This razor-thin, eccentric comic actor struggled for several years playing "freaks, losers and perverts" before hitting the big time as the squinty-eyed, naive space alien Harry Solomon on the sitcom "3rd Rock From the Sun" (NBC, 1996-2001). Stewart got his start touring with regional theaters, then played Yogi Bear in Hanna-Barbera's Shakey Quakey Tour. Although he earned his union card, he was fired for removing the head of his costume in front of a group of children. Stewart first gained critical attention for off-center roles in the Los Angeles stage productions "Pot Mom", "Party Mix" and "Happy Times Xmas."
Stewart made his TV debut as Razor Dee, a spaced-out DJ on the syndicated "The New WKRP in Cincinnati" (1992-1993). He also appeared in guest spots on "Seinfeld", "The Larry Sanders Show", as the weird intern, and had a recurring role in the CBS sitcom "The Boys Are Back". He was then cast as the most childlike of aliens in "3rd Rock". Playing brilliantly off fellow cast members (notably John Lithgow and Kristen Johnston), Stewart showed a gift for physical comedy ("Harry is a broad-based character drawn from silent films, of which I have a huge collection").
Thus far, Stewart's involvement in film has been minor. His first role was as a lieutenant in the sci-fi thriller "Stargate" (1994) followed by bit parts in "Leaving Las Vegas" (1995) and "Broken Arrow" (1996). He had better roles in independent films, including the leads in the low-budget WWII drama "The Poison Tasters" and the frat-house comedy "Glory Daze" (both 1995). Since his TV success, Stewart has garnered the much larger supporting role of Happy in "McHale's Navy" (1997).