Nathan Lane (born Joseph Lane; February 3, 1956) is an American actor and writer. In a career spanning 45 years he has been seen on stage and screen in many roles including Albert in "The Birdcage", Max Bialystock in the musical "The Producers", Ernie Smuntz in "Mouse Hunt", Nathan Detroit in "Guys and Dolls", Pseudolus in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and in many plays by Terrence McNally, including "The Lisbon Traviata", "Lips Together, Teeth Apart", and "Love! Valour! Compassion!". His voice work includes "The Lion King" as Timon and "Stuart Little" as Snowbell. He has played recurring roles on television in "Modern Family", "The Good Wife", ' as F. Lee Bailey, and was a regular on ' as Detective Lewis Michener.