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Peter Bonerz

Peter Bonerz

Director and actor · Born August 6, 1938 (88) · Portsmouth - New Hampshire - USA

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Peter Bonerz (born August 6, 1938 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire) is an American actor and director who is best known as the character Dr. Jerry Robinson on The Bob Newhart Show. Bonerz grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where he attended Marquette University High School, gaining his first theatrical experience with the Prep Players under rigid conditions. At Marquette University he participated in the Marquette University Players under the Rev. John J. Walsh, S.J. After graduating with a bachelor of science degree in 1960, he decided to seek a career in theater, beginning with The Premise, an improv group in New York. After compulsory service as a draftee in the US Army he joined The Committee, an improv troupe in San Francisco. His first network television appearance was in 1965 on The Addams Family in the Season Two episode "Morticia, The Writer". He had several more TV appearances in the late 1960s and also had a number of roles in several films, including Medium Cool (1969) and Catch-22 (1970). In 1972, he landed the popular supporting role of Dr. Jerry Robinson, the eccentric orthodontist on The Bob Newhart Show, whose most frequent comic foil was Marcia Wallace as Carol, the sharp-tongued secretary. He also directed 29 episodes. The show ran for six seasons, with ratings among the top 20 in the first three seasons. In one of his later acting roles he played a psychiatrist in Serial (1980). In 1986, Bonerz co-starred alongside Tuesday Weld and River Phoenix in the CBS television movie Circle of Violence, and would go on to direct a large number of sitcom episodes for series such as Friends, Murphy Brown, NewsRadio, Home Improvement, It's Your Move, and ALF. He also directed a few films, such as Police Academy 6: City Under Siege.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 6, 1938 (88)
From
Portsmouth - New Hampshire - USA
Works as
Director and actor
Titles
32 on MovieCove · 88 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 37% in 30 days

What are Peter Bonerz's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 26th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Morality
16%
Society
14%
Power
12%
Ideas
11%
Self
9%
Survival
8%
Romantic love2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity3 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception2 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 8 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 4 · Serious 2 · Dark 2

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 5 · Stylized 3 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 3 · Charged 3 · Intense 2

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 5 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 2 · Funny 3

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 3 · Engaged 5 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 4 · Affecting 0 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Absurd
5
Joyful
5
Tense
4
Melancholic
3
Warm
2
Other
5

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet3
  • Tragic2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Peter Bonerz's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 20 of their 32 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Peter Bonerz's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

88 credits, 32 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Marcel the Shell with Shoes On(2021)

    as The Maestro (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Friends 25th: The One with the Anniversary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director

  • Parks and Recreation(2009)

    Show 1 episode · as Doug Demarco

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Joey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • My Big Fat Greek Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Good Morning, Miami (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 10 episodes · Director

  • What I Like About You(2002)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Kim Possible(2002)

    Show 1 episode · as Rabbi Katz (voice)

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Three Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 35 episodes · Director · as George Bernstein-Flynn

  • Man on the Moon(1999)

    as Ed Weinberger

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Movie Stars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Hughleys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

  • Getting Personal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • George & Leo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Soul Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • Just Shoot Me!(1997)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all shows

  • Mr. Rhodes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1996)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Minor Adjustments (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Naked Truth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • NewsRadio(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all shows

  • Hope and Gloria (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Aaahh!!! Real Monsters(1994)

    Show 1 episode · as Sal (voice)

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • Friends(1994)

    Show 12 episodes · Director · as Theater Patron (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all shows

  • Love & War(1992)

    Show 11 episodes · Director · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • Bob (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Flying Blind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Room for Two (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • The Bob Newhart Show 19th Anniversary Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Dr. Jerry Robinson

  • Home Improvement(1991)

    Show 29 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Dinosaurs(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Insurance Agent (voice)

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all shows

  • True Colors (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

  • Dad's A Dog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Tony Sheridan

  • Wings(1990)

    Show 11 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • Julie Brown: The Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Doctor Doctor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Police Academy 6: City Under Siege(1989)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Murphy Brown (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 93 episodes · Director

  • Sharing Richard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Director

  • The Thorns (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

  • Good Morning, Miss Bliss(1987)

    Show Director

    Midcredits score: 38th percentile of all shows

  • Circle of Violence: A Family Drama(1986)

    as Peter Benfield

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • My Sister Sam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 7 episodes · Director

  • ALF(1986)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Together We Stand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • You Again? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • Foley Square (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 9 episodes · Director

  • George Burns Comedy Week (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Recovery Room (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director

  • Murder, She Wrote(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Calhoun 'Cal' Fletcher

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all shows

  • It's Your Move (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • E/R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 22 episodes · Director

  • Maggie Briggs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 6 episodes · Director

  • Focus on Fishko (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Director

  • Likely Stories, Vol. 4(1983)

    Director

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Your Place... or Mine? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Phil

  • 9 to 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 29 episodes · Director · as Franklin Hart

  • Nobody's Perfekt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · as Randall Kendall

  • Park Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 3 episodes · Director

  • The Two of Us (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 8 episodes · Director

  • Serial(1980)

    as Leonard

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all films

  • Mirror, Mirror (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Andrew McLaren

  • Archie Bunker's Place(1979)

    Show 4 episodes · Director

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Apple Pie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 2 episodes · Director

  • The Bastard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Girard

  • How to Break Up a Happy Divorce(1976)

    as Carter Dowling

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • The Tony Randall Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Good Heavens (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Director · Actor

  • When Things Were Rotten (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • Paul Sand in Friends and Lovers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Director

  • The Bob Newhart Show(1972)

    Show 142 episodes · Director · as Jerry Robinson

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Fuzz(1972)

    as Buck

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Sanford and Son (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Jennifer on My Mind(1971)

    as Sergei Wasserman

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • McMillan & Wife(1971)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Mary Tyler Moore Show(1970)

    Show 1 episode · Director

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Catch-22(1970)

    as Captain J.S. McWatt

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • A Storm in Summer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Stanley

  • Medium Cool(1969)

    as Gus

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?(1969)

    as Mr. Bentley

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Hawaii Five-O(1968)

    Show 1 episode · as Earl

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all shows

  • Funnyman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Writer · as Perry

  • The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 5 episodes · Writer · as Various

  • That Girl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Summer Fun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Addams Family(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Boswell

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Hallmark Hall of Fame (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Show 1 episode · as Stanley

  • Information Processing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

A full career of 87 titles, 86 of them dated from 1951 to 2022.

Biggest box office

Man on the Moon (1999)

$47M worldwide

Highest rated

Man on the Moon (1999)

Midcredits 90th

Most popular right now

The Bob Newhart Show (1972)

Film career

  • 1969Screen debut· What Ever Happened to Aunt Alice?

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting40 of 87: 31 only acting, 9 with another role · typical Midcredits score69thDirecting54 of 87: 47 only directing, 7 with another role · typical Midcredits score64thWriting2 of 87: 0 only writing, 2 with another role

87 titles, 9 with more than one role — directing and acting overlap on 7 of them.

By decade

1950s1 · acting1960s8 · 8 acting · 2 crew1970s17 · 11 acting · 8 crew1980s26 · 6 acting · 22 crew1990s25 · 9 acting · 18 crew2000s7 · 3 acting · 5 crew2010s1 · crew2020s1 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 6 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Peter Bonerz's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 65th percentile, the median of all 12; across their 8 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 62nd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

62ndpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Approval · how many liked their films

59thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Reach · how many have seen their films

53rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 8

Midcredits score across 32 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 32 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed2
  • Mixed7

Most divisive · director

Likely Stories, Vol. 4 (1983)

92nd percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor, director

Friends (1994)

Midcredits 97th · 90% liked

Reviewers score the atmosphere 61/100 and the pacing 39/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles. The element that speaks to their work as a director.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Peter Bonerz work with?

People who share at least 2 of Peter Bonerz's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Vincent Schiavelli shares the most, 2.

Actors

Mixed roles