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Griffin Newman

Griffin Newman (born February 19, 1989)[1][2] is an American actor and comedian.

Griffin Newman
Born (1989-02-19) February 19, 1989 (age 35)
EducationSaint Ann's School
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active2006–present
Relatives

He is known for starring as Arthur Everest in the Amazon Studios television series The Tick, as the voice of Orko in the Netflix animated series Masters of the Universe: Revelation, cohosting the film podcast Blank Check with Griffin & David alongside critic David Sims,[3] and for acting as cohost and sidekick Watto on The George Lucas Talk Show.[4]

Early life

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Newman is the son of film producer Peter Newman and casting director Antonia Dauphin. His maternal grandfather, Claude Dauphin, was a French actor.[2] His younger brother, James Newman, is also an actor.[2] His maternal step grandfather was English novelist Marc Brandel, the son of writer J. D. Beresford. His parents had a Jewish wedding. Newman was raised in Greenwich Village, and attended Saint Ann's School.[5][6] He was interested in performing from an early age, often performing Fozzie Bear routines for friends and family.[7] He started stand-up comedy at the age of ten as part of the 'Kidsncomedy' program run by Jo Ann Grossman.[8][9] His material was mostly political, workshopped with his father.[10] He began getting some attention from agents at this time, though his parents were reluctant for him to pursue a career in acting.[7] His first onscreen appearance was as 'Teenage Fan' in the mockumentary The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan. His role was mostly cut for the film.[11] As a teenager, Newman regularly attended Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp.[6]

Newman started college in 2007 at California Institute of the Arts with the intention of becoming a filmmaker. He dropped out after seven months in order to pursue a career in comedy and acting.[7]

Career

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Newman's first major onscreen appearance is in the film The Treatment in 2006 as high school student Scott. He went on to play roles in a number of shorts and student films. He also began performing stand-up regularly around this time and produced a one-man show titled Grifftopia, which he performed in 2009 and 2010.[12]

In 2010, Newman appeared in the teen film Beware the Gonzo in the role of Horny Rob Becker, one of the friends of the titular Gonzo (Ezra Miller).[13] Though the film was released to mixed reviews,[14] Newman's performance was positively reviewed, with Odie Henderson from RogerEbert.com writing that "Becker is the most interesting character in the film."[15]

Over the next few years, Newman guest starred in a number of television shows, including Blue Bloods,[16] Big Lake, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as appearing in sketches for Funny or Die.[17] He played the role of Russ in the television mini-series Political Animals for the USA Network, and was listed by Just for Laughs as one of the 2012 New Faces of Comedy: Characters.[18]

In 2013, Newman was cast in John Mulaney's sitcom Mulaney for NBC as Seymour.[19] The network passed on the show after shooting the pilot,[20] but later in the year, it was picked up by Fox with the role of Seymour cut from the script.[21] Newman has described the situation as his own version of the Dark Phoenix saga.[22]

Later that year, Newman became a correspondent for Nikki & Sara Live,[23] and began making regular appearances on The Chris Gethard Show. Alongside Riley Soloner, he hosted the podcast Talking TCGS from 2013 to 2014. He hosted The Awooga Comedy Hour with Andrew Tavin from January 2013, a live comedy show that became weekly from May 2014.[24]

In 2014, Newman appeared in the film Draft Day as Rick the Intern alongside Kevin Costner,[25] and later that year announced he had become a part of a Maude Team at UCB.[26] He went on to have supporting roles in other feature films including Fort Tilden,[27] Free The Nipple, and Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List.[28]

Newman has appeared in a number of webseries, including Snarky Sidekick[29] and The Untitled Web Series That Morgan Evans Is Doing for MTV;[30] he starred as the Director in Colin Quinn's webseries Cop Show for all three seasons.[31]

With critic David Sims, Newman started The Phantom Podcast in March 2015, a podcast dedicated to analysing the film The Phantom Menace as though it was the only film in the Star Wars franchise. The show went on to discuss the other Star Wars films before being retitled Blank Check with Griffin & David and establishing its new premise.[32] The podcast involves Sims, Newman, and sometimes a guest, discussing filmographies of directors who have had massive success early on in their career which has enabled them to be given free rein to make large scale passion projects. The podcast has received praise from critics.[33]

In 2016 Newman had a supporting role in the HBO series Vinyl, and guest starred in the sitcoms Search Party and Difficult People. Later that year, it was announced Newman would be playing Arthur Everest in Amazon Video's new reboot of The Tick alongside Peter Serafinowicz in the titular role.[34] The pilot, directed by Wally Pfister, was released on August 18, 2016. The show was picked up for a first season in September 2016.[35] The first six episodes of the first season were released on August 25, 2017. The remaining six episodes of the first season were released on February 23, 2018. On January 17, 2018, Amazon ordered a second season of 10 episodes, which premiered in 2019.[36] Newman has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Everest.[37][38][39] In May 2019, Amazon Studios announced that the show would not return for a third season.[40]

Newman has a small role in Woody Allen's film A Rainy Day in New York, previously set for release in 2018. In October 2017, Newman made a statement via his Twitter expressing his regret at taking the role in the film, due to the allegations of sexual abuse against Allen. He announced he would be donating his salary from the film to RAINN.[41][42]

Premiering in February 2018, Showtime's animated series Our Cartoon President features Newman as the voice of Jared Kushner.[43]

 
Newman as Watto

Newman regularly appears as part of Connor Ratliff's The George Lucas Talk Show at UCB, as Watto.[44] After the UCB theater closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ratliff, Newman and their UCB producer Patrick Cotnoir started doing weekly regular episodes and charity marathon livestream versions of the show on the streaming network Planet Scum Live. The charity livestreams have raised over $100,000 for various charities[45] while marathoning through TV shows like Arli$$, Big Lake and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

In February 2020, Newman was announced as the voice of Orko in the Netflix series Masters of the Universe: Revelation[46] after campaigning online for the role when the show was first announced.[47]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Treatment Scott
2009 The Layabouts Mark Short film
God is Dead Francis Short film
2010 Beware the Gonzo Horny Rob Becker
Hold On! Peter Gabriel Short film
2012 Ladybug Peter Short film
2013 Beneath Zeke
Night Moves Middle Manager
Goosey's Big Movie Goosey Short film
2014 Alabaster Smith Bob Smith Short film
Fort Tilden Sam
Draft Day Rick the Intern
Buttwhistle Fenwick
The Fly Room Jack
Free the Nipple Orson
2015 Exes David Short film
The Statistical Analysis of Your Failing Relationship Nate Short film
Let's Not Panic Brett Short film
Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List Bruce 1
Sexy Peter Short film
You, Your Brain, and You #69
2016 Bakery in Brooklyn Ian
2017 Inside You Gabe
2018 Hot Air Tyler
2019 A Rainy Day in New York Josh Loomis
2022 Disenchanted Pip Voice
2024 Turn Me On Post-production
Pavements Steve West Post-production

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2009 Possible Side Effects Amos Television film
A NY Thing Boyfriend Television film
2010 Gravity Jack 4 episodes
Big Lake Bryce Episode: "Chris Falls in Love"
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Kev Episode: "Russian Brides"
Blue Bloods Sam Johnson 2 episodes
2012 Political Animals Russ 4 episodes
2013 Magic Eye Shark Movie Josh 5 episodes
Paynt Boyz Blaid 4 episodes
The Surgeon General Ted Sheldon Television film
2014 Taxi Brooklyn Damon Flack Episode: "Brooklyn Heights"
2015 Graceland Crayton Windgate Episode: "Sense Memory"
2015–2016 Cop Show Director 25 episodes
2016 Vinyl Casper 10 episodes
Difficult People Kevin Episode: "Hashtag Cats"
Thanksgiving Michael Morgan 8 episodes
2016–2019 The Tick Arthur Everest 22 episodes
2016–2022 Search Party Gavin Rolf 3 episodes
2017 Saving a Legend Luke Davidson Television film
2018–2020 Our Cartoon President Jared Kushner Voice, 23 episodes
2019 Supergirl Trivia Night Host Episode: "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One"
2020 The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show Greg Episode #1.6
The Shivering Truth Fred Lombadi Voice, episode: "Beast of Both Worlds"
2020–2022 Dicktown Lance Voice, 3 episodes
2020–present The George Lucas Talk Show Watto Cohost
2021–2022 Movie Trivia Schmoedown "Downtown" Griffy Newms
2021; 2024 Masters of the Universe: Revelation Orko, Tuvar Voice, 10 episodes
2022 Harley Quinn Mad Hatter Voice, episode: "Another Sharkley Adventure"
2023 Scott Pilgrim Takes Off Actor of The Movie In The Show / Butler / Valet Voice, 5 episodes

References

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  1. ^ @GriffLightning (February 18, 2019). "Tomorrow is my 30th birthday [...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. ^ a b c Brown, Emma (March 13, 2017). "Discovery: Griffin Newman". Interview. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018. ...the 28-year-old...
  3. ^ "Should I Listen To This?: Movie podcast Blank Check with Griffin & David definitely doesn't bounce". The Comeback. September 27, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2018.
  4. ^ Squires, Bethy (May 5, 2022). "The George Lucas Talk Show Moves to Paul Scheer's Twitch Network". Vulture. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  5. ^ Shaw, Dan (November 15, 2013). "Houseful of Handfuls". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved January 26, 2020. ...their older son, Griffin, 24...
  6. ^ a b "The Believer Lola Kirke in Conversation with Griffin Newman". The Believer. June 1, 2018. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  7. ^ a b c "How To Be A Person – Episode 48 – Griffin Newman – How To Play Disney Infinity". Archived from the original on February 11, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2018.
  8. ^ "The Mindhouse Podcast: Griffin Newman".
  9. ^ Netburn, Deborah (May 14, 2001). "Here He Is, Ladies and Jellybeans! Our Cutest Comic, Griffin Newman". Observer. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  10. ^ "Ep43 Griffin Newman" – via play.acast.com.
  11. ^ The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan, retrieved June 18, 2018
  12. ^ "Grifftopia". TheaterMania. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  13. ^ Holden, Stephen (September 8, 2011). "'Beware the Gonzo' – Review". The New York Times. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  14. ^ "Beware the Gonzo". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  15. ^ Henderson, Odie. "Who forgives the Gonzo?". RogerEbert.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  16. ^ "Griffin Newman". TV Guide. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  17. ^ Terry Gross Interviews Bernie Mac, archived from the original on June 12, 2018, retrieved June 12, 2018
  18. ^ Lehman, Daniel (August 19, 2012). "Montreal Just for Laughs Fest Reveals 2012 New Faces of Comedy". Backstage.com. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  19. ^ Evans, Bradford (March 28, 2013). "Griffin Newman Joins the Cast of John Mulaney's NBC Pilot". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  20. ^ Evans, Bradford (May 10, 2013). "NBC Passes on 'Mulaney'". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  21. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 5, 2013). "Elliott Gould, Nasim Pedrad & Seaton Smith Return, Zack Pearlman Joins Fox's 'Mulaney'". Deadline. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  22. ^ Clifford, retrieved June 12, 2018
  23. ^ Evans, Bradford (August 13, 2013). "Talking to Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer About Season Two of 'Nikki & Sara Live'". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  24. ^ Tucker, Mindy (December 8, 2014). "Stolen Moment of the Week: Andrew Tavin and Griffin Newman at The PIT". HuffPost. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  25. ^ Foundas, Scott (April 10, 2014). "Film Review: 'Draft Day'". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  26. ^ "Griffin Newman on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  27. ^ Barker, Andrew (March 11, 2014). "SXSW Film Review: 'Fort Tilden'". Variety. Retrieved June 18, 2018.
  28. ^ "Ticket for Breakout Artist Comedy Series: Griffin Newman". TicketWeb. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  29. ^ "Snarky Sidekick *World Premiere*". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  30. ^ "'The Untitled Web Series That Morgan Evans Is Doing For MTV' Is a Must-Watch for 'Louie' Fans". Flavorwire. July 1, 2015. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  31. ^ "Colin Quinn's New Web Series COP SHOW Debuts Tonight". Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  32. ^ Reid, Joe (January 28, 2016). "'Blank Check' Is the Movie Podcast You Need to Be Listening To (Especially If You're Into M. Night Shyamalan)". Decider. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  33. ^ Green, Jaime (December 18, 2017). "The Best Podcasts of 2017". Thrillist. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  34. ^ Goldberg, Matt (March 10, 2016). "Amazon Orders 'The Tick' Pilot; Wally Pfister to Direct". Collider. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  35. ^ Osborn, Alex (September 29, 2016). "Amazon Orders The Tick and Jean-Claude Van Johnson to Series". IGN Pakistan. Archived from the original on August 26, 2017. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  36. ^ Spangler, Todd (January 17, 2018). "'The Tick' Season 2 Greenlit by Amazon Studios, Set for 2019 Premiere". Variety. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  37. ^ Fine, Elazar (August 21, 2017). "Amazon's 'The Tick' Is An Oddball Answer To 'The Dark Knight' [Review]". The Playlist. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  38. ^ Caffrey, Dan (August 22, 2016). "The Tick pilot transforms parody into pathos". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  39. ^ Mangione, Nick (August 25, 2017). "The Funniest Thing About The Tick Is that It's a Legitimately Great Superhero Show - Geek.com". Geek.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  40. ^ Porter, Rick (May 19, 2019). "'The Tick' Canceled After 2 Seasons on Amazon". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 26, 2020.
  41. ^ McHenry, Jackson (October 16, 2017). "The Tick Actor Griffin Newman Regrets Working With Woody Allen". Vulture. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  42. ^ Barsanti, Sam (October 15, 2017). "The Tick's Griffin Newman says he regrets working on new Woody Allen movie". The A.V. Club. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  43. ^ Konerman, Jennifer (February 11, 2018). "'Our Cartoon President': Meet the Voices Behind Trump and Co". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 12, 2018.
  44. ^ "The George Lucas Talk Show". Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. Archived from the original on February 25, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  45. ^ Gethard, Chris [@ChrisGethard] (September 24, 2020). "The George Lucas Talk Show continues to amaze. One of the funniest things going, has raised over $100,000 for charities during the pandemic..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  46. ^ Petski, Denise (February 14, 2020). "'Masters Of The Universe: Revelation': Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar Among Voice Cast For Netflix Anime Series". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  47. ^ Newman, Griffin [@GriffLightning] (August 18, 2019). "I. WANT. TO. PLAY. ORKO" (Tweet). Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved February 25, 2020 – via Twitter.
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