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Hank Azaria
Azaria in 2016
Born
Henry Albert Azaria

(1964-04-25)April 25, 1964(age 60)
New York City,U.S.
Education
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
Years active1986–present
Spouses
  • ​
    ​
    (m.1999;div.2000)​
  • ​
    (m.2007)​
Children1

Henry Albert "Hank" Azaria(/əˈzɛəriə/ə-ZAIR-ee-ə;born April 25, 1964) is an American actor. He is known for voicing many characters in the long-running animated sitcomThe Simpsonssince 1989, includingMoe Szyslak,Chief Wiggum,Comic Book Guy,Snake Jailbird,Professor Frink,and formerlyApu Nahasapeemapetilon,Lou,Carl Carlson,among others. Azaria joined the show with little voice acting experience, but became a regular in itssecond season.For his work on the show, he has won fourPrimetime Emmy Awards.

Alongside his continued voice acting onThe Simpsons,Azaria became more widely known through his live-action supporting appearances in films such asQuiz Show(1994),Heat,The Birdcage(1996) (for which he won aScreen Actors Guild Award) andGodzilla(1998). He has also appeared in numerous films includingMystery Men(1999),America's Sweethearts(2001),Shattered Glass(2003),Along Came Polly(2004),Run Fatboy Run(2007),Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian(2009) andThe Smurfs(2011) andThe Smurfs 2(2013). Further voice roles includeAnastasia(1997), for which he won anAnnie Award.

His live-action television work includes recurring roles on the sitcomsMad About YouandFriends,as well as dramatic roles in the TV filmsTuesdays With Morrie(1999) as writerMitch AlbomandUprising(2001) as Jewish resistance leaderMordechai Anielewicz.For the former, Azaria received thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.He starred in the title roles in theShowtimedrama seriesHuff(2004–2006) and theIFCsitcomBrockmire(2017–2020). His recurring role on the dramaRay Donovanearned him a sixth Primetime Emmy Award in 2016.

Azaria made hisBroadwaydebut asLancelotinSpamalot,for which he was nominated for theTony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.He returned to Broadway in 2007, playing David Sarnoff inThe Farnsworth Invention.

Early life[edit]

Henry Albert Azaria was born in theManhattanborough ofNew York Cityon April 25, 1964 to Ruth and Albert Azaria.[1][2]He began going by the name "Hank" as a child, after a pediatrician he visited said he felt it was a more suitable name for a child than "Henry".[1]His grandparents on both sides wereSephardicThessalonian Jews(i.e. from the Greek city ofThessaloniki). His family spokeLadino,also known as Judaeo-Spanish, which he described as "a strange, antiquated Spanish dialect written inHebrewcharacters. "[3][4]Azaria's father ran several dress-manufacturing businesses while his mother raised him and his two older sisters, Stephanie and Elise.[5][6][7]Before marrying his father, Azaria's mother had been a publicist forColumbia Pictures,promoting films in Latin American countries as she was fluent in both English and Spanish.[5]During his childhood, Azaria would often "memorize and mimic" the scripts of films, shows, and stand-up comedy routines he enjoyed.[8]

Azaria attendedThe Kew-Forest Schoolin Queens'Forest Hillsneighborhood.[9]He decided to become an actor after performing in a school play at the age of 16, becoming "obsessed with acting" at the expense of his academic studies.[8]Both of his parents loved all forms of show business, which further spurred him to become an actor.[5]He studied drama atTufts Universityfrom 1981 to 1985,[9]where he met and befriended actorOliver Plattand noted that Platt was a "better actor" than he was and inspired him.[10]Together they starred in various college stage productions, includingThe Merchant of Venice,[11]before Azaria went to train at theAmerican Academy of Dramatic Arts.[2][12]Although he did not expect the endeavor to be successful, he decided to become a professional actor so that he would not regret not having tried later in life.[8]His first acting job was an advertisement for Italian television when he was 17 years old.[5]He also worked as abusboy.[13]He originally intended to work predominantly as a theatrical actor, and he and Platt set up a company called Big Theatre, althoughHarold Pinter'sThe Dumb Waiterwas the only show they ever performed.[12]Azaria decided that television was a better arena and offered more opportunity, and moved toLos Angelesafter being offered work with talent agent Harry Gold.[8][12]

Career[edit]

Early career (1986–1988)[edit]

Azaria got along with talent agent Harry Gold, who was lukewarm about working with him but still sent him out for auditions after a woman Azaria had worked with in New York "got really furious with [Gold]" for breaking his promise to work with Azaria.[8]He made his television debut with a role in the pilot episode of the 1986ABCcomedy-drama seriesJoe Bash.[6][12]His part—a one-line role as the police officer Maldonado—was edited out before the show was broadcast, although the role secured him admission to theScreen Actors Guild.[8]Azaria appeared in the TV filmNitti: The Enforcer,about the gangsterFrank Nitti,and appeared in the failed pilotMorning MaggiealongsideMatthew Perry,with whom he became good friends.[8]He played Joe in an episode of the sitcomFamily Tiesin 1988 in which he had one line, and the following year he played Steve Stevenson in an episode ofGrowing Pains.[8]Azaria has described his career progression as being gradual; he did not achieve overnight recognition or fame.[5]In Los Angeles, Azaria was trained by acting coachRoy London.[14]Between acting jobs he performed as a stand-up comedian,[12]and worked as a bartender for a catering firm.[6]

The Simpsons(since 1989)[edit]

Azaria became famous for his voice work in the ongoing animated television seriesThe Simpsons.He joined the show having previously performed only one voice-over—as the titular animated dog in the failedFoxpilotHollywood Dog,a show he described as "sort ofRoger Rabbit-esque, where the dog was animated, but everybody else was real. "[12]The first voice he performed onThe Simpsonswas that of town bartenderMoe Szyslak,replacingChristopher Collinswho had initially recorded the character's voice. Having known him fromHollywood Dog,casting directorBonita Pietilacalled Azaria and asked him to audition for the voice of Moe.[12]At the time he was performing the role of a drug dealer in a play, utilizing a voice based onAl Pacino's performance in the filmDog Day Afternoon.He used the voice in his audition forThe Simpsonsand, at the request of the show's executive producersMatt GroeningandSam Simon,made the voice more "gravelly". Groening and Simon thought the resultant voice was ideal for Moe and took Azaria over to the Fox recording studio. Before he had even seen a script, he recorded several lines of dialogue as Moe for the episode "Some Enchanted Evening",dubbingCollins' voice.[5][8][15][16]

Azaria did not expect to hear from the show again, but they continued to call him back, first to perform the voice ofChief Wiggumand thenApu Nahasapeemapetilon.[5]He felt that, initially, "[the producers] didn't seem too pleased with what I had done...[Simon] was very exacting...[and] was kind of impatiently directing me on the ABCs of comedy. But then, much to my surprise, he would still keep having me back every week. But each week, I thought it was going to be my last week because I really didn't think I had done that well."[8]Nevertheless, by the show'ssecond seasonhe was performing multiple recurring voices and so was given a contract and made a permanent member of the main cast.[5]Since he joined later than the rest of the cast, Groening still considered Azaria the "new guy".[17]In addition to Moe, Wiggum and Apu, Azaria provides the voices ofComic Book Guy,Carl Carlson(until season 32, now voiced byAlex Désert),Cletus Spuckler,Professor Frink,Dr.Nick Riviera,Lou,Snake Jailbird,Kirk Van Houten,Bumblebee Man,the Sea Captain,Superintendent Chalmers,Disco Stu,Duffman,the Wiseguyand numerous one-time characters.[18]His co-star inThe Simpsons,Nancy Cartwright,wrote that: "The thing about Hank that I most remember is that he started out so unassuming and then, little by little, his abilities were revealed and his contributions to the show escalated. I realized Hank was going to be our breakaway star."[19]

As Moe's voice is based on Al Pacino's, likewise many of Azaria's other recurring characters are based on existing sources. He took Apu's voice from the many Indian and Pakistani convenience store workers in Los Angeles that he had interacted with when he first moved to the area, and also loosely based it onPeter Sellers' character Hrundi V. Bakshi from the filmThe Party.[5]Originally, it was thought that Apu being Indian was too offensive and stereotyped, but after Azaria's reading of the line "Hello, Mr. Homer", which the show's producers thought was hilarious, the character stayed.[12][20]Azaria, however, disputed this onLateNet withRay Ellin,claiming that Apu was always intended to be stereotypical.[21]Chief Wiggum's voice was originally a parody ofDavid Brinkley,but when Azaria was told it was too slow, he switched it to that ofEdward G. Robinson.[20]Officer Lou is based onSylvester Stallone,[15]and Dr. Nick is "a badRicky Ricardoimpression. "[22]The "Wise Guy"voice is" basicallyCharles Bronson,"[15]while Carl is "a silly voice [Azaria] always did."[23]Two of the voices come from his time at college: Snake's is based on Azaria's old college roommate, while Comic Book Guy's voice is based on a student who lived in the room next door to Azaria and went by the name "F".[15]Professor Frink is based onJerry Lewis' performance in the originalThe Nutty Professor,and the Sea Captain is based on English actorRobert Newton's portrayal of many pirates.[20]Azaria based his performance for the one-time characterFrank Grimes,from the episode "Homer's Enemy",on actorWilliam H. Macy.He counts Grimes as the hardest, most emotional performance he has ever had to give in the history ofThe Simpsons.[23]

Azaria's work on the show has won him four Emmy Awards forOutstanding Voice-Over Performance,in 1998, 2001, 2003 and 2015. He was also nominated for the award in 2009 and 2010, but lost to co-starDan Castellanetaand guest starAnne Hathawayrespectively. He was nominated again in 2012.[24]Azaria, with the rest of the principal cast, reprised all of his voice roles fromThe Simpsonsfor the 2007 filmThe Simpsons Movie.[25]Azaria notes that he spends "an embarrassingly small amount of time working onThe Simpsons."[13]He works for "an hour on Thursdays when we read through the script, then four hours on Monday when we record it, and I'll pop in again once or twice."[13]He concludes it is "the best job in the world, as far as I'm concerned."[13]

Up until 1998, Azaria was paid $30,000 per episode. Azaria and the five other mainThe Simpsonsvoice actors were then involved in a pay dispute in which Fox threatened to replace them with new actors and went as far as preparing for the casting of new voices. However, the issue was soon resolved and from 1998 to 2004, they received $125,000 per episode. In 2004, the voice actors intentionally skipped several scriptread-throughs,demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.[26]The strike was resolved a month later,[27]with Azaria's pay increasing to something between $250,000[28]and $360,000 per episode.[29]In 2008, production for thetwentieth seasonwas put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a "healthy bump" in salary.[29]The dispute was later resolved, and Azaria and the rest of the cast received their requested pay raise, approximately $400,000 per episode.[30]Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, Azaria and the other cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode.[31]

In an April 24, 2018 appearance onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert,Azaria discussed his reaction toThe Problem with Apu,a 2017 documentary byHari Kondaboluthat examined Azaria and other white actors who had playedSouth Asianroles asstereotypes.[32]During the interview, Azaria described how watching the documentary had changed his perspective on the issue: "The idea that anyone, young or old, past or present, was bullied or teased based on the character of Apu, it just really makes me sad."[32]Azaria also offered to stop voicing the character: "I'm perfectly willing and happy to step aside, or help transition it into something new."[32]In response, Kondabolu tweeted his appreciation for Azaria's statement: "Thank you, @HankAzaria. I appreciate what you said & how you said it." In early 2020, Azaria announced that he was stepping away from the Apu character, primarily because of the stereotypes and bias it perpetuated.[33]Later in the year he would retire from voicing Carl for similar reasons.[34]In April 2021, Azaria formally apologized for voicing the Apu character, onDax Shepherd's podcast.[35]

Further career (since 1991)[edit]

Television work[edit]

Hank Azaria in 2016

With the continuing success ofThe Simpsons,Azaria began taking on other, principally live-action roles. He was a main cast member on the showHerman's Head(1991–1994) playing Jay Nichols, alongsideThe Simpsonsco-starYeardley Smith.[36]He regularly recorded forThe Simpsonsand filmedHerman's Headduring the same day.[9]Following the series' cancellation Azaria unsuccessfully auditioned for the role ofJoey Tribbiani,one of the lead characters in the sitcomFriends.[8]He was instead cast in the role of the scientist David, one ofPhoebe Buffay's boyfriends in the series. He appeared in the show's tenth episode "The One with the Monkey", before the character left for a research trip inMinsk.He reprised the role in the show'sseventh season(2001), before making several appearances in theninth(2003). This return culminates in David proposing to Phoebe; she rejects him, and David leaves the show for good.[8][14]From 1995 to 1999, Azaria had a recurring role in the sitcomMad About Youas Nat Ostertag, the dog walker.[37]Azaria was nominated for thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Seriesfor his roles in bothMad About You(in 1998) andFriends(in 2003).[24]Azaria had the lead role in the short-lived sitcomIf Not For Youin 1995, playing record producer Craig Schaeffer.[38]

Azaria produced and starred in the sitcomImagine Thatin 2002, replacingEmerilmid-season in theNBClineup. He played Josh Miller, a comedy writer, who "transformed" each episode into a character Miller has imagined, "provid[ing] a humorous outlet for his frustrations at home and work".[39][40][41]Production closed after five episodes and it was canceled after just two aired, due to poor critical reaction and ratings.[42]Azaria later commented on the show: "I wanted to do something really truthful and interesting and impactful. We had a bunch of executives sitting in the room, all agreeing thatThe Larry Sanders Showwas our favorite thing on television, but we couldn't do it on NBC, and nor would we want to from a business standpoint; it simply wouldn't make enough money. By the time it aired, the writing was sort of on the wall, and I don't blame them at all. It was apparent it wasn't working. "[12]

He starred aspsychiatristCraig "Huff" Huffstodt in theShowtimedrama seriesHuff,which ran for two seasons between 2004 and 2006, airing 24 episodes.[2][43]Azaria served as an executive producer on the show and directed an episode of its second season.[10]After reading the pilot script, he sent it to Platt, who took the role of Huff's friend Russell Tupper.[11]Azaria enjoyed working on the show,[10]but struggled with the bleak subject matter and was often in dispute with its creator Bob Lowry, noting that it "was tough to marry our visions all the time, [because] we both cared so much about it that neither of us were willing to let go."[8]Gillian FlynnofEntertainment Weeklycalled Azaria "impressively subtle" in the role,[44]whileJohn LeonardofNew York magazinesaid he was a "shrewd bit of casting."[45]The show garnered sevenEmmynominations in 2005, including a nomination for Azaria forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.[24]Despite the awards, the show continually received low ratings, and Showtime chose not to commission it for a third season.[43]

Returning to live-action television in 2011, Azaria starred in the NBC sitcomFree Agents,a remake of the Britishseries of the same name.He played Alex Taylor, a recently divorced public relations executive "who is missing his kids and trying to keep himself together", and ends up sleeping with a co-worker (Kathryn Hahn).[46][47]Azaria also served as a producer on the show.[8]He was apprehensive about the project, disliking the lengthy schedule required of a lead actor in a single-camera series, and favoring the "sensibility" of cable shows. However, he liked the script and executive producer John Enbom's previous seriesParty Downand decided to accept the part.[48]Despite Azaria mounting a campaign on Twitter to save it,[49]the series was canceled after four episodes due to low ratings.[50]Between 2014 and 2016, Azaria had a recurring role in the second, third and fourth season of Showtime'sRay Donovan,playingFBIagent Ed Cochran.[51][52][53]He won the Emmy forOutstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Seriesfor his work on the show in 2016, as well as earning a further nomination the same category the following year.[54]

Azaria starred in theIFCseriesBrockmire,which ran for four seasons from 2017-2020.[55][56]He played the lead role of Jim Brockmire, a legendary baseball announcer, fired for a profanity-filled breakdown live on air after discovering his wife was having an affair. Azaria based the voice and style of Brockmire on several veteran sportscasters, includingBob MurphyandPhil Rizzuto.[57]The character originated as part of the third episode of theFunny or Dieweb-seriesGamechangers,entitled "A Legend in the Booth", which Azaria also co-wrote.[57]He subsequently appeared as Brockmire on theNFL Network'sThe Rich Eisen Podcastto discuss theNational Football League.[58]In November 2012, Azaria sued actorCraig Bierkoover the ownership of the Brockmire voice.[59]The case was ruled in Azaria's favor in 2014. Both actors had been using a baseball announcer voice before and since meeting at a party in 1990, but US district judgeGary Allen Feessruled that only Azaria's voice was, as Brockmire, a defined, "tangible" character and thus subject to copyright.[60]In 2016, IFC confirmed development on the series, on which Azaria also served as an executive producer.[55]Azaria received three nominations for theCritics' Choice Television Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Seriesfor his performance on the series.[61][62][63]

Film work[edit]

"[Azaria's] appeal can best be summed up by, of all things, his hilarious cameo in the goofy comedyDodgeball.As Patches O'Houlihan, the dodgeball champion who will age into the magnificently gruffRip Torn,he delivers a pitch-perfect performance in an instructional video in which he chain-smokes, encourages a child to pick on those weaker than him, and steals the film from a cast of comedic greats. It's a wonderful, odd moment that could have failed miserably in the hands of a lesser actor, and he manages to pull it off with only seconds of dialogue. In my humble opinion, and using my limited knowledge of boxing terms: Pound for pound, Hank Azaria is the best actor working today. "

—Playwright Jenelle Riley on Azaria.[12]

Azaria made his film debut in the direct-to-video releaseCool Blue(1990), as Buzz.[8]His first theatrically released feature film appearance came the same year inPretty Woman,as a police detective named Albertson.[14]His next major film role was as television producerAlbert Freedmanin the 1994 filmQuiz Show,which was nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Picture.[37]In 1996, Azaria played gay Guatemalan housekeeper Agador Spartacus in the filmThe Birdcage.For the role, which Azaria considers to be his "big break",[8]he was nominated for theScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role,[14]and critically branded "the most hilarious performance in the film," by Alison Macor ofThe Austin Chronicle,[64]whileEmpirewrote that he "[stole] the show."[65]For the role he used a Guatemalan accent, and made himself sound as effeminate as possible. He had chosen two possible voices, an effeminate one and a tougher one. After advice from a drag queen, he chose the effeminate voice. Three weeks into production, he realized he sounded exactly like his grandmother, which aided his performance.[5]Agador was originally going to be a single scene part, with the larger role of the housekeeper being played byDavid Alan Grier.With the producers fearing the racial connotations of a black actor in such a part, Azaria inherited the full role.[8]

He appeared in numerous other films in the late 1990s, includingHeat(1995),Grosse Pointe Blank(1997),Celebrity(1998) and worked oppositeGwyneth Paltrow,as Walter Plane, in the 1998 adaptation ofGreat Expectations.[37]He played photographer Victor "Animal" Palotti inGodzilla(1998).[12][14]Godzillawas one of Azaria's first starring roles in ablockbusterfilm. Its five-month shoot was the longest of his career to date, but he considered it a good chance to boost his profile. He noted, "I'm so used to melding into every character I play. Even people in the business think the guy who didBirdcage,Quiz ShowandGreat Expectationsare three different actors—which in a way makes me proud, but in another way is very frustrating. It's the curse and blessing of the character actor ".[6]The shoot's physical challenges, and the film's critical failure, led Azaria to later describe it as "tough to make, and very disappointing when it came out. It was one you definitely chalk up and say, 'That was part of paying your dues, better luck next time'."[8]In 1999, he starred in the dramaMystery, Alaskaas Charles Danner, and the comedy superhero filmMystery Men,as the faux-British silverware throwing expert The Blue Raja.[8][66]Other film roles included Hector Gorgonzolas inAmerica's Sweethearts(2001), Claude inAlong Came Polly(2004), and the young Patches O'Houlihan inDodgeBall: A True Underdog Story(2004), the latter two withBen Stiller.[8][14]For his role of Claude, a French scuba instructor, inAlong Came Polly,Azaria donned a wig and worked out extensively to get into the physical shape the part required.[67]

Azaria played composerMarc BlitzsteininTim Robbins' filmCradle Will Rockin 1999.[12][66]Paul Clintonwrote that Azaria was "brilliant as the tortured (is there any other kind) artist Blitzstein."[68]The same year he appeared as author and journalistMitch AlbomalongsideJack Lemmonin the television filmTuesdays with Morrie,[37]winning thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Moviefor the role.[69]Azaria described the latter as the "best work [he has] done."[37]These were two of the first dramatic roles Azaria had taken; throughout his career, Azaria has primarily worked in comedy,[6][12]but tries to balance the two.[39]Azaria commented: "all the roles I got were in comedy at first, and I was certainly happy to get those, so I never felt the lack of being considered a dramatic actor because I was so happy to get what I got. And then I became surprised later on when I got dramatic roles. But I never went, 'OK, now it's time to get a dramatic role.'"[12]His next dramatic part was in the television filmUprisingin 2001. The film was based on the 1943Warsaw Ghetto Uprisingand Azaria playedMordechaj Anielewicz,one of the revolt's leaders. Azaria was confused by his casting inUprisingand frequently asked the film's producer and directorJon Avnetwhy he was selected. "I know [Avnet] liked the fact I was Jewish, and he knew I could do accents well. He cast me andDavid Schwimmerin [Uprising], and we were both sort of mystified. He had some instinct that he wanted people who were more known for being funny. He never explained it satisfactorily to me; I don't understand why. "[12]His parts inTuesdays With MorrieandUprisingaffected him, causing a depressive state which he countered with DVDs of the comedy seriesMonty Python.[12]Azaria foundUprisingto be "very difficult very depressing very emotionally challenging" material.[39]In 2003, Azaria played journalistMichael Kelly,the former editor ofThe New Republic,in the drama filmShattered Glass.Kelly died a few months before the film was released and Azaria said the film "has become a weird kind of eulogy to him."[70]

SinceHuff's conclusion in 2006, Azaria has continued to make multiple film appearances. He played the smooth-talking Whit inDavid Schwimmer's directorial debutRun Fatboy Run(2007). During production he became good friends with co-starSimon Pegg,performingThe Simpsonsvoices on request, frequently distracting Pegg when he was supposed to be filming.[71]He worked with Stiller again on 2009'sNight at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonianin which Azaria played the villainous pharaoh Kah Mun Rah, utilizing aBoris Karloffaccent.[72]Although the film received mixed reviews, critics praised Azaria's performance.[73][74]Perry Seibert ofTV Guidewrote that "thanks to Azaria, a master of comic timing. His grandiose, yet slightly fey bad guy is equally funny when he's chewing out minions as he is when deliberating ifOscar the GrouchandDarth Vaderare evil enough to join his team. "[75]He appeared asAbrahaminYear One(2009),[76]Dr. Knight in 2010'sLove & Other Drugs,[77]and playedDeep ThroatdirectorGerard DamianoinLovelace(2013).[78]

Azaria playedGargamelin the animated/live-action adaptation ofThe Smurfs(2011).[79]Azaria wore a prosthetic nose, ears,buck teeth,eyebrows and a wig, as well as shaving his head. He spent approximately 130 hours in the make-up chair over the course of the production.[80][81]Azaria considered Gargamel's voice to be the most important part of his performance. The producers wanted an "old, failed, Shakespearean actor" voice, but Azaria felt this would lack energy and wanted something more Eastern European. He eventually selected a voice similar to that ofPaul Winchell's from the cartoon.[82]Azaria disliked the cartoon when it first aired, and considered Gargamel too one-dimensional a character and "just this straight villain";[82]he opted to make Gargamel "more sarcastic" than in the cartoon, but "discovered that there's no way to play Gargamel without screaming your head off at certain points – ramping him up and getting him very upset over Smurfs".[83]He interpreted him as "very lonely", adding that "he hates the Smurfs because they're such a happy family. He wants in really badly. I think he wants to be embraced as a Smurf".[83]Azaria worked with the writers to "infuse" the script with some of his ideas about the character, "particularly with the 'married' relationship between Gargamel and [his cat] Azreal [sic] "which Azaria conceived.[82]

Reviewers fromThe San Francisco ChronicleandThe Boston Globecommented on Azaria's "overacting" in the role of Gargamel.[84][85]More positive reaction came from Scott Bowles ofUSA Todaycalled Azaria the "human standout";[86]Betsy Sharkey of theLos Angeles Timesfelt he suffered the "greatest disservice" of the film's cast due to a poor script.[87]Azaria noted in an interview withThe A.V. ClubthatThe SmurfsandNight at the Museumwere films he agreed to do primarily for the money, but that "I won't even do that unless I think it will at least be fun to do...I really try to throw myself into it, figure out the funniest, cleverest way to get the material over, and make it fun to do and fun to watch."[8]Azaria reprised his role in the 2013 sequelThe Smurfs 2.[88]In 2016, Azaria starred inNormanwithRichard Gere.[89]

Further voice work[edit]

Azaria performed a number of voice roles in addition toThe Simpsons,although he noted in 2005: "I started doing other voiceovers for cartoons for a couple of years, but I didn't really love it. I was spoiled byThe Simpsons."[12]He voicedEddie Brock/VenominSpider-Man: The Animated Seriesbetween 1994 and 1996.[90]In the animated featureAnastasia(1997), he voiced Bartok the bat and reprised the role in the direct-to-video prequelBartok the Magnificent(1999).[14]For his performance inAnastasia,Azaria won theAnnie Awardfor Outstanding Individual Achievement for Voice Acting by a Male Performer in an Animated Feature Production.[91]He also voiced Eric in the American dub of the seriesStressed Eric,[38]Harold Zoid in the 2001Futuramaepisode "That's Lobstertainment!",[92]andAbbie HoffmanandAllen GinsberginChicago 10(2007).[8]For the 2011 filmHop,Azaria voiced Carlos and Phil. The response to the film was mostly negative, but many reviewers praised Azaria's performance.[93][94][95]For example, Sandie Chen ofThe Washington Postsaid "Azaria has been honing his over-the-top Spanish accent sinceThe Birdcage,so anything he says grabs some laughs ",[96]while Emma Simmonds ofTime Outcalled him an "unflappable presence, voicing two characters with style".[97]Later in the year he voiced The Mighty Sven inHappy Feet Two.[98]He also voiced the lead character, Texanborder agentBud Buckwald, inBordertown,which aired in 2016,[99]as well as Shelfish Sheldon inMack & Moxythe same year.[100]

OnceThe Simpsonswas "going steadily" and Azaria had enough money to live on, he stopped working on commercials as he found them "demoralizing", feeling that he sounded sarcastic whenever he read for them. When recording the part of "Jell-O Man" for aJell-Ocommercial, he was told to make the voice he offered "more likable and friendly so that children like him." After pointing out that "Jell-O Man" was a fictional character, he left and pledged to never record for an advertisement again.[5]However, in 2012 he voiced several insects in a commercial for theChevrolet Sonic.[101]

Other work[edit]

Azaria wrote and directed the 2004 short filmNobody's Perfect,which won the Film Discovery Jury Award for Best Short at theUS Comedy Arts Festival.[46]In January 2007, he was confirmed to be directingOutsourced,[102]a film about two American workers who journey to get their jobs back, after their factory is moved to Mexico.[103]In 2009, Azaria toldEmpirehe was instead focusing on making a documentary about fatherhood.[104]Two years later he told theLos Angeles Timesthat this project was "half-complete" and was "forever looking for financing to finish it."[48]It eventually began in 2014, airing onAOLas an online series titledFatherhood.According to AOL, the series of short episodes documents Azaria's "touching, humorous, and often enlightening journey from a man who is not even sure he wants to have kids, to a father going through the joys, trials and tribulations of being a dad."[105][106]

Azaria (center) performing inSpamalot,December 2005

He has periodically returned to theatrical work, appearing in several productions. In 2003, he appeared as Bernard in a run ofDavid Mamet's playSexual Perversity in Chicago,along withMatthew PerryandMinnie Driver,in London'sWest End.[12][14]Azaria made his first appearance as SirLancelot,the French Taunter, and four other characters inSpamalot,the musical version ofMonty Python and the Holy Grail,which opened in Chicago in December 2004, before moving to theShubert TheatreonBroadway.[12][14]The show met with critical acclaim, receiving fourteenTony Awardnominations in 2005, with Azaria being nominated forBest Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.[14]Reuniting withThe BirdcagedirectorMike Nichols,and being a hugeMonty Pythonfan, he saw it as an opportunity he could not pass up, describing it as "so much fun that I haven't realized how tiring it is,"[12]and "the most fun that I've ever had in my entire life."[107]He took a break from the show in June 2005, withAlan Tudykfilling in for him,[108]to work onHuff,but returned in December 2005.[107]In late 2007 he starred inAaron Sorkin'sThe Farnsworth Invention,playingRCAheadDavid Sarnoff.[109]In 2016, he starred in the world premiere ofDry PowderoppositeClaire Danes,John Krasinski,andSanjit De Silva,directed byThomas Kail,at theoff-BroadwayPublic Theaterin New York City.[110]

Acting style and vocal range[edit]

Azaria's friends refer to him as "the freakish mimic" due to his ability to copy almost anyone's voice, instantly after he has heard it. As a child, he believed that everyone could do this, but later realized that it was not a common talent.[5]Azaria has said, "I can remember every voice I hear, famous or otherwise... they kind of remain in the memory banks, so I'm ready to trot them out."[8]Azaria was glad to have found the "ultimate outlet" for this skill, inThe Simpsons.[5]He "didn't realize it [when he joined the show], but it became like a lab for a character actor. [He] had to do so many voices."[12]In the early 2000s, Azaria felt he had reached the maximum number of voices he was capable of: "For the first 10 years ofThe Simpsons,I would develop a bunch of voices. And then... I hit a point when I was tapped out. Every noise I can make, I have made. Even characters like Gargamel, I've done. Even if it was only two or three lines, at some point I've done something similar onThe Simpsons,at least somewhere along the line. "[82][83]

For many of Azaria's characters, much of their humor is derived from a "funny voice", such asThe BirdcageandNight at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian.He stated that "being funny with a funny voice is more my comfort zone, a broader character that I try to humanize, a kind of silly or wacky persona that I try to fill in," although he finds it "much easier to be someone much closer to myself," as it requires "less energy... than playing characters that are so out there and high strung."[48]

The SimpsonscreatorMatt Groeninghas stated that Azaria possesses the ability to turn unfunny lines into some of the best in an episode,[15]while former writerJay Kogenstated: "Just when I think I know [Azaria's] bag of tricks, he's always got a new thing he does to surprise me."[12]Throughout the run ofThe Simpsons,Azaria has had to sing in character several times, a task which he describes as easier than singing normally.[5]The SmurfswriterDavid N. Weisssays Azaria "has a beautiful treasure trove of talent," and "became what you wished you were writing."[111]Playwright Jenelle Riley wrote in 2005 that Azaria was "by far" her favorite actor, praising his "versatility" and "tendency to take small roles that would normally fade into the background and to consistently create characters people care about," noting his roles inShattered Glass,Mystery, Alaskaand especiallyDodgeBall: A True Underdog Story.[12]

Personal life[edit]

In the early 1990s, Azaria was in a relationship with actressJulie Warner.[9][112]His relationship with actressHelen Huntbegan in 1994; they married in a traditional Jewish ceremony at the couple's home inSouthern Californiaon July 17, 1999.[113]The two had appeared together inMad About Youand theSimpsonsepisode "Dumbbell Indemnity".[37]After a year of marriage, Azaria moved out of the couple's home,[114]and Hunt filed for divorce after a six-month separation, citing irreconcilable differences. The divorce was finalized on December 18, 2000.[115]

Azaria began dating former actressKatie Wrightin 2007,[116]and the two married later that year.[117][118]They have a son named Hal (b. 2009).[119]The family has one dog, Truman, and two rescue cats, Mookie and Wilson. In 2013, the family began renting a home on80th StreetinManhattan,with plans to make a final decision on where to live in two years.[118]They previously lived in a four-bedroom house inPacific Palisades,which Azaria bought from hisSimpsonsco-starDan Castellanetain 2011. Several weeks earlier, Azaria had sold his home inBel Air.[118][120][121]Azaria previously owned the fifth-floorco-oploft onMercer Streetin Manhattan'sSohoneighborhood, which he bought from photographerCindy Shermanin 2005, before selling it in 2013.[122]

Azaria suffered fromalcoholismfor several years. He credited his longtime friendMatthew Perryfor encouraging him to attendAlcoholics Anonymousmeetings and has been sober since about 2006.[123]

Azaria is thegodfatherofOliver Platt's son, George.[11]He is also a regular poker player, appearing twice onCelebrity Poker Showdownand competing at other events, finishing a few places short of thebubblein the main event of the2010 World Series of Poker.[124][125][126]Azaria is a supporter of theDemocratic Party.[127]He enjoys the music ofElvis Costelloand has stated that he would have been atherapistif he were not an actor.[128]Azaria co-founded the educational support charity, "Determined to Succeed".[129]

On May 22, 2016, he was awarded theHonorary degreeofDoctor of Humane Letters(DHL) fromTufts University.[130][131]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1990 Pretty Woman Detective Albertson
Cool Blue "Buzz" Direct-to-video
1994 Quiz Show Albert Freedman
1995 Now and Then Bud Kent
Heat Alan Marciano
1996 The Birdcage Agador Spartacus
1997 Grosse Pointe Blank CIA Agent Steven Lardner
Anastasia Bartok the Magnificent Voice
1998 Great Expectations Walter Plane
Homegrown Carter
Godzilla Victor "Animal" Palotti
Celebrity David
1999 Cradle Will Rock Marc Blitzstein
Mystery Men Jeff / The Blue Raja
Bartok the Magnificent Bartok the Magnificent Voice, direct-to-video; also producer
Mystery, Alaska Charles Danner
2001 America's Sweethearts Hector Gorgonzolas
2002 Bark! Sam
2003 Shattered Glass Michael Kelly
2004 Nobody's Perfect Ray Short film
Also director, producer and writer
Along Came Polly Claude
Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story Young Patches O'Houlihan
Eulogy Daniel Collins
2005 The Aristocrats Himself Documentary
2007 The Grand Mike "The Bike" Heslov
The Simpsons Movie Moe Szyslak
Chief Wiggum
Cletus Spuckler
Professor Frink
Apu 		Voice; Additional voices
Run Fatboy Run Whit
Chicago 10 Abbie Hoffman
Allen Ginsberg 		Voice; Additional voices; documentary
2008 Immigrants Jóska Voice[132]
2009 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Kahmunrah
The Thinker
Abraham Lincoln
Year One Abraham
2010 Love & Other Drugs Dr. Stan Knight
Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story Himself Documentary
2011 Hop Carlos, Phil Voice
The Smurfs Gargamel
Happy Feet Two The Mighty Sven Voice
The Smurfs: A Christmas Carol Gargamel Voice, short film
2013 Lovelace Gerard Damiano
The Smurfs 2 Gargamel
I Know That Voice Himself Documentary
2016 Norman: The Moderate Rise and Tragic Fall of a New York Fixer Srul Katz
2021 Plusaversary Moe Szyslak, Sea Captain,Goofy,andBuzz Lightyear Voice; Short film
2022 Out of the Blue Jock
2023 Rogue Not Quite One Chief Wiggum Voice; short film

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Joe Bash Maldonado Episode: "Pilot"; deleted scene
1987 Morning Maggie Philly McAllister Television film
1988 Family Ties Joe Episode: "Designing Woman"
Frank Nitti: The Enforcer Luc Television film
1989 Growing Pains Steve Stevenson Episode: "The New Deal: Part 2"
1989–present The Simpsons Moe Szyslak,
Chief Wiggum
Apu,(1990–2020)
Lou, (1990–2020)
Various others 		Voice, main role
1990 Hollywood Dog Hollywood Dog Voice, pilot
The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Jerry Episode: "Mistaken Identity"
Babes Tony Episode: "Rent Strike"
1991–1994 Herman's Head Jay Nichols Main role
1994 Beethoven Killer, Ned, Traffic Cop
Harv, Ex-Con, Firemen 		Voice, 4 episodes
1994–1996 Spider-Man: The Animated Series Eddie Brock / Venom Voice, 8 episodes
1994;
2001–2003 		Friends David 5 episodes
1995 Tales from the Crypt Richard Episode: "Doctor of Horror"
What a Cartoon! Elmo Voice, episode: "The Fat Cats in 'Drip Dry Drips'"
If Not for You Craig Schaeffer 8 episodes
1995–1999 Mad About You Nat Ostertag 16 episodes
1998 Stressed Eric Eric Feeble Voice, English dub
1999 Tuesdays with Morrie Mitch Albom Television film
2000 Fail Safe Prof. Groeteschele Live dramatic broadcast
2001 Futurama Harold Zoid Voice, episode: "That's Lobstertainment!"
Uprising Mordechai Anielewicz Television film
2002 Imagine That John Miller 5 episodes; also executive producer
2004–2006 Huff Dr. Craig "Huff" Huffstodt Main role; also executive producer
2011 The Cleveland Show Comic Book Guy Voice, episode: "Hot Cocoa Bang Bang"
Free Agents Alex Taylor 8 episodes
2012 Stand Up to Cancer Moe Szyslak, Apu, Rafael Voice, television special
2013 Sesame Street Himself 1 episode
The Smurfs: The Legend of Smurfy Hollow Gargamel Voice, television short
Timms Valle Chaz Babcock Voice, pilot
Billy on the Street Himself 1 episode
2013–2019 Family Guy Additional voices 4 episodes
2014–2016 Ray Donovan Ed Cochran 14 episodes
2016 Bordertown Bud Buckwald Voice, main role
Mack & Moxy Shelfish Sheldon Voice, main role
2017–2020 Brockmire Jim Brockmire Main role; also executive producer
2017 The Wizard of Lies Frank DiPascali Television film
2018 Maniac Hank Landsberg Recurring role; miniseries
2022 Life & Beth Funeral Director Episode: "We're Grieving"
Super Pumped Tim Cook Episode: "The Charm Offensive"
2023 Hello Tomorrow! Eddie Main role
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Danny Stevens Episode: "A House Full of Extremely Lame Horses"
The Idol Chaim Main role

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role
1996 The Simpsons: Cartoon Studio Apu, Chief Wiggum, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick Riveria
1997 Anastasia: Adventures with Pooka and Bartok Bartok
The Simpsons: Virtual Springfield Apu, Moe Szyslak, Bumblebee Man, Dr. Nick Riveria,
Cletus Spuckler, Professor Frink, Chief Wiggum, Various characters
2001 The Simpsons Wrestling
The Simpsons Road Rage
2002 The Simpsons Skateboarding
2003 The Simpsons: Hit & Run
2005 Friends: The One with All the Trivia David
2007 The Simpsons Game Apu, Moe Szyslak, Dr. Nick Riveria, Cletus Spuckler
Professor Frink, Chief Wiggum, Various characters
2008 Grand Theft Auto IV Various
2009 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Kahmunrah, The Thinker
2012 The Simpsons: Tapped Out Apu, Moe Szyslak, Dr. Nick Riveria, Cletus Spuckler
Professor Frink, Chief Wiggum, Various characters

Theatre[edit]

Year Title Role Venue Ref.
2003 Sexual Perversity in Chicago Bernard
2004–2005 Spamalot Sir Lancelot/ French Taunter
Tim the Enchanter / Knight who says Ni 		Shubert,Broadway
2007 The Farnsworth Invention David Sarnoff Music Box Theatre,Broadway
2016 Dry Powder Rick The Public Theatre,Off-Broadway

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Award Category Work Result Ref
1997 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Actor in a Supporting Role The Birdcage Nominated [133]
Outstanding Cast in a Motion Picture Won [133]
1998 Annie Award Outstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production Anastasia Won [91]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons Won [54]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Mad About You Nominated [54]
1999 American Comedy Award Funniest Male Guest Appearance in a TV Series Nominated [134]
2000 Nominated [134]
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie Tuesdays with Morrie Nominated [135]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie Won [54]
2001 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons:"Worst Episode Ever" Won [54]
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor in a Picture Made for Television Uprising Nominated [136]
2003 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons:"Moe Baby Blues" Won [54]
Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series Friends Nominated [54]
2004 Film Discovery Jury Award Best Short Nobody's Perfect Won [46]
2005 Ojai Film Festival Award Best Narrative Short Won [134]
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series Huff Nominated [137]
Tony Award Best Leading Actor in a Musical Monty Python's Spamalot Nominated [138]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Huff Nominated [54]
2009 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons:"Eeny Teeny Maya Moe" Nominated [54]
Teen Choice Awards Choice Movie Villain Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Nominated [134]
2010 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons Nominated [54]
2012 Nominated [54]
2015 Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance Won [54]
2016 Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Ray Donovan Won [139]
2017 Nominated [54]
2018 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor in a Comedy Series Brockmire Nominated [140]
2019 Nominated [141]
Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance The Simpsons Nominated [54]
2020 Nominated [54]
2021 Critics' Choice Television Award Best Actor in a Comedy Series Brockmire Nominated [63]

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