Joel Polis
Known for: Acting
Born: October 3, 1951
Place of birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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.
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Filmography
27 movies · 56 TV shows, newest first
8.5
The Thing Expanded
2026
6.4
Growing Up Fisher
2014
7.5
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
2013
7.9
Rizzoli & Isles
2010
6.1
The Forgotten
2009
6.3
Chasing a Dream
2009
8.0
Castle
2009
3.0
Fallen Angels
2007
7.4
The Unit
2006
8.2
Bones
2005
7.9
Boston Legal
2004
7.3
CSI: NY
2004
8.0
Stargate Atlantis
2004
8.0
Swallow
2004
7.6
NCIS
2003
5.1
Alien Hunter
2003
8.3
Mister Sterling
2003
7.2
Without a Trace
2002
7.7
CSI: Miami
2002
3.9
The Best Sex Ever
2002
7.0
The Guardian
2001
6.9
Attraction
2001
7.7
Boston Public
2000
7.6
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
2000
5.0
Rocket's Red Glare
2000
6.8
Bull
2000
7.1
The Invisible Man
2000NR
Shadows
2000
6.4
Tumbleweeds
1999
7.9
Angel
1999
7.5
Judging Amy
1999
8.5
L.A. Doctors
1998
7.4
The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
1998
6.4
Dharma & Greg
1997
6.5
Ally McBeal
1997
7.2
Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
1997
5.9
The Sleepwalker Killing
1997
5.2
Prison of Secrets
1997
7.4
The Pretender
1996
3.2
Dark Angel
1996
6.4
7th Heaven
1996
6.4
Twilight Man
1996
6.3
It's My Party
1996
8.0
Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story
1995
4.7
Serial Killer
1995
7.8
Star Trek: Voyager
1995
7.2
Touched by an Angel
1994
7.2
Chicago Hope
1994
7.0
Party of Five
1994
7.7
One West Waikiki
1994
7.1
Diagnosis: Murder
1993
7.7
The Larry Sanders Show
1992
4.0
Deadly Medicine
1991
7.4
Home Improvement
1991NR
Eddie Dodd
1991
5.9
The Rookie
1990
7.3
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
7.3
Law & Order
1990
6.1
My Blue Heaven
1990
7.8
Northern Exposure
1990
4.0
Burning Bridges
1990
6.5
Capital News
1990
6.7
Doogie Howser, M.D.
1989
7.0
Alien Nation
1989
8.3
Seinfeld
1989
6.7
Those She Left Behind
1989
6.2
True Believer
1989
7.1
Matlock
1986
7.1
Misfits of Science
1985
7.7
The Twilight Zone
1985
7.5
Moonlighting
1985
6.8
Fatal Vision
1984
4.3
Best Defense
1984
10.0
All The Kids Do It
1984
6.3
The Hitchhiker
1983
6.7
Scarecrow and Mrs. King
1983
7.0
Born Beautiful
1982
5.7
St. Elsewhere
1982
7.1
Remington Steele
1982
7.6
Cheers
1982
8.1
The Thing
1982
6.9
Cagney & Lacey
1982
6.5
T. J. Hooker
1982