Toby Radloff | |
|---|---|
 Radloff in August 2021 | |
| Born | December 12, 1957 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Film actor |
| Known for | Killer Nerd |
Toby Radloff (born December 12, 1957) is a former file clerk and actor who became a minor celebrity owing to his appearances in Cleveland writer Harvey Pekar's autobiographical comic book series American Splendor . Radloff has a distinctive manner of speech and quirky mannerisms. [1] He is a self-proclaimed "Genuine Nerd".
Radloff met Pekar in 1980 when Radloff was hired at Cleveland's Veterans Administration Hospital, and shortly became a recurring character in American Splendor. [2] [3]
Television profiles of Pekar at work at the VA Hospital, in which Radloff appeared, led to Radloff being featured as a "special correspondent" in a few short comedic pieces on MTV in the late 1980s [4] about Cleveland and White Castle hamburgers (a particular favorite of Radloff's). [5] Radloff was also a frequent guest on a local Cleveland cable access show, The Eddie Marshall Show.[ citation needed ]
Radloff is a huge admirer of the 1984 film Revenge of the Nerds , which he estimated in 2003 to have seen at least 25 times; [3] his enthusiasm for the film was documented in the American Splendor comic (and in a number of scenes in the American Splendor film). Radloff's public persona as a "Genuine Nerd," cemented by his appearances on MTV, led to his starring roles as Harold Kunkle in the comedy horror film Killer Nerd (1991) and its sequel Bride of Killer Nerd (1992). [6]
In the 2003 American Splendor film, the adaptation of Pekar's work, Radloff is played by Judah Friedlander, and also appears as himself in the documentary sections of the film. [7] Radloff publicly came out as gay after the film's release. [3]
In 2006, a documentary on Radloff entitled Genuine Nerd was released, produced by Wayne Alan Harold, the creator of Radloff's original MTV segments (and co-director of the Killer Nerd films). [8]
On August 3, 2006, Radloff tried out to be the next "Wack Packer" on The Howard Stern Show , but lost in the finals because Stern and crew felt that he was too famous. [9] [10]
In June 2020, Radloff started appearing in Wayne Alan Harold's web series Cheapskate Theater. In the videos, Radloff humorously reviews vintage horror and science-fiction movies.
Source: [11]
All stories written by Harvey Pekar.
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Killer Nerd | Harold Kunkle |
| 1992 | Bride of Killer Nerd | Harold Kunkle |
| 1999 | Townies | Dickie |
| 2003 | American Splendor | Real Toby |
| 2006 | The Oh in Ohio | Toby |
| 2006 | Genuine Nerd | Himself |
| 2007 | Cordoba Nights | Man in parked car |
| 2008 | The Comic Book Lady | Toby |
| 2012 | Sonny Days | Russell |
| 2019 | Spirit Animal | Tree of Life |
A nerd is a person seen as overly intellectual, obsessive, introverted, or lacking social skills. Such a person may spend inordinate amounts of time on unpopular, little known, or non-mainstream activities, which are generally either highly technical, abstract, or relating to niche topics such as science fiction or fantasy, to the exclusion of more mainstream activities. Additionally, many so-called nerds are described as being shy, quirky, pedantic, and unattractive.
American Splendor is a series of autobiographical comic books written by Harvey Pekar and drawn by a variety of artists. The first issue was published in 1976 and the last one in September 2008, with publication occurring at irregular intervals. Publishers were, at various times, Harvey Pekar himself, Dark Horse Comics, and DC Comics.
Harvey Lawrence Pekar was an American underground comic book writer, music critic, and media personality, best known for his autobiographical American Splendor comic series. In 2003, the series inspired a well-received film adaptation of the same name.
Judah Friedlander is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for playing the role of writer Frank Rossitano on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. Friedlander is also known for his role as Toby Radloff in the film American Splendor, a role that garnered him favorable reviews and a nomination for best supporting actor at the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as "the hug guy" from the music video for the 2001 Dave Matthews Band single "Everyday".
Gary G. Dumm is an American comic book artist known particularly for his work illustrating the comics of Harvey Pekar.
Dean Edmund Haspiel is an American comic book artist, writer, and playwright. He is known for creating Billy Dogma, The Red Hook, and for his collaborations with writer Harvey Pekar on his American Splendor series as well as the graphic novel The Quitter, and for his collaborations with Jonathan Ames on The Alcoholic and HBO's Bored to Death. He has been nominated for numerous Eisner Awards, and won a 2010 Emmy Award for TV design work.
Josh Neufeld is an alternative cartoonist known for his comics journalism work on subjects like graphic medicine, equity, and technology; as well as his collaborations with writers like Harvey Pekar and Brooke Gladstone. He is the writer/artist of A.D.: New Orleans After the Deluge, and the illustrator of The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media.
Val Mayerik is an American comic book and commercial artist, best known as co-creator of the satiric character Howard the Duck for Marvel Comics.
American Splendor is a 2003 American biographical comedy drama film written and directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini. The film, which chronicles the life of comic book writer Harvey Pekar, is a hybrid production featuring live actors, documentary, and animation. It is based on the 1976–2008 comic book series of the same name written by Pekar and the 1994 graphic novel Our Cancer Year written by Pekar and Joyce Brabner. The film stars Paul Giamatti as Pekar and Hope Davis as Brabner. It also features appearances from Pekar and Brabner themselves, who discuss their lives, the comic books, and how it feels to be depicted onscreen by actors.
Joyce Brabner is an American writer of political comics and the widow of Harvey Pekar.
Joe Zabel is a comic book writer and artist living in Cleveland Heights. He is best known for his work illustrating American Splendor, by fellow Clevelander Harvey Pekar. Under the company names Known Associates Press and Amazing Montage Press, Zabel has also published his own series of mystery comics, The Trespassers.
Michael Terry Gilbert is an American comic book artist and writer who has worked for both mainstream and underground comic book companies.
Bedford High School is a public school in Bedford, Ohio, southeast of Cleveland.
Brian Bram, raised in Deerfield, Illinois, played a minor role in the underground comix movement with his contributions to American Splendor, the comic book series written and published by Harvey Pekar and, more recently, with his work with author Jonathan Baylis on his autobiographical comic series, So...Buttons.
Wayne Alan Harold is an American independent editor, publisher and filmmaker who lives in Kent, Ohio. During his career he has formed lasting creative relationships with both Toby Radloff and P. Craig Russell.
ArtCrimes was a Cleveland cult underground publication published by Steven B. Smith. The zine was influenced by the beats, and was consistent with the style of publications from the days of Kerouac, Corso, and Ginsberg.
Tara Seibel is an American cartoonist, graphic designer and illustrator from Cleveland. Her work has been published in Chicago Newcity, Funny Times, The Austin Chronicle, Cleveland Scene, Heeb Magazine, SMITH Magazine, Mineshaft Magazine, Juxtapoz, Jewish Review of Books, Cleveland Free Times, USA Today, US Catholic, The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and The Paris Review.
Edward R. Piskor Jr. was an American alternative comics cartoonist. Piskor was known primarily for his work on Hip Hop Family Tree, X-Men: Grand Design, and the Red Room trilogy. Piskor also co-hosted the YouTube channel Cartoonist Kayfabe with fellow Pittsburgh native cartoonist Jim Rugg. In March 2024, Piskor was accused via social media of sexual misconduct. Piskor died on April 1, 2024, at the age of 41, hours after posting a suicide note via social media, defending himself against the allegations leveled against him.
Radloff is a surname. Notable people with the surname include:
Greg Budgett is a Cleveland, Ohio-based comic book artist known particularly for his work illustrating the comics of Harvey Pekar. Most of Budgett's work on Pekar's American Splendor and other comics has been in partnership with Gary Dumm, who has inked most of Budgett's stories.
