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Sam Richardson (actor)

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Sam Richardson
Richardson in January 2019
Born(1984-01-12)January 12, 1984(age 40)
Detroit, Michigan,U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
  • producer
Years active2004–present
Known forVeep
Detroiters
The Afterparty
Velma

Sam Richardson(born January 12, 1984) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for playing Richard Splett in theHBOpolitical comedy seriesVeep(2012–19), co-creating and co-starring in theComedy Centralcomedy seriesDetroiters(2017–18) alongsideTim Robinson,and for playing various characters in theNetflixsketch showI Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson(2019–present), Aniq Adjaye in theApple TV+seriesThe Afterparty(2022–23), andNorville Rogersin theMaxseriesVelma(2023–24). In 2022 and 2023, he was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Seriesfor his performance as Edwin Akufo inTed Lasso,winning the 2023 award in this category.[1]

Early life[edit]

Richardson was born inDetroit,Michigan, on January 12, 1984,[2][3]the son of a Ghanaian mother and an African-American father.[4][5]His aunt wasBarbara-Rose Collins(née Richardson), who in 1990 became the first black woman from Michigan to be elected to theUnited States Congress.[6][7]Once or twice a year, Richardson would travel with his parents to Ghana, where his grandfather was a chief and local political leader.[8]He graduated from theUniversity of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academyin 2002,[9]and studied theater atWayne State University.[10][11]

Career[edit]

Early in his career, Richardson performed at theSecond Cityin Detroit and then inChicago.[12]At Second City, he was known for a wide range of characters, from sight gags to impressions of public figures.[13]

Following a move toLos Angeles,Richardson appeared in six episodes (including the series finale) ofThe Officeand a season 4 episode ofArrested Development.[12]He has also appeared on episodes ofDrunk History,New Girl,Teachers,and six episodes ofHarder Than It Looks.He played Richard Splett on theHBOpolitical comedy seriesVeep,first appearing in four episodes during season 3 as the handler for Selina Meyer during her Iowa book tour.[14]During season 4, Richardson was made a regular cast member of the show,[12][15][16]after his character received a job offer in President Meyer's administration as an assistant to the character Jonah.[17]He has also appeared in films includingWe're the Millers,Horrible Bosses 2,Spy,[14]Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,andGhostbusters.[18]

In 2015,Comedy Centralordered a pilot for the seriesDetroiters,created by Richardson andTim Robinson.The show stars Richardson and Robinson, who also co-wrote and co-executive produced the series with others.[19]Comedy Central then ordered ten episodes of the series, which began shooting in the Detroit area in 2016. According toDetroit Free Press,"In the series, Richardson and Robinson play struggling advertising men in Detroit who make local TV commercials. The plot was inspired partly by the classic Detroit ads they grew up watching, including theMel FarrSuperstar and Gordy fromABC Warehousecampaigns. "[20]Detroitersran for two seasons before its cancellation by Comedy Central in 2018.[21]

In 2016, Richardson was nominated for the Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble) award at theCanadian Screen Awardsfor his work onThe Second City Project.He was also nominated for theOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Seriesat the 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018Screen Actors Guild Awardsfor his work onVeep,winning the last one. In 2018, he began playing Alf in theYouTube PremiumseriesChampaign ILL.[13][22]Since 2019, he has played various characters in theNetflixsketch showI Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson.

In 2021, Richardson appeared inTed Lassoas Edwin Akufo, a part for which he was nominated for the Emmy forOutstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Seriesin 2022 and 2023.[23]

In 2022, Richardson was in the main cast of theApple TV+mystery comedy seriesThe Afterparty.[24]That same year he appeared as Gilbert, the owner of the Olde Salem Magic Shoppe, inHocus Pocus 2,a sequel to the 1993 film,Hocus Pocus.[25]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Key
† Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Planning Lady Police Officer Short film
2010 Superman vs. The Office Sam
2013 We're the Millers TSA Agent
The Rule of Threes Jeff Short film
Crash Site Ben
2014 Horrible Bosses 2 The Producer
2015 Spy John
The Night Is Young Sam
2016 Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Eric Baiers
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Eric Huddle
Ghostbusters Basement Cop
Office Christmas Party Joel
2017 The House Marty
2018 Game Over, Man! Donald
Ralph Breaks the Internet Lee the Office Nerd Voice
2019 Good Boys Officer Sacks
2020 Promising Young Woman Paul
Superintelligence Agent John Donahue
Hooking Up Bailey Brighton
2021 Werewolves Within Finn Wheeler Producer
The Tomorrow War Charlie
2022 Family Squares Alex
Senior Year Seth Novacelik
Hocus Pocus 2 Gilbert
2023 Somebody I Used to Know Dar
Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken Brill Voice
TBA Star Trek: Section 31 TBA Filming
TBA Hypergalactic TBA Post-production; voice

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2012 Harder Than It Looks Sam Recurring role, 6 episodes
2012–2013 The Office Colin 6 episodes
2013 Arrested Development TSA Agent Episode: "Flight of the Phoenix"
2014–2019 Veep Richard Splett 40 episodes; Recurring role (season 3), Main role (seasons 4–7)
2015 Drunk History Jim Brown Episode: "Cleveland"
The Sixth Lead Security Guard 2 episodes
The Second City Project Various 10 episodes; Writer
2016 Teachers Mr. Jackson Episode: "The Last Day"
Son of Zorn Businessman Episode: "Return to Orange County"
Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Sam Richardson vs.T.J. Miller"
2016, 2018 New Girl Dunston 2 episodes
2017 Portlandia Amore Rep Episode: "Amore"
The Comedy Jam Himself Episode: "Sam Richardson/Jesse Tyler Ferguson/Awkwafina"
2017–2018 Detroiters Sam Duvet 20 episodes, Main role; also writer and executive producer
2018 Champaign ILL Alf 10 episodes, Main role; also executive producer
Dessert Island Sandor Voice
Ghosted Sam Episode: "The Wire"
2018–2019 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Muninn Voice, main role
2019 Relics and Rarities Ionis Leatherfoot Episode: "The Trial of the Hidden Ones"
Archer Bort the Garj Voice, 2 episodes
Conan Without Borders Himself Episode: "Ghana"[26]
Human Discoveries Bog Voice, main role
Room 104 Greg Episode: "Drywall Guys"
2019–2020 BoJack Horseman Dr. Champ Voice, 5 episodes
2019–2023 I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Various 5 episodes[27]
2020 Curb Your Enthusiasm Will Cooper Episode: "The Spite Store"
Dream Corp, LLC Patient 44 Episode: "Tricky Ricky"
Hoops Marcus Voice, recurring role
Woke Toast Voice, 3 episodes
2020–2021 The Fungies! Cool James, Mr. Mayor Voice, recurring role
2020–2022 Star Trek: Lower Decks Vendome Voice, 2 episodes
2021 M.O.D.O.K. Garfield "Gary" Garoldson Voice, main role
Q-Force Greg Voice, 3 episodes
Nailed It! Himself Episode: "Paranormal Pastries"
2021–2023 Ted Lasso Edwin Akufo 3 episodes
2021–2023 HouseBroken Chico Voice, main role
2022 Harley Quinn Swamp Thing Voice, 2 episodes
Little Demon Asmodeus Voice, episode: "Possession Obsession"
Central Park Mayor Leeds Voice, 4 episodes
2022–2023 The Afterparty Aniq Adjaye Main role; 18 episodes
2023 History of the World, Part II Thomas A. Watson Episode: "III"
Mulligan Simon Prioleau Voice, main role
Human Resources Tony Voice, episode: "Tony: The Life of an Office Cold"
Clone High Wesley Voice, episode: "For Your Consideration"[28]
2023–2024 Velma Norville Rogers Voice, main role
2024 Sausage Party: Foodtopia Julius Voice; main role

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2015 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series Veep Nominated [29]
2017 Nominated [30]
2018 Won [31]
2022 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Ted Lasso:"Midnight Train to Royston" Nominated [32]
2023 Ted Lasso:"International Break" Won

References[edit]

  1. ^"Sam Richardson".
  2. ^"Sam Richardson (@SamRichardson)".Sam Richardson verified Twitter account.Archivedfrom the original on November 9, 2017.RetrievedJune 15,2017.Born and raised in Detroit.... Born January 12
  3. ^Bazilian, Emma (June 21, 2016)."Veep Star Sam Richardson's New Comedy Central Show Is About Local Ad Guys in Detroit".RetrievedJune 15,2017.Age: 32
  4. ^"Sam Richardson of 'Veep' is winning at comedy".Detroit Free Press.March 12, 2016.RetrievedApril 27,2016.
  5. ^"Sam Richardson Talks 'Veep' Season 4 & Growing Up in Ghana on 'White Guy Talk Show' – Fuse".Fuse.
  6. ^"Sam Richardson Once Did Improv for Marathon Runners",Late Night with Seth Meyers,February 2, 2022,retrievedFebruary 4,2022.
  7. ^"COLLINS, Barbara-Rose | US House of Representatives: History, Art & Archives".history.house.gov.RetrievedFebruary 4,2022.
  8. ^"Veep's Sam Richardson on Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Getting Cut Out of Melissa McCarthy's 'Spy'".Playboy.April 10, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon June 10, 2016.
  9. ^"U of D Jesuit Highlights"(PDF).University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy.Fall 2015.RetrievedJuly 12,2016.
  10. ^Chicago Tribune (April 30, 2015)."Sam Richardson: from Second City to Veep – Chicago Tribune".chicagotribune.com.RetrievedApril 27,2016.
  11. ^"Former CFPCA Theatre Student Sam Richardson to Star in New Sitcom" Detroiters "Premiering Tonight on Comedy Central – CFPCA – Wayne State University".cfpca.wayne.edu.RetrievedApril 16,2020.
  12. ^abc"New 'Veep' co-star Sam Richardson is the chief of laughs".New York Post.April 11, 2015.
  13. ^abMetz, Nina (April 30, 2015)."Sam Richardson making spirits bright on 'Veep'".Chicago Tribune.
  14. ^abNellie Andreeva (September 17, 2014)."Sam Richardson Promoted To Regular On 'Veep' – Deadline".Deadline.
  15. ^Harry Fletcher (September 18, 2014)."Veep's Sam Richardson becomes regular".Digital Spy.
  16. ^"Sam Richardson made 'Veep' series regular".Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
  17. ^"Sam Richardson Talks 'Veep'".April 9, 2015.
  18. ^"Sam Richardson Thinks The 2016 Election Is More Absurd Than 'Veep'".Huffington Post. May 5, 2016.
  19. ^"Comedy Central Orders Detroiters Pilot".pastemagazine.com.
  20. ^"'Detroiters' sitcom will film in Detroit ".Detroit Free Press.January 21, 2016.
  21. ^"Seth Meyers Pleads to Save Canceled Comedy Central Series 'Detroiters'".thewrap.com.December 15, 2018.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  22. ^"Sam Richardson Keeps His Streak Alive with Champaign ILL".pastemagazine.com.December 10, 2018.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  23. ^"Sam Richardson | Actor, Writer, Producer".IMDb.RetrievedJuly 21,2023.
  24. ^Porter, Rick (April 27, 2022)."Sam Richardson, Zoe Chao Book 'Afterparty' Return at Apple TV+".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedApril 27,2022.
  25. ^Galuppo, Mia (October 21, 2021)."Sam Richardson Joins 'Hocus Pocus' Sequel (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.RetrievedApril 27,2023.
  26. ^Wright, Megh (June 14, 2019)."Conan to film show in Haiti in response to Trump's 's—hole' comments".Vulture.RetrievedJune 14,2019.
  27. ^"Sam Richardson".IMDb.
  28. ^Clarendon, Dan (March 25, 2023)."'Clone High' First Look: See Who's Joining the Cast and Which Character Is Gone ".TV Insider.RetrievedApril 7,2023.
  29. ^"The 21st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients".Screen Actors Guild.2015.RetrievedDecember 10,2014.
  30. ^"The 23rd Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients".Screen Actors Guild.2017.RetrievedDecember 14,2016.
  31. ^"The 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards: Nominees and Recipients".Screen Actors Guild.2018.RetrievedDecember 4,2017.
  32. ^"Sam Richardson".Television Academy.Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.RetrievedJuly 12,2022.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sam_Richardson_(actor)&oldid=1234172577"