R. J. Fried | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | Harvard University |
Occupation(s) | Showrunner, Writer, Performer |
Years active | 2004–present |
Notable work | Our Cartoon President , Tooning Out the News , Triumph's Election Special 2016, Late Show with David Letterman |
Website | www.rjfried.com |
R. J. Fried is an American television writer, actor, producer, and showrunner known for his work on comedy television programs.
R. J. Fried was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania. [1] He graduated cum laude from Harvard University, where he was named as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004. [2] [1] Before pursuing an entertainment career, Fried was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2000 NHL Draft. [2] [3] [4]
Fried started his career in television as a writer and performer. [5] His early credits include writing for The Late Show with David Letterman , [6] Night of Too Many Stars and Onion SportsDome . [3] He also wrote for MTV programs such as Popzilla and Rob & Big . [3]
Fried is recognized for his work on Our Cartoon President , a political satire series on Showtime that parodied the Trump administration. [7] [8] [9] [6] The series became Showtime's highest-rated scripted comedy and ran for three seasons. [10]
He co-created and served as the showrunner for Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News (TOTN), an animated satirical news program that aired on Paramount+ and Comedy Central. [11] [12] [13] [14] The show received several award nominations, including two Primetime Emmy nominations and a Writers Guild of America Award nomination.
Other projects Fried has written for include Problematic with Moshe Kasher , [5] [3] The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell , [15] Triumph's Election Special, and Maya & Marty . [6] [3]
Year | Award | Category | Recipients and Nominees | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Night of Too Many Stars | Nominated | [16] [17] |
2013 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Night of Too Many Stars | Nominated | ||
2016 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Nominated | ||
2017 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) - Specials | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Won | [5] [14] |
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series | Maya & Marty | Nominated | [16] | ||
2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [15] [17] |
2022 | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [17] | |
2023 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy-Variety Talk Series | Tooning Out the News | Nominated | [ citation needed ] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Popzilla | Various | 11 episodes | |
2014–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | R.J. | 7 episodes | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Chris Christie Staffer #2 | 5 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Voice | 31 episodes | [10] [8] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Additional Voices | 63 episodes | [18] [12] [19] |
2022 | Fairview | Voice | 7 episodes | [20] [21] |
2024 | Washingtonia | Voice |
Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Good Morning World | Writer | ||
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Writer | 11 episodes | |
2009 | Popzilla | Writer, Concept | 11 episodes | |
2011 | Onion SportsDome | Contributing Writer | 10 episodes | |
2013–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | Writer | 326 episodes | |
2015 | Night of Too Many Stars | Writer | TV Special | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Writer | 5 episodes | |
2016 | Maya & Marty | Writer | 6 episodes | |
2017 | Beyond the Wall with Grace Parra | Writer | TV Movie | |
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Head Writer | 6 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Writer, Creator | 45 episodes | [8] [22] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Writer, Creator | 66 episodes | [11] |
2022 | Fairview | Writer, Creator, Story | 8 episodes |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | |
2009 | Popzilla | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | |
2016 | Triumph's Election Special 2016 | Producer | 5 episodes | |
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Executive Producer | 38 episodes | [10] [8] [22] [23] |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Executive Producer | 68 episodes | [24] [25] [13] [26] |
2022 | Fairview | Executive Producer | 1 episode | [20] |
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Co-Executive Producer | 6 episodes | |
2024 | Washingtonia | Executive Producer |
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