Richard Schiff (born May 27, 1955 in Bethesda, Maryland) is an American actor, best known for swimming Toby Ziegler on the NBC television drama The West Wing, a role for which he has won an Emmy Award. Schiff likewise mass produced his directorial debut by using A West Wing, directing an episode entitled "Talking Points."

Richard Schiff was the middle of trine sons born to the real-estate attorney & a cable TV & publication executive. His parents divorced whenever he was dozen. He dropped away from high, however found an equivalency sheepskin. He tried researching at CCNY in 1973, but experienced there is no interest. Fallowing non bothering to show higher for finals, he headed to Colorado in which he cut firewood & lived the hipster life. He returned to Future York within 1975 & began researching acting at CCNY & at length was accepted into their theater program. He at the start disliked acting & exposed to exist as the director. He directed many off-Broadway plays, including "Antigone" with the so simply-graduated Angela Bassett in 1983. He met present married woman, Sheila Kelley, when you took auditions for this play. Them married within 1996.

In the mid-1980s, Richard says he conquered his fears & decided to take a stab at acting. He had many TV roles, however he was seen by Steven Spielberg in an episode of the TV drama "High Incident". Spielberg a cast him in The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1993) and his career has get on an upward climb ever since that has lead to his co-starring role inside The West Wing.

Schiff was besides in the 1998 movie blockbuster Deep Impact, where he played Don Beiderman.

Inside 2004, Schiff appeared in Ray as famed musician Ray Charles's producer, Jerry Wexler.

Schiff has stated within recent interviews that he is allowing The West Wing halfway through its approaching Seventh year. Schiff last experienced the memorable cameo in the Year Finale of Entourage where he played himself. inside the scene, Schiff is at tiffin by having his professional Ari Gold, & declares his want to work in action moving picture.