Robert during the medical conference
Dr. Robert Doback is a fictional character from the 2008 American Film Step Brothers. Doback is the father of Dale Doback, his 40 year old immature son, the step-father of Brennan Huff, and the husband of Nancy Huff.
Robert Doback is played by Richard Jenkins.
Background[]
Robert Doback is a medical doctor who works in the hearing-health field. Early in the film, he is presenting a new hearing aid design at a medical conference, which is where he first saw Nancy Huff and messes up his line by saying "put your face between those breasts", obviously referring to Nancy's breasts. After the conference, the two make out, fall in love and get married. this blended family brings massive disruption. His marriage temporarily collapses—largely due to his and Nancy’s frustrations with Dale and Brennan’s immaturity—leading to divorce and eventual reconciliation only after the boys begin to show responsibility .
Personality[]
Robert Doback is a strict, practical, and emotionally bottled-up father figure who tries to maintain order and sanity while surrounded by chaos. As a successful and intelligent doctor, he values responsibility, structure, and maturity, and he becomes increasingly frustrated with the childish behavior of his son Dale and new stepson Brennan. Though he initially tries to stay composed, his patience wears thin over time, leading to explosive outbursts that reveal just how overwhelmed he is. Despite his stern demeanor, Robert is not heartless—he genuinely wants the best for his family, but he struggles to connect with his sons on an emotional level. His sarcastic remarks and rigid expectations often come off as cold, but they’re rooted in concern. Deep down, he carries the regret of giving up on his own dreams—like when he confesses he once wanted to be a dinosaur—showing a rare glimpse into his suppressed vulnerability. By the end of the film, Robert undergoes significant growth. He learns to let go of some of his rigid control and begins to accept his sons for who they are, ultimately supporting their success and reconnecting with his wife. He's a character defined by a journey from control and frustration to reluctant acceptance and emotional openness, all while delivering some of the film’s most grounded and dryly hilarious moments.
Early Life[]
As a young boy, he seriously wanted to be a Tyrannosaurus Rex, regularly roaming and roaring until his father told him to “throw childish things aside” and get a job . This longing for something larger-than-life remains a metaphor for recent yearnings unmet in his adult life. |}