Billy Eichner Explained

Billy Eichner
Birth Date:18 September 1978
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Alma Mater:Northwestern University
Years Active:2005–present

Billy Eichner (; born September 18, 1978) is an American actor and comedian. He is the star, executive producer, and creator of Funny or Die's Billy on the Street, a comedy game show that aired on truTV.

Early life and education

Eichner is a native of Queens and grew up in Forest Hills, the son of Debbie, who worked for a phone company, and Jay Eichner, a rent tax auditor.[1] [2] He was born to a Jewish family and had a Madonna-themed bar mitzvah. He has an older half-brother.[3] He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in 1996,[4] and from Northwestern University in 2000 with a BS in Theater.[5] Actor Robin Lord Taylor was his college roommate.[6]

Career

Eichner gained attention as the host and writer of Creation Nation: A Live Talk Show, a critically acclaimed stage show in New York.[7] He landed a Bravo web series called My Life on the Z-List: Jen's Vlog that was an online companion to [8] and was a co-host on the Bravo television pilot Joan Rivers' Straight Talk, where Rivers discussed topics with four gay men. He appeared on Conan as a special correspondent in original video shorts.[9]

In 2011, Eichner starred in the show Billy on the Street. The show initially aired on Fuse, before moving to truTV. It was created within Funny or Die, and is now available on Max and the TruTV app. It had a final run of short-form episodes across digital platforms in association with Lyft. In it, Eichner goes around the streets of New York City, asking people random questions or having them compete in trivia games. He often has celebrities who compete in games or go around the streets with him.

On August 5, 2013, Eichner guest starred in the sixth season of Parks and Recreation.[10] Eichner's first episode aired on October 10, 2013. He stars as Donna's Eagleton counterpart, Craig Middlebrooks, who joins the Pawnee Parks and Recreation Department when Pawnee absorbs Eagleton.[11] He became a series regular in episode four of the seventh season of the show.

During the 66th Primetime Emmy Awards show in 2014, Eichner appeared with host Seth Meyers on the streets of New York, interviewing random people.[12]

Eichner starred in the Hulu original series Difficult People, with Julie Klausner. It was executive produced by Amy Poehler. Though originally set up for USA Network,[13] the series began airing on Hulu in August 2015.[14]

In 2016, Eichner appeared in , released May 20.[15] In 2017, he joined the cast of American Horror Story for recurring roles in its seventh and eighth seasons.[16]

In 2019, Eichner provided the voice of Timon in Disney's live action remake of The Lion King, from director Jon Favreau.[17] [18] Eichner said that Timon "[is] such a great role that allows you to do so much. But... the bigger the project and the bigger the names that you're working with, the more you have to ignore it. If you get to the soundstage and you're thinking, 'Oh my God, what a full-circle moment! Nathan Lane did it originally! Beyoncé's in this!' then you're paralyzed creatively. You just have to put that out of your head in order to get the job done."[19]

In July 2020, Eichner announced that he and Tom McNulty were developing a film biography of fellow Northwestern University alum Paul Lynde called Man in the Box, with Eichner portraying Lynde.[20]

In March 2021, Eichner announced that he was writing and starring in the film Bros, which tells the story of two gay men with commitment issues who decide to settle down with each other.[21] In August, Amazon Studios announced that they had bought the rights to develop the film Ex-Husbands, starring Eichner and co-written by him and Paul Rudnick.[22] Bros was critically well-received but a box-office disappointment, which Eichner attributed to "straight people, especially in certain parts of the country" not going to see the film.[23]

Personal life

Eichner is Jewish[24] and gay.[25] [26] [27] He lives in Los Angeles.[28]

Eichner is a Democrat. On February 1, 2018, Eichner announced a new initiative called Glam Up the Midterms, during that night's episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, in conjunction with Funny or Die and with the support of several late night hosts including Sarah Silverman, James Corden, Seth Meyers, Jimmy Kimmel, Conan O'Brien, John Oliver, Chelsea Handler, Robin Thede, and Andy Cohen. Glam Up the Midterm's purpose was getting people to vote in the November 6 midterms, especially millennials, of whom only 12% voted in the previous midterm election.[29] [30] [31] [32] Eichner joined the progressive political organization Swing Left as senior advisor starting in 2019[33] [34] and endorsed Elizabeth Warren in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.[35]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008What Happens in VegasBand Leader
2010The Charlie Sheen Is Too Damn HighTimmy McMillanShort film
2013Glitter and RibsTaylor Swift
2014Penguins of MadagascarNew York ReporterVoice
2015Sleeping With Other PeopleSLAA Speaker
2016The Angry Birds MovieChef Pig / PhillipVoice
Oliver Studebaker
2018Most Likely to MurderSpeigel
2019The Lion KingTimonVoice
NoelleGabriel Kringle
2022BrosBobby LieberAlso writer
2024TimonVoice; in production
Honey Don't!Filming

Television and web

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Joan Rivers' Straight TalkHimself (co-host)Unaired Bravo pilot
2007My Life on the Z-List: Jen's VlogJenWeb series supporting
2011–2017Billy on the StreetHimself (host)Also creator and executive producer
2013–2015Parks and RecreationCraig Middlebrooks17 episodes
2013–2021Bob's BurgersMr. AmbroseVoice, 13 episodes
2014The MillersLeonEpisode: "Movin' Out (Carol's Song)"
New GirlBarryEpisode: "LAXmas"
2015The AwesomesThe Gayfather (voice)Episode: "The Gayfather"
2015–2017Difficult PeopleBilly Epstein28 episodes
2016Last Week Tonight with John OliverHimselfEpisode: "Retirement Plans and Financial Advisors"
Unbreakable Kimmy SchmidtEpisode: "Kimmy Meets a Drunk Lady!"
Hairspray Live!Rob BarkerTelevision special
2017HimselfEpisode: "Billy Eichner & Metallica"
Harrison Wilton6 episodes
Tex WatsonEpisode: "Charles (Manson) in Charge"
2017–2019Friends from CollegeDr. Felix Forzenheim13 episodes
2018RuPaul's Drag RaceHimselfEpisode: "Cher: The Unauthorized Rusical"
Brock3 episodes
Mutt Nutter
Family GuyHimself (voice)Episode: "Pawtucket Pete"
2018–2022Billy on the StreetBillyWeb series
2018, 2023The SimpsonsBilly (voice)2 episodes
2019Green Eggs and HamWalter Bigman (voice)Episode: "Boat"
2020Jimmy Kimmel Live!Himself – Guest Host2 episodes
Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas SpecialElf BillyChristmas special
2021Matt Drudge3 episodes
DickinsonWalt WhitmanEpisode: "This is my letter to the World"
2024Dinner Time Live with David ChangHimselfEpisoode: " Thanksgiving in 45 Minutes"

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRefs
2013Daytime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Game Show HostBilly on the Street[36]
2015Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program[37]
2016Webby AwardsOnline Film & Video: Comedy, Individual Short or Episode[38]
Dorian AwardsWilde Wit of the Year[39]
2017Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Variety Sketch Series[40]

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kamp . David . October 5, 2015 . Billy Eichner Is Only Shouting Because New York Is Loud . January 7, 2019 . HWD . July 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170710110524/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/billy-eichner-is-only-shouting-because-new-york-is-loud . live .
  2. Web site: August 31, 2022 . Billy Eichner is Here to Fight Hollywood Homophobia and Fulfill Your Gay Rom-Com Dreams . September 10, 2022 . June 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629173945/https://variety.com/2022/film/features/billy-eichner-bros-romcom-lgbtq-cast-1235353964/ . live .
  3. Web site: 2019-07-26 . 18 Things to Know About Billy Eichner . 2022-01-28 . Alma . en-US . January 28, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220128194455/https://www.heyalma.com/18-things-to-know-about-billy-eichner/ . live .
  4. Larson . Sarah . 2016-05-23 . Billy Eichner's Comedy of Confrontation . The New Yorker . 0028-792X . 2019-11-25.
  5. Web site: Billy Eichner Biography . July 22, 2015 . May 5, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190505221424/https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/billy-eichner/bio/355096/ . live .
  6. News: Wagner . Curt . October 5, 2014 . Robin Lord Taylor walks the walk as Penguin in 'Gotham' . . January 12, 2017 . January 13, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170113160237/http://www.redeyechicago.com/entertainment/tv/redeye-robin-lord-taylor-interview-gotham-penguin-20141005-story.html . live .
  7. News: Calhoun . Ada . May 15, 2005 . Hey Gang, Let's Put On a Twisted Talk Show . . August 21, 2014 . May 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200531080131/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/15/theater/newsandfeatures/hey-gang-lets-put-on-a-twisted-talk-show.html . live .
  8. Web site: Go online to mine for new shows .
  9. Web site: February 3, 2012 . Team Coco Heads To The Superbowl! [sic] ]. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20200531080118/https://teamcoco.com/content/team-coco-heads-superbowl . May 31, 2020 . August 21, 2014 . teamcoco.com.
  10. Web site: Evans . Bradford . August 5, 2013 . Billy Eichner to Play Donna's Doppelganger on 'Parks and Rec' . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170930035833/http://splitsider.com/2013/08/billy-eichner-to-play-donna/ . September 30, 2017 . August 21, 2014 . Splitsider.
  11. News: Furlong . Maggie . October 10, 2013 . Billy Eichner On 'Parks And Recreation' – And Every Other Show Ever, Please (PHOTOS) . . August 21, 2014 . June 29, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230629174021/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/billy-eichner-parks-and-rec_n_4073919?ir=Comedy . live .
  12. Web site: Shorey . Eric . Billy Eichner and Seth Meyers Harass New Yorkers About The Emmy Awards . December 27, 2014 . thebacklot.com . December 18, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141218103830/http://www.thebacklot.com/billy-eichner-and-seth-meyers-harass-new-yorkers-about-the-emmy-awards/08/2014/ . live .
  13. Web site: Hulu Orders Amy Poehler's Difficult People Starring Julie Klausner and Billy Eichner . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150831081926/http://blog.hulu.com/2014/11/18/hulu-orders-amy-poehlers-difficult-people-starring-julie-klausner-and-billy-eichner/ . August 31, 2015 . August 23, 2015 . Hulu.
  14. Web site: June 30, 2015 . Watch the First Difficult People Teaser -- Vulture . Vulture . February 21, 2020 . May 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200519080223/https://www.vulture.com/2015/06/watch-the-first-difficult-people-teaser.html . live .
  15. Web site: Kroll . Justin . September 24, 2015 . Billy Eichner Joins Cast of 'Neighbors 2' . October 30, 2015 . October 29, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20151029041400/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/billy-eichner-neighbors-2-1201601900/ . live .
  16. Web site: Stack . Tim . March 28, 2017 . 'American Horror Story': Billy Eichner Cast in Season 7 . March 30, 2017 . EW.com . November 10, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011436/https://ew.com/tv/2017/03/28/american-horror-story-billy-eichner-season-7/ . live .
  17. Web site: Galuppo . Mia . April 25, 2017 . Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner in Talks to Voice Timon and Pumbaa in New 'Lion King' . 26 April 2017 . . February 12, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200212172836/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/lion-king-cast-seth-rogen-billy-eichner-talks-voice-timon-pumba-997310 . live .
  18. 925853092255551488. Disney.
    1. TheLionKing. 2019.
    . November 1, 2017. November 3, 2017.
  19. What To Expect From The Characters In The Upcoming 'The Lion King' Adaptation - Entertainment Weekly . April 25, 2019 . April 29, 2019 . . . mdy-all.
  20. News: Mike Fleming Jr. . July 21, 2020 . Billy Eichner To Play Paul Lynde In 'Man In The Box', About Gifted Actor Stigmatized For Being Gay: Why Eichner Feels Things Haven't Changed, Gay Actors Still Excluded From Straight Roles & Even Playing Gay Icons . Deadline . June 17, 2021 . August 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818165357/https://deadline.com/2020/07/billy-eichner-paul-lynde-movie-man-in-the-actor-stigmatized-for-being-gay-eichner-feels-things-havent-changed-for-gay-actors-1202990876/ . live .
  21. News: Rubin . Rebecca . 5 March 2021 . Billy Eichner's Romantic Comedy 'Bros' to Debut in Theaters in 2022 . Variety . 23 March 2021 . March 11, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210311055657/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/billy-eichner-romantic-comedy-bros-release-date-1234922767/ . live .
  22. News: Justin Kroll . August 3, 2021 . Amazon Studios Lands Hot Package 'Ex-Husbands' From Berlanti/Schecter Films, Billy Eichner and Paul Rudnick . Deadline . August 25, 2021 . April 10, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220410090917/https://deadline.com/2021/08/amazon-studios-ex-husbands-berlanti-schechter-films-billy-eichner-and-paul-rudnick-1234807821/ . live .
  23. Web site: Sharf . Zack . Earl . William . 2022-10-03 . Why Did Billy Eichner's 'Bros' Bomb at the Box Office? Straight People Aren't Entirely to Blame . 2022-12-28 . Variety . en-US . October 4, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221004043443/https://variety.com/2022/film/box-office/bros-box-office-bomb-why-billy-eichner-comedy-flopped-1235391341/ . live .
  24. News: Kensky . Eitan . March 14, 2013 . Billy Eichner Is the Funniest Man on the Internet . . dead . November 16, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191825/http://blogs.forward.com/the-arty-semite/172841/billy-eichner-is-the-funniest-man-on-the-internet/ . January 2, 2014.
  25. Web site: Kamp . David . November 2015 . Billy Eichner is Only Shouting Because New York Is Loud . October 5, 2015 . . July 10, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170710110524/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/billy-eichner-is-only-shouting-because-new-york-is-loud . live .
  26. Web site: Fallon . Kevin . February 12, 2013 . How 'Billy on the Street' Host Billy Eichner Hit the Mainstream . August 21, 2014 . . May 31, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200531080116/https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-billy-on-the-street-host-billy-eichner-hit-the-mainstream . live .
  27. News: Peikert . Mark . May 27, 2009 . Billy Eichner: Gay, White, and Terrified! . . August 21, 2014 . November 29, 2014 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141129045654/http://www.backstage.com/review/ny-theater/off-broadway/billy-eichner-gay-white-and-terrified/ . live .
  28. Web site: Sandberg . Bryn . 2020-05-04 . How I'm Living Now: Billy Eichner, Actor and Comedian . 2021-08-18 . The Hollywood Reporter . en-US . August 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210818213633/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/how-im-living-now-billy-eichner-1292262/ . live .
  29. News: Billy Eichner, John Oliver, Andy Cohen, and More Are Joining Forces to Glam Up the Midterms . Vogue . 2018-03-01 . March 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302163922/https://www.vogue.com/article/glam-up-the-midterms-2018-billy-eichner-john-oliver-andy-cohen-millennial-voting-campaign . live .
  30. News: Hamilton . Isobel . Billy Eichner is on a mission to make the mid-terms glam again . Mashable . 2018-03-01 . March 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302044757/https://mashable.com/2018/02/02/billy-eichner-launches-glam-up-the-mid-terms/ . live .
  31. News: Billy Eichner Launches Star-Studded Campaign to Get Millennials to Vote in Midterm Elections . The Hollywood Reporter . 2018-03-01 . March 7, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180307081600/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-eichner-launches-star-studded-campaign-get-millennials-vote-midterm-elections-1081342 . live .
  32. Web site: Glam Up The Midterms . 2018-03-01 . glamupthemidterms.com . March 2, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180302103853/http://glamupthemidterms.com/ . live .
  33. Web site: November 19, 2019 . Billy Eichner Hits the Street With a New Goal: "Flipping the Senate" Hollywood Reporter . 2020-11-03 . www.hollywoodreporter.com . October 19, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201019143816/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/billy-eichner-hits-street-a-new-goal-flipping-senate-1255928 . live .
  34. Web site: Wong . Curtis M. . August 18, 2021 . Judd Apatow's Gay Romantic Comedy Casts A Love Interest For Billy Eichner . August 22, 2021 . . en . August 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210822023509/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/luke-macfarlane-billy-eichner-bros-gay-romantic-comedy_n_611d7183e4b0c69681045d7c . live .
  35. Web site: eichner . billy . 2020-02-24 . Because I love her and think she has ALL the qualities of a great leader, as well as a healing way of communicating that this country so desperately needs, I'm voting for @ewarren. Do with this info what you will. I'm not a perfect person & I once lied about seeing Wicked. . 2020-02-26 . @billyeichner . February 25, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200225082741/https://twitter.com/billyeichner/status/1232146620407377921 . live .
  36. Web site: June 21, 2017 . The 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Winners . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140625044257/http://emmyonline.org/day_41st_winners_stream . June 25, 2014 . June 17, 2013 . emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
  37. Web site: Outstanding Short-Format Live-Action Entertainment Program - 2015 . July 21, 2017 . Emmys.com . Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . July 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170702140010/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2015/outstanding-special-class-short-format-live-action-entertainment-programs . live .
  38. 20th Annual Webby Awards Winners Announced . . July 21, 2017.
  39. News: Tapley . Kristopher . 18 January 2016 . 'Carol' Sweeps Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Awards . . 26 February 2016 . February 25, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160225105525/http://variety.com/2016/film/in-contention/gay-and-lesbian-entertainment-critics-awards-winners-carol-1201682482/ . live .
  40. Web site: Outstanding Variety Sketch Series - 2017 . July 21, 2017 . Emmys.com . Academy of Television Arts & Sciences . July 16, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170716002529/http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2017/outstanding-variety-sketch-series . live .

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