Josh Gad
{{short description|American actor (born 1981)}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox person
| image = 41st Annie Awards, Josh Gad (crop).jpg
| caption = Gad at the 2014 Annie Awards
| birth_name = Joshua Ilan Gad
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|2|23}}
| birth_place = Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
| education = Carnegie Mellon University (BFA)
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2002–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Ida Darvish|2008}}
| children = 2
}}
Joshua Ilan Gad{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/playbill.coms-cue-a-book-of-mormon-star-josh-gad-177498|title=PLAYBILL.COM'S CUE & A: Book of Mormon Star Josh Gad|work=Playbill|access-date=October 23, 2014|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927052357/http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/playbill.coms-cue-a-book-of-mormon-star-josh-gad-177498|url-status=live}} (born February 23, 1981){{cite web|url=http://www.biography.com/people/josh-gad-21187263|title=Josh Gad biography|access-date=September 2, 2015|website=Biography.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150904055214/http://www.biography.com/people/josh-gad-21187263|archive-date=September 4, 2015|url-status=dead}} is an American actor. He is known for voicing Olaf in the Frozen franchise and playing Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. For his role as Olaf, Gad won two Annie Awards, and for his work in The Book of Mormon, he co-won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, both shared with Andrew Rannells as one of the two leading artists.
Early life
Joshua Ilan Gad was born in Hollywood, Florida, on February 23, 1981. His mother, Susan,{{cite tweet|user=joshgad|number=872607710105051136|title=Today is my mom's birthday. She is the inspiration, the motivation & the primary reason that I am the person I am today. Love you @susangad|date=7 June 2017}} is a real estate agent and his stepfather is an investment advisor. Gad has two older brothers, a stepbrother and a stepsister. His father, Sam (Shmuel) Gad was born to a Jewish family in Afghanistan and moved to Israel as a teenager. Gad believes his father is a descendant of the Tribe of Gad, one of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel, further stating that his paternal ancestors traveled through India before settling in Afghanistan.{{cite web|url=http://sdjewishjournal.com/sdjj/january-2018/diversions-8/|title=Diversions – SD JEWISH JOURNAL|website=Sdjewishjournal.com|date=January 3, 2018|access-date=August 27, 2021|quote=Gad believes his father is likely a direct descendant of the original Tribe of Gad, one of the 12 Tribes of Israel. "He came from a very religious family that was on a nomadic journey searching for a home," he said. "They went through India before finally settling in Afghanistan."|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828002510/https://www.sdjewishjournal.com/sdjj/january-2018/diversions-8/|url-status=live}} His mother was born in Germany to an Ashkenazi Jewish family of Holocaust survivors.{{cite web|title=Josh Gad Talks "Gigi: Almost American," "The Book Of Mormon," And Physical Comedy|url=http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/03/josh-gad-talks-gigi-almost-american-the-book-of-mormon-and-physical-comedy|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141024044842/http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/03/josh-gad-talks-gigi-almost-american-the-book-of-mormon-and-physical-comedy|archive-date=October 24, 2014|date=March 25, 2011|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=Complex|quote=My dad was born in Afghanistan—he's a Jew who was born in Afghanistan.}}{{cite web|url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/142990/josh-gad-combats-sadness-with-laughter?PageSpeed=noscript|title=Josh Gad combats sadness with laughter|work=inquirer.net|date=May 24, 2014|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304041819/http://entertainment.inquirer.net/142990/josh-gad-combats-sadness-with-laughter?PageSpeed=noscript|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://jewishexponent.com/culture/2014/07/to-have-and-have-knot-exploring-family-ties-in-wish-i-was-here|title=To Have and Have Knot: Exploring Family Ties in 'Wish I Was Here'|work=Jewish Exponent|date=July 2014|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=February 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222141322/http://jewishexponent.com/culture/2014/07/to-have-and-have-knot-exploring-family-ties-in-wish-i-was-here|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://sdjewishjournal.com/sdjj/january-2018/diversions-8/|title=Diversions – SD JEWISH JOURNAL|website=Sdjewishjournal.com|date=January 3, 2018|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119101520/http://sdjewishjournal.com/sdjj/january-2018/diversions-8/|url-status=live}} Gad was raised Jewish.{{cite news|author=Eric Spitznagel|title=Josh Gad Has No Formal Musical Training and Five-to-Two Odds That He'll Win the Tony Award for Best Lead Actor in a Musical|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2011/06/josh-gad-qa|work=Vanity Fair|date=June 9, 2011|access-date=January 2, 2012|archive-date=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113215943/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2011/06/josh-gad-qa|url-status=live}}{{cite news|author=Ellen Gamerman|title=A Missionary From the Borscht Belt|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303745304576361311706259164|work=The Wall Street Journal|access-date=April 19, 2016|archive-date=March 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310080857/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303745304576361311706259164|url-status=live}}
Graduating in 1999, Gad attended the University School of Nova Southeastern University. While there, he won the National Forensics League (NFL) National Tournament Championships for Original Oratory in 1998 and 1999. He also won the 1999 Humorous Interpretation at the National tournament in Phoenix.{{cite web|url=https://www.speechanddebate.org/nationals-history/|title=Nationals History|website=Speechanddebate.org|access-date=January 13, 2018|archive-date=March 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180305202522/https://www.speechanddebate.org/nationals-history/|url-status=live}} He then attended the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts, where he graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama. He attended college with fellow Broadway stars Leslie Odom Jr. and Rory O'Malley, the latter of whom he based his portrayal of Olaf in Frozen on.{{cite web |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ITFsoHqT5FcQByx23SUoK?si=yObq0CyTRviI5N42fbwdGQ |title=Living the Dream with Rory O'Malley |website=Spotify |date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-date=March 11, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311100524/https://open.spotify.com/episode/3ITFsoHqT5FcQByx23SUoK?si=yObq0CyTRviI5N42fbwdGQ |url-status=live }} During this time, he undertook a semester-long exchange at the National Institute of Dramatic Art.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/beauty-and-the-beasts-josh-gad-controversy-over-the-gay-lefou-very-blown-out-of-proportion-20170309-guueda.html|title=Beauty and the Beast's Josh Gad: controversy over the gay LeFou 'very blown out of proportion'|date=March 9, 2017|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=March 16, 2017|archive-date=March 16, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316225644/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/beauty-and-the-beasts-josh-gad-controversy-over-the-gay-lefou-very-blown-out-of-proportion-20170309-guueda.html|url-status=live}}
Career
= 2002–2008: Early career =
Gad made his film debut in the 2002 film Mary and Joe. In 2005, Gad made his television debut by guest-starring in an episode of the NBC medical drama series ER. The same year, he replaced Dan Fogler as William Barfée in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway after Fogler left the show.{{Cite web|title=Josh Gad to Replace Tony Winner Dan Fogler in Spelling Bee|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/95193/josh-gad-to-replace-tony-winner-dan-fogler-in-spelling-bee/|access-date=2021-04-12|website=Broadway.com|language=en|archive-date=April 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412120157/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/95193/josh-gad-to-replace-tony-winner-dan-fogler-in-spelling-bee/|url-status=live}} Gad went on to star in the Fox sitcom Back to You as news director Ryan Church. The sitcom lasted one season from 2007 to 2008. In 2008, Gad had a supporting role in the drama film 21, and a leading role in the comedy film The Rocker.
= 2008–2012: ''The Book of Mormon'' and minor success on television =
File:Streamy Awards Photo 1309 (4513298027).jpg|207x207px]]After Back to You, Gad appeared as a correspondent on The Daily Show on May 5, 2009, and became a regular correspondent on June 2, 2009.{{cite web|author=Matt Tobey|title=Josh Gad on the Daily Show|url=http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/2009/05/06/introducing-new-daily-show-correspondent-josh-gad|publisher=Comedy Central|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=July 16, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716084554/http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/2009/05/06/introducing-new-daily-show-correspondent-josh-gad/|url-status=dead}} His signature segments include "The War on Christmas", in which he played an oversexed Benjamin Franklin, and "Chubby Chasers", in which he reported on Michelle Obama's efforts to curb childhood obesity.{{Cite news |last=Rudolph |first=Ileane |date=July 27, 2015 |title=Alumni Association: A roundup of The Daily Show{{'}}s coolest Graduates |pages=21–22 |work=TV Guide}} Gad made his final appearance as a correspondent on June 27, 2011.{{Cite web|date=August 27, 2015|title='Daily Show' correspondents: Where are they now?|url=https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/the-daily-show-correspondents-where-are-they-now-1.10025421|access-date=2021-02-17|website=Newsday|language=en|archive-date=April 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210415122028/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/tv/the-daily-show-correspondents-where-are-they-now-1.10025421|url-status=live}} Also in 2009, Gad starred in the short-form Crackle horror comedy series Woke Up Dead.
In 2010, he had a supporting role in the romantic comedy-drama film Love & Other Drugs opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Anne Hathaway. That same year, Gad had a voice role in the family comedy film Marmaduke. In 2011, Gad voiced Mondo in the MTV adult animated sitcom Good Vibes. That same year, Gad portrayed Elder Cunningham in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. The show opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on March 24, 2011.{{cite web|year=2011|title=About the Show|url=http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/the-show|access-date=August 8, 2011|publisher=The Book of Mormon Musical|archive-date=August 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110813093105/http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/the-show|url-status=live}} His last performance was June 6, 2012. Gad was nominated for the 2011 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical and won for Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, along with his co-star Andrew Rannells.{{cite web|date=May 3, 2011|title=2011 Tony Nominations Announced! 'The Book of Mormon' Leads With 14!|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Tony-Nominations-Announced-THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Leads-With-14-20110503|access-date=August 8, 2011|work=Broadway World|archive-date=May 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110507015850/http://broadwayworld.com/article/2011-Tony-Nominations-Announced-THE-BOOK-OF-MORMON-Leads-With-14-20110503|url-status=live}}
In 2012, Gad had a leading role in the independent film She Wants Me. Also in 2012, Gad co-created, produced and starred in the NBC sitcom 1600 Penn. Both Good Vibes and 1600 Penn were canceled after one season. That same year, Gad voiced the molehog Louis in Ice Age: Continental Drift.
= 2013–2019: ''Frozen'' franchise and continued success =
In 2013, he played Andrew in the film The Internship and starred as Steve Wozniak in the film Jobs. The same year, he voiced Olaf in the Disney film Frozen, re-collaborating with co-songwriter Robert Lopez from The Book of Mormon. In 2014, Gad co-starred in Zach Braff's film Wish I Was Here, playing the main character's brother.{{cite news|title=Josh Gad Joins Zach Braff's 'Wish I Was Here'|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/josh-gad-joins-zach-braffs-wish-i-was-here-1200481485/|access-date=August 11, 2013|newspaper=Variety|date=May 15, 2013|archive-date=June 8, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608232222/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/josh-gad-joins-zach-braffs-wish-i-was-here-1200481485/|url-status=live}}
In 2015, Gad starred alongside Kevin Hart and Kaley Cuoco in The Wedding Ringer and starred alongside Adam Sandler and Peter Dinklage in Pixels, a film about video game players who are recruited by the military to fight 1980s-era video game characters who have attacked the earth.{{cite news|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|date=February 26, 2014|title=Adam Sandler to Star in Sony's Big-Budget Video Game Movie 'Pixels'|newspaper=thewrap.com|url=https://www.thewrap.com/adam-sandler-star-sonys-big-budget-video-game-movie-pixels-exclusive/|access-date=March 5, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304210432/http://www.thewrap.com/adam-sandler-star-sonys-big-budget-video-game-movie-pixels-exclusive/|url-status=live}} That same year, Gad co-starred with Billy Crystal on the FX comedy series The Comedians, which premiered on April 9, 2015.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/watch-billy-crystal-and-josh-gad-in-the-comedians-first-trailer-1201434303|title=Watch: Billy Crystal and Josh Gad in 'The Comedians' First Trailer|author=Maane Khatchatourian|work=Variety|date=February 14, 2015|access-date=December 11, 2017|archive-date=June 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627224941/http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/watch-billy-crystal-and-josh-gad-in-the-comedians-first-trailer-1201434303/|url-status=live}} The series was canceled after one season. In 2016, Gad voiced Chuck in The Angry Birds Movie, based on the game franchise of the same name.
In 2017, Gad voiced the dog Bailey in A Dog's Purpose.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/761385-josh-gad-is-reincarnated-over-and-over-in-a-dogs-purpose-trailer|title=Josh Gad is Reincarnated Over and Over in the A Dog's Purpose Trailer|date=2016-08-26|language=en-US|access-date=2016-08-26|archive-date=August 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813174651/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/trailers/761385-josh-gad-is-reincarnated-over-and-over-in-a-dogs-purpose-trailer|url-status=live}}{{Citation| url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38659155| title=A Dog's Purpose filmmakers face animal cruelty accusations – BBC News| newspaper=Bbc.com| date=19 January 2017| access-date=21 January 2017| archive-date=January 19, 2018| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119121503/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38659155| url-status=live}} Also that year, he played LeFou in the live-action adaptation of Disney's Beauty and the Beast, directed by Bill Condon and co-starring with Emma Watson.{{cite news|last1=Kit|first1=Borys|title=Josh Gad Joining Disney's Live-Action 'Beauty and the Beast' (Exclusive)|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/josh-gad-joining-disneys-live-781061|access-date=March 15, 2015|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=March 13, 2015|archive-date=March 15, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150315004459/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/josh-gad-joining-disneys-live-781061|url-status=live}} Gad also starred in Reginald Hudlin's biographical drama Marshall, alongside Chadwick Boseman and Beauty and the Beast co-star Dan Stevens, and Gad played Hector MacQueen in a film adaptation of Agatha Christie's detective novel Murder on the Orient Express, directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, alongside Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Judi Dench, and Daisy Ridley.
In 2019, Gad starred with Lupita Nyong'o and Alexander England in the Hulu horror-comedy Little Monsters.{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/lupita-nyongo-josh-gad-zombie-comedy-little-monsters-1202602335/ |title=Lupita Nyong'o, Josh Gad to Star in Zombie Rom-Com 'Little Monsters' |last=Clark |first=Stewart |date=2017-10-30 |website=Variety |access-date=2017-10-30 |archive-date=December 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171202125733/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/lupita-nyongo-josh-gad-zombie-comedy-little-monsters-1202602335/ |url-status=live }} He also starred in A Dog's Journey, the sequel to A Dog's Purpose, reprising his role as Bailey. Also in 2019, Gad reprised his role of Olaf in the sequel Frozen II as well as the video game Kingdom Hearts III.
= 2020–present: Expanding ventures =
In 2020, Gad returned to television by starring in two different television series. First, Gad starred in the HBO science fiction comedy series Avenue 5 opposite Hugh Laurie. The series premiered on January 19 and was renewed for a second season a month later.{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=2020-02-13|title='Avenue 5' Renewed For Season 2 By HBO|url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/avenue-5-renewed-season-2-by-hbo-1202859329/|access-date=2020-06-04|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=February 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213173349/https://deadline.com/2020/02/avenue-5-renewed-season-2-by-hbo-1202859329/|url-status=live}} Second, Gad created, produced and starred in the Apple TV+ animated musical comedy series Central Park. The series received a two-season order from Apple with each season set to consist of thirteen episodes each. The series premiered on May 29.
He starred in the science fantasy adventure Artemis Fowl (2020), based on the book of the same name by Eoin Colfer. The film was initially set for a theatrical release but was changed to a streaming release on Disney+ due to the coronavirus pandemic. In September 2020 Gad joined Princess Bride Reunion, a virtual live script read-through of the 1987 movie, in the role of Fezzik, originally played by André the Giant. The A.V. Club{{'s}} review singled out his performance as "Josh Gad’s surprisingly moving Andre the Giant tribute... It was an impression in the gentlest, sweetest sense of the word, something remarked on repeatedly by the rest of the cast and host/moderator Patton Oswalt. 10s across the board."{{Cite web |url=https://www.avclub.com/mandy-patinkin-s-six-fingered-sword-and-other-delights-1845049826 |title=Mandy Patinkin's six-fingered sword and other delights from the Princess Bride reunion |last=Shoemaker |first=Allison |work=AV Club |quote=The table-reading and reunion, which served as a fundraiser in support of Wisconsin Democrats, was a messy, technically clumsy, non-stop source of delight...You could be forgiven for, upon learning that Gad was going to be stepping into Andre the Giant’s shoes for the evening, expecting a Fezzik with a lot less chill and a great deal more in the way of wacky hijinks. You would have been wrong, and likely delighted to be so. |date=September 14, 2020 |access-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-date=September 15, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200915203309/https://news.avclub.com/mandy-patinkin-s-six-fingered-sword-and-other-delights-1845049826 |url-status=live }}
During the COVID-19 pandemic, where people were encouraged to practice social distancing, Gad launched the YouTube series Reunited Apart, which reunites the cast, via video conferencing, of several popular movies and movie series including Back to The Future and Lord of the Rings. The series encourages its viewers to support non-profit charities such as Dig Deep, Project Hope and No Kid Hungry.{{Cite news |last=O'Kane |first=Caitlin |date=June 1, 2020 |title=Actor Josh Gad reunites stars of "Lord of the Rings" while raising money for kids in need |language=en-US |work=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-josh-gad-reunites-stars-of-lord-of-the-rings-while-raising-money-for-kids-in-need/ |access-date=2020-06-16 |archive-date=June 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200602191945/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/actor-josh-gad-reunites-stars-of-lord-of-the-rings-while-raising-money-for-kids-in-need/ |url-status=live }} In June, Gad announced that the episode on Ferris Bueller's Day Off would be the last,{{Cite web|author=|date=2020-06-18|title=Josh Gad reveals his next 'Reunited Apart' will also be his last|url=https://www.connectradio.fm/2020/06/18/josh-gad-reveals-his-next-reunited-apart-will-also-be-his-last/|access-date=2020-12-07|website=Connect FM {{!}} Local News Radio {{!}} Dubois, PA|language=en-US|archive-date=April 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414204907/https://www.connectradio.fm/2020/06/18/josh-gad-reveals-his-next-reunited-apart-will-also-be-his-last/|url-status=dead}} though the series later returned for a second season, which premiered in December 2020 with the cast of Wayne's World.{{cite web |url=https://nerdist.com/article/waynes-world-reunion-josh-gad-reunited-apart-mike-myers-dana-carvey/ |title=Josh Gad Reunited the WAYNE'S WORLD Cast |first=Michael |last=Walsh |date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=December 8, 2020 |work=The Nerdist |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207191115/https://nerdist.com/article/waynes-world-reunion-josh-gad-reunited-apart-mike-myers-dana-carvey/ |url-status=live }}
In the runup to the 2020 election, Gad joined other Broadway celebrities with the voter education nonprofit VoteRiders for a virtual party to raise awareness around the complexities of voter ID laws targeting at-risk voters.{{Cite web|last=Strause|first=Jackie|date=2020-10-07|title=Broadway Stars to Host Virtual Party to Educate At-Risk Voters|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/broadway-stars-to-host-virtual-party-to-educate-at-risk-voters-4073046/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en-US|archive-date=June 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624203231/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/arts/broadway-stars-to-host-virtual-party-to-educate-at-risk-voters-4073046/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Rabinowitz|first=Chloe|title=Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells & More Host Voter Education Virtual Party|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Audra-McDonald-Will-Swenson-Josh-Gad-Andrew-Rannells-More-Host-Voter-Education-Virtual-Party-20201007|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Broadway World|language=en|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019110456/https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Audra-McDonald-Will-Swenson-Josh-Gad-Andrew-Rannells-More-Host-Voter-Education-Virtual-Party-20201007|url-status=live}}
Gad was set to serve as co-creator, co-writer, and executive-producer for a Beauty and the Beast prequel limited series for Disney+, in which he would also reprise his role as LeFou as a series regular.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/beauty-beast-prequel-series-works-at-disney-1282859|title='Beauty and the Beast' Prequel Series in the Works at Disney+ (Exclusive)|date=March 6, 2020|first=Lesley|last=Goldberg|website=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 7, 2020|archive-date=March 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200308014446/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/beauty-beast-prequel-series-works-at-disney-1282859|url-status=live}} However, the series was postponed indefinitely in February 2022 due to creative and scheduling issues.{{cite web|last1=Otterson|first1=Joe|title='Beauty and the Beast' Prequel Series Delayed at Disney Plus|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/beauty-and-the-beast-prequel-series-disney-plus-1235177779/|website=Variety|access-date=February 10, 2022|date=February 10, 2022|archive-date=February 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210215302/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/beauty-and-the-beast-prequel-series-disney-plus-1235177779/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/02/beauty-and-the-beast-prequel-series-not-going-forward-disney-plus-1234931115/|title='Beauty And The Beast' Prequel Series Not Going Forward At Disney+ For Now|website=Deadline Hollywood|date=February 10, 2022|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|access-date=January 19, 2023|archive-date=June 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220611171032/https://deadline.com/2022/02/beauty-and-the-beast-prequel-series-not-going-forward-disney-plus-1234931115/|url-status=live}} Gad was also announced to star as Nick Szalinski in the upcoming film Shrunk, a legacy-sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.{{Cite web |date=2019-05-13 |title=Exclusive: 'Honey I Shrunk The Kid' Reboot 'Shrunk' in the Works With Josh Gad to Star |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot/ |access-date=2020-06-16 |website=/Film |language=en-US |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513174815/https://www.slashfilm.com/honey-i-shrunk-the-kids-reboot/ |url-status=live }}
From September 2023 to January 2024, he starred in Gutenberg! The Musical! with Andrew Rannells. The Cast Recording with the two released on May 3, 2024 digitally and physically on May 17, 2024. Gad will make his debut as director with a biopic about Chris Farley with Paul Walter Hauser playing the lead role.{{Cite web |last=Stephan |first=Katcy |date=2024-04-12 |title=Chris Farley Biopic in the Works With Paul Walter Hauser to Star, Josh Gad to Direct |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/chris-farley-biopic-paul-walter-hauser-josh-gad-1235969091/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} Published by Dark Horse Comics in June 2024, Gad co-wrote alongside Ben and Max Berkowitz (Berkowitz Bros.) a four-issue comic book mini series, called The Writer, with interior art by Ariel Olivetti.{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2024-04-05 |title=Josh Gad to Co-Write Comic Book 'The Writer,' Inspired by Jewish Folklore (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/josh-gad-to-co-write-comic-book-1235866998/ |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} The comic book series is inspired by Jewish folklore.{{Cite web |last=Schedeen |first=Jesse |date=2024-04-05 |title=The Writer: Josh Gad Makes the Jump to Comics In New Fantasy Series |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/the-writer-josh-gad-makes-the-jump-to-comics-in-new-fantasy-series |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=IGN |language=en}} Gad announced that he will be debuting his picture book called PictureFace Lizzy in fall of 2024.{{Cite web |title=Josh Gad Takes on Consumerism in Debut Children's Book: 'Let's Meet Each Other in the Middle' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/josh-gad-takes-on-consumerism-in-debut-children-s-book-exclusive-8620358 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} Gad's Frozen co-star, Kristen Bell, has been announced to be narrating PictureFace Lizzy.{{Cite web |title=Kristen Bell to Narrate Josh Gad's New Picture Book: 'The Only Person for the Job' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/kristen-bell-to-narrate-josh-gads-picture-book-exclusive-8697590 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} Recently, Gad announced he will be publishing a memoir in 2025 called In Gad We Trust.{{Cite web |title=Josh Gad Announces New Memoir To Publish in 2025: 'I Am Thrilled To Share My Stories' (Exclusive) |url=https://people.com/josh-gad-announces-new-memoir-i-am-thrilled-to-share-my-stories-exclusive-8674833 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}
Personal life
In 2004, Gad met actress Ida Darvish after the two were cast to play a married couple in the David Ives play All in the Timing. They married in 2008.{{cite web|last=Gilcrease|first=Grayson|title=Josh Gad and Ida Darvish Actually Played a Married Couple Before Coupling Up in Real Life|url=https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/josh-gad-ida-darvish-cute-pictures-47545905|date=June 19, 2020|access-date=August 27, 2021|website=PopSugar|archive-date=August 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828001412/https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/josh-gad-ida-darvish-cute-pictures-47545905|url-status=live}} Gad has stated that while he loves the traditional aspects of Judaism and celebrates some traditions of his wife's Catholicism, he considers himself spiritual but not religious. They have two daughters.{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/02/18/josh-gad-welcomes-baby-girl/5578287|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140316080609/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/people/2014/02/18/josh-gad-welcomes-baby-girl/5578287/|archive-date=March 16, 2014|title=Josh Gad welcomes baby girl|author=Ann Oldenburg|date=February 18, 2014|work=USA Today}}{{cite news|author=Erin Hill|title=Bryce Dallas Howard: I've Always Wanted My Dad to Direct Me|url=http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/2011/06/bryce-dallas-howard.html|work=Parade.com|date=June 14, 2011|access-date=August 8, 2011|archive-date=July 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728105152/http://www.parade.com/celebrity/celebrity-parade/2011/06/bryce-dallas-howard.html|url-status=live}} Gad has publicly talked about his struggle with generalized anxiety disorder, as part of his effort to combat mental health stigma and shame.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-16 |title=Josh Gad Talks About His Generalized Anxiety Disorder |url=https://fherehab.com/learning/josh-gad-anxiety |access-date=2022-09-18 |website=FHE Health – Addiction & Mental Health Care |language=en-US |archive-date=September 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170357/https://fherehab.com/learning/josh-gad-anxiety |url-status=live }} As an effort towards quashing the mental health stigma, Gad joined other celebrities in 2018 in an ongoing project through the Child Mind Institute, titled #MyYoungerSelf. This campaign focuses on normalizing mental health especially in kids. The website features Gad and other celebrities talking about their own personal struggles with mental health and how they've found the help they need, while they also encourage viewers to find what can specifically help them.{{Cite web |title=#MyYoungerSelf |url=https://childmind.org/myyoungerself/ |access-date=2022-10-03 |website=Child Mind Institute |language=en-us |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922051300/https://childmind.org/myyoungerself/ |url-status=live }} Gad's YouTube series Reunited Apart helped him get through the pandemic and sheltering at home. While he was out of work for the duration of the pandemic, he was able to focus on the series and not let his mental health decline.{{Cite journal |last=Berryman |first=Rachel |date=2022-02-09 |title="Reunited Apart": Charity Reunion Specials on YouTube in Lockdown |url=https://ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/article/view/658 |journal=Networking Knowledge: Journal of the MeCCSA Postgraduate Network |language=en |volume=15 |issue=1 |issn=1755-9944 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |archive-date=September 22, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922073607/https://ojs.meccsa.org.uk/index.php/netknow/article/view/658 |url-status=live }}
Acting credits
=Film=
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2005
| ER | Sgt. Bruce Larabee | Episode: "Here and There" |
| 2007–2008
| Ryan Church | Main role |
| 2008
| Art (voice) | Episode: "Pulling Double Booty" |
| 2008, 2009
| Numbers | Roy McGill | 2 episodes |
| rowspan=1| 2009
| Jeffrey Ells | Episode: "California College Conservative Union Caucus" |
| 2009–2011
|The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Himself (correspondent) | 5 episodes |
| 2010
| Warren | Episode: "Make It Quick, Fitzgerald!" |
| rowspan=3| 2011
| Droopy / Pimp | Voice; episode: "Our Gang" |
| Californication
| Doctor | 2 episodes |
| Gigi: Almost American
| Gigi | 10 episodes; also executive producer |
| 2011, 2020
| Kenneth Ploufe | 2 episodes: "Punkin Chunkin" and "Dead on a Rival" |
| 2011
| Mondo (voice) | Main role |
| 2012–2013
| Skip Gilchrist | Main role; also co-creator and executive producer |
| 2012–2015
| Bearclaw | 3 episodes: "Katie", "Birthday", "Walk of Shame" |
| 2013
| Himself | Episode: "America's Got Game Night" |
| 2014
| Internet | Voice; episode: "Bride of the Internet" |
| rowspan=5| 2015
| Josh | Main role |
| Sesame Street
| Vincent Van Stop |
| Phineas and Ferb
| Wendell | Voice; 2 episodes |
| TripTank
| Louis | Voice; 1 episode |
| Jeopardy!
| Himself |
| rowspan=4| 2016
| Himself / Donald Trump | Episode: "Josh Gad vs. Kaley Cuoco" |
| Sofia the First
| rowspan="2" | Olaf | Voice; episode: "The Secret Library: Olaf and the Tale of Miss Nettle" |
| LEGO Frozen Northern Lights
| Voice; special |
| Talking Dead
| Himself | Guest |
| rowspan=2| 2017
| LT-319 | Voice; episode: "Double Agent Droid" |
| South Park
| Marcus Preston / Ms. McGullicutty | Voice; episode: "Hummels & Heroin"; Also producer |
| 2018
| Damon | Voice; episode: "Just One of the Boyz 4 Now for Now" |
| 2019
| Himself | Guest host |
| 2020–2022
| Avenue 5 | Herman Judd | Main cast |
| 2020
| Olaf | Main role; voice |
| 2020–2022
| Birdie / Ernst Von Gunten | Main cast; voice; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
| 2020
| Home Movie: The Princess Bride | Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish"{{cite web|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/06/the-princess-bride-homemade-fan-film|title=Watch the Celebrity-Filled Fan-Film Version of The Princess Bride|website=Vanity Fair|first=Anthony|last=Breznican|date=June 26, 2020|access-date=June 26, 2020|archive-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728140043/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/06/the-princess-bride-homemade-fan-film|url-status=live}} |
| rowspan=2| 2021
| Olaf | Main role; voice |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm
| Chiropractor | Episode: "Man Fights Tiny Woman" |
| 2022–present
| Gary | Main cast |
| rowspan=2| 2022
| The Boys | rowspan="2" | Himself | Episode: "Herogasm"; cameo |
| The Tiny Chef Show
| 2 episodes |
| rowspan=3| 2023
| History of the World, Part II | Episode: "I" |
| Storybots: Answer Time
| The Great Bubblini | Episode: "Bubbles" |
| Solar Opposites
| Pinecone / Rotten Peach / Jesse Guard #2 | Voice; episode: "The Earth Rake (beta)" |
| 2024
|Dinner Time Live with David Chang |Himself |Episode: "Holiday Noodle Cook-Off" |
| 2025
| {{Pending series|Wonder Man|italic=yes}} | {{TBA}} | Post-production{{Cite web |last=Brail |first=Nathaniel |date=April 28, 2023 |title=Marvel's Wonder Man Rumored to Add Josh Gad |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/marvel-wonder-man-rumored-to-add-josh-gad/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230429012937/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/marvel-wonder-man-rumored-to-add-josh-gad/ |archive-date=April 29, 2023 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com}}{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2023 |title=Baker Wiles Resume |url=https://media.castingnetworks.com/cn-hot//deb246b2-9482-11ee-b4bf-efd43f90b3ab.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116214051/https://media.castingnetworks.com/cn-hot//deb246b2-9482-11ee-b4bf-efd43f90b3ab.pdf |archive-date=January 16, 2024 |access-date=May 25, 2024 |agency=Casting Networks}} |
=Video games=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year | Title | Voice roles |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | MIB: Alien Crisis | Emilio Chauncey, Handsome Guest, Khnemu |
| 2013 | Frozen: Olaf's Quest | rowspan = "2" | Olaf |
| 2015 | Disney Infinity 3.0{{Cite video game | title = Disney Infinity 3.0 | year = 2015 | scene=Closing credits, 5:39 in, Featuring the Voice Talents of| developer=Avalanche Software}} | |
| 2017 | South Park Phone Destroyer | Marcus Preston |
| 2019 | Kingdom Hearts III | Olaf |
=Web=
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable"|Notes |
| 2009
| Matt | 21 episodes |
| 2013
| Himself / Guest | Episode: "163" |
| 2019–present
| Michael Richland | Radio drama/podcast |
| 2020
| Host | Web series |
=Theatre=
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Theatre ! Notes | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | William Barfée | Circle in the Square Theatre | Broadway Replacement |
| 2011–12 | The Book of Mormon | Elder Cunningham | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Original Broadway Cast |
| 2023–24 | Gutenberg! The Musical! | Bud Davenport | James Earl Jones Theatre | Original Broadway Cast |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable"
!Year !Award !Category !Work !Result |
| 2011
| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | rowspan="2" | The Book of Mormon | {{nom}} |
| 2012
| {{won}} |
| 2014
| Outstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production | Frozen | {{won}} |
| 2016
| Pixels The Wedding Ringer | {{nom}} |
| rowspan="2" | 2020
| Annie Awards | Outstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production | {{won}} |
| Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
| Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie Frozen II | {{won}} |
| 2022
| colspan="3" | Disney Legends Award | {{won|place=Honoree}} |
| 2024
| {{nom}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{IBDB name|436210}}
- {{IMDb name|1265802}}
- {{Twitter|joshgad}}
- {{Instagram|joshgad}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Josh Gad
|list =
{{Annie Award for Voice Acting in a Feature Production}}
{{Disney Legends Awards 2020s}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gad, Josh}}
Category:20th-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American Jews
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American singers
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male musical theatre actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male video game actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American Mizrahi Jews
Category:American people of Afghan-Jewish descent
Category:American people of German-Jewish descent
Category:Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts alumni
Category:Jewish American male actors
Category:Jewish American singers
Category:Male actors from Florida
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Category:People from Hollywood, Florida
Category:Comedians from Florida
Category:American male comedians