Judah Friedlander (born March 16, 1969) is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He is known for playing the role of writer Frank Rossitano on the NBC sitcom 30 Rock. Friedlander is also known for his role as Toby Radloff in the film American Splendor, a role that garnered him favorable reviews and a nomination for best supporting actor at the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards. Earlier in his career, he was recognized as "the hug guy" from the music video for the 2001 Dave Matthews Band single "Everyday".
Friedlander is known for his distinctive look, which includes oversized glasses, shaggy hair, and a T-shirt and trucker hat (both often emblazoned with slogans such as "world champion"), and a generally unkempt appearance. It is a look he maintains as a stand-up comedian, during most of his public appearances, and which he has employed in some of his acting roles.
Early life Friedlander was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, the son of Shirley and Art Friedlander. His father was of Russian Jewish descent and his mother, a native of Pittsburgh, is Croatian American.
As a child, Friedlander drew political cartoons and made animated films. He first tried stand-up comedy in 1989 at the age of 19 while attending New York University. Friedlander graduated from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study.
Career
Stand-up comedy Friedlander has performed stand-up comedy regularly throughout his entertainment career. He continued to perform stand-up several nights a week in New York City while working on the sitcom 30 Rock. Friedlander has stated that he is most relaxed when doing stand-up and that he considers stand-up to be his first true love, preferring it to acting. He stated in 2012 that stand-up comedy is "still the most important thing I do from an artistic standpoint."
Friedlander has cited comedians Steven Wright, Sam Kinison and John Mulrooney as influences. He also says that Dave Attell is one of his favorite comics.
Friedlander's comedic performances often feature him making outrageous and bombastic claims about himself with a deadpan delivery. Many of these claims are reflected in slogans displayed on the many trucker hats he wears — the most common being "World Champion", a slogan he has worn in various languages.
One of his claims include being an expert in karate, having achieved an "extra-dark black belt" in the sport. In 2010, he authored the humor book How to Beat Up Anybody: An Instructional and Inspirational Karate Book by the World Champion. Friedlander's claims provide comedic irony when contrasted against his nonchalant attitude and physical appearance. Friedlander wears large, thick-rimmed glasses, is often unshaven and is generally unkempt.
The look that Friedlander employs during his stand-up has also carried over into some of his television and film roles, including his 30 Rock role as TV writer Frank Rossitano. Frank is however much lazier than Friedlander's "World Champion" persona.
In 2007, Heeb magazine included Friedlander in their list of "100 people you need to know about".
In 2017, Friedlander's first Netflix special, America is the Greatest Country in the United States, was released.
Television Friedlander played the role of a techie on the Al Franken sitcom LateLine in 1999. Over the 2000s Friedlander held guest roles on several television shows, including Spin City, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Flight of the Conchords, as well as providing voices for characters on the animated series Wonder Showzen and Xavier: Renegade Angel. Friedlander made regular appearances on the entertainment and pop-culture program Best Week Ever. He appeared as the online co-host of the 2009 TV Land Awards, alongside main stage host Neil Patrick Harris.
Friedlander was a regular cast member of the sitcom 30 Rock throughout its entire run, from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013. His character, Frank Rossitano, is a sarcastic and wisecracking writer on the fictional show TGS with Tracy Jordan Frank is lazy, slovenly, and lives with his mother (played by Patti Lupone). He is also sex-obsessed, which he often reveals by way of vulgar and sexually suggestive comments. Friedlander has stated that Frank Rossitano is based on at least two writers with whom Tina Fey used to work at Saturday Night Live. His ever-changing, slogan-bearing trucker hats also became a running gag on the show. Friedlander makes his hats himself and created enough of them to be able to wear a different one in each scene of 30 Rock, which is about three hats per show.
Friedlander has appeared on late-night talk shows such as Late Night with Conan O'Brien, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Last Call with Carson Daly. In 2010 Friedlander appeared in 2 episodes of the children's series Sesame Street. He also appeared as a panelist on The Burn with Jeff Ross in 2013.
In May and June 2014, Friedlander narrated ESPN's Inside: U.S. Soccer's March to Brazil six-part series in preparation for the World Cup in Brazil.
He has appeared on MSNBC's Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell and provided personal commentary on The World Cup and soccer in general.
Film and video In 2001, Friedlander played "the hug guy" in the music video for the Dave Matthews Band single "Everyday"; his character is seen hugging various people throughout the video. Friedlander was recognized for his "hug guy" role for years after appearing in the video, causing complete strangers to offer him hugs. The same year, he appeared in the comedy film Wet Hot American Summer.
In 2003 Friedlander played Toby Radloff in the biopic American Splendor, a role that received favorable reviews — his performance was deemed "unforgettable" by The New York Times and "pitch-perfect" by both Nick A. Zaino III of The Boston Globe and Dan Dinicola of The Daily Gazette. He was also nominated in the category of best supporting actor at the 2004 Independent Spirit Awards.
Friedlander had roles in the Ben Stiller films Meet the Parents, Zoolander and Along Came Polly.
He had a starring role in the 2005 independent comedy Full Grown Men and a supporting role in the 2008 drama The Wrestler.
He has also appeared in films such as Duane Hopwood, Chapter 27, Southern Belles, Live Free or Die, and Feast.
Personal life Friedlander has lived in the New York City area for most of his career, with the exception of two years spent in Los Angeles. Currently residing in Queens, he has stated that he prefers living in New York.
Friedlander enjoys playing table tennis. As a child, Friedlander had played the sport competitively; he took it up again in 2008. He is a big fan of professional wrestling, which is often used as subject matter for his trademark hats and shirts. He is also a fan of the New York Red Bulls, has attended games at Red Bull Arena and appeared in commercials for the team.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Endsville Wrestling fan Meet the Parents Pharmacy clerk 2001Wet Hot American SummerRonald von KleinsteinZoolander Scrappy ZoolanderHow HighStudent 2002 Showtime Julio 2003 The Trade Duffy DyerOld School Action figure dudeAmerican SplendorToby RadloffThe JanitorDrunk man 2004 Starsky & Hutch Ice-cream manBad MeatMaintenance manAlong Came PollyDustin 2005 Duane Hopwood AnthonySouthern BellesDuanePizzaJimmyThe UnseenEarlFeastBeer guy 2006 The Darwin Awards SimonDate MovieNickyLive Free or DieHeshThe Cassidy KidsAdult Max CassidyFull Grown MenElias Guber 2007 Chapter 27 PaulThe Proctor HarryShort film 2008 Feast II: Sloppy Seconds Beer guyMeet DaveEngineerThe WrestlerScott Brumberg 2009 I Hate Valentine's Day Dan O'FinnCabin Fever 2: Spring FeverToby 2010 Beware the Gonzo Cafeteria guy 2011 Rio Tourist Voice 2013 Epic Larry the Cab Driver Voice 2014 Ping Pong Summer Anthony 2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Bar Patron 2019 Can You Keep a Secret? Mick
Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 LateLine Techie 3 episodes 2000 Spin City Flirtatious Man in Bar Episode: "About Last Night"The BeatEpisode: "The Beat Goes On" 2001 Spring Break Lawyer Mervin Television film 2002 O2Be Trailer Trash Episode: "O2Be" 2003 Old School Action Figure Dude Pilot 2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Donald Episode: "The Blind Date" 2005 Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker Steven Gregory Episode: "1995 SuperDogs! Superjocks!"Sunday PantsVoiceSegment "History According to Noodle" 2006 Wonder Showzen Crickey 2 episodes 2006–2013 30 Rock Frank Rossitano 119 episodes 2007 Flight of the Conchords Isabella Episode: "Sally" 2009 Xavier: Renegade Angel Big Papa Dick / Slippy Villager Voices2 episodes 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s Host 2010 Sesame Street Inspector 4 Episode: "Inspected by 4" Sesame Street Himself Episode: "Abby's Tricycle"The Life & Times of Tim Ping Pong GuyVoiceEpisode: "Stu Is Good at Something" 2011 The Heart, She Holler Episode: "Dare to Holler"Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Head Mini Sloth 2013 Childrens Hospital Al Yankovic Episode: "Country Weekend" 2014 Sharknado 2: The Second One Bryan Television film 2015 Fresh Off the Boat Ray Episode: "Very Superstitious"Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp Ron von Kleinenstein2 episodesThe Jim Gaffigan Show HimselfEpisode: "My Friend the Priest" 2016 Bordertown Sanford Buckwald Voice13 episodesAlbert GeneVoiceTelevision film 2017 Bob's Burgers Ferdie VoiceEpisode: "Like Gene for Chocolate"Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Gordy2 episodesAmerica is the Greatest Country in the United States HimselfStand-up special; also director and editor 2018 The Last Sharknado: It's About Time Bryan Television film
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult2004Independent Spirit AwardsBest Supporting MaleAmerican Splendor2008Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 30 RockGold Derby AwardsEnsemble of the Year 2009Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series 20102011201220132014
References
External links
Judah Friedlander on Myspace Judah Friedlander's Blog on Fancast