' | Barman | Television Miniseries; 3 episodes |- | rowspan=2 | 1991 | ''Love, Lies and Murder'' | Al Stutz | Television Miniseries; 2 episodes |- | ''The 100 Lives of Black Jack Savage'' | Tony Gianini | Episode: "Pilot" |- | rowspan=3 | 1992 | ''Mann & Machine'' | Richards | Episode: "No Pain, No Gain" |- | ''Calendar Girl, Cop, Killer? The Bambi Bembenek Story'' | Dan Cushman | Television film |- | ''Silk Stalkings'' | Emil Rossler | Episode: "Hot Rocks" |- | rowspan=2 | 1993 | ''Seinfeld'' | Ron | Episode: "The Old Man" |- | ''Sex, Love, and Cold Hard Cash'' | Mansfield | Television film |- | rowspan="2" | 1993, 1996 | rowspan="2" | ''NYPD Blue'' | Jerry the Artist | Episode: "Personal Foul" |- | Donald Selness | Episode: "He's Not Guilty, He's My Brother" |- | rowspan=5 | 1994 | ''Deep Red'' | Warren Rickman | rowspan="2" | Television film |- | ''Dead Man's Revenge'' | Bullock |- | ''ER'' | Hospital Administrator | Episode: "Day One" |- | ''Mortal Fear'' | Dr. Alvin Hayes | rowspan="2" | Television film |- | ''New Eden'' | Ares |- | 1995 | ''Under Suspicion'' | Ron O'Keefe | Episode: "A Haunting Case" |- | rowspan=5 | 1996 | ''{{sortname|The|Babysitter's Seduction|The Babysitter's Seduction (1996 film)}}'' | Detective Frank O'Keefe | Television film |- | ''{{sortname|The|Lazarus Man}}'' | {{n/a}} | Episode: "Among the Dead" |- | ''Murder One'' | Jerry Albanese | Episode: "Chapter Twenty-Two" |- | ''Unabomber: The True Story'' | Theodore Kaczynski | Television film |- | ''Chicago Hope'' | Luther Evans | Episode: "A Time to Kill" |- | rowspan=2 | 1997 | ''La Femme Nikita'' | Perry Bauer | Episode: "Love" |- | ''Nash Bridges'' | William Boyd | Episode: "Payback" |- | rowspan=4 | 1998 | ''Stargate SG-1'' | Omoc | Episode: "Enigma" |- | ''One Hot Summer Night'' | Vincent 'Coupe' De Ville | Television film |- | ''Walker, Texas Ranger'' | Karl Storm | Episodes: "The Wedding: Part 1" and "The Wedding: Part 2" |- | ''Vengeance Unlimited'' | Teddy Hix | Episode: "Bitter End" |- | rowspan=2 | 1999 | ''Strange World'' | Owen Sassen | Episode: "Eliza" |- | ''{{sortname|The|Pretender|The Pretender (TV series)}}'' | Mr. White | Episode: "The World's Changing" |- | rowspan=2 | 2000 | ''{{sortname|The|X-Files}}'' | Ashman / Darryl Weaver | Episode: "Brand X" |- | ''Harsh Realm'' | Slater | Episode: "Reunion" |- | rowspan=4 | 2001 | ''Once and Again'' | Man In Suit | Episode: "Aaron's Getting Better" |- | ''{{sortname|The|Sopranos}}'' | Major Carl Zwingli | Episode: "Army of One" |- | ''{{sortname|The|Guardian|The Guardian (TV series)}}'' | Mr. Pierce | Episode: "The Funnies" |- | ''Alias'' | SD-6 Agent Karl Dreyer | Episode: "Time Will Tell" and "Mea Culpa" |- | rowspan=2 | 2002 | ''Charmed'' | Orin | Episode: "The Eyes Have It" |- | ''{{sortname|The|West Wing}}'' | Colonel Whitcomb | Episode: "Process Stories" |- | 2003 | ''24'' | Peter Kingsley | Recurring role; 4 episodes (season 2) |- | 2005 | ''Revelations'' | Nathan Volk | Television Miniseries; 5 episodes |- | 2006 | ''Casino Cinema'' | Himself | Episode: "31 October 2006" |- | 2007 | ''{{sortname|The|Kill Point}}'' | Alan Beck | Recurring role; 6 episodes |- | rowspan=2 | 2014 | ''Criminal Minds'' | Malachi Lee | Episode: "Blood Relations" |- | ''Wilfred'' | Charles | Episode: "Happiness" |- | 2015 | ''Skin Wars'' | Himself | Guest judge; Episode: "Emotional Rollercoaster" |- | 2016 | ''Days of Our Lives'' | Yo Ling | Recurring role; 5 episodes |- | 2016–2017, 2023 | ''The Flash'' | Doctor Alchemy / Savitar | Voice role; 14 episodes (seasons 3 & 9) |- | 2017 | ''The Sandman'' | Valentine | Television film |- | 2019 | ''Creepshow'' | Chief | Episode: "Gray Matter/The House of the Head" |- | 2020 | ''MacGyver'' | Leland | Episodes: "Save + The + Dam + World" and "Eclipse + USMC-1856707 + Step Potential + Chain Lock + Ma" |}
=== Video games === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+List of video game roles |- ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" | Notes |- | 2009 | ''Saw'' | rowspan="2" | John Kramer / Jigsaw | rowspan="2" | Voice |- | 2010 | ''Saw II: Flesh & Blood'' |}
===Podcasts=== {| class="wikitable unsortable" |+List of podcast series roles |- ! Year ! Title ! Role(s) ! class="unsortable" | Notes |- |2021 |''The Gloom'' | Dr. Lasher | 8 episodes |}
==Further reading== * {{Cite book |last1=Voisin |first1=Scott |title=Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting |last2=Roebuck |first2=Daniel |date=2009-05-25 |publisher=BearManor Media |isbn=978-1-59393-342-5 |author-link2=Daniel Roebuck}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}} * {{official website|https://www.officialtobinbell.com}} * {{IMDb name}} * {{Rotten Tomatoes person}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Tobin}} Category:1942 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:Actors from Weymouth, Massachusetts Category:American male film actors Category:American male television actors Category:American male voice actors Category:American people of Irish descent Category:Male actors from Norfolk County, Massachusetts Category:Male actors from Queens, New York Category:Montclair State University alumni Category:American people of English descent