Jeffrey Weissman (born October 2, 1958) is an American actor and activist.
He has appeared in dozens of motion pictures and TV shows, most notably as
George McFly in ''
Back to the Future Part II
''Back to the Future Part II'' is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Bob Gale; both wrote the story. It is a sequel to the 1985 film ''Back to the Future'' and the second installment in the Back ...
'' and ''
III'' and as Teddy Conway in ''
Pale Rider.'' He has guest starred spots on ''
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to May 28, 1987, on CBS. The music underscore was composed by Arthur B. Rubinstein.
The show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced ...
'', ''
Max Headroom'', ''
Dallas
Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
'', ''
The Man Show'', and with
Dick Van Dyke
Richard Wayne Van Dyke (born December 13, 1925) is an American actor, entertainer and comedian. Dick Van Dyke on screen and stage, His work spans screen and stage, and List of awards and nominations received by Dick Van Dyke, his awards includ ...
on ''
Diagnosis: Murder'' and as Screech's Guru on ''
Saved by the Bell
''Saved by the Bell'' is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, ''Saved by the Bell'' was broadcast in the United ...
''.
Weissman is a teacher of ''
commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte was an early form of professional theatre, originating from Theatre of Italy, Italian theatre, that was popular throughout Europe between the 16th and 18th centuries. It was formerly called Italian comedy in English and is a ...
'' and film technique, with students including both professionals and newcomers to the arts. He also teaches acting for film, directing, writing and improv at San Francisco School of Digital Film Making.
Background
Weissman trained in acting and performance at
American Conservatory Theater
The American Conservatory Theater (ACT) is a nonprofit theater company in San Francisco, California, United States, that offers both classical and contemporary theater productions. It also has an attached acting school.
History
The American ...
,
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University (San Francisco State, SF State and SFSU) is a Public university, public research university in San Francisco, California, United States. It was established in 1899 as the San Francisco State Normal School and is ...
,
UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a public land-grant research university in Los Angeles, California, United States. Its academic roots were established in 1881 as a normal school then known as the southern branch of the C ...
and
Santa Monica City College. His comedic experience includes work with
The Second City
The Second City is an improvisational comedy enterprise. It is the oldest improvisational theater troupe to be continuously based in Chicago, with training programs and live theaters in Toronto and New York. Since its debut in 1959, it has b ...
alumni, Los Angeles Theater Sports, Andy Goldberg and Bill Hudnutt Sitcom Workshops, (formerly Harvey Lembeck). He also trained at Berkeley Rep. in the "Finding the Inner Imp" with Ron Campbell and participated in acting workshops with Peter Flood, Jackie Benton, and Magic Theater Gym. He has trained in dance, movement, storytelling workshops with the Voice of Men In Motion. He also trained under Jackie Benton, Peter Flood, and Bill Hudnut, and was a Varsity Player with Los Angeles Theatersports.
Career
Weissman began his acting career in theatre, in 1972.
He has worked in commercials, television shows, and feature films, and is probably best known for his portrayal of the role of
George McFly in the two ''Back to the Future'' sequels, taking over the role from
Crispin Glover
Crispin Hellion Glover (born April 20, 1964) is an American actor, filmmaker and artist. He is known for portraying eccentricity (behavior), eccentric Character actor, character roles on screen. His breakout role was as George McFly in ''Back to ...
, who declined to return from the first film. For the role, Weissman wore extremely heavy makeup to have him resemble Glover, and most of his scenes were shot with him either upside down or in the background. Glover eventually sued the producers for using his likeness without his permission.
He has appeared in roles in feature films including ''
Pale Rider'' and ''
Twilight Zone: The Movie''. He has also made guest appearances on television shows such as ''
Saved by the Bell
''Saved by the Bell'' is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, ''Saved by the Bell'' was broadcast in the United ...
'', ''
The Man Show'', ''
Dallas
Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
'', ''
Max Headroom'', ''
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to May 28, 1987, on CBS. The music underscore was composed by Arthur B. Rubinstein.
The show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced ...
'', ''
Chip and Pepper's Cartoon Spectacular'', and ''
Divorce Court
''Divorce Court'' is an American court show that revolves around settling the disputes of couples going through divorces. The show has had four separate runs, all in first-run syndication. Since the debut of the original series in 1957, it is ...
''. His commercial credits include an interactive television commercial for
Ameritech
AT&T Teleholdings, Inc., formerly known as Ameritech Corporation (and, before that, American Information Technologies Corporation), was an American telecommunications company that arose out of the 1984 AT&T divestiture. Ameritech was one of the ...
and a Christmas commercial for the grocery chain
Publix
Publix Super Markets, Inc., Trade name, doing business as Publix, is an employee ownership, employee-owned American supermarket Chain store, chain headquartered in Lakeland, Florida. Founded in 1930 by George W. Jenkins, Publix is a Privately h ...
.
Weissman has performed ADR and looping on dozens of projects; ''
Heathers'', ''Loverboy'', ''
The Best Times'', ''Crime of Innocence'', ''
Pale Rider'', ''
Hot Resort'', and others.
He has directed for
Universal Studios Universal Studios may refer to:
* Universal Studios, Inc., an American media and entertainment conglomerate
** Universal Pictures, an American film studio
** Universal Studios Lot, a film and television studio complex
* Various theme parks operat ...
in Japan, and he was artistic director of the ‘Flying Penguins’ improv comedy group, (helping to form the highly acclaimed Los Angeles Theater Sports, now in its 18th year). He has recently been teaching theater games to training teachers at
Dominican College, commedia dell'arte & "The Business of Acting" at
Sonoma State University
Sonoma State University (SSU, Sonoma State, or Sonoma) is a public university in Sonoma County, California, United States. It is part of the California State University system. Sonoma State offers 92 bachelor's degree programs, 19 master's de ...
, as well as "Kidprov" & "Teenprov" workshops & shows at various libraries in
Marin County
Marin County ( ) is a county located in the northwestern part of the San Francisco Bay Area of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 262,231. Its county seat and largest city is San Rafael. Marin County is ac ...
and South San Francisco.
Weissman is also an avid activist for charity events, since the mid 1970s.
Personal life
Weissman met his wife Kimbell Jackson in 1972, while working in children's theatre, they married in 2004.
Together they have two sons.
Filmography
Feature films
*1983: ''
Twilight Zone: The Movie'' as Young Husband
*1984: ''
Johnny Dangerously'' as Tee Shirt Vendor
*1984: ''
Crackers'' as Backstage Dancer
*1985: ''
Pale Rider'' as Teddy Conway
*1989: ''
Back to the Future Part II
''Back to the Future Part II'' is a 1989 American science fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis from a screenplay by Bob Gale; both wrote the story. It is a sequel to the 1985 film ''Back to the Future'' and the second installment in the Back ...
'' as George Douglas McFly
*1990: ''
Back to the Future Part III'' as George Douglas McFly
*1991: ''
For the Boys'' as the North Africa Stage Manager
*1998: ''
BASEketball
''BASEketball'' is a 1998 American sports comedy film cowritten and directed by David Zucker, starring ''South Park'' creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and costarring Yasmine Bleeth, Jenny McCarthy, Robert Vaughn, Ernest Borgnine and Dian ...
'' as Hospital Orderly (uncredited)
*2001: ''To Protect & To Serve'' as Jean Goddard
*2001: ''
2001: A Space Travesty'' as Groucho
*2001: ''
Max Keeble's Big Move'' as McGoogles (bodysuit)
*2004: ''
Slapdash'' as Mosley
*2005: ''
Return to Sender'' as Old Comic
*2005: ''
Angels with Angles'' as Groucho
*2006: ''Night Fliers'' as Lee Hawthorn
*2006: ''
Car Babes'' as Jay
*2006: ''Looking Back at the Future'' (documentary) as himself
*2007: ''Hats Off'' as Dr. Ball
*2008: ''Corked'' as Jerry Hannon
*2008: ''
Our Feature Presentation'' as Hugo Wilmington
*2009: ''American Disciples'' as Dr Garownski
*2010: ''Chateau Meroux'' as Roy Hutchinson
*2010: ''Bottle Caps'' as Howard
*2013: ''Torn'' as Mr. Angr
*2014: ''Witches Blood'' as Uncle George
*2015: ''
The Boat Builder'' as Bud
*2025: ''
No Address'' as Corey Smart
Television
*1984: ''
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
''Scarecrow and Mrs. King'' is an American television series that aired from October 3, 1983, to May 28, 1987, on CBS. The music underscore was composed by Arthur B. Rubinstein.
The show starred Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner, as divorced ...
'': "Filming Raoul"
*1985: ''
Dallas
Dallas () is a city in the U.S. state of Texas and the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the List of Texas metropolitan areas, most populous metropolitan area in Texas and the Metropolitan statistical area, fourth-most ...
'': "Lovers and Other Strangers"
*1987: ''
Max Headroom'': "Rakers"
*198?: ''
Divorce Court
''Divorce Court'' is an American court show that revolves around settling the disputes of couples going through divorces. The show has had four separate runs, all in first-run syndication. Since the debut of the original series in 1957, it is ...
'': "Cott Vs. Cott"
*1991: ''
Saved By the Bell
''Saved by the Bell'' is an American television teen sitcom created by Sam Bobrick for NBC. The series premiered, in prime time, on August 20, 1989, a Sunday night. Targeted at kids and teens, ''Saved by the Bell'' was broadcast in the United ...
'': "Rockumentary"
*1992: ''NBC Cartoon Spectacular'': "Chip and Pepper"
*2000: ''
Diagnosis: Murder'': "Two Birds With One Sloan"
*2002: ''
The Man Show'': "Assoholics Anonymous"
*2020: ''
The Show Must Go Online'': "Twelfth Night"
*2021: ''Bingewatch and Friends'': "Magical Intrigues"
Mini-series
*1994: ''The Stand''
*2000: ''The '70s''
Short films
*1996: ''He's Dead, But He Won't Lie Down ''
*1997: ''Garbage ''
*1998: ''god@heaven''
*2003: ''Touched ''
*2007: ''Edible'' as Father
*2008: ''We Missed You, Pete ''
*2011: ''Kosher ''
Theatre
*1998: ''Tallulah'' (Hollywood)
*2004: Tony Kushner's ''The Illusion'' (
Cinnabar Theater)
*2005: Mellisa Gibson's "
ic (6th St. Playhouse/Sonoma Actor's Theatre)
*2005: Wm. Shakespeare's "12th Night"
*2006: ''Tease-O-Rama Baggy Trouser Blackout Comedy'', at
Bimbo's 365 Club
*2006: ''Just For Laughs'' (SF Fringe Festival)
*2007: ''Just For Laughs'' (fundraiser establishing a Theater Department Schoarship at OSU)
References
External links
Official website*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Weissman, Jeffrey
1958 births
American male film actors
American male stage actors
American male television actors
Living people