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Andy Dick
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Andrew Roane Dick (born Andrew Thomlinson, December 21, 1965) is an American actor and comedian.[2] Dick was born in Charleston, South Carolina, and joined The Second City and studied improvisational theater. Dick has had a long career as a stand-up comedian; he has appeared throughout the US, has released several comedy albums, and has acted in television and film. Dick's first regular television role was on The Ben Stiller Show on Fox. In the mid-1990s, he regularly appeared on NBC's NewsRadio and as a supporting character on Less than Perfect. He also had two short-lived television series on MTV; these were the sketch comedy series The Andy Dick Show (2001) and the reality series The Assistant (2004). He also is noted for his behavior on a number of Comedy Central Roasts, stand-up comedy performances, and late night talk show appearances.

Key Information

Dick is also known for his eccentric behavior, problems with drug addiction, allegations of sexual misconduct, and arrests.[3][4] Dick has said he has tried to deal with his drug and alcohol-use disorders for years and by 2016, he said he had undergone drug rehabilitation programs 20 times.[5] In 2022, after a conviction for a 2018 offense, Dick was ordered to register as a sex offender.[6][7]

Early life and education

[edit]

Andy Dick was born on December 21, 1965,[8] in Charleston, South Carolina, as Andrew Thomlinson. He was adopted at birth by Allen and Sue Dick, and was named Andrew Roane Dick. He was brought up as a Presbyterian.[9] His father was in the Navy.[10]

As a child, Dick lived with his family in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, and Yugoslavia before moving to Chicago in 1979.[1] He attended George Walton Comprehensive High School in Cobb County, Georgia.[11] Dick appeared in numerous theater productions during his high-school years, and was elected homecoming king of his senior year in 1983. He graduated from Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois, in 1984.[12]

While in high school, Dick used his surname as a joke; one day, he dressed in a homemade superhero costume and presented himself at school as "Super Dick".[13] Dick has been a friend of actor Anthony Rapp since childhood.[14]

After high school, Dick joined Chicago-based theater group The Second City and attended Illinois Wesleyan University for a semester before attending Columbia College Chicago, where he spent most of his university career,[15][10] and took improvisational theater (improv) comedy classes at iO Theater.

Career

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Dick holding a piñata with a cutout of Tom Green for The 1 Second Film in December 2004

Andy Dick started his television comedy career as a cast member on the sketch comedy program The Ben Stiller Show, which aired on the Fox Network from September 1992 to January 1993.[citation needed] In 1993, on the third night of David Letterman's new CBS show, Dick appeared as "Donnie the CBS Page Who Likes to Suck Up", during which he gave Letterman a watch. Letterman then handed Dick a pencil, prompting Dick to cry and walk backstage.[16]

In 1994, Dick played a stylist named Pepé in The Nanny episode "Maggie the Model".[citation needed] He also starred as Zachary Smart, the son of Maxwell Smart and Agent 99, in Get Smart (1995), a role he tried to escape to work on NewsRadio.[17] In 2001, Dick starred with Kieran Culkin on the short-lived NBC television series Go Fish.[citation needed]

Dick has regularly appeared on several sitcoms, including NewsRadio on NBC (1995–1999), portraying reporter Matthew Brock, and on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) sitcom Less than Perfect as Owen Kronsky.[citation needed]

In 2001, Dick, along with colleagues and producers, developed The Andy Dick Show for MTV that ended in 2003 after three seasons.[citation needed] In 2004, Dick starred in the MTV satirical reality television show The Assistant, which parodies themes and scenes from The Apprentice, The Bachelor, Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and Survivor.[citation needed]

Dick had also had a guest appearance on Star Trek: Voyager as the Emergency Medical Hologram Mark II in "Message in a Bottle".[citation needed] He competed in the eighth season of Celebrity Poker Showdown, in which finished in last place behind Robin Tunney, Christopher Meloni, Macy Gray, and Joy Behar.[citation needed]

In 2008, Dick appeared on episode No. 3 of The Real World: Hollywood to tell cast members they would be taking improv classes.[18][19]

Dick was a contestant on Season 16 of Dancing With the Stars in 2013.[20] He was partnered with former troupe member Sharna Burgess and was placed seventh in the competition. Dick appeared on ABC's Celebrity Wife Swap on July 14, 2013.[21]

Films

[edit]

One of Andy Dick's earliest film roles was a fictional version of himself in the film adaptation of video game Double Dragon.[citation needed] In 1993, Dick played himself in the mockumentary The Making of... And God Spoke.[citation needed] He also starred alongside comedian Pauly Shore in the 1994 war comedy film In the Army Now.[citation needed] Also in 1994, Dick made a cameo in Ben Stiller's directorial debut, Reality Bites.[citation needed]

In 1997, Dick had a supporting role alongside Luke Wilson and Jack Black in Bongwater as Wilson's gay friend who gives him a place to stay after his house is destroyed by fire.[22] In 1999, Dick played one of Dr. Claw's henchmen in Inspector Gadget.[citation needed]

In 2000, Dick made a cameo appearance in Dude, Where's My Car?. The same year, he appeared as a motel clerk in the teenage comedy Road Trip. In 2001, Dick made a cameo as Olga the Masseuse in Ben Stiller's comedy Zoolander.[citation needed]

In 2002, Dick appeared as a taxi cab driver in the band Ash's music video "Envy".[23] In 2003, he appeared in Will Ferrell's Old School as Barry the oral sex instructor and as a villainous Santa in The Hebrew Hammer.[citation needed] In 2005, Dick was featured in the documentary The Aristocrats. In 2006, he appeared in Employee of the Month as Lon, a nearsighted optician.[24] He also provided the voice of Mambo in Happily N'Ever After (2007) and the voice of Boingo in Hoodwinked! (2005).[citation needed]

Dick's feature-film-directing debut was the 2006 film Danny Roane: First Time Director. In late December 2008, Dick announced on his official website he had finished writing a script for a film titled Daphne Aguilera: Get into It, starring his alter-ego Daphne Aguilera.[25]

Voiceover work

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In 1998, Andy Dick voiced the villain Nuka in the Disney direct-to-video animated film The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and provided the voice of Boingo for the Hoodwinked! movies in 2005. In November 2016, Dick reprised his role as Nuka for the television series The Lion Guard.[citation needed]

In 2000, Dick voiced Dilbert's assistant in the animated television show Dilbert. He also voiced the recurring character "Monkey Man" on the Nickelodeon television series Hey Arnold!.[citation needed]

In 2002, Dick provided the voice of Mr Sheepman and other characters in the short-lived animated series Clone High.[citation needed]

On August 19, 2009, Dick became a downloadable character in the PlayStation Network's video game Pain.[26] In 2010, Dick voiced Jesus Christ in an episode of Mary Shelley's Frankenhole on Cartoon Network's segment Adult Swim.[27]

Web series

[edit]

While under house arrest in 2009, Dick created and starred in the five-episode web series House Arrest with Andy Dick, in whick Dick interviews celebrity guests including Greg Grunberg, Drew Pinsky, Mo Collins, Joey Greco, and Jennifer Coolidge.[28] In 2012, Dick hosted Andy Dick Live!. Dick and Pauly Shore discussed the possibility of a sequel to In the Army Now during his appearance on the show.[29] On September 19, 2013, Dick appeared with Melinda Hill in the first episode of the web series All Growz Up to talk about his early career and give advice to aspiring performers.[30]

Personal life

[edit]

From 1986 to 1990, Andy Dick was married to Ivone Kowalczyk, with whom he has a son who was born in 1988.[31] He also has a son and a daughter with Lena Sved.[32] In a 2006 interview with The Washington Post, Dick said he is bisexual.[33]

Dick has struggled with drug and alcohol dependence, and has undergone drug rehabilitation programs 20 times.[5]

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[edit]

On May 15, 1999, Dick drove his car into a utility pole in Hollywood, California. He was charged with possession of cocaine, cannabis, and drug paraphernalia; driving under the influence of alcohol/drugs; and hit-and-run driving.[34] He later pleaded guilty to felony cocaine possession, misdemeanor cannabis possession, and possession of a "smoking device". The charges were dismissed after Dick completed an 18-month drug diversion program.[35]

On December 4, 2004, Dick was arrested for indecent exposure after he exposed his buttocks at a McDonald's outlet.[36]

On July 16, 2008, Dick was arrested in Murrieta, California, on suspicion of drug possession and sexual battery. He exposed the breasts of a 17-year-old girl when he allegedly grabbed and pulled down her tank top and brassiere. During a search of his person, police reported finding a small quantity of cannabis and one alprazolam (Xanax) tablet, for which Dick did not have a prescription.[37][38] Dick was released from jail after posting $5,000 bail and later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery and marijuana possession. He was sentenced to three years probation and around $700 in fines, and was ordered to wear an alcohol-monitoring bracelet for one year.[39]

On January 23, 2010, Dick was arrested at about 4:00 a.m. at a bar in Huntington, West Virginia, on suspicion of sexual abuse after reportedly groping a bartender and a patron.[40][41] He was released from jail after pleading not guilty and posting $60,000 bail.[42][43] On June 29, 2011, a Cabell County Grand Jury formally indicted Dick for two counts of first-degree sexual abuse. Dick pleaded not guilty during a formal arraignment in Cabell County Circuit Court, Huntington, on July 29, 2011. Judge Paul Ferrell set a trial date of January 17, 2012.[44] After several delays, on May 21, 2012, Dick was given a six-month pre-trial diversion. An assistant prosecutor said the agreement stated the criminal charges would be dismissed if Dick would stay out of legal trouble for six months.[45] Dick completed the pre-trial diversion program and the charges were dismissed.[46] In January 2012, the two alleged victims filed a civil suit against Dick for unspecified damages.[47][needs update]

In June 2018, Dick was charged with misdemeanor sexual battery and battery for allegedly groping a woman in April that year.[48] In October 2019, Dick pleaded not guilty to charges he grabbed an Uber driver by the genitals.[49] He was convicted and sentenced to 90 days in jail in November 2022.[50] After his release, he was required to register as a sex offender and attend 52 sessions of Alcoholics Anonymous, pay restitution to the victim, receive mental-health counseling, and attend sessions of Sexual Compulsives Anonymous.[6][51]

On June 29, 2021, Dick was arrested for felony assault with a deadly weapon; he was released from jail on June 30, 2021, after posting the $50,000 bond.[52]

On May 10, 2022, Dick was arrested for felony sexual battery of a man in Orange County, California.[53] The case was later dropped when the accuser refused to cooperate with local police.[6]

In October 2022, Dick was arrested for felony burglary, allegedly of power tools.[54]

Dick was again arrested in January 2023 for public intoxication and failure to register as a sex offender in Lake Elsinore, California.[55]

Other incidents

[edit]

In 1999, Dick was questioned about the suicide of actor David Strickland and identified his body. On March 20 that year, Dick and Strickland flew from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, and spent three days partying in strip clubs.[56] Strickland hanged himself with a bed sheet over the ceiling beam and died during the morning of March 22, 1999.[57] He was 29 years old.

In 2005, Dick dropped his pants and exposed his genitals to the audience at Yuk Yuk's comedy club in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He was ushered off the stage and the show's second night was canceled.[58]

Dick groped Pamela Anderson during her 2005 Comedy Central roast, saying he was her plastic surgeon and used the premise to repeatedly grab her breasts. During the roast, Dick also attempted to grope Courtney Love, who proceeded to slap him across the face. Dick also mimed performing oral sex on Anderson's then-husband Tommy Lee.[59]

At William Shatner's 2006 Comedy Central roast, Dick, performing as the lovechild of James T. Kirk and Spock, allegedly licked Farrah Fawcett, Carrie Fisher, and Patton Oswalt before biting New York Post reporter Mandy Stadtmiller.[60]

In December 2006, Dick upset an audience at The Improv in Los Angeles by shouting "You're all a bunch of niggers!" following an improvised set with comedian Ian Bagg. This was a direct reference to Michael Richards' use of the same epithet to insult hecklers two weeks earlier.[61] He later issued an apology via his publicist:

I chose to make a joke about a subject that is not funny, in an attempt to make light of a serious subject. I have offended a lot of people, and I am sorry for my insensitivity. I wish to apologize to Ian, to the club and its patrons and to anyone who was hurt or offended by my remark.[61]

In February 2007, during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Dick was forcibly removed from the stage after repeatedly touching guest Ivanka Trump. Kimmel called in security guards Uncle Frank and Veatrice Rice, who assisted as Kimmel dragged off Dick by his legs.[62] Kimmel later said: "Andy did a segment, he was a little out of it. [When Ivanka] came out, he wanted a big, wet kiss. It was time for Andy to go, so I escorted him out by his feet ... He always makes me a little uncomfortable, you have no idea what he's going to do next."[63] Kimmel also said he had spoken to Dick afterwards and that Dick was not upset about the incident.[63]

In October 2010, Dick was seen exposing himself and making a commotion at Café Audrey in Hollywood.[64]

In January 2011, Dick was ejected from the AVN Awards, a pornographic movie awards ceremony, after repeatedly groping and stalking adult film actor Tera Patrick and drag queen Chi Chi LaRue.[65]

In April 2011, Dick was at a party connected with Newport Beach Film Festival. He appeared intoxicated, exposed himself, urinated on a backdrop and afterwards destroyed it by pulling it down. The organizers said this caused thousands of dollars of damage and considered suing Dick over the incident.[66]

In August 2011, Dick was a guest on Greg Fitzsimmons' radio show and made antisemitic statements about Howard Stern, calling Stern a "money-grubbing Jew" and a "hook-nosed Jew".[67]

In October 2017, Dick was fired from a role in the independent film Raising Buchanan due to allegations of inappropriate behavior that, according to The Hollywood Reporter, "included groping people's genitals, unwanted kissing/licking and sexual propositions of at least four members of the production".[68] Dick denied most of the allegations and said: "I might have kissed somebody on the cheek to say goodbye and then licked them. That's my thing – I licked Carrie Fisher at a roast. It's me being funny."[68] In the same month, he was also fired and escorted off the set of the film Vampire Dad due to "multiple, flagrant acts of improper conduct and inappropriate contact with several crew members".[69] He later said: "I overtook my medication and took too many Xanax and I was a bit loopy ... I won't do it anymore. I won't lick anyone's face anymore. We have an agreement."[69][55]

In 2019, a man knocked out Dick with a punch to the head, causing him to be sent to a hospital to be monitored for a brain bleed. The man accused Dick of groping him and punched Dick in retaliation.[70][71]

In April 2022, Dick alleged he was mugged in Las Vegas, presenting with severe facial injuries.[55]

Conflict with Jon Lovitz

[edit]

Andy Dick has a longstanding feud with former NewsRadio costar Jon Lovitz concerning the death of their mutual friend Phil Hartman. According to Lovitz, Dick had given Hartman's wife Brynn cocaine at a Christmas party at Hartman's house in 1997; Brynn, a recovering addict, began using drugs again, culminating in her killing of Hartman and her suicide on May 28, 1998. When Lovitz joined the cast of NewsRadio as Hartman's replacement, he and Dick argued; Lovitz shouted: "I wouldn't be here if you hadn't given Brynn coke in the first place". Lovitz later apologized to Dick for the remark.[72]

Lovitz alleged that in early 2007, Dick approached him at a restaurant and said: "I put the Phil Hartman hex on you – you're the next to die".[73] On July 10, 2007, Dick fought with Lovitz at Laugh Factory in Los Angeles; Lovitz demanded an apology from Dick, who refused and accused Lovitz of blaming him for Hartman's death. Lovitz then grabbed Dick by his shirt and slammed him backward into the bar, after which the doorman separated them.[73]

Discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • Andy Dick & the Bitches of the Century (2002)
  • Do Your Shows Always Suck? (2007)
  • The Darkest Day of the Year (2009)

Singles

[edit]
  • Happy B-Day JC (w/ Willie Wisely) (2006)
  • Addiction: Andy Dick Counsels the Dark Bob (w/ the Dark Bob) (2012)

Collaborations

[edit]
  • The Dark Bob: Stoked! (2006) – song: Father

Compilation appearances

[edit]
  • The Aristocrats (Original Soundtrack) (2005)
  • Hoodwinked! (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) (2005)
  • Live Nude Comedy Vol. 2 (2010)
  • The Adam Carolla Show 2009, Vol. 1 (2014)
  • The Adam Carolla Show 2009, Vol. 2 (2014)
  • The Adam Carolla Show 2009, Vol. 3 (2014)
  • The Adam Carolla Show 2010, Vol.1 (2014)
  • The Un & Only (2015)
  • The Good, The Bad, And the Drugly (2015)

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Elvis Stories Allen Short film
1993 The Making of '...And God Spoke' Abel
1994 Reality Bites Rock
1994 In the Army Now Jack Kaufman
1994 Double Dragon Smogcaster
1995 Hotel Oasis Nick Short film
1996 The Cable Guy Medieval Times Host
1997 Who's the Caboose? Jason Reemer
1997 Best Men Teddy
1998 Bongwater Teddy
1998 The Lion King II: Simba's Pride Nuka Voice, direct-to-video[74]
1998 Permanent Midnight Damian Uncredited
1999 Inspector Gadget Kramer
1999 Advice from a Caterpillar Spaz
1999 Laputa: Castle in the Sky Henri Voice, English dub[74]
2000 The Independent Maitre d'
2000 Loser Another City Worker
2000 Road Trip Motel Clerk
2000 Picking Up the Pieces Father Buñuel
2000 Dude, Where's My Car? Mark Uncredited
2001 Zoolander Olga, The Masseuse
2001 Scotland, PA Jesse (Hippie #3)
2001 Dr. Dolittle 2 Lennie the Weasel Voice[74]
2003 Old School Barry Uncredited
2003 The Hebrew Hammer Damian Claus
2003 Scorched Archie
2004 Larceny Chris
2005 Hoodwinked! Boingo Voice[74]
2006 The Bondage Stewart
2006 The Reef Dylan, Curious Shark Voice[74]
2006 Happily N'Ever After Mambo Voice[74]
2006 Employee of the Month Lon
2006 Danny Roane: First Time Director Danny Roane Also writer and director
2006 High Hopes Patrick
2006 Queer Duck: The Movie Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Voice, direct-to-video
2006 Love Hollywood Style Bobby Ireland
2007 Blonde Ambition Freddy
2007 The Comebacks Toilet Bowl Referee
2007 Chasing Robert The Wire
2009 Rock Slyde Bart
2009 Funny People Himself
2010 Fudgy Wudgy Fudge Face Greasy Guy
2011 Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil Boingo the Bunny Voice[74]
2011 Division III: Football's Finest Rick Vice Also writer and producer
2012 Freaky Deaky Mark Ricks
2012 The Reef 2: High Tide Dylan Voice, direct-to-video[74]
2014 Deadly Punkettes Victor
2014 Live Nude Girls Eddie
2015 L.A. Slasher The Slasher Voice
2016 Zoolander 2 Don Atari's Posse Member
2016 A Winter Rose Billy Joe
2021 The Wet Ones The Bunny King Cameo

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1989 Anything but Love Trell Episode: "Woman on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown"
1990 Sydney The Waiter Episode: "Sydney's Mom"
1991 Earth Angel Brownnoser Television film
1992–1995 The Ben Stiller Show Various characters 13 episodes
1993 Flying Blind Film Student Episode: "The Bride of Marsh Man 2: The Spawning"
1993 The Building Joe 2 episodes
1994 The Nanny Pepé, Bernie Episode: "Maggie the Model"
1995 Get Smart Zach Smart 7 episodes
1995–1999 NewsRadio Matthew Brock 97 episodes
1997 Johnny Bravo Melon Head, Surfer Dude Voice, episode: "Beach Blanket Bravo"[74]
1997 Space Ghost Coast to Coast Himself Episode: "Boatshow"
1998 Star Trek: Voyager EMH-2 Dr. Bradley Episode: "Message in a Bottle"
1999 Just Shoot Me! Kyle Episode: "Finch Gets Dick"
2000 Dilbert The Assistant Voice, episode: "The Assistant"
2000 King of the Hill Griffin Voice, episode: "Movin' on Up"
2000 Caitlin's Way William 2 episodes
2000 Hey Arnold! Monkeyman Voice, episode: "Monkeyman!"[74]
2000 Batman Beyond Slim Voice, episode: "The Eggbaby"[74]
2000 Sammy Mark Jacobs Voice
2000 Special Delivery Lloyd Steadman Television film
2001 Go Fish Ernie Hopkins 5 episodes
2001–2002 The Andy Dick Show Various characters 21 episodes; also writer and executive producer
2002, 2008 Family Guy Himself Episodes: "Road to Europe" and "Tales of a Third Grade Nothing"
2002–2003 Clone High Mr. Sheepman Voice, 6 episodes
2002–2006 Less Than Perfect Owen Kronsky 81 episodes
2004 Stripperella Larry Talbot / Werebeaver Voice, episode: "The Curse of the WereBeaver"
2004 The Assistant Presenter Also executive producer
2005 The Comedy Central Roast of Pamela Anderson Himself Television special
2006 Arrested Development Himself Episode: "S.O.B.s"
2006 The Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner Himself Television special
2007 The Simpsons Himself Episode: "Yokel Chords"
2007 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Himself Season 5, Episode 20
2007 ER Tommy Brewer Episode: "Crisis of Conscience"
2008 Rick & Steve: The Happiest Gay Couple in All the World Protestor Voice, episode: "Death of a Lesbian Bed"
2009 Head Case Himself Episode: "Tying the Not"
2010 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Armory Dealer Episode: "Blood Moon"
2010, 2011 Community Tiny Man, Helicopter Pilot 2 episodes
2010, 2012 Mary Shelley's Frankenhole Jesus Christ Voice, 2 episodes
2012 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja Jerry Driscoll Voice, episode: "Dawn of the Driscoll"[74]
2013 Legit Andy Episode: "Health"
2013 Bad Samaritans Floyd Episode: "Middle School Detention"
2013, 2016 2 Broke Girls J. Petto 3 episodes
2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Officer Doyle Television film
2015 Maron Himself Episode: "Marc's Niece"
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Andy Battlecorridor Episode: "David Krumholtz Wears a Blue Zip-Up Jacket and Grey Sneakers"
2016 Workaholics Mr. Buckley Episode: "Meth Head Actor"
2016 Great Minds with Dan Harmon John Wilkes Booth Episode: "John Wilkes Booth"[75]
2016 The Lion Guard Nuka Voice, episode: "Lions of the Outlands"[74]
2016–2017 Love Himself 2 episodes
2017–2018 Animals. Andy Voice, episode: "Rats"[74]
2017 Sense8 Kit Wrangler Episode: "If All the World's a Stage, Identity Is Nothing But a Costume"
2019 Valley Junk TV Jared Levine Episode: "The Crazy Agent"
2021 The Game Shoppe Walter Molly Animation Series
2022 That Moon Show Himself Animation Series
2024 LaShawn, The Aborted Fetus TBA Animation Series

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Maurice, Talk Radio Uncredited
2005 Marc Eckō's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Aunt Beth [74]
2007 Pain Himself

Music video appearances

[edit]
Year Title Artist(s)
2006 A Public Affair Jessica Simpson
2015 Just Like You Falling in Reverse

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia

Andrew Roane Dick (born December 21, 1965), known professionally as Andy Dick, is an American comedian, actor, musician, and producer. He rose to prominence portraying the inept and eccentric news reporter Matthew Brock on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio from 1995 to 1999. Dick subsequently played the flamboyant assistant Owen Kronsky on the ABC workplace comedy Less than Perfect from 2002 to 2006. Throughout his career, he has appeared in various films and television shows, often in comedic supporting roles, and hosted his own sketch series, The Andy Dick Show, on MTV from 2001 to 2003. However, Dick's professional trajectory has been repeatedly disrupted by legal troubles involving substance abuse and sexual misconduct, culminating in a 2022 misdemeanor conviction for sexual battery after groping an Uber driver, for which he served 90 days in jail and was required to register as a sex offender.

Early life

Childhood and adoption

Andrew Thomlinson was born on December 21, 1965, in Charleston, South Carolina, to teenage biological parents who relinquished him for adoption shortly after birth. He was adopted as a newborn by Allen Dick, a U.S. Navy serviceman, and his wife Sue Dick, who renamed him Andrew Roane Dick and raised him in a Presbyterian household. Due to Allen Dick's military career, the family frequently relocated during Andy Dick's childhood, living in locations including Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, Yugoslavia, and Illinois. Dick has described his upbringing as lacking consistent parenting, attributing this in part to his adoptive mother's undisclosed alcoholism, and likened the family environment to being "raised by wolves" amid the instability of constant moves.

Education and early influences

Dick attended Joliet West High School in Joliet, Illinois, graduating in 1984. During his senior year in fall 1983, he campaigned for homecoming king using the slogan "Don't vote for a jock. Vote for a..." to play on his surname for comedic effect. Classmates and teachers recalled him as a quick-witted student who frequently turned everyday situations into jokes, foreshadowing his comedic inclinations. Following high school, Dick relocated to Chicago, where he pursued training in improvisational theater by joining The Second City troupe and studying its techniques. He also enrolled at Columbia College Chicago and briefly attended Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois, though he did not complete a degree at either institution. Additionally, he took improv classes at the iO Theater (formerly ImprovOlympic), which emphasized long-form improvisation and influenced his early performance style. These experiences in Chicago's vibrant improv scene provided the foundational skills that shaped his approach to comedy, focusing on spontaneous character work and ensemble dynamics rather than scripted material.

Career

Stand-up comedy and early breakthroughs

Andy Dick developed his stand-up comedy routine in the Chicago area during the late 1980s, drawing from his background in improvisational theater. By 1990, at age 25, he had cultivated a consistent presence in the local scene, performing at various venues nearly every night of the week. His act emphasized eccentric, unfiltered humor that tested audience boundaries, often incorporating personal anecdotes and absurd scenarios delivered with high energy. To sustain his early touring efforts, Dick took on miscellaneous jobs while gigging at comedy clubs across the Midwest, gradually expanding performances to other U.S. cities in the early 1990s. This grassroots approach built a dedicated following among fans of edgier live comedy, distinct from mainstream sketch formats. His persistence in raw, confrontational sets—frequently improvising based on crowd reactions—earned him repeat bookings and word-of-mouth buzz in regional circuits. These efforts culminated in his breakthrough appearance on The Ben Stiller Show in 1992, marking his transition from regional stand-up to national television exposure. Dick's first forays into recording his material culminated in releases like the 2002 album Andy Dick & the Bitches of the Century, which captured elements of his live persona through comedic tracks and collaborations. These efforts solidified his reputation as a boundary-pushing live performer with a cult appeal among comedy enthusiasts seeking unpolished acts.

Television roles

Andy Dick gained prominence in television through his role as the eccentric, accident-prone reporter Matthew Brock on the NBC sitcom NewsRadio, which aired from March 21, 1995, to May 13, 1999, across five seasons. In the ensemble cast alongside Dave Foley, Stephen Root, Maura Tierney, and Phil Hartman as Bill McNeal, Dick's character often provided comic relief through naive and overly enthusiastic antics in the newsroom setting. The series received an 8/10 rating on IMDb from over 18,000 user votes, reflecting its cult following for sharp workplace satire, though it maintained modest Nielsen ratings that hovered around 10-12 million viewers per episode in early seasons before declining. It earned nominations for Online Film & Television Association (OFTA) Television Awards, including Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for Hartman, underscoring the ensemble's critical recognition. Following NewsRadio, Dick hosted and starred in the sketch comedy series The Andy Dick Show on MTV, which premiered on February 19, 2001, and ran for two seasons until May 2002, comprising 18 episodes. The format featured Dick in various absurd characters and sketches, often incorporating celebrity guests like Ashton Kutcher, with a focus on improvised, boundary-pushing humor tailored to MTV's younger audience. Despite a 6.4/10 IMDb rating from nearly 500 votes, the show was canceled after its second season amid low viewership, as MTV shifted priorities toward reality programming; it drew limited metrics, with episodes averaging under 1 million viewers in a fragmented cable landscape. In subsequent years, Dick appeared in recurring and guest capacities on other series, including the role of the dim-witted staffer Owen Kronsky on ABC's Less than Perfect from 2002 to 2006, contributing to the sitcom's ensemble dynamic in a network TV office comedy. He also hosted the MTV reality competition The Assistant in 2004, where contestants vied for a personal assistant position through challenges testing loyalty and competence, though the single-season format yielded no notable awards or sustained ratings data. These mid-2000s appearances marked a shift toward shorter engagements, aligning with declining opportunities as his visibility waned post-MTV.

Film and voice acting

Andy Dick portrayed supporting comedic characters in various live-action films, often leveraging his manic persona for brief but memorable appearances. In Road Trip (2000), he played the unsettling Motel Clerk who propositions the protagonists with bizarre services during their chaotic journey. In Zoolander (2001), Dick appeared as Olga the Masseuse, delivering an aggressive massage scene that highlighted the film's satirical take on the fashion industry. His uncredited role as Barry, an oral sex instructor, in Old School (2003) featured in a fraternity training sequence, adding to the comedy's raunchy humor amid the ensemble cast. In voice acting, Dick provided the vocal performance for Boingo, the scheming bunny antagonist, in the animated film Hoodwinked! (2005), where he incorporated improvisation into the character's manic energy. He reprised the role in the direct-to-video sequel Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil (2011). Additional voice work included Lennie the Weasel in Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001). Dick extended his voice work to video games, voicing Maurice, the eccentric host of the "Gardening with Maurice" radio segment on WCTR, in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004). He also appeared as a downloadable playable character voicing himself in the physics-based game PAIN (2008).

Music, web series, and other media

Andy Dick released his debut comedy album, Andy Dick & the Bitches of the Century, in 2002, featuring explicit tracks with vulgar, sexually themed humor such as "Damn Good Pussy" and "My Friend Drank So Much Liquor." The album showcased his penchant for irreverent, boundary-pushing comedy music blending spoken-word elements with musical accompaniment. Subsequent releases included Happy B-Day J.C. in 2006, a collection with holiday-inflected comedic songs, and Do Your Shows Always Suck? (Explicit Version) in 2007, a 34-track live-style comedy album capturing profane stand-up routines and musical interludes centered on personal anecdotes and debauchery. His discography continued with The Darkest Day of the Year in 2009, incorporating dark humor and tracks like "Another Great Day for Drugs," reflecting themes of substance use and self-deprecation. In 2023, Dick issued My Best Friend (Tom Lord-Alge Mix), a more recent musical project produced by Tom Lord-Alge, featuring reflective and upbeat content.
  • Andy Dick & the Bitches of the Century (2002): Explicit comedy with sexual and party themes.
  • Happy B-Day J.C. (2006): Humorous holiday songs.
  • Do Your Shows Always Suck? (Explicit Version) (2007): Live comedy recordings with vulgar language.
  • The Darkest Day of the Year (2009): Darkly comedic tracks on drugs and excess.
  • My Best Friend (Tom Lord-Alge Mix) (2023): Produced mix with personal themes.
Beyond albums, Dick has engaged in niche audio projects, including hosting the podcast ADICKTED with Andy Dick, launched on April 22, 2021, where he discusses his experiences with addiction, sexuality, and mental health alongside expert guests. The series features candid, therapeutic-style episodes, such as explorations of family dysfunction and cognitive behavioral therapy. Dick has also shared music and comedy clips on platforms like SoundCloud, extending his comedic output into digital audio formats.

Personal struggles

Substance abuse and addiction history

Andy Dick's substance abuse issues emerged prominently during the mid-1990s run of NewsRadio, amid a cast environment marked by heavy partying and co-star addictions, including David Strickland's suicide by hanging in Las Vegas on March 22, 1999. Dick admitted in a 1999 Time magazine interview to long-standing problems with drugs and alcohol, describing a hedonistic lifestyle involving cocaine and excessive drinking that contributed to erratic behavior. This era saw patterns of relapse evidenced by a May 15, 1999, incident in Hollywood where Dick, intoxicated, drove his car into a telephone pole, resulting in the discovery of cocaine and marijuana on his person, highlighting ongoing use despite professional demands. From the early 2000s, Dick pursued repeated rehabilitation efforts, entering programs over a dozen times by his own account, with relapses frequently demonstrated through public intoxication and on-set disruptions. He participated in VH1's Sober House reality series in 2009-2010, aimed at addressing addiction post-incarceration, but subsequent incidents like intoxication at a winery in 2010 indicated failure to maintain sobriety. In June 2012, following an intervention by co-workers during a radio appearance, Dick checked into a California rehab facility for another attempt. A notable extended sobriety claim followed entry into the SOBA sober-living center in Malibu in late 2014, which Dick described as his 20th rehab stint; by July 2016, he reported 18 months sober and endorsed the program publicly. Earlier relapses, such as drunken behavior leading to a 2004 McDonald's incident and drug-related issues in 2008, underscored a cycle where initial abstinences gave way to resumed use, often tied to social enabling and emotional triggers like anxiety, without sustained causal breaks from underlying patterns. On-set lapses, including erratic conduct during a 2007 Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance, further evidenced this volatility amid career pressures.

Conflict with Jon Lovitz

Andy Dick has had a longstanding feud with his former NewsRadio co-star Jon Lovitz concerning the death of their mutual colleague Phil Hartman. According to Lovitz, Dick provided cocaine to Hartman's wife Brynn, a recovering addict, at a Christmas party at the Hartmans' home in 1997, which led to her relapse and culminated in her murder of Hartman followed by her suicide on May 28, 1998. When Lovitz joined the cast of NewsRadio as Hartman's replacement, he argued with Dick, shouting, "I wouldn't be here if you hadn't given Brynn coke in the first place." Lovitz later apologized to Dick for the remark. Lovitz alleged that in early 2007, Dick approached him at a restaurant and said, "I put the Phil Hartman hex on you—you're the next to die." On July 10, 2007, Dick and Lovitz fought at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles; Lovitz demanded an apology from Dick, who refused and accused Lovitz of blaming him for Hartman's death, after which Lovitz grabbed Dick by the shirt and slammed him backward into the bar before they were separated by the doorman.

Relationships and family dynamics

Andy Dick married Ivone Kowalczyk in 1986 following her pregnancy, and the couple welcomed a son before divorcing in 1990.
Later, Dick entered a relationship with Lena Sved, whom court records and media reports identified as his wife, and they had two children together: a son named Jacob and a daughter named Meg. In February 2018, Sved secured a temporary restraining order against Dick after incidents involving alleged drunken arguments with their son, which a judge extended to a five-year mandate requiring Dick to maintain a distance of at least 100 yards from Sved and both children.
Dick has publicly discussed his parental efforts, including a post-divorce arrangement where he resided in a backyard structure on his ex-partner's property to facilitate proximity to his children. No public statements from his children or Sved regarding family dynamics have been widely documented in verified interviews.

Sexual misconduct charges and sex offender status

In July 2008, Andy Dick was arrested in Murrieta, California, on suspicion of misdemeanor sexual battery after allegedly pulling down the top of a 17-year-old girl at a Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant. He was also charged with felony possession of a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of marijuana, but prosecutors declined to pursue the sexual battery charge, determining it did not meet the felony threshold. Dick pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge, receiving probation but no conviction on the battery allegation. In October 2017, Dick was fired from the independent film Raising Buchanan following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct on set, including groping, non-consensual kissing or licking, and lewd propositions toward at least four crew members. He was also dismissed from the horror comedy Vampire Dad for similar "flagrant acts of sexual harassment," as detailed in a termination letter citing inappropriate physical contact. Dick denied groping but acknowledged possibly kissing individuals without explicit consent. These incidents did not result in formal charges or arrests at the time. In October 2018, Dick allegedly groped the buttocks of a male Uber driver during a ride, leading to a misdemeanor sexual battery charge filed in 2019. He pleaded not guilty initially but was convicted in November 2022, receiving a sentence of 90 days in jail, three years of probation, and a requirement to register as a sex offender under California Penal Code Section 290. On May 11, 2022, Dick was arrested at O'Neill Regional Park in Trabuco Canyon, Orange County, California, on suspicion of felony sexual battery after a male victim reported an assault at a campground. The investigation stalled due to the victim's uncooperativeness, and no charges were filed. Andy Dick has faced multiple arrests related to alcohol intoxication in public settings, often involving disruptive behavior at restaurants or bars. In 2008, he was found intoxicated outside a Riverside County restaurant and pleaded guilty to the charge, receiving probation as a result. That same year, authorities in Murrieta arrested him on suspicion of illegal drug use following an incident reported by a witness. On May 2, 2011, Dick was arrested at a Marie Callender's restaurant in Temecula for being drunk and disorderly in public after exhibiting intoxicated behavior, leading to a brief detention of four to six hours until he sobered up. More recently, on January 13, 2023, Dick was arrested just after midnight at a bar in Lake Elsinore, California, for public intoxication after displaying clear signs of alcohol influence, as confirmed by Riverside County Sheriff's deputies responding to a call. These incidents reflect a pattern of substance-related public disturbances documented in police reports, contributing to repeated interactions with law enforcement.

Other criminal incidents and failures to comply

In October 2022, Andy Dick was arrested in Santa Barbara County, California, on a felony charge of first-degree residential burglary after allegedly entering a vacant Riviera hills home and stealing power tools from the garage. He was held in county jail with bail set at $50,000 and pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on October 25, 2022. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office dismissed the charge in March 2023, citing the property owner's unwillingness to pursue prosecution. In November 2021, Dick was arrested in Los Angeles on domestic violence charges stemming from an alleged battery incident involving a household member. He was released on bail shortly after booking, though specific details of the resolution remain limited in public records. Dick's status as a registered sex offender, mandated following his 2022 sexual battery conviction, led to repeated compliance failures. On January 13, 2023, he was arrested in Lake Elsinore, California, after deputies determined during a public intoxication call that his sex offender registration was not current. In December 2023, a Riverside County court issued an arrest warrant for his alleged failure to update his registration following a change in home address, a requirement under California's sex offender laws. These violations indicate persistent non-adherence to mandated reporting obligations, with no public resolution of the 2023 warrant reported as of late 2024.

Professional and public repercussions

Industry blacklisting and career decline

Andy Dick's acting roles significantly diminished after the mid-2010s, with no major studio projects following minor appearances in films like Road Trip (2000) and voice work up to 2008 on Family Guy. Industry observers attributed this to repeated misconduct allegations eroding professional tolerance, leading to effective blacklisting where producers avoided casting him to mitigate set disruptions and reputational risks. In October 2017, Dick was fired from the independent film Raising Buchanan after accusations of groping and other inappropriate physical contact with crew members and actors on set. He was subsequently terminated from a second project, Vampire Dad, via a formal letter citing similar violations of conduct policies, including unwanted advances. These incidents exemplified broader patterns of behavior that colleagues described as exhausting Hollywood's willingness to overlook prior warnings, resulting in prolonged employment gaps and exclusion from mainstream productions. By 2025, Dick's net worth had declined to approximately $300,000, a sharp reduction from earlier career peaks driven by television residuals and comedy specials, reflecting diminished earning opportunities amid sparse bookings. This financial trajectory underscored the causal link between sustained reputational damage and professional isolation, as indie and voice gigs failed to offset the loss of higher-profile work.

Public defenses versus condemnations

Some observers have characterized Andy Dick's on-set and public behavior as an extension of his eccentric, boundary-pushing comedy persona, akin to chaotic improvisations seen in roles on NewsRadio during the 1990s, where disruptions were often tolerated as artistic flair. Actor Zachary Levi, who co-starred with Dick on Less Than Perfect, publicly defended him in July 2008 following an arrest for drug possession and sexual battery, describing Dick as "less than perfect" but attributing the incident to personal flaws rather than intentional predation, emphasizing their friendship and Dick's talent. In contrast, condemnations have predominated since the mid-2010s, particularly post-#MeToo, with critics citing recurrent victim testimonies of non-consensual advances as evidence of predatory patterns rather than mere eccentricity. The Hollywood Reporter reported in October 2017 that at least four crew members on the film Raising Buchanan accused Dick of groping genitals, unwanted kissing or licking, and sexual propositions, prompting his immediate firing; Dick partially acknowledged licking but denied groping, framing some acts as affectionate missteps. Similar accounts surfaced in USA Today coverage of prior incidents, including a 2008 battery charge involving exposure to a minor, underscoring a timeline of complaints dating back years. Media portrayals shifted accordingly, from 1990s-2000s profiles highlighting Dick's "professional eccentric" antics as entertaining chaos to 2020s analyses deeming them toxically harmful, with outlets like Vox noting in 2017 that while firings were novel, the allegations echoed long-ignored reports. Online forums such as Reddit feature isolated anecdotes questioning the severity—e.g., users in 2024 threads speculating some interactions as exaggerated "horror stories" tied to his persona—but these remain anecdotal and minority views against broader testimonies of distress. Empirical patterns from multiple independent accounts prioritize harm over interpretive defenses of comedic intent.

Attempts at rehabilitation and comebacks

Andy Dick has entered drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs numerous times, with reports indicating at least 12 stints by 2012, primarily addressing cocaine and alcohol addiction. In April 2015, he reportedly checked into rehab for the 13th time, following social media hints of sobriety struggles. By March 2016, Dick publicly claimed 15 and a half months of sobriety, crediting the SOBA Recovery Center in Malibu, where one of his children had also achieved sobriety. These efforts have yielded temporary periods of abstinence, such as in 2009 when Dick described sobriety as enabling him to refine his comedic material for stage performances. However, relapses have followed, including legal incidents in subsequent years that suggest incomplete long-term recovery, such as a 2022 sexual battery conviction leading to jail time. Post-rehabilitation, Dick has pursued career resurgence through stand-up comedy and independent film roles, maintaining activity despite industry ostracism from prior misconduct. Recent credits include voice work in SkyFly (2024) and appearances in low-budget productions like Alien Vampire Busters (2023) and Feral Female (2025). These endeavors represent incremental comebacks amid a net worth estimated at $300,000 in 2025, reflecting diminished mainstream opportunities after scandals. No major network or high-profile revivals have materialized, with his output confined to niche comedy circuits and direct-to-video projects.

References

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