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| Andy Richter | |
|---|---|
| Name | Andy Richter |
| Caption | Andy Richter in 2012 |
| Birth date | 28 October 1966 |
| Birth place | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, producer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Spouse | Lauren Hunt (m. 1994) |
Andy Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and television personality best known for his work as a sidekick, writer, and producer in late-night and sitcom television. He gained prominence through recurring collaborations with David Letterman, ensemble work on sketch and improv stages such as The Second City and improvOlympic, and roles in network sitcoms and feature films. Richter's career bridges stand-up, television writing, and film acting, with notable appearances on late-night talk shows and scripted comedy series.
Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Richter was raised in a family with roots in Detroit and the American Midwest. He attended Westview High School after his family moved to Jacksonville, Illinois and later to Bellevue, Washington. Richter studied at Columbia University for a period before transferring to and graduating from St. Louis University High School and ultimately earning a degree from Seattle University's Albers School of Business and Economics. During his formative years he became involved with local comedy troupes and improvisational theaters including The Second City and iO Theater, which shaped his comedic voice alongside contemporaries from the 1980s and 1990s comedy scenes.
Richter began his professional career performing improv and sketch comedy with ensembles tied to The Second City, iO Theater, and regional comedy clubs in Chicago. He moved into television writing and performing with early credits on sketch and variety shows associated with networks like NBC and Fox Broadcasting Company. Richter's breakthrough came when he joined the staff and on-camera team of Late Night with Conan O'Brien and later became widely recognized for his role as the straight man and announcer on Late Show with David Letterman, collaborating directly with David Letterman and production teams at CBS.
Expanding into scripted television, Richter created and starred in the sitcom Andy Richter Controls the Universe, produced for Fox; he later headlined the NBC sitcom Andy Barker, P.I. and co-created series for cable and streaming outlets, collaborating with producers and writers affiliated with Universal Television, 20th Television, and HBO Max. Richter has maintained a presence in film, appearing in comedies distributed by studios such as Universal Pictures, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures, sharing screens with performers including Ben Stiller, Will Ferrell, Jim Carrey, and Jack Black. He has also contributed voice work to animated projects produced by DreamWorks Animation and Illumination Entertainment.
Richter's career includes frequent guest hosting, stand-up tours, and podcast appearances alongside hosts from The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan (talk show), and other late-night franchises. He has been affiliated with comedy festivals such as the Just for Laughs festival and has taught or led workshops at institutions like The Second City Training Center and Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His producing and writing credits extend to collaborations with showrunners and executive producers from series on NBC, ABC, and streaming platforms like Netflix.
Richter married casting director Lauren Hunt in a ceremony attended by colleagues from Saturday Night Live, Late Show with David Letterman alumni, and peers from the improv community. The couple has two children and has lived in the Los Angeles County, California area, maintaining ties to comedy hubs in New York City and Chicago. Richter has participated in charity events and benefit shows alongside performers from Comic Relief USA and supported arts education initiatives connected to The Second City and regional theaters.
Select film and television appearances include roles in feature films released by Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Pictures, and 20th Century Studios; television series on NBC, Fox, CBS, HBO Max, and streaming platforms; and voice performances for DreamWorks Animation and Illumination Entertainment. Notable collaborations involved directors and producers such as Ben Stiller, Adam McKay, Judd Apatow, and Todd Phillips.
Richter's work has been recognized with nominations and awards from organizations and institutions including the Primetime Emmy Awards for writing and guest performance categories, honors from the Writers Guild of America, and recognitions at comedy festivals such as Just for Laughs. He has been cited in industry lists and profiles by outlets covering Variety (magazine), The Hollywood Reporter, and Entertainment Weekly for contributions to late-night television and sitcom comedy.
Category:1966 births Category:American comedians Category:American male actors Category:Living people