Altman mesmerized contemporaries like David Letterman and Jerry Seinfeld, and inspired future comedians like Judd Apatow.

[2] Altman has also had numerous acting roles in movies and television such as Dr. Gene Splicer in Tiny Toon Adventures, Professor Dweeb in Slimer and The Real Ghostbusters, Clint Mullet on Mork and Mindy, and five different guest characters on Baywatch.

A year later he joined Starland Vocal Band Show, where he was alongside celebrities such as David Letterman and Mark Russell.

[4] In 1978 he appeared as sleazy record promoter Lennie Richfield in the movie American Hot Wax.

Altman also had a starring role as the host of the short-lived NBC variety show Pink Lady and Jeff in 1980, which TV Guide has ranked No.

As they posed and Altman was lining up the shot, he suddenly broke away and ran, pretending to steal the camera.

[11] Altman is a drummer, and a longtime fan of Buddy Rich,[13] whom he once enticed to appear at Hopkins for one of his classes.