Craig Shoemaker

Last updated

Craig Shoemaker
Born (1964-11-15) November 15, 1964 (age 59)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
MediumStand-up, television, film, books
NationalityAmerican
Years active1980–present
Genres Observational comedy
Subject(s) Impressions, everyday life, marriage, parenting
SpouseCarolyn Ann Clark
(m. 1998; div. 2005)
Mika Shoemaker
(m. 2008)
; div. 2023)
Children4
Website www.craigshoemaker.com

Craig Shoemaker (born November 15, 1964) is an American stand up comedian, actor, author, writer and producer. He was named Comedian of the Year at The American Comedy Awards on ABC and garnered two NATAS Emmy awards. He is best known for his 90-minute stand-up special, Daditude.

Contents

Life and career

Craig grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Springfield Township High School. [1] He attended Temple University, financing his college years by working as a bartender and MC for comedy shows. He also attended California University of Pennsylvania. Shoemaker received a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Radio, television and film.

"Shoe's" stage, film and TV acting credits are extensive and wide ranging. Recently, he co-stars as Bandit in the critically acclaimed movie, Middle Man. He recurred as the character Wilson Gromling, the head of Pawnee's Liberty or Die Party, on NBC's Parks & Recreation, and had a five episode run on The Bold & The Beautiful. He also played the film professor in horror sequel, Scream 2. As a writer, Craig was called in to join the writing staff for season two of the iconic sitcom Fuller House. His best selling book, LoveMaster'd A Digital Journey to Love & Happiness, is critically acclaimed by the likes of Whoopi Goldberg and Dr. Drew Pinsky, inspiring readers worldwide in managing through personal difficulties.

In 2003, he founded LaughterHeals.org, a nonprofit group dedicated to using laughter as a healing modality. Previously, Shoemaker hosted a weekly podcast & webcast, "Laugh It Off," and currently tours the world speaking about the healing powers of laughter. Currently they are in preproduction on the documentary, Live 2 Laugh, with Shoemaker serving as producer and writer.

As a producer, Craig has been a creative force in several independent features and television shows. He wrote, produced and starred in the cult classic Totally Baked and his movie The LoveMaster, won the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. Currently Craig is producing a number of feature films in association with European partners, including the soon-to-be-released, Working with Warhol, and two projects in production, Breakfast with Charly and The Boogeyman Chronicles. He was hired as lead writer on the animated show, Bad Zoo, and along with animator David Feiss is developing two other cartoons, From The Crib and ChickenShip. He is also performing stand up with Bill Bellamy on their joint project, the "Make America Laugh Again Tour," and just started the production company Really Big Shoe Media, with a current slate of over 25 television and film projects in varying genres.

Personal life

Shoemaker was married to actress Carolyn Ann Clark, [2] and had two sons with her, Justin (b. 1998) and Jared (b. 2004), though they later divorced. He is currently married to Mika Shoemaker, with whom he has a son, born 2009, and a daughter, born 2014. [3]

In 2012 he received an honorary doctorate in Humanities/Humanistic Studies from California University of Pennsylvania. [4]

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1997 The Lovemaster
1997 Scream 2 Artsy Teacher
1998 Safe House Stuart Bittenbinder
1998 Pleasantville
2006 Comic Relief
2007Totally Baked: A Pot-u-Mentary
2008 Dark Honeymoon Pete
2008Craig Shoemaker: The Lovemaster... Unzipped
2012Should've Been Romeo
2016Middle ManBandit

Select television series

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984 Simon & Simon
1987 The Bronx Zoo (TV series)
1989 Studio 5-B
1990 Night Court
1990 Matlock
1990 Neon Rider
1990-1993 Murder, She Wrote
1991 FBI: The Untold Stories
1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose
1992 Walter & Emily
1992 Room for Two (American TV series)
1992 Tales from the Crypt (TV series)
1993 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Louis1 episode
1993 Coach (TV series) Ferguson1 episode
1993 Street Justice Ben1 episode
1996 Roseanne Phil1 episode
1997 Cow and Chicken Boy (voice)1 episode
1997-1999 I Am Weasel
1998 My Generation: VH1 (Host)
2001 The Hughleys
2001 Family Law
2002-2004 Team Supremo
2008Comedy Special: Unzipped (Comedy Central)
2012Comedy Special: Daditude (Netflix)
2013 Parks and Recreation Twice recurring role
2013 The Bold and the Beautiful
Various The View
2014 Awkward
2018Enlightened Up
2019Comedy Kitchen
2021- WolfPac

Awards

YearPlatformAward
2006 XM Nation AwardsBig Schtick Award for Most Popular Routine or Joke
2004Communicator Crystal Awards"Shoe Sticker Hook-Up" from the Craig Shoemaker Shoe
2007Elevate Film FestivalBest Supporting Actor
1997 American Comedy Awards Funniest Male Stand-Up Comic
1986 Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards Craig Shoemaker (Twice Winner)

Books

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References

  1. Staff report (April 8, 1994). For Craig Shoemaker, comedy is good therapy. Sacramento Bee [ verification needed ]
  2. Shoemaker deals big dose of 'Daditude'. San Antonio Express-News
  3. Shoemaker, Craig (2014). Lovemaster'd: a digital journey to love and happiness. Victoria, BC: FriesenPress. ISBN   978-1-4602-4459-3.
  4. Staff report (March 29, 2012). College graduation commencements announced. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette