Sam Richardson (actor)
Sam Richardson | |
---|---|
Born | |
Nationality | American |
Occupation(s) | Actor, writer, comedian |
Years active | 2007–present |
Notable work | Veep |
Sam Richardson (born January 12, 1984)[1][2] is an American actor, writer, and comedian. He played Richard Splett in the TV series Veep and stars in Detroiters.
Early life
Richardson was born and raised in Detroit.[1] His father is American and his mother is from Ghana, West Africa.[3][4] Once or twice a year, the family would travel to Ghana, where Richardson’s grandfather, W. A. Wiafe, was a chief and local political leader.[5] Richardson graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy in 2002[6] and studied theater at Wayne State University.[7] Early in his career, Richardson performed at the Second City sketch theatre group in Detroit and then in Chicago.[8] At Second City, Richardson was known for his range of characters, from sight gags to impressions of public figures.[9]
Career
Following a move to Los Angeles, he received parts on television including appearing on six episodes, including the series finale of The Office and a season 4 episode of Arrested Development.[8] He has also appeared on episodes of Drunk History, New Girl, The Teachers, and six episodes of Harder Than It Looks. Richardson currently plays the role of Richard Splett on the HBO comedy Veep, first appearing in four episodes during season 3 as the handler for Selina Meyer during her Iowa book tour.[10] During season 4, Richardson was made a regular cast member of the show,[8][11][12] after his character received a job offer in President Meyer's administration as an assistant to the character Jonah.[13] He has also appeared in films including We're the Millers, Horrible Bosses 2, Spy,[10] Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates, and Ghostbusters.[14]
Detroiters
In 2015, Comedy Central ordered a pilot for the series Detroiters, created by Richardson and Tim Robinson. The show stars Richardson and Robinson, who also co-wrote and co-executive produce the series with others.[15] Comedy Central then ordered ten episodes of the series, which began shooting in the Detroit area in 2016. According to Detroit 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 the Mel Farr Superstar and Gordy from ABC Warehouse campaigns."[16]
Awards
In 2016, Richardson was nominated for the Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble) award at the Canadian Screen Awards for his work on The Second City Project. He was also nominated for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 2015, 2016, and 2017 Screen Actor Guild Awards for his work on Veep, winning in 2018.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Director | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | The Planning Lady | Police Officer | Marty Shea | Short film |
2010 | Superman vs. The Office | Sam | Jeff Hadick | Short film |
2012 | Harder Than It Looks | Sam | Seth Weitberg | TV series (6 episodes) |
2013 | We're the Millers | TSA Agent | Rawson Marshall Thurber | |
The Rule of Threes | Jeff | Aaron Behl | Short film | |
Crash Site | Ben | Jason Sperling | Short film | |
Arrested Development | TSA Agent | Mitchell Hurwitz & Troy Miller | TV series (1 episode) | |
The Office | Colin | Various | TV series (6 episodes) | |
2014 | Horrible Bosses 2 | The Producer | Sean Anders | |
All Stars | Ramel Johnson | Lance Kinsey | ||
MOCKpocalypse | Neil W. Garguilo & David F. Park | TV series (1 episode) | ||
2014–present | Veep | Richard T. (John) Splett | Various | TV series (23 episodes) Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |
2015 | Spy | John | Paul Feig | |
The Night Is Young | Sam | Dave Hill & Matt Jones | ||
Drunk History | Jim Brown | Derek Waters | TV series (1 episode) | |
The Sixth Lead | Security Guard | Rick Glassman | TV series (2 episodes) | |
The Second City Project | Tim Hamilton | TV series (10 episodes) Also writer Nominated – Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series | ||
2016 | Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising | Eric Baiers | Nicholas Stoller | |
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates | Eric | Jake Szymanski | ||
Ghostbusters | Basement Cop | Paul Feig | ||
Office Christmas Party | Joel | Josh Gordon & Will Speck | ||
New Girl | Dunston | Christine Gernon | TV series (1 episode) | |
Teachers | Mr. Jackson | Payment Benz | TV series (1 episode) | |
2017 | The House | Marty | Andrew J. Cohen | |
2017–present | Detroiters | Sam Duvet | TV series | |
2018 | Game Over, Man! | Donald | Kyle Newacheck | |
2019 | Super Intelligence | Donahue | Ben Falcone |
References
- ^ a b "Sam Richardson (@SamRichardson)". Sam Richardson verified Twitter account. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
Born and raised in Detroit. ... Born January 12
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Bazilian, Emma (June 21, 2016). "Veep Star Sam Richardson's New Comedy Central Show Is About Local Ad Guys in Detroit". Retrieved June 15, 2017.
Age: 32
- ^ "Sam Richardson of 'Veep' is winning at comedy". Detroit Free Press. 12 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ "Sam Richardson Talks 'Veep' Season 4 & Growing Up in Ghana on 'White Guy Talk Show' - Fuse". Fuse.
- ^ "Veep's Sam Richardson on Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Getting Cut Out of Melissa McCarthy's 'Spy'". Playboy. 10 April 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "U of D Jesuit Highlights" (PDF). University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy. Fall 2015. Retrieved 2016-07-12.
- ^ Chicago Tribune (30 April 2015). "Sam Richardson: from Second City to Veep - Chicago Tribune". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
- ^ a b c "New 'Veep' co-star Sam Richardson is the chief of laughs". New York Post. 11 April 2015.
- ^ Chicago Tribune (30 April 2015). "Sam Richardson: from Second City to Veep - Chicago Tribune". chicagotribune.com.
- ^ a b Nellie Andreeva. "Sam Richardson Promoted To Regular On 'Veep' - Deadline". Deadline.
- ^ Harry Fletcher (18 September 2014). "Veep's Sam Richardson becomes regular". Digital Spy.
- ^ "Sam Richardson made 'Veep' series regular". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
- ^ "Sam Richardson Talks 'Veep'". 9 April 2015.
- ^ "Sam Richardson Thinks The 2016 Election Is More Absurd Than 'Veep'". Huffington Post.
- ^ "Comedy Central Orders Detroiters Pilot". pastemagazine.com.
- ^ "'Detroiters' sitcom will film in Detroit". Detroit Free Press. 21 January 2016.