
Joel Polis
Acting
Born 1951-10-03 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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

The Thing
1982 · Movie

The Rookie
1990 · Movie

All The Kids Do It
1984 · Movie

My Blue Heaven
1990 · Movie

Twilight Man
1996 · Movie

True Believer
1989 · Movie

Attraction
2001 · Movie

The Thing: Terror Takes Shape
1998 · Movie

Swallow
2004 · Movie

Tumbleweeds
1999 · Movie

It's My Party
1996 · Movie

Those She Left Behind
1989 · Movie

Born Beautiful
1982 · Movie

Alien Hunter
2003 · Movie

The Sleepwalker Killing
1997 · Movie

Chasing a Dream
2009 · Movie

Best Defense
1984 · Movie

Rocket's Red Glare
2000 · Movie

Serial Killer
1995 · Movie

Prison of Secrets
1997 · Movie

Burning Bridges
1990 · Movie

Deadly Medicine
1991 · Movie

Dark Angel
1996 · Movie

Fallen Angels
2007 · Movie

The Thing Expanded
2026 · Movie