Joel Polis

Biography

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.

Known for

HD

The Thing Expanded

2026 ⭐ 9.0

HD

Chasing a Dream

2009 ⭐ 6.3

HD

Swallow

2004 ⭐ 8.0

HD

Attraction

2001 ⭐ 6.9

Career timeline

2026

The Thing Expanded Notable

Self · 2026

⭐ 9.0

2009

Chasing a Dream

Dr. Aldicott · 2009

⭐ 6.3

2007

Fallen Angels

Horace Millhouse · 2007

⭐ 3.0

2004

Swallow Notable

Agent Miller · 2004

⭐ 8.0

2003

Alien Hunter

Copeland · 2003

⭐ 5.1

2001

Attraction

William · 2001

⭐ 6.9

2000

Rocket's Red Glare

Col. Mitchell · 2000

⭐ 5.0

1999

Tumbleweeds

Vice Principal · 1999

⭐ 6.4

1998

The Thing: Terror Takes Shape Notable

Self · 1998

⭐ 7.4

1997

The Sleepwalker Killing

Asst. Atty. Jimmy · 1997

⭐ 5.9

Prison of Secrets

Brad · 1997

⭐ 5.2

1996

Dark Angel

Jastrow · 1996

⭐ 3.2

Twilight Man Notable

Harper · 1996

⭐ 7.5

It's My Party

Tim Bergen · 1996

⭐ 6.3

1995

Serial Killer

Jack Blund · 1995

⭐ 4.7

1991

Deadly Medicine

Dr. George Reardon · 1991

⭐ 4.0

1990

The Rookie

Lance · 1990

⭐ 5.9

My Blue Heaven

U.S. Attorney · 1990

⭐ 6.1

Burning Bridges

Dr. Paletsky · 1990

⭐ 4.0

1989

Those She Left Behind

Kerns · 1989

⭐ 6.7

True Believer

Dean Rabin · 1989

⭐ 6.2

1984

Best Defense

First Agent · 1984

⭐ 4.3

All The Kids Do It Notable

Coach · 1984

⭐ 10.0

1982

Born Beautiful Notable

Ted · 1982

⭐ 7.0

The Thing Notable

Fuchs · 1982

⭐ 8.1

Frequently appears with

John Carpenter

Self

Kurt Russell

Self

Keith David

Self

Richard Masur

Self

David Clennon

Self

Joanna Going

Diane Stiles

Treat Williams

Gary Stiles

Jake McLaughlin

John Van Horn

Andrew Lawrence

Cam Stiles

Jarrod Bailey

Brandon Van Horn

Full filmography

HD

The Thing Expanded

2026 ⭐ 9.0

HD

Chasing a Dream

2009 ⭐ 6.3

HD

Fallen Angels

2007 ⭐ 3.0

HD

Swallow

2004 ⭐ 8.0

HD

Alien Hunter

2003 ⭐ 5.1

HD

Attraction

2001 ⭐ 6.9

HD

Rocket's Red Glare

2000 ⭐ 5.0

HD

Tumbleweeds

1999 ⭐ 6.4

HD

The Thing: Terror Takes Shape

1998 ⭐ 7.4

HD

The Sleepwalker Killing

1997 ⭐ 5.9

HD

Prison of Secrets

1997 ⭐ 5.2

HD

Dark Angel

1996 ⭐ 3.2

HD

Twilight Man

1996 ⭐ 7.5

HD

It's My Party

1996 ⭐ 6.3

HD

Serial Killer

1995 ⭐ 4.7

HD

Deadly Medicine

1991 ⭐ 4.0

HD

The Rookie

1990 ⭐ 5.9

HD

My Blue Heaven

1990 ⭐ 6.1

HD

Burning Bridges

1990 ⭐ 4.0

HD

Those She Left Behind

1989 ⭐ 6.7