Cast & creator
Joel Polis
Best known for Law & Order, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS
An American television, film and stage actor. He has appeared in over one hundred television programs and films during his career. Polis' first film role was the character 'Fuchs' in the science fiction film The Thing. He appeared in numerous television series including Cheers, Alien Nation, Northern Exposure, Star Trek: Voyager, Roseanne, Seinfeld, Chicago Hope, Boston Legal and CSI. He appeared in a recurring role on the television series Cheers as the mischievous Gary, owner of the rival bar, Gary's Olde Towne Tavern. Polis's theater credits include performances at the Astor Place Theatre, Hartford Stage, Old Globe Theater, South Coast Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, Odyssey Theatre, Laguna Playhouse, Lillian Theater and the Pasadena Playhouse.
28
film credits
56
television credits
84
1982–2026 · acting roles
6.9
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (84)
Showing 84 of 84 credits
Law & Order
Dr. Joel Friedman
1990
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Silvio Peters
2000
NCIS
Ronald Ostrowski
2003
Bones
Mario Trivisonno
2005
Castle
John Raglan
2009
CSI: Miami
Robert Wynn
2002
Seinfeld
Reilly
1989
Star Trek: Voyager
Ny Terla
1995
Diagnosis: Murder
Larry Macklin
1993
Beverly Hills, 90210
Pharmacist
1990
Chicago Hope
Sidney Herman
1994
Cheers
Gary
1982
CSI: NY
Clark Risenhoover
2004
Without a Trace
Joel Landers
2002
Rizzoli & Isles
Starbridge Warden
2010
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Banker
2013
Touched by an Angel
Garland Ketter
1994
Boston Legal
Attorney Eric Yavitch
2004
Home Improvement
Wes Davidson
1991
Angel
Captain Franklin
1999
Stargate Atlantis
Elson
2004
Judging Amy
Dr. Eaton
1999
St. Elsewhere
Jeff Hassett
1982
Party of Five
Dr. Michael Frieder
1994
Matlock
Gary Benton
1986
T. J. Hooker
John Jenkins
1982
The Unit
Administrator
2006
The Guardian
Jerry Lazar
2001
The Twilight Zone
(segment "The Uncle Devil Show")
1985
Boston Public
Dawson
2000
Cagney & Lacey
1982
Northern Exposure
Matthew Miller
1990
The Pretender
Agent Russell Gillson
1996
Remington Steele
Eldon Veckmer
1982
The Larry Sanders Show
Ron
1992
Moonlighting
Frank Herbert
1985
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
Dr. Sapperstein (segment "Morning Sickness")
1997
7th Heaven
Ted Jacob
1996
Doogie Howser, M.D.
Jack Fogle
1989
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
1983
The Hitchhiker
Carl
1983
Ally McBeal
Attorney Woodson
1997
Dharma & Greg
Colonel Glickman
1997
The Thing
Fuchs
1982
L.A. Doctors
ER Doctor
1998
The Forgotten
Judge Cooperman
2009
The Invisible Man
John Castagnacci
2000
Alien Nation
Carl Peterson
1989
Growing Up Fisher
Richard Barr
2014
Bull
2000
Mister Sterling
Quinn
2003
One West Waikiki
1994
The Best Sex Ever
Donald
2002
Misfits of Science
Lonnie / Dwayne
1985
The Rookie
Lance
1990
Capital News
Vartan
1990
True Believer
Dean Rabin
1989
It's My Party
Tim Bergen
1996
Fatal Vision
Brian Murtagh
1984
Best Defense
First Agent
1984
Alien Hunter
Copeland
2003Eddie Dodd
1991
My Blue Heaven
U.S. Attorney
1990
The Thing Expanded
Self
2026
Dark Angel
Jastrow
1996
Swallow
Agent Miller
2004
Attraction
William
2001
The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
Self
1998
Rocket's Red Glare
Col. Mitchell
2000
Prison of Secrets
Brad
1997
Deadly Medicine
Dr. George Reardon
1991
Tumbleweeds
Vice Principal
1999
Those She Left Behind
Kerns
1989
The Sleepwalker Killing
Asst. Atty. Jimmy
1997
All The Kids Do It
Coach
1984
Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story
Bill Handel
1995
Chasing a Dream
Dr. Aldicott
2009
Burning Bridges
Dr. Paletsky
1990
Born Beautiful
Ted
1982
Twilight Man
Harper
1996
The Men of Outpost 31
Self
2016
Serial Killer
Jack Blund
1995
Fallen Angels
Horace Millhouse
2007Shadows
Kapo
2000