Scott Adsit
Robert Scott Adsit[2] (born November 26, 1965) is an American actor, comedian and writer. Born on the North Shore of Illinois, Adsit joined the mainstage cast of Chicago's The Second City in 1994 after attending Columbia College Chicago. He appeared in several revues, including Paradigm Lost for which he won The Joseph Jefferson Award for Best Actor in a Comedy.
Scott Adsit | |
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![]() Adsit at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con | |
Birth name | Robert Scott Adsit |
Born | Northbrook, Illinois, U.S. | November 26, 1965
Medium | |
Education | Glenbrook North High School[1] |
Alma mater | Columbia College Chicago |
Years active | 1994–present |
Genres |
From 2005–2008, he co-directed, co-wrote and co-produced the Adult Swim stop-motion animation program Moral Orel with Dino Stamatopoulos and Jay Johnston. He also voiced several characters and was nominated for an Annie Award for his work as Clay Puppington, Orel's father. After the success of Moral Orel, Adsit and Stamatopoulos worked together again on their stop-motion animation series Mary Shelley's Frankenhole. Adult Swim ordered ten episodes for its first season, which began airing June 27, 2010, and was canceled in 2012.
Adsit is known for his role as Pete Hornberger, the well-meaning but jaded executive producer, on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock, which won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2008. In 2014, Adsit voiced the robot Baymax in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6, which he reprises in Big Hero 6: The Series (2017–present).
Early life
Adsit was born in Northbrook, Illinois on November 26, 1965, the son of Genevieve "Genny" (née Butz) and Andrew Scott Adsit, a real estate attorney.[3][4] He attended Glenbrook North High School, where he recalled being "a bit of a class clown," and attended Indiana's DePauw University for one semester.[5] He then attended Columbia College Chicago, where acting teacher Sheldon Patinkin encouraged him to join the city's famed improv troupe, The Second City.[6]
Career
1987–1998
Adsit joined Second City in 1987,[5] and became part of its mainstage cast in 1994. He appeared in several Joseph Jefferson Award-winning revues, including Piñata Full of Bees and Paradigm Lost for which he won The Jeff Award for Best Actor in a Comedy. A sketch he performed with future Saturday Night Live head writer Adam McKay, "Gump," was included as one of Second City's all-time best in the theater's 25th anniversary compilation. He appeared in the 1997 PBS documentary about the process of creating the Second City review, Paradigm Lost, Second to None along with castmates Tina Fey, Kevin Dorff, Rachel Dratch, Jenna Jolovitz and Jim Zulevic.[7]
In 1996, he portrayed an alcoholic and drug-addicted father in Minnesota's Hazelden Substance Abuse Clinic short-subject production, Reflections From The Heart Of A Child.[8] This 26-minute video/DVD feature has become required curriculum in most DWI Repeat Offender classes and substance abuse rehabilitation clinics across the U.S.[9] In 1997, Adsit recorded the voices for the King of Payne, Sir Psycho, The Duke of Bourbon, and Merlin for Williams' Medieval Madness pinball machine. Adsit co-wrote the game's recorded dialog with fellow Second City cast member, Kevin Dorff. Adsit, Dorff and their Second City castmate, Tina Fey, played the character voices in the game.[10]
In 1998, Adsit moved to Los Angeles after an invitation from his college friend Dino Stamatopoulos to work on a pilot about the backstage antics of a television sketch-comedy variety show. The pilot did not materialize as a show, but Adsit stayed in California and began working in bit parts and commercials.[6] That same year, he appeared as a cast member in the renowned sketch comedy program, Mr. Show. He also plagued the band Tenacious D as a neighbor and a demon in their HBO show.
2000s
In 2001, he starred in an episode of Friends, "The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin" in Season 7. After moving to Los Angeles, Adsit appeared in several sitcoms and commercials.
From 2005–2008, he co-directed, co-wrote and co-produced the Adult Swim show Moral Orel with Stamatopoulos and Jay Johnston. He also provided the voice of Orel's father, Clay Puppington, as well as his best friend, Doughy, Link McMissins, Art Posabule, Mr. Christein, Junior Christein, Doctor Potterswheel, Billy Figurelli, Mrs. Figurelli and Tiny Tina, among others. He was nominated for an Annie Award for his work as Clay. Adsit also had a minor role in The Office episode "Conflict Resolution" as a photographer. Adsit also had a small role in the movie Kicking & Screaming, starring Will Ferrell, where he played the coach of a rival team.
In 2005, he received a call from former Second City castmate Tina Fey. "Tina called and said, 'I'm working on a show, and there's a part I'm writing with you in mind, so keep your schedule open next year.' So I did," Adsit recalled in 2009. In a twist of fate, he also auditioned for Aaron Sorkin's Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, yet another series about the behind-the-scenes drama of a variety show. "My manager said, 'There's a good possibility you're going to be offered both of these, so which are you going to go with? You have to tell me now,'" Adsit said. "I said, 'Tina is the lady from Weekend Update that riles a lot of people, and Aaron Sorkin just finished The West Wing; he's the golden boy.'" Ultimately, Adsit picked his friend: "I had to go with somebody I know and respect. I went with Tina."[6]
In 2006, he joined the cast of 30 Rock, Fey's show, as Pete Hornberger, a longtime friend of Fey's character, Liz Lemon, and well-meaning but frequently terrified producer of TGS with Tracy Jordan, a fictitious sketch comedy series.[11] The show ran for seven seasons and was a critical smash, earning 103 Emmy nominations.[12]
In 2007, Adsit starred together with Brendon Small in Let's Fish, a pilot for Adult Swim, but the pilot did not become an official series. Adsit continues to act, improvise and teach at I.O. West and the Upright Citizens Brigade.[13]
2010s
After the success of Moral Orel, Adsit and Dino Stamatopoulos started working together again on their newest stop-motion animation series Mary Shelley's Frankenhole, which Adult Swim has ordered ten episodes for its first season, which began airing on June 27, 2010. Adsit directed, wrote, produced and provided many of the lead voices.[14] In June 2010, Adsit hosted a panel featuring comic book writers Dan Slott, Frank Tieri, and Chris Claremont at HeroCon in Charlotte, North Carolina.[15] In 2012 a character named Agent Scott Adsit appeared as an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. in Marvel's Deadpool, and has since become a recurring character in the title.[16]
Adsit also guest starred as the "Guest Bailiff" in three episodes of John Hodgman's podcast Judge John Hodgman.[17][18][19] Adsit starred as himself in John Hodgman's Netflix comedy special John Hodgman: Ragnarok.[20]
Adsit voices the huggable robot Baymax in the 2014 Disney animated film Big Hero 6.[21][22] Producer Roy Conli said "The fact that his character is a robot limits how you can emote, but Scott was hilarious. He took those boundaries and was able to shape the language in a way that makes you feel Baymax's emotion and sense of humor. Scott was able to relay just how much Baymax cares."[22][23][24]
Adsit joined the Season 3 cast of the Adult Swim live-action TV series The Heart, She Holler as the corrupt Sheriff, starring alongside Amy Sedaris.[25] Paste Magazine stated that "Sedaris and Adsit, two relatively new co-stars, have great chemistry".[26]
Adsit plays Sheriff Ridge in Wolverine: The Long Night, a scripted podcast serial.
He also had a recurring role as news anchor Greg Hart in the HBO political sitcom Veep.[27]
Adsit performs live in the show John and Scott with John Lutz[28] and in Adist and Eveleth with Jet Eveleth.[29]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998 | Temporary Girl | Seth the Agent | |
2001 | Town and Country | Cab Driver | |
Lovely and Amazing | Man at Phone | ||
2002 | Run Ronnie Run | Police Negotiator | |
2003 | Melvin Goes to Dinner | Man | |
The Italian Job | Actor Rehearsing in Car | ||
Grand Theft Parsons | Music Expert | ||
2004 | The Terminal | Cab Driver | |
L.A. Twister | Technician | ||
Without a Paddle | Greasy Man | ||
Admissions | Harvard Interviewer | ||
2005 | Be Cool | Program Director | |
Kicking and Screaming | Stew | ||
Bad News Bears | Umpire | ||
2006 | I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With | Big Galoot | |
Accepted | Drop-Off Dad | ||
For Your Consideration | First AD | ||
2007 | Dante's Inferno | Judge Minos | Voice |
Mr. Woodcock | Cheesy Salesman | ||
2008 | Turnover | Dr. Ruderman | |
2009 | The Informant! | Sid Hulse | |
2010 | Last Night | Stuart | |
2011 | Arthur | Gummy Bear Man | |
2013 | We're the Millers | Doctor | |
A Case of You | Cheesy Announcer | ||
2014 | Appropriate Behavior | Ken | |
St. Vincent | David | ||
Big Hero 6 | Baymax | Voice | |
2015 | Uncle Nick | Kevin |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | Early Edition | Cab Driver | Episode: "Thief Swipes Mayor's Dog" |
1997–1998 | Early Edition | Grabowski | 2 episodes |
1998 | Mr. Show with Bob and David | Various | 6 episodes |
1999 | Tenacious D | The Writer | Episode: "The Greatest Song in the World" |
Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place | Kevin | Episode: "Two Guys, a Girl and Barenaked Ladies" | |
2000 | Felicity | Professor Howard Morrison | Episode: "Final Touches" |
2002 | Friends | Director | Episode: "The One with Ross and Monica's Cousin" |
Malcolm in the Middle | Attorney | Episode: "Houseboat" | |
Curb Your Enthusiasm | Joel Reynolds | Episode: "The Acupuncturist" | |
TV Funhouse | Professor | Episode: "Chinese New Year's Day" | |
Dharma & Greg | Howard | Episode: "With a Little Help from My Friend" | |
MADtv | Stagehand | Episode #7.5 | |
2002 | Ally McBeal | Dr. Ted Slipp | Episode: "Blowin' in the Wind" |
Still Standing | Mike | Episode: "Still Reading" | |
2003 | Kingpin | Male Addict | TV Miniseries |
Alias | Pierre Lagravenese | Episode: "Reunion" | |
Comedy Central Laughs for Life Telethon 2003 | CEO Harold Barbour | TV Special | |
CSI: Miami | Izzy | Episode: "Body Count" | |
The Man Show | Doctor | Episode: "Wheel of Destiny" | |
2004 | Monk | Medical Examiner | Episode: "Mr. Monk Gets Fired" |
Comedy Central Laughs for Life Telethon 2004 | Colbert's High School Friend | TV Special | |
Charmed | Man in Dress / Cursed Wood Nymph | Episode: "Spin City" | |
The Drew Carey Show | Mitch | Episode: "Baby Makes Stress" | |
Huff | Doug Columbo | Episode: "Cold Day in Shanghai" | |
2005 | Malcolm in the Middle | Joe | Episode: "Health Insurance" |
Stacked | Ray | Episode: "Crazy Ray" | |
2005–2006 | Robot Chicken | Wimpy, Dean, Buddha, Shamrock Bear, Pinhead, blue Hungry Hippo, action movies narrator | Voice, 4 episodes |
2005-2008 | Moral Orel | Clay Puppington, Various Voices | Voice |
2006 | Monk | Medical Examiner Gordo | Episode: "Mr. Monk Goes to a Fashion Show" |
The Office | Photographer | Episode: "Conflict Resolution" (2:21) | |
The Colbert Report | Admiral Allendorfer | Episode: "John Sexton" | |
2006–2013 | 30 Rock | Pete Hornberger | TV Series: 100 Episodes Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series |
2007 | Let's Fish | Don | TV Pilot |
2008 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Hoppy Bunny and Drewbacca | Voice |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dwight Lomax | Episode: "Authority" | |
2010 | Big Lake | John the Baptist | 1 episode |
Delocated | Dog Food Executive | 1 episode | |
Mary Shelley's Frankenhole | Professor Polidori, The Creature, Dr. Moreau, Thomas Jefferson, Adolf Hitler, et al. | Voice | |
2013 | John Hodgman: Ragnarok | Himself[20] | Netflix special |
2015 | Harvey Beaks | Irving Beaks | Voice |
Neon Joe, Werewolf Hunter | Sunny Cocoa | ||
W/ Bob & David | Various | 2 episodes | |
2015-2019 | Veep | Greg Hart | 8 episodes |
2016 | Person of Interest | Max Greene | Episode: "QSO" |
2017 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Dale Bortz | 1 episode |
2017-2021 | Big Hero 6: The Series | Baymax, others | Voice |
2017 | Gap Year | Todd | 1 episode |
Girlboss | Chuck | 1 episode | |
2020 | The Walking Dead: World Beyond | Tony | Recurring |
Video games
Year | Title | Role |
2013 | Disney Infinity: Marvel Super Heroes | Baymax |
2015 | Disney Infinity 3.0 | Baymax |
2019 | Kingdom Hearts III | Baymax |
References
- "'30 Rock' actor is Glenbrook North grad". Chicago.blockshopper.com. Archived from the original on February 1, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2011.
- Kharakh, Ben (October 10, 2007). "Scott Adsit, Actor, 30 Rock". Gothamist. Archived from the original on July 9, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2011.
- Luc, Karie Angell (July 15, 2013). "30 Rock actor, Glenbrook North grad makes appearance at benefit". Northbrook Star. Archived from the original on November 10, 2014.
Adsit, whose mother Genny Adsit still resides in east Northbrook, shook hands with past and current cast members...His father Andrew, a real estate attorney, passed in 2003.
- "Andrew Scott Adsit, 69". Chicago Tribune. December 28, 2003. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- "30 Rock's Scott Adsit '88 Featured in Article". Depauw University. November 25, 2009. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- Heidemann, Jason A. (November 24, 2009). "Great Scott!". Time Out Chicago. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- ""Second to None" Set to Air on PBS on Monday". Second City. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- Trembath III, Ron (February 2, 2013). "Scott Adsit [Interview]". Trainwreck'd Society. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Reflections from the Heart of a Child DVD". Hazelden. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
- "Ranking Everything Tina Fey's Ever Done: 18. Medieval Madness Pinball Game". Complex Magazine. April 2014. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- West, Kelly (April 1, 2008). "Interview: Tina Fey Talks About 30 Rock (Part 1)". Cinema Blend. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008. Retrieved July 8, 2008.
- "30 Rock". Emmy Awards. Retrieved April 4, 2015.
- "Scott Adsit". SF Sketchfest. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- McCarthy, Sean L. (November 2, 2009). "Scott Adsit does not need to read Tracy Morgan's memoir for Celebrity Autobiography, but would he?". The Comic's Comic. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- Photo in Dark Avengers Annual 01
- "Scott Adsit (Character)". Comic Vine. CBS Interactive. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
- MaxFun Intern (November 14, 2012). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 84: Dog Duty". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 1, 2013.
- MaxFun Intern (January 2, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 91: Coming Out of the Supply Closet". Maximum Fun. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- Julia Smith (July 3, 2013). "Judge John Hodgman Episode 117: Lawn and Order". Maximum Fun. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
- "John Hodgman: RAGNAROK". Netflix. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
- "Disney Gives Marvel Fans First Look at Big Hero 6 Animated Film". IGN. August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- Truitt, Brian (July 13, 2014). "Meet the saviors of San Fransokyo in 'Big Hero 6'". USA Today. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- Yamato, Jen (July 14, 2014). "Maya Rudolph, James Cromwell, More Join Disney's Marvel Animation 'Big Hero 6′". Deadline. Retrieved September 5, 2014.
- "Baymax" (PDF). xprizechallenge.org. Retrieved September 24, 2014.
- Barrett-Ibarria, Sofia (December 11, 2014). "Amy Sedaris & Scott Adsit Explain 'The Heart, She Holler' With Exploding Guts & Dirty Emoji". Bustle.com. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- Ohanesian, Liz (December 5, 2014). "Amy Sedaris and Scott Adsit on Weirdness and Satire in The Heart, She Holler". Paste Magazine. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
- "Where Are They Now: The Cast Of 30 Rock". Screen Rant. June 22, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- "30 Rock's John Lutz and Scott Adsit Have a Long and Weird Conversation". Vulture. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- "30 Rock Alum Scott Adsit to Perform Long-Form Improv at SF's Eureka Theatre". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved December 22, 2020.