Michael Showalter | |
---|---|
![]() Michael Showalter at the Montclair Film Festival , May 2015 | |
Born | Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. | June 17, 1970
Medium | Stand-up, film, television |
Years active | 1992–present |
Genres | Surreal comedy, improvisational comedy, farce, dark comedy, stand-up comedy, alternative comedy, sketch comedy, anti-humor, cringe comedy, physical comedy, satire / parody |
Spouse | Anne Kalin Ellis (m. 2011) |
Children | 2 |
Michael Showalter (born June 17, 1970) is an American comedian, actor, director, writer, and producer. A member of the sketch comedy trio Stella, he first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State , which aired from 1993 to 1995. He and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in Wet Hot American Summer (2001), and the Netflix series. Showalter wrote and directed The Baxter (2005), in which he starred with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Both films featured many of his co-stars from The State, and so do several of his other projects. Showalter is also a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the TV series Search Party . He directed the 2017 critically acclaimed feature film The Big Sick .
Showalter was born in Princeton, New Jersey, the son of Elaine Showalter (née Cottler), an author, literary critic, and professor of English, and English Showalter, a Yale-educated professor of 18th century French literature. [1] His father is Episcopalian and his mother is Jewish. [2] [3] He has one older sister, Vinca Showalter LaFleur, a professional speechwriter. He attended Princeton High School. For five years, Showalter shared an apartment with his friend, comedian and actress Andrea Rosen. [4]
Showalter began his undergraduate studies at New York University, where he joined the sketch comedy group The New Group. He transferred to and graduated from Brown University. After he completed college, The New Group changed its name to The State and began creating video shorts for an MTV show called You Wrote It, You Watch It , hosted by Jon Stewart. The comedy troupe then got its own sketch comedy TV series, The State , which aired for two years on MTV.
Showalter has also had several smaller roles in movies and TV shows. He played Ron Parker, the arrogant host of Cheap Seats , on ESPN Classic in the pilot episode. However, after a bookcase fell on Showalter's character, tape librarians (and brothers) Randy and Jason Sklar took over the hosting duties. Showalter spent a brief time as a correspondent on The Daily Show (1996). He is also one half of The Doilies, an acoustic comedy band, in which he sings lead vocals opposite guitarist Zak Orth. In 2005 he wrote, directed and starred in the film The Baxter .
Showalter is the host of The Michael Showalter Showalter, an original Internet series on Collegehumor.com which premiered January 16, 2007. His first guest was comedian Zach Galifianakis. Other guests have included David Cross, Michael Ian Black, Paul Rudd, David Wain, Andy Samberg, Michael Cera, and Mike Birbiglia. In the fall and winter of 2006, Showalter toured the US with frequent collaborator Michael Ian Black. In March 2007 Showalter briefly toured as the opening act for Janeane Garofalo. The Ten reunites him with frequent collaborators from The State .
Showalter signed with JDub Records, a non-profit record label, in June 2007. He released his first stand-up CD titled Sandwiches & Cats in November 2007. He teaches screenwriting at New York University's Graduate Film School.
Showalter teamed up once more with Michael Ian Black in the Comedy Central series Michael and Michael Have Issues , [5] which premiered in July 2009. [6] The show detailed the two Michaels' trials and tribulations as they create a television series. They confirmed the series' cancellation in early 2010.
In an interview with The Rumpus in February 2009, Showalter talked about a memoir he is working on. "I am writing an 'important' memoir about not being able to write an important memoir. It winds up being kind of a novel-length comedic essay on insecurity and procrastination." [7] The book, Mr. Funny Pants, was published in February 2011. [8]
He appeared twice on the NBC drama Law & Order : in the episode "Endurance", which aired on October 18, 2000, and in the episode "Reality Bites", which aired on October 16, 2009. [9]
Showalter also appeared in a series of commercials advertising the Toyota Yaris, starting in late 2011. [10]
In 2013 Showalter and Michael Ian Black launched a podcast called "Topics" in which the duo discuss evergreen topics in a serious manner, although if something funny comes up, it's okay. [11]
Showalter was a writer on the ABC sitcom Super Fun Night .
In 2014, Showalter co-wrote with David Wain They Came Together . Wain and Showalter then co-wrote the eight-episode Netflix prequel Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp based on the 2001 film with almost the entire cast of the original film returning. Showalter himself appeared as Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg and President Ronald Reagan in the series. The series premiered on July 31, 2015, and was more well received by critics. He also co-wrote and starred in the Netflix sequel Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later which premiered in 2017. [12]
In 2015 his film Hello, My Name Is Doris debuted at SXSW, where it was acquired by Roadside Attractions. It was released in the United States in March 2016, and received critical acclaim.
His 2017 film The Big Sick starred Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano. It saw a wide theatrical release and had an overwhelmingly positive 98% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Showalter next directed the 2020 film The Lovebirds , starring Kumail Najiani of The Big Sick, along with Issa Rae, Anna Camp and Paul Sparks. The film was scheduled for theatrical release in the United States on April 3, 2020, however due to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic its theatrical release was cancelled, similar to many other films, and it premiered on Netflix on May 22, 2020.
Showalter married Anne Kalin Ellis on January 16, 2011, in New York. [13] They welcomed twins in 2014. [14]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Tick | Clifford | Short film |
2001 | Wet Hot American Summer | Gerald "Coop" Cooperberg/Alan Shemper | Also writer and co-producer |
2001 | Kissing Jessica Stein | Stephen | |
2002 | Signs | Lionel Prichard | |
2002 | Stella shorts | Michael | Also writer and director |
2002 | Operation Midnight Climax | Chip | |
2004 | Hair High | Wally (voice) | |
2005 | The Baxter | Elliot Sherman | Also writer and director |
2006 | Griffin & Phoenix | Terry's Fiancé | |
2007 | The Ten | Police Lt. Flarn Bleern | |
2007 | Reno 911!: Miami | Paul | |
2008 | Birthday | Michael | Short film |
2013 | Bum Future | Fred | Short film |
2014 | They Came Together | Writer and producer | |
2014 | Two Night Stand | Rick Raines | |
2015 | Hello, My Name Is Doris | Writer, director, and executive producer | |
2017 | The Big Sick | Director | |
2020 | The Lovebirds | Director | |
2021 | The Eyes of Tammy Faye | Director, Post-production |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1992–1993 | You Wrote It, You Watch It | Various characters | Also writer |
1993–1995 | The State | Various characters | Also creator and writer |
1995 | The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special | Various characters | Television special; also writer |
1996 | The Daily Show | Correspondent | |
1997 | Apartment 2F | Phil | 4 episodes |
1999 | 1999 MTV Movie Awards | Writer | |
1999 | Random Play | Various characters | Also additional writer |
2000 | Buzz Lightyear of Star Command | Plasma Boy (voice) | Episode: "The Plasma Monster" |
2000, 2009 | Law & Order | Artie Kramer / Allen Gee | 2 episodes |
2003 | Sex and the City | Billy | Episode: "The Post-It Always Sticks Twice" |
2003–2005 | The Wrong Coast | Writer | |
2004–2006 | Cheap Seats | Ron Parker | |
2005 | Stella | Michael | Also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2008 | Wainy Days | Landon | Episode: "Molly" |
2008 | The Michael Showalter Showalter | Host | Also creator and executive producer |
2009 | Michael & Michael Have Issues | Michael Showalter | Also creator writer, director, and executive producer |
2012 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon | Gordon Scheer | Uncredited |
2013 | You're Whole | Dr. Robert Wexler | Also series director |
2013 | Inside Amy Schumer | Steve | Episode: "Bad Decisions" |
2013–2014 | Super Fun Night | Wrote 2 episodes | |
2013–2014 | Newsreaders | Wrote 2 episodes | |
2014 | Bob's Burgers | Ethan (voice) | Episode: "The Kids Rob a Train" |
2014 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Clyde Bryllis | Episode: "Nick Offerman Wears a Green Flannel Shirt & Brown Boots" |
2015 | Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp | Coop / President Reagan | 8 episodes; also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2015 | Jammers | Jeremy / Cool Guy / Ol' Drippy (voice) | Pilot |
2015 | The Grinder | Sandy Malmuth | Episode: "Dedicating This One to the Crew" |
2015–2016 | Childrens Hospital | Nils Vildervaan | Also wrote 4 episodes |
2016-2018 | Love | Directed 3 episodes | |
2016 | Giles Vanderhoot | Giles Vanderhoot | Also writer, director, and executive producer |
2016 | American Dad! | Mark (voice) | Episode: "Bahama Mama" |
2016-2019 | Grace and Frankie | Directed 2 episodes | |
2016–present | Search Party | Max | 5 episodes; also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2017 | Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later | Coop / President Reagan | 8 episodes; also creator, writer, and executive producer |
2017 | 9JKL | Walter Michaelson | Episode: "Set Visit" |
2018 | Sugar Rush | Himself (Guest judge) | Episode: "Camp Sugar Rush" [15] |
2019 | In the Dark | Directed episode: "Pilot" | |
2019 | Ray Romano Right Here, Around the Corner | Director |
The State is an American sketch comedy television series, originally broadcast on MTV between December 17, 1993, and July 1, 1995. The show combined bizarre characters and scenarios to present sketches that won the favor of its target teenaged audience. The cast consisted of comedy troupe The State, who were 11 twenty-something comedians who created, acted, wrote, directed and edited the show. In various combinations, the former members of The State have continued to collaborate over the years, with alumni playing major creative, directing and acting roles in a number of notable projects including Reno 911! and Wet Hot American Summer.
Wet Hot American Summer is a 2001 American satirical comedy film directed by David Wain from a screenplay written by Wain and Michael Showalter. The film features an ensemble cast, including Janeane Garofalo, David Hyde Pierce, Molly Shannon, Paul Rudd, Christopher Meloni, Michael Showalter, Elizabeth Banks, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Amy Poehler, Zak Orth, and A. D. Miles. The film takes place during the last full day at a fictional summer camp in 1981, and spoofs the sex comedies aimed at teen audiences of that era. The film was a critical and commercial failure, but has since developed a cult following, as many of its cast members have gone on to high-profile work. Netflix revived the franchise with the release of an eight-episode prequel series starring most of the film's original cast, on July 31, 2015; and an eight-episode sequel series, set ten years after the original film, on August 4, 2017.
Zachary Knight Galifianakis is an American actor, comedian, musician and writer who came to prominence with his Comedy Central Presents special in 2001 and presented his own show called Late World with Zach on VH1 the following year. He has also starred in films, such as The Hangover trilogy (2009–2013), Due Date (2010), The Campaign (2012), Birdman or (2014) and Masterminds (2016). He has also had starring voice roles in Puss in Boots (2011), The Lego Batman Movie (2017) and Missing Link (2019).
Paul Stephen Rudd is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He studied theater at the University of Kansas and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before making his acting debut in 1992.
Michael Ian Black is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He has starred in several TV comedy series, including The State, Viva Variety, Stella, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Michael & Michael Have Issues, and Another Period. He also appeared on Celebrity Poker Showdown several times. He released his first children's book, Chicken Cheeks, in 2009, and has since released six more, in addition to four books for adults.
Kenneth Joseph Marino is an American actor, comedian, director, and screenwriter. He was a cast member on MTV's The State and has starred in shows such as Party Down, Marry Me, Burning Love, and Childrens Hospital.
David Benjamin Wain is an American comedian, writer, actor, and director. He has co-written and directed six feature films, including Wet Hot American Summer (2001), Role Models (2008) and Wanderlust (2012). He has also served as a producer, writer and director on number of television series, including Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp, Childrens Hospital and Medical Police. He has had small roles in most of the films and TV series he has produced or directed. He also had a starring voice role, as the Warden, on the 2008-2014 animated Adult Swim series Superjail!
Stella is a television series that originally ran from June 28, 2005 to August 30, 2005 on the American television channel Comedy Central, created by and starring Michael Ian Black, Michael Showalter, and David Wain, the three members of the sketch comedy troupe of the same name and former cast members of MTV's The State. Stella, as a comedy troupe, has existed since 1997. It has a cult following and plays to sold out shows across the United States. The show aired on Tuesdays at 10:30 PM, EST.
Anthony David Miles is an American actor, writer and comedian. He was head writer for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon from 2014 to 2017, which he helped to develop. As an actor, he is best known as step-dad Gary on the Fallon skit Ew! and as Marty Shonson on Comedy Central's Dog Bites Man. He has also appeared in multiple other Fallon sketches, such as a member of the Ragtime Gals and Mr. Fletcher in the sketches in which Fallon and Justin Timberlake sing songs at their childhood camp. He also appeared in recurring roles on both Law & Order: Criminal Intent and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Stella is a comedy trio consisting of Michael Showalter, Michael Ian Black, and David Wain. The group formed in 1997 as a weekly nightclub comedy attraction, performing at New York City nightclub Fez from 1997 until the club's closing in February 2005. Stella soon gained a wider cult following after a series of self-produced shorts were released in limited quantities on DVD. Now known for their unique blend of potentially mainstream comedy and surrealist humor, Stella has garnered a small but dedicated fanbase.
Joseph Lo Truglio is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. Best known for his role as Charles Boyle on the Fox/NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, he also was a cast member on the television series The State and Reno 911!. His notable film roles include Wet Hot American Summer, I Love You Man, Superbad, Paul, Role Models, and Wanderlust.
Wainy Days is an internet video series starring David Wain that is hosted on the website, My Damn Channel. The web series follows a fictionalized version of Wain through his everyday life as he tries to form relationships with numerous women and discusses his problems with his friends at the sweatshop where he works. Elizabeth Banks, Jonah Hill, Julie Bowen, Megan Mullally, Jason Sudeikis, Rob Corddry, Lake Bell, Amanda Peet, Rosemarie DeWitt, Elizabeth Reaser, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Josh Charles, Lucy Punch, A.D. Miles, Paul Rudd, Michael Ian Black, Rashida Jones, Michael Showalter and various other Stella/The State/Wet Hot American Summer alum have all guest-starred in various episodes. A DVD containing the first four seasons was released February 14, 2012. In 2013, Blip Partnered with My Damn Channel, leading to season 5 of Wainy Days being premiered simultaneously on Blip and MyDamnChannel.
Michael & Michael Have Issues is a cable television comedy series starring comedians and actors Michael Ian Black and Michael Showalter, who created the series. Both comedians appeared together in several TV comedy series, including The State, and Stella. The show premiered on July 15, 2009, on Comedy Central. Showalter and Black confirmed on March 3, 2010, via their Twitter accounts that the show had been canceled.
Kumail Ali Nanjiani is a Pakistani-American comedian, actor, screenwriter, and podcaster primarily known for his role as Dinesh in the HBO comedy series Silicon Valley (2014–2019) and for co-writing and starring in the romantic comedy film The Big Sick (2017). For co-writing the latter with his wife, Emily V. Gordon, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. In 2018, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
Burning Love is a web and television comedy series that is a spoof of reality dating competition shows like The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. The show was created and written by Erica Oyama, while her husband, Ken Marino, co-produced, directed and starred in the series. Ben Stiller was one of the series' executive producers and appeared in a supporting role.
John Early is an American comedian and actor. He has appeared on 30 Rock as Jenna Maroney's son and in the independent film Fort Tilden. He stars in Search Party, which was written partly by Michael Showalter and also stars Alia Shawkat.
Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp is a comedy streaming television series written by David Wain and Michael Showalter, and directed by Wain. First Day of camp is the second installment in the Wet Hot American Summer franchise. The eight-episode Netflix series is a prequel to Wain's 2001 film Wet Hot American Summer, a parody of teen sex comedies which has since developed a cult following. Although many of the original film's ensemble cast have gone on to high-profile work, all of the then-adult actors returned for this series, playing even younger versions of their original roles. The episodes were released for online viewing at the end of July 2015.
Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later is a satirical comedy streaming television series created by David Wain and Michael Showalter, and directed by Wain. The Netflix series, which is part of the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, is a sequel to both Wain's 2001 film Wet Hot American Summer, and the 2015 prequel television series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp. The series consists of eight episodes, and was released on August 4, 2017. The show is set in 1991 in both the camp and New York City. Showalter cited St. Elmo's Fire, Singles, and The Big Chill as inspirations.
Wet Hot American Summer is an American satirical comedy media franchise created by David Wain and Michael Showalter with stories centered on Camp Firewood, a summer camp located near Waterville, Maine. Since the release of the 2001 film, the franchise has expanded to include a documentary film, two web miniseries, two books, a tabletop role-playing game and a soundtrack.
The State is an American comedy troupe. The troupe was founded by a group of New York University students in 1988, as an offshoot of the NYU improv comedy group The Sterile Yak; it was briefly named The New Group before landing on the name The State. The troupe's members are Kevin Allison, Michael Ian Black, Robert Ben Garant, Todd Holoubek, Michael Patrick Jann, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Michael Showalter and David Wain. As a group, the troupe is best known for creating and starring in the 1993-1995 MTV sketch comedy series The State. However, since the show aired, members of the troupe have frequently collaborated on other television and film projects, including Viva Variety, Reno 911!, and the Wet Hot American Summer media franchise. The comedy group Stella is composed of three of The State's members, Showalter, Black and Wain, and starred in the 2005 sketch comedy series Stella, among other works. Additionally, some members of The State have achieved independent success as comic actors, writers and directors.
![]() | This article's use of external links may not follow Wikipedia's policies or guidelines. (August 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) |