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Brett Gelman
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Brett Gelman (born October 6, 1976)[1] is an American actor and comedian.[2] He is best known for his role as Murray Bauman in Netflix's horror-supernatural series Stranger Things and as Martin in the BBC comedy Fleabag.

Key Information

Gelman began his career as a comedian in the 2000s, gaining notability the following decade for his involvement in numerous Adult Swim shows, notably Eagleheart and comedy specials in 2014 and 2015. During this time, he also was part of the main casts of the NBC sitcom Go On, the Comedy Central series Another Period, and the FX comedy series Married.[3]

Gelman became prominent in the late 2010s for his supporting roles in Fleabag and Stranger Things, in addition to those on Camping and Mr. Mercedes. As a voice actor, he has contributed to television series Jeff & Some Aliens and TripTank on Comedy Central and, more recently, I Heart Arlo and Inside Job on Netflix, among others. He starred in the Apple TV+ drama series Lady in the Lake.

Gelman at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con

Early life

[edit]

Gelman's father was a photo salesman. He was raised Jewish and has a younger sister who is a speech pathologist.[4]

Gelman graduated from Highland Park High School in Illinois.[5] He graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he received classical training in theater.[4]

Career

[edit]

After college, Gelman moved to New York City with a fellow schoolmate, actor Jon Daly.[4] While in New York, Gelman was a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, as part of the duo Cracked Out and sketch group Mr. A$$.[6]

A popular New York Lottery commercial funded his work for a while. Gelman did a one-man show called 1,000 Cats, which he workshopped at many venues.[7]

Gelman has appeared in the films The Other Guys and 30 Minutes or Less. He has co-starred as Chris Elliott's sidekick Brett Mobley in the live-action Adult Swim series Eagleheart and is a regular sketch performer on HBO's Funny or Die Presents and Comedy Central's Nick Swardson's Pretend Time. He has had recurring roles on The Life & Times of Tim and The Inbetweeners, as well as making guest appearances on comedy programs such as Bored to Death, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Happy Endings, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and The League. Gelman has also written for the MTV sketch series Human Giant and the Scott Aukerman & B. J. Porter created sketch pilot The Right Now! Show.

In 2010, Gelman appeared as a cast member on the Comedy Central sketch comedy special This Show Will Get You High, created by Matt Besser. Gelman co-starred as "Mr. K" on the NBC comedy series Go On starring Matthew Perry,[8] and as A.J. on the FX comedy series Married.[9]

In 2014, Gelman hosted a dinner party special, called Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends, which aired on Adult Swim.[10]

In 2015, Gelman was also a consulting writer on season two of the entertainment news parody series Hot Package on Adult Swim and also recurs as Hamish on the Comedy Central series Another Period and as Ronnie on the Starz series Blunt Talk. Also in 2015, Gelman appeared in the series finale of Mad Men.[11]

In July 2016, Gelman starred in the special Dinner in America with Brett Gelman, a sequel to Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends, which focused on racism.[12] In November 2016, Gelman said that he had left Cartoon Network and Adult Swim due to the network's alleged poor treatment of female employees and the promotion of the controversial Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace.[13][14][15][16]

In 2017, Gelman starred in and co-wrote Lemon, opposite Judy Greer, Michael Cera, Nia Long and Gillian Jacobs, directed by Janicza Bravo.[17][18] It had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2017.[19]

In 2016, it was announced that Gelman was cast in the second season of the hit Netflix science-fiction web series Stranger Things as Murray Bauman, a conspiracy theorist and former journalist.[20] He was promoted to the main cast for the fourth season.

In 2018, he starred in the independent feature film Room for Rent, opposite Mark Little, Carla Gallo, Stephnie Weir, Patrick J. Adams, and Mark McKinney.[21] Gunpowder & Sky released the film in the US on all major VOD platforms November 2, 2018.

In 2022, it was announced that Gelman was starring in the Apple TV+ drama series Lady in the Lake, based on Laura Lippman's novel of the same name.[22]

In 2023, Gelman starred as the lead character, Gabe, in the comedy series Entitled, a co-production between Showtime and Channel 4. The series follows his character, an American widower, as he travels to a crumbling gothic mansion in the English countryside to meet his late wife's eccentric, estranged family who are all vying for his newly inherited fortune. Gelman also served as an executive producer on the show.

Other work

[edit]

Gelman and frequent writing partner and collaborator Jon Daly performed for many years as the comedy rap duo "Cracked Out".[23] Gelman has gained recognition for appearing as the "Little Bit Of Luck" character in the "Take 5" New York Lottery ad campaign that ran from 2008 through 2011. Gelman has said that the inspiration for the character is rocker Guthrie Govan.[24]

Gelman made frequent appearances on the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast, as well as other podcasts on the Earwolf podcasting network. In 2011, he began his own podcast, Gelmania, also available on the Earwolf network. Gelman has said he wanted his podcast to "reflect a lot of the fears and anger and sadness of the world, but do that through a really stupid lens."[25] In 2014, Gelmania began its second season but is no longer on the Earwolf network.[26]

Personal life

[edit]

In December 2015, Gelman married Janicza Bravo.[27][28] The pair met in New York City while working on a New York Lotto commercial.[29][30] They divorced in 2018.[31] Gelman announced his engagement to actress and model Ari Dayan via Instagram in April 2023.[32]

Gelman has been a vocal supporter of Israel on Instagram throughout the Gaza war. In November 2023, Gelman was among more than a dozen creators and celebrities who confronted TikTok executives in a public letter claiming that the app is directly amplifying the spread of antisemitism. The company reportedly pushed back[citation needed] against claims that it was promoting pro-Palestine, anti-Israel content through its feeds, stating instead that while the platform regularly moderates antisemitic, Anti-Arab racist, and Islamophobic content, it does not moderate nor amplify the spread of content expressing criticism of the Israeli government.[33][34] He appeared on the Israeli sketch-comedy program Eretz Nehederet later that year, "skewering the anti-Israel sentiment in the American left and especially on campus," as described in the Times of Israel.[35]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story Mayhem Team Member
2006 Gingerbreed Driller Driver
2007 Watching the Detectives Glenn
2008 Stick It in Detroit Hot Rod Johnson
2009 May the Best Man Win Bachelor Party Host
2010 The Other Guys Hal
2011 Eat August Short
30 Minutes or Less Pizza Boss
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas TV Director
2013 Jobs Jef Raskin
Awful Nice Ivan
Gregory Go Boom Tom Short, also producer
2014 Someone Marry Barry Goker
2016 Joshy Greg
Flock of Dudes Howie
2017 Lemon Isaac Lachmann Also writer
Wilson Robert
DRIB Brady Thompson
The Disaster Artist Acting Teacher
Room for Rent Carl Lemay
2018 Wild Nights with Emily Higginson
Like Father Frank Lerue
2019 Jezebel Bobby Voice
Harpoon Narrator
2020 Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics Himself
2021 Arlo the Alligator Boy Marcellus Voice
Without Remorse Victor Rykov
2022 Metal Lords Dr. Sylvester
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile Mr. Grumps
2023 Surrounded Mr. Fields
Strays Willy
Boy Kills World Gideon van der Koy
2024 McVeigh Terry Nichols

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2005 Coke Gonzales TV short
The Colbert Report Spencer Episode: "Greg Behrendt"
2007 Fat Guy Stuck in Internet Co-Worker, Linux, The Oracle 3 episodes
Honesty Mechanic Episode: "Mechanic"
2008 Human Giant Kidnapped Soldier, Rapzilla, Billy Crystal 2 episodes
2009 Californication Annoying Hipster Episode: "Mia Culpa"
2010 Comedy Lab Ruby Voice, episode: "Penelope Princess of Pets"
This Show Will Get You High Cast Member Comedy Central pilot
Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Various Episode: "Mudslide Junction"
2010–2011 Funny or Die Presents Nick, Performer 3 episodes
The Back Room Mr. America, James Gandolfini 4 episodes
2010–2012 The Life & Times of Tim Co-Worker, Walker Fan, Adam's Friend, Doug the Intruder Voice, 4 episodes
2011 Happy Endings Carl Episode: "Your Couples Friends & Neighbors"
Curb Your Enthusiasm Pig Parker Episode: "Vow of Silence"
Bored to Death Faux Jonathan Episode: "We Could Sing a Duet"
2011–2013 The League Gavin 2 episodes
2011–2014 Eagleheart Brett Mobley Series regular; 26 episodes
2012 The Office The Magician Episode: "Welcome Party"
The Inbetweeners Mr Gilbert Recurring; 7 episodes
Aqua Teen Hunger Force Rocket Horse Voice, episode: "Rocket Horse & Jet Chicken"
2012–2013 Go On Mr. K Series regular; 22 episodes
2012–2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Dog Lawyer, Mr. Celebrity 2 episodes
2013 Ghost Ghirls Rabbit Episode: "I Believe in Mira-ghouls"
NTSF:SD:SUV:: Gabby Hofstein Episode: "Unfrozen Agent Man"
We Are Men Alimony Steve Episode: "We Are Franksgiving"
2013–2014 Drunk History Various 2 episodes
2013–2015 Kroll Show Various 3 episodes
2014 Surviving Jack Principal McMullen Episode: "Rhythm Is a Dancer"
Adventure Time Ring Master Voice, episode: "Sad Face"
Bad Teacher Doug Pilaf 5 episodes
Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends Himself Special
2014–2015 Married A.J. Series regular; 23 episodes
2014–2016 Mr. Pickles Cheeseman Voice, 2 episodes
TripTank Jeff Voice, 9 episodes
2015 Dinner with Family with Brett Gelman and Brett Gelman's Family Himself Special
Fresh Off the Boat Dusty Nugget Episode: "Persistent Romeo"
Man Seeking Woman Demon Episode: "Stain"
The Odd Couple Stuart Episode: "Jealous Island"
Mad Men Daniel Episode: "Person to Person"
2015–2016 Blunt Talk Ronnie 6 episodes
2015–2018 Another Period Hamish Crassus Recurring; 20 episodes
2016 Angel from Hell Lee 2 episodes
Clarence Mr. Mozer Voice, episode: "Field Trippin'"
Dinner in America with Brett Gelman Himself Special
High Maintenance Himself Episode: "Selfie"
2016–2018 Love Dr. Greg Colter Recurring; 10 episodes
2016–2020 American Dad! Various voices 6 episodes
2016–2019 Fleabag Martin Series regular; 7 episodes
2017 Jeff & Some Aliens Jeff Voice, main role (10 episodes)
Making History Paul Revere 2 episodes
Budding Prospects Vogelsein Pilot
Twin Peaks Supervisor Burns 2 episodes
2017–present Stranger Things Murray Bauman Recurring (seasons 2–3)
Main (season 4–5)
2018 Camping George Main role; 8 episodes
2019 Mr. Mercedes Rolan Finklestein Recurring role; 9 episodes
2020 Family Guy Escape Room Guy Voice, episode: "Baby Stewie"
The Mighty Ones Egg Voice, episode: "Egg Nag"
2021 I Heart Arlo Marcellus Voice, 18 episodes
2021–2022 Inside Job Magic Myc Voice, 18 episodes
2023 Eretz Nehederet Wise man from Berkeley Christmas special sketch
Entitled Gabe Stark Main role, 8 episodes
2024 Lady in the Lake Milton Main role, 7 episodes
Hamster and Gretel Felix Voice, episode: "Who's in Charge?"

References

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

Brett Gelman

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia

Brett Clifford Gelman (born October 6, 1976) is an American actor and comedian.
Gelman, raised in , graduated with a BFA from the School of the Arts.
He began his career in , performing stand-up and improv, and gained recognition for eccentric supporting roles in television.
Gelman achieved prominence portraying conspiracy theorist Murray Bauman in the series (2017–present) and hapless businessman Martin in the comedy (2016–2019).
His performances earned Award nominations for Outstanding Ensemble in a Comedy Series for Fleabag and in a Drama Series for Stranger Things in 2020.
Gelman has also appeared in films such as (2010) and received a award at the 2017 L.A. Comedy Film Festival for Room for Rent.

Early life

Childhood and family

Brett Gelman was born on October 6, 1976, in , a suburb north of known for its affluent, predominantly Jewish community. He was raised in a Jewish household of Ashkenazi descent, though his family was not particularly religious in observance. Gelman's father, Ira Gelman, worked as a photo salesman, while his mother, Candace Gelman, managed the household. He has a younger sister who became a speech pathologist. The family's environment in Highland Park provided an early immersion in Jewish cultural norms, which Gelman later described as shaping his sense of identity amid a community where such heritage was commonplace rather than exceptional. At age six, Gelman watched the ' film A Night at the Opera (1935), an experience that sparked his interest in , though no direct family involvement in performance is documented from this period. This early encounter with humorous exaggeration in a classic aligned with the broader comedic traditions prevalent in Jewish-American entertainment, but Gelman's childhood otherwise centered on suburban family life without noted professional or artistic pursuits by his parents.

Education and early influences

Gelman attended Highland Park High School in his hometown of , graduating in the mid-1990s after developing an initial interest in acting during his time there. He subsequently enrolled at the School of the Arts, a conservatory focused on professional training in the , where he earned a degree with an emphasis on classical theater techniques. This program provided rigorous instruction in acting fundamentals, including voice, movement, and dramatic interpretation, which equipped him with foundational skills in performance. From a young age, Gelman demonstrated a precocious affinity for , viewing the ' film A Night at the Opera at age six and resolving then that comedy would define his path. This early exposure instilled a lasting admiration for anarchic, ensemble-driven humor, further reinforced by the satirical works of , whose influence permeated Gelman's conception of blending absurdity with character depth. Such formative encounters, occurring well before formal training, oriented his creative instincts toward psychological exploration within comedic frameworks, prioritizing unscripted spontaneity and introspective exaggeration over conventional narrative structures. Following his graduation from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts around 1998, Gelman relocated to New York City and immersed himself in the local improv and sketch comedy ecosystem by joining the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, a hub for experimental performance that emphasized long-form improvisation and character-driven sketches. Participation in these sessions honed his penchant for eccentric personas marked by internal conflict and manic self-awareness, drawing from the classical discipline of his education to infuse structured theatricality into freewheeling comedic exercises. This pre-professional phase allowed him to experiment with motifs of simulated insanity and reflexive commentary, unburdened by commercial expectations, thereby crystallizing the idiosyncratic style that would later distinguish his work.

Career

Comedy and stand-up beginnings

Following his graduation from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts around 1999, Gelman relocated to alongside classmate and fellow performer to immerse himself in the burgeoning scene. There, he quickly integrated into the improvisational and ecosystem, performing regularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCB), a hub for experimental and character-driven work in the early . Gelman collaborated early on in the rap duo Cracked Out with Daly, producing satirical tracks like "Ninjas On Crack" that parodied hip-hop tropes through absurd, over-the-top personas. He also contributed to sketch ensembles such as Mr. A$$, staging shows at UCB venues that featured eccentric, boundary-pushing characters, as evidenced by a performance lineup including Gelman and Daly. These efforts helped hone his signature style of , uncomfortable humor delivered through heightened, vulnerable archetypes, often drawing from personal anxieties and cultural absurdities in small, underground settings. By the mid-2000s, Gelman's appearances in New York comedy clubs and alternative circuits solidified his reputation for bizarre, introspective stand-up bits that blended vulnerability with raunchy exaggeration, setting the foundation for his eccentric character work without relying on mainstream exposure.

Television breakthrough

Gelman first gained notable television exposure through voice work in the adult animated anthology series on , where he provided voices for various characters across its run from 2014 to 2016, demonstrating his versatility in formats. This led to a spinoff opportunity, with Gelman starring as the lead voice of Jeff Ulman, an "average" human roommate to three extraterrestrials tasked with evaluating humanity, in the animated series , which aired on from January 11, 2017, to March 15, 2017. The series, co-created by Sean Donnelly and Alessandro Minoli, highlighted Gelman's comedic timing in blending live-action sensibilities with absurd sci-fi premises, marking an early lead role that showcased his ability to anchor a narrative amid chaotic ensemble dynamics. Transitioning to live-action, Gelman portrayed Martin, the abrasive and self-destructive husband of Claire, in the comedy-drama across its two series from July 21, 2016, to April 8, 2019. His performance as the emotionally volatile lawyer, known for passive-aggressive outbursts and underlying vulnerability, earned praise for its raw intensity and contributed to the show's critical acclaim, with reviewers noting Gelman's skill in embodying a "repellent yet clever" that amplified the series' exploration of dysfunctional relationships. A pivotal advancement came with his introduction as Murray Bauman, a paranoid ex-journalist and conspiracy theorist turned , in the second season of Netflix's , premiering on October 27, 2017. Bauman's arc involved aiding and Jim Hopper in exposing Soviet experiments and the Upside Down threat, evolving from a fringe eccentric to a resourceful ally whose multilingual skills and gadgetry proved crucial to plot resolutions. This recurring role correlated with the season's strong performance, averaging 8.8 million U.S. viewers per episode in the first three days—up significantly from season one's metrics—and drawing 15.8 million for the premiere, underscoring Gelman's contribution to the series' expanded ensemble appeal and broader cultural impact. These roles collectively elevated Gelman from niche comedic supporting parts to recurring fixtures in high-profile scripted series, facilitating his progression toward more prominent television presence by the late .

Film and voice work

Gelman has demonstrated versatility as a character actor in feature films, frequently embodying eccentric or antagonistic supporting figures that leverage his deadpan comedic style. In the 2010 action-comedy The Other Guys, directed by Adam McKay, he portrayed Hal, a forensic accountant entangled in the central detectives' investigation. In The Disaster Artist (2017), James Franco's dramatization of the production of The Room, Gelman played the Acting Teacher, a pedantic instructor guiding fledgling performers through dramatic techniques. More recently, in the dystopian revenge thriller Boy Kills World (2024), he appeared as Gideon Van Der Koy, a regime enforcer in a cast led by Bill Skarsgård. Gelman has also extended his range into voice acting for animated projects, voicing offbeat characters in family-oriented and adult-targeted series. He provided the voice for Marcellus, a brooding reverse merman companion, across all 19 episodes of the Pixar-produced I Heart Arlo (2021). In the Netflix adult animation Inside Job (2021–2022), Gelman voiced Magic Myc, a hallucinogenic fungus entity, in 18 episodes of the conspiracy-themed workplace comedy. These roles, often featuring surreal or irritable personas, reflect a consistent thread of portraying quirky antagonists rooted in his improvisational humor background.

Recent projects and media ventures

Gelman provided the voice for , a ruthless animal control officer, in the 2023 R-rated comedy film Strays, directed by and featuring and as lead voices in a story of abandoned dogs seeking revenge on their former owner. The film, produced by , was released theatrically on August 18, 2023, by and grossed $20.3 million worldwide against a $20 million budget. In 2022, he portrayed the antagonistic neighbor Mr. Grumps in the family-oriented musical comedy , directed by , where his character opposes the adoption of a singing crocodile by new tenants. Released on October 7, 2022, by , the film earned $96.1 million globally on a $50 million budget and received mixed reviews for its lighthearted adaptation of the children's book series. Showtime greenlit the half-hour comedy series on May 31, 2022, with Gelman starring as Gabe, a scheming American widower who inherits and clashes with his late British wife's eccentric family upon learning of her aristocratic background. The eight-episode limited series, created by and co-produced with , encountered production delays amid Paramount's corporate shifts but was later acquired by and made available for streaming in July 2025. On October 9, 2025, Apple TV+ announced Gelman's casting as Bernie Yuman, the longtime manager of entertainers , in the upcoming eight-episode limited drama series Wild Things. Adapted from the Apple Original Podcast of the same name, the series chronicles the duo's rise and performances, with production slated to begin in fall 2025 under creator . Gelman also took on supporting roles in other genre-blending projects, including Gideon van der Koy, a flamboyant , in the 2023 action thriller , directed by Moritz Mohr and released in April 2024. This marked a pivot toward mainstream films mixing comedy with violent or fantastical elements, as seen in his voice work and live-action villain portrayals since 2020.

Political views and controversies

Advocacy on Israel and antisemitism

Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Gelman intensified his public advocacy for the country, speaking at the March for Israel rally in Washington, D.C., on November 14, 2023, where he addressed a crowd of nearly 300,000 attendees and highlighted the need to combat antisemitism amid the conflict. In December 2023, he visited Israel on a solidarity trip, including stops at hospitals to meet victims and share their stories on social media to raise awareness of the attacks' impact. These actions positioned him as a vocal supporter of Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas, without endorsing broader anti-Palestinian sentiments; he has attributed ongoing violence to narratives that equate Jewish self-advocacy with supremacy while ignoring Hamas's role in escalating trauma for both Israelis and Palestinians. In October 2023, Gelman posted videos critiquing what he described as uninformed pro-Palestinian activism among and "fake liberals," accusing them of historical ignorance and perpetuating antisemitic tropes, such as claims of as a settler-colonial state on "stolen land." One video, dated October 14, 2023, featured him singing, "You don’t read. No, no, no," to mock perceived lack of engagement with the region's , captioned "sent from my rage." A follow-up targeted "fake liberal Americans," singing, "Guess who actually lives on stolen land? You do you, me Jew," and blamed proponents of certain narratives for contributing to "Jewish and Palestinian blood and trauma." These posts framed his stance as a rejection of equating anti-Hamas positions with anti-Palestinian , emphasizing instead the causal role of terrorist actions and denial of Israeli victims' experiences. Gelman has advocated for greater Jewish representation and openness in Hollywood, arguing that the industry often sidelines Jewish voices on issues like and amid rising incidents post-October 7. In a April 1, 2024, interview, he expressed personal fear of antisemitic , stating, "Am I scared? Absolutely," while urging to "face our fear" rather than seek universal likability, noting, "We’re not liked. We’re never going to be liked." He called for counter-protests against anti- demonstrations to amplify Jewish perspectives, distinguishing his advocacy as a defense against erasure of Jewish trauma rather than supremacist ideology.

Book tour cancellations and backlash

In February 2024, Book Passage in San Francisco canceled a planned event for actor and author Brett Gelman, citing his "intemperate and ill-advised" comments about unspecified "ethnic and social groups" as the reason, rather than external pressure from protesters as Gelman alleged. Gelman, who had publicly supported Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks—including speaking at the November 14, 2023, March for Israel rally in Washington, D.C.—contended that the cancellation stemmed from antisemitic threats targeting his pro-Israel stance. Similarly, The Book Stall in Winnetka, Illinois, derailed its event, contributing to early disruptions ahead of the March 19, 2024, release of Gelman's book, The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories. By early March 2024, West Hollywood's Book Soup became the third venue to cancel, postponing Gelman's March 27 appearance after receiving escalating protest messages that store management described as posing a "safety risk" to staff, customers, and the actor. Book Soup's official statement emphasized efforts to proceed, such as requiring tickets and coordinating with , but ultimately prioritized safety amid the threats; Gelman characterized this as capitulation to antisemitic intimidation, noting the protests focused on his and advocacy rather than the book's content. Critics from left-leaning outlets framed the backlash as a response to Gelman's perceived inflammatory on Israel-Palestine issues, while pro-Israel sources highlighted patterns of targeted against Jewish public figures post-October 7, including explicit antisemitic elements in the threats received by venues. These incidents derailed multiple tour stops, limiting Gelman's promotional opportunities for a debut collection of Jewish-themed short stories, though he later addressed over 300 attendees at a event in , on April 5, 2024, where he discussed the protests' role in suppressing his appearances. Venue owners' attributions to Gelman's own statements contrasted with his evidence of coordinated opposition, underscoring tensions between free expression concerns and institutional caution amid heightened campus and cultural protests against supporters in early 2024.

Critiques of political correctness in entertainment

Gelman has criticized the infusion of into awards, arguing that such events should prioritize over ideological statements. In an , 2024, interview on SiriusXM with host Ron Bennington, he specifically addressed director Jonathan Glazer's acceptance speech for The Zone of Interest at the on March 10, 2024, where Glazer invoked the Israel-Gaza conflict to critique contemporary "occupation." Gelman contended that awards ceremonies like the Oscars ought to remain apolitical, serving as venues to celebrate filmmaking excellence rather than platforms for partisan commentary. His broader stance on comedy rejects self-imposed restraints driven by cultural sensitivities, favoring raw, unfiltered expression amid shifting industry norms. Gelman has described awakening from prior alignment with progressive orthodoxies, labeling certain liberal posturing in as "fake " and antithetical to genuine creative freedom. This perspective aligns with his comedic style, characterized by absurd, boundary-pushing that avoids pandering to social media-driven consensus, as evidenced in his decision to sever ties with in November 2016 over creative disagreements that underscored his resistance to network constraints on edgier content. Gelman has also highlighted entertainment's prevailing ideological uniformity, portraying Hollywood as an environment where left-leaning conformity stifles diverse viewpoints and prioritizes signaling over substantive storytelling. In a December 2023 appearance on the Israeli satirical show Eretz Ne'hederet, he participated in a skit lampooning progressive academics who propagate under the guise of sensitivity, illustrating his of normalized ideological echo chambers that equate with deviance. Such positions reflect his for content grounded in unvarnished observation rather than enforced narratives, positioning him against trends that he views as compromising artistic integrity for performative alignment.

Personal life

Relationships and privacy

Gelman was previously married to director and writer from December 2015 until their divorce in 2018. The couple met in while collaborating on a New York Lotto commercial and later co-produced the 2017 film , in which Gelman starred. In 2019, Gelman began a relationship with musician, actress, and model Ari Dayan, which evolved into a professional collaboration as well. He proposed to Dayan on May 1, 2023, at the in during a trip to . The pair married on June 22, 2024, in an intimate ceremony at Villa Lena in , , attended by close family and friends. Gelman publicly shared details of the wedding on on April 2, 2025, describing it as a "wild and intimate" event, nearly a year after the fact. Gelman has maintained a low public profile regarding his , rarely discussing family matters in interviews and limiting disclosures to self-reported updates, such as his June 22, 2025, Instagram post marking their first wedding anniversary with affirmations of enduring love. No verified information exists on children or other family expansions, reflecting his preference for privacy amid a involving high-visibility roles. This approach contrasts with tabloid speculation, which Gelman has not addressed publicly.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1443368/
  2. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/brett-gelman/
  3. https://www.uncsa.edu/news/20200109-brett-gelman-sag-noms.aspx
  4. https://www.fandango.com/people/brett-gelman-239172/biography
  5. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/brett_gelman
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1443368/awards/
  7. https://ethnicelebs.com/brett-gelman
  8. https://rudermanfoundation.org/podcasts/brett-gelman-hollywood-speaking-out-against-antisemitism/
  9. https://mabumbe.com/people/brett-gelman-age-net-worth-relationships-and-career-highlights/
  10. https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Brett%2BGelman/409113
  11. https://www.heyalma.com/18-things-to-know-about-jewish-actor-brett-gelman/
  12. https://www.vulture.com/2015/02/expose-yourself-to-the-dark-side-of-life-with-brett-gelman.html
  13. https://www.vulture.com/2014/04/talking-to-brett-gelman-about-his-new-adult-swim-special.html
  14. https://improvresourcecenter.com/forums/index.php?threads/check-out-the-a-one-last-time.4338/
  15. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/29/fashion/sundaystyles/seinfeld-it-aint.html
  16. https://gothamist.com/arts-entertainment/brett-gelman-writer-comedian-and-actor
  17. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4218824/
  18. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/tv/la-et-st-jeff-and-some-aliens-review-20170111-story.html
  19. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/13/brett-gelman-i-saw-myself-as-a-villain-but-after-stranger-things-id-like-to-be-an-action-star
  20. https://variety.com/2017/tv/news/stranger-things-season-2-ratings-nielsen-1202605585/
  21. https://www.ign.com/articles/2017/11/02/stranger-things-season-2-ratings-revealed
  22. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15153532/fullcredits/
  23. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt15153532/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14668630/
  25. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lyle_lyle_crocodile
  26. https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/showtime/releases/?view=59832
  27. https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/entitled-netflix-picks-up-lost-comedy-series-starring-stranger-things-star/
  28. https://variety.com/2025/tv/news/brett-gelman-jessica-madsen-siegfried-roy-wild-things-apple-1236544542/
  29. https://www.fandango.com/people/brett-gelman-239172/film-credits
  30. https://watch.plex.tv/person/brett-gelman
  31. https://www.jns.org/friends-turned-their-backs-on-me-this-month-jewish-actor-brett-gelman-says/
  32. https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/1703585650-actor-and-comedian-brett-gelman-pays-solidarity-visit-to-israel
  33. https://www.newsweek.com/brett-gelman-stranger-things-israel-palestinian-supporters-1837289
  34. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brett-gelman-hollywood-speaking-out-against-antisemitism/id1438241896?i=1000654138657
  35. https://nypost.com/2024/04/01/entertainment/stranger-things-star-brett-gelman-is-scared-over-antisemitism-bullying-were-not-liked/
  36. https://jweekly.com/2024/02/12/s-f-bookshop-stranger-things-actors-intemperate-remarks-led-to-cancellation/
  37. https://www.jns.org/brett-gelman-alleges-antisemitism-after-stores-cancel-book-tour-events/
  38. https://nypost.com/2024/02/09/news/stranger-things-star-brett-gelman-book-signing-canceled/
  39. https://www.amazon.com/Terrifying-Realm-Possible-Nearly-Stories/dp/0063315971
  40. https://deadline.com/2024/03/stranger-things-actor-brett-gelman-signing-canceled-book-soup-safety-concerns-1235849470/
  41. https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2024-03-06/stranger-things-brett-gelman-book-soup-event-canceled
  42. https://www.instagram.com/p/C4OPoF6Pw2F/
  43. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/brett-gelman-book-signing-israel-palestine-b2509116.html
  44. https://lamag.com/tv/book-soup-cancels-brett-gellman-signing-antisemitic-threats/
  45. https://www.columbusjewishnews.com/jns/brett-gelman-alleges-antisemitism-after-stores-cancel-book-tour-events/article_9ce875e6-8c0f-5c2e-8024-2a32ca047e1a.html
  46. https://bookandfilmglobe.com/politics/pro-israel-stance-derails-brett-gelmans-book-tour/
  47. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/04/05/brett-gelman-spoke-in-glencoe-about-his-book-as-well-as-about-all-the-protesters-than-have-shut-down-his-book-tour/
  48. https://www.thewrap.com/brett-gelman-oscars-jonathan-glazer-speech-israel-gaza/
  49. https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/brett-gelman-says-oscars-shouldn-201925103.html
  50. https://www.jns.org/stranger-things-actor-brett-gelman-i-woke-up-from-being-woke/
  51. https://www.vulture.com/2016/11/brett-gelman-explains-his-decision-to-cut-ties-with-adult-swim.html
  52. https://www.timesofisrael.com/actor-brett-gelman-joins-eretz-nehederet-to-skewer-us-progressives/
  53. https://www.timesofisrael.com/stranger-things-star-brett-gelman-proposes-to-girlfriend-in-jerusalem/
  54. https://jmoreliving.com/2023/05/02/lady-in-the-lake-co-star-brett-gelman-proposes-to-singer-girlfriend-ari-dayan-in-jerusalem/
  55. https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/stranger-things-star-brett-gelman-is-engaged-to-ari-dayan/
  56. https://people.com/stranger-things-star-brett-gelman-is-married-to-ari-dayan-wedding-exclusive-11705290
  57. https://www.instagram.com/p/DH8s5_ku7Zs/
  58. https://www.instagram.com/p/DLOo4ZYMkw2/
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