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 was portrayed by actor Judah Friedlander in the 2003 film, American Splendor.
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 filmKiller 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]
On July 28, 2025, Radloff started appearing in Wayne Alan Harold's web series Toby Radloff's Cult Corner. In the videos, Radloff humorously reviews vintage horror and science-fiction movies.
↑ Muss-Barnes, Eric (2019) [July 31, 2015]. "Our Movie Year by Harvey Pekar". Inkshard: A Compendium of Essays by Eric Muss-Barnes. Book Review. Lulu Press.
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