Editing Andy Richter (section)

==Career==
[[File:Chewbacchus15 Pope Andy 1.jpg|thumb|Andy Richter as "Pope" of the "[[Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus]]" 2015 [[New Orleans Mardi Gras]] parade]]
In the late 1980s, Richter attended the [[University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign]] and [[Columbia College Chicago]] as a film major. While at Columbia, he learned the basics of comedic acting and writing by starring in numerous student films and videos. After leaving Columbia in 1988, Richter worked as a [[production assistant]] on commercial shoots in [[Chicago]]. In 1989, he began taking classes at Chicago's [[Improv Olympic]]. He went from student to "House Performer" within a year. Richter branched out working with "The Comedy Underground" and the [[Annoyance Theatre]]. Richter wrote for the short-lived [[Jonathan Brandmeier]] television show.

In the early 1990s, the Annoyance Theatre hit gold when producer [[Joey Soloway]] staged ''The Real Live Brady Bunch'' with live, word-for-word performances of the '70s sitcom. The show was so popular that it attracted national attention and moved to [[New York City]]. Richter was not an original member of the cast but the actor who played "[[Mike Brady (The Brady Bunch)|Mike Brady]]" in the Chicago cast opted not to go to New York. Richter asked Soloway if he could play "Mike" in New York and, since Soloway had not cast a replacement, they agreed.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Chicagoist Weekend Theater: The Real Live Brady Bunch |url=https://chicagoist.com/article/undefined |access-date=2023-03-08 |website=The Chicagoist |archive-date=November 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171106193205/https://chicagoist.com/2013/12/02/the_gathering_of_the_juggalos_leavi.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===''Late Night with Conan O'Brien''===
At the same time ''The Real Live Brady Bunch'' was playing in New York, two fellow Annoyance members ([[Beth Cahill]] and [[Melanie Hutsell]], who played Marcia and Jan Brady in the "Real Live Brady Bunch" stage show) were hired as cast members on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]''. With friends on ''SNL'', Richter attended after-show parties, where he met ''SNL'' writer [[Robert Smigel]]. Two years later, Smigel hired Richter as a writer for a new show he was producing, ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien]]''. Smigel sent Richter to join [[Conan O'Brien]] on stage during a practice run-through when the production staff was testing lighting angles and sound, and noticed the two had a strong rapport. He became O'Brien's [[sidekick]] just weeks before the show began airing in 1993.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://traffic.libsyn.com/girlonguy/Richter_mxd_1-2.mp3 |title=Girl on Guy with Aisha Tyler 31 with Andy Richter |author=Aisha Tyler |date=January 23, 2012 |access-date=February 4, 2012 |publisher=MyLibsyn |url-access=subscription}}</ref>

Richter departed from ''Late Night'' after the show on May 26, 2000. He later said of the decision, "After seven years of being on the show, I got itchy. I have a philosophy that if you enjoy good fortune, rather than sit there and say, "Oh, that's fine, this amount is good enough for me," you should try and push it. You should see how much you can stretch your good fortune. And I was curious."<ref name="LAT0531">{{cite news |last=Sicha |first=Choire |date=May 31, 2009 |title=Andy Richter: 'I got itchy' |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-may-31-ca-conversation31-story.html |access-date=June 2, 2009}}</ref>

===After ''Late Night''===
Richter left his post at ''Late Night'' in 2000 to pursue a career acting in films and television. His first major venture, [[Fox Network|Fox]]'s ''[[Andy Richter Controls the Universe]]'', was canceled after two mid-season runs. His next Fox sitcom, ''[[Quintuplets]]'', lasted one season. His 2007 television series, ''[[Andy Barker P.I.]]'', was co-written and executive produced by [[Conan O'Brien]]. In the series, Richter played an accountant who could not attract clients.<ref>{{cite news |title=NBC cancels 'Andy Barker, PI' |url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/nbc-cancels-andy-barker-pi-1117962708/ |newspaper=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=April 9, 2007 |first=Josef |last=Adalian}}</ref> After a woman comes to his office thinking he is the former tenant, a private investigator, she asks him to find her husband, who she thinks faked his death. Barker decides to pursue this job and becomes a private detective in earnest, and continues to do his accounting job, which seems to pick up as the series goes on. The series aired on NBC, with all six episodes in the first season on NBC.com. The series was canceled after very poor ratings, despite being named by ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' as one of the Top Ten Shows of 2007.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Flynn |first=Gillian |date=March 9, 2007 |title=Andy Barker, P.I. |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url=http://ew.com/article/2007/03/09/andy-barker-pi/ |access-date=October 7, 2017}}</ref>

===''The Tonight Show''===
On February 24, 2009, it was announced that Richter would rejoin O'Brien as the announcer for ''[[The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien]]'' in [[Los Angeles]].<ref name="announcer">{{cite news |url=http://www.wfmj.com/story/9903325/andy-richter-named-announcer-for-nbcs-the-tonight-show-with-conan-obrien |title=Andy Richter named announcer for NBC's 'The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien' |publisher=[[WFMJ-TV]] News |date=February 24, 2009}}</ref> Richter frequently appeared in comedy sketches on the show and often commented and interacted with Conan during the opening monologue; he was also part of the show's writing staff. In mid-December 2009, Richter also began joining Conan on the couch during the celebrity interviews, much like he did in his former sidekick role on ''[[Late Night with Conan O'Brien|Late Night]]''. Richter said he enjoyed having a steady paycheck again and not having to deal with production companies while developing television shows. Richter said, "Now I'm so happy to be back and making TV every night, not asking permission from somebody and waiting six months to get their sparklingly clear and cogent notes. And then wait another month for them to get back from Hawaii and say, 'Yes, now we can go make television.' I felt like a plumber who kept going into the building and saying, 'Can we put some pipes together?' and watching my wrenches gather dust."<ref name="LAT0531" />

===''Conan''===
When Conan O'Brien returned to the air as host of ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]'' on [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] in 2010, Richter followed and resumed his roles as announcer, writer, general sidekick and participant in comedy sketches.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Ryan |date=2022-02-04 |title=Andy Richter reveals plans to work with Conan O'Brien again |url=https://www.newsweek.com/andy-richter-reveals-plans-work-conan-obrien-again-comedy-1676255 |access-date=2022-03-28 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref>

===''The Three Questions with Andy Richter''===

Since June 2019, Richter has hosted his own [[podcast]] on the [[Earwolf]] network.<ref>{{cite web |title=Introducing The Three Questions with Andy Richter |url=https://www.earwolf.com/episode/introducing-the-three-questions-with-andy-richter/ |website=Earwolf |access-date=2 August 2019}}</ref>

===Game shows===
In 2010, Richter was considered to be a potential host of the classic ''[[Pyramid (franchise)|Pyramid]]'' game show that was being developed for [[CBS]], but was ultimately not picked up by the network.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/showtracker/2010/05/andy-richter-wrapping-deal-to-host-new-version-of-pyramid-for-cbs.html |title=Andy Richter wrapping deal to host new version of 'Pyramid' for CBS |work=Los Angeles Times |date=May 27, 2010 |last=Flint |first=Joe}}</ref> Had the series been picked up, it would not have affected Richter's role on ''[[Conan (talk show)|Conan]]''. On May 18, 2011, TBS announced development of a possible new version of ''Pyramid'', again to be hosted by Richter.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/05/18/tnt-and-tbs-announce-extensive-slate-of-new-projects-from-top-talents-561104/20110518turner01/ |title=TNT and TBS Announce Extensive Slate of New Projects from Top Talents |date=May 18, 2011 |journal=[[The Futon Critic]] |access-date=May 25, 2011}}</ref>

In June 2010, Richter hosted the ''Team Coco Presents the Conan Writers Live'' comedy special for [[TBS (American TV channel)|TBS]] at the [[Just for Laughs]] festival in Chicago. He hosted in place of O'Brien, who was prohibited from hosting any television program until fall 2010.

In July 2013, Richter signed on to host a game show called ''Step Up'', which was ordered by Fox.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/news/a498914/andy-richter-game-show-ordered-by-fox.html |title=Andy Richter game show ordered by Fox |work=[[Digital Spy]] |last=Eames |first=Tom |access-date=July 16, 2013}}</ref>

Richter holds the record for all-time highest one-day score on ''Celebrity [[Jeopardy!]]'', winning $68,000 during a first-round game of the 2009–10 season's "[[List of Jeopardy! tournaments and events#Non-tournament events|Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational]]". His earnings were donated to the [[St. Jude Children's Research Hospital]].<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational, Game 1 (Andy Richter vs. Dana Delany vs. Wolf Blitzer)|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndicated|date=September 17, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yahr |first1=Emily |title=A look back at Wolf Blitzer's infamous 'Jeopardy!' downfall |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2016/05/17/a-look-back-at-wolf-blitzers-infamous-jeopardy-downfall/ |access-date=3 March 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=17 May 2016}}</ref>

In January 2017, he began hosting the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] game show ''[[Big Fan (game show)|Big Fan]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/big-fan-abc-jimmy-kimmel-1201699997/ |title=ABC Orders Game Show 'Big Fan' from Jimmy Kimmel and Banijay Studios |last=Prudom |first=Laura |date=2016-02-08 |access-date=2017-01-10 |language=en-US |newspaper=Variety}}</ref>

In September 2022, Richter appeared on the series premiere of ''Celebrity Jeopardy!''. He finished in second place, and won $30,000 for his charity The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1062227/celebrity-jeopardy-premiere-winner-simu-liu/ | title='Celebrity Jeopardy!' Kicks off with a Stunning Last-Minute Victory — Who Won? | date=September 25, 2022 }}</ref>

===Other television appearances===
In April 2002, Richter appeared in the [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]] series ''[[Malcolm in the Middle]]''. In "Clip Show", he played a psychiatrist giving therapy to Malcolm, Reese, and Dewey.

In October 2005, Richter appeared in the [[NBC]] [[sitcom]] ''[[Will & Grace]]''. In "[[Will & Grace (season 8)#Episodes|The Old Man and the Sea]]", he played an annoying blind date that was teased and misled by [[Grace Adler]], who only dated him to prove she was not a snob.

Richter appeared in [[Monk (TV series)|''Monk'']] as a murderer posing as [[Adrian Monk]]'s best friend in the episode "[[Monk (season 5)#Episodes|Mr Monk Makes a Friend]]".

Richter appears in the Fox series ''[[Arrested Development]]'' in the 2006 episode "[[Arrested Development (season 3)|S.O.B.s.]]" He plays every member of a fictional group of identical Richter quintuplets: Donnie, Chareth, Rocky, Emmett, and himself. He reprises the roles in several episodes of [[Arrested Development (season 4)|season 4]], which aired in 2013 on Netflix.

From 2006 to 2008, Richter had a recurring role as "Sad Dad" Stan in the TV show ''[[The New Adventures of Old Christine]]''.

He also provided the voice of Ben on the animated series ''[[The Mighty B!]]'', played Simon Cristini on ''[[True Jackson, VP]]'', and reprises the voice of [[Mort (Madagascar)|Mort]] on ''[[The Penguins of Madagascar]]'' and ''[[All Hail King Julien]]''.

Richter voiced himself in an episode of the 2021 [[Netflix]] animated sitcom ''[[Chicago Party Aunt]]''.

In 2024, Richter competed in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 12|season twelve]] of ''[[The Masked Singer (American TV series)|The Masked Singer]]'' as "Dust Bunny" and had [[Dick Van Dyke]] (who competed as "Gnome" in [[The Masked Singer (American TV series) season 9|season nine]]) as his Mask Ambassador. He was eliminated in the Group B premiere "Sports Night".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/the-masked-singer-season-12-episode-4-recap-andy-richter-dust-bunny-1236180347/|title="The Masked Singer" Reveals Identity of Dust Bunny: Here Is the Celebrity Under the Costume|website=Variety|first=Michael|last=Schneider|date=October 16, 2024|access-date=October 17, 2024}}</ref>

===Film===
In addition to his television work, Richter has appeared in [[motion pictures]] such as ''[[Aliens in the Attic]]'', ''[[Big Trouble (2002 film)|Big Trouble]]'', ''[[Elf (film)|Elf]]'', ''[[Seeing Other People (film)|Seeing Other People]]'', ''[[New York Minute (film)|New York Minute]]'', ''[[Dr. Dolittle 2]]'', the ''[[Madagascar (franchise)|Madagascar]]'' franchise, ''[[My Boss's Daughter]]'', ''[[Scary Movie 2]]'', ''[[Frank McKlusky, C.I.]]'', ''[[Pootie Tang]]'', ''[[Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby]]'', ''[[Blades of Glory]]'', ''[[Semi-Pro]]'', ''[[Lenny the Wonder Dog]]'', ''[[Dr. T and the Women|Dr. T & the Women]]'' and ''[[Cabin Boy]]''.

===Other appearances===
In 2008, Richter appeared in composer [[Marc Shaiman]]'s satirical mini-musical called "Prop 8 — The Musical".<ref>[http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c0cf508ff8/prop-8-the-musical-starring-jack-black-john-c-reilly-and-many-more-from-fod-team-jack-black-craig-robinson-john-c-reilly-and-rashida-jones "Prop 8 - The Musical" starring Jack Black, John C. Reilly, and many more..."]. [[Funny or Die]]. December 2, 2008</ref> The three-minute video was distributed on the internet at [[Funny or Die|FunnyOrDie.com]]. In addition to Richter, the cast includes [[Jack Black]], [[John C. Reilly]], [[Craig Robinson (actor)|Craig Robinson]], and many other celebrities, directed by [[Adam Shankman]]. The video won the 2009 [[Webby Award]] category Comedy: Individual Short or Episode,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=97&season=13#film_comedy_short |title=Webby Nominees: 13th Annual Webby Awards Nominees & Winners |publisher=[[The Webby Awards]] |access-date=2013-03-19 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202023250/http://www.webbyawards.com/webbys/current.php?media_id=97&season=13 |archive-date=December 2, 2009}}</ref> and won a [[GLAAD]] media award.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Shaimans_PROP_8THE_MUSICAL_Wins_GLAAD_Award_Honors_20010101 |title=Shaiman's 'PROP 8-THE MUSICAL' Wins GLAAD Award Honors |publisher=Broadway World |date=2009-04-21|access-date=2009-04-25}}</ref>

In July 2009, Richter played for the [[American League]] as a [[first baseman]] in the 2009 [[Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game]]. Representing the [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]], Richter hit a home run in the game.<ref>[http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090712&content_id=5854118&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb "Clouds give way to stars for softball game"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006010129/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090712&content_id=5854118&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |date=October 6, 2012 }}, Doug Miller, MLB.com, July 12, 2009</ref>

After the end of ''The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien'', Richter joined O'Brien on his [[The Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour|Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour]], a stage show touring the United States and Canada over the spring of 2010. Richter served in his usual role as announcer and sidekick. Due to performing with O'Brien, Richter was forced to drop out of the ''Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational'', in which he was a semifinalist. [[Isaac Mizrahi]] replaced Richter in the tournament.<ref name="ew">{{cite magazine |url=http://popwatch.ew.com/2010/04/19/neil-patrick-harris-among-celebs-in-million-dollar-jeopardy-semifinals/ |title=Neil Patrick Harris Among Celebs In Million Dollar Jeopardy Semifinals |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |last=Bierly |first=Mandi |date=April 19, 2010}}</ref> Richter also made an appearance on the [[Disney Channel]] sitcom ''[[The Suite Life on Deck]]'' as a non-religious hooded brother, Brother Theodore in the episode "[[List of The Suite Life on Deck episodes#ep50|Silent Treatment]]".

In May 2021, Richter appeared on the Gus and Eddy Podcast hosted by comedy duo [[Gus Johnson (comedian)|Gus Johnson]] and Eddy Burback.<ref>{{Citation|title=Andy Richter is on the Podcast!|work=The Gus & Eddy Podcast|date=May 31, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xj0Y4Y-V6A0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/Xj0Y4Y-V6A0 |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-06-02}}{{cbignore}}</ref>