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David Koechner
Koechner at the premiere of Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues in 2013
Born
David Michael Koechner

(1962-08-24) August 24, 1962 (age 61)
Tipton, Missouri, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
Years active1986–present[1]
Spouse
Leigh Koechner
​
(m. 1998)​
Children5
Signature
File:DavidKoechner.png

David Michael Koechner (/ˈkɛknər/ keck-ner;[2] born August 24, 1962) is an American character actor and comedian best known for playing roles such as Champ Kind in the Anchorman films and Todd Packer on NBC's The Office.

Koechner first became involved in performing when he began studying improvisational comedy in Chicago at ImprovOlympic, under the teachings of Del Close, before joining the Second City Northwest. After year long stints of doing sketch comedy on Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien in the mid 1990s, Koechner began appearing with small roles in the films such as Wag the Dog, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Man on the Moon.

While filming the country mockumentary film Dill Scallion in 1998, Koechner befriended actor/comedian Dave 'Gruber' Allen, and eventually began performing as the comedy duo, The Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show, a live musical comedy act. The act became a hit at Hollywood clubs such as Largo, and Allen and Koechner were invited to open for Tenacious D. In 2007, Koechner and Allen created and starred together in a Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show sketch comedy series that ran for one season on Comedy Central.

After his breakout role as Champ Kind in the 2004 comedy Anchorman, Koechner began appearing frequently with larger supporting roles in many high-profile comedic films including Talladega Nights, Thank You for Smoking, Waiting..., Semi-Pro, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard, and Extract. His first leading film role, as Coach Lambeau Fields in Fox Atomic's sports comedy, The Comebacks opened on October 19, 2007. Koechner most recently reprised his role of Champ Kind for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues and is receiving praise for his dark turn in the 2014 black comedy Cheap Thrills.

Early life and career

Koechner was born in Tipton, Missouri, the son of Margaret Ann (née Downey) and Cecil Stephen Koechner.[3] He is one of six children; he has two brothers, Mark and Joe, and three sisters, Mary-Rose, Cecilia and Joan.[4] His father ran a business that manufactured turkey coops (Koechner has stated that "If you see a turkey going down the road in a big truck, most likely its coop is from Tipton...").[5] He was raised in a Catholic family, and is of German, English, and Irish descent.[6][7] Koechner studied Political Science at Benedictine College and the University of Missouri, before he eventually decided to pursue a career in improvisational comedy and moved to Chicago. After studying at Chicago's ImprovOlympic, under famed improvisation instructor Del Close, Koechner joined The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, graduating in 1994.[8]

In 1995, Koechner landed a year-long stint on Saturday Night Live, joining the show with Second City friends Nancy Walls and Adam McKay. During his time at SNL, he befriended guest-writer David 'Gruber' Allen, and castmate Will Ferrell. Some of Koechner's recurring skits included Bill Brasky, the British Fops (playing Fagan, opposite Mark McKinney), Gary Macdonald (the fictional younger brother of Weekend Update anchor/SNL castmember Norm Macdonald, based on "Jokey", a character he originated at Second City), Will Ferrell's "Get Off the Shed" sketches (playing his neighbor, Tom Taylor), and Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons. On the show, Koechner also impersonated several celebrities, including Burt Reynolds, Mike Ditka, Charlie Sheen, Robert Shapiro, Willard Scott, Oliver Stone, Phil Gramm, David Kaczynski, and Pat Buchanan. After his one season on SNL, Koechner joined the 1996–97 sketch cast of Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where he was perhaps best remembered in the NBC Gargoyles recurring sketches, pairing Koechner with Conan regular Brian McCann as two obnoxious Gargoyle statues often perched outside Conan's desk window. In the late 1990s, Koechner took several minor acting roles in films such as Wag the Dog, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me, and Man on the Moon.

Partnership with David 'Gruber' Allen

On the set of the 1999 country music mockumentary, Dill Scallion, Koechner struck a partnership with SNL friend David 'Gruber' Allen, joining Allen's improvisational comedy act, The Naked Trucker Show.[9] The two bonded while filming on a tour bus, sharing similar political views and midwestern upbringings.[10] Koechner joined the act as Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons, a character he had been playing on comedy stages for a few years, including a recurring character bit on SNL. Gerald Tibbons dates back to 1995, when he filmed a short television pilot based on the character's misadventures.[11] The "Gerald" character, based on a real drifter named Four-Way George, became so popular that Koechner would go to auditions, only to find that directors were always demanding his stage persona.[10][12] The stage act, a mix of stand-up comedy and off-color country songs, became a hit on the Hollywood improv circuit, ultimately landing television performances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Real Time with Bill Maher. The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show would eventually tour with fellow comedic musical duo, Tenacious D. Their popularity also lead to several offers to bring their act to television, though many early deals never came to fruition.[13]

2004–2006

In 2004, Koechner landed his largest film role up to that point, as sports reporter Champ Kind, in SNL-veteran Will Ferrell's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. As part of the Anchorman ensemble, Koechner shared two MTV Movie Award nominations for Best On-Screen Team and Best Musical Performance. MTV's initial press release accidentally listed Fred Armisen instead of David Koechner, but eventually corrected the error on their website, crediting Koechner during the broadcast.[14][15] Following this role, Koechner found himself landing many small and supporting roles in high profile films such as The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Talladega Nights, The Dukes of Hazzard and Snakes on a Plane. In 2006, Koechner made his voice acting debut in Barnyard as Dag. That same year, he had a supporting role as gun-lobbyist in the critically acclaimed satire, Thank You for Smoking, sharing several scenes with Aaron Eckhart and Maria Bello. The three actors portrayed lobbyists for the tobacco, alcohol, & gun industries, dubbed The M.O.D. (Merchants of Death) Squad. Thank You for Smoking was one of the best-reviewed films of Koechner's career, and he was included in Fox Searchlight's Oscar campaign, among the film's listings for Best Supporting Actor.[16]

After co-starring together in Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, fellow Second City alum Steve Carell personally recommended Koechner for a recurring role on NBC's The Office, playing Todd Packer.[17] Koechner's role is the American version of Chris Finch from the original. Packer is an obnoxious, alcoholic best friend of Carell's character. Koechner has guest-starred, both in person and voice, on fifteen episodes of the series. His frequent work with actors Ferrell, Carell, Jack Black, and Ben Stiller have led some critics and journalists to point out his association with the media-dubbed "Frat Pack". David had a guest starring role as Uncle Earl in an episode on Hannah Montana.[18][19]

Koechner gained a recurring voice role in American Dad!, playing the role of Dick, one of Stan Smith's co-workers.

2007–present

In 2007, Koechner was seen in his first leading role in The Comebacks (which opened on October 19), the first comedy to be released under Fox Searchlight's Fox Atomic division.[20] Koechner played a college football coach with the worst record in the history of the sport who vows to turn things around with his new team of ragtag recruits. He described this career opportunity as the "first lead for the right-hander."[9] Veteran actor Carl Weathers played Koechner's rival coach. Though Koechner, who usually writes and improvises his material, had no involvement with the screenplay, he complimented director Tom Brady for taking "great care to make it as smart as he could," adding that it's a sports comedy rather than a spoof.[9]

On January 17, 2007, Comedy Central premiered The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show, a sketch comedy series starring Koechner (as T-Bones) and longtime performing partner Dave "Gruber" Allen (as The Naked Trucker). The duo performs their unique brand of off-color songs and introduces pre-taped skits. Many of Koechner's past co-stars made cameos, including Will Ferrell, Jack Black, Steve Carell, Andy Richter, Dax Shepard, and Paul Rudd. The pre-taped skits gave Koechner more screentime than Allen, often letting him showcase his comedic charisma alongside guest stars like Richter and Shepard. Comedy Central ordered eight episodes.[21] In the eight years Koechner & Allen have been playing these characters, there have been several attempts to bring the act to television, but they had trouble figuring how to translate it into a series.[10] Koechner & Allen's first album, Naked Trucker and T-Bones Live at the Troubador, was released March 20, 2007.[22] Koechner starred alongside Luke Wilson in the 2009 indie-comedy Tenure and was a lead in the 2012 horror film Piranha 3DD. Koechner also returned as Champ Kind, in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013).

Following the release of Live at the Troubador, Koechner revealed that a T-Bones film is in development with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions.[23] Koechner wrote the script with veteran television writer/producer Norm Hiscock, who also wrote for The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show, in addition to past work on Saturday Night Live, The Kids in the Hall, and King of the Hill.

Frequently, Koechner can be seen at the iO West performing with the group Beer, Shark, Mice, alongside Mike Coleman, Pat Finn, Neil Flynn and Peter Hulne. The group's credits include Scrubs, Anchorman, Seinfeld, American Body Shop, How High, My Boys, Ed, Mean Girls, Thank You for Smoking, and Saturday Night Live.

Koechner made his first return guest appearance to Saturday Night Live on December 7, 2013 with his fellow Anchorman co-stars Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, and the episode's host, Paul Rudd. The Anchorman stars sang "Afternoon Delight" with the episode's musical guest One Direction during the opening monologue. Koechner and Ferrell also reprised their Bill Brasky sketch in the same episode.

Personal life

Koechner is married to Leigh Koechner and has five children. His oldest is his son Charlie, followed by his daughter Margot, and twins Sargent and Audrey, born June 2, 2006. His fifth child, Eve, was born on January 11, 2011.[24] Koechner has the names of his wife and children tattooed on his right upper-arm.[25]

Koechner performs regularly in Los Angeles at both the ImprovOlympic West theater in the show Beer Shark Mice, and at Largo, the nightclub where the Naked Trucker Show plays regularly. David Koechner supported the 2004 US Presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry, performing at a June 6, 2004 Hollywood fundraiser for the senator, where The Naked Trucker & T-Bones opened up for Tenacious D.[26] Koechner cites Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, The Replacements, Uncle Tupelo and its off-shoots (Wilco and Son Volt) as some of his musical favorites. He also strongly admires Creedence Clearwater Revival, whom he has described as "the American Beatles"[27], although he downplayed his appreciation for them in an interview with Norm Macdonald[28]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1995 It's Now... or NEVER! Jay
1997 Wag the Dog Director
1998 Dirty Work Anton Phillips
1999 Man on the Moon National Enquirer Reporter
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Co-pilot
Dill Scallion Bubby Pearl
2000 Whatever It Takes Virgil Doolittle
Dropping Out Henry
2001 Out Cold Stumpy
Life Without Dick Uncle Hurley
2002 Waking Up in Reno Bell Hop
American Girl Guy in Fun Fun Land TV Commercial
The Third Wheel Carl
Run Ronnie Run Clay
2003 My Boss's Daughter Speed
A Guy Thing Buck Morse
Soul Mates Steve
2004 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Champ Kind
Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie
2005 Yours, Mine and Ours Darrell
Daltry Calhoun Doyle Earl
Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie Elroy/Wind Voice only
The 40-Year-Old Virgin Dad at Health Clinic
The Dukes of Hazzard Cooter
Waiting... Dan
2006 Unaccompanied Minors Ernie Wellington
Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Surplus Store Clerk Scene Deleted
Let's Go to Prison Shanahan
Snakes on a Plane Rick "Arch" Archibald
Barnyard Dag Voice only
Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Herschell
Thank You for Smoking Bobby Jay Bliss
Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector Donnie
2007 The Comebacks Lambeau Fields
Wild Girls Gone Mr. Fremont
Reno 911!: Miami Sheriff of Aspen
Balls of Fury Rick the Birdmaster
2008 Semi-Pro The Commissioner
Drillbit Taylor Frightened Dad
Get Smart Agent Larabee
Sex Drive Hitchhiker
The Perfect Game Charlie
2009 Still Waiting... Dan
Extract Nathan
The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Brent Gage
Tenure Jay Hadley
2011 Paul Gus
Final Destination 5 Dennis Lapman
A Good Old Fashioned Orgy Vic George
2012 This Means War Ollie
Piranha 3DD Chet
Wedding Day Pastor Augustus
Hit and Run Sanders
Small Apartments Detective O'Grady
2013 Behind the Candelabra Adoption Attorney
A Haunted House Dan Kearney
Cheap Thrills Colin
Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Champ Kind
2014 Hits Rich
No Clue Ernie
Hell & Back Asmodeus Voice only
Scouts vs. Zombies Scout Leader Rogers Filming

Television

Year Show Role Notes
1995–1996 Saturday Night Live Cast Member series regular
1996 The Jamie Foxx Show Stephen Queen 1 episode
2000 Freaks and Geeks Waiter 1 episode
2002 Late World with Zach Various Recurring role
Curb Your Enthusiasm Joseph 1 episode
2002–2003 Still Standing Carl Recurring role
Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? Clancy Q. Sleepyjeans voice only
2003 Comedy Central Laughs for Life Telethon 2003 Jerry Prastis/Gerald Tibbons/Various TV special
2005–2013 The Office Todd Packer Recurring role
2006 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Cubby McQuilkin voice only
2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons Star, writer, producer, co-creator
Monk Joey Krenshaw 2 episodes
2008 Kath & Kim Pete 1 episode
King of the Hill Frank voice only
Pushing Daisies Merle McQuoddy 1 episode
2008–2010 Hannah Montana Uncle Earl Recurring role
2008–present American Dad! Dick Recurring role
2009 Hank Grady Funk series regular
2010 Gary Unmarried Joe "Soup" Campbell 1 episode
Neighbors from Hell Robert the Insult Weight Loss Robot voice only
2011 Beavis & Butthead Various Voices Recurring role
Chuck Crazy Bob 1 episode
Good Vibes Various Voices voice only
Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Dosu voice only
2012 Comedy Bang! Bang! Mr. Doublebutt 1 episode
The Inbetweeners Jim Remus 1 episode
2013 The Middle Jeff Webber 1 episode
Psych Leslie Valerie Sally 1 episode
2014 Justified Deputy Sutter 1 episode

References

  1. ^ "David Koechner's Take on Parenting". Blogs.babble.com. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  2. ^ "The Face You Know: An Interview with Anchorman's David Koechner". Paste Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2013.
  3. ^ [1][dead link]
  4. ^ http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Chiefs-Kingdom-David-Koechner/9bb4718b-cc74-420a-88b9-233c11e3edfc
  5. ^ David Koechner Biography; Yahoo! Movies
  6. ^ "The Green Room with Sean Green". LA Talk Radio. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  7. ^ "David Koechner | Underneath the cowboy hat, outside 'The Office'". The Bellevue Scene. 29 March 2011. Retrieved 16 May 2013.
  8. ^ The Second City Northwest Alumni; Second City
  9. ^ a b c David Koechner; Epstein, Daniel Robert; 16 January 2007; Suicide Girls Interviews
  10. ^ a b c Podcast: David Koechner & Dave "Gruber" Allen on The Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show, The Sound of Young America, 12 January 2007.
  11. ^ Video Clip: "Pizza Boy Gerald"; Roscoe Entertainment
  12. ^ A convoy of offbeat comedy; Keveney, Bill; 16 January 2007; USA Today
  13. ^ Q & A: Naked Trucker & T-bone; DiGiuseppe, Jim; 1 March 2007; The Daily Collegian
  14. ^ It's the 2005 MTV Movie Awards Nominees!; New York, NY; 4 May 2005; MTV UK
  15. ^ Vicious Teens And Happy Drunk Lead 2005 MTV Movie Awards Nominees; Cosgrove, Ben; 4 May 2005; MTV Movies
  16. ^ For Your Consideration: Everyone But Katie Holmes; 13 November 2006; Defamer
  17. ^ DVD audio commentary from The Office: Season 2, Episode #8 (202) "Sexual Harassment" – published by Universal Studios Home Entertainment on 12 September 2006
  18. ^ Carell just wants some love; Breznican, Anthony; 11 August 2005; USA Today
  19. ^ Talladega trailer; Sampson, Mike; 13 February 2006; JoBlo.com
  20. ^ Snyder, Gabriel; Laporte, Nicole. "Brady at QB for Atomic; Helmer tackles 'Comebacks'", [[Variety (journal)|]], 24 September 2006.
  21. ^ COMEDY CENTRAL Announces The Series Pick-Up Of The Torrid, Twisted Tales Of The "The Naked Trucker And T-Bones Show"; Comedy Central, 27 March 2006.
  22. ^ Live at the Troubadour (LIVE); Amazon.com
  23. ^ MacIntyre, April. M&C Interview: David Koechner/T-Bones, The Naked Trucker and 'Live At The Troubadour'; Monsters & Critics, 20 March 2007.
  24. ^ Koechner, David. Tweet at Twitter, 13 January 2011.
  25. ^ Tattoos with David Koechner at babelgum.com
  26. ^ ConcertsforKerry.org
  27. ^ Phipps, Keith. Random Rules: David Koechner, The AV Club, 23 January 2007.
  28. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZIsYyuN35Y&feature=player_detailpage#t=2514
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