Born:

June 17, 1970

Michael Showalter Overview:

Comedian, actor, writer and director Michael Showalter has worked as both a sketch and stand-up comedian. As a former member of both The State and Stella, Showalter has boldly embraced the odd and absurd. His comedy -- particularly his stand-up -- is frequently experimental, focusing more on long stories and flights of oddness than on regular set-ups and punchlines.

 

Quick Michael Showalter Facts:

 

• Michael Showalter was born and raised in Princeton, New Jersey.
• He became a member the comedy troupe that would eventually become The State while at New York University.
• He wrote and starred in the film Wet Hot American Summer in 2001.
• In 2005, he wrote and directed the romantic comedy The Baxter.
• Showalter released his first stand-up album, Sandwiches and Cats, in 2007.
• In 2009, he co-starred with fellow State member Michael Ian Black on the Comedy Central series Michael and Michael Have Issues.

 

Michael Showalter and The State:

 

Michael Showalter attended college at NYU (but graduated from Brown University), where he became a member of the sketch comedy troupe The New Group -- who eventually went on to become The State. The group had their own sketch show on MTV for three seasons.

 

Michael Showalter in Hollywood:

 

Though he remained under the radar, Showalter stayed active in the comedy scene after the dissolution of The State. He had a short run as a correspondent on The Daily Show (still in its Craig Kilborn incarnation) in 1996 and hosted a short-lived NBC series called Late Friday in 2001.

The same year, Showalter co-wrote and starred in Wet Hot American Summer, a camp-movie spoof directed by his State buddy David Wain and starring several members of the late sketch comedy group. The film quickly gained a cult following and opened up the door for Showalter's film career.

 

The Baxter and Stella:

 

In 2005, Showalter wrote and directed his own feature film, the independent romantic comedy The Baxter, in which he also played the lead role. Though not really a financial success, the film received very positive reviews from critics.

Also in 2005, Black reunited with State members Michael Showalter and David Wain to form the comedy troupe Stella, who had their own show on Comedy Central. It lasted only one season before being canceled.

 

Michael Showalter, Comedian:

 

Showalter released his own comedy album in 2007, called Sandwiches and Cats. The album was a mixture of live stand-up comedy and recorded sketches and songs, which Showalter performed with his acoustic band The Doilies (really just him and actor Zak Orth).

He also began hosting his own Web series in 2007, called The Michael Showalter Showalter. His guests included Zach Galifianakis, Michael Ian Black, Mike Birbiglia and David Cross.

 

Michael and Michael Have Issues:

 

Showalter and Black reunited again to create a new series, Michael and Michael Have Issues, for Comedy Central in 2009. The show combined sketch comedy with a more traditional narrative and received a seven episode run.

Read more about Michael and Michael Have Issues

 

Additional Michael Showalter Facts:

 

• In addition to starring in films he wrote, Showalter has also acted in films like Safe Men (1998), Kissing Jessica Stein (2002) and Signs (2002) and appeared on an episode of HBO's Sex & the City.
• Showalter teaches screenwriting at NYU's Graduate Film School.
• He was a member of a hip-hop/comedy group in high school called The Disposable Rappers.
• In 2014, he reunited with David Wain to write and produce the romantic comedy spoof They Came Together.