If you grew up watching Disney XD or early 2000s dramedies, you’ve definitely seen Greg Baker. He’s one of those character actors. You know the type. You see his face and instantly think, "Oh, that’s the guy from that one show!"
Most people recognize him as the chaotic, sandwich-obsessed bassist from I’m in the Band. Or maybe as the high-energy teacher who tried to keep Miley Stewart in line. But his career actually spans much further than just kids' sitcoms. Greg Baker has a weirdly impressive range that goes from the sharp, rapid-fire dialogue of an Aaron Sorkin set to the physical slapstick of a rock star who eats worms for a gag.
Honestly, it’s rare to find an actor who can pivot from a prestige TV drama to a show where he plays a guy named "Burger Pitt." But Greg did it.
The Breakthrough: Sports Night and the Sorkin Connection
Before the Disney fame, Greg Baker was a staple in a show that critics still obsess over today: Sports Night. If you haven't seen it, it was Aaron Sorkin’s precursor to The West Wing. It was fast. It was witty. It required actors who could handle ten pages of dialogue without breaking a sweat.
Baker played Elliott. He was a technical producer in the control room. While he wasn't the lead, he was part of the "engine" of the show. You’d see him in the background or delivering those quick, punchy lines that made the newsroom feel real. It was his first major recurring role, running from 1998 to 2000.
Working on a Sorkin set is basically an actor’s boot camp. It’s all about rhythm. If you can survive the "walk and talk," you can survive anything. This role proved Greg wasn't just a comedic actor; he had the chops for grounded, fast-paced ensemble work.
📖 Related: Isaiah Washington Movies and Shows: Why the Star Still Matters
Becoming a Disney Legend: Hannah Montana and I’m in the Band
Then things took a turn toward the younger demographic. This is where most fans of greg baker movies and tv shows first hopped on the bandwagon.
In Hannah Montana, he played Mr. Corelli. He was the teacher at Seaview High who was just... a lot. He was loud, he was exuberant, and he somehow managed to make a history lesson feel like a Broadway performance. He appeared in several episodes across the first few seasons, becoming a fan-favorite authority figure because he was just as weird as the kids he was teaching.
But the real "big one" came in 2009 with I’m in the Band.
Greg starred as Burger Pitt. He was the bassist for the washed-up 80s rock band Iron Weasel. This role was pure physical comedy. Burger was the guy who would smash his head into a wall just for fun or develop a random crush on the main character's mom.
Why Burger Pitt Worked
- Physicality: Greg used his size and energy to dominate the screen.
- The "Rock" Persona: He leaned into the gross-out humor that Disney XD loved at the time.
- Chemistry: The dynamic between him, Steve Valentine (Derek), and Stephen Full (Ash) felt like a real, albeit dysfunctional, family.
The show only ran for two seasons, but it has a massive cult following. People still quote his lines. It was a masterclass in how to play a "dumb" character without making them annoying.
👉 See also: Temuera Morrison as Boba Fett: Why Fans Are Still Divided Over the Daimyo of Tatooine
Beyond the Mainstream: Guest Spots and Indie Films
Greg didn't just stay in the sitcom lane. He popped up in some surprisingly gritty places. He had a guest spot on Bones in an episode called "The Killer in the Concrete." That’s a long way from eating worms on Disney XD.
He also appeared in:
- Sabrina, the Teenage Witch
- The West Wing (briefly, reuniting with the Sorkin vibe)
- Lizzie McGuire
- ER
In the film world, he’s had smaller parts in movies like Little Black Book and the dark comedy He Was a Quiet Man. He even did a movie called Letting Go in 2012.
What’s interesting about his filmography is the consistency. He’s a "working actor" in the truest sense. He doesn't need to be the face on the poster to make an impact on the scene. Whether he's playing a "Control Room Producer" or a "Rock Wizard," he brings a specific, frantic energy that directors clearly love.
The Man Behind the Characters
One thing people often get wrong is assuming Greg is just like his characters. In reality, he’s also an editor and a musician.
✨ Don't miss: Why Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy Actors Still Define the Modern Spy Thriller
He was born in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1968. You can kind of hear that Midwestern groundedness in his voice, even when he’s screaming as Mr. Corelli. He’s a guy who clearly understands the technical side of the industry too, which probably helped him land those producer/editor roles early on.
It's funny. You look at his career and it’s a total 180. One minute he's in a suit on a Sorkin set, the next he’s wearing black nail polish and spandex. That’s a career. That’s staying power.
Practical Steps for Fans of Greg Baker
If you’re looking to dive back into his work, don't just stick to the Disney stuff. You'll miss some of his best moments.
- Watch Sports Night: It's on several streaming platforms now. Look for Elliott in the control room. It’s a great way to see his "serious" comedic timing.
- Revisit I'm in the Band: It’s arguably his peak performance in terms of screen time. The episodes "Prank Week" and "Slap Goes the Weasel" are top-tier Burger Pitt.
- Check out the Guest Spots: If you’re a fan of procedural dramas, find his Bones episode. It’s a fun "Easter egg" for fans.
Most of his work is currently available on Disney+ or through VOD services like Amazon and Apple TV. If you want to see the full scope of what he can do, start with the early 2000s and work your way forward. You'll see an actor who mastered the art of being the most memorable person in the room without ever needing the spotlight all to himself.