R. J. Fried | |
Birth Place: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Nationality: | American |
Alma Mater: | Harvard University |
Occupation: | Showrunner, Writer, Performer |
Years Active: | 2004–present |
Website: | www.rjfried.com |
R. J. Fried is an American television writer, actor, producer, and showrunner known for his work on comedy television programs.
R. J. Fried was raised in Indiana, Pennsylvania.[1] He graduated cum laude from Harvard University, where he was named as the Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2004.[2] Before pursuing an entertainment career, Fried was drafted by the Florida Panthers in the 2000 NHL Draft.[3] [4]
Fried started his career in television as a writer and performer.[5] His early credits include writing for The Late Show with David Letterman,[6] Night of Too Many Stars and Onion SportsDome. He also wrote for MTV programs such as Popzilla and Rob & Big.
Fried is recognized for his work on Our Cartoon President, a political satire series on Showtime that parodied the Trump administration.[7] [8] [9] [9] The series became Showtime's highest-rated scripted comedy and ran for three seasons.[10]
He co-created and served as the showrunner for Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the New
Other projects Fried has written for include Problematic with Moshe Kasher, The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell,[15] Triumph's Election Special, and Maya & Marty.
Year | Award | Category | Recipients and Nominees | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special | Night of Too Many Stars | [16] [17] | |
2013 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Night of Too Many Stars | |||
2016 | Outstanding Scripted Variety Series | Triumph's Election Special | |||
2017 | Writers Guild of America Awards | Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) - Specials | Triumph's Election Special | ||
Comedy/Variety Sketch Series | Maya & Marty | ||||
2021 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News | ||
2022 | Outstanding Short Form Comedy, Drama or Variety Series | Tooning Out the News |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Popzilla | Various | 11 episodes | ||
2014–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | R.J. | 7 episodes | ||
2016 | Triumph's Election Watch 2016 | Chris Christie Staffer #2 | 5 episodes | ||
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Voice | 31 episodes | ||
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Additional Voices | 63 episodes | [18] [19] | |
2022 | Fairview | Voice | 7 episodes | [20] [21] | |
2024 | Washingtonia | Voice |
Year | Title | Role(s) | Notes | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Good Morning World | Writer | |||
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Writer | 11 episodes | ||
2009 | Popzilla | Writer, Concept | 11 episodes | ||
2011 | Onion SportsDome | Contributing Writer | 10 episodes | ||
2013–2015 | Late Show with David Letterman | Writer | 326 episodes | ||
2015 | Night of Too Many Stars | Writer | TV Special | ||
2016 | Triumph's Election Watch 2016 | Writer | 5 episodes | ||
2016 | Maya & Marty | Writer | 6 episodes | ||
2017 | Beyond the Wall with Grace Parra | Writer | TV Movie | ||
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Head Writer | 6 episodes | ||
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Writer, Creator | 45 episodes | [22] | |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Writer, Creator | 66 episodes | ||
2022 | Fairview | Writer, Creator, Story | 8 episodes |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009–2011 | Bob & Doug | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | ||
2009 | Popzilla | Executive Producer | 11 episodes | ||
2016 | Triumph's Election Watch 2016 | Producer | 5 episodes | ||
2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Executive Producer | 38 episodes | [23] | |
2020–2023 | Tooning Out the News | Executive Producer | 68 episodes | [24] [25] [26] | |
2022 | Fairview | Executive Producer | 1 episode | ||
2017 | Problematic with Moshe Kasher | Co-Executive Producer | 6 episodes | ||
2024 | Washingtonia | Executive Producer |