Robert R. Shafer

Robert Ray Shafer Jr. was born in Charleston, West Virginia, in April 1958. His early life included residences in Bowie, Maryland, and he graduated from high school in Romeo, Michigan, in 1976. He subsequently attended Broward College in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. In 1980, Shafer relocated to Los Angeles to pursue acting, undergoing training with Peggy Feury at The Loft Studios. His career encompasses work in feature films, television, commercials, voice-overs, and theater. Shafer has maintained an active presence in the entertainment industry over several decades, contributing his talents to a wide range of projects.

Shafer’s filmography includes notable roles such as Officer Joe Vickers in ‘Psycho Cop’ (1989) and its sequel ‘Psycho Cop Returns’ (1993). In television, he is widely recognized for his recurring role as Bob Vance on the American sitcom ‘The Office’ from 2005 to 2013, appearing in 24 episodes. His other television credits include appearances in ‘Highway to Heaven’ (1985), ‘Wings’ (1993), ‘Malcolm in the Middle’ (2001), ‘Criminal Minds’ (2016), and ‘How I Met Your Mother’ (2011). He also participated in ‘Adam Ruins Everything’ from 2016 to 2017 in four episodes, playing Ray and Ray Murphy.

Beyond acting, Shafer has taken on roles as a writer and producer. He wrote and produced ‘Dick Dickster’ (2018), in which he also starred. Additionally, he served as a writer for the TV series ‘Air Combat’ (1993) and an associate producer for ‘Psycho Cop Returns’ (1993). His diverse involvement in productions, both in front of and behind the camera, highlights a consistent career in the entertainment sector.