Ron Leibman: The Archer Actor’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows

Ron Leibman, best known for his voice work on the hit animated series Archer, had a filmography full of roles in notable and acclaimed productions. An actor from the early age of 19, Leibman first appeared on screens briefly in the 1956 crime/soap opera The Edge of Night but his film debut in 1970 in Where’s Poppa as Sidney Hocheiser was what kicked off a long and steady career in both film and TV. Leibman worked with notable Hollywood creators including Paul Schrader, Sidney Lumet, and David Chase over his career, and his resume is filled with roles in popular series, even if they are often mostly supporting parts.

In 2019, at age 82, Ron Leibman passed away after battling pneumonia. Besides leaving behind his wife, Emmy award-winning actor Jessica Walter, who also voiced his wife in the cast of Archer. Walter passed in 2021, and Archer paid tribute to both actors, first by dedicating Archer season 11, episode 2, “Bloodsploosh” to Leibman, and then by having Leibman and Walter’s characters on a beach together as their last scene. Leibman also had a long and successful career on the stage, earning a Tony for Angels in America: Millennium Approaches. Though the height of Leibman’s film and TV performances never reached his theater accomplishments, his best roles are still exceptional.

10
Pacific Station (1991-1992)

Ron Leibman plays Detective Al Burkhardt

Pacific Station is a one-season police sitcom that aired on NBC. The series focuses on Detective Bob Ballard (Robert Guillaume), a quippy detective who is sent to Pacific Station in Venice, California, a station known as the last stop for eccentric and incompetent officers. One of the recurring officers is the brown-nosing Detective Al Burkhardt (Ron Leibman) alongside the strange Detective Richard Capparelli (Richard Libertini) and Detective Sandy Calloway (Megan Gallagher). The officers deal with the even wackier suspects living in their precinct. Pacific Station lasted only one season but its kooky characters and talented cast make it a solid series.

9
Slaughterhouse-Five (1972)

Ron Leibman plays Paul Lazzaro

Despite the popularity of Kurt Vonnegut’s novel Slaughterhouse-Five, there has only ever been one adaptation put to screen. Slaughterhouse-Five, directed by George Roy Hill, adapts the science-fiction war novel, even including the non-linear storytelling aspect. Like the novel, the story follows Billy Pilgrim (Michael Sacks), a former WWII POW who involuntarily time-travels to different moments in his life. Paul Lazzaro (Ron Leibman) was a POW with him who had promised to kill Billy. Sacks received a Golden Globe nomination for his work and Vonnegut himself has expressed admiration for the film, calling it a “…flawless translation…” (via Jstor). Leibman is perfectly frightening and hilarious as the frenzied Lazzaro.

Watch on Amazon Prime Video

8
Christmas Eve (1986)

Ron Leibman plays Morris Huffner

A little-known TV movie, Christmas Eve is a delightful and heartwarming tale with some unexpectedly fantastic performances at its center. An elderly, well-to-do woman, Amanda Kingsley (Loretta Young) decides that she wants to reconnect with her estranged son and his three children. To do so, Amanda hires down-on-his-luck private eye Morris Huffner (Ron Leibman) to find her family. Touching and funny, Christmas Eve is a warm-hearted holiday tale that is an excellent addition to any holiday movie marathon. Leibman’s earnest and subtle performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination for a supporting role in a made-for-television production while Young won for best actress in the same category.

Stream on Tubi

7
Phar Lap (1983)

Ron Leibman plays Dave Davis

Phar Lap is an ’80s Australian sports drama about the titular racehorse. The thoroughbred began its career as a major underdog before distinguishing himself in many Australian races. In the film, Phar Lap is bought by American owner Dave Davis (Ron Leibman). Davis takes advantage of the horse’s success, making shady bets on his races. Phar Lap is grim in how it depicts the horse’s exploitation, but it’s an inspirational story as well, as the animal goes on to greater successes. Leibman plays Dave as a scheming gambler, but there’s a humanity in the performance that implies Dave can’t help but be impressed with Phar Lap’s ability.

6
The Sopranos (2006)

Ron Leibman plays Dr. Lior Plepler

While Ron Leibman only appears in a few episodes of The Sopranos, he is part of a pivotal arc in the esteemed HBO series. In one of The Sopranos‘ most unexpected moments, Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) shoots Tony (James Gandolfini), who ends up in a coma. Taking care of Tony in the hospital is Dr. Lior Plepler (Leibman). It takes confidence and talent to act opposite Edie Falco as Carmela and deliver information about one of the most important television characters of all time. Leibman does this without seeming out of place, fitting right in with the dark tone of the series.

Watch on Max

5
Garden State (2004)

Ron Leibman plays Dr. Cohen

Zach Braff’s New Jersey-set movie Garden State follows Andrew Largeman (Braff), an actor/waiter who returns home after his mother dies. Andrew goes to visit a doctor (Ron Leibman) and they discuss Andrew’s upbringing, and it’s revealed that he’s been taking lithium and antidepressants since he was 10. It’s the only scene that Leibman appears in, but it’s key to revealing that Andrew’s father is the one who put him on the medication, believing his son responsible for injuring his mother and hoping to curb his “aggression”. Leibman provides a stable presence for the frightened Andrew and adds gravitas to a film better known for its quirky indie sensibilities.

Watch on Max

4
Kaz (1978-1979)

Ron Leibman plays Martin ‘Kaz’ Kazinsky

Ron Leibman both wrote and starred in Kaz, a crime drama about an ex-convict, Martin “Kaz” Kazinski (Leibman) who becomes a criminal defense attorney. For his portrayal, Leibman won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama. Despite his work, the series only lasted one 22-episode season. Leibman is equal parts charming and impertinent as Kaz. Kaz is a natural at his work, but he also doesn’t always follow the rules of the courtroom when protecting the clients that no one else wants. The courtroom and crime genres are some of the most populated on TV, but Kaz stands out for the strength of Leibman’s performance.

3
Norma Rae (1979)

Ron Leibman plays Reuben

Norma Rae is a drama film based on the real-life union organizer, Crystal Lee Sutton. Named Norma Rae (Sally Fields) in the film, the movie follows the titular North Carolina factory worker who organizes a trade union. Unhappy with the conditions she and her neighbors are forced to work in, Norma is inspired to create the union after hearing New York organizer Reuben Warshowsky (Leibman) give a speech. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, with Fields winning Best Actress. Leibman gives the best movie performance of his career. He is dominating and strong, but there is a softness underneath that makes for electric chemistry between him and Fields.

Watch on Amazon

2
Friends (1996-2004)

Ron Leibman plays Dr. Leonard Green

Ron Leibman plays Dr. Leonard Green on Friends, Rachel’s (Jennifer Aniston) abrasive and unpleasant father. Leonard is mean-spirited and insulting, particularly towards Ross (David Schwimmer) who he doesn’t see as worthy of his daughter’s affection. As cranky as the character is, Leibman is hilarious in the role and anytime he’s on-screen, he’s bound to say something cutting to whomever he’s angry with at that moment. But underneath his brash exterior, Leonard is a loving father who only wants what is best for his daughters, even if he thinks tough love is the best way to express his feelings.

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1
Archer (2013-2021)

Ron Leibman plays Ron Cadillac

One of the best characters introduced after Archer season 1, Ron Cadillac (Ron Leibman) debuted in season 4 as Malory Archer’s (Jessica Walter) new husband. Ron fits right in with the goofy cast of characters on Archer. He’s often hatching business schemes or offering his advice on Archer’s (H. Jon Benjamin) spy agency despite knowing nothing about espionage. Sweet and mild-mannered, Ron is an oblivious foil to the many mean-spirited characters in Archer, and Ron Leibman provided a naive silliness to the series in this beloved voice role.

Watch on Hulu