Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for playing Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. Schiff also made his directorial debut with The West Wing, directing an episode entitled "Talking Points."

Richard Schiff is the middle of three sons born to a real estate lawyer and a cable TV and publishing executive. His parents divorced when he was twelve. He dropped out of high school, but obtained an equivalency diploma. He studied briefly at CCNY in 1973, but had no interest. After not bothering to show up for finals, he headed to Colorado where he cut firewood and lived a hippie life. He returned to New York in 1975 and started studying acting at CCNY and was eventually accepted into their theater program. He initially disliked acting and studied to be a director. He directed several off-Broadway plays, including "Antigone" with a then just-graduated Angela Bassett in 1983. He met present wife, Sheila Kelley, during auditions for this play. The two married many years later – in 1996.

In the mid-1980s, Schiff says he conquered his fears and decided to take a stab at acting. He got several TV roles, and was seen by Steven Spielberg in an episode of the TV drama High Incident. Spielberg then cast him in Jurassic Park (1997) and his career has been on an upward climb ever since that has led to his co-starring role in The West Wing.

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How did I not remember that this episode of Eli Stone has Richard Schiff and Jayne Brook being husband and wife? Epic. Both awesome actors.
Krys33 (Krystal Christian) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:27:48 -0000
How did I not remember that this episode of Eli Stone has Richard Schiff and Jayne Brook being husband and wife? Epic. Both awesome actors.
OK, I repeat, I really really really like Richard Schiff! Can't explain, just do.
sjoes (sjoes) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 17:17:05 -0000
OK, I repeat, I really really really like Richard Schiff! Can't explain, just do.
Wait. What! Richard Schiff is in this?!?! http://bit.ly/4U1sLf OK - worth at least a look-see!
aindhy (Ibrahim H. Shihab) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 06:47:55 -0000
Wait. What! Richard Schiff is in this?!?! http://bit.ly/4U1sLf OK - worth at least a look-see!
@taragel !!! I would run into him on the street & then like 8 years later be like, "OMG! RICHARD SCHIFF!"
erinshirl (Erin Shirl) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:27:25 -0000
@taragel !!! I would run into him on the street & then like 8 years later be like, "OMG! RICHARD SCHIFF!"
@taragel Poor Richard Schiff. I guess everybody's gotta pay the mortgage, right?
erinshirl (Erin Shirl) Thu, 31 Dec 2009 05:18:44 -0000
@taragel Poor Richard Schiff. I guess everybody's gotta pay the mortgage, right?
Richard Schiff is a really good baseball player. It's surprising because he looks exhausted.
azquotes (A to Z Quotes) Wed, 30 Dec 2009 14:05:02 -0000
Richard Schiff is a really good baseball player. It's surprising because he looks exhausted.

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