Don Stark Bio
Donald Martin Stark, known professionally as Don Stark, is an American actor born on July 5, 1954, in New York City, New York. He is best known for portraying Bob Pinciotti on the Fox Network sitcom That ’70s Show, a role he played across all eight seasons from 1998 to 2006. Over a career that began in 1973, Stark has built a varied resume spanning television, feature films, voice acting, and stage work. His film and television credits include Star Trek: First Contact (1996), John Carter (2012), and the VH1 series Hit the Floor.
Early Life and Background
Donald Martin Stark was born on July 5, 1954, in New York City, New York. As a child, he and his family relocated to Los Angeles, California, where they settled in the San Fernando Valley. Stark attended Grover Cleveland High School in Reseda, California, graduating in 1972. He played football for the school team while also pursuing his early interest in performance through the theater arts department.
During his high school years, Stark won leading roles in school productions, including Marvin Hudgens in Dark of the Moon, Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, and Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. He also earned recognition in an award-winning Shakespeare Festival scene, performing the title role in Othello. These formative stage experiences helped shape his lifelong commitment to acting and laid the foundation for his later professional career.
Path to Acting
After high school, Stark enrolled at California State University, Northridge. He originally studied business before deciding to change his focus and major in theater arts. This academic shift marked the beginning of his formal training as a performer and gave him the craft foundation needed to enter the entertainment industry.
Stark launched his professional acting career in 1973. His earliest screen appearances included roles in independent and genre films of the 1970s and 1980s, helping him establish a foothold in Hollywood. These early projects allowed him to refine his on-camera skills while continuing to pursue stage work across the Los Angeles theater scene.
Don Stark Career
Early Career (1973–1997)
During his first two decades in the industry, Don Stark built his resume through a wide range of film and television appearances. His movie credits from this period include Switchblade Sisters (1975), Tilt (1979), Evilspeak (1981), Peggy Sue Got Married (1986), The Couch Trip (1988), and Feds (1988). These roles showcased his ability to move comfortably between genre pictures, comedies, and character-driven dramas.
On television, Stark appeared in the 1987 CBS series Beauty and the Beast and had a supporting role in the 1996 series Time Cop. He also voiced the character Rhino in Spider-Man: The Animated Series from 1995 to 1997. In 1996, he took on a small role as a clerk in the science fiction film Star Trek: First Contact, expanding his presence within major studio productions.
Breakthrough (1998–2006)
Stark’s career-defining role came in 1998 when he was cast as Bob Pinciotti on the Fox sitcom That ’70s Show. As the affable, bumbling next-door neighbor of the Forman family and the father of Donna Pinciotti, played by Laura Prepon, Stark became a familiar face to audiences across all eight seasons of the series. The show ran from 1998 to 2006 and remains his most recognized work.
During this same period, Stark continued to diversify his portfolio with voice work, including the role of Vincent in the animated series Father of the Pride (2004–2005). He also maintained an active presence in guest roles on shows such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Supernatural, Viper, Disney Channel’s Cory in the House, Stargate SG-1, and CSI.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among Don Stark’s signature works, his portrayal of Bob Pinciotti on That ’70s Show stands as the defining role of his career. His film work includes memorable appearances in Star Trek: First Contact (1996) and John Carter (2012), while his voice performances as Rhino in Spider-Man: The Animated Series and as Vincent in Father of the Pride highlight his range as a voice actor. More recently, he played fictional Los Angeles Devils owner Oscar Kinkade on the VH1 series Hit the Floor, cementing his reputation as a dependable character actor across multiple genres.
Don Stark Family
Don Stark has two daughters. Public information about his immediate family remains limited, and he is generally recognized for keeping his personal life outside the spotlight. His long-standing career in the Los Angeles area, where he was raised from childhood, has allowed him to balance his professional and family commitments in the region he has called home for decades.
Personal Life
Beyond his work on screen, Don Stark has maintained a low public profile regarding his personal affairs. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley after his family relocated from New York City, and he has continued to live and work in the Los Angeles area throughout his career. His decades-long commitment to craft, family, and the entertainment community reflects the steady, consistent path that has defined his life in Hollywood.