Matt Friend
{{Short description|American stand-up comedian, actor, voice actor and impressionist.}}
{{Infobox comedian
|name=Matt Friend
|alma_mater=NYU Gallatin School
|nationality=American
|birth_name=Matthew Friend
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1998|6|24}}
|birth_place=New York City, New York
|years_active=2018–present
|genre=Impersonations, character comedy
|website=https://www.mattfriend.com/
|medium=Stand-up, television
}}
Matthew Jonas Friend{{Cite web |title=2020 Graduates, NYU Gallatin |url=https://gallatin.nyu.edu/utilities/events/2020/05/graduates.html |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=NYU Gallatin School |language=en-US}} (born June 24, 1998) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, commentator, voice actor, and impressionist.
Early life
Friend grew up in Chicago and took acting classes at The Second City as a kid. He is Jewish.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_MBN98MFp0 |title=CNN host SHOCKED by spot on Trump, McConnell, & George Santos impressions {{!}} Comedian Matt Friend |date=2023-12-02 |last=Matt Friend |access-date=2024-07-18 |via=YouTube}} For college, he originally attended Tufts University (like his father, who was roommates with Hank Azaria during his time there), but later transferred to NYU, partially because he wanted to be in New York City to further his comedy career. {{cite web | url=https://nyunews.com/uta/nyu-up-and-comers-2019/matthew-friend-never-himself-comedian-impressionist-snl-hopeful/ | title=Matthew Friend | Never Himself | date=14 March 2019 }} Friend cited Mike Myers, Don Rickles, Rich Little, and Johnny Carson as notable influences.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-27 |title=First impressions: stand-up comedian and voice-over artist Matt Friend sounds off - Philadelphia Weekly |url=https://philadelphiaweekly.com/first-impressions-stand-up-comedian-and-voice-over-artist-matt-friend-sounds-off/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |language=en-US}}
Career
While at NYU Gallatin, Friend was a production intern at The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.{{cite web | url=https://nyunews.com/uta/nyu-up-and-comers-2019/matthew-friend-never-himself-comedian-impressionist-snl-hopeful/ | title=Matthew Friend | Never Himself | date=14 March 2019 }} In 2023, Friend's impressions began to garner significant social media attention. He began performing these impressions both on live television and for audiences on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram.{{Cite web |title=Comedian Matt Friend shows off impressions, talks DC show |url=https://news.yahoo.com/comedian-matt-friend-shows-off-154018161.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Yahoo News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Matt Friend Does Six Random Celebrity Impressions |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/entertainment/chicago-today/matt-friend-does-six-random-celebrity-impressions/2957928/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=NBC Chicago |language=en-US}} John Stamos discovered him on TikTok early in the pandemic and has been a mentor/advocate for his career.
=United Talent Agency=
In March 2023, Friend signed with talent agency UTA.{{Cite web |title=Comedian Matt Friend Signs With UTA (Exclusive) |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/comedian-matt-friend-signs-uta-180218082.html |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=Yahoo Finance |date=23 March 2023 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=2023-03-23 |title=Comedian Matt Friend Signs With UTA (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/comedian-matt-friend-signs-uta-1235359207/ |access-date=2023-04-26 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}
He performed at the White House Correspondents Dinner on April 27, 2024.
Filmography
{{expand section|date=December 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|11352924}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Friend, Matt}}
Category:American male comedians
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American stand-up comedians
Category:American impressionists (entertainers)
Category:Comedians from New York City
Category:Male actors from New York City
Category:New York University Gallatin School of Individualized Study alumni
Category:21st-century American comedians
Category:21st-century American male actors