Nathan Lane (born
Joseph Lane; February 3, 1956) is an American stage, film and television actor and writer. He is known for his roles as Albert in
The Birdcage,
Max Bialystock in the musical
The Producers, Ernie Smuntz in
MouseHunt, Nathan Detroit in
Guys and Dolls, Pseudolus in
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, his voice work in
Stuart Little as Snowbell the cat and
The Lion King as Timon the meerkat, and his recurring roles on
Modern Family and
The Good Wife. In 2006, Lane received a star on the
Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2008, he was inducted into the
American Theatre Hall of Fame.