William Mills Irwin (born April 11, 1950) is an American actor, clown, and comedian. He began as a vaudeville-style stage performer and has been noted for his contribution to the renaissance of American circus during the 1970s. He has also made a number of appearances on film and television, and he won a Tony Award for his role in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf on Broadway. He is also known as Mr. Noodle on the Sesame Street segment Elmo's World, has appeared in the Sesame Street film short Does Air Move Things?, and regularly appeared as a therapist on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Known For
Interstellar
(2014)
TARS (voice)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(2000)
Lou Lou Who
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
(1993)
Unnamed Brother #1
Hot Shots!
(1991)
Buzz Harley
Popeye
(1980)
Ham Gravy
Irresistible
(2020)
Elton Chambers
The Manchurian Candidate
(2004)
Scoutmaster
Rustin
(2023)
A. J. Muste
Lady in the Water
(2006)
Mr. Leeds
Across the Universe
(2007)
Uncle Teddy
My Blue Heaven
(1990)
Kirby
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1999)
Tom Snout
Igby Goes Down
(2002)
Lt. Smith
Confirmation
(2016)
Senator Jack Danforth
Ricki and the Flash
(2015)
Single Dad
Spoiler Alert
(2022)
Bob
Full Filmography
Acting
Popeye
(1980)
Ham Gravy
Mudflat
(1980)
The Regard of Flight
(1983)
A New Life
(1988)
Eric
Eight Men Out
(1988)
Eddie Collins
My Blue Heaven
(1990)
Kirby
Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
(1990)
Self
Stepping Out
(1991)
Geoffrey
Hot Shots!
(1991)
Buzz Harley
Scenes from a Mall
(1991)
Mime
Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers
(1991)
Reader
The Last Mile
(1992)
The Maestro
Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
(1992)
Self
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
(1993)
Unnamed Brother #1
Silent Tongue
(1993)
Comic
Subway Stories
(1997)
Bill Irwin (segment "Subway Car from Hell")
Illuminata
(1998)
Marco
Just the Ticket
(1998)
Ray Charles
Waiting for Godot in San Quentin
(1998)
Himself
Niagara: A History of the Falls
(1999)
Self - Historian
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1999)
Tom Snout
How the Grinch Stole Christmas
(2000)
Lou Lou Who
Igby Goes Down
(2002)
Lt. Smith
The Laramie Project
(2002)
Harry Woods
Charlie: The Life and Art of Charles Chaplin
(2003)
Self
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Families, Mail & Bath Time!
(2004)
Mr. Noodle
The Manchurian Candidate
(2004)
Scoutmaster
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Reach for the Sky!
(2006)
Mr Noodle
Lady in the Water
(2006)
Mr. Leeds
Raving
(2007)
Dito
Across the Universe
(2007)
Uncle Teddy
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: What Makes You Happy?
(2007)
Mr. Noodle
Rachel Getting Married
(2008)
Paul Buchman
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
(2010)
Mr. Noodle (uncredited) (archive footage)
Goldstar, Ohio
(2010)
Chief Jeff 'Goob' Garver
Higher Ground
(2011)
Pastor Bud
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Penguins and Friends
(2011)
Voice
Never Stand Still
(2012)
Himself
Interstellar
(2014)
TARS (voice)
Identity Theft
(2015)
Mark
Show Boat
(2015)
Cap'n Andy Hawks
Sesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo!
(2015)
Mr. Noodle
Ricki and the Flash
(2015)
Single Dad
Circus Kid
(2016)
Himself
Confirmation
(2016)
Senator Jack Danforth
Old Hats
(2017)
The Great Buster: A Celebration
(2018)
Self
Sesame Street: 50th Anniversary Celebration!
(2019)
Mr. Noodle
It Takes a Lunatic
(2019)
Self
Irresistible
(2020)
Elton Chambers
Lust Life Love
(2021)
Richard
Spoiler Alert
(2022)
Bob
Rustin
(2023)
A. J. Muste
Endgame
(2023)
Clov
High Tide
(2024)
Scott
Writing