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Ari Stidham
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Ari Stidham (born August 22, 1992) is an American actor. He is known for his role of statistical genius Sylvester Dodd in the CBS drama series Scorpion.[1]
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Stidham was born on August 22, 1992,[2][3] to a Sephardic Jewish father and an Ashkenazi Jewish mother, and grew up in Westlake Village, California. His maternal grandparents were from Russia, and his paternal grandparents were from Morocco and the United States. He was raised in an observant Reform Jewish home, and he attended the Center for Early Jewish Education in Thousand Oaks. He does not identify as religiously Jewish, but he identifies as culturally Jewish.[4]
Stidham began playing music at four and performed in theater and musical productions throughout elementary and high school. He later performed with and was a member of ComedySportz Los Angeles Improvisational comedy group.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Stidham broke into acting in 2010, with the character Ian in ABC Family television series Huge, based on a novel of the same name which centered around eight teenagers who had been sent to a weight loss camp.[6] He later auditioned for the part of Sylvester Dodd in the CBS series Scorpion, despite the role being written for an African-American actor in his thirties, and was cast in the role after a single audition.[5] From 2014 to 2018, Stidham was a part of the main cast for the all four seasons of the series (93 episodes).
He also releases music under the name DrTelevision, or DRTV. Additionally, through his production company Stidley Inc., he produces "short form alternative comedy" with Zach Green, including a monthly love comedy radio play Dick Duquesne: Tales of a Private Dick.[7]
Stidham founded his company, Sanguinet Films in 2016 with Ari at the helm as a producer, writer, and director of the company. He directed their flagship feature, Curse of the Siren, which premiered at Fangoria Fearcon in 2016.[citation needed]
In 2018, he played archvillain Grand Moff Levine in a musical stage spoof titled Solo Must Die: A Musical Parody.[8] In October 2019, Stidham presented a comedy and musical celebration and re-telling of the Edgar Allan Poe's works titled The Edgar Allan Show.[9] Re-enactments and recitals of 'The Raven', 'The Tell-Tale Heart' and 'The Fall of the House of Usher', were directed by and featured original songs by Stidham.[10]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jack's Box | Ari |
| 2010 | Election Day | Ari |
| 2010 | The Green Family Elbow | Bully |
| 2011 | Anyplace | Luke |
| 2011 | Talon's Rant | |
| 2012 | Kidnap Party | Officer |
| 2016 | The Meme | Max Bloom |
| 2023 | Foil | Felix The Manager |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Huge | Ian Schonfeld | Main cast - 10 episodes |
| The Whole Truth | Erik | Episode: "True Confessions" | |
| 2011 | Glee | Drunk Kid | Episode: "Blame It on the Alcohol" |
| 2013 | Mike and Molly | Henry | Episode: "Molly's New Shoes" |
| The Crazy Ones | Ari / Member of the Crowd | Episodes: "The Spectacular", "The Intern" | |
| 2014–2018 | Scorpion | Sylvester Dodd | Main cast - 93 episodes |
| 2015 | Con Man | 1st class fan | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | The Price Is Right | Sylvester Dodd | Crossover with Scorpion Episode: "The Fast and the Nerdiest"[11] |
| Insecure | Cameron | 2 episodes | |
| Obituary: A Grave Beginning | Lester Catfield / Coach McKinney (voice) | TV short | |
| 2017 | Growth: VR | Jack Filo | Episode: "Hot yoga" |
| 2020 | The Fugitive | Head shop owner | Episode: "Hunted Becomes the Hunter" |
| The Martian Broadcast | Orson Welles (voice) | Episode: "Something for Children" | |
| 2021 | 5150 | Radio show host (voice) | TV short |
References
[edit]- ^ Keveney, Bill (November 23, 2014). "'Scorpion' actors like to play it smart". USA Today. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ Rose, Mike (August 22, 2022). "Today's famous birthdays list for August 22, 2022 includes celebrities Tori Amos, Kristen Wiig". The Plain Dealer. Associated Press. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ^ "Celebrity birthdays for the week of Aug. 16-22". ABC News. August 10, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ a b Miller, Gerri (December 1, 2014). "TV stardom adds up for young genius of 'Scorpion'". Tribe Magazine. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ a b Gomez, Adrian (January 25, 2015). "Ari Stidham finds a perfect fit on team 'Scorpion'". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ Mason, Aiden (September 29, 2017). "Five Things You Didn't Know about Ari Stidham". TV Overmind. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ "DICK DUQUESNE: TALES OF A PRIVATE DICK Set for Open Space Cafe/Theater, Today". Broadway World. May 23, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2017.
- ^ F. Kathleen Foley (May 11, 2018). "Review: 'Solo Must Die,' and so must this 'Star Wars' musical spoof". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
- ^ Ziemba, Christine N. (September 24, 2019). "46 Things To Do This Halloween in Southern California". laist.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "Cast and Creative of 'The Edgar Allan Show'". edgarallanshow.com. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE: 'Scorpion' Crew Compete on 'The Price Is Right' and It's Adorably Hilarious". Entertainment Tonight. February 26, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
External links
[edit]- Ari Stidham at IMDb
- Ari Stidham on Twitter
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
Ari Stidham
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family background and upbringing
Ari Stidham was born on August 22, 1992, in Westlake Village, California.[3][16] Stidham comes from a Jewish family with mixed Sephardic and Ashkenazi ancestry; his father is of Sephardic Jewish descent with roots in Morocco, while his mother has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage from Russian origins.[17] He was raised in a Reform Jewish household that emphasized cultural Jewish traditions, though he later identified more as culturally Jewish rather than religiously observant.[18][19] Stidham's immediate family includes his parents, Robin and David, and his brother Jordan, who is also an actor and writer. His mother was involved in theater education as a teacher in the Las Virgenes Unified School District, while his father is a former actor who trained with Stella Adler. Their artistic backgrounds provided early encouragement for Stidham's creative interests. His upbringing in the suburban environment of Westlake Village fostered a supportive atmosphere that nurtured these pursuits, laying the foundation for his later career in the arts.[5][20][21]Introduction to performing arts
Ari Stidham's introduction to the performing arts began at a young age with musical training, starting with piano lessons at four years old, which fostered his early skills in composition and performance. Influenced by his parents' love of music, he quickly expanded his interests to include singing, leveraging the piano as a foundation for broader artistic expression.[22][23][24] During elementary school, beginning around age five or six, Stidham actively participated in school productions and local community theater groups in Westlake Village, California, such as Santa Susana Repertory, where he honed his abilities in singing and acting and gained initial stage experience in a supportive environment. These early experiences built his confidence and versatility in the arts, becoming a significant part of his routine by around age ten.[22][23][24][11] In high school, Stidham deepened his involvement through performing arts programs, including improv comedy via ComedySportz and drama classes focused on classical works like Shakespeare under teacher Allan Hunt, which solidified his foundational skills. These activities, combined with guidance from local theater professionals such as Andy Crocker from the Center Theatre Group, prepared him for a professional transition. By his mid-teens, around age 16, Stidham decided to prioritize acting, beginning initial auditions and securing agent representation shortly thereafter, marking his shift toward a dedicated career path.[25][5][6]Professional career
Acting roles and breakthroughs
Ari Stidham made his professional acting debut in 2010 as Ian Schonfeld, an awkward musician at a weight-loss camp, in the ABC Family series Huge, appearing in all 10 episodes of the single season. The role marked his entry into television, showcasing his ability to portray vulnerable, introspective characters in a dramedy setting focused on teen self-image and relationships. Throughout the early 2010s, Stidham built his resume with brief guest appearances, including a one-off role as a drunk kid in the Fox musical comedy Glee in 2011.[26] He also featured in episodes of shows like Mike & Molly (2013) and The Whole Truth (2010), honing his skills in comedic and dramatic supporting parts amid a competitive landscape for young actors.[12] Stidham's breakthrough came in 2014 with the recurring lead role of Sylvester Dodd, a socially anxious statistical genius, in the CBS procedural drama Scorpion, which ran for four seasons and 93 episodes until 2018. The character, part of a team of misfit geniuses solving global crises, allowed Stidham to explore themes of vulnerability, intellect, and personal growth, earning praise for his authentic depiction of anxiety and contributing to the show's cult following among viewers who appreciated its blend of action and character-driven humor.[27][28] Following Scorpion, Stidham took on supporting roles in television, including Cameron in two episodes of HBO's Insecure (2016–2017) and various characters across three seasons of the web series Con Man (2015–2017), which satirized Hollywood's convention culture. He also appeared as Aaron in the series Dealing with Dad (2023) and as Kyle in the unaired pilot Group (2022), an indie sitcom about mental health recovery co-starring the late Aaron Carter.[14][15] In film, he starred and served as director, writer, and producer in the independent horror-thriller Curse of the Siren (2016), a low-budget project that premiered at Fangoria Fearcon and highlighted his multifaceted involvement in genre storytelling.[29] Stidham expanded into theater post-2018, co-writing, directing, and starring as the villainous Grand Moff Levine in the musical parody Solo Must Die: A Musical Parody (2018) at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles, a Star Wars-inspired production that ran for a limited engagement and blended original songs with sci-fi satire.[30][31] More recently, he appeared in live radio play adaptations of Shakespeare in Los Angeles, including roles in A Midsummer Night's Dream (August 2025, as Egeus and First Faerie) through Radio Roguelike at the Roguelike Tavern and Hamlet (November 2025, starring alongside Delaney Milbourn).[32][33] In film, he played Felix the Manager in the indie sci-fi comedy Foil (2023), a road-trip tale involving extraterrestrial elements that premiered at festivals and emphasized quirky ensemble dynamics.[13][34] Since 2018, Stidham's career has evolved toward independent cinema and stage work, reflecting a deliberate shift from network television to collaborative, creative projects that leverage his skills in writing and performance, including productions with his company Sanguinet Films and new theater initiatives announced in 2025.[35][3]Music and performance
Ari Stidham began his musical journey at the age of four, starting with piano lessons that laid the foundation for his lifelong engagement with music. He soon expanded into singing and performing in school productions, honing his skills in musical theater alongside his early acting endeavors.[22] Under the stage name DRTV (also stylized as Dr. TV), Stidham creates indie music that incorporates piano, songwriting, and occasional horn sections, often blending introspective lyrics with groovy, funky elements. His work as DRTV serves as a distinct creative outlet, separate from his acting career, allowing him to explore personal themes through original compositions.[36][37] Stidham's key releases under DRTV began in the early 2010s with singles like "Just Asleep" in 2013 and "Killer" in 2014, both self-produced and featuring his vocals and guitar. In 2016, he issued the EP Sweeter 2016, including tracks such as "I'm Giving Them Everything, My Love," which he wrote, performed, and produced entirely on his own, with trumpet contributions from collaborator Richard Nebens. His debut full-length album, Jacuzzi Louie, followed in 2018, described as a vibrant, horn-driven project that he independently released and promoted through live shows in Los Angeles. Stidham has continued releasing music sporadically into the 2020s, including the SUMMER 2025 EP and Beach Body Milkshake album in 2025.[38][39][36][37][40] Stidham's live performances as DRTV have centered on intimate gigs and variety shows in Los Angeles, including his monthly production The VARIety Hour in Hollywood, where he performed new tunes with a backing band alongside comedy and improvised sketches starting around 2017. He has played additional independent shows around LA to support releases like Jacuzzi Louie, fostering a grassroots connection with audiences. In recent years, his music has intersected with theater projects, such as contributing original compositions to the 2025 radio play adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Stidham himself at the Roguelike Tavern, where live sound effects and musical elements enhanced the production.[41][37][32] Through DRTV, Stidham's artistry emphasizes experimentation and personal expression, distinct from his on-screen roles, though both draw from his foundational training in performance. This dual pursuit underscores his multifaceted career, where music provides a space for composition and collaboration outside scripted narratives.[35][11]Directing and production work
In 2016, Ari Stidham founded Sanguinet Films, an independent production company where he serves as executive producer, writer, and director, focusing on horror and genre content.[42][12] Stidham made his feature directorial debut with Curse of the Siren (2016), a low-budget horror film that he also wrote, produced, and starred in alongside a cast of emerging actors and friends.[29] The production faced typical indie challenges, including limited resources and a tight shooting schedule over several weeks in Los Angeles, yet it premiered at horror festivals and received mixed reviews for its ambitious effects on a shoestring budget, earning a 3.3/10 rating on IMDb from 60 user votes.[29][43] Building on this, Stidham directed and co-wrote the book for Solo Must Die: A Musical Parody (2018), a Star Wars-inspired stage production at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles, blending original songs with satirical storytelling; he also portrayed the villainous Grand Moff Levine.[31][11] In 2019, he wrote, directed, and composed music for The Edgar Allan Show, a comedic musical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's stories presented at the Two Roads Theater, reimagining tales like "The Raven" with humorous twists and live performances.[44] Stidham has expanded into theater production with Radio Roguelike, a live radio play series featuring Shakespeare adaptations with foley effects and live music; in 2025, he directed and co-produced their inaugural staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream at The Roguelike Tavern in Burbank, emphasizing immersive, book-in-hand performances.[32][45] Through these efforts under Sanguinet Films and beyond, Stidham has supported independent creators by handling writing, editing, and logistical roles in genre-blending projects that promote emerging talent in film and stage.[42][11]Filmography
Film credits
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Jack's Box (Short) | Ari | IMDb |
| 2010 | Election Day (Short) | Ari | IMDb |
| 2010 | The Green Family Elbow (Short) | Bully | IMDb |
| 2011 | Anyplace (Short) | Luke | IMDb |
| 2011 | Talon's Rant (Short) | Talon | Also writer IMDb |
| 2012 | Kidnap Party (Short) | Officer Cellphone | IMDb |
| 2016 | The Meme (Short) | Max Bloom | IMDb |
| 2016 | Curse of the Siren | Director, Writer, Producer | No acting credit confirmed; directed and produced horror feature IMDb |
| 2022 | Dealing with Dad | Aaron | IMDb |
| 2023 | Foil | Felix the Manager | IMDb |
Television credits
Ari Stidham made his television debut in 2010 and has appeared in various series, including lead roles and guest spots.[12]| Year | Title | Role | Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Huge | Ian Schonfeld | 10 episodes |
| 2010 | The Whole Truth | Erik | 1 episode |
| 2011 | Glee | Drunk Kid | 1 episode ("Blame It on the Alcohol")[26] |
| 2013 | Mike & Molly | Henry | 1 episode ("Molly's New Shoes")[46] |
| 2013–2014 | The Crazy Ones | Ari / Crowd Member | 2 episodes |
| 2014–2018 | Scorpion | Sylvester Dodd | 93 episodes[47] |
| 2015–2017 | Con Man | 1st Class Geek | 3 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Insecure | Cameron | 2 episodes ("Real as Fuck," "Hella Blows")[48] |
| 2020 | The Fugitive | Head Shop Owner | 1 episode ("Hunted Becomes the Hunter") |
| 2021 | 5150 | Radio Show Host | 1 episode (TV short, voice)[49] |
| 2022 | Group | Kyle | 1 episode (unaired pilot)[15] |