Peter Bonerz
Peter Bonerz is an American actor and director who began his career in improvisational comedy, performing with the Off-Broadway troupe The Premise starting in 1962 and later becoming a founding member of The Committee, the San Francisco-based improv group active from 1963 to 1969, whose members also included Rob Reiner, David Ogden Stiers, and Howard Hesseman. His improvisational background informed his later work as a television director, where he emphasized ensemble dynamics and comedic timing across decades of popular sitcoms. He is best known to general audiences as Dr. Jerry Robinson on The Bob Newhart Show (1972-1978), a role he originated alongside several former improv collaborators.
Recommended Reading
Books are ordered from the strongest direct connection outward to broader relevance.
Something Wonderful Right Away
An Oral History of The Second City and The Compass Players
Jeffrey Sweet
Guru
My Days with Del Close
Jeff Griggs
The Funniest One in the Room
The Lives and Legends of Del Close
Kim Howard Johnson
Improv Nation
How We Made a Great American Art
Sam Wasson
Art by Committee
A Guide to Advanced Improvisation
Charna Halpern
The Second City Almanac of Improvisation
Anne Libera
References
How to Reference This Page
The Improv Archive. (2026). Peter Bonerz. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://improvarchive.org/people/peter-bonerz
The Improv Archive. "Peter Bonerz." The Improv Archive, 2026. https://improvarchive.org/people/peter-bonerz.
The Improv Archive. "Peter Bonerz." The Improv Archive, 2026, https://improvarchive.org/people/peter-bonerz. Accessed October 24, 2026.
The Improv Archive is a systemically maintained repository. The archive itself acts as the corporate author.