Griffin Newman

Newman is the son of film producer Peter Newman and casting director Antonia Dauphin. His maternal grandfather, Claude Dauphin, was a French actor.{{cite magazine|title=Discovery: Griffin Newman|magazine=Interview|url=https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/discovery-griffin-newman|date=March 13, 2017|last=Brown|first=Emma|access-date=August 6, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612141055/https://www.interviewmagazine.com/culture/discovery-griffin-newman|url-status=live|quote=...the 28-year-old...}} His younger brother, James Newman, is also an actor. His maternal step grandfather was English novelist Marc Brandel, the son of writer J. D. Beresford. His parents had a Jewish wedding. Newman was raised in Greenwich Village, and attended Saint Ann's School.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/realestate/houseful-of-handfuls.html|title=Houseful of Handfuls|work=The New York Times|date=November 15, 2013|last=Shaw|first=Dan|access-date=January 26, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127022846/https://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/17/realestate/houseful-of-handfuls.html|url-status=live|quote=...their older son, Griffin, 24...}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.believermag.com/issues/201806/?read=article_kirke_newman|title=The Believer Lola Kirke in Conversation with Griffin Newman|date=June 1, 2018|work=The Believer|access-date=June 18, 2018|language=en}} He was interested in performing from an early age, often performing Fozzie Bear routines for friends and family.{{cite web|url=http://howtobeaperson.libsyn.com/episode-48-griffin-newman-how-to-play-disney-infinity|title=How To Be A Person – Episode 48 – Griffin Newman – How To Play Disney Infinity|access-date=February 11, 2018|archive-date=February 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180211185936/http://howtobeaperson.libsyn.com/episode-48-griffin-newman-how-to-play-disney-infinity|url-status=dead}} He started stand-up comedy at the age of ten as part of the 'Kidsncomedy' program run by Jo Ann Grossman.{{Cite web|url=https://headgum.com/the-mindhouse-podcast/griffin-newman|title=The Mindhouse Podcast: Griffin Newman}}{{Cite news|last=Netburn|first=Deborah|url=http://observer.com/2001/05/here-he-is-ladies-and-jellybeans-our-cutest-comic-griffin-newman/|title=Here He Is, Ladies and Jellybeans! Our Cutest Comic, Griffin Newman|date=May 14, 2001|work=Observer|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} His material was mostly political, workshopped with his father.{{Cite web|url=https://play.acast.com/s/thegaryhour/ep43griffinnewman|title=Ep43 Griffin Newman|via=play.acast.com}} He began getting some attention from agents at this time, though his parents were reluctant for him to pursue a career in acting. His first onscreen appearance was as 'Teenage Fan' in the mockumentary The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan. His role was mostly cut for the film.{{Citation|title=The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan|url=https://soundcloud.com/griffin-and-david-present/od-night-shyamacast-episode-eleven-the-buried-secret-of-m-night-shyamalan|language=en|access-date=June 18, 2018}} As a teenager, Newman regularly attended Buck's Rock Performing and Creative Arts Camp.

Newman started college in 2007 at California Institute of the Arts with the intention of becoming a filmmaker. He dropped out after seven months in order to pursue a career in comedy and acting.

Newman's first major onscreen appearance is in the film The Treatment in 2006 as high school student Scott. He went on to play roles in a number of shorts and student films. He also began performing stand-up regularly around this time and produced a one-man show titled Grifftopia, which he performed in 2009 and 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.theatermania.com/shows/new-york-city-theater/off-off-broadway/grifftopia_161547|title=Grifftopia|publisher=TheaterMania|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

In 2010, Newman appeared in the teen film Beware the Gonzo in the role of Horny Rob Becker, one of the friends of the titular Gonzo (Ezra Miller).{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/09/movies/beware-the-gonzo-review.html|title='Beware the Gonzo' – Review|last=Holden|first=Stephen|newspaper=The New York Times|date=September 8, 2011|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}} Though the film was released to mixed reviews,{{Cite Rotten Tomatoes|id=beware_the_gonzo|type=m|title=Beware the Gonzo|access-date=June 12, 2018}} Newman's performance was positively reviewed, with Odie Henderson from RogerEbert.com writing that "Becker is the most interesting character in the film."{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/demanders/who-forgives-the-gonzo|title=Who forgives the Gonzo?|last=Henderson|first=Odie|publisher=RogerEbert.com|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

Over the next few years, Newman guest starred in a number of television shows, including Blue Bloods,{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/griffin-newman/credits/974843/303333/|title=Griffin Newman|magazine=TV Guide|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}} Big Lake, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as appearing in sketches for Funny or Die.{{Citation|title=Terry Gross Interviews Bernie Mac|url=http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5551a03358/terry-gross-interviews-bernie-mac|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143546/http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/5551a03358/terry-gross-interviews-bernie-mac|url-status=dead}} He played the role of Russ in the television mini-series Political Animals for the USA Network, and was listed by Just for Laughs as one of the 2012 New Faces of Comedy: Characters.{{Cite news|last=Lehman|first=Daniel|date=August 19, 2012|url=https://www.backstage.com/news/montreal-just-for-laughs-fest-reveals-2012-new-faces-of-comedy/|title=Montreal Just for Laughs Fest Reveals 2012 New Faces of Comedy|work=Backstage.com|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

In 2013, Newman was cast in John Mulaney's sitcom Mulaney for NBC as Seymour.{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Bradford|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/03/griffin-newman-joins-the-cast-of-john-mulaneys-nbc-pilot.html|title=Griffin Newman Joins the Cast of John Mulaney's NBC Pilot|date=March 28, 2013|work=Vulture|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}} The network passed on the show after shooting the pilot,{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Bradford|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/05/nbc-passes-on-mulaney.html|title=NBC Passes on 'Mulaney'|date=May 10, 2013|work=Vulture|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}} but later in the year, it was picked up by Fox with the role of Seymour cut from the script.{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/elliott-gould-nasim-pedrad-seaton-smith-return-zack-pearlman-joins-foxs-mulaney-647671/|title=Elliott Gould, Nasim Pedrad & Seaton Smith Return, Zack Pearlman Joins Fox's 'Mulaney'|last=Andreeva|first=Nellie|date=December 5, 2013|work=Deadline|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} Newman has described the situation as his own version of the Dark Phoenix saga.{{Citation|title=Clifford|url=https://soundcloud.com/griffin-and-david-present/clifford|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

Later that year, Newman became a correspondent for Nikki & Sara Live,{{Cite news|last=Evans|first=Bradford|url=http://www.vulture.com/2013/08/talking-to-nikki-glaser-and-sara-schaefer-about-season-2-of-nikki-sara-live.html|title=Talking to Nikki Glaser and Sara Schaefer About Season Two of 'Nikki & Sara Live'|date=August 13, 2013|work=Vulture|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}} and began making regular appearances on The Chris Gethard Show. Alongside Riley Soloner, he hosted the podcast Talking TCGS from 2013 to 2014. He hosted The Awooga Comedy Hour with Andrew Tavin from January 2013, a live comedy show that became weekly from May 2014.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/mindy-tucker/stolen-moment-of-the-week_78_b_6277126.html|title=Stolen Moment of the Week: Andrew Tavin and Griffin Newman at The PIT|last=Tucker|first=Mindy|date=December 8, 2014|magazine=HuffPost|language=en-US|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

In 2014, Newman appeared in the film Draft Day as Rick the Intern alongside Kevin Costner,{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-draft-day-1201155283/|title=Film Review: 'Draft Day'|last=Foundas|first=Scott|date=April 10, 2014|work=Variety|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} and later that year announced he had become a part of a Maude Team at UCB.{{Cite news|url=https://twitter.com/GriffLightning/status/527220030359207938|title=Griffin Newman on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}} He went on to have supporting roles in other feature films including Fort Tilden,{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/sxsw-film-review-fort-tilden-1201128706/|title=SXSW Film Review: 'Fort Tilden'|last=Barker|first=Andrew|date=March 11, 2014|work=Variety|access-date=June 18, 2018|language=en-US}} Free The Nipple, and Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ticketweb.com/event/breakout-artist-comedy-series-griffin-carolines-on-broadway-tickets/5904095|title=Ticket for Breakout Artist Comedy Series: Griffin Newman|publisher=TicketWeb|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

Newman has appeared in a number of webseries, including Snarky Sidekick{{Cite web|url=https://east.ucbtheatre.com/performance/36217|title=Snarky Sidekick *World Premiere*|publisher=Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre|language=en|access-date=June 12, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140123/https://east.ucbtheatre.com/performance/36217|url-status=dead}} and The Untitled Web Series That Morgan Evans Is Doing for MTV;{{Cite news|url=http://flavorwire.com/525721/the-untitled-web-series-that-morgan-evans-is-doing-for-mtv-is-a-must-watch-for-louie-fans|title='The Untitled Web Series That Morgan Evans Is Doing For MTV' Is a Must-Watch for 'Louie' Fans|date=July 1, 2015|work=Flavorwire|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} he starred as the Director in Colin Quinn's webseries Cop Show for all three seasons.{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/bwwtv/article/Colin-Quinns-New-Web-Series-COP-SHOW-to-Debut-Later-This-Month-20150217|title=Colin Quinn's New Web Series COP SHOW Debuts Tonight|author=|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}}

With critic David Sims, Newman started The Phantom Podcast in March 2015, a podcast dedicated to analysing the film The Phantom Menace as though it was the only film in the Star Wars franchise. The show went on to discuss the other Star Wars films before being retitled Blank Check with Griffin & David and establishing its new premise.{{Cite news|last=Reid|first=Joe|url=https://decider.com/2016/01/28/blank-check-is-the-movie-podcast-you-need-to-be-listening-to-especially-if-youre-into-m-night-shyamalan/|title='Blank Check' Is the Movie Podcast You Need to Be Listening To (Especially If You're Into M. Night Shyamalan)|date=January 28, 2016|work=Decider|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} The podcast involves Sims, Newman, and sometimes a guest, discussing filmographies of directors who have had massive success early on in their career which has enabled them to be given free rein to make large scale passion projects. The podcast has received praise from critics.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thrillist.com/entertainment/nation/best-podcasts-of-2017|title=The Best Podcasts of 2017|last=Green|first=Jaime|date=December 18, 2017|work=Thrillist|access-date=June 12, 2018}}

In 2016 Newman had a supporting role in the HBO series Vinyl, and guest starred in the sitcoms Search Party and Difficult People. Later that year, it was announced Newman would be playing Arthur Everest in Amazon Video's new reboot of The Tick alongside Peter Serafinowicz in the titular role.{{Cite news|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|url=http://collider.com/the-tick-amazon-pilot-wally-pfister-direct/|title=Amazon Orders 'The Tick' Pilot; Wally Pfister to Direct|date=March 10, 2016|work=Collider|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} The pilot, directed by Wally Pfister, was released on August 18, 2016. The show was picked up for a first season in September 2016.{{Cite news|last=Osborn|first=Alex|url=http://pk.ign.com/entertainment/6554/news/amazon-orders-the-tick-and-jean-claude-van-johnson-to-series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826161404/http://pk.ign.com/entertainment/6554/news/amazon-orders-the-tick-and-jean-claude-van-johnson-to-series|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 26, 2017|title=Amazon Orders The Tick and Jean-Claude Van Johnson to Series|date=September 29, 2016|work=IGN Pakistan|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} The first six episodes of the first season were released on August 25, 2017. The remaining six episodes of the first season were released on February 23, 2018. On January 17, 2018, Amazon ordered a second season of 10 episodes, which premiered in 2019.{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/the-tick-season-2-amazon-studios-1202666868/|title='The Tick' Season 2 Greenlit by Amazon Studios, Set for 2019 Premiere|last=Spangler|first=Todd|date=January 17, 2018|work=Variety|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}} Newman has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Everest.{{Cite news|last=Fine|first=Elazar|url=https://theplaylist.net/amazons-the-tick-review-20170821/|title=Amazon's 'The Tick' Is An Oddball Answer To 'The Dark Knight' [Review]|date=August 21, 2017|work=The Playlist|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-tick-pilot-transforms-parody-into-pathos-1798188621|title=The Tick pilot transforms parody into pathos|last=Caffrey|first=Dan|work=The A.V. Club|date=August 22, 2016|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|last=Mangione|first=Nick|url=https://www.geek.com/television/the-funniest-thing-about-the-tick-is-that-its-a-legitimately-great-superhero-show-1712472/|title=The Funniest Thing About The Tick Is that It's a Legitimately Great Superhero Show - Geek.com|date=August 25, 2017|work=Geek.com|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140441/https://www.geek.com/television/the-funniest-thing-about-the-tick-is-that-its-a-legitimately-great-superhero-show-1712472/|url-status=dead}} In May 2019, Amazon Studios announced that the show would not return for a third season.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/tick-canceled-2-seasons-amazon-1211318|title='The Tick' Canceled After 2 Seasons on Amazon|last=Porter|first=Rick|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=May 19, 2019|access-date=January 26, 2020}}

Newman has a small role in Woody Allen's film A Rainy Day in New York, previously set for release in 2018. In October 2017, Newman made a statement via his Twitter expressing his regret at taking the role in the film, due to the allegations of sexual abuse against Allen. He announced he would be donating his salary from the film to RAINN.{{Cite news|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/10/tick-actor-griffin-newman-regrets-working-with-woody-allen.html|title=The Tick Actor Griffin Newman Regrets Working With Woody Allen|last=McHenry|first=Jackson|work=Vulture|date=October 16, 2017|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.avclub.com/the-ticks-griffin-newman-says-he-regrets-working-on-new-1819492316|title=The Tick{{'}}s Griffin Newman says he regrets working on new Woody Allen movie|last=Barsanti|first=Sam|work=The A.V. Club|date=October 15, 2017|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en-US}}

Premiering in February 2018, Showtime's animated series Our Cartoon President features Newman as the voice of Jared Kushner.{{Cite news|last=Konerman|first=Jennifer|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/cartoon-president-cast-meet-voice-actors-1080239|title='Our Cartoon President': Meet the Voices Behind Trump and Co.|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=February 11, 2018|access-date=June 12, 2018|language=en}}

File:Watto Griffin Newman.png]]

Newman regularly appears as part of Connor Ratliff's The George Lucas Talk Show at UCB, as Watto.{{Cite web|url=https://ucbtheatre.com/show/3858|title=The George Lucas Talk Show|publisher=Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25|archive-date=February 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225045751/https://ucbtheatre.com/show/3858|url-status=dead}} After the UCB theater closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ratliff, Newman and their UCB producer Patrick Cotnoir started doing weekly regular episodes and charity marathon livestream versions of the show on the streaming network Planet Scum Live. The charity livestreams have raised over $100,000 for various charities{{Cite tweet|last=Gethard|first=Chris|user=ChrisGethard|number=1309183858223575045|date=September 24, 2020|title=The George Lucas Talk Show continues to amaze. One of the funniest things going, has raised over $100,000 for charities during the pandemic...|access-date=|link=https://twitter.com/chrisgethard/status/1309183858223575045}} while marathoning through TV shows like Arli$$, Big Lake and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip.

In February 2020, Newman was announced as the voice of Orko in the Netflix series Masters of the Universe: Revelation{{Cite magazine|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/masters-of-the-universe-revelation-mark-hamill-lena-headey-chris-wood-sarah-michelle-gellar-cast-netflix-anime-series-1202860165/|title='Masters Of The Universe: Revelation': Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar Among Voice Cast For Netflix Anime Series|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2020-02-14|magazine=Deadline Hollywood|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25}} after campaigning online for the role when the show was first announced.{{Cite tweet|user=GriffLightning|number=1163209413622161408|title=I. Want. To. Play. Orko.|last=Newman|first=Griffin|date=2019-08-18|language=en|access-date=2020-02-25|archive-date=June 3, 2020|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200603212220/https://twitter.com/GriffLightning/status/1163209413622161408|url-status=live}}

{{BLP sources section|date=July 2020}}

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.blankcheckpod.com/ Blank Check with Griffin and David]
• {{Twitter|GriffLightning|Griffin Newman}}
• {{IMDb name|1969645}}
• {{cite magazine|title=The Tick is in good hands with Griffin Newman|url=http://ew.com/article/2016/11/03/tick-griffin-newman-ew-the-show/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=November 3, 2016}}

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Category:1989 births

Category:21st-century American comedians

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:American people of French descent

Category:American male comedians

Category:American male film actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American film and television podcasters

Category:Comedians from Manhattan

Category:Jewish American comedians

Category:Jewish American male actors

Category:Jewish male comedians

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Manhattan

Category:People from Greenwich Village

Category:Saint Ann's School (Brooklyn) alumni

Category:Upright Citizens Brigade Theater performers