Patton Oswalt Biography

Patton Oswalt (born January 27, 1969) is an American stand-up comedian, writer, actor and voice actor known for roles such as Spencer Olchin in the sitcom The King of Queens and for voicing Remy in the film Ratatouille.

Early life

Oswalt was born January 27, 1969, in Portsmouth, Virginia, to Carla and Larry J. Oswalt, a career United States Marine Corps officer. He was named after General George S. Patton. While a military brat, he later lived in Ohio and Tustin, California, before settling in Sterling, Virginia. He is a 1987 graduate of Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia and subsequently graduated from the College of William and Mary, where he majored in English and was initiated into the Alpha Theta Chapter of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity.

Career

Oswalt first began performing standup comedy in the late 1980s or early 1990s, by his own reckoning. After writing for MADtv and starring in his own 1996 comedy special for HBO, he went on to garner notable roles in films and television shows. His most prominent and long-running role was as Spence Olchin on The King of Queens. His first starring film role was as the voice of Remy, the lead character in the 2007 Pixar film Ratatouille. He has also appeared in smaller roles in such films as Magnolia and Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa.

Oswalt wrote the comic book story "JLA: Welcome to the Working Week", a backup story in Batman #600; a story for Dwight T. Albatross's The Goon Noir #01 and a story for Masks: Too Hot for TV. Expanding his voice artist repertoire, he began voicing the villainous character "Tobey" on PBS Kids GO! series WordGirl in 2007. He also appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner. In August 2007, he appeared on the Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav. In 2007, he appeared on an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants, "The Original Fry Cook", as Jim. In 2008 Oswalt moderated a reunion panel of the Mystery Science Theater 3000 cast at the San Diego Comic-Con International.

In 2009, Oswalt played Paul Aufiero, the leading role in Robert D. Siegel's 2009 directorial debut, Big Fan. He was to star in a 2010 Broadway revival of Lips Together, Teeth Apart. However, the show was postponed then eventually canceled due to Megan Mullally's departure from the production when the director denied her request to replace Oswalt due to his lack of stage experience.

He starred in the Showtime drama The United States of Tara as Neil, an employee of Four Winds Landscaping. He also provides the voice of Thrasher, a robot protagonist from the new Cartoon Network show, Robotomy.

In January 2011, Oswalt released his first book, Zombie Spaceship Wasteland.

In November 2011, Oswalt played the role of Hurlan Heartshe in the surrealist comedy miniseries The Heart, She Holler on Cartoon Network's late-night programming block, Adult Swim. Also in November 2011, Oswalt was depicted blowing the second-ever puff of 3D pot smoke in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas. In December 2011, Oswalt played Matt Freehauf in Jason Reitman's black comedy Young Adult. In 2012, he originated the role of Billy Stanhope on Two and a Half Men.

As of September 2013, Oswalt narrates the TV series, The Goldbergs.

Stand-up comedy

Oswalt's stand-up comedy covers topics ranging from pop culture frivolity such as comic book supervillains and 1980s glam metal to deeper social issues like American excess, materialism, foreign policy and religion. He also discusses his atheism in his stand-up. On February 28, 2009, Oswalt recorded his third comedy album at the Lisner Auditorium at George Washington University in Washington D.C. It premiered on Comedy Central as Patton Oswalt: My Weakness is Strong on August 23, 2009, and was released on DVD August 25, 2009.

Oswalt's latest album, Patton Oswalt: Finest Hour, was released on September 19, 2011. The extended and uncensored DVD of this special was released in April 2012, a few days after its television premiere on Comedy Central.

Personal life

Oswalt married writer Michelle Eileen McNamara on September 24, 2005. Their daughter was born in 2009.

Oswalt is an atheist, and has referenced his atheism in his comedy specials, No Reason to Complain, Feelin' Kind of Patton, My Weakness is Strong, and Finest Hour. It was also referenced by Katt Williams in the opening act of The Comedy Central Roast of Flavor Flav.

He is also a fan of metalcore music.

In 2013, he teamed up with PETA and spoke out against chaining pet dogs, and sent a letter to the Mayor and members of the city council of Newport News, Virginia urging them to ban the practice.

Discography

Albums

Year	Title	Label	Chart Positions
			Top 200	US Comedy	US Digital	US Indie	US Heat
2003	222 (Live & Uncut)	Chunklet Magazine	"?	"?	"?	"?	"?
2004	Feelin' Kinda Patton	United Musicians	"?	"?	"?	"?	"?
2007	Werewolves and Lollipops	Sub Pop	137	1	"?	18	4
2009	My Weakness Is Strong	Warner Bros.	67	1	5	"?	"?
2011	Finest Hour	Comedy Central Records	71	1	"	12	"?

EPs

• Patton vs. Alcohol vs. Zach vs. Patton (2005) with Zach Galifianakis
• Melvins/Patton Oswalt split 7 (2006) with The Melvins
• Comedians of Comedy Tour 3"CD (2006)
• The Pennsylvania Macaroni Company (2006) with Brian Posehn, Maria Bamford, and Eugene Mirman
• Frankensteins and Gumdrops (2008) Available during the WFMU pledge drive

Compilation album appearances

• Beth Lapides' Un-Cabaret " The Un & Only (2002)
• Beth Lapides' Un-Cabaret " The Good, The Bad, and the Drugly (2006)
• Comedy Death-Ray (2007)

DVDs

• No Reason to Complain (DVD) (2006)
• My Weakness Is Strong (DVD) (2009)
• Finest Hour (DVD) (2012)

DVD appearances

• Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2 DVD (2004)
• The Comedians of Comedy: Live at the El Rey (2005)
• The Comedians of Comedy: Live at the Troubadour (2007)

Filmography

List of film roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1996	Down Periscope	Stingray Radioman	Cameo appearance
1999	Man on the Moon	Blue Collar Guy	Cameo appearance
1999	Magnolia	Delmer Darion	Cameo appearance
2000	Desperate But Not Serious	Auteur #1
2001	Zoolander	Monkey Photographer	Cameo appearance
2002	ZigZag	Shelly	Cameo appearance
2003	Run Ronnie Run	Dozer
2003	Calendar Girls	Larry	Cameo appearance
2004	Taxi	Impound Cop
2004	Blade: Trinity	Hedges
2004	Starsky and Hutch	Disco DJ
2006	Failure to Launch	Techie Guy
2007	Reno 911!: Miami	Jeff Spoder
2007	Wrong Turn 2: Dead End	Tommy	Direct-to-video Voice only
2007	Ratatouille	Remy	Voice only Nominated " Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production
2007	Balls of Fury	The Hammer
2007	Super High Me	Himself	Documentary Cameo appearance
2008	Sex and Death 101	Fred
2008	All Roads Lead Home	Milo
2009	Observe and Report	Roger
2009	Big Fan	Paul Aufiero	Nominated " Gotham Independent Film Award for Best Breakthrough Actor Nominated " St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
2009	'	Ed Herbst
2010	Blood Into Wine	Himself	Documentary
2011	Young Adult	Matt Freehauf	New York Film Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor - Comedy Palm Springs International Film Festival: Chairman's Vanguard Award (shared with ensemble) Santa Barbara International Film Festival: Virtuoso Award Nominated " Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated " Central Ohio Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated " Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated " Detroit Film Critics Society Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominated " Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor (2nd place) Nominated " National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor (3rd place) Nominated " Toronto Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor)
2011	'	Larry Juston
2012	Seeking a Friend for the End of the World	Roache
2012	Nature Calls	Randy
2013	Odd Thomas	Ozzie P. Boone
2013	The Secret Life of Walter Mitty	TBA	Post-production

List of television roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1994	Small Doses
1994	Seinfeld	Clerk	Episode: "The Couch"
1995	MADtv	Crip in Wheelchair
1996	NewsRadio	Guy	Episode: "The Trainer"
1996"1998	Mr. Show with Bob and David	Famous Mortimer Man in Restaurant	Episodes: "Patriotism, Pepper, and Professionalism" "Operation Hell on Earth"
1997	'	Seymour	Episode: "Bad Influence"
1997	HBO Half Hour Comedy Hour	Himself	Stand-up special
1998	Pulp Comics: Margaret Cho	Various	Television film
1998	Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist	Patton	Voice only Episodes: "Miles Away" "Movies"
1998"2007	'	Spence Olchin	122 episodes
1999	Comedy Central Presents	Himself	Stand-up special
2000	Super Nerds	Leslie	Television film
2000	Batman Beyond	Eldon Michaels	Voice only Episode: "Sentries of the Last Cosmos"
2000"2004	Static Shock	Specs/Spectral	Voice only Episodes: "The New Kid" "Trouble Squared" "Where the Rubber Meets the Road"
2002	'	Weepum Buzzkillus	Uncredited Episode: "Juggy Car Wash"
2002	Home Movies	Helmet	Voice only Episode: "Renaissance"
2002"2003	Crank Yankers	Boomer	Voice only
2003"2006	Aqua Teen Hunger Force	DP Skeeter Ezekial	Voice only Episodes: "Frat Aliens" "The Last One" "Ezekial"
2003"2007	Kim Possible	Professor Dementor/Professor DeMenz	Voice only 10 episodes
2004	'	Crimson Chin Writer	Episode: "The Big Superhero Wish"
2004	Tom Goes to the Mayor	Zynx	Voice only Episode: "Pioneer Island"
2004"2009	Reno 911!	Dungeon Master Kenny Rogers Assassin Boozehammer of Galen Car Crash Movie Snob Jillet-Ben Coe	10 episodes
2005	Cheap Seats: Without Ron Parker	Carter Bogie	Episode: "Kids Putt-Putt/Double Dutch"
2006	Channel 101	Lenny Loves Carbs Guy	Television film
2006	Clark and Michael	Realtor	Internet television program
2006	'	Mr. Groin	Television film Voice only
2006	Squidbillies		Voice only Episode: "Survival of the Dumbest"
2006"2007	'	Cosmo Krank/Toymaker Marty Slack	Voice only Episodes: "Cash for Toys" "The Metal Face of Comedy"
2007	Human Giant	Frat Boy Let's Go Fan The Wire Fan	Episodes: "Let's Go" "Ice Cream Party" "24 Hour Marathon"
2007	SpongeBob SquarePants	Jim	Voice only Episode: "The Original Fry Cook/Night Light"
2007	Reaper	Leon	Episode: "Leon"
2007"2008	American Dad!	Various roles	Voice only Episodes: "Frannie 911" "A.T.: The Abusive Terrestrial"
2007"2008	Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!	Joshua Beard Beaver Boys Doctor	Episodes: "Dolls" "Rascals" "Brownies"
2007"present	WordGirl	Tobey Robot 4th Grader Irate Driver	Voice only 25 episodes
2008	Lewis Black's Root of All Evil	Himself	6 episodes
2009	Flight of the Conchords	Elton John Impersonator	Episode: "Prime Minister"
2009	Iron Chef America	Himself	Episode: "Symon vs. Nawab: Pineapple"
2009	'	Wonderboy	Voice only Episode: "Self-Medication"
2009	Dollhouse	Joel Mynor	Episodes: "Man on the Street" "A Love Supreme"
2009"2010	Community	Male Nurse Jackie	Episodes: "Home Economics" "The Psychology of Letting Go"
2009"2011	United States of Tara	Neil	21 episodes
2009"2011	Bored to Death	Howard Baker	Episodes: "The Case of the Beautiful Blackmailer" "The Gowanus Canal Has Gonorrhea!" "Gumball!" "I Keep Taking Baths Like Lady Macbeth"
2010	'	Vincent Van Guy	Episode: "A Good Van is Hard to Find"
2010	Neighbors from Hell	Pazuzu	Voice only 10 episodes
2010	Caprica	Baxter Sarno	6 episodes
2010	Glenn Martin, DDS	Volunteer Center Guy	Voice only Episode: "Volunteers"
2010"2011	Robotomy	Thrasher	Voice only 10 episodes
2011	Futurama	Unattractive Giant Monster	Voice only Episode: "Benderama"
2011	Jon Benjamin Has a Van	Steven Drears	Episode: "House on the Lake"
2011	'	Hurlan	Miniseries
2011	Raising Hope	Rubin	Episode: "Bro-gurt"
2012	'	Clyde the Pac Man Ghost	Voice only Episode: "Generic Holiday Special"
2012	Bob's Burgers	Moody Foodie	Voice only Episode: "Moody Foodie"
2012	Metalocalypse		Voice only Episodes: "Dethcamp" "Dethvanity"
2012	Two and a Half Men	Billy Stanhope	Episodes: "The War Against Gingivitis" "Oh Look! Al-Qaeda!" "A Big Bag of Dog" "Run, Steven Staven! Run!"
2012	The Simpsons	T-Rex	Voice only Episode: "The Day the Earth Stood Cool"
2012	Comedy Bang Bang	Himself	One Episode
2012	Burn Notice	Colin Schmidt	Episodes: "Down & Out" "Best Laid Plans" "Odd Man Out"
2013	Portlandia	Thor83	Episodes: "Nina's Birthday" "Missionaries"
2013	Justified	Constable Bob Sweeney
2013	'	Jonas Pfeiffer
2013	Parks and Recreation	Garth Blundon	Episode: "Article Two"
2013	Axe Cop	Sockarang	Voice only

List of video game roles

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2005	Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories	Radio Caller on Heartland Values with Nurse Bob	Voice only
2006	Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories	New World Order Caller/Reporter	Voice only
2007	Ratatouille	Remy	Voice only
2007	Aqua Teen Hunger Force Zombie Ninja Pro-Am	DP Skeeter	Voice only
2010	Dead Rising 2	Randy Tugman/Survivors	Voice only
2012	Kinect Fun Labs: Kinect Rush - A Disney Pixar Adventures: Snapshot	Remy	Voice only
2013	Metro: Last Light		Voice only

Music video appearances

• American Hi-Fi " "Another Perfect Day" (2001)
• The Ettes " "Excuse" (2011)
• The Coup - "The Magic Clap" (2013)

Bibliography

• JLA: Welcome to the Working Week (DC Comics, 2003)
• The Overrated Book (co-author with Henry H. Owings, 2006)
• The Goon noir (co-author with Thomas Lennon, Steve Niles and Eric Powell, 2007)
• The Rock Bible: Unholy Scripture for Fans & Bands (co-author with Henry H. Owings, 2008)
• Serenity: Float Out (Dark Horse Comics, 2010)
• Zombie Spaceship Wasteland (2011)