Neighborhood Hits the Jackpop! Look Who’s Playing Max Greenfield’s TV Dad
The Neighborhood is adding a branch to the Johnson family tree. The CBS comedy has tapped The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel‘s Kevin Pollak to play Dave’s estranged dad, TVLine has learned exclusively.
Pollak will make his debut in the penultimate Season 5 episode, which is expected to air Monday, May 15. He will also appear in the May 22 finale.
Per CBS, Pollak’s Lamar disappeared when Dave (played by Max Greenfield) was only 11. As it turns out, Lamar’s reasons for abandoning his family are not what Dave thought — but as happy as Dave is to be reunited with his long-lost dad, he’s far from certain that he can trust the guy.
“When Kevin’s name came up, we immediately gravitated toward him,” showrunners Mike Schiff and Bill Martin tell TVLine. “Not just because he’s hilarious, but because he’s immediately warm and lovable, but also a little slippery.”
The Neighborhood has yet to disappoint in the guest-casting department. Taxi vet Marilu Henner appeared in Season 1 as Dave’s mom Paula. More recently, R&B legend Patti LaBelle and 30 Rock‘s Tracy Morgan were introduced in Season 4, as Calvin’s mother Marilyn and his well-to-do brother Curtis.
Pollak currently stars as Maisel family patriarch Moishe in the acclaimed Prime Video series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, which kicks off its fifth and final season on Friday, April 14 (watch trailer). He’s also no stranger to CBS sitcom family: He recurred in Seasons 1 and 2 of Mom as Christy’s dad Alvin, and returned for an encore appearance during its last season, in 2020. He also starred on the short-lived single-cam Angel From Hell, opposite Jane Lynch and Maggie Lawson.
As previously reported, The Neighborhood has already been renewed for Season 6, along with fellow CBS comedies Bob Hearts Abishola (for Season 5), Ghosts (Season 3) and Young Sheldon (Season 7). Season 5 resumes with on Monday, April 10 with the series’ milestone 100th episode.
Scroll down to see additional photos from Pollak’s Neighborhood debut, then hit the comments with your reactions to the casting.
I’m confused is Kevin Pollak some kind of big get? The headline oversold it to me. Like I “Jackpot” had me think they were had landed a legend like William Shatner, Jim Belushi, Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, etc. Kevin Pollak… yeah, I had to google who that was.
If the Neighborhood couldn’t afford a good CGI Cougar you think they could afford a big movie star to play Dave’s Dad.
Kevin Pollak is a respectful actor. He has a great relationship with CBS.
I guess someone hasn’t seen The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel or Mom.
Lmao 4 real!! I was like that mountain lion looks like the CGI ones that Google uses to teach you about animals. They only used a real one when it was inside the truck. I’m glad it wasn’t just me that noticed.
Pollack is an older comedian-turned-actor with a good track record of supporting roles and guest spots. It’s a good fit for this. Shatner? Aykrody? Murrary? Naw. For one, and maybe I’m wrong, by while this show has a respectable following, it’s not THAT big of a ratings juggernaut to land “legendary” names for a guest spot. and even if they were…eh.
Same here. He’s good, but come on
Could be an allusion to Celebrity Poker Showdown, which Kevin used to host? Although that was quite a while ago.
Dan Akroyd and Jim Belushi aren’t big gets either.
The former hasn’t had much of a career in decades, and the latter was the far inferior Belushi with an unremarkable bunch of movies and generic sitcom resume.
This probably shows my age – but I still laugh thinking about Kevin Pollack’s stand-up routine. I had a friend that video taped it off…maybe it was HBO?…back in the early 1990s and we would watch it over and over and over again. I was surprised to see him on the big screen the first time I saw him in A Few Good Men. I was happy to see him return in Ms. Maisel. This is a good fit.
I’m old, too! I remember that HBO special! His Shatner and Peter Falk impressions stand out in my memory, he’s a fantastic impressionist. And he’s an underrated actor in his own right, especially if the commentors here are any indication. Youngsters should do some research sometime before bagging on the man’s career. And get off my lawn, too.
Speaking of guest star gets, I’m still hoping Kat Dennings and Tisha Campbell will show up in a girls night out ep with Tina and Gemma someday. A guy can dream.
You don’t understand how much I LOVE this idea!!!!
Seems really similar to his storyline as Christie’s dad on “Mom”. Hope he “lasts longer” this time.
I don’t agree that it’s a big “get”. I think they only said that because he’s in Maisel and that show has won awards. I don’t watch that show. I thought they would’ve casted someone better looking and charisma. But what’s done is done you cannot unring the bell. I still love the show regardless.
Good choice, he actually looks like he could be his dad, same eyes and nose and features.
loved underrated kevin pollack in a few good men and mom. love idea of him being part of the neighborhood cast. hope he is slated for mire than a couple episodes. was upset when he died in mom. please dont kill him off. could instantly picture him in many awesome interactions with all members of the nighborhood cast!
I love Kevin Pollack. He was great on Mom. Good choice for Dave’s dad on …The Neighborhood, one of my favorite TV shows. All great actors
Kevin is an awesome addition-he has the perfect amount of sketchiness for this fam. I enjoy this show (one of only a few newer shows I can stand) and the dynamics in this neighborhood are great. 😊