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Kevin Nealon

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Kevin Nealon
Nealon in Las 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 Update anchor on Saturday Night Live
Gary Potter in Happy Gilmore
Doug Wilson on Weeds
Glenn Martin on Glenn Martin, DDS

Kevin Nealon (/ˈniːlən/; born November 18, 1953)[1] is an American comedian and actor. He has earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.

He first gained widespread attention during his tenure as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, where he anchored the show's news parody segment Weekend Update. After leaving SNL, he acted in several of the Happy Madison films, played Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and provided the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin, on Glenn Martin, DDS.

Early life and education

[edit]

Nealon was born on November 18, 1953 in St. 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 to Bridgeport, Connecticut;[7] when he was six, they moved to Heidelberg, West Germany for four years.[8] He is of Irish descent[9] and was raised Catholic.[5] He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut, in 1971 and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Sacred Heart University.[8] He then took night courses at Fairfield 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 at the Improv while tending bar there for a living.[8][6] He had been doing stand-up for six years when he made his network television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1984.[11] He later became a regular there and on Late Night with David Letterman.[6]

In 1986, Saturday Night Live recruited his friend Dana 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's SNL characters include Mr. Subliminal (which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted to Weekend Update anchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a male Barbara Walters), and Franz (of Hans and Franz) along with Carvey.[6][8] He also parodied sportscaster Brent Musburger.[12] From 1991 to 1994, Nealon anchored Weekend Update then stayed on SNL for one more season. By the time he departed in 1995, he had held the record for longest-tenured cast member at nine seasons, which has since been surpassed by Tim Meadows, Darrell Hammond, and Kenan Thompson.

In 1991, he had his first major film role, as boyfriend Tony Boer in All I Want for Christmas.[6][13] Other films in which he has since appeared include Happy Gilmore,[14][15] The Wedding Singer,[14] Anger Management, Little Nicky, Just Go with It,[16] Daddy Day Care, Good Boy!, and Aliens in the Attic (2009).[17] He has a part in many of Adam Sandler's Happy Madison films, including Grandma's Boy (2006),[18] You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008),[19] and Father of the Year (2018),[20] and made a cameo appearance in the 2008 film Get Smart.[21]

In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself in three episodes of The 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 actor Jeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job.[22] Garry Shandling and Nealon had a close relationship.[23] In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part series Amazing America on the Discovery Channel.[24]

Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedy Still Standing playing Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season of Monk. Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode of The Outer Limits television 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 show Weeds on Showtime.[14] In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character in Nick at Nite's animated series Glenn Martin, DDS.[25]

In 2002, he hosted The Conspiracy Zone on The New TNN[26] for 26 episodes plus an unaired pilot. In 2004, he hosted the first season of Poker Royale on the Game Show Network.[27] Nealon also hosted several years of World's Funniest Commercials specials on TBS in the 2000s.[28][29][30]

In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy, Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?[31]

Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum.[32] From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TV sitcom Man with a Plan,[11][33]

Since 2017 he has also hosted a YouTube talk show called Hiking with Kevin where he hikes a trail with various celebrity guests;[11][34] the idea came about when during a hike with Matthew Modine the two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk.[35] As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes.[36] Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using a selfie stick and a camera drone.[37]

Personal life

[edit]
Nealon with wife Susan Yeagley in April 2011

Nealon was dating Jan Hooks when they were both hired by Saturday Night Live.[6][8] In 1989 he married Linda Dupree, a model and stuntwoman;[6] they divorced in 2002.[38] During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989,[39] became active in the animal rights movement; he has supported PETA,[40] the Amanda Foundation, Farm Sanctuary,[8][41] the Washington Wildlife Alliance, The Ark Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.

On September 3, 2005, he married Susan Yeagley in Bellagio, Lombardy, Italy.[42] They have a son, Gable, born in 2007.[43] They reside in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.[44]

He is distantly related to Daniel Webster.[45]

Nealon played rugby for Fairfield Yankees RFC.[46]

On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article to The New York Times about having his phone tapped and his police records searched by Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano,[47] who was later convicted of crimes including racketeering and illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA.[40] Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.[48]

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 rocker Tony Mills. All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills' medical expenses.[49]

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.[50]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
List of films
Year Title Role Director Notes
1987 Roxanne Drunk #2 Fred Schepisi
1989 Cranium Command Left Ventricle Jerry Rees
Gary Trousdale (opening sequence)
Kirk Wise (opening sequence) 		Short film
1991 All I Want for Christmas Tony Boer Robert Lieberman
1993 Coneheads Senator Steve Barron
1994 Felidae Kong (voice) Michael Schaack Uncredited
1995 Jeffrey TV Reporter Christopher Ashley Cameo appearance
Uncredited
1996 Happy Gilmore Gary Potter Dennis Dugan
1998 The Wedding Singer Mr. Simms Frank Coraci
1999 Kill the Man Albino Advocate Tom Booker
Jon Kea
2000 Cecil B. Demented Himself John Waters Cameo appearance
2000 Little Nicky Stanley the Gatekeeper Steven Brill
2001 Heartbreakers Man at the Bar David Mirkin
2001 Joe Dirt Greasy Mechanic Dennie Gordon Uncredited
2002 The Master of Disguise White Collar Executive Perry Andelin Blake Uncredited
2002 Eight Crazy Nights Mayor Dewey (voice) Seth Kearsley Animated film
2003 Anger Management Sam Peter Segal
2003 Daddy Day Care Bruce Steve Carr
2003 Good Boy! Mr. Baker John Hoffman
2006 Grandma's Boy Mr. Cheezle Nicholaus Goossen
2008 Remarkable Power Jack West Brandon Beckner
2008 You Don't Mess with the Zohan Kevin Dennis Dugan Cameo appearance
2008 Get Smart CIA Agent Peter Segal
2009 Aliens in the Attic Stuart Pearson John Schultz
2011 Just Go with It Adon Dennis Dugan Cameo appearance
2011 Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star Gary Tom Brady
2014 Small Time Irv Joel Surnow
2014 Walk of Shame Chopper Steve Steven Brill
2014 Blended Eddy Warnick Frank Coraci
2015 Ghost Squad Russ Joel Souza
2016 Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Gary Sikes Akiva Schaffer
Jorma Taccone 		Cameo appearance
2017 Sandy Wexler Testimonial Steven Brill Cameo appearance
2018 Father of the Year Peter Francis Tyler Spindel
2019 International Falls Earl Amber McGinnis
2023 Late Bloomers[51] Al Lisa Steen

Television

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

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1987 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program Saturday Night Live Nominated
2007 Monte-Carlo Television Festival Awards Outstanding Actor – Comedy Series Weeds Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (shared with the cast) Nominated
2009 Nominated

Books

[edit]
  • 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. Archived from the original on December 4, 2020.
  4. ^ "Emmett Nealon Obituary (1925 - 2018) - Fort Myers, CT - Connecticut Post". www.legacy.com.
  5. ^ a b Forrest, Rachel (September 2, 2010). "Love and marriage: The Nealons celebrate 60 years". Seacoast Online.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Kahn, 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. ^ a b c d e f g h Fishman, 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. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ "High School Sports Chop-Up: Kevin Nealon". USA Today (interview). May 28, 2014.
  11. ^ a b c "Kevin Nealon On 'Man With A Plan', Stand-Up Comedy & Johnny Carson". CBS Local. March 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Jim Nantz Knows What Life After CBS Looks Like". February 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Ebert, Roger (November 8, 1991). "Reviews: All I Want for Christmas". Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  14. ^ a b c Condran, Ed (May 24, 2013). "For Kevin Nealon, variety is the spice of life". Bucks County Courier. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  15. ^ Wheaton, Dave (February 6, 2014). "Kevin Nealon as Pro Golfer Gary Potter in 'Happy Gilmore' is His Best Role Ever". Abilene: Mix92.5.
  16. ^ Ebert, Roger (February 9, 2011). "Reviews: Just Go with It". Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  17. ^ Hartlaub, Peter (August 3, 2009). "Movie review: 'Aliens in the Attic'". San Francisco Chronicle.
  18. ^ "'Grandma's Boy' Movie Review". Fat Guys at the Movies. January 6, 2006.
  19. ^ Scott, A. O. (June 6, 2008). "Watch Out, He's Packing a Blow-Dryer". The New York Times.
  20. ^ Osterndorf, Chris (July 21, 2018). "'Father Of the Year' is another baffling, bonkers Happy Madison comedy". The Daily Dot.
  21. ^ Hiltbrand, David (June 19, 2008). "Sorry about that, classic 'Get Smart' fans". Philadelphia Inquirer.
  22. ^ Lehmann, Michael (December 18, 1996), The New Writer, The Larry Sanders Show, retrieved October 6, 2021
  23. ^ Caro, Mark (April 25, 2016). "Garry Shandling Memorial Mixes Laughs, Tears and a Few Characters". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 6, 2021.
  24. ^ The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present. Ballantine Books. 2003. p. 311. ISBN 0-345-45542-8.
  25. ^ 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.
  26. ^ King, Susan (January 3, 2002). "A Platform for Paranoia". Los Angeles Times.
  27. ^ "Nealon puts on poker face". Variety. December 7, 2004. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  28. ^ Taylor, Catharine P. (August 21, 2006). "TBS showcases very funny commercials". Ad Week.
  29. ^ Catlin, Roger (August 30, 2007). "Kevin Nealon Shows International Commercials; Making Fun of Rappers". The Hartford Courant.
  30. ^ "'World's Funniest Commercials': Blurbs take the spotlight". Variety. June 26, 2009. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  31. ^ "Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me? by Kevin Nealon". Kirkus Reviews. May 20, 2010 [March 1, 2008].
  32. ^ Diaz, Ann-Christine (September 18, 2015). "Kevin Nealon Is Captain Telstar, Leader of an Antiquated Satellite TV Station". Ad Age. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  33. ^ Ausiello, Michael (May 6, 2020). "Man With a Plan Cancelled at CBS". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 6, 2020. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  34. ^ Crouch, Ian (August 7, 2018). "The Soothing Meta-Comedy of 'Hiking with Kevin'". The New Yorker. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  35. ^ "Kevin Nealon Is Hiking and Laughing and Drawing". The New Yorker. October 24, 2022.
  36. ^ Skiver, Rayna (October 11, 2022). "Everything You Need to Know About Season 4 of 'Hiking With Kevin'". Green Matters.
  37. ^ Gates, Christopher (February 12, 2020). "The Untold Truth Of Hiking With Kevin - Exclusive". Looper.
  38. ^ Curry, Sheree R. (March 21, 2011). "Kevin Nealon Unloads Condo After Upgrade to New Home". AOL News. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  39. ^ Fell, James S. (July 3, 2015). "Comic Kevin Nealon is still 'pumped up' about fitness". Los Angeles Times.
  40. ^ a b Jackman, Tom (February 28, 2006). "Ringling Circus Hired Private Eye To Infiltrate PETA, Fairfax Jury Told". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  41. ^ Saval, Malina (November 13, 2016). "Jon Stewart, Kevin Nealon, Emily Deschanel Raise Awareness for Animal Rights at Starry Gala". Variety. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  42. ^ "Nealon and Yeagley marry in Italy". UPI. September 3, 2005.
  43. ^ Ingrassia, Lisa (September 17, 2007). "High on Life". People. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
  44. ^ "Kevin Nealon sells one Pacific Palisades property and buys another". Los Angeles Times. August 22, 2019.
  45. ^ Youtube.com. Hiking with Kevin - Mariel Hemingway. 25Apr2019. 3:00
  46. ^ "Kevin Nealon: Biography". TV Guide. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  47. ^ Nealon, Kevin (February 22, 2006). "Don't Stop Bugging Me". The New York Times (opinion). Archived from the original on November 23, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2008.
  48. ^ JEFFREY, JOYANN (April 13, 2019). "Kevin Nealon, 65, Reveals His Biggest Life Lesson (Exclusive)". Closer Weekly.
  49. ^ "BLACK SWAN - TONY MILLS FESTIVAL". blackswan-musicschool.com.
  50. ^ "Comedian Kevin Nealon Awarded Doctorate Degree".
  51. ^ Grobar, Matt (July 14, 2022). "Karen Gillan, Margaret Sophie Stein & Jermaine Fowler". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
[edit]
Media offices
Preceded by Weekend Update anchor
1991–1994 		Succeeded by
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