Peter Bonerz

Peter Bonerz, born on August 6, 1938, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is a distinguished American actor and director, renowned for portraying Dr. Jerry Robinson on the iconic sitcom The Bob Newhart Show.

Raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Bonerz honed his theatrical skills at Marquette University High School with the Prep Players, and later furthered his passion for performance at Marquette University, where he was involved with the Marquette University Players under the guidance of Rev. John J. Walsh, S.J. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in 1960, he pursued a career in theater, starting with The Premise, an improv group in New York. His journey included serving in the U.S. Army before joining The Committee, a prominent improv troupe based in San Francisco.

Bonerz made his television debut in 1965 on The Addams Family, and in the late 1960s, he appeared in several films, including Medium Cool and Catch-22. However, it was in 1972 that he gained widespread recognition as Dr. Jerry Robinson, the quirky orthodontist on The Bob Newhart Show, where he frequently shared scenes with the witty Marcia Wallace. The series was a major success, ranking in the top 20 during its first three seasons, and Bonerz also directed 29 episodes.

In later years, he showcased his versatility by playing a psychiatrist in the film Serial (1980) and co-starring in the CBS movie Circle of Violence (1986). Bonerz's directorial talent flourished as he helmed numerous episodes for popular sitcoms like Friends, Murphy Brown, and Home Improvement, alongside directing films such as Police Academy 6: City Under Siege.