Biography
Avid filmgoers and adherents to the indie film movement that swept through America in the early to mid-'90s will invariably remember Peter Friedman as the sneaky, underhanded, New Age-espousing "self-help guru" who supposedly attempts to offer ailing
Julianne Moore a hand up -- but only succeeds in draining her wallet -- in
Todd Haynes' harrowing drama
Safe (1995). In truth, that role represented just one of many memorable cinematic contributions for the prolific, highly versatile character actor, whose resumé reads like a best-of list of both independent film and Hollywood product. This slightly diminutive, stocky, and balding player first made an impression with a small role in the holiday slasher opus
Christmas Evil (1980), then essayed a series of consistently interesting projects including
Finnegan Begin Again (1984),
The Seventh Sign (1988, as a priest),
Blink (1994, as an ophthalmologist), and
I Shot Andy Warhol (1996). Friedman's onscreen activity extended into the 2000s, most visibly in
Tamara Jenkins' drama
The Savages (2007), in which he played
Laura Linney's sex-hungry paramour. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide