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
Hot Shots!
(1991)
Buzz Harley
Irresistible
(2020)
Elton Chambers
Rustin
(2023)
A. J. Muste
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
(1993)
Unnamed Brother #1
Spoiler Alert
(2022)
Bob
Subway Stories
(1997)
Bill Irwin (segment "Subway Car from Hell")
Confirmation
(2016)
Senator Jack Danforth
Popeye
(1980)
Ham Gravy
The Manchurian Candidate
(2004)
Scoutmaster
Lady in the Water
(2006)
Mr. Leeds
Higher Ground
(2011)
Pastor Bud
Across the Universe
(2007)
Uncle Teddy
Igby Goes Down
(2002)
Lt. Smith
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1999)
Tom Snout
Full Filmography
Acting
Popeye
(1980)
Ham Gravy
Mudflat
(1980)
The Regard of Flight
(1983)
Eight Men Out
(1988)
Eddie Collins
A New Life
(1988)
Eric
My Blue Heaven
(1990)
Kirby
Red Hot + Blue: A Tribute to Cole Porter
(1990)
Self
Hot Shots!
(1991)
Buzz Harley
Stepping Out
(1991)
Geoffrey
Scenes from a Mall
(1991)
Mime
Memorial: Letters from American Soldiers
(1991)
Reader
Sondheim: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall
(1992)
Self
The Last Mile
(1992)
The Maestro
Silent Tongue
(1993)
Comic
Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit
(1993)
Unnamed Brother #1
Subway Stories
(1997)
Bill Irwin (segment "Subway Car from Hell")
Just the Ticket
(1998)
Ray Charles
Illuminata
(1998)
Marco
A Midsummer Night's Dream
(1999)
Tom Snout
Niagara: A History of the Falls
(1999)
Self - Historian
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
The Manchurian Candidate
(2004)
Scoutmaster
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Families, Mail & Bath Time!
(2004)
Mr. Noodle
Lady in the Water
(2006)
Mr. Leeds
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Reach for the Sky!
(2006)
Mr Noodle
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
Goldstar, Ohio
(2010)
Chief Jeff 'Goob' Garver
Sesame Street: 40 Years of Sunny Days
(2010)
Mr. Noodle (uncredited) (archive footage)
Higher Ground
(2011)
Pastor Bud
Sesame Street: Elmo's World: Penguins and Friends
(2011)
Voice
Never Stand Still
(2012)
Himself
Interstellar
(2014)
TARS (voice)
Ricki and the Flash
(2015)
Single Dad
Show Boat
(2015)
Cap'n Andy Hawks
Identity Theft
(2015)
Mark
Sesame Street: Play All Day with Elmo!
(2015)
Mr. Noodle
Confirmation
(2016)
Senator Jack Danforth
Circus Kid
(2016)
Himself
Old Hats
(2017)
The Great Buster: A Celebration
(2018)
Self
It Takes a Lunatic
(2019)
Self
Sesame Street: 50th Anniversary Celebration!
(2019)
Mr. Noodle
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