Billy Gardell

Billy Gardell
Birth name William Gardell
Born (1969-08-20) August 20, 1969
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality American
Spouse Patty Knight (2001–present)
Children William

William Gardell (born August 20, 1969) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, game show host and voice artist. Gardell played Chicago police officer Mike Biggs on Mike & Molly. He also made an appearance in a dozen episodes of My Name Is Earl as a police officer.[1] Gardell voiced Santa in Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas, as well as starring on Sullivan & Son in the recurring role of Lyle Winkler.

Early life

Born in Swissvale, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh,[2] Gardell attended Winter Park High School in Orange County, Florida during 1985.[3] As a child, he moved to Florida with his mother and younger brother and sister after his parents divorced. After that, he only visited Pennsylvania in the summers.[4] He has said living in Florida was a positive experience.[5] At the age of 15, he started working at a department store warehouse in the receiving area where he would unload trucks and stack pallets.[4] In 1987, he started cleaning bathrooms, seating people, and answering phones at a local comedy club, Bonkerz.[3] On December 28, he started performing at the comedy club's open-mic nights after he made a dare with some co-workers. "If I didn't do an open mic night, I couldn't cover the bet. I was running my mouth that I would do it. They bet me I wouldn't," he explained. He eventually started opening for Dennis Miller and George Carlin.[4]

Gardell was a member of International Thespian Society Troupe 850 whose other notable alumni include Amanda Bearse, also a graduate of Winter Park High School, and Ben Rock of The Blair Witch Project.[6]

Career

Gardell is known for his comedic roles and is influenced by Jackie Gleason.[4] He has also listed Richard Pryor, George Carlin, John Candy,[7] and John Belushi as his influences.[8] Although Bonkerz helped launch his comedy career, he has credited the support from his grandmother, saying "She told me when I was 8 years old that I could be a comic".[5] Before Mike & Molly, Gardell revealed that he considered a career in radio after being on the road for his comedy act began to affect his family time.[4] He has performed in several feature films, including Bad Santa (with Billy Bob Thornton) You, Me, and Dupree (with Owen Wilson) and Avenging Angelo (with Sylvester Stallone and Anthony Quinn) as well as appearing numerous times in recurring roles in several US television series, including NBC's Heist, The Practice, Yes, Dear, Desperate Housewives, Lucky, Bones, My Name Is Earl, Monk, and The King of Queens. Gardell appeared as himself on the Comedy Central series Make Me Laugh. Subsequently, he appeared on Miller’s television program Dennis Miller, telecast on the US financial news network CNBC (conducting "man-on-the-street" interviews). Notably, he created and staged a SNL-style charity performance of a piece called Winter Park Live, the proceeds from which were donated to Comic Relief.

Gardell continues to make weekly appearances on hometown local radio station, WDVE, appearing on The DVE Morning Show.[9] Gardell also appeared on Chelsea Lately, as a roundtable participant. Gardell appeared on a special for Comedy Central Presents in 2007 that aired on April 4, 2008. Gardell also played the host of Pizza Talk, an imaginary TV series, in commercials for Round Table Pizza.

In 2006, Gardell's first comedy album, Billy Gardell: Throwback, was released.[10]

From September 2010 to May 2016, Gardell starred in Mike & Molly, alongside Melissa McCarthy.

In November 2011, he lent his voice to Santa in Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas.

His new stand-up special Halftime was released in 2011 and aired on Comedy Central. It was filmed in Pittsburgh and profiles working-class America.[10] As of 2011, he continues to tour as a stand-up comedian in addition to acting.[3] In a 2011 Orlando Sentinel article, Gardell said he wouldn't mind doing movies again.[3]

In 2015, Gardell started hosting the lottery game show Monopoly Millionaires' Club, featuring contestants who bought tickets for the Monopoly Millionaires' Club lottery game; the latter began on October 19, 2014.

Personal life

Gardell has been married to Patty Knight since 2001.[5][10] They have a 13-year old son, William as of 2016. In a 2011 USA Today article, Gardell said he may retire when his son is a teenager to spend more time with him.[4] His parents still live in Florida where he occasionally visits them.[3] Regarding his weight, Gardell has explained that he "always had a little gut" and weighed 350 pounds at one point.[4] Gardell is allergic to dogs.[11]

Gardell is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, having participated in several Terrible Towel waves with other Steeler fans at Heinz Field. His favorite player growing up was Jack Lambert, with his son liking former Steeler Hines Ward.[12]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000Gary the RatJack Harrison (voice)
2002Avenging AngeloBruno
2003Bad SantaMilwaukee Security Guard
2006Room 6Taxi Driver
2006You, Me and DupreeBartender Dave
2007Alive 'N Kickin'BillyTelevision film
2007Dragon Wars: D-WarMr. Belafonte
2011Ice Age: A Mammoth ChristmasSanta (voice)Television special
2014Jersey BoysOur Sons Owner
2015Dancer and the DameDancer
2016UndraftedUmpire Haze
2017Once Upon a Time in VeniceOffice Bill
2017Special UnitCaptain Wynn

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2000The King of QueensBilly KelnerEpisode: "Block Buster"
2000Judging AmyLyle Cooper4 episodes
2001Cover MeMike DulgariEpisode: "Vegas Mother's Day: Part 2"
2001It's Like, You KnowEddieEpisode: "Lust for Life"
2001–2006Yes, DearBilly Colavita26 episodes
2003LuckyVincent Sticcarelli13 episodes
2003Gary the RatJackson Buford Harrison (voice)3 episodes
2003MonkIan AgnewEpisode: "Mr. Monk and the 12th Man"
2004The PracticeManny Quinn4 episodes
2004QuintupletsBrad2 episodes
2005CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCharlie JacksonEpisode: "Iced"
2006HeistBilly O'Brien6 episodes
2006Las VegasSid TurnerEpisode: "Delinda's Box: Part 1"
2007–2009My Name Is EarlOfficer Billy Hoyne12 episodes
2008Comedy Central PresentsHimselfEpisode: "Billy Gardell"
2008Desperate HousewivesRoy HardingEpisode: "The Gun Song"
2009BonesBob SaylesEpisode: "The Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood"
2010–2016Mike & MollyMike Biggs127 episodes
2012Family GuyMike BiggsEpisode: "Ratings Guy"
2012–2014Sullivan & SonLyle Winkler3 episodes
2013Phineas & FerbMayor ChickenenEpisode: "Love at First Byte"
2015The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Guest Host
2015–2016Monopoly Millionaires' ClubHost
2016Be Cool, Scooby-Doo!Warden Bowman / Prisoner 1Episode: "If You Can't Scooby-Doo the Time, Don't Scooby-Doo the Crime"
2016Girl Meets WorldCoach Bobby CampagnolaEpisode: "Girl Meets High School: Part 2"
2016New GirlJasonEpisode: "Es Good"
2017Sun RecordsColonel Tom Parker8 episodes
2017Angie TribecaOfficer DepotEpisode: "Go Get 'Em, Tiger"
2017DiceFrank Rizanski2 episodes
2018Young SheldonHerschel SparksEpisode: "Demons, Sunday School, and Prime Numbers"

References

  1. ↑ Fink, Jerry (2009-07-01). "Face you might know from TV to appear onstage". lasvegassun.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  2. ↑ Billy Gardell
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Boedeker, Hal (2011-12-29). "Mike & Molly & standup - Billy Gardell returns home to help Central Florida welcome the new year". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mills, Nancy (2011-02-05). "The small things in life are big enough for Billy Gardell". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  5. 1 2 3 Anderson, Jamie J. (2001-07-13). "Daydream's Punchline Is Oh-so-sweet - Did You Hear The One About An Orlando Comedian Who Works Hard For His Success?". orlandosentinel.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  6. ↑ Garisto, Julie (2011-05-12). "Molly's better half". cltampa.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  7. ↑ Duck, Allison (2011-07-06). "Comedian Billy Gardell hits 'Halftime'". lasvegasweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  8. ↑ Oldenburg, Ann (2011-10-03). "'Mike & Molly' star Billy Gardell is one happy husband". usatoday.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  9. ↑ Owen, Rob (2012-03-29). "Billy Gardell relishes role in 'Mike & Molly'". post-gazette.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  10. 1 2 3 Brock, Chris (2011-10-09). "Billy Gardell in Clayton Oct. 14". watertowndailytimes.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
  11. ↑ "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson". Season 10. Episode 1928. 2014-05-13. CBS. Missing or empty |series= (help)
  12. ↑ Varley, Teresa (2011-11-16). "Talking Steelers Football with Billy Gardell". steelers.com. Retrieved 2013-02-03.
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