Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt
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Name	Patton Oswalt
Caption	Oswalt in 2013
Birth name	Patton Peter Oswalt
Birth date	27 January 1969
Birth place	Portsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Occupation	Comedian, actor, writer
Spouse	Michelle McNamara (m. 2005; died 2016), Meredith Salenger (m. 2017)

Patton Oswalt. Patton Peter Oswalt is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer known for his sharp, pop culture-laden wit and versatile performances across film, television, and voice acting. Rising to prominence in the 1990s alternative comedy scene, he has built a prolific career that includes acclaimed stand-up specials, memorable roles in projects like *The King of Queens* and *Ratatouille*, and a respected presence as a writer and cultural commentator. His work has earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Grammy Award, solidifying his status as a distinctive voice in contemporary comedy.

Early life and education

Born in Portsmouth, Virginia, he spent much of his youth in Sterling, within the Washington metropolitan area. His father served in the United States Marine Corps and later worked for the United States Department of the Interior, while his mother was a homemaker. He attended Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia, where he developed an early interest in comedy and performing. He later enrolled at the College of William & Mary, graduating in 1991 with a degree in English; during his college years, he began performing stand-up comedy at local clubs, setting the foundation for his future career.

Career

After moving to San Francisco, he became a fixture in the burgeoning alternative comedy scene, performing at venues like the Punch Line Comedy Club and collaborating with peers such as David Cross and Bob Odenkirk. His big break came with a writing job on MADtv in 1995, followed by his role as Spencer Olchin on the long-running CBS sitcom *The King of Queens*, which brought him widespread recognition. He has released several highly regarded stand-up albums and specials, including *Finest Hour* and *Talking for Clapping*, the latter winning a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. His voice acting role as Remy in Pixar's *Ratatouille* is among his most beloved performances. He has also appeared in films like *Young Adult*, *The Secret Life of Walter Mitty*, and *The Circle*, and created and starred in the Netflix series *A.P. Bio*. As a writer, he has published the memoir *Silver Screen Fiend* and contributed essays to publications like *Wired* and *The Atlantic*.

Personal life

In 2005, he married writer Michelle McNamara; the couple had one daughter. McNamara's unexpected death in 2016 profoundly impacted his life and work, a subject he addressed with raw honesty in his stand-up special *Annihilation* and his book *I'll Be Gone in the Dark*, which completed McNamara's investigation into the Golden State Killer. In 2017, he married actress Meredith Salenger. A self-described "geek," he is an avid fan of comic books, science fiction, and punk rock, interests that frequently inform his comedy. He has been politically active, performing for troops with the USO and supporting various charitable causes.

Filmography

His extensive film credits include voice work in *Ratatouille* (2007), *The Taking of Pelham 123* (2009), and *The Secret Life of Pets 2* (2019). Live-action roles span from *Magnolia* (1999) and *Blade: Trinity* (2004) to *Young Adult* (2011) with Charlize Theron, *The Circle* (2017) with Tom Hanks, and *The Last of Us Part II* (2020 video game). On television, beyond *The King of Queens*, he had a recurring role on *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.* and starred in *The Goldbergs* and *A.P. Bio*. He has also made frequent guest appearances on shows like *Parks and Recreation*, *Community*, and *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*.

Discography

His stand-up albums include *Feelin' Kinda Patton* (2004), *Werewolves and Lollipops* (2007), *My Weakness Is Strong* (2009), and *Talking for Clapping* (2016), which won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Other notable releases are the specials *Finest Hour* (2011) and *Annihilation* (2017). He has also contributed to comedy compilation albums and provided voice work for various audio projects and animated series soundtracks.

Awards and nominations

He won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for his work on *Talking for Clinking* (2016) and a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for *Talking for Clapping* (2016). His other nominations include multiple Primetime Emmy Award nods for his acting and writing, as well as recognition from the American Comedy Awards and the Critics' Choice Television Awards. His book *I'll Be Gone in the Dark* was a New York Times Best Seller and was adapted into a documentary series for HBO.

Category:American comedians Category:American male actors Category:American television writers