Craig T Nelson

Craig Theodore Nelson was born on April 4, 1944, in Spokane, Washington. He began his career in entertainment as a comedian, becoming an early member of The Groundlings improv trope. He also formed a comedy team with Barry Levinson and Rudy De Luca, performing at The Comedy Store. After a period away from Hollywood in the mid-1970s, where he held various jobs like janitor and carpenter, Nelson returned to acting, securing his first significant film role in 1979 in “…And Justice for All.”

Nelson gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of college football coach Hayden Fox in the ABC sitcom “Coach,” which ran from 1989 to 1997. This role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series in 1992. His film career also includes notable roles such as Steve Freeling in “Poltergeist” (1982) and its sequel (1986). He has lent his voice to the character of Bob Parr/Mr. Incredible in Pixar’s “The Incredibles” (2004) and “Incredibles 2” (2018), further expanding his reach in animated entertainment.

Throughout his career, Nelson has consistently worked in both film and television. Additional television credits include Chief Jack Mannion in the CBS drama “The District” (2000–2004), Zeek Braverman in the NBC drama “Parenthood” (2010–2015), and Dale Ballard in the CBS sitcom “Young Sheldon” (2019–2024), a role he continues in the spin-off “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” (2024–present). His filmography also features appearances in movies like “Silkwood” (1983), “The Family Stone” (2005), “Blades of Glory” (2007), and “The Proposal” (2009). Beyond acting, he has also served as a producer and director on projects such as “Coach” and “The District.”