Garry Shandling

Garry Shandling
Alan Light · CC BY 2.0 · source
Name	Garry Shandling
Birth date	November 29, 1949
Birth place	Chicago, Illinois, United States
Death date	March 24, 2016
Death place	Los Angeles, California, United States
Medium	Stand-up comedy, Television, Film
Nationality	American
Genre	Satire, Observational comedy
Notable works	It's Garry Shandling's Show, The Larry Sanders Show

Garry Shandling was an American comedian, actor, writer, and producer, best known for creating and starring in the HBO series The Larry Sanders Show, which was heavily influenced by his own experiences as a Late Night with David Letterman guest and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson regular. Shandling's unique brand of Satire and Observational comedy was shaped by his early days as a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Harvey Korman Show. He was also a frequent guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, and appeared in films like Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier, alongside Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Evans. Shandling's work was often compared to that of other comedic legends, such as Richard Pryor and George Carlin.

● Early Life

Garry Shandling was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Muriel and Irving Shandling, and grew up in Tucson, Arizona, where he developed an interest in Comedy and Magic, inspired by performers like Harry Houdini and David Copperfield. He attended University High School and later studied Marketing at the University of Arizona, where he was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity, alongside other notable alumni like Jerry Springer and Boris Johnson. Shandling's early comedic influences included Woody Allen, Lenny Bruce, and Bob Hope, who he would later meet and perform with at The Friars Club.

● Career

Shandling began his career in Comedy as a writer for Saturday Night Live and The Harvey Korman Show, where he worked alongside other young comedians like Billy Crystal and Martin Short. He later became a regular guest on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and Late Night with David Letterman, and appeared on numerous other Talk shows, including The Arsenio Hall Show and The Dennis Miller Show. Shandling's stand-up comedy specials, such as Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas and Garry Shandling: Stand Up, were critically acclaimed and earned him multiple Emmy Award nominations, as well as a Grammy Award nomination for Best Comedy Album. He was also a frequent performer at The Comedy Store and The Improv, where he shared the stage with other comedians like Richard Lewis and Dennis Miller.

● Major Works

Shandling is perhaps best known for creating and starring in the HBO series The Larry Sanders Show, which aired from 1992 to 1998 and co-starred Rip Torn and Jeffrey Tambor. The show was widely acclaimed and earned numerous Emmy Award nominations, including Outstanding Comedy Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for Shandling. He also created and starred in the Showtime series It's Garry Shandling's Show, which aired from 1986 to 1990 and co-starred Molly Cheek and Michael Tucci. Shandling's work on these shows was influenced by his own experiences in the Entertainment industry, as well as the work of other comedians like Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca.

● Personal Life

Shandling was known for his Wit and Sarcasm, and was a frequent guest on Talk shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien. He was also a close friend and frequent collaborator of Comedians like Chris Rock and Eddie Murphy, and appeared in numerous Comedy Central Roasts, including the Roast of Hugh Hefner and the Roast of Donald Trump. Shandling was also a longtime supporter of the USO and performed at numerous USO Tours, alongside other comedians like Robin Williams and Drew Carey.

● Legacy

Shandling's influence on Comedy can be seen in the work of numerous other comedians, including Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari, who have both cited him as a major influence. He was also a pioneer in the use of Satire and Observational comedy in Television, and his work on The Larry Sanders Show and It's Garry Shandling's Show paved the way for future Sitcoms like Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development. Shandling's legacy was honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.

● Filmography

Shandling appeared in numerous films, including Iron Man 2, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Zoolander, alongside Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson. He also made guest appearances on Television shows like The Simpsons, Friends, and Curb Your Enthusiasm, and was a frequent host of Saturday Night Live, alongside other hosts like Justin Timberlake and Tina Fey. Shandling's film and television work was often marked by his unique brand of Satire and Observational comedy, and he remains one of the most influential and beloved comedians of his generation, alongside other legends like George Burns and Bob Hope. Category:American comedians