Comic actor Rob Corddry did not offer much of a challenge to the costume departments of the films he appeared in, as he was almost invariably cast as a clueless, government official in a bland suit and tie. Perhaps his four years as a correspondent on the Emmy-winning satirical news program “The Daily Show” (Comedy Central, 1996-) set the tone for his future roles as smug but inept voices of authority. Corddry enjoyed a brief moment in the spotlight as the star of the short-lived sitcom “The Winner” (Fox, 2007), but the actor was generally seen in character roles in big screen, big budget comedies helmed by Will Ferrell and Ben Stiller.Rob Corddry was born on Feb. 4, 1971 and raised in Weymouth, MA alongside younger brother and fellow future actor, Nate. The eldest brother began blazing a trail towards show business at U-Mass Amherst, where he became active in the drama department before graduating with a degree in English. He moved to New York City in 1994, eventually landing a tour with the National Shakespeare Company, though he was also active in sketch comedy and long-form improv at the famed Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where he performed with groups Naked Babies and Third Rail Comedy. He made his television debut as a player in UCB-created Comedy Central sketch show, “Upright Citizens Brigade” (1998-2000) and went on to land his breakthrough as a correspondent for the Emmy-winning satirical news program, “The Daily Show.”
In keeping with “The Daily Show” tradition of correspondents doing broad caricatures of real journalists, Corddry developed an on-air persona as an insufferably sarcastic know-it-all. Alongside colleagues Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee and Ed Helms, Corddry tenuously walked the line between realism and self-parody, routinely victimizing hapless interviewees during his segments. As the actor’s reputation grew through his role on the perennial favorite show, Corddry landed small character roles in films like “Old School” (2003) and episodes of landmark offbeat sitcoms “Arrested Development” (Fox, 2003-06) and “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO, 2005- ).
In August 2006, he bid “The Daily Show” goodbye and popped up in minor roles in mainstream comedies like “Unaccompanied Minors” (2006) and the Matthew McConaughey vehicle “Failure to Launch” (2006), in which he had a small part as a gun salesman. He sprouted an uncharacteristic moustache for a small role in the Will Ferrell and John Heder sports comedy, “Blades of Glory” (2007), and landed a meatier supporting role in “The Heartbreak Kid” as the best friend of Ben Stiller’s character in the hit rom-com.
Not long after, Corddry signed a sitcom deal with Fox and in March of 2007, debuted as a prime time headliner in Seth McFarlane’s “The Winner” (Fox, 2008- ). The mid-season replacement about a 32-year-old manchild still living at home with his parents in Buffalo, NY received mixed reviews and was cancelled after six episodes. Corddry resumed his big screen character roles and appeared in Ferrell’s subsequent sports comedy, “Semi-Pro” (2008), playing a daft Homeland Security agent in the stoner sequel, “Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay” (2008).
In a surprising shift away from comedy, Corddry was tapped by Oliver Stone to portray White House Press Secretary Ari Fleisher in the filmmaker’s George Bush biopic “W” (2008). Corddry continued to get more mileage out of his suit and tie with roles as a small town mayor in the indie comedy “Patriotville” (2008) and as a negligent elementary school principal under investigation (by an unlikely Eva Longoria) in “Lower Learning” (2008).
Profession(s):
Actor, comedian, writer, security guard
Sometimes Credited As:
Rob Corddry