Rob Corddry Explained

Rob Corddry
Birth Name:Robert William Corddry
Birth Date:4 February 1971[1]
Birth Place:Weymouth, Massachusetts, U.S.
Relations:Nate Corddry (brother)
Education:University of Massachusetts Amherst (BA)
Occupation:Actor, comedian
Years Active:1998–present
Children:2

Robert William Corddry (born February 4, 1971) is an American actor and comedian. He is known for his work as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (2002–2006) and for his starring role in the film Hot Tub Time Machine. He is the creator and star of Adult Swim's Childrens Hospital and has been awarded four Primetime Emmy Awards.[2] He previously starred in the HBO series Ballers and the CBS comedy The Unicorn.

Early life and education

Corddry was born and raised in Weymouth, Massachusetts. He is the son of Robin (née Sullivan) and Steven Corddry, who was a Massachusetts Port Authority official.[3] [4] He is the older brother of actor Nate Corddry. Corddry and his brother are both Eagle Scouts from Troop 19, located in Weymouth.[5] [6]

After graduating from Weymouth North High School (1989), Corddry went to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (1989–93). According to an interview in the UMass Amherst alumni magazine, Corddry initially planned to major in journalism but changed his major to English. By his second year, he focused much of his attention on Drama classes and plays including Torch Song Trilogy, Ten Little Indians, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Romeo and Juliet, and Reckless. While at UMass, Corddry pledged the Theta chapter of Theta Chi fraternity.

In January 1994, Corddry moved to New York City. His early paying jobs included working as a security guard at The Metropolitan Museum of Art[7] and handing out menus for a Mexican restaurant. He eventually landed acting jobs, including a year-long tour with the National Shakespeare Company. He trained in improv at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in New York City, performing regularly as a member of the sketch comedy group "The Naked Babies" (with John Ross Bowie, Brian Huskey, and Seth Morris); and he spent two years with the sketch comedy group "Third Rail Comedy". Corddry's first notable television appearances were on Comedy Central's Upright Citizens Brigade (1998–2000).

Career

The Daily Show

In Spring 2002, he accepted an audition for The Daily Show. His pieces for The Daily Show frequently included references to Boston, Massachusetts, which he considers to be his hometown. On October 4, 2005, his younger brother Nate Corddry made his first appearance as a Daily Show correspondent. On January 12, 2006, Corddry's wife Sandra appeared with him on a Daily Show segment; they welcomed their first child, daughter Sloane Sullivan Corddry, on July 3, 2006. On February 9, 2006 Corddry hosted an episode of The Daily Show due to the absence of Jon Stewart (jokingly because the show's regular host was "in the shop", but in fact because of the birth of Stewart's second child).

On August 15, 2006, Corddry said "I've got like a week and a half left, all bets are off", and then on August 21, 2006, Stewart remarked that Corddry's last day on The Daily Show would be August 24, 2006. Corddry appeared throughout the week, once filing a report from inside a toilet bowl supposedly on board an aircraft transporting John Mark Karr, and another dressed up in a 1970s fashion; Stewart remarked, "It's his last week, and really, we're trying to come up with terrible things for him to have to do."

During that last show on August 24, Corddry aired a self-produced tribute to his four years on the show, going out, as Stewart said, with a "poop joke".

Stewart: That was a very fitting tribute, Rob. We're gonna miss you on the show.Corddry: Why thank you, Jon. But wherever I go and whatever I do, there'll always be a part of me here.Stewart: Wow...that's a really sweet thing to say.Corddry: No no no, I'm not kidding. It's in the second floor men's room, actually. That's what you get for not giving me a proper send off.Stewart: You're really gonna go out on a poop joke?Corddry: I have to stay true to myself, Jon.

Corddry cites Stewart as a profound influence on his comedy, crediting Stewart for teaching him how to focus on an idea in order to find the humor in it, and says that his The Daily Show pedigree earned him the clout to make Childrens Hospital.[8]

Among the projects Corddry worked on after leaving The Daily Show was The Winner, a 2007 TV series.[9]

Corddry has since made appearances on the show, both as a guest and as a correspondent.

Film roles

Corddry played the title character in (2004) and Mac, Ben Stiller's character's best friend in The Heartbreak Kid. He has also made appearances in Old School (2003, credited as Robert Corddry), Blades of Glory, Semi-Pro, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Failure to Launch and The Ten.

He also appeared in Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay as Ron Fox, a neurotic and racist agent with the United States Department of Homeland Security, in W. as Ari Fleischer, and also in What Happens in Vegas.[10] In 2010, he co-starred in the John Cusack film Hot Tub Time Machine and in 2013 he co-starred in Jonathan Levine's Warm Bodies as the zombie M.[11]

Other work

Corddry hosted the 10th annual Webby Awards ceremony on June 12, 2006. He starred as the main character in the Fox mid-season comedy The Winner from March 4, 2007 until the series' cancellation.[12] He described the show to Stuff Magazine as "sort of like a fucked-up Wonder Years."

Corddry has appeared in a Curb Your Enthusiasm episode entitled "The Seder" as a sex offender who moves into Larry David's neighborhood. He also appeared in two episodes of Fox's Arrested Development as Moses Taylor, an actor who plays "Frank Wrench", an obsessively by-the-books detective on a fictional television series Wrench. Corddry has also done some voice work as Gordon the animated Devil on Cartoon Network's Weighty Decisions (alongside fellow Daily Show correspondent Ed Helms). He also appeared in a commercial for Cartoon Network's Ed, Edd n Eddy series and a 2001 promotional ad as an anger management therapist to the Townsville Villains of the cartoon series The Powerpuff Girls.

Corddry's voice appears in the History Channel production World War II in HD.[13] He is the voice of World War II soldier and jazz musician Roscoe "Rockie" Blunt.[14]

Corddry wrote, directed, and starred in the web series Childrens Hospital for The WB on its online network at TheWB.com.[15] After talks fell through with Comedy Central, Turner's Adult Swim picked up the series and began airing new episodes August 22, 2010.[16]

On March 29, 2010, he was a co-guest host of WWE Raw with fellow cast member Clark Duke from Hot Tub Time Machine.[17]

Corddry played an important role in proliferating Justin Halpern's Twitter account Shit My Dad Says. An early enthusiast of the quotes made by Halpern's father, Rob tweeted a link to Shit My Dad Says which "jump-started" the phenomenon, helping expose Halpern's Twitter feed to a larger audience.[18]

Corddry also has starred in three commercials for the Holiday Inn in both 2010 and 2011. He appeared in three episodes of Community playing a lawyer, Alan Connor, an old acquaintance of Jeff Winger, who was also a lawyer.

In August 2011, Corddry appeared on episode 29 of the podcast Back to Work, distributed by the 5by5 podcast network, where he was interviewed by Merlin Mann about his writing and acting career.

In 2012, Corddry began a recurring role on the third season of Happy Endings, playing "The Car Czar", Jane's new boss at the car dealership.[19] He also had a recurring role on the short-lived FOX series Ben and Kate, as Buddy, the boorish owner of the bar where Kate and BJ work, also BJ's on-and-off boyfriend.

As recently as October 2013, Rob appeared again as a recurring guest on The Jason Ellis Show. A talk show featured exclusively on SiriusXm Satellite Radio, Corddry accepted an invitation to host his own show airing on the soon to be launched "Jason Ellis Channel".

From 2015 to 2019, he starred in the HBO comedy-drama series Ballers.

He was the subject the episode #16, titled Rob, of Heavyweight (podcast) by Jonathan Goldstein.[20]

On December 3, 2019, it was revealed that Corddry would be a host of the revived Top Gear America, which debuted on Motor Trend in January 2021.[21]

Corddry has also appeared in 2 episodes of the HBO Max series Bookie.

Filmography

Film

Rob Corddry film work
YearTitleRoleNotes
2003Old SchoolWarren
2004Bobby Dukes
2006Wedding DazeKyle
Unaccompanied MinorsSam Davenport
Failure to LaunchGun Salesman
Arthur and the InvisiblesSeidesVoice
2007The TenDuane Rosenblum
The Heartbreak KidMac
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and LarryJim The Protestor
Blades of GloryBryce
2008What Happens in VegasJeff "Hater" Lewis
W.Ari Fleischer
Semi-ProKyle
Lower LearningPrincipal Harper Billings
Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo BayRon Fox
2009The Winning SeasonTerry
Taking ChancesMayor Cleveland Fishback
2010Hot Tub Time MachineLou Dorchen
Chariot
MegamindMetro City CitizenUncredited voice cameo
2011Cedar RapidsGary
ButterEthan Emmett
2012Seeking a Friend for the End of the WorldWarren
2013 Hell BabyJack
Escape from Planet EarthGary SupernovaVoice
Warm BodiesM / Marcus
In a World...Moe
Pain & GainJohn Mese
Rapture-PaloozaMr. Walt House
The Way, Way BackKip
2014Jason Nash Is MarriedDan Morrison
Muppets Most WantedFirst AD
Sex TapeRobby Thompson
2015Hot Tub Time Machine 2Lou Dorchen
2016Office Christmas PartyJeremy Parker
2017How to Be a Latin LoverQuincy
Shimmer LakeKurt Biltmore
The LayoverPrincipal Stan Moss
2018Dog DaysKurt
2019BenjaminDr. Ed
2020Bad TherapyBob Howard
Himself
202380 for BradyPat
The Donor PartyGeoff
The SeniorSam Weston

Television

Rob Corddry television work
YearTitleRoleNotes
1998–2000Upright Citizens BrigadeVarious6 episodes
2002–2006The Daily ShowCorrespondent 249 episodes
2004O'GradyThe BobVoice
Episode: "Vacation"
2005Sunday PantsGordon the Devil (voice)"Weighty Decisions" segments
2005–2017American Dad!Various Voices3 episodes
2006Curb Your EnthusiasmRick LeftowitzEpisode: "The Seder"
2006Arrested DevelopmentMoses Taylor2 episodes
2007MADtvJohnny1 episode
The WinnerGlen Abbott6 episodes
2008–2016Childrens HospitalDr. Cat Downs, Cutter Spindell, Rory SpindellAlso creator, director, writer and executive producer
2008The Mighty B!Doctor, VetVoices
Episode: "Bee Patient"
2009Party DownGaryEpisode: "Brandix Corporate Retreat"
Law & OrderJim LearyEpisode: "Human Flesh Search Engine"
2010; 2012; 2014CommunityAlan Connor3 episodes
2011Little in CommonDennis WellerPilot
Running WildeJack GrayEpisode: "Jack's Back"
Glen Martin DDSRandyVoice
Episode: "Videogame Wizard"
The Life & Times of TimSausage Salesman (voice)Voice
Episode: "The Sausage Salesman"
2012Family GuyBen JenningsVoice
Episode: "Livin' on a Prayer"
2012–2013Happy EndingsLon "The Car Czar" Sarofsky3 episodes
2012Agent Coyote DanielsEpisode: "Robot Town"
2012–2013Ben and KateBuddy3 episodes
2013SpyTimPilot
Burning LoveLorenzo BlimpersonEpisode: "Puppet Show"
2013–2015NewsreadersCo-creator, writer and executive producer
2014Trophy WifeSensei RickEpisode: "Foxed Lunch"
Hawaii Five-0Tony GibsonEpisode: "Ho'i Hou"
Robot ChickenVarious Voices2 episodes
Comedy Bang! Bang!HimselfEpisode: "Rob Corddry Wears Tan Dress Shoes & Red Socks"
2015–2019BallersJoe KrutelSeries regular; 47 episodes
2016TeachersSamEpisode: "Hall of Shame"
AnimalsEarringVoice
Episode: "Rats."
WorkaholicsEricEpisode: "The Nuttin' Professor"
2016–2018SpeechlessBilly DiMeo3 episodes
2016Mr. Neighbor's HouseTelevision special; executive producer
2017–2018Drunk HistoryGeorge Washington, Joseph A. Califano Jr.2 episodes
2017Do You Want to See a Dead Body?HimselfEpisode: "A Body and a Mean Dog"
2018WreckedHimselfEpisode: "Ballers"
2019Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on TelevisionHimselfEpisode: "For Your Inconsideration"
American PrincessBaconEpisode: "Down There"
What Just Happened??! with Fred SavageHimselfEpisode: "Family"
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$Inspector SuggsEpisode: "Good Todd Hunting"
2019–2021The UnicornForrestSeries regular
2020Medical PoliceCat Downs2 episodes; also creator, writer, executive producer
Last Week Tonight with John OliverScott WilkersonEpisode: "Sheriffs"
DummyPhil GoldmanEpisode: "Passive Protagonist"
Crossing SwordsThe Old KingVoice
2 episodes
2021-2022Top Gear AmericaHimself / Host7 Episodes[22]
2023History of the World, Part IIVladimir Lenin2 episodes
The GoldbergsGeorge MyersonEpisode: "Bev to the Future"
This FoolSergeant 2 episodes
BookieWalt Dinty3 episodes
2024Not Dead YetAndrewEpisode: "Not Solved Yet"

Music Videos

Awards and honors

In 2009, Corddry was nominated for a Streamy Award Best Writing for a Comedy Web Series for Children's Hospital; in 2011, it won Best Sketch/Alternative Comedy in the first annual Comedy Awards.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rob Corddry. TV Guide. 2015-03-22.
  2. Web site: Childrens Hospital. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 24 November 2018.
  3. News: A Bald Liar . The Boston Globe . Paul . Rogers . May 1, 2005.
  4. http://www.umassmag.com/Fall_2005/Class_Clown_940.html UMass Magazine Online
  5. News: The Performance: Rob Corddry. Ordoña. Michael. March 25, 2010. Los Angeles Times. 2010-08-15. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026033556/http://articles.latimes.com/2010/mar/25/entertainment/la-et-performance25-2010mar25. October 26, 2012. live.
  6. Web site: Rob Corddry, Hot Tub Time Machine. Del Signore. John. March 25, 2010. Gothamist. 2010-08-15. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20100709051231/http://gothamist.com/2010/03/25/rob_cordry_actor.php. July 9, 2010. mdy-all.
  7. Anytime with Bob Kushell feat. Rob Corddry . . 2009-02-12 . 1 . 9.
  8. Corddry, Rob (July 27, 2015). "Goodbye, and Goodnight". TV Guide. p. 18.
  9. News: Television News, Reviews and TV Show Recaps . The Huffington Post. February 14, 2015.
  10. News: Jacks . Brian . EXCLUSIVE: Rob Corddry Lands Role Of Press Secretary Ari Fleischer In Oliver Stone's 'W' . https://web.archive.org/web/20080410223904/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/04/09/exclusive-rob-corddry-lands-role-of-press-secretary-ari-fleischer-in-oliver-stones-w/ . dead . April 10, 2008 . MTV . April 9, 2008 . 2008-04-09 .
  11. Web site: Rob Corddry: 'Warm Bodies role was easy'. . February 11, 2013. February 16, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130213155256/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/movies/news/a457986/rob-corddry-on-warm-bodies-it-was-easy-playing-a-zombie.html. February 13, 2013. live.
  12. Web site: Shows A-Z - TheFutonCritic.com - The Web's Best Television Resource. thefutoncritic.com. February 14, 2015.
  13. http://www.history.com/content/wwii-in-hd WWII in HD
  14. Web site: Jazz History Database - A Digital Museum of Jazz History. www.jazzhistorydatabase.com.
  15. Web site: Children's Hospital Video Series Debuts With Stephen Colbert and Rob Corddry . Comedy.com . October 16, 2008 . 2009-03-10 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090307060811/http://www.comedy.com/blog/2008/10/16/childrens-hospital-video-series-debuts-with-stephen-colbert-and-rob-corddry/ . March 7, 2009 . mdy-all .
  16. Web site: Web Series Childrens Hospital Jumping to Adult Swim . October 21, 2009 . 2009-10-21 . Broadcasting and Cable . Alex Weprin . https://web.archive.org/web/20120930090505/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/365915-Web_Series_Children_s_Hospital_Jumping_To_Adult_Swim.php?rssid=20065&q=rob+corddry . September 30, 2012 . live .
  17. Web site: Upcoming Raw guest stars.
  18. Justin Halpern, Author of Sh*t My Dad Says. https://web.archive.org/web/20100523162334/http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1990838,00.html. dead. May 23, 2010. Webley. Kayla. May 21, 2010. Time. June 28, 2010.
  19. Web site: Happy Endings Exclusive: Rob Corddry Cast as Jane's New [Spoiler]]. Michael. Ausiello. August 10, 2012.
  20. Web site:
    1. 16 Rob by Heavyweight
    . Gimlet Media.
  21. Web site: REVEALED! Meet the Hosts of Top Gear America. December 3, 2019.
  22. Web site: REVEALED! Meet the Hosts of Top Gear America . Motor Trend . December 3, 2019.