Chris Elliott
Chris Elliott | |
---|---|
Born | Christopher Nash Elliott May 31, 1960 New York City, U.S. |
Occupations |
|
Years active | 1982–present |
Spouse |
Paula Niedert (m. 1986) |
Children | |
Parent | Bob Elliott (father) |
Christopher Nash Elliott (born May 31, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and author, known for his surreal sense of humor. He appeared in comedic sketches on Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1988), created and starred in the comedy series Get a Life (1990–1992) on Fox, and wrote and starred in the film Cabin Boy (1994). His writing has won four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards. His other television appearances include recurring roles on Everybody Loves Raymond and How I Met Your Mother, starring roles as Chris Monsanto in Adult Swim's Eagleheart (2011–2014) and Roland Schitt in Schitt's Creek (2015–2020).[1] He also appeared in the films Groundhog Day (1993), There's Something About Mary (1998), Snow Day (2000) and Scary Movie 2 (2001).
Early life
Elliott was born in New York City, and is the youngest of five children of Lee (née Peppers), a model and TV director, and Bob Elliott, who was part of the successful comedy team Bob and Ray.[2][3][4] He grew up on the Upper East Side.[5] He attended the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center for a semester.[6]
Career
Elliott was hired as a production assistant on Late Night with David Letterman,[6] and was with the show from its very beginning in February 1982.[7] Over the first year of the show, he was seen on camera irregularly and usually in small sketch roles. In the spring of 1983, Elliott became a writer on the show and his on-camera appearances became more frequent. He became known in the mid-to-late 1980s for playing an assortment of recurring quirky, oddball characters on Late Night. His characters on the show included:
- "The Conspiracy Guy":[8] During staged audience "question and answer" sessions with Dave, Elliott would approach the microphone and begin accusing Letterman of various plots and schemes, after which "security" would wrestle Elliott to the ground and drag him out of the studio while Elliott yelled threats to Dave.
- "The Panicky Guy":[8] Elliott would pretend to be an audience member, who panics and runs from the studio at the slightest threat of danger (similar to doomed characters in disaster movies). Once in the hallway he would be run over and crushed by an advancing floor waxer, with his hands raised in terror. In one variation, he played a German Panicky Guy in Lederhosen, who was run over by a hand dolly full of cheese wheels.
- "The Guy Under the Seats":[8] a short character-comedy bit followed by Elliott as himself (living under the seats, that is) who eventually becomes angry at Letterman and threatens him with some metaphorically articulated comeuppance in the future and always closing with the line "But until that day, I'm gonna be right here, making your life...a living hell."
- "The Fugitive Guy":[8] a parody of the TV series The Fugitive
- "The Laid Back Guy": When the studio changed his name on the West Coast to Pierce, Chris portrayed the laid back guy based on his observations of the differences between the West and East Coast. Laid back guy only appeared during West Coast interviews, and stayed around to make sure that Dave "kept things cool."
- "The Regulator Guy":[8] a parody of The Terminator films. The Regulator Guy spoke with a vaguely Germanic accent and claimed to be "from the future". The Regulator Guy segments were usually pre-taped and presented by Letterman as the trailer for an upcoming television series. The font used for the title was similar to the font used for the then-popular American television series The Equalizer. Chris in fact appeared on an episode of The Equalizer playing a peeping Tom mildly assaulted by the Equalizer. In the Regulator Guy's only live, on-stage appearance, Elliott, carried by wires, "flew" over the audience via jet pack onto the Late Night set. The "jet pack" prop appeared to malfunction, which the Regulator Guy then blamed for ruining his dramatic appearance.
- "Skylark": an obnoxious, generic, Las Vegas lounge lizard with similar flamboyant features and characteristics as Rip Taylor (including throwing confetti). Skylark debuted when Late Night went to Las Vegas for a week of shows.[9]
- "Marlon Brando":[9] a recurring parody of Brando, whom Elliott portrays as a slovenly and semi-deranged version of the famous actor.
- "Chris Elliott Jr.": a spoof of talk-show host Morton Downey Jr.[10]
- "Johnny Graham": a cabaret musician who hosted the Johnny Graham Piano Request Show in the style of John Wallowitch.
During one Late Night special focused on short films, Elliott was the star of a short about himself entitled "A Television Miracle",[7] in which he alluded that he was actually an animatronic being that was created for the TV show. The "miracle" was the behind-the-scenes work needed to bring his character to life and others.
As his career on Late Night blossomed, Elliott also took small movie roles, often as a supporting actor in non-
In 1986, Elliott co-wrote and starred in the Cinemax special FDR: A One Man Show, a spoof comedy about the life and times of the president. Elliott looked and sounded nothing like the man; he portrayed events from Roosevelt's life that never happened, such as a Japanese bombing of the White House, and his crossing the Potomac in a rowboat. By the end of the show, he had performed Gallagher's shtick of smashing watermelons and other soft fruits on stage.
Elliott left Late Night in early 1990, though he would return as a guest interview subject many times on Late Night and Letterman's subsequent talk show
In 1990, Elliott created and starred in his own sitcom, which was called Get a Life, about a 30-year-old paperboy named Chris Peterson who lived at home with his parents. Elliott's real-life father, Bob Elliott, appeared in the show as Chris's father. The January 1999 issue of TV Guide called the "Zoo Animals on Wheels" episode the 19th funniest TV moment of all time.
In 1993, Elliott teamed up with producer
Elliott became a cast member of
In 2007, Elliott again began appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman with fellow former Letterman writer Gerard Mulligan. On average, these bits appeared once per month.
His other television credits include the chowder taster on
In 2015, he had a guest role on an episode of NBC's
In 2021 he was cast in
Author
Elliott has written four books spoofing history or pseudo-history.
Personal life
Elliott has been married to Paula Niedert since 1986. Niedert worked as a talent coordinator on making for three generations of Elliotts on SNL.
Filmography
Film
Year | Film | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1983 | Lianna | Lighting Assistant | |
1984 | Gremloids | Hopper | |
1985 | My Man Adam | Mr. Spooner | |
1986 | Manhunter | Zeller | |
1989 | The Abyss | Bendix | |
New York Stories | Robber | ||
1993 | The Travelling Poet | Alan Squire | Short film; also director |
CB4 | A. White | ||
Groundhog Day | Larry | ||
1994 | Cabin Boy | Nathanial Mayweather | Story by (with Razzie Award nominee for Worst New Star
|
Poolside Ecstasy | The Pool Boy | Short film; also director | |
Housewives: The Making of the Cast Album | Chris the Diva | Short film; also director | |
1996 | Kingpin | The Gambler | |
1998 | There's Something About Mary | Dom Woganowski | |
2000 | The Sky is Falling
|
Santa Claus | |
Nutty Professor II: The Klumps | Restaurant Manager | Cameo | |
Snow Day | Roger "Snowplowman" Stubblefield | ||
2001 | Osmosis Jones | Bob | |
Scary Movie 2 | Hanson | ||
2006 | Scary Movie 4 | Ezekiel | |
2007 | Thomas Kinkade's Home for Christmas
|
Ernie Trevor | |
I'll Believe You | Eugene the Gator Guy | ||
2009 | Dance Flick | Ron | |
2010 | Speed-Dating | Inspector Green | |
2012 | The Dictator | Mr. Ogden | |
The Library | Himself | ||
2014 | The Rewrite | Jim | |
2016 | Better Off Single | Angela's Dad | |
2017 | Sandy Wexler | Mr. Buttons | |
Frat Star | Eugene Cooper | ||
2018 | Clara's Ghost | Ted Reynolds | |
2021 | Christmas vs. the Walters | Dr. Tom | |
2023 | Welcome to Redville | Sheriff Brooks |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1982–1988 | Late Night with David Letterman | Various roles | Also writer |
1986 | FDR: A One Man Show | Franklin Delano Roosevelt
|
Television film |
1987 | Action Family | Chris | Television film |
1987 | Miami Vice | Danny Allred | Episode: "Down for the Count: Part II" |
1987 | The Equalizer | Rags Maloney | Episode: "Coal Black Soul" |
1987-1988 | Friday Night Videos | Host, various | 3 episodes[15][16] |
1989 | Tattingers | Spin | 3 episodes |
1990–1992 | Get a Life | Chris Peterson | 36 episodes |
1992 | Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful | Andy | Television film |
1994 | The Adventures of Pete & Pete | Meterman Ray | Episode: "Sick Day" |
1994–1995 | Saturday Night Live | Various roles | 19 episodes |
1995–1996 | Murphy Brown | Steve | 2 episodes |
1995 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Episode: "Larry's Sitcom" |
1995 | The Barefoot Executive | Jase Wallenberg | Television film |
1996 | Wings | Steve | Episode: "...Like a Neighbor Scorned" |
1997 | Duckman | Dr. Reamus Elliott (voice) | Episode: "All About Elliott" |
1997 | Sabrina the Teenage Witch | Warren | Episode: "Mars Attracts!" |
1997–1998 | The Naked Truth | Bradley Crosby | 10 episodes |
1998 | Hercules | Triton (voice) | Episode: "Hercules and the Son of Poseidon" |
1998 | The Nanny | Chris Malley | Episode: "Oh, Say, Can You Ski?" |
1999 | Tracey Takes On... | Gilbert Bronson | Episode: "Books" |
1999–2000 | Dilbert | Dogbert (voice)
|
30 episodes |
2000 | The Outer Limits | Jack Parson | Episode: "Judgment Day" |
2000–2001 | Cursed | Larry Heckman | 17 episodes |
2001–2006 | The King of Queens | F. Moynihan / Pete | 2 episodes |
2001 | Ed | Chet Bellafiore | Episode: "The New World" |
2002–2004 | According to Jim | Reverend Pierson | 3 episodes |
2002 | Still Standing | Jeff Hackman | Episode: "Still Spending" |
2003–2005 | Everybody Loves Raymond | Peter MacDougall | 10 episodes |
2003–2008 | King of the Hill | Chris Sizemore / Ed Burnett / Rob Holguin (voice) | 5 episodes |
2004 | Third Watch | Jeffrey Barton | 2 episodes |
2005 | That '70s Show | Mr Bray | Episode: "2000 Light Years from Home" |
2006 | Minoriteam | Space Drifter (voice) | Episode: "Space Driftin'" |
2008 | Code Monkeys | Chris (voice) | Episode: "Benny's Birthday" |
2008–2015 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Anton Thibodeaux / Pete Matthews | 2 episodes |
2009–2014 | How I Met Your Mother | Mickey | 11 episodes |
2010 | Futurama | V-Giny (voice) | Episode: "In-A-Gadda-Da-Leela" |
2011–2014 | Eagleheart | Chris Monsanto | 34 episodes |
2011 | SpongeBob SquarePants | Captain/Lord Poltergeist (voice) | Episode: "Ghoul Fools" |
2011 | Bored to Death | Fishman | Episode: "Forget the Herring" |
2012 | Metalocalypse | Klokateer / Dr. Commander Vermin Chuntspinkton (voice) | 2 episodes |
2014 | Community | Russell Borchert | Episode: "Basic Sandwich" |
2014 | Hot in Cleveland | Luke | Episode: "Elka Takes a Lover" |
2014 | The Birthday Boys | Dr. Gerard Loudon | Episode: "The U.S. Healthcare System" |
2015–2020 | Schitt's Creek | Roland Schitt | 79 episodes |
2015 | The Good Wife | Adrian Fluke | Episode: "Hail Mary" |
2015 | Nurse Jackie | Vigilante Jones | Episode: "Vigilante Jones" |
2015 | The Knick | Port Authority Officer | Episode: "There Are Rules" |
2016 | Graves | Thomas Nash | 3 episodes |
2017 | Friends from College | Mentalist | Episode: "A Night of Surprises" |
2017 | Difficult People | Rick | Episode: "Rabbitversary" |
2017 | Fresh Off the Boat | Adam | 2 episodes |
2017 | The Last Man on Earth | Glenn | 2 episodes |
2017 | At Home with Amy Sedaris | Rich Uncle | Episode: "Entertaining for Peanuts" |
2020 | The Shivering Truth | (voice) | Episode: "The Diff" |
2022 | Maggie | Jack | 13 episodes |
2023 | Agent Elvis | Timothy Leary (voice) | 3 episodes |
Awards
Primetime Emmy Awards
- 1984 Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Comedy or Music Program for Late Night with David Letterman
- 1985 Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Comedy or Music Program for Late Night with David Letterman
- 1986 Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Comedy or Music Program for Late Night with David Letterman
- 1987 Outstanding Writing in a Variety, Comedy or Music Program for Late Night with David Letterman
Canadian Screen Awards
- 2016 Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role or Guest Role in a Comedic Series for Schitt's Creek[17]
Screen Actors Guild Awards
- 2020 Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Schitt's Creek
References
- ^ "Schitt's Creek cast: Chris Elliott (1960–)". CBC Television. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- ^ "Chris Elliott Biography". Filmreference.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
- ^ "Brooks Maine – Pilley House Donation Article". Brooks.govoffice2.com. June 3, 2005. Retrieved March 7, 2014 – via Bangor Daily News.
- ^ "Paid Notice: Deaths ELLIOTT, LEE K". The New York Times. April 29, 2012. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- People.com. Retrieved June 20, 2020.
- ^ a b Koltnow, Barry (September 26, 2005). "A chip off the old block". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved January 3, 2021.
- ^ a b Evans, Bradford (November 19, 2013). "The Best of Chris Elliott on Letterman". Vulture.com.
- ^ a b c d e Senger, Trustman (February 7, 1987). "Chris Elliott's Ascent into Madness". The Washington Post.
- ^ a b Baker, Kathryn (December 24, 1987). "The Wacky World According to Chris Elliott". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ Digiacomo, Frank (September 18, 2008). "Chris Elliott, Cabin Man: Rolling Stone's 2008 Feature". Rolling Stone.
- ^ Gus Wezerek (December 14, 2019). "The 'S.N.L.' Stars Who Lasted, and the Ones Who Flamed Out". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 14, 2019. Retrieved December 16, 2019.
Some of the names here will be familiar only to die-hard fans; others, like Murphy, defined what was funny for generations of viewers.
- ^ Petski, Denise (April 5, 2021). "David Del Rio, Chris Elliott, Ray Ford & Leonardo Nam Join Rebecca Rittenhouse In ABC Comedy Pilot 'Maggie'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 12, 2008). "'SNL' taps Abby Elliott, Michaela Watkins". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ Zuckerman, Ed (November 24, 2009). "A Professionally Funny Family". The New York Times.
- ^ "Friday Night (TV Series 1983–2000) - Episode list 1987 - IMDb". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ "Friday Night (TV Series 1983–2000) - Episode list 1988 - IMDb". IMDb. IMDb.com, Inc. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
- ^ Furdyk, Brent (January 19, 2016). "2016 Canadian Screen Awards Nominees Announced". ET Canada. Archived from the original on April 16, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
Books
- Elliott, Chris (2012). The Guy Under the Sheets: The Unauthorized Autobiography. Penguin. ISBN 9781101600719.