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Kevin Nealon

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Kevin Nealon
Nealon inLas Vegas,2006
Born(1953-11-18)November 18, 1953(age 70)
St. Louis,Missouri,U.S.
Medium
  • Stand-up
  • television
  • film
EducationSacred Heart University(BA)
Years active1978–present
Genres
Subject(s)
Spouse
Linda Dupree
​
​
(m.1989;div.2002)​
​
​
(m.2005)​
Children1
Notable works and rolesWeekend Updateanchor onSaturday Night Live
Gary Potter inHappy Gilmore
Doug Wilson onWeeds
Glenn Martin onGlenn Martin, DDS

Kevin Nealon(/ˈniːlən/;born November 18, 1953)[1]is an American comedian and actor. He first gained widespread attention during his tenure as a cast member on theNBCsketch comedyseriesSaturday Night Livefrom 1986 to 1995, where he anchored the show's news parody segmentWeekend Update.After leavingSNL,he acted in several of theHappy Madisonfilms, played Doug Wilson on theShowtimeseriesWeeds,and provided the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin, onGlenn Martin, DDS.

Early life and education

[edit]

Nealon was born on November 18, 1953 inSt. Louis,Missouri,[2]to Kathleen M. (née Kimball)[3]and Emmett F. Nealon, an aircraft company executive.[4][5][6]He has 4 siblings. A few months after he was born, the family moved toBridgeport, Connecticut;[7]when he was six, they moved toHeidelberg, West Germanyfor four years.[8]He is of Irish descent[9]and was raised Catholic.[5]He graduated fromSt. Joseph High SchoolinTrumbull, Connecticut,in 1971 and earned abachelor's degreein marketing fromSacred Heart University.[8]He then took night courses atFairfield University,where he played quarterback on the club football team.[10]

Career

[edit]

Nealon played guitar in bands during high school and gravitated to comedy in college.[8]In 1977, he moved to San Diego and then to Los Angeles, where he learned his craft atthe Improvwhile tending bar there for a living.[8][6]He had been doing stand-up for six years when he made his network television debut onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonin 1984.[11]He later became a regular there and onLate Night with David Letterman.[6]

In 1986,Saturday Night Liverecruited his friendDana Carvey,and Carvey, in turn, recommended Nealon. Both joined the cast that year, and Nealon became a full-time performer in the 1987–1988 season,[8]and remained for nine seasons. Nealon'sSNLcharacters includeMr. Subliminal(which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted toWeekend Updateanchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a maleBarbara Walters), and Franz (ofHans and Franz) along with Carvey.[6][8]He also anchoredWeekend Updatefrom 1991 to 1994. He stayed onSNLfor one more season and left in 1995, after a then-record nine seasons. (His record was later surpassed byTim Meadows,Darrell Hammond,andKenan Thompson.)

In 1991, he had his first major film role, as boyfriend Tony Boer inAll I Want for Christmas.[6][12]Other films in which he has since appeared includeHappy Gilmore,[13][14]The Wedding Singer,[13]Anger Management,Little Nicky,Just Go with It,[15]Daddy Day Care,Good Boy!,andAliens in the Attic(2009).[16]He has a part in many ofAdam Sandler's Happy Madison films, includingGrandma's Boy(2006),[17]You Don't Mess with the Zohan(2008),[18]andFather of the Year(2018),[19]and made acameo appearancein the 2008 filmGet Smart.[20]

In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself inthree episodesofThe Larry Sanders Show.The most popular episode was titled "The New Writer" when he starts hanging around the office so much that Hank (played by actorJeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job.[21]Garry Shandlingand Nealon had a close relationship.[22]In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part seriesAmazing Americaon theDiscovery Channel.[23]

Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedyStill Standingplaying Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season ofMonk.Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode ofThe Outer Limitstelevision show. It first aired on July 9, 1999, during the fifth season. From 2005 to 2012, Nealon had an ongoing supporting role as Doug Wilson on the showWeedson Showtime.[13]In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character inNick at Nite's animated seriesGlenn Martin, DDS.[24]

In 2002, he hostedThe Conspiracy ZoneonThe New TNN[25]for 26 episodes plus an unairedpilot.In 2004, he hosted the first season ofPoker Royaleon theGame Show Network.[26]Nealon also hosted several years ofWorld's Funniest Commercialsspecials on TBS in the 2000s.[27][28][29]

In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy,Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?[30]

Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum.[31]From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TVsitcomMan with a Plan,[11][32]

Since 2017 he has also hosted aYouTubetalk showcalledHiking with Kevinwhere he hikes atrailwith various celebrity guests;[11][33]the idea came about when during a hike withMatthew Modinethe two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk.[34]As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes.[35]Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using aselfie stickand acamera drone.[36]

Personal life

[edit]
Nealon with wifeSusan Yeagleyin April 2011

Nealon was datingJan Hookswhen they were both hired bySaturday Night Live.[6][8]In 1989 he married Linda Dupree, a model and stuntwoman;[6]they divorced in 2002.[37]During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989,[38]became active in theanimal rightsmovement; he has supportedPETA,[39]the Amanda Foundation,Farm Sanctuary,[8][40]the Washington Wildlife Alliance, TheArk Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.

On September 3, 2005, he marriedSusan YeagleyinBellagio, Lombardy,Italy.[41]They have a son, Gable, born in 2007.[42]They reside inPacific Palisades, Los Angeles.[43]

He is distantly related toDaniel Webster.[44]

Nealon played rugby forFairfield Yankees RFC.[45]

On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article toThe New York Timesabout having his phonetappedand his police records searched by Hollywoodprivate investigatorAnthony Pellicano,[46]who was later convicted of crimes includingracketeeringand illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for theRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circusmay also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA.[39]Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.[47]

Nealon is a fixture on the European melodic rock scene both as a fan, and as a benefactor; in 2019 he used his fame to organize a benefit for close friend and ailing rockerTony Mills.All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills' medical expenses.[48]

On May 15, 2022, Nealon was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, by his alma mater,Sacred Heart University.Nealon also served as the convocation speaker for the graduating class of 2022.[49]

Filmography

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Film

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List of films
Title Year Role/Character Director Type/Notes/Description
Roxanne 1987 Drunk #2 Fred Schepisi Feature film
Cranium Command 1989 Left Ventricle Jerry Rees
Gary Trousdale(opening sequence)
Kirk Wise(opening sequence) 		Short film
All I Want for Christmas 1991 Tony Boer Robert Lieberman Feature film
Coneheads 1993 Senator Steve Barron Feature film
Felidae 1994 Kong (voice) Michael Schaack Uncredited
Jeffrey 1995 TV Reporter Christopher Ashley Cameo appearance
Uncredited
Happy Gilmore 1996 Gary Potter Dennis Dugan Feature film
The Wedding Singer 1998 Mr. Simms Frank Coraci Feature film
Kill the Man 1999 Albino Advocate Tom Booker
Jon Kea 		Feature film
Cecil B. Demented 2000 Himself John Waters Cameo appearance
Little Nicky 2000 Stanley the Gatekeeper Steven Brill Feature film
Heartbreakers 2001 Man at the Bar David Mirkin Feature film
Joe Dirt 2001 Greasy Mechanic Dennie Gordon Uncredited
The Master of Disguise 2002 White Collar Executive Perry Andelin Blake Uncredited
Eight Crazy Nights 2002 Mayor Dewey (voice) Seth Kearsley Animated film
Anger Management 2003 Sam Peter Segal Feature film
Daddy Day Care 2003 Bruce Steve Carr Feature film
Good Boy! 2003 Mr. Baker John Hoffman Feature film
Grandma's Boy 2006 Mr. Cheezle Nicholaus Goossen Feature film
Remarkable Power 2008 Jack West Brandon Beckner Feature film
You Don't Mess with the Zohan 2008 Kevin Dennis Dugan Cameo appearance
Get Smart 2008 CIA Agent Peter Segal Feature film
Aliens in the Attic 2009 Stuart Pearson John Schultz Feature film
Just Go with It 2011 Adon Dennis Dugan Cameo appearance
Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star 2011 Gary Tom Brady Feature film
Small Time 2014 Irv Joel Surnow Feature film
Walk of Shame 2014 Chopper Steve Steven Brill Feature film
Blended 2014 Eddy Warnick Frank Coraci Feature film
Ghost Squad 2015 Russ Joel Souza Feature film
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping 2016 Gary Sikes Akiva Schaffer
Jorma Taccone 		Cameo appearance
Sandy Wexler 2017 Testimonial Steven Brill Cameo appearance
Father of the Year 2018 Peter Francis Tyler Spindel Streaming film
International Falls 2019 Earl Amber McGinnis Feature film
Late Bloomers 2023 Al Lisa Steen Feature film[50]

Television

[edit]
List of programs television
Title Year Role/Character Type/Notes/Description
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson 1985 Kevin Nealon/Guest Comic Episode: "Charles Grodin/Kevin Nealon/Linda Thorson"
Scarecrow and Mrs. King 1985 Lester Essex Episode: "Tail of the Dancing Weasel"
Saturday Night Live 1986-1995 Various characters 169 episodes
Monsters 1990 Louis Episode: "Small Blessings"
The Edge 1992 Greg Williams/Greg/Mr. Williams 4 episodes
Partners 1993 Kevin Nealon Television film
The Larry Sanders Show 1993-1996 Kevin Nealon 3 episodes
Champs 1996 Marty Heslov 12 episodes
Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist 1996 Kevin (voice) Episode: "Earring"
Something So Right 1997 Joel Episode: "Something About Two April Fools"
Hiller and Diller 1997-1998 Ted Hiller 13 episodes
Disney anthology television series 1998 Franklin Fitz Episode: "Principal Takes a Holiday"
Dharma & Greg 1998-1999 Mr. Clayborn 2 episodes
3rd Rock from the Sun 1999 Dennis Caslow Episode: "Dick 'The Mouth' Solomon"
The Outer Limits 1999 Dr. Mark Crest Episode: "Deja Vu"
Bar Hopping 2000 Cuckie Television film
The Norm Show 2000 Smith Episode: "Norm vs. Fear"
These Old Broads 2001 Roger Television film
Uncredited
Three Sisters 2001 Terry Episode: "The Manny"
Monk 2002 John Wurster Episode: "Mr. Monk Goes to the Asylum"
The Rutles 2: Can't Buy Me Lunch 2003 Kevin Wongle Television film
Crank Yankers 2003
2021 		Man Ordering Food/OCD Ken
Jack Gravat (voice) 		2 episodes
Still Standing 2003
2006 		Ted Halverson 5 episodes
Fat Actress 2005 Johnny Knightley Episode: "Holy Lesbo Batman"
Curb Your Enthusiasm 2005 Kevin Nealon Episode: "Kamikaze Bingo"
Weeds 2005-2012 Doug Wilson 102 episodes
Campus Ladies 2006 Kevin Episode: "Pilot"
Scenes deleted
University of Andy 2009 Doug Wilson 2 episodes
The Goode Family 2009 Irwin Winslow (voice) Episode: "Public Disturbance"
Glenn Martin, DDS 2009-2011 Glenn Martin (voice) 39 episodes
American Dad! 2010 I.O.C. Member (voice) Episode: "Return of the Bling"
'Til Death 2010 I. Stephen Redford 6 episodes
Glory Daze 2010 Marcus Episode: "Fake Me Home Tonight"
Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2011 Arnold Schwarzenegger Episode: "Game Night 5"
Hot in Cleveland 2012 George 2 episodes
Franklin & Bash 2012 Lawrence Reynolds Episode: "Strange Brew"
Isabel 2012 Louis Lorenz Television film
Drunk History 2013 The Grand Dragon Episode: "Atlanta"
The League 2013 Chuck Falcon Episode: "Rafi and Dirty Randy"
Comedy Bang! Bang! 2014 Milton the Milkman Episode: "Amber Tamblyn Wears a Leather Jacket & Black Booties"
The Soul Man 2016 Ron Saxby 2 episodes
@midnight 2017 Kevin Nealon Episode: "January 23, 2017"
Man with a Plan 2016-2020 Don Burns Series regular
68 episodes
Hiking with Kevin 2017-present Kevin Nealon Episode: "Billy Hates PDA"
SuperMansion 2018 Helicopter Pilot (voice) Episode: "Jungle All the Way"
Liza on Demand 2019 Jim Episode: "Sorry, Not Sorry"
Mike Tyson Mysteries 2020 Gary Stein (voice) Episode: "The Stein Way"
Family Guy 2020 Kevin Nealon (voice) Episode: "The Movement"
Room 104 2020 Chris Carrington/Harry Episode: "Oh, Harry!"
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune 2021 Kevin Nealon Episode: "Rachel Leigh Cook, Sherri Shepherd and Kevin Nealon"
Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday 2021 Uncle Dave Television film
Sister Swap: Christmas in the City 2021 Uncle Dave Television film

Books

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  • I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame.New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2022.
  • Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?New York: It Books, 2008.

References

[edit]
  1. ^"Birthdays".The Modesto Bee.The Associated Press.November 18, 2021. p. 2A.Comedian Kevin Nealon is 68.
  2. ^"Kevin Nealon".Chicago Tribune.April 21, 1991.
  3. ^"Kathleen Nealon -".baldwincremation.com.Archivedfrom the original on December 4, 2020.
  4. ^"Emmett Nealon Obituary (1925 - 2018) - Fort Myers, CT - Connecticut Post".www.legacy.com.
  5. ^abForrest, Rachel (September 2, 2010)."Love and marriage: The Nealons celebrate 60 years".Seacoast Online.
  6. ^abcdefgKahn, Toby (November 18, 1991)."Vun, Two, Pump Up the Update!".People.
  7. ^As told in his book,Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?
  8. ^abcdefghFishman, Laurel (April 1993)."Nealon Update".Vegetarian Times.pp. 62–68.
  9. ^"Kevin Nealon's DNA Test Confirmed His Feakle Ancestry".The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.November 30, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on December 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  10. ^"High School Sports Chop-Up: Kevin Nealon".USA Today(interview). May 28, 2014.
  11. ^abc"Kevin Nealon On 'Man With A Plan', Stand-Up Comedy & Johnny Carson".CBS Local. March 1, 2019.
  12. ^Ebert, Roger(November 8, 1991)."Reviews:All I Want for Christmas".RetrievedMarch 3,2019.
  13. ^abcCondran, Ed (May 24, 2013)."For Kevin Nealon, variety is the spice of life".Bucks County Courier.Archived fromthe originalon March 6, 2019.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  14. ^Wheaton, Dave (February 6, 2014)."Kevin Nealon as Pro Golfer Gary Potter in 'Happy Gilmore' is His Best Role Ever".Abilene: Mix92.5.
  15. ^Ebert, Roger (February 9, 2011)."Reviews:Just Go with It".RetrievedMarch 3,2019.
  16. ^Hartlaub, Peter (August 3, 2009)."Movie review: 'Aliens in the Attic'".San Francisco Chronicle.
  17. ^"'Grandma's Boy' Movie Review ".Fat Guys at the Movies.January 6, 2006.
  18. ^Scott, A. O. (June 6, 2008)."Watch Out, He's Packing a Blow-Dryer".The New York Times.
  19. ^Osterndorf, Chris (July 21, 2018)."'Father Of the Year' is another baffling, bonkers Happy Madison comedy ".The Daily Dot.
  20. ^Hiltbrand, David (June 19, 2008)."Sorry about that, classic 'Get Smart' fans".Philadelphia Inquirer.
  21. ^Lehmann, Michael (December 18, 1996),The New Writer,The Larry Sanders Show,retrievedOctober 6,2021
  22. ^Caro, Mark (April 25, 2016)."Garry Shandling Memorial Mixes Laughs, Tears and a Few Characters".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedOctober 6,2021.
  23. ^The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present.Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 311.ISBN0-345-45542-8.
  24. ^Hinckley, David (August 16, 2009)."Nick at Nite's new animated series 'Glenn Martin, DDS,' with Kevin Nealon, is satire with biting wit".New York Daily News.
  25. ^King, Susan (January 3, 2002)."A Platform for Paranoia".Los Angeles Times.
  26. ^"Nealon puts on poker face".Variety.December 7, 2004.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  27. ^Taylor, Catharine P. (August 21, 2006)."TBS showcases very funny commercials".Ad Week.
  28. ^Catlin, Roger (August 30, 2007)."Kevin Nealon Shows International Commercials; Making Fun of Rappers".The Hartford Courant.
  29. ^"'World's Funniest Commercials': Blurbs take the spotlight ".Variety.June 26, 2009.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  30. ^"Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?by Kevin Nealon ".Kirkus Reviews.May 20, 2010 [March 1, 2008].
  31. ^Diaz, Ann-Christine (September 18, 2015)."Kevin Nealon Is Captain Telstar, Leader of an Antiquated Satellite TV Station".Ad Age.RetrievedMarch 1,2019.
  32. ^Ausiello, Michael (May 6, 2020)."Man With a Plan Cancelled at CBS".TVLine.Archivedfrom the original on May 6, 2020.RetrievedMay 6,2020.
  33. ^Crouch, Ian (August 7, 2018)."The Soothing Meta-Comedy of 'Hiking with Kevin'".The New Yorker.RetrievedMarch 1,2019.
  34. ^"Kevin Nealon Is Hiking and Laughing and Drawing".The New Yorker.October 24, 2022.
  35. ^Skiver, Rayna (October 11, 2022)."Everything You Need to Know About Season 4 of 'Hiking With Kevin'".Green Matters.
  36. ^Gates, Christopher (February 12, 2020)."The Untold Truth Of Hiking With Kevin - Exclusive".Looper.
  37. ^Curry, Sheree R. (March 21, 2011)."Kevin Nealon Unloads Condo After Upgrade to New Home".AOL News.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  38. ^Fell, James S. (July 3, 2015)."Comic Kevin Nealon is still 'pumped up' about fitness".Los Angeles Times.
  39. ^abJackman, Tom (February 28, 2006)."Ringling Circus Hired Private Eye To Infiltrate PETA, Fairfax Jury Told".The Washington Post.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  40. ^Saval, Malina (November 13, 2016)."Jon Stewart, Kevin Nealon, Emily Deschanel Raise Awareness for Animal Rights at Starry Gala".Variety.RetrievedMarch 4,2019.
  41. ^"Nealon and Yeagley marry in Italy".UPI. September 3, 2005.
  42. ^Ingrassia, Lisa (September 17, 2007)."High on Life".People.RetrievedMarch 3,2019.
  43. ^"Kevin Nealon sells one Pacific Palisades property and buys another".Los Angeles Times.August 22, 2019.
  44. ^Youtube.com. Hiking with Kevin - Mariel Hemingway. 25Apr2019. 3:00
  45. ^"Kevin Nealon: Biography".TV Guide.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  46. ^Nealon, Kevin (February 22, 2006)."Don't Stop Bugging Me".The New York Times(opinion). Archived fromthe originalon November 23, 2018.RetrievedMay 22,2008.
  47. ^JEFFREY, JOYANN (April 13, 2019)."Kevin Nealon, 65, Reveals His Biggest Life Lesson (Exclusive)".Closer Weekly.
  48. ^"BLACK SWAN - TONY MILLS FESTIVAL".blackswan-musicschool.com.
  49. ^"Comedian Kevin Nealon Awarded Doctorate Degree".
  50. ^Grobar, Matt (July 14, 2022)."Karen Gillan, Margaret Sophie Stein & Jermaine Fowler".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
[edit]
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