Michael Showalter

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Michael Showalter

Michael Showalter in March 2007
Background information
Date of birth: June 17, 1970 (1970-06-17) (age 37)
Birth location: Flag of the United States Princeton, New Jersey
Genre(s): Comedy

Michael Showalter (born June 17, 1970) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He is one third of the sketch comedy trio Stella. Showalter first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State which aired from 1993 to 1995. He co-wrote (with David Wain) and starred in the cult classic Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and he wrote, directed, and starred in The Baxter (2005), with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux and Elizabeth Banks. Both of these movies featured many of his co-stars from The State, and so do several of his other projects.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Personal life

Showalter was born in Princeton, New Jersey, the son of Elaine Showalter (née Cottler), an author, literary critic, and professor, and English Showalter, a Yale-educated professor of 18th century French literature.[1] His father is Episcopalian and his mother is Jewish.[2] He has one older sister, Vinca Showalter LaFleur, a professional speechwriter. For five years, Showalter shared an apartment with his friend Andrea Rosen.[3]

[edit] Career

Showalter began his undergraduate studies at New York University where he joined an improv troupe known as The New Group. Showalter transferred to and graduated from Brown University. After completing 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 State was then picked up as its own show which aired for two years on MTV.

Showalter has also had several smaller roles in movies and TV shows. He was the host of the sports show Cheap Seats on ESPN Classic in the pilot episode as Ron Parker, an arrogant host. However, after a bookcase fell on Showalter's character, tape librarians (and brothers) Randy Sklar 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, artistic comedy band. Michael is the singer. The other member is the guitarist, Zak Orth.

Showalter is the host of The Michael Showalter Showalter, an original webshow 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 and Andy Samberg. In the fall and winter of 2006, Showalter toured the US with frequent collaborator Michael Ian Black. And 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 of 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.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Michael Showalter Biography (1970-)
  2. ^ "Romantic Comedy Loser Finds Love", Jewish Journal, September 2, 2005.
  3. ^ Eliot Glazer (2007-10-11). Inside With: Andrea Rosen. The Apiary.

[edit] External links