Raphael Bob-Waksberg

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Raphael Bob-Waksberg
Raphael Bob-Waksberg by Gage Skidmore.jpg
Bob-Waksberg in 2022
Born
Raphael Matthew Bob-Waksberg

(1984-08-17) August 17, 1984 (age 39)
San Mateo, California, U.S.
Alma mater Bard College
Occupations
  • Voice actor
  • screenwriter
  • producer
Years active2002–present

Raphael Matthew Bob-Waksberg (born August 17, 1984) is an American comedian, writer, producer, actor, and voice actor. He is known as the creator and showrunner of the Netflix animated comedy series BoJack Horseman and the Amazon Prime Video animated series Undone . He is also an executive producer on the Netflix/Adult Swim animated series Tuca & Bertie , created by BoJack Horseman production designer Lisa Hanawalt.

Contents

Early life

Bob-Waksberg was raised in Palo Alto, California [1] with his two sisters, Becky and Amalia. [2]

His family is deeply involved in the Jewish community, [2] and Bob-Waksberg was raised Jewish. From 1982 to about 2010, his mother and grandmother ran a Judaica gift and book store titled Bob & Bob Fine Jewish Gifts and Books. [3] [4] His father, David Waksberg, helped Russian-speaking Jews emigrate to the United States and served as CEO of Jewish LearningWorks, a San Francisco-based religious education center, until his retirement in 2020. [1] [5] His father has stated, "When a friend asked me about [BoJack Horseman] after the first season, I said it was about teshuvah ." [2] When asked how his culture has influenced his art, Bob-Waksberg replied, "Asking me that question is like asking a fish how much being in water has affected it." [2] He has implied that his family perceived comedy as a viable career path, stating in a Times of Israel interview,

Humor was a big part of my childhood. My family was full of comedians. We'd sit around the dinner table and try to one-up each other. It sometimes ended in tears, but usually in laughter...There was a warm and encouraging environment at home. My self-loathing and neuroticism are not because of my upbringing. [6]

At 9 years of age, he was nicknamed "Raizin," and insisted on the name until the age of 22. [1]

He grew up 8 minutes away from Lisa Hanawalt, art collaborator and close friend. He was in the grade below hers at Gunn High School, which Bob-Waksberg described as "one of those schools where if you didn't take five AP classes and get 1600 on your SATs, you were considered subpar." [1]

In 2019, Bob-Waksberg lamented that his high school class voted him "Class Clown" rather than "Funniest." When asked about the difference, he explained, "'Class Clown' is like, 'Ahhhhh, look at me, look at me!' Whereas 'Funniest' is like, 'Oh, a subtle wit.'" [1] In a different interview, he stated, "I had ADD as a kid and often acted as the class clown. My teachers used to tell my mom, 'Raphael thinks he's a real comedian.'" [6]

After high school, Bob-Waksberg attended Bard College in New York for playwriting. For 3 years, presumably during college, he was a roommate of Adam Conover, creator and host of Adam Ruins Everything . [1] [7] Conover and Bob-Waksberg were founding members of the sketch comedy group Olde English. [1] Bob-Waksberg graduated with a degree in Theater and Performance in 2006.[ citation needed ]

Growing up, he was influenced by shows like The Simpsons , [8] Seinfeld , and The Larry Sanders Show, [6] stating,

I was very moved by shows that combined things that were funny and sad. I remember liking Simpsons episodes in which emotions were central. And I thought family sitcoms like Full House, Growing Pains and Family Ties [the models for fictional sitcom "Horsin' Around" in BoJack] were actually kind of powerful. There was something wonderful about their cheesiness and warmth. [6]

Hanawalt's art, specifically her animal-human hybrid characters, inspired him to create BoJack Horseman, [6] and she eventually became the show's production designer and producer. [9] [10]

Bob-Waksberg is vegan. [11]

Career

Bob-Waksberg is well known for creating 2014–2020 animated series BoJack Horseman and performs voices for various characters on the show.

As a member of the Olde English comedy troupe, he co-wrote and appeared in The Exquisite Corpse Project . [9] He was the script doctor for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part , which was released on February 8, 2019.

Bob-Waksberg's short story collection titled Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory: Stories was published by Knopf Publishing on June 11, 2019. [12]

In March 2018, it was announced that he was co-creating an animated series for Amazon with Kate Purdy, which would be called Undone . The show revolves around Alma, a Mexican American woman who discovers a "new relationship with time" after a near-fatal car crash and uses this to learn more about the truth behind her father's death. [13] It premiered on September 13, 2019, on Amazon Prime Video. [14] In November 2019, the show was renewed for a second season. [15]

Television

TitleYearCredited asNetworkNotes
Actor voiceCreatorWriterExecutive
producer
BoJack Horseman 2014–2020YesYesYes (11)Yes Netflix Voice recurring role
Tuca & Bertie 2019–2022YesNoYes (2)Yes
Netflix canceled the series after one season, but Adult Swim picked up for a second and third season.
Undone 2019–2022YesYesYes (4)Yes Amazon Prime Video Created with Kate Purdy

Related Research Articles

<i>BoJack Horseman</i> American adult animated sitcom

BoJack Horseman is an American adult animated psychological comedy drama television series created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. It stars the voices of Will Arnett, Amy Sedaris, Alison Brie, Paul F. Tompkins, and Aaron Paul. Set primarily in Hollywood, the series revolves around the anthropomorphic horse BoJack Horseman (Arnett), a washed-up star of a 1990s sitcom who plans a return to relevance with an autobiography to be written by ghostwriter Diane Nguyen (Brie). It also chronicles his contentions with his agent, Princess Carolyn (Sedaris), former rival Mr. Peanutbutter (Tompkins), roommate Todd Chavez (Paul), and his declining mental health. The series is designed by cartoonist Lisa Hanawalt, a longtime friend to Bob-Waksberg who previously collaborated on the webcomic Tip Me Over, Pour Me Out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Conover</span> American comedian, writer, voice actor, and television host (born 1982/1983)

Adam Conover is an American comedian, writer, voice actor, television host, and labor organizer. He created and hosted the half-hour truTV show Adam Ruins Everything, based on the CollegeHumor series of the same name. He was also the host of the American version of The Crystal Maze on Nickelodeon. In 2022, Conover's limited series The G Word with Adam Conover debuted on Netflix. Conover currently serves on the board of the Writers Guild of America West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lisa Hanawalt</span> American illustrator and TV producer (born 1983)

Lisa Hanawalt is an American illustrator, writer, and cartoonist. She has published comic series, as well as three books of illustrations. She worked as the production designer and a producer of the Netflix animated series BoJack Horseman (2014–2020), and co-hosts the podcast Baby Geniuses (2012–present) with comedian Emily Heller. She created and executive produced the Adult Swim animated series, Tuca & Bertie (2019–2022).

<i>BoJack Horseman</i> (season 1) Season of television series

The first season of the animated television series BoJack Horseman premiered exclusively via Netflix's web streaming service on August 22, 2014. The season consists of 12 episodes.

<i>BoJack Horseman</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the animated television series BoJack Horseman premiered on Netflix on July 22, 2016. As with the first two seasons, season 3 consists of 12 episodes.

<i>BoJack Horseman</i> (season 2) Season of television series

The second season of the animated television series BoJack Horseman premiered exclusively via Netflix's web streaming service on July 17, 2015. Like the fist season, the second season also consists of 12 episodes.

BoJack F. Horseman is a fictional character and the titular protagonist of the Netflix animated comedy television series BoJack Horseman (2014–2020). He is voiced by Will Arnett and was created by Raphael Bob-Waksberg. Prior to the time the series takes place in, BoJack had starred in a fictional hit 1990s sitcom called Horsin' Around. After the show ended, BoJack struggled to find acting work, instead living off residuals from Horsin' Around's syndication.

<i>Undone</i> (TV series) American animated television series

Undone is an American adult animated psychological comedy drama television series created by Kate Purdy and Raphael Bob-Waksberg with Rosa Salazar in the starring role. It premiered on September 13, 2019, on Amazon Prime Video, to critical acclaim. The series is Amazon's first adult animated original series and its first to use rotoscoping. In November 2019, Amazon renewed Undone for a second season, which premiered on April 29, 2022.

Jordan Young is an American film and television producer and writer best known for BoJack Horseman, Drawn Together, Raising Hope, and Life in Pieces.

"BoJack Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Story, Chapter One" is the first episode of the first season of the American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Joel Moser. The episode was released in the United States, along with the rest of season one, via Netflix on August 22, 2014.

"Brand New Couch" is the first episode of the second season of American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Amy Winfrey. The episode was released in the United States, along with the rest of season two, via Netflix on July 17, 2015. George Takei provides his voice in a guest appearance in the episode.

"The Light Bulb Scene" is the first episode of the fifth season of American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Kate Purdy and directed by Adam Parton. The episode was released in the United States, along with the rest of season five, via Netflix on September 14, 2018. Whoopi Goldberg and Natalie Morales provide voices in guest appearances in the episode.

Say Anything (<i>BoJack Horseman</i>) 7th episode of the 1st season of BoJack Horseman

"Say Anything" is the seventh episode of the first season of the American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Joe Lawson and directed by Martin Cendreda. The episode was released, along with the rest of season one, on Netflix on August 22, 2014. The episode follows BoJack Horseman's agent Princess Carolyn as she struggles with competition from her rival Vanessa Gekko as well as having difficulties in managing BoJack.

"Stupid Piece of Sh*t" is the sixth episode of the fourth season of American animated television series BoJack Horseman. It was written by Alison Tafel and directed by Anne Walker Farrell. The episode was released in the United States, along with the rest of season four, via Netflix on September 8, 2017. Fielding Edlow, Sharon Horgan, and Felicity Huffman provide voices in guest appearances in the episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Free Churro</span> 6th episode of the 5th season of BoJack Horseman

"Free Churro" is the sixth episode of the fifth season of the American animated television series BoJack Horseman, and the 55th overall episode of the series. It was written by series creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Amy Winfrey. The episode was made available for streaming, along with the rest of season five, via Netflix on September 14, 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nice While It Lasted</span> 16th episode of the 6th season of BoJack Horseman

"Nice While It Lasted" is the series finale of Netflix's animated comedy-drama television series BoJack Horseman. Written by series creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg and directed by Aaron Long, it was released on Netflix on January 31, 2020, alongside the second half of the sixth and final season. In the episode, titular character BoJack Horseman is arrested and sentenced to prison for breaking and entering, but is granted a furlough to attend the wedding of his ex-girlfriend, Princess Carolyn. The episode was widely praised as a poignant ending to the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The View from Halfway Down</span> 15th episode of the 6th season of BoJack Horseman

"The View from Halfway Down" is the fifteenth episode of the sixth and final season of the American animated television series BoJack Horseman, and the 76th and penultimate overall episode of the series. It was written by Alison Tafel and directed by Amy Winfrey. The episode was originally released as one of eight episodes made available for streaming via Netflix on January 31, 2020. Guest stars in this episode include Stanley Tucci, Kristen Schaal, Wendie Malick, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Brandon T. Jackson, and Zach Braff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Purdy</span> American writer and producer

Kate Purdy is an American writer and producer of television series. She grew up in San Antonio,Texas, United States. She is known for her work as a writer on the Netflix adult animated comedy series BoJack Horseman, which she also produced. She received the Writers Guild of America Award for Television: Animation in 2017 for the BoJack episode "Time's Arrow." Purdy is also the creator and writer of the Amazon Prime Video series Undone.

Netflix has contributed substantially to LGBTQ representation in animation. Lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, and transgender characters have appeared in various animated series, and some animated films, on the streaming platform. GLAAD described Netflix as a company taking "impressive strides in viewership and impact," when it came to LGBTQ representation. Scholars have stated that LGBTQ characters on streaming services, such as Netflix, "made more displays of affection" than on broadcast networks.

<i>BoJack Horseman</i> (soundtrack) 2017 soundtrack album by various artists

BoJack Horseman (Music From The Netflix Original Series) is the soundtrack album to the adult animated black comedy-drama series BoJack Horseman (2014–2020). The soundtrack for the series released by Lakeshore Records in digital and physical formats on September 1 and 29, 2017. It includes several songs, among them the full version of the main theme, Patrick Carney and Michelle Branch's version of America's "A Horse with No Name", Sextina Aquafina's "Get Dat Fetus, Kill Dat Fetus", the themes from Horsin' Around and Mr. Peanutbutter's House, and the entire score for the episode "Fish Out of Water". A vinyl edition was released on January 12, 2018, and a second re-issue was released in September 2020.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Ito, Robert (May 7, 2019). ""Sometimes out of something awful something wonderful happens"". The California Sunday Magazine. Retrieved January 11, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Ghert-Z, Renee (September 12, 2018). "The local boy who rode 'BoJack Horseman' to Netflix fame". J. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  3. ↑ Pine, Dan (January 14, 2009). "After 26-year run, South Bay Judaica store closing its doors". J. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  4. ↑ Savage, Carol Blitzer and Daryl. "Popular Jewish store 'bob and bob' to close". www.paloaltoonline.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  5. ↑ Pine, Dan (May 28, 2020). "Class dismissed: Jewish LearningWorks CEO David Waksberg retires". J. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Ghert-Z, Renee. "Comedy writer gallops to success with 'BoJack Horseman'". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
  7. ↑ Havrilesky, Heather (September 7, 2018). "Don't Look BoJack's Gifted Horse-Lady in the Mouth". The Cut. Retrieved March 23, 2019.
  8. ↑ Studio 360 (September 18, 2018). "BoJack Horseman's Raphael Bob-Waksberg". Slate Magazine. Retrieved May 30, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  9. 1 2 Stephen Rodick (July 22, 2016). "The World According to 'Bojack Horseman'". The New York Times . Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  10. ↑ "BoJack Horseman's Raphael Bob-Waksberg Explains How a Washed-Up Cartoon Horse Is Like Don Draper". Studio 360. September 17, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  11. ↑ "How Watching Cartoons Taught Me About Veganism And Cognitive Dissonance". Live Kindly. August 8, 2017. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
  12. ↑ "Someone Who Will Love You in All Your Damaged Glory by Raphael Bob-Waksberg: 9780525432722 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  13. ↑ "Amazon Orders 'Undone' Animated Series from Raphael Bob-Waksberg and Kate Purdy". Splitsider.com. Retrieved March 22, 2018.
  14. ↑ Schwartz, Ryan (June 7, 2019). "Undone: 'Genre-Bending' Series From BoJack EPs Features Bob Odenkirk and Rosa Salazar — Watch Teaser". TVLine . Retrieved September 24, 2019.
  15. ↑ Kanter, Jake (November 21, 2019). "Amazon Renews Animation Series 'Undone', Inks Overall Deal With Co-Creator Kate Purdy". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 21, 2019.
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