He (born September 30, 1970) is an American actor, best known for starring in the FOX comedy series Arrested Development, in which he played the neurotic Byron “Buster” Bluth. He also appeared in Stranger Than Fiction alongside Will Ferrell.
Tony Hale Early life
Born in West Point, New York, Hale grew up in Tallahassee, Florida, where he attended the Young Actors Theatre and participated in numerous theatrical and musical productions.
Hale graduated from Samford University in Alabama in 1992 with a journalism degree, where he became a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. He is a 1994 graduate of the School of Communication & the Arts of Regent University in Virginia. After graduating, he set up residence in New York City and lived there for nearly ten years. While in New York, Hale helped found a Christian ministry called The Haven, an artistically-minded community of Christians that meets weekly.[1]
Tony Hale Career
Hale made minor guest appearances in TV shows such as Dawson’s Creek, The Sopranos, and Sex and the City. He is often recognized for his role in the famous VW television commercial aired in 1999, in which he danced to the song, “Mr. Roboto” (which was spoofed in “The Ocean Walker” episode of Arrested Development).
From 2003 to 2006, Hale found success in television when he was cast as the hapless, deadpan Byron “Buster” Bluth with “mother issues” in the Fox sitcom Arrested Development.
Hale also appeared in a season ten episode of MADtv, with Arrested Development costar, Michael Cera, in a parody of COPS where two British bobbies (played by Hale and Cera) try to stop a domestic dispute among the Royal Family.
In March 2006, Hale was cast in a co-starring role of the video store owner, Simon, in the NBC sitcom Andy Barker P.I., starring Andy Richter and co-created by Conan O’Brien.[2] He also appeared in minor roles in Stranger Than Fiction and Because I Said So. He was the voice of Furlough in The Tale of Despereaux, an animated children’s tale released in 2008.[3]
On October 22, 2008, TV Guide reported that Hale will star in the new FOX series Boldly Going Nowhere, which will focus on life on an intergalactic spaceship.[4]
Hale has had a recurring role as Emmett in the NBC dramedy “Chuck” since October 2008.
Hale appeared in a cameo as English teacher Oral Gershenoff in Showtime dramedy United States of Tara. At this point, he is cast in only one episode, the second episode of the first season.
Hale also played a role in the short film “Cruel Logic,” which was directed by Brian Godawa where it won numerous awards in film festivals in 2006.
He currently stars in the NBC web series Ctrl, which premiered July 13, 2009.
Tony Hale Personal life
He married Emmy Award-winning make-up artist Martel Thompson on May 24, 2003. They had their first child, Loy Ann Hale, on February 24, 2006. They live in the historic Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Tony Hale Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2010
Arrested Development Byron “Buster”