Kevin Nealon
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox comedian Kevin Nealon (Template:IPAc-en; born November 18, 1953)<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> is an American comedian and actor. He has earned a Primetime Emmy Award nomination and two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations.
He first gained widespread attention during his tenure as a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1995, where he anchored the show's news parody segment Weekend Update. After leaving SNL, he acted in several of the Happy Madison films, played Doug Wilson on the Showtime series Weeds, and provided the voice of the title character, Glenn Martin, on Glenn Martin, DDS.
Early life and educationEdit
Nealon was born on November 18, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> to Kathleen M. (née Kimball)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Emmett F. Nealon, an aircraft company executive.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=coast>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=update>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He has four siblings. A few months after he was born, the family moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut;<ref>As told in his book, Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?</ref> when he was six, they moved to Heidelberg, West Germany for four years.<ref name=Veg>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He is of Irish descent<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Cbignore</ref> and was raised Catholic.<ref name=coast/> He graduated from St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, Connecticut, in 1971 and earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from Sacred Heart University.<ref name=Veg/> He then took night courses at Fairfield University, where he played quarterback on the club football team.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
CareerEdit
Nealon played guitar in bands during high school and gravitated to comedy in college.<ref name=Veg/> In 1977, he moved to San Diego and then to Los Angeles where he learned his craft at the Improv while tending bar there for a living.<ref name=Veg/><ref name=update/> He had been doing stand-up for six years when he made his network television debut on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson in 1984.<ref name=CBS>Template:Cite news</ref> He later became a regular there and on Late Night with David Letterman.<ref name=update/> He appeared on stage, alongside Jan Hooks, both relatively unknown at the time, celebrating Tim Holleran's big $90,000 cash win on Sale of the Century in 1985 (Holleran would win over $166,000 in cash and prizes). Holleran was a fellow comedian and a good friend of both Nealon and Hooks.
In 1986, Saturday Night Live recruited his friend Dana Carvey, and Carvey, in turn, recommended Nealon. Both joined the cast that year, and Nealon became a full-time performer in the 1987–1988 season,<ref name=Veg/> and remained for nine seasons. Nealon's SNL characters include Mr. Subliminal (which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted to Weekend Update anchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a male Barbara Walters), and Franz (of Hans and Franz) along with Carvey.<ref name=update/><ref name=Veg/> He also parodied sportscaster Brent Musburger.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 1991 to 1994, Nealon anchored Weekend Update then stayed on SNL for one more season. By the time he departed in 1995, he had held the record for longest-tenured cast member at nine seasons, which has since been surpassed by Tim Meadows, Darrell Hammond, and Kenan Thompson.
In 1991, he had his first major film role, as boyfriend Tony Boer in All I Want for Christmas.<ref name=update/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Other films in which he has since appeared include Happy Gilmore,<ref name=Bucks>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Wedding Singer,<ref name=Bucks/> Anger Management, Little Nicky, Just Go with It,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Daddy Day Care, Good Boy!, and Aliens in the Attic (2009).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He has a part in many of Adam Sandler's Happy Madison films, including Grandma's Boy (2006),<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Father of the Year (2018),<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and made a cameo appearance in the 2008 film Get Smart.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself in three episodes of The Larry Sanders Show. The most popular episode was titled "The New Writer" when he starts hanging around the office so much that Hank (played by actor Jeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> Garry Shandling and Nealon had a close relationship.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part series Amazing America on the Discovery Channel.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedy Still Standing playing Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season of Monk. Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on July 9, 1999, during the fifth season. From 2005 to 2012, Nealon had an ongoing supporting role as Doug Wilson on the show Weeds on Showtime.<ref name="Bucks" /> In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character in Nick at Nite's animated series Glenn Martin, DDS.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
In 2002, he hosted The Conspiracy Zone on The New TNN<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> for 26 episodes plus an unaired pilot. In 2004, he hosted the first season of Poker Royale on the Game Show Network.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Nealon also hosted several years of World's Funniest Commercials specials on TBS in the 2000s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy, Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TV sitcom Man with a Plan.<ref name=CBS/><ref name="Cancellation">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Since 2017 he has also hosted a YouTube talk show called Hiking with Kevin where he hikes a trail with various celebrity guests;<ref name=CBS/><ref name='nyhikerev'>Template:Cite magazine</ref> the idea came about when during a hike with Matthew Modine the two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk.<ref name='nyhike'>Template:Cite magazine</ref> As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using a selfie stick and a camera drone.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2025, Fox News Media announced that they had reached a deal with Nealon to stream episodes on Fox Nation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
Nealon was dating Jan Hooks when they were both hired by Saturday Night Live.<ref name=update/><ref name=Veg/> In 1989 he married Linda Dupree, a model and stuntwoman;<ref name=update/> they divorced in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> became active in the animal rights movement; he has supported PETA,<ref name=Ringling/> the Amanda Foundation, Farm Sanctuary,<ref name=Veg/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> the Washington Wildlife Alliance, The Ark Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.
On September 3, 2005, he married Susan Yeagley in Bellagio, Lombardy, Italy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They have a son, Gable, born in 2007.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They reside in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
He is distantly related to Daniel Webster.<ref>Youtube.com. Hiking with Kevin - Mariel Hemingway. 25Apr2019. 3:00</ref>
Nealon played rugby for Fairfield Yankees RFC.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article to The New York Times about having his phone tapped and his police records searched by Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> who was later convicted of crimes including racketeering and illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA.<ref name=Ringling>Template:Cite news</ref> Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
Nealon is a fixture on the European melodic rock scene both as a fan, and as a benefactor; in 2019 he used his fame to organize a benefit for close friend and ailing rocker Tony Mills. All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills' medical expenses.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
On May 15, 2022, Nealon was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, by his alma mater, Sacred Heart University. Nealon also served as the convocation speaker for the graduating class of 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
FilmographyEdit
FilmEdit
TelevisionEdit
BooksEdit
- I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2022.
- Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me? New York: It Books, 2008.
Awards and nominationsEdit
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program | Saturday Night Live | Template:Nominated |
| 2007 | Monte-Carlo Television Festival Awards | Outstanding Actor – Comedy Series | Weeds | Template:Nominated |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Template:Small | Template:Nominated | ||
| 2009 | Template:Nominated |
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
| name/{{#if:{{#invoke:ustring|match|1=5265|2=^nm}}
| Template:Trim/
| nm0005265/
}}
| {{#if: {{#property:P345}}
| name/Template:First word/
| find?q=%7B%7B%23if%3A+%0A++++++%7C+%7B%7B%7Bname%7D%7D%7D%0A++++++%7C+%5B%5B%3ATemplate%3APAGENAMEBASE%5D%5D%0A++++++%7D%7D&s=nm
}}
}}{{#if: 5265 {{#property:P345}} | {{#switch:
| award | awards = awards Awards for | biography | bio = bio Biography for
}}}} {{#if:
| {{{name}}}
| Template:PAGENAMEBASE
}}] at IMDb{{#if: 5265{{#property:P345}}
| Template:EditAtWikidata
| Template:Main other
}}{{#switch:{{#invoke:string2|matchAny|^nm.........|^nm.......|nm|.........|source=5265|plain=false}}
| 1 | 3 = Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning | 4 = Template:Main otherTemplate:Preview warning
}}{{#invoke:Check for unknown parameters|check|unknown=Template:Main other|preview=Page using Template:IMDb name with unknown parameter "_VALUE_"|showblankpositional=1| 1 | 2 | id | name | section }}
Template:S-start Template:S-media Template:Succession box Template:S-end Template:Authority control