Birth Name: Al (Alan) Kaplon

Born:

Birthplace: Woodland Hills, California

Fun Facts

• Graduated from Taft High School in 1975
• Went to Bill Kinamon professional umpire school on scholarship
• Spent 10 years as Minor league baseball umpire
• Went on to umpire in MLB until 1995
• Has own production company
• Appeared in 65-75 tv commercials
• Appeared in several TV shows
• Was cast as head referee in 2004 movie “Dodgeball”
• Most recently he was cast as the referee in Southwest Airlines ad

Television Roles and Appearances

• “American Gladiators” (2008) – Referee
• “The Handler” (2004) Estate Manager (1 episode)
• “Strong Medicine” (2003) – Softball Umpire (1 episode)
• “Inside Schwartz” (2001) – Roomates Football Referee – (2 episodes)
• “The X Files” (1999) – Umpire (1 episode)
• “Leaving L.A.” (1997) – Softball Umpire (1 episode)

Movie Roles and Appearances

• Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story (2004)
• 61* (2001) – Memorial Stadium Umpire

Notable Commercials

• Southwest Airlines – Referee who loses coin for coin toss
• Cannon – Referee for pee-wee football game
• Toyota – Plate umpire arguing with coach
• Nike – plate umpire
• Viagra – plate & first base umpire
• Snickers  – referee in eye doctors office chair