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| Akiva Schaffer | |
|---|---|
| Name | Akiva Schaffer |
| Birth date | 1977 |
| Birth place | Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Director, writer, producer, actor, musician |
| Years active | 1996–present |
Akiva Schaffer is an American director, writer, producer, actor, and musician known for his work in comedy, film, television, and music. He is a founding member of the comedy troupe The Lonely Island and has collaborated extensively with performers and institutions across Saturday Night Live, Hollywood, and the music industry. Schaffer's career spans sketch comedy, feature films, digital shorts, and songwriting for major artists and franchises.
Schaffer was born in Berkeley, California, and raised in Berkeley and Oakland, California, later attending Berkeley High School alongside peers who became collaborators in comedy and music. He studied film and media during his time at University of California, Berkeley before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue work in film production and television production. During his youth he participated in local sketch comedy groups and amateur filmmaking projects that connected him to future partners associated with Saturday Night Live and Comedy Central.
Schaffer began his professional career producing sketch videos and independent short films that circulated online and at film festivals associated with Sundance Film Festival and SXSW. He rose to prominence through viral digital shorts and writing collaborations with performers who appeared on Saturday Night Live, Nick Offerman, Andy Samberg, Justin Timberlake, and other entertainers. Schaffer expanded into television writing and producing for series connected to NBC, Netflix, and HBO Max, while also directing commercials for brands and campaigns tied to Super Bowl telecasts and major music events. His multi-disciplinary career includes partnerships with studios such as Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Columbia Pictures, and streaming platforms including Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.
As a founding member of The Lonely Island, Schaffer worked with Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone to create sketch comedy, albums, and music videos released through labels and networks like Interscope Records, Reprise Records, and Saturday Night Live. The troupe's catalog includes collaborations with singers and rappers such as Justin Timberlake, T-Pain, Katy Perry, Nicki Minaj, and Lady Gaga, and producers associated with Dr. Dre and Pharrell Williams. The Lonely Island released albums and singles that charted on lists compiled by Billboard and received placements on year-end lists from publications like Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and Pitchfork. Their digital shorts and web videos were showcased on platforms including YouTube, Myspace, and network sites affiliated with NBCUniversal.
Schaffer directed feature films and television episodes spanning comedy and family genres, collaborating with actors from Saturday Night Live, Seth Rogen, Ben Stiller, Christina Applegate, and Steve Martin. His directorial credits include features distributed by Universal Pictures and Paramount Pictures, and projects produced in partnership with production companies such as Laika, A24, and Happy Madison Productions. Schaffer also directed episodes and special presentations for streaming services including Netflix and Apple TV+, and worked with showrunners linked to series on HBO Max and FX. His television work involved multi-camera productions and single-camera comedies associated with writers who have credits on The Simpsons, Arrested Development, and 30 Rock.
In songwriting and music production, Schaffer co-wrote and co-produced comedic songs and music videos that featured guest vocalists from Pop music and Hip hop scenes, collaborating with artists such as Justin Bieber, Kendrick Lamar, Pharrell Williams, and Snoop Dogg. He contributed to tracks that received attention from industry organizations like the Recording Academy and chart placement on Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart. Schaffer's work intersected with music video directors and producers who have credits with MTV, Vevo, and major labels including Warner Records and Sony Music Entertainment.
Schaffer has maintained professional and personal relationships with colleagues from Berkeley High School, Saturday Night Live, and the broader comedy community in Los Angeles. He has worked alongside family members and longtime collaborators in creative ventures connected to festivals such as Coachella and industry events including the Emmy Awards and Grammy Awards. Schaffer balances film and television work with music projects and occasional acting appearances in productions affiliated with Paramount+ and HBO.
Schaffer has received recognition from institutions including the Emmy Awards, the Grammy Awards, and film festival juries at Sundance Film Festival and SXSW. His projects have been honored by industry organizations such as the Writers Guild of America, the Directors Guild of America, and trade publications like Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The Lonely Island's releases and Schaffer's directorial works have earned nominations and wins across comedy and music award categories administered by entities such as the MTV Video Music Awards and Critics' Choice Association.
Category:American film directors Category:American comedy writers Category:1977 births Category:Living people