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Peter Segal
Peter Segal
from Wikipedia

Peter Segal (born 1962) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. He directed the comedic films Naked Gun 33+13: The Final Insult (1994), Tommy Boy (1995), My Fellow Americans (1996), The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), Anger Management (2003), 50 First Dates (2004), The Longest Yard (2005), Get Smart (2008), Grudge Match (2013), and My Spy (2020).[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

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Segal grew up in New York City where his father was head of publicity at MGM. In the 1970s, he and his family moved to Los Angeles. He attended the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, where he double majored in broadcast journalism and English.[2]

Peter Segal graduated from the USC School of Cinema and Television.[3][4]

Career

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Segal began his career writing and directing television. In 2002, he created the NBC sitcom Hidden Hills (2002–2003). In 1995, he formed his production company, Callahan Filmworks, along with long-time producing partner Michael Ewing.[4] Segal made his feature film directorial debut in 1994 with Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, starring Leslie Nielsen and George Kennedy.[5][6][7][8][9] Segal directed Chris Farley and David Spade in Tommy Boy (1995).[10][11] Although it received mixed reviews at the time of release and was considered a commercial disappointment,[12] Tommy Boy's reputation has grown over the years and it is considered in some quarters a "now-iconic cult classic."[13]

Segal directed the comedy film My Fellow Americans (1996), starring Jack Lemmon, James Garner, and Lauren Bacall.[3][4] The film received mixed reviews from critics. It holds a 47% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 60 reviews and with an average rating of 5.3/10: "It doesn't commit any impeachable offenses, but My Fellow Americans lacks strong regulatory oversight of its toothless political satire and misuse of comedic talent."[14] Co-star Garner was not impressed by Segal, writing in his memoirs that Segal "was a self appointed genius who didn't know his ass from second base and Jack and I both knew it."[15]

Segal next directed the comedy Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), starring Eddie Murphy.[3][4] The film was very successful, grossing $42.5 million in its opening weekend, the then-highest opening weekend for an Eddie Murphy film.[16] The film grossed $166.3 million worldwide.[17] Critically, however, the film did not fare as well: on Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 27% and an average rating of 4.5/10, based on reviews from 89 critics. The site's review says, "While Eddie Murphy is still hilarious as the entire Klump family, the movie falls apart because of uneven pacing, a poor script, and skits that rely on being gross rather than funny."[18] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 38 out of 100, a score which indicates a generally unfavorable response based on reviews from 34 critics.[19]

Segal directed Adam Sandler for the first time in Anger Management (2003), which also starred Jack Nicholson.[20][21][22] When asked by the BBC who was the most famous person in his contacts, Segal replied, "I have to say, it's very obvious now, it's Jack Nicholson. I've kept his number on my speed dial just so I can show it to friends. I could call him up out of the blue, but I'm worried he might say 'Pete who?'"[3] Segal collaborated with Sandler in 50 First Dates (2004) which starred Drew Barrymore.[21][23][24][25][26] Segal collaborated with Sandler for the third time in The Longest Yard (2005), a remake of the 1974 film of the same name.[2][3] The film became the second highest grossing sports comedy in history.[4]

After directing three of Sandler's films, Segal's next film was Get Smart (2008). It is an adaptation of the '60s television series of the same name which was created by Mel Brooks and Buck Henry. Segal said in an interview with AMC that he loved the show so much as a kid. The film starred Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, Dwayne Johnson, Alan Arkin, and Terence Stamp.[27][28][29][30][31] Segal also directed Grudge Match (2013), which starred Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Hart, Alan Arkin, Kim Basinger, and Jon Bernthal.[9][32][33]

Personal life

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When asked in a September 2014 interview by the BBC if he believes in God, Segal replied, "I do. I'm very spiritual and I'm Jewish by faith. I'm not a practising Jew, I'm more of a recreational Jew. I celebrate the holidays and I try to inform my kids about their heritage because I think we all at some point have to defend our heritage and if they get picked on I want them to know why."[3]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Director Producer
1994 Naked Gun 33+13: The Final Insult Yes No
1995 Tommy Boy Yes No
1996 My Fellow Americans Yes No
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Yes No
2003 Anger Management Yes No
2004 50 First Dates Yes No
2005 The Longest Yard Yes No
2008 Get Smart Yes Executive
2013 Grudge Match Yes Yes
2018 Second Act Yes Executive
2020 My Spy Yes Yes
2024 My Spy: The Eternal City Yes Yes

Acting credits

Year Title Role
1994 Naked Gun 33+13: The Final Insult #1 Producer of 'Sawdust & Mildew'
1996 My Fellow Americans TV Technician
2000 Nutty Professor II: The Klumps Scared Popcorn Man

Television

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Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
1987 Bikini II: The Saga Continues Yes Yes Yes TV short
1993 The Jackie Thomas Show Yes Yes No Episodes "Write This Way" and "Aloha, Io-wahu"
2002–2003 Hidden Hills No Executive Yes Also creator; wrote episode "Pilot"
2014–2016 Shameless Yes No No Episodes "Strangers on a Train", "The Two Lisas" and "Pimp's Paradise"
Survivor's Remorse Yes No No Episodes "How to Build a Brand", "Grown-Ass Man",
"Starts and Stops" and "The Night of the Crash"
2016 Angie Tribeca Yes No No Episode "Commissioner Bigfish"
2021 Heels Yes Executive No Directed 7 episodes

TV movies

Year Title Director Producer Writer
1989 Premiere: Inside the Summer Blockbusters Uncredited Contributing No
1992 The Road Warriors Yes Executive No
2010 In Security Yes Executive Yes
2012 Prodigy Bully Yes Executive No
2015 Ken Jeong Made Me Do It Yes Executive No

TV specials

Year Title Director Producer Writer
1991 Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth Yes Yes No
1992 Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth 2 Yes Yes Yes
1993 Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth 3 Yes Yes Yes
2022 Sebastian Maniscalco: Is It Me? Yes No No

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Peter Segal (born 1962) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, and occasional actor renowned for his contributions to the comedy genre, particularly broad, audience-pleasing films that have collectively grossed over $1.2 billion worldwide as of 2020. Raised in , where his father served as head of publicity at (MGM), Segal relocated to in the and pursued higher education at the (USC), earning a double major in English and before graduating from the USC School of Cinema and Television. His career began in television, where he interned at in , directed local spots, and earned a local Emmy Award, later transitioning to to helm comedy specials that contributed to his accumulation of eight overall. Segal's feature film directorial debut came with the 1994 comedy Naked Gun 33+1⁄3: The Final Insult, a spoof sequel in the Naked Gun series starring Leslie Nielsen, marking his entry into theatrical comedy, which he followed with films like Tommy Boy (1995) and My Fellow Americans (1996). He gained prominence in the mid-1990s with Tommy Boy (1995), a road-trip comedy featuring Chris Farley and David Spade that became a cult favorite despite mixed reviews, and followed with My Fellow Americans, pairing Jack Lemmon and James Garner as bickering ex-presidents. His collaborations with Adam Sandler in the 2000s elevated his profile, including directing The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), a comedy sequel starring Eddie Murphy; Anger Management (2003), a box-office hit with Sandler and Jack Nicholson; 50 First Dates (2004), a romantic comedy co-starring Drew Barrymore; and the sports comedy remake The Longest Yard (2005), which grossed over $170 million globally. Segal's style emphasizes lighthearted entertainment, blending physical humor with emotional undercurrents, as seen in later works like Get Smart (2008), a modern adaptation of the classic TV series starring Steve Carell and Anne Hathaway that earned praise for its diverting spy spoof elements. In addition to features, Segal has maintained ties to television, creating and executive producing the NBC sitcom Hidden Hills (2002–2003) and directing episodes of series like Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth for , for which he received a . He co-founded Callahan Filmworks production company with partner Michael Ewing in 1995, later securing a with in 2008 to develop projects. Later career highlights include Grudge Match (2013), a boxing comedy reuniting and ; Second Act (2018), a vehicle about self-reinvention; and the action-comedy My Spy (2020), starring , followed by its sequel My Spy: The Eternal City (2024), set in . Married to dentist Linda Segal, he resides in and is noted by peers like and for his collaborative warmth and consistent delivery of feel-good comedies.

Early life and education

Family background

Peter Segal was born on April 20, 1962, in , . He spent his early childhood in , where his family resided on the . Segal's father served as the head of worldwide advertising and publicity for () Studios, a position that provided young Peter with early exposure to the film industry through behind-the-scenes insights and industry events. In the 1970s, Segal's family relocated to when his father was transferred to MGM's West Coast headquarters, marking a significant shift that immersed Segal further in Hollywood's environment during his formative years. This move, prompted by his father's career, influenced Segal's budding interest in , setting the stage for his later academic pursuits at the .

Academic pursuits

Peter Segal attended the (USC), where he pursued a double major in English and , graduating in 1984. Although his formal degrees were outside the School of Cinematic Arts, Segal immersed himself in film-related coursework by auditing classes alongside his film-major roommate, fostering an early passion for visual storytelling and production techniques. His studies emphasized writing-intensive courses in the first two years, followed by hands-on production classes in , which introduced him to directing and editing fundamentals essential for . These experiences at USC, combined with the university's collaborative environment, shaped Segal's approach to narrative humor and prepared him for professional opportunities in entertainment.

Career

Entry into the industry

After graduating from the in 1984 with a double major in English and , Peter Segal secured an at KCBS in , which provided his initial entry into television production and honed his storytelling skills. Segal began his professional career in the late as a on various television projects, gaining hands-on experience in behind-the-scenes operations before advancing to more creative roles. A breakthrough came in 1991 with Segal's direction of the HBO comedy special Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth, earning him a nomination for Directing a Documentary Special that same year. He followed this with another nomination in 1992 for Writing a Documentary Special, tied to the sequel Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth 2. Segal also directed episodes of the ABC sitcom The Jackie Thomas Show in 1992–1993, further establishing his reputation in episodic television comedy. These television achievements, particularly his HBO specials, impressed producer , leading to Segal's selection as director for the feature film Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994 and marking his shift from TV to theatrical releases.

Film directing highlights

Peter Segal made his feature film directorial debut with Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult in 1994, the third installment in the slapstick comedy series starring as the bumbling detective . The film earned $51 million at the domestic against a $30 million budget, marking a solid commercial performance for Segal's entry into theatrical directing. Critically, it received mixed reviews, with a 54% approval rating on based on contemporary assessments that praised its absurd humor but noted diminishing returns compared to earlier entries in the franchise. Segal's follow-up, (1995), starred and in a road-trip about an underachieving salesman, establishing a recurring collaboration with Farley that highlighted Segal's affinity for honed from his early television work. The film grossed $32.6 million domestically and has since achieved cult status for its energetic performances and quotable moments, though initial reviews were middling. Subsequent key projects included 50 First Dates (2004) and The Longest Yard (2005), both featuring in lead roles and showcasing Segal's knack for blending romantic or sports elements with broad humor; 50 First Dates earned $196 million worldwide, while The Longest Yard, a of the 1974 prison football classic, pulled in $191 million globally and was lauded for its faithful yet updated take on the original. In 2008, Segal directed Get Smart, a big-screen adaptation of the 1960s spy sitcom starring and , which grossed $226 million worldwide and balanced action with comedic timing reminiscent of his earlier farces. Grudge Match (2013), pitting and as aging boxers, achieved $69 million globally but drew mixed critical responses for underutilizing its star power despite Segal's energetic direction. His recent work includes the action-comedy (2020) with , impacted by the pandemic with $10.2 million in worldwide earnings yet earning a 49% score for its family-friendly spy antics, and its sequel My Spy: The Eternal City (2024), continuing the Bautista partnership in a more adventurous vein. Throughout his career, Segal has fostered key actor collaborations, including multiple projects with Sandler that amplified his comedies' commercial appeal, Farley's breakout in Tommy Boy, and Bautista's tough-yet-tender persona in the My Spy series. His films have collectively grossed over $1.23 billion worldwide, underscoring his reliability in the comedy genre. Segal's directing style signature lies in merging slapstick physicality with heartfelt character moments, evolving from the broad, anarchic farces of his debut era to more family-oriented action-comedies that emphasize ensemble dynamics and visual gags.

Television contributions

Peter Segal's television directing career spans several acclaimed series, where he contributed to both and drama formats through multi-episode arcs and pilots. Early in his TV work, he directed episodes of the short-lived sitcom (1992–1993), including the season 1 finale "Write This Way," marking his entry into episodic direction. In the mid-2010s, Segal helmed multiple episodes of -drama series, showcasing his ability to handle ensemble dynamics. For Showtime's Shameless (2014–2016), he directed three episodes: season 4's "Strangers on a Train," season 5's "The Two Lisas," and season 6's "Pimp's Paradise," focusing on the Gallagher family's chaotic interpersonal conflicts with a blend of humor and tension. Similarly, on Starz's (2014–2017), Segal directed key installments such as season 1's "How to Build a ," season 2's "Starts and Stops," and season 3's "The Night of the Crash," emphasizing the Calloway family's navigation of sudden wealth and fame through witty, character-driven narratives. His approach to TV often highlights ensemble casts and quick pacing, allowing for layered interactions and rapid shifts between laughs and heartfelt moments, as seen in these projects. Segal also directed the season 1 episode "Commissioner Bigfish" of TBS's anthology-style comedy (2016), contributing to its parody of police procedurals with absurd, fast-paced humor centered on detective Angie Tribeca's investigations. Post-2020, Segal's most prominent TV contribution was to Starz's wrestling drama Heels (2021–2023), where he served as and directed seven episodes across both seasons, including the series pilot "" and season 2's finale "." This work allowed him to return to television following film successes, blending intense family rivalries with the performative world of in a serialized format. No new television directing projects were announced for Segal in 2024 or 2025 as of November 2025, though he discussed Heels' potential revival in interviews amid its 2023 cancellation.

Producing and acting roles

In addition to his directing work, Peter Segal has taken on producing roles that have broadened his involvement in projects, often allowing him to shape narratives and talent ensembles from to completion. His producing debut came as associate producer on the comedy Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), where he contributed to the film's production during his transition from to features. This early credit marked the start of his hands-on approach to franchises, emphasizing ensemble casts and satirical humor. Segal served as producer on (2008), a adaptation of the television series that updated the spy spoof with modern action elements, starring as Maxwell Smart and as Agent 99; the film earned $230.7 million at the global , demonstrating Segal's ability to blend with broad appeal. He expanded this producer role into sports-themed comedies like (2013), where he oversaw the boxing rivalry tale featuring and , grossing $29.8 million domestically. As executive producer on Second Act (2018), Segal helped craft a fish-out-of-water story for , focusing on reinvention and workplace satire, which premiered on after a limited theatrical run. A key aspect of Segal's producing influence lies in his work on the franchise, where he served as producer on the inaugural film (2020)—a STX Entertainment action-comedy about a CIA operative () befriending a young girl ()—and its sequel My Spy: The Eternal City (2024), which shifted the action to Europe while maintaining family-oriented humor; both were distributed by , highlighting Segal's role in building serialized comedy properties for streaming audiences. Through these efforts, Segal has influenced the development of comedy franchises by prioritizing relatable character dynamics and crossover appeal, often drawing from his directing background to ensure tonal consistency. Segal has also made occasional acting cameos, typically in minor, humorous supporting parts within projects he produced or directed. In Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994), he appeared as the "#1 Producer of 'Sawdust & Mildew'," a brief role in a chaotic performance scene that poked fun at theatrical self-importance. Similarly, in My Fellow Americans (1996), Segal played a Technician in a quick sight gag involving malfunctioning broadcast equipment during a political chase. These appearances underscore his lighthearted on-set presence but remain secondary to his behind-the-scenes contributions. Early in his career, Segal contributed to on television specials, including co-writing the cable comedy The Tom Arnold Comedy Special Hour, which featured sketch-based humor tailored to Arnold's stand-up style. He has also provided voice work in select projects, such as uncredited vocal contributions to animated sequences in comedy films, though these are less documented than his producing output.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Peter Segal has been married to Linda Segal, a , since the early . The couple has three children: Taylor Segal, a executive and of development at Lorne Michaels's ; Nicole Segal; and Sean Segal. The family resides in La Cañada Flintridge, a suburb of , where the children attended local schools. Segal and his family have occasionally appeared together at public events, including film premieres such as the 1994 Hollywood premiere of Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult.

Interests and philanthropy

As a USC alumnus, Segal maintains strong ties to the cinematic arts community, actively participating in alumni initiatives that foster the next generation of filmmakers. In terms of philanthropy, Segal is a founding member of the USC Cinematic Arts Alumni Development Council, alongside figures like and , where he contributes to fundraising, curriculum enhancement, and anniversary celebrations to support film education and ease graduates' transition into the industry. He played a key role in launching USC's comedy filmmaking program in 2010, critiquing student projects and sharing insights from his own experiences to mentor emerging talent. Segal has also donated to USC's campus expansions and facilities improvements, reflecting his commitment to advancing resources for cinematic arts students.

Filmography

Feature films

Peter Segal's feature film work primarily consists of directing comedies, with occasional producing credits. Below is a chronological list of his key feature films, focusing on his directorial and producing roles.
  • Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994) – director
  • Tommy Boy (1995) – director
  • My Fellow Americans (1996) – director
  • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000) – director
  • Anger Management (2003) – director
  • 50 First Dates (2004) – director
  • The Longest Yard (2005) – director
  • Click (2006) – director
  • Get Smart (2008) – director and producer
  • Grudge Match (2013) – director
  • Second Act (2018) – director
  • My Spy (2020) – director
  • My Spy: The Eternal City (2024) – director

Television directing

Peter Segal began his directing career in television, earning recognition for his work in comedy specials and sitcom episodes during the early 1990s. His debut notable credit was directing the 1991 HBO comedy special Tom Arnold: The Naked Truth, for which he won a for Best Director in a Comedy Special. He followed this by directing two episodes of the ABC sitcom in 1993, including "Write This Way," a series starring Tom Arnold that satirized the entertainment industry. These early projects established Segal's comedic style, blending sharp timing and character-driven humor, and contributed to his accumulation of eight for television work during this period. In the 2010s, Segal returned to episodic television directing, focusing on premium cable comedies. He helmed the season 4 episode "Strangers on a Train" of Showtime's Shameless in 2014, earning an Online Film & Television Association nomination for Best Direction in a Series. For Starz's , Segal directed multiple episodes across seasons 2 and 3 (2015–2016), including "Grown-Ass Man," which explored themes of family dynamics and sudden wealth in the sports world. His contributions to the series emphasized ensemble interplay and , aligning with the show's blend of humor and . Segal continued directing single-camera comedies, helming the season 1 premiere episode "Commissioner Bigfish" of TBS's in 2016, a starring . The episode set the tone for the series' rapid-fire, absurd humor. Later, he served as an and director for Starz's wrestling drama Heels (2021–2023), directing several episodes including key installments in season 1 that introduced the at the heart of the show. Segal's involvement in Heels distinguished his television work by incorporating dramatic tension with comedic undercurrents, contrasting his earlier lighter fare, though no new directing credits for him appeared in 2024 or 2025.

References

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