Kevin Nealon | |
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 Nealon inLas Vegas, 2006 | |
| Born | (1953-11-18)November 18, 1953 (age 72) |
| Education | Sacred Heart University (BA) |
| Notable work | Weekend Update anchor onSaturday Night Live Gary Potter inHappy Gilmore Doug Wilson onWeeds Glenn Martin onGlenn Martin, DDS |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
| Comedy career | |
| Years active | 1978–present |
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Kevin Nealon (/ˈniːlən/; born November 18, 1953)[1] is an American comedian and actor. He has earned aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination and twoScreen Actors Guild Award nominations.
He first gained widespread attention during his tenure as a cast member on theNBCsketch comedy seriesSaturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, where he anchored the show's news parody segmentWeekend Update. After leavingSNL, he acted in several of theHappy Madison films, played Doug Wilson on theShowtime seriesWeeds, and provided the voice of the title character onGlenn Martin, DDS.
Nealon was born on November 18, 1953, inSt. Louis, Missouri,[2] to Kathleen M. (née Kimball)[3] and Emmett F. Nealon, an aircraft company executive.[4][5][6] He has four siblings. A few months after he was born, the family moved toBridgeport, Connecticut;[7] when he was six, they moved toHeidelberg, West Germany for four years.[8] He is of Irish descent[9] and was raised Catholic.[5] He graduated fromSt. Joseph High School inTrumbull, Connecticut, in 1971 and earned abachelor's degree in marketing fromSacred Heart University.[8] He then took night courses atFairfield University, where he played quarterback on the club football team.[10]
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 atthe 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 onThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1984.[11] He later became a regular there and onLate Night with David Letterman.[6] He appeared on stage, alongside Jan Hooks, both relatively unknown at the time, celebrating Tim Holleran's big $90,000 cash win onSale of the Century in 1985 (Holleran would win over $166,000 in cash and prizes). Holleran was a fellow comedian and a good friend of both Nealon and Hooks.
In 1986,Saturday Night Live recruited his friendDana Carvey, and Carvey, in turn, recommended Nealon. Both joined the cast that year, and Nealon became a full-time performer in the1987–1988 season.[8] Nealon'sSNL characters includeMr. Subliminal (which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted toWeekend Update anchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a maleBarbara Walters), and Franz (ofHans and Franz) along with Carvey.[6][8] He also parodied sportscasterBrent Musburger.[12] From 1991 to 1994, Nealon anchoredWeekend Update.[13] By the time he departed in 1995, he held the record for longest-tenured cast member at nine seasons, which has since been surpassed.[14]
In 1991, he had his first major film role, as boyfriend Tony Boer inAll I Want for Christmas.[6][15] Other films in which he has since appeared includeHappy Gilmore,[16][17]The Wedding Singer,[16]Anger Management,Little Nicky,Just Go with It,[18]Daddy Day Care,Good Boy!, andAliens in the Attic (2009).[19] He has a part in many ofAdam Sandler's Happy Madison films, includingGrandma's Boy (2006),[20]You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008),[21] andFather of the Year (2018),[22] and made acameo appearance in the 2008 filmGet Smart.[23]
In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself inthree episodes ofThe 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 actorJeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job.[24]Garry Shandling and Nealon had a close relationship.[25] In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part seriesAmazing America on theDiscovery Channel.[26]
Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedyStill Standing playing Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season ofMonk. Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode ofThe 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 showWeeds on Showtime.[16] In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character inNick at Nite's animated seriesGlenn Martin, DDS.[27]
In 2002, he hostedThe Conspiracy Zone onThe New TNN for 26 episodes plus an unairedpilot.[28] In 2004, he hosted the first season ofPoker Royale on theGame Show Network.[29] Nealon also hosted several years ofWorld's Funniest Commercials specials on TBS in the 2000s.[30][31][32]
In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy,Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?[33]
Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum.[34] From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TVsitcomMan with a Plan.[11][35]
Since 2017 he has also hosted aYouTubetalk show calledHiking with Kevin where he hikes atrail with various celebrity guests;[11][36] the idea came about when during a hike withMatthew Modine the two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk.[37] As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes.[38] Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using aselfie stick and acamera drone.[39] In January 2025,Fox News Media announced that they had reached a deal with Nealon to stream episodes onFox Nation.[40]
Nealon was datingJan Hooks when they were both hired bySaturday Night Live.[6][8] In 1989 he married Linda Dupree, a model and stuntwoman;[6] they divorced in 2002.[41] During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989,[42] became active in theanimal rights movement; he has supportedPETA,[43] the Amanda Foundation,Farm Sanctuary,[8][44] the Washington Wildlife Alliance, TheArk Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.
On September 3, 2005, he marriedSusan Yeagley inBellagio, Lombardy,Italy.[45] They have a son, Gable, born in 2007.[46] They reside inPacific Palisades, Los Angeles.[47]
He is distantly related toDaniel Webster.[48]
Nealon played rugby forFairfield Yankees RFC.[49]
On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article toThe New York Times about having his phonetapped and his police records searched by Hollywoodprivate investigatorAnthony Pellicano,[50] who was later convicted of crimes includingracketeering and illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for theRingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA.[43] Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.[51]
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 rockerTony Mills. All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills's medical expenses.[52]
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.[53]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Kevin Nealon /Guest Comic | Episode: "Charles Grodin/Kevin Nealon/Linda Thorson" |
| 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 |
| 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 | The Wonderful World of Disney | 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" |
| The Outer Limits | Dr. Mark Crest | Episode: "Deja Vu" | |
| 2000 | Bar Hopping | Cuckie | Television film |
| The Norm Show | Smith | Episode: "Norm vs. Fear" | |
| 2001 | These Old Broads | Roger | Television film; uncredited |
| 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" |
| 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 |
| 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" |
| 'Til Death | I. Stephen Redford | 6 episodes | |
| 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 |
| Franklin & Bash | Lawrence Reynolds | Episode: "Strange Brew" | |
| Isabel | Louis Lorenz | Television film | |
| 2013 | Drunk History | The Grand Dragon | Episode: "Atlanta" |
| 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 | Himself | Episode: "January 23, 2017" |
| 2016–2020 | Man with a Plan | Don Burns | Series regular; 68 episodes |
| 2017 | Idiots | Kevin Nealon | Episode: "Billy Hates PDA" |
| 2017–present | Hiking with Kevin | Himself | Web series |
| 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" |
| Family Guy | Kevin Nealon (voice) | Episode: "The Movement" | |
| Room 104 | Chris Carrington /Harry | Episode: "Oh, Harry!" | |
| 2021 | Celebrity Wheel of Fortune | Himself | Episode: "Rachel Leigh Cook, Sherri Shepherd and Kevin Nealon" |
| Sister Swap: A Hometown Holiday | Uncle Dave | Television film | |
| Sister Swap: Christmas in the City |
| 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 |
Comedian Kevin Nealon is 68.
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| Preceded by | Weekend Update anchor 1991–1994 | Succeeded by |
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