Ted Wass

Ted Wass Headshot

Director • Actor

Birth Date: October 27, 1952

Age: 71 years old

Birth Place: Lakewood, Ohio

For most people an acting career as secure as that of Ted Wass would have been the dream of a lifetime. Wass was a prime-time regular in the heartthrob role of Danny Dallas on the groundbreaking sitcom "Soap" (ABC 1977-81), and again as dad Nick Russo on the popular teen sitcom "Blossom" (NBC 1991-1995). But he had another dream as well, and once he decided he wanted to direct, he seamlessly transitioned to the other side of the lens and has remained a mainstay in the field since he made the shift in 1992.

Shortly after graduating from DePaul University's Goodman School of Drama, Ted Wass made his Broadway debut in the 1976 production of "Grease," playing the lead role of Danny Zuko. He broke into television in 1977 with a guest spot on the Emmy-nominated "Family" (ABC 1976-80). That same year, Wass booked a regular role on Susan Harris' satire of daytime television, "Soap" (ABC 1977-81), as Danny Dallas, the mob-connected protective older brother of Billy Crystal's ground-breaking gay character, Jodie.

Wass moved on to act in several television movies; he landed his first film role in the flop "Curse of the Pink Panther" (1983), as Sergeant Clifton Sleigh, hired to track down protagonist Inspector Clouseau (played by Roger Moore in a brief cameo following the death of Peter Sellers, who had originated the character). His next film role was sports journalist Vic Casey in the Razzie-nominated Tanya Roberts vehicle, "Sheena: Queen of the Jungle" (1984). Unfortunately, his bad luck streak continued when he turned up that same year opposite comedy legend George Burns in the critically-lambasted sequel "Oh, God! You Devil" (1984).

Wass' next recurring television role was Dr. Steven Ratajkowski on the short-lived ensemble drama "Men" (ABC 1989). He followed it with several made-for-television movies before landing his next major role on the hit series "Blossom" (NBC 1990-95). The actor appeared on 113 episodes as Nick Russo, father of the title character played by Mayim Bialik. Between 1992 and 1995, the actor stepped behind the camera for his directorial debut, helming 18 episodes of the show. His next multi-episode directorial gig was on six episodes for "Local Heroes" (FOX 1996), although the show was canceled after only 5 episodes aired. Wass then delivered 10 episodes of the boy genius comedy, "Smart Guy" (WB 1997-99), and followed that with 3 episodes of the critically-acclaimed but poorly-rated Tony Shalhoub and Neil Patrick Harris sleeper "Stark Raving Mad" (NBC 1999-2000). Between 1998-2000, Wass directed 17 episodes of "Caroline in the City" (NBC 1995-99) and 5 episodes of the popular Ryan Reynolds vehicle "Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place" (ABC 1998-2001).

Wass followed those successes by helming 45 episodes of the Emmy-winning Michael J. Fox sitcom "Spin City" (ABC 1996-2002). Shortly after wrapping up his stint at "Spin City," Wass directed 5 episodes of "I'm with Her" (ABC 2003-04), a sitcom loosely based on show creator Chris Henchy's experiences of being married to Brooke Shields. The series only made it through one season. His next multi-episode project was the ill-fated Fred Savage sitcom "Crumbs" (ABC 2006), about a gay screenwriter who returns home to take care of his recently institutionalized mother. Fortunately, the project dovetailed with a 64-episode run on the sitcom "Less Than Perfect" (ABC 2002-06).

For Wass, 2007 was a busy year. In addition to helming episodes of the ratings powerhouses "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS 2007- ) and "Two and a Half Men"(CBS 2003-15), Wass also directed three episodes of critic's favorite "Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN 2005-09) and began his long run on the relationship sitcom "Rules of Engagement" (CBS 2007-13). He directed 7 episodes of Jenna Elfman's short-lived comeback attempt "Accidentally on Purpose" (CBS 2009-10). In 2011, he began directing episodes of a popular show that became a lightning rod for debates over the state of feminism and race relations in America, "2 Broke Girls" (CBS 2011- ).

Credits

Call Me KatStream

Guest Star
Harley
Series
2021

The Odd CoupleStream

Director
Series
2015

CristelaStream

Director
Series
2014
53%

MomStream

Director
Series
2013

Last Man StandingStream

Director
Series
2011

2 Broke GirlsStream

Director
Series
2011

$#*! My Dad Says

Director
Series
2010
0%

Melissa & JoeyStream

Director
Series
2010

Accidentally on PurposeStream

Director
Series
2009
30%

The Big Bang TheoryStream

Director
Series
2007
81%

Rules of EngagementStream

Director
Series
2007

Rules of EngagementStream

Writer
Series
2007

The GameStream

Director
Series
2006

Crumbs

Director
Show
2006

Everybody Hates ChrisStream

Director
Series
2005
95%

Married to the Kellys

Director
Show
2003

I'm With Her

Director
Show
2003

Two and a Half MenStream

Director
Series
2003
65%

Regular Joe

Director
Show
2003

Less Than PerfectStream

Director
Series
2002

My Adventures in Television

Director
Show
2002

ScrubsStream

Director
Series
2001
83%

My Wife and KidsStream

Director
Series
2001

Talk to Me

Director
Show
2000

Then Came You

Director
Show
2000

Oh Grow Up

Director
Show
1999

Two Guys and a Girl

Director
Series
1998
33%

Hitz

Director
Show
1997

Soul Man

Director
Show
1997

Soul Man

Writer
Show
1997

Smart GuyStream

Director
Series
1997

Spin City

Director
Series
1996
69%

My Guys

Director
Show
1996

La Estrella, Una Novela de Danielle Steel

Actor
Movie
1993

Estrella Solitaria

Actor
Movie
1993

Triumph Over Disaster: The Hurricane Andrew Story

Actor
Bryan Norcross
Movie
1993

Star

Actor
Ernie
Movie
1993

Blossom in Paris

Actor
Nick Russo
Movie
1993

BlossomStream

Actor
Nick Russo
Series
1991

Sparks: The Price of Passion

Actor
Steve Warner
Movie
1990

Fine Gold

Actor
Andre
Movie
1990

CoachStream

Director
Series
1989

Sunset Court

Actor
Dr. Jimmy Fielding
Movie
1988

Pancho Barnes

Actor
Frank Clarke
Movie
1988

CBS Summer Playhouse

Actor
Mickey
Show
1987

Le défi

Actor
Movie
1986

Tiro al Gol

Actor
Movie
1986

Sunday Drive

Actor
Paul Sheridan
Movie
1986

The Longshot

Actor
Stump
Movie
1986

Triplecross

Actor
Elliott Taffle
Movie
1986

The Canterville Ghost

Actor
Harry Canterville
Movie
1986

Herencia del Padre

Actor
Movie
1985

Le péché du père

Actor
Movie
1985

Sins of the Father

Actor
Gregory Scott Murchison
Movie
1985

SheenaStream

Actor
Vic Casey
Movie
1984
13%

Oh, God! You DevilStream

Actor
Bobby Shelton
Movie
1984
33%

Baby Sister

Actor
David Mitchell
Movie
1983

Curse of the Pink Panther

Actor
Movie
1983

Curse of the Pink PantherStream

Actor
Sgt. Clifton Sleigh
Movie
1983
29%

I Was a Mail Order Bride

Actor
Robert Fitzgerald
Movie
1982

Story of Esther

Actor
Simon
Movie
1979

The Triangle Factory Fire Scandal

Actor
Vinnie
Movie
1979

SoapStream

Actor
Danny Dallas
Series
1977

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