Seth Meyers
| Seth Meyers | |
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Meyers in 2015
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| Birth name | Seth Adam Meyers |
| Born | December 28, 1973 Evanston, Illinois, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up, television, film |
| Nationality | American |
| Years active | 2001–present |
| Genres | Satire/political satire/news satire, improvisational comedy, sketch comedy |
| Subject(s) | American politics, American culture, current events, pop culture, mass media/news media |
| Influences | David Letterman, Monty Python,[1] Steve Martin,[2] Dennis Miller[3] |
| Spouse | Alexi Ashe (m. 2013) |
| Parent(s) |
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| Relative(s) | Josh Meyers |
Seth Adam Meyers (born December 28, 1973)[4] is an American comedian, writer, producer, television host, actor, and voice actor. He currently hosts Late Night with Seth Meyers, a late-night talk show that airs on NBC. Prior to that, he was a head writer for NBC's Saturday Night Live and hosted its news parody segment Weekend Update.
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Early life[edit]
Meyers was born in Evanston, Illinois,[5] and was raised in Okemos, Michigan from ages 4-10 and Bedford, New Hampshire after that. His mother, Hilary Claire (née Olson), was a French teacher, and his father, Laurence Meyers, Jr., worked in finance.[6][7] His younger brother is actor Josh Meyers. His paternal grandfather was Jewish,[8][9] and although Meyers has performed at several Jewish Community Centers, he does not consider himself Jewish.[10] His other ancestry is Czech-Austrian (from his paternal grandmother), Swedish, English, and German.[11] Meyers attended Edgewood Elementary in Okemos [12] and later graduated from Manchester High School West in New Hampshire. He then attended and graduated from Northwestern University in Evanston, where he became a member of the fraternity Phi Gamma Delta.
Career[edit]
Before SNL, Meyers got his improv comedy start as a member of the Northwestern University improv sketch group Mee-Ow. He continued his career at ImprovOlympic with the group Preponderate as well as overseas as a cast member of Boom Chicago, an English language improv troupe based in Amsterdam,[13] where his brother was also a cast member.[14]
Meyers appeared with Brendan Fraser and Anita Briem in the 2008 3D film Journey to the Center of the Earth. He also makes a cameo in the 2008 film Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist as a drunk man who mistakes the main character's Yugo for a taxi. He starred in the 2004 comedy See This Movie with John Cho. In July 2008, Meyers directed the web series The Line on Crackle.[15] Meyers has hosted the Webby Awards twice, in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Meyers hosted the Microsoft Company Meeting at Safeco Field in Seattle.[16] Meyers hosted the 2010 and 2011 ESPY Awards on ESPN.[17] In April 2011, Seth Meyers was the keynote speaker at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. During his introductory remarks, he made a joke about Osama bin Laden's actions while in hiding; namely, that bin Laden was hosting his own afternoon television show on CSPAN.[18] Meyers was unaware that US intelligence had located bin Laden and the Navy SEALs planned an attack the next day.
Saturday Night Live[edit]
Meyers joined the SNL cast in 2001.[14] In 2005, he was promoted to writing supervisor, and in January 2006 he became co-head writer, sharing the role with Tina Fey and Andrew Steele.[19] In 2004, he auditioned to co-anchor "Weekend Update" with Fey, but lost to Amy Poehler.[20] With Fey's departure, Meyers became head writer for the 2006–2007 season and also assumed the role of Weekend Update co-anchor with Amy Poehler.[21][22] After Poehler's departure, Meyers anchored solo between 2008 and 2013. In the 2013-2014 season, Cecily Strong joined Meyers as co-anchor. In fall 2009, Meyers co-anchored two episodes of Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday with Poehler.[23]
While appearing on the Late Show with David Letterman during the 2008 United States presidential election, former SNL cast member Tina Fey credited Meyers with writing the sketches involving Fey's impression of Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin.[24]
On SNL, Meyers has impersonated such figures as John Kerry, Michael Caine, Anderson Cooper, Carrot Top, Prince Charles, Ryan Seacrest, Sean Penn, Stone Phillips, Tobey Maguire, Peyton Manning, Ben Curtis (also known as the Dell Dude), Ty Pennington, Bill Cowher, Brian Williams, Nicollette Sheridan, Wade Robson, Donald Trump, Jr., Tom Cruise, and Kevin Federline.[14] His recurring characters included Zach Ricky, host of the kids' hidden camera show "Pranksters"; Nerod, the receptionist in the recurring sketch "Appalachian Emergency Room"; David Zinger, a scientist who often insults his fellow workers; DJ Johnathan Feinstein, the DJ on the webcam show "Jarett's Room"; Dan Needler, half of a married couple "that should be divorced," (opposite Amy Poehler); William Fitzpatrick, from the Irish talk show "Top o' the Morning," and Boston Powers (one of the comedians in the "Original Kings of Catchphrase Comedy" series). In the season 29 episode hosted by Lindsay Lohan, he portrayed Ron Weasley in a parody of Harry Potter.
Meyers supported and picketed during the 2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike. When interviewed, he said, "We all know how lucky we are to have the jobs we have. We're not asking for much. You have to change the rules because people are watching TV in a different way." [25] Even so, he mentioned in interviews that he regretted missing much of the presidential election primary season.[26][27]
Meyers performed in his final episode of SNL February 1, 2014. Strong, Poehler, Bill Hader in character as Stefon, Andy Samberg, and Fred Armisen as Governor David Paterson joined him at the Weekend Update desk.
Late Night[edit]
NBC announced May 12, 2013, that Meyers would be the new host of Late Night in 2014 succeeding Jimmy Fallon, as Fallon became host of The Tonight Show. Meyers assumed his role on Late Night February 24, 2014 and his first guest was fellow SNL alumnus and Weekend Update anchor Amy Poehler.[28] Meyers announced February 10, 2014, that the bandleader for his house band "The 8G Band" would be Meyers' former SNL colleague Fred Armisen.[29]
Other pursuits[edit]
Meyers won the third season of Bravo's Celebrity Poker Showdown in 2009, and donated the $100,000 prize to the Boston-based Jimmy Fund.[30][31] In 2008, Meyers donated over $4,000 to Barack Obama's presidential campaign.[32] Meyers and SNL castmate Bill Hader penned a Spider-Man one-off entitled The Short Halloween. It was illustrated by Kevin Maguire and was published May 29, 2009. Benjamin Birdie of Comic Book Resources gave the work three and a half stars on a scale of five.[33] Meyers, along with Mike Shoemaker of SNL, created an animated half-hour series entitled The Awesomes, produced by Lorne Michaels' company, Broadway Video, that aired on Hulu.com beginning August 2013.[34]
In 2014 Meyers hosted the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards.[35][35]
Personal life[edit]
Meyers became engaged to his girlfriend of five years, human rights lawyer Alexi Ashe, in July 2013.[36] The two married September 1, 2013, on Martha's Vineyard.[37] Meyers' representative confirmed on November 21, 2015 that the couple are expecting a child.[38]
Meyers is a fan of the Boston Red Sox, Boston Celtics, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates (his father being a Pittsburgh native), the Northwestern Wildcats (his alma mater), the Dutch National Football Team and football club West Ham United in the Premier League.[39][40] He is also a fan of Joe Hill's supernatural comic book series, Locke & Key. IDW Publishing gave him some of the replica keys they had licensed.[41]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | See This Movie | Jake Barrymore | |
| 2004 | Maestro | Tim Healy | Short film |
| 2004 | Thunder Road | Voice Over | Short film |
| 2005 | Perception | Steven | |
| 2005 | The Adventures of Big Handsome Guy and his Little Friend | Disgruntled Dork | Short film |
| 2006 | American Dreamz | Chet Krogl | |
| 2008 | Journey to the Center of the Earth | Professor Alan Kitzens | |
| 2008 | Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist | Drunk Guy in Yugo | |
| 2009 | Spring Breakdown | William Rushfield | |
| 2011 | I Don't Know How She Does It | Chris Bunce | |
| 2011 | New Year's Eve | Griffin | |
| 2014 | The Interview | Himself | Cameo |
Television[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Spin City | Doug | Episode "Rain on My Charades" |
| 2001–2014 | Saturday Night Live | Himself, Various | 253 episodes; Also Head Writer |
| 2008–2012 | Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday | Himself | 8 episodes; Also Head Writer |
| 2010 | 2010 ESPY Awards | Himself (host) | TV Special |
| 2011 | White House Correspondents' Dinner | Himself (host) | TV Special |
| 2011 | 2011 ESPY Awards | Himself (host) | TV Special |
| 2012 | The Mindy Project | Matt | Episode "Hiring and Firing" |
| 2013 | The Office | Himself | Episode: "Finale" |
| 2013–present | The Awesomes | Prock (voice) | Also Creator, Writer, Executive Producer |
| 2014–present | Late Night with Seth Meyers | Himself (host) | Also Writer, Executive Producer |
| 2014 | Broad City | Dream guy | |
| 2014 | 66th Primetime Emmy Awards | Himself (host) | TV Special |
| 2015 | 4th Annual NFL Honors | Himself (host) | TV Special |
| 2015 | Portlandia | Chad Koop | Episode "Dead Pets" |
| 2015 | Documentary Now! | Also Co-Creator, Writer, Executive Producer |
As a crew member[edit]
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Hot Rod | Co-producer |
| 2010 | MacGruber | Executive producer |
| 2013 | 70th Golden Globe Awards | Writer |
| 2014 | 71st Golden Globe Awards | Writer |
| 2015 | 72nd Golden Globe Awards | Writer |
Awards and nominations[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Gaydos, Steve (November 13, 2011). Live from New York: A Discussion with the Saturday Night Live Writers. Interview with Steve Gaydos. Paley Center for Media.
- ^ Sode, Scott. "The Good Humor Man". Northwestern. Retrieved February 18, 2012.
- ^ Wood, Paul (October 22, 2012). "'SNL' vet plans to talk a little trash during visit to C-U". The News Gazette. Champaign, Illinois. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Seth Meyers: Biography". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Andriakos, Jacqueline (October 19, 2011). "Q&A with Seth Meyers, Northwestern homecoming parade Grand Marshal". The Daily Northwestern. Evanston, Illinois. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Prato, Alison (December 14, 2008). "SNL's Seth Meyers: The Power of Fun". New York Post. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
...a father who worked in finance and a French teacher mom.
- ^ "Miss Hilary Olson marries Mr. Meyers". The Boston Globe. July 5, 1970. Retrieved August 7, 2014. (subscription required (help)).
- ^ Bloom, Nate (July 17, 2013). "Jewz in the Newz". The American Israelite. Cincinnati. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Seth’s Story: Seth's Jewish Enough". NBC. April 24, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Webb, Shelby (March 23, 2012). "SNL anchor Seth Meyers drew about 3,100 to O’Connell Center". The Independent Florida Alligator. Alligator.org. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Bloom, Nate. "Interfaith Celebrities: Glee News; Seth Meyers Gets Engaged; Bas". InterfaithFamily.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "@SethMeyers on Twitter". March 7, 2014.
- ^ Rapkin, Mickey (September 10, 2004). "Going Dutch". Entertainment Weekly (782-783).
- ^ a b c "Seth Meyers — host". NBC. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "For anybody that's ever waited in line to see a movie / Star Trek". Star Trek Phase II. July 26, 2008. Retrieved February 27, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Eaton, Nick (September 3, 2009). "Seth Meyers to emcee Microsoft Company Meeting at Safeco". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Eng, Joyce. "Seth Meyers to Host ESPYs Again". TVGuide.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Obama plays it cool, laughs off Seth Meyers' bin Laden CSPAN joke". YouTube. January 5, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2013.
- ^ "New ‘SNL’ cast members playing big roles". Today. AP. February 8, 2006. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Levin, Gary (September 29, 2006). "'SNL' will update its Weekend Update". USA Today. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Serpe, Gina (July 24, 2006). "Fey, Dratch Give Up Saturday Night". E! News. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Mahan, Colin (September 22, 2006). "Seth Meyers will coanchor Weekend Update". tv.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 30, 2009). "Exclusive: Amy Poehler returns to 'SNL' (REALLY?!)". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Scholibo, Corey (November 19, 2008). "Seth Meyers's Big Gay Saturday Night". The Advocate. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Levin, Gary (November 6, 2007). "Writers Strike: Late night without Letterman, Leno". USA Today. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Levin, Gary (February 20, 2008). "Weekend update: 'SNL' is back in the race". USA Today. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Meyers, Seth (February 29, 2008). "7 Writers' Strike Postscripts: Saturday Night Live". Entertainment Weekly (980): 40. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 12, 2013). "Seth Meyers Named Host Of NBC’s 'Late Night', Lorne Michaels To Executive Produce". Deadline.com. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Day, Patrick Kevin (February 10, 2014). "Seth Meyers reveals Fred Armisen will lead his 'Late Night' band". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Strachan, Alex (February 20, 2014). "Late Night won’t be Weekend Update rehash, says Seth Meyers". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Anft, Michael (May 12, 2005). "A TV Show Exploits a Craze and Aids Charitable Causes". Chronicle of Philanthropy 17 (15). pp. 25–27. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "Celebrity Political Donations/Seth Meyers". newsmeat.com/.
- ^ Birdie, Benjamin (May 28, 2009). "Spider-Man: The Short Halloween #1". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Van Syckle, Katie (July 30, 2013). "Seth Meyers: 'The Awesomes' Are Misfit Superheroes". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ a b Littleton, Cynthia (April 24, 2014). "Seth Meyers to Host 2014 Emmy Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Takeda, Allison (July 5, 2013). "Seth Meyers Engaged to Girlfriend Alexi Ashe!". Us Weekly. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Green, Mary (September 1, 2013). "Seth Meyers Marries Alexi Ashe". People. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Deerwester, Jayme (November 21, 2015). "Really!?! Seth Meyers is going to be a dad". USA Today. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ Duerson, Adam (July 16, 2007). "Q & A: Andy Samberg". Sports Illustrated 107 (2): 24. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Sheridan, Patricia (January 4, 2010). "Patricia Sheridan's Breakfast With ... Seth Meyers". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Dietsch, T.J. (October 17, 2013). "NYCC: 'Saturday Night Live's' Taran Killam Debriefs 'The Illegitimates'". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ "2014 Writers Guild Awards Winners Announced" (Press release). Writers Guild of America. February 1, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2014.
- ^ Carter, Bill (July 10, 2014). "Emmy Nominations Cross a Few Lines". The New York Times. Retrieved August 7, 2014. (subscription required (help)).
- ^ a b McNary, Dave (December 4, 2014). "‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘True Detective,’ ‘Transparent’ Lead WGA TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
External links[edit]
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Seth Meyers. |
- Seth Meyers at the Internet Movie Database
- Seth Meyers on Twitter
- Seth Meyers on National Public Radio in 2008
- Seth Meyers Late Night bio
- Live from New York: It's Sunday Afternoon! conversation with Fred Armisen, Andy Samberg, Jason Sudeikis, Kenan Thompson, and Kristen Wiig at The New Yorker Festival, October 2010
| Media offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jimmy Fallon |
Host of Late Night Beginning February 24, 2014 |
Succeeded by Incumbent |
| Preceded by Tina Fey and Amy Poehler |
Weekend Update anchor with Amy Poehler 2006–2008 |
Succeeded by Seth Meyers Solo |
| Preceded by Seth Meyers and Amy Poehler |
Weekend Update anchor Solo 2008–2013 |
Succeeded by Seth Meyers and Cecily Strong |
| Preceded by Seth Meyers Solo |
Weekend Update anchor with Cecily Strong 2013–2014 |
Succeeded by Cecily Strong and Colin Jost |
| Preceded by Tina Fey |
SNL Head Writer with Tina Fey 2005–2006 |
Succeeded by Seth Meyers Solo |
| Preceded by Tina Fey and Seth Meyers |
SNL Head Writer Solo 2006–2012 |
Succeeded by Seth Meyers and Colin Jost |
| Preceded by Seth Meyers Solo |
SNL Head Writer with Colin Jost 2012–2014 |
Succeeded by Colin Jost |
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- Seth Meyers
- 1973 births
- 21st-century American male actors
- 21st-century American writers
- American male comedians
- American television talk show hosts
- American male film actors
- American male television actors
- American male voice actors
- American male writers
- American people of Austrian descent
- American people of Czech descent
- American people of English descent
- American people of German descent
- American people of Jewish descent
- American people of Swedish descent
- American television producers
- American television writers
- Male television writers
- Late Night (NBC)
- Living people
- Male actors from New Hampshire
- Northwestern University School of Communication alumni
- Male actors from Evanston, Illinois
- People from Manchester, New Hampshire
- Writers from Evanston, Illinois
- Writers from New Hampshire
- Late Night with Seth Meyers
- Late night television talk show hosts
- American sketch comedians
- American male screenwriters
