Which actor played Leonard's father Alfred Hofstadter?

Judd Hirsch played Leonard Hofstadter’s father, Alfred Hofstadter, on The Big Bang Theory.

Alfred is a respected anthropologist whose relationship with Leonard is complicated and emotionally distant. The character appears when Leonard’s parents visit Pasadena, bringing together Alfred’s reserved academic personality and Beverly Hofstadter’s famously clinical approach to family life.

Hirsch’s casting added another celebrated television and film performer to the Hofstadter family story. He was already known for starring roles in Taxi and Dear John, as well as films including Ordinary People, Independence Day and A Beautiful Mind. On The Big Bang Theory, he appeared alongside Christine Baranski, who played Leonard’s mother, Beverly.

A common mix-up is confusing Alfred with Leonard’s childhood tormentor Jimmy Speckerman, played by Lance Barber, or with Professor Proton, played by Bob Newhart. Alfred is also not a physicist like Leonard: the show identifies him as an anthropologist, making the Hofstadter household a family of academics with very different temperaments.