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Brett Gelman

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Brett Gelman
Gelman at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con
Born (1976-10-06) October 6, 1976 (age 48)
EducationUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts (BFA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • producer
  • writer
Years active2000–present
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2015; div. 2018)​
PartnerAri Dayan (eng. 2023)

Brett Gelman (born October 6, 1976)[1] is an American actor and comedian.[2] He is best known for his role as Murray Bauman in Netflix's horror-supernatural series Stranger Things and as Martin in the BBC comedy Fleabag.

Gelman began his career as a comedian in the 2000s, gaining notability the following decade for his involvement in numerous Adult Swim shows, notably Eagleheart and comedy specials in 2014 and 2015. During this time, he also was part of the main casts of the NBC sitcom Go On, the Comedy Central series Another Period, and the FX comedy series Married.[3]

Gelman became prominent in the late 2010s for his supporting roles in Fleabag and Stranger Things, in addition to those on Camping and Mr. Mercedes. As a voice actor, he has contributed to television series Jeff & Some Aliens and TripTank on Comedy Central and, more recently, I Heart Arlo and Inside Job on Netflix, among others. He is set to star in the upcoming drama series Lady in the Lake.

Early life

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Gelman's father was a photo salesman. He was raised Jewish and has a younger sister who is a speech pathologist.[4]

Gelman graduated from Highland Park High School in Illinois.[5] He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received classical training in theater.[4]

Career

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After college, Gelman moved to New York City with a fellow schoolmate, actor Jon Daly.[4] While in New York, Gelman was a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, as part of the duo Cracked Out and sketch group Mr. A$$.[6]

A popular New York Lottery commercial funded his work for a while. Gelman did a one-man show called 1,000 Cats, which he workshopped at many venues.[7]

Gelman has appeared in the films The Other Guys and 30 Minutes or Less. He has co-starred as Chris Elliott's sidekick Brett Mobley in the live-action Adult Swim series Eagleheart and is a regular sketch performer on HBO's Funny or Die Presents and Comedy Central's Nick Swardson's Pretend Time. He has had recurring roles on The Life & Times of Tim and The Inbetweeners, as well as making guest appearances on comedy programs such as Bored to Death, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Happy Endings, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and The League. Gelman has also written for the MTV sketch series Human Giant and the Scott Aukerman & B. J. Porter created sketch pilot The Right Now! Show.

In 2010, Gelman appeared as a cast member on the Comedy Central sketch comedy special This Show Will Get You High, created by Matt Besser. Gelman co-starred as "Mr. K" on the NBC comedy series Go On starring Matthew Perry,[8] and as A.J. on the FX comedy series Married.[9]

In 2014, Gelman hosted a dinner party special, called Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends, which aired on Adult Swim.[10]

In 2015, Gelman was also a consulting writer on season two of the entertainment news parody series Hot Package on Adult Swim and also recurs as Hamish on the Comedy Central series Another Period and as Ronnie on the Starz series Blunt Talk. Also in 2015, Gelman appeared in the series finale of Mad Men.[11]

In July 2016, Gelman starred in the special Dinner in America with Brett Gelman, a sequel to Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends, which focused on racism.[12] In November 2016, Gelman said that he had left Cartoon Network and Adult Swim due to the network's alleged poor treatment of female employees and the promotion of the controversial Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace.[13][14][15][16]

In 2017, Gelman starred in and co-wrote Lemon, opposite Judy Greer, Michael Cera, Nia Long and Gillian Jacobs, directed by Janicza Bravo.[17][18] It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017.[19]

In 2016, it was announced that Gelman was cast in the second season of the hit Netflix science-fiction web series Stranger Things as Murray Bauman, a conspiracy theorist and former journalist.[20] He was promoted to the main cast for the fourth season.

In 2018, he starred in the independent feature film Room for Rent, opposite Mark Little, Carla Gallo, Stephnie Weir, Patrick J. Adams, and Mark McKinney.[21] Gunpowder & Sky released the film in the US on all major VOD platforms November 2, 2018.

In 2022, it was announced that Gelman was starring in the Apple TV+ drama series Lady in the Lake, based on Laura Lippman's novel of the same name.[22]

Other work

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Gelman and frequent writing partner and collaborator Jon Daly performed for many years as the comedy rap duo "Cracked Out".[23] Gelman has gained recognition for appearing as the "Little Bit Of Luck" character in the "Take 5" New York Lottery ad campaign that ran from 2008 through 2011. Gelman has said that the inspiration for the character is rocker Guthrie Govan.[24]

Gelman makes frequent appearances on the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast, as well as other podcasts on the Earwolf podcasting network. In 2011, he began his own podcast, Gelmania, also available on the Earwolf network. Gelman has said he wanted his podcast to "reflect a lot of the fears and anger and sadness of the world, but do that through a really stupid lens."[25] In 2014, Gelmania began its second season but is no longer on the Earwolf network.[26]

Personal life

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In December 2015, Gelman married Janicza Bravo.[27][28] The pair met in New York City while working on a New York Lotto commercial.[29][30] They divorced in 2018.[31] Gelman announced his engagement to actress and model Ari Dayan via Instagram in April 2023.[32][33]

Gelman has been a vocal supporter of Israel on Instagram throughout the 2023 Israel-Hamas War. In November 2023, Gelman was among more than a dozen creators and celebrities who confronted TikTok executives in a public letter claiming that the app is directly amplifying the spread of antisemitism. The company reportedly pushed back against claims that it was promoting pro-Palestine, anti-Israel content through its feeds, stating instead that while the platform regularly moderates antisemitic, Anti-Arab racist, and Islamophobic content, it does not moderate nor amplify the spread of content expressing criticism of the Israeli government.[34][35] He would later appear on Israeli sketch comedy show Eretz Nehederet to end 2023.[36]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2004 Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story Mayhem Team Member
2006 Gingerbreed Driller Driver
2007 Watching the Detectives Glenn
2008 Stick It in Detroit Hot Rod Johnson
2009 May the Best Man Win Bachelor Party Host
2010 The Other Guys Hal
2011 Eat August Short
30 Minutes or Less Pizza Boss
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas TV Director
2013 Jobs Jef Raskin
Awful Nice Ivan
Gregory Go Boom Tom Short, also producer
2014 Someone Marry Barry Goker
2016 Joshy Greg
Flock of Dudes Howie
2017 Lemon Isaac Lachmann Also writer
Wilson Robert
DRIB Brady Thompson
The Disaster Artist Acting Teacher
Room for Rent Carl Lemay
2018 Wild Nights with Emily Higginson
Like Father Frank Lerue
2019 Jezebel Bobby Voice
Harpoon Narrator
2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Himself
2021 Arlo the Alligator Boy Marcellus Voice
Without Remorse Victor Rykov
2022 Metal Lords Dr. Sylvester
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Mr. Grumps
2023 Surrounded Mr. Fields
Strays Willy
Boy Kills World Gideon van der Koy
2024 McVeigh Terry Nichols

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2005 Coke Gonzales TV short
The Colbert Report Spencer Episode: "Greg Behrendt"
2007 Fat Guy Stuck in Internet Co-Worker, Linux, The Oracle 3 episodes
Honesty Mechanic Episode: "Mechanic"
2008 Human Giant Kidnapped Soldier, Rapzilla, Billy Crystal 2 episodes
2009 Californication Annoying Hipster Episode: "Mia Culpa"
2010 Comedy Lab Ruby Voice, episode: "Penelope Princess of Pets"
This Show Will Get You High Cast Member Comedy Central pilot
Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Various Episode: "Mudslide Junction"
2010–2011 Funny or Die Presents Nick, Performer 3 episodes
The Back Room Mr. America, James Gandolfini 4 episodes
2010–2012 The Life & Times of Tim Co-Worker, Walker Fan, Adam's Friend, Doug the Intruder Voice, 4 episodes
2011 Happy Endings Carl Episode: "Your Couples Friends & Neighbors"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Pig Parker Episode: "Vow of Silence"
Bored to Death Faux Jonathan Episode: "We Could Sing a Duet"
2011–2013 The League Gavin 2 episodes
2011–2014 Eagleheart Brett Mobley Series regular; 26 episodes
2012 The Office The Magician Episode: "Welcome Party"
The Inbetweeners Mr Gilbert Recurring; 7 episodes
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Rocket Horse Voice, episode: "Rocket Horse & Jet Chicken"
2012–2013 Go On Mr. K Series regular; 22 episodes
2012–2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Dog Lawyer, Mr. Celebrity 2 episodes
2013 Ghost Ghirls Rabbit Episode: "I Believe in Mira-ghouls"
NTSF:SD:SUV:: Gabby Hofstein Episode: "Unfrozen Agent Man"
We Are Men Alimony Steve Episode: "We Are Franksgiving"
2013–2014 Drunk History Various 2 episodes
2013–2015 Kroll Show Various 3 episodes
2014 Surviving Jack Principal McMullen Episode: "Rhythm Is a Dancer"
Adventure Time Ring Master Voice, episode: "Sad Face"
Bad Teacher Doug Pilaf 5 episodes
Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends Himself Special
2014–2015 Married A.J. Series regular; 23 episodes
2014–2016 Mr. Pickles Cheeseman Voice, 2 episodes
TripTank Jeff Voice, 9 episodes
2015 Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family Himself Special
Fresh Off the Boat Dusty Nugget Episode: "Persistent Romeo"
Man Seeking Woman Demon Episode: "Stain"
The Odd Couple Stuart Episode: "Jealous Island"
Mad Men Daniel Episode: "Person to Person"
2015–2016 Blunt Talk Ronnie 6 episodes
2015–2018 Another Period Hamish Crassus Recurring; 20 episodes
2016 Angel from Hell Lee 2 episodes
Clarence Mr. Mozer Voice, episode: "Field Trippin'"
Dinner in America with Brett Gelman Himself Special
High Maintenance Himself Episode: "Selfie"
2016–2018 Love Dr. Greg Colter Recurring; 10 episodes
2016–2020 American Dad! Various voices 6 episodes
2016–2019 Fleabag Martin Series regular; 7 episodes
2017 Jeff & Some Aliens Jeff Voice, main role (10 episodes)
Making History Paul Revere 2 episodes
Budding Prospects Vogelsein Pilot
Twin Peaks Supervisor Burns 2 episodes
2017–present Stranger Things Murray Bauman Recurring (seasons 2–3)
Main (season 4–5)
2018 Camping George Main role; 8 episodes
2019 Mr. Mercedes Rolan Finklestein Recurring role; 9 episodes
2020 Family Guy Escape Room Guy Voice, episode: "Baby Stewie"
The Mighty Ones Egg Voice, episode: "Egg Nag"
2021 I Heart Arlo Marcellus Voice, 18 episodes
2021–2022 Inside Job Magic Myc Voice, 18 episodes
2023 Eretz Nehederet Wise man from Berkeley Christmas special sketch
2024 Lady in the Lake Milton Main role, upcoming miniseries

References

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  1. ^ "Celebrity Birthdays: Oct. 6". October 6, 2020.
  2. ^ St. John, Warren (January 29, 2006). "Seinfeld It Ain't". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Adams, Erik (September 11, 2012). "Brett Gelman on playing Go On's "smoke monster"". The A.V. Club.
  4. ^ a b c Maron, Marc (August 9, 2012). "Episode 303 - Brett Gelman" (Podcast). WTF with Marc Maron.
  5. ^ Kharakh, Ben (February 20, 2007). "Brett Gelman, Writer, Comedian, and Actor". Gothamist. Archived from the original on January 7, 2016.
  6. ^ "Brett Gelman". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre.
  7. ^ McCarthy, Sean L. (March 5, 2008). "Brett Gelman's "1,000 Cats"". The Comic's Comic.
  8. ^ Egner, Jeremy (November 14, 2012). "J D Souther, Lucy Punch and Others in New Series". The New York Times.
  9. ^ "Brett Gleman as AJ in Married on FX". FX. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Ohanesian, Liz (April 23, 2014). "Comedian Brett Gelman Hosts a Dinner Party and It's Really Weird". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015.
  11. ^ Jones, Nate (May 18, 2015). "Brett Gelman on Playing a Naked Hippie in the Mad Men Finale". Vulture.
  12. ^ Maron, Marc (June 27, 2016). "Episode 719 - John C. Reilly / Brett Gelman" (Podcast). WTF with Marc Maron.
  13. ^ Strachan, Maxwell (November 14, 2016). "Adult Swim Star Severs Ties Over Late-Night Network's 'Misogyny'". The Huffington Post.
  14. ^ Wright, Megh (November 14, 2016). "Brett Gelman Says He's Severed Ties with Adult Swim Due to Their Treatment of Women". Splitsider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2016. Retrieved November 15, 2016.
  15. ^ Loftus, Jamie (November 15, 2016). "Brett Gelman Doesn't Want Your Praise for Ditching Adult Swim". Paste.
  16. ^ Roti, Jessi (November 17, 2016). "Brett Gelman wants action, not props for his split from 'Adult Swim'". Chicago Tribune.
  17. ^ McNary, Dave (August 17, 2016). "Michael Cera, Brett Gelman Starring in Dark Comedy 'Lemon'". Variety. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  18. ^ Kay, Jeremy (August 17, 2016). "US Briefs: Burn Later Productions, Killer Films cast 'Lemon'". Screen International. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  19. ^ "2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL: COMPETITION AND NEXT LINEUP ANNOUNCED". Sundance Film Festival. November 29, 2016. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  20. ^ Schwindt, Oriana (November 18, 2016). "'Stranger Things' Season 2 Adds Brett Gelman as Conspiracy Theorist". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  21. ^ "Room for Rent Reviews Film Threat". November 1, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2023.
  22. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 26, 2022). "'Lady In The Lake': Y'lan Noel, Mikey Madison, Brett Gelman Join Apple Limited Series". Deadline. Retrieved December 15, 2023.
  23. ^ Evans, Bradford (April 23, 2014). "Talking to Brett Gelman About His New Adult Swim Special". Splitsider.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2017. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  24. ^ L. McCarthy, Sean (April 4, 2014). "Brett Gelman remembers his New York Lottery Ad Campaign on Conan". TheComicsComic.com. Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  25. ^ Carey, Ross (October 8, 2012). "Episode 70: Featuring Brett Gelman" (Podcast). RossCarey.com.
  26. ^ "Gelmania Podcast". Retrieved March 12, 2017.
  27. ^ Rizov, Vadim (2014). "25 New Faces of Independent Film: Janicza Bravo". Filmmaker Magazine.
  28. ^ "Brett Janicza Wedding Ceremony at Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapels in The Main Chapel". Viva Las Vegas Weddings. December 22, 2015. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  29. ^ "Brett Gelman is Here to Change You! • /r/IAmA". Reddit. February 13, 2015.
  30. ^ Gills, Melina (March 23, 2016). "Hard World For Small Things Creator Janicza Bravo Tackles Police Brutality Through VR". Tribeca Film Festival. Archived from the original on March 29, 2019. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  31. ^ Evans, Jonathan (October 15, 2019). "'Fleabag' and 'Stranger Things' Star Brett Gelman Wants Men to Be Better—and Dress Better, Too". Esquire. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
  32. ^ Hajdenberg, Jackie (May 2, 2023). "'Stranger Things' star Brett Gelman proposes to girlfriend in Jerusalem". The Times of Israel. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
  33. ^ "Brett Gelman on Instagram: "SHE SAID YES!!! ❤️❤️❤️ 💍 💍 💍 ❤️❤️❤️"". Instagram. Retrieved April 28, 2023.
  34. ^ "Brett Gelman speaks at the March for Israel rally in DC". Yahoo News. November 14, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2023. [dead link]
  35. ^ Swindle, David (November 15, 2023). "'Friends turned their backs on me this month,' Jewish actor Brett Gelman says". Cleveland Jewish News. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "Actor Brett Gelman joins 'Eretz Nehederet' to skewer US progressives | The Times of Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
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