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Andy Kindler
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Andy David Kindler[2] (born October 16, 1956) is an American comedian and actor.[3] He played the character Andy, a fellow sportswriter and friend of the titular character on the sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, was a regular guest on Late Show with David Letterman, a contributor to The Daily Show, and has performed on HBO. Kindler frequently performs as a voice actor in animated television series from producer Loren Bouchard, including roles on Dr. Katz, Home Movies, and the recurring character of Mort the mortician on Bob's Burgers.
Key Information
Early life and education
[edit]Kindler was born to Lawrence and Joan Kindler in Queens, New York.[4] He had a brother and a sister, who died in 2020.[4] His family is Jewish. His mother had become a Quaker when Andy was 15 years old. Kindler grew up in Whitestone, Queens.[5][6] Kindler graduated from Bayside High School in Bayside, Queens.[7] He attended Binghamton University, and originally intended on becoming a classical musician. While in college, Kindler performed in theatre productions. After graduating, Kindler moved to Los Angeles. He began performing stand-up in 1984.[8][9]
Career
[edit]Stand up
[edit]His material often covers the comedy industry itself, criticizing other comedians for being too predictable. [10]He has roasted other comedians on the State of the Industry address. At his annual State of the Industry address at Montreal's "Just for Laughs" festival in 2012, he poked fun at Dane Cook, Louis C.K., Chelsea Handler, and Jay Leno.[11]
In 2010, Kindler was a judge on the stand-up reality show Last Comic Standing.[12]
In 2018, he hosted the live taping of Megan Koester's comedy album "Tertium Non Datur," released in January 2019 by Aspecialthing Records.[13][14] Kindler has hosted season four and five (2018–19) of the Hulu standup series Coming to the Stage.[15]
In 1996, he offered $1 million to anyone who could produce a video in which Whoopi Goldberg was funny.[16][17]
In 2010, Kindler released his first album, I Wish I Was Bitter, recorded in 2003.[18] He followed this with Hence the Humor on May 8, 2020.[19]
In 2022, Kindler performed the first live stand-up set given via hologram.[20]
Acting
[edit]Kindler is best known as Andy on Everybody Loves Raymond. He has also appeared on several episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place as Chancellor Tootietootie.
Kindler is often thought to have portrayed the character of "Jamison" in the World Wrestling Federation, but the character was portrayed by a different actor by the name of John DiGiacomo.[21][22] He plays a fictionalized version of himself in the IFC series Maron.[23]
Kindler currently co-hosts the weekly podcast Thought Spiral with friend and fellow comedian J. Elvis Weinstein. He also appeared numerous times on The Majority Report with Sam Seder.
Personal life
[edit]Kindler has been married to Susan Maljan since 2002, having been together since 1992.[24]
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Martin | Salesman | Episode: "To Kill a Talking Bird" |
| 1994 | Muddling Through | Beer Distributor | Episode: "It's a Date" |
| 1995–1997 | Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist | Andy (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 1995 | The Larry Sanders Show | Himself | Episode: "Conflict of Interest" |
| 1996–2005 | Everybody Loves Raymond | Andy | 27 episodes |
| 1997 | Ellen | Hesh Finkleman | Episode: "Ellen Unplugged" |
| 1999 | The Dick & Paula Celebrity Special | Himself (voice) | 6 episodes |
| 2001–2002 | Raising Dad | Mr. Travers | 16 episodes |
| 2002–2004 | Home Movies | Arnold Lindenson (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2004 | Significant Others | Doug | 4 episodes |
| 2009–2012 | Wizards of Waverly Place | Chancellor Tootietootie | 6 episodes |
| 2010 | 'Til Death | Barry | Episode: "Perfect Couple" |
| 2011–present | Bob's Burgers | Mort (voice) | 77 episodes |
| 2011 | The Life & Times of Tim | Rabbi (voice) | Episode: "Percey Davis Boulevard/Cool Uncle Stu Balls" |
| 2013–2016 | Maron | Himself | 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Crash & Bernstein | Andy | Episode: "Crashy McSmartypants" |
| 2014 | The Neighbors | Henry | Episode: "Oscar Party" |
| 2014 | Garfunkel and Oates | Michael Andrew Carson | Episode: "Road Warriors" |
| 2015 | Sirens | Bobby | Episode: "No Love" |
| 2015–2016 | Harvey Beaks | Easy (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Lady Dynamite | Himself | Episode: "Jack and Diane" |
| 2016 | Talking Tom and Friends | Galileo (voice) | Episode: "Funny Robot Galileo" |
| 2018 | Another Period | Barker | Episode: "Sex Nickelodeon" |
| 2018 | Portlandia | Dr. Benz | Episode: "Long Way Back" |
| 2018 | I'm Dying Up Here | Morris | 3 episodes |
| 2020 | The Fiddling Horse | Barry Bitterman |
References
[edit]- ^ "Andy Kindler, Comedian and Actor". Archived from the original on May 7, 2015. Retrieved November 12, 2015.
- ^ "Andy Kindler on Letterman 1/19/07 Jan. 20th 2007". youtube.com. January 21, 2023.
- ^ "Comedy-Contact Biography Page". Archived from the original on September 28, 2007. Retrieved October 23, 2007.
- ^ a b "Janette Kindler | New Hyde Park Funeral Home". nhpfh. March 12, 2020. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Comedian Andy Kindler Talks 'California cuisine,' Perks Of Stardom". Food Republic. July 10, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "On the line with Andy Kindler", journeyofafrontman.com. April 7, 2015.
- ^ Hawthorne, Amy (April 23, 2015). "Moontower Preview: Andy Kindler Talks About Twitter Addiction, And Going to Austin - The Interrobang". Retrieved May 10, 2024.
- ^ "Andy Kindler: The Curmudgeonly Comic". STAND UP SANTA CRUZ. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Johnson, Seth (April 24, 2019). "An Interview with Andy Kindler". NUVO. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Jennings, Ken (July 9, 2019). Planet Funny: How Comedy Ruined Everything. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 978-1-5011-0060-4.
- ^ "Audio interview: Andy Kindler goes after Louis C.K., state of comedy and more (Exclusive)". Laughspin. Archived from the original on June 17, 2013. Retrieved April 25, 2013.
- ^ Burke, David (October 28, 2010). "Kindler looks back fondly as 'Comic' judge". The Quad-City Times. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ Weekly, L. A. (May 1, 2018). "15 Best Things to Do in L.A. This Week". L.A. Weekly. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ records, aspecialthing. "aspecialthing records | NEWS | OUT TODAY – "TERTIUM NON DATUR"". astrecords.virb.com. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ "JFL NorthWest Comedians talk Context in Comedy". Vancouver Weekly. February 1, 2019. Retrieved March 3, 2019.
- ^ Getlen, Larry. "The Comic Who Calls Louis C.K. 'Pretentious' and Jimmy Fallon a 'Phony'", New York Post, May 15, 2015. Accessed May 16, 2015
- ^ Keepnews, Peter (August 6, 2005). "In One Comic's View, His Industry Is the Joke". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Bacon, Caleb (January 27, 2010). "DVD Review: Andy Kindler's I Wish I Was Bitter". LAist. Retrieved May 7, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Maron, Marc (May 7, 2020). "Liz Garbus / Andy Kindler". WTF with Marc Maron. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
- ^ Bennett, Steve. "Holo laughter: News 2022: Chortle: The UK Comedy Guide". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ "February Made Me Shiver". Andy Kindler's Hot Off The Shtick.
- ^ "Under the Ring: An interview with Jameson, part 1". pojoslam.blogspot.com.
- ^ "Maron". IFC. Retrieved May 23, 2013.
- ^ Dean, David (February 19, 2011). "Instant Classic: Interview with Andy Kindler". Serial Optimist. Archived from the original on October 29, 2021. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
External links
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| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
Andy Kindler
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Early life
Andy Kindler was born on October 16, 1956, in Queens, New York City.[7] He grew up in a Jewish family in Queens, raised by his parents, Lawrence (died 2015) and Joan Kindler (died late 2010s), alongside a brother and a sister.[8][9] His mother converted to Quakerism when Kindler was 15 years old, which marked a shift in the family's religious dynamics during his adolescence.[7] From a young age, Kindler showed strong interests in music and theater. He began playing the violin as a child and initially aspired to pursue a career as a classical musician. He studied classical violin for about 12 years as a child.[10] Additionally, he started performing in theater productions during his childhood, which helped nurture his creative inclinations.[11] Family interactions played a key role in Kindler's early creative development, particularly in fostering his sense of humor. One of his earliest comedic memories occurred around age five, when he mispronounced a word on a billboard while riding in the car with his family, eliciting laughter from his parents that encouraged his playful side.[11] These moments of familial encouragement highlighted the supportive environment that influenced his budding artistic interests. Kindler later attended Bayside High School in Queens.[12]Education
Kindler attended Bayside High School in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York, where he was active among a group of humorous peers that contributed to his early comedic inclinations.[13] Following high school, he enrolled at Binghamton University in upstate New York, initially drawn by its strong music program with the intention of pursuing a career in classical music.[14] However, the program's emphasis on vocal training did not align with his instrumental focus, leading him to shift away from music as his primary pursuit.[14] At Binghamton, Kindler ultimately majored in English Literature, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978.[15] During his time there, he became involved in numerous theater productions, despite not majoring in the field, which ignited his interest in performance and acting.[14] These experiences marked a pivotal transition in his creative development, bridging his academic background with emerging performative talents.Career
Stand-up comedy
Kindler began performing stand-up comedy shortly after graduating from Binghamton University in 1978, initially honing his craft in New York City clubs and on the road for one-nighters outside Manhattan, such as in Long Island and Bayside venues.[16][17] He later relocated to Los Angeles in the early 1980s, where he continued developing his act amid the burgeoning comedy scene, drawing from personal experiences like his prior door-to-door sales jobs to build resilience for stage bombing.[17] This period marked the foundation of his career, transitioning from theater in college to professional live performances by the mid-1980s.[16] His signature style features ironic, self-deprecating meta-humor that frequently critiques the comedy industry, fellow performers, and the mechanics of joke-telling itself, often deconstructing routines in real time to highlight their absurdities.[18][19] This approach earned him a reputation as a "comic's comic," with material that resonates deeply in insider circles while challenging mainstream expectations.[5] Kindler has showcased this style through over 30 appearances on The Late Show with David Letterman—totaling 39 sets—and multiple guest spots on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, where his industry jabs and self-mockery became staples.[20][21] A key milestone in his live work came in the early 2000s with his annual "State of the Industry" addresses—sometimes titled "We Are the World of Comedy"—at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal, beginning in 1996 and continuing through at least 2022.[22][23] These speeches deliver biting satirical takedowns of trends, celebrities, and industry figures, often drawing bigger laughs from comedians than audiences and solidifying his role as a provocative voice.[24] Kindler has also released notable stand-up specials, including two Comedy Central Presents half-hours in 2006 and 2010, I Wish I Was Bitter in 2009, and Hence the Humor on Showtime in 2020, the latter capturing his raw, confessional takes on show business and personal failures.[25][26][27] As of 2025, Kindler maintains an active schedule of tours and live shows, including dates at venues like The Offbeat in Los Angeles, reflecting a post-COVID resurgence after he avoided the road during the pandemic to focus on writing and reflection.[28][29] In 2024 interviews, he described emerging stronger, with renewed energy for in-person performances that emphasize his enduring critique of comedy's evolution.[30]Acting
Kindler transitioned from stand-up comedy to on-screen acting in the 1990s, securing recurring character roles in live-action sitcoms that showcased his dry, self-deprecating humor.[31] His breakthrough came with the role of Andy, a sportswriter and friend of Ray Barone, on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond, where he appeared in 27 episodes from 1996 to 2005, often providing comic relief through awkward social interactions. This role established Kindler as a reliable supporting player in ensemble comedies, leveraging his timing and observational style to complement the show's family dynamics. He also starred as the quirky father in the short-lived sitcom Raising Dad in 2001.[31] In the 2010s, Kindler expanded into voice acting, which became a cornerstone of his later career, allowing him to sustain visibility through animated projects amid fewer live-action opportunities.[32] Earlier voice work included roles in Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist and Home Movies, both created by Loren Bouchard. He has voiced Mort, the neurotic mortician and neighbor to the Belcher family, on Fox's Bob's Burgers since 2011, contributing to over 200 episodes with a distinctive whiny delivery that highlights Mort's hypochondriac tendencies. This role extended to the 2022 animated feature The Bob's Burgers Movie, where Mort supports the family's adventure, underscoring Kindler's enduring partnership with creator Loren Bouchard. The longevity of this performance has kept Kindler prominent in animation into the 2020s, blending his comedic persona with character-driven voice work.[33] Kindler also made notable guest and recurring appearances across television, often playing heightened versions of himself or quirky authority figures. On IFC's Maron (2013–2016), he portrayed a fictionalized Andy Kindler as Marc Maron's hapless friend, appearing in multiple episodes to deliver meta-commentary on the comedy industry. Similarly, he recurred as Chancellor Rudy Tootietootie, the pompous head of the Monster Hunter Council, on Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place from 2009 to 2012, adding absurd bureaucratic humor to the wizard family's storylines. In 2010, Kindler served as a judge on season 7 of NBC's Last Comic Standing, offering candid critiques that reflected his industry insider perspective during the competition's live performances.[34] More recently, Kindler has appeared as himself in documentary and unscripted formats, maintaining his presence in comedy discourse. He featured in the 2023 documentary Sorry/Not Sorry, providing insights into Louis C.K.'s career fallout and the broader implications for comedians.[35] In 2025, he guested on season 8 of Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil, joining host Phil Rosenthal in Amsterdam for a segment blending food exploration with humorous banter.[36] These roles illustrate Kindler's evolution toward versatile, personality-driven appearances that extend his acting footprint beyond traditional scripted work.[31]Writing
Andy Kindler began his writing career in television during the 1980s, contributing sketches and material to early variety and sketch programs. One of his initial credits was as a writer for The New Show, a short-lived 1984 NBC sketch comedy series created by Lorne Michaels, where he helped develop satirical content alongside a team of emerging comedy talents. In the 1990s, Kindler expanded his television writing to sitcoms and variety formats. He served as a writer on Roseanne, contributing to episodes during the show's run on ABC, focusing on sharp, character-driven humor that aligned with the series' working-class themes. His work on the show helped shape its comedic tone in the mid-1990s. Additionally, Kindler wrote for Late Night with Conan O'Brien, providing material for segments and monologues that highlighted his wry observational style during the late 1990s, and contributed to The Daily Show.[37] Kindler also collaborated on projects under Worldwide Pants, the production company founded by David Letterman, including writing for other unproduced or short-lived pilots in the late 1990s and early 2000s. These efforts often involved satirical takes on news and media, though many remained behind-the-scenes contributions without on-air attribution. His collaborative TV writing earned recognition when the team for Dennis Miller Live—a show to which Kindler contributed as a writer—received a 1996 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series, ultimately winning the award for its incisive political and cultural commentary.[38][39] While Kindler occasionally incorporated his writing into his stand-up material, his primary impact as a writer came from these team-based television projects in the 1980s and 1990s. Recent writing credits have been limited, with focus shifting toward voice acting and personal comedy specials rather than scripted series.[40]Personal life
Family
The couple married on May 26, 2002.[1] Susan Maljan is a professional photographer known for her work in color photography, including semi-abstract images and portraiture.[41]Industry commentary
Andy Kindler has been vocal in interviews about his disdain for certain aspects of network television, particularly late-night shows, which he views as emblematic of broader issues in comedy delivery and cultural impact. In a 2017 CBC Radio interview, he singled out Jimmy Fallon as "the prime example of everything that's wrong" in comedy, criticizing his overly enthusiastic, superficial style that prioritizes positivity over substance, potentially misleading audiences about societal realities.[42] Similarly, in his 2020 State of the Industry address, as covered by Vulture, Kindler lambasted hosts like Bill Maher for self-indulgent laughing at their own material and Jimmy Kimmel for past associations with problematic content, highlighting how such formats perpetuate unchallenged celebrity dynamics.[43] Kindler's critiques extend to celebrity culture and emerging comedy trends, where he argues that scandals and commercial pivots undermine artistic integrity. During the 2020 address, he mocked the rise of personalized Cameo videos as a low-effort monetization for faded celebrities, noting his own $35 fee as a wry commentary on diminished value in the industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.[43] He has also targeted podcasters like Joe Rogan and Adam Carolla, whom he described as transitioning from "bad stand-up" to undue success through non-traditional platforms, suggesting this shift contributes to the dilution of traditional stand-up by prioritizing volume over quality.[43] In a 2018 Comedy Wham interview, Kindler decried mean-spirited trends, such as Ricky Gervais's jokes targeting vulnerable groups, advocating instead for authentic, personal material that avoids lazy tropes.[11] On the influence of political figures, Kindler has expressed that the Trump era invigorated comedy by exposing overt racism and urgency, contrasting it favorably with less consequential periods like the Reagan administration. In a 2019 Jewish Telegraphic Agency interview, he stated, "When he first got elected, everyone was depressed. But now that he’s so overtly a racist, it’s actually great for comedy," crediting Trump with awakening shows like The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and stand-up acts to address real dangers, though tempered by the caveat, "if we don’t die!"[44] Kindler cultivates a persona as a "troublemaker" in comedy circles, known for honest, often abrasive appraisals that annoy peers and provoke debate. Profiles, such as those from Milwaukee Comedy, describe him as a longstanding irritant who "annoys people all over the world" through pointed critiques of industry figures and practices.[45] This reputation was amplified in 2024 via his X (formerly Twitter) posts, where, as reported by Cracked, he unleashed rants against high-profile comedians like Larry David for an "un-fucking-watchable" Curb Your Enthusiasm season, Bill Maher as a "talentless fascist," and Jerry Seinfeld for commodifying comedy wisdom, framing these as substitutes for his annual addresses.[46] In early 2025, Kindler continued these observations in a LateNighter podcast appearance, affirming that comedy is "better than it’s ever been" due to diverse voices and accessible outlets like online platforms, though he reflected on persistent challenges from earlier eras like the 1990s boom.[20]Filmography
Film
Kindler made his feature film debut in the independent comedy Who's the Caboose? (1997), where he played the supporting role of the Sitcom Writer.[47] He appeared in a cameo role as the Knee Pad Customer in the direct-to-video sports comedy Beach Kings (2008).[48] He had cameo appearances as himself in comedy documentaries Heckler (2007) and The Comedians of Comedy: Live at the Troubadour (2007), discussing the comedy world and performing stand-up.[49][50] Kindler appeared as himself in the documentary I Am Comic (2010), which follows comedian Ritch Shydner's return to stand-up.[51] In 2013, he featured as himself in the documentary When Jews Were Funny, exploring Jewish comedy history.[52] Kindler had a voice role as Mort in the animated feature The Bob's Burgers Movie (2022), reprising his recurring character from the television series.[53] He appeared as himself in Misery Loves Comedy (2015), a documentary interviewing comedians about the profession's challenges.[54] In 2019, Kindler portrayed Barry Bitterman in the dark comedy The Fiddling Horse.[55] In 2023, he portrayed Sid Kolchak in the mockumentary Bootyology. That same year, Kindler appeared as himself in the documentary Sorry/Not Sorry, discussing the comedy industry and Louis C.K.'s controversies.[56]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Who's the Caboose? | Sitcom Writer[47] |
| 2007 | Heckler | Self[49] |
| 2007 | The Comedians of Comedy: Live at the Troubadour | Self[50] |
| 2008 | Beach Kings | Knee Pad Customer |
| 2010 | I Am Comic | Self[51] |
| 2013 | When Jews Were Funny | Self[52] |
| 2015 | Misery Loves Comedy | Self[54] |
| 2019 | The Fiddling Horse | Barry Bitterman[55] |
| 2022 | The Bob's Burgers Movie | Mort (voice)[53] |
| 2023 | Bootyology | Sid Kolchak |
| 2023 | Sorry/Not Sorry | Self[56] |