Alex Edelman | |
|---|---|
_01_(cropped).jpg) Edelman performing in 2024 | |
| Born | (1989-03-20)March 20, 1989 (age 36) Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Parent | Elazer Edelman (father) |
| Relatives | Adam Edelman (brother) |
| Website | www |
Alex Edelman[1][2] (born March 20, 1989)[3] is an American stand-up comedian, writer and actor. He was named Best Newcomer at the 2014Edinburgh Festival Fringe for his show Millennial.[4] He has toured three shows since 2014:Millennial (2014–2015),[5]Everything Handed to You (2015–2016), andJust for Us (2018–2020; 2023–2024[6]).Just for Us openedOff-Broadway in 2022 before premiering on Broadway in 2023 at The Hudson Theatre; it was named aNYT Critic's Pick both times and earned him a 2024 special Tony Award and an Emmy Award.[7] In 2024 he was named to theTime 100 list of the world's most influential people.[8]
Edelman was born inBoston to Cheryl, a real estate lawyer,[9] andElazer R. Edelman, a biomedical engineer,cardiologist, and professor. He has two brothers, Austin, andIsraeli OlympianAdam Edelman.[10] He was raised inBrookline, Massachusetts.[11] He began performing stand-up at age 15.[12] He attended and graduated fromMaimonides School in Brookline, amodern OrthodoxJewish day school. A baseball fan, he has worked for theBoston Red Sox andLos Angeles Dodgers.[11][13]
Edelman grew up in amodern Orthodox Jewish family and, following high school, spent a year in ayeshiva inJerusalem. During his time there, he helped to establish the city's first comedy club,Off the Wall Comedy. In 2008,[13] he moved to New York City to study English atNew York University[11] and graduated in 2012.[14] The photographer Mario Tama took his photo during graduation,[15] which was featured in his specialMillennial. During college, he continued to perform stand-up and later joinedUpright Citizens Brigade.[14] He first performed in the UK in 2012 while studying abroad.[16][11] He made his Australian debut in 2015.[17]
His showMillennial won theEdinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer at the 2014Edinburgh Festival Fringe,[4] the first American to do so sinceArj Barker won in 1997.[4] Edelman's 2015 Edinburgh Fringe show was titledEverything Handed to You and was the second most well-reviewed show at that year's festival.[18] His 2018 show,Just For Us, was nominated for the Best Show award at the Edinburgh Fringe.[19] He has appeared in the UK on television shows such asThe John Bishop Show,Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled,Live from the BBC,Roast Battle, and contributed several anecdotes about his experiences as a comedian to the 2015 bookOff the Mic, byDeborah Frances-White andMarsha Shandur. He has done aBBC Radio 4 comedy series calledAlex Edelman's Peer Group.
As a comedy writer, he has contributed to the American television showsThe Great Indoors (2016–2017) andTeenage Bounty Hunters (2020). Edelman was the head writer forSaturday Night Seder, a virtual celebrityPassover seder held during theCOVID-19 pandemic. He also trained rabbis to infuse humor into theHigh Holiday services as part of the Jewish communal response to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[20]
As an actor, Edelman starred as Adam Cooper in thePeacock mockumentary seriesThe Paper, which is based onThe Office. He is also credited as a writer on the series.[21]
InJust for Us, Edelman quips, "If I was raised secular I would consider myself bisexual. But because I was raised religious, I consider myself straight with some secrets."[22][23]
Edelman had anon-again, off-again relationship with Canadian comedianKatherine Ryan.[24]
Edelman is currently dating actressAnna Kendrick.[25]
| Year | Ceremony | Award | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Edinburgh Comedy Awards | Best Newcomer | Millennial | Won |
| 2015 | Leicester Comedy Festival | Best Show | Everything Handed to You | Nominated |
| 2018 | Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award | Best Show | Just for Us | Nominated |
| Edinburgh Comedy Awards | Best Show | Nominated | ||
| Herald Angel Award | Won | |||
| 2022 | Obie Award | Special Citation | Just for Us | Won |
| 2024 | Tony Awards | Special Tony Award | "Exemplary debut" inJust for Us | Honored |
| 2024 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special | Just For Us, HBO and Max | Won |
