Michael Showalter
Biography
Michael Showalter, born June 17, 1970, in Princeton, New Jersey, is an American director, writer, and producer. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. Showalter and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in the 2001 film and the Netflix series. Showalter also wrote, directed, and starred in the 2005 film The Baxter, alongside Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Both films, as well as several of his other projects, featured many of his co-stars from The State. Additionally, Showalter is a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the television series Search Party, and he directed the 2017 film The Big.
Career overview
Michael Showalter is an American director, writer, and producer born on June 17, 1970, in Princeton, New Jersey. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on the MTV series The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. Showalter and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in the 2001 feature film and the subsequent Netflix series. Both this project and several of his other works have featured many of his former co-stars from The State.
In addition to his work on the franchise, Showalter wrote and directed the 2005 film The Baxter, in which he also starred alongside Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Continuing his television work, Showalter serves as a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the television series Search Party. He also directed the 2017 film The Big. Across his career spanning film and television, Showalter has accumulated 84 known credits in the industry.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Michael Showalter.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
149 titles- Verity (2026) Director
- Verity (2026) Producer
- Oh. What. Fun. (2025) Director
- Oh. What. Fun. (2025) Producer
- Oh. What. Fun. (2025) Screenplay
- Happy Face (2025) Director
- Happy Face (2025) Executive Producer
- Long Live the State (2025) as Self
- The Idea of You (2024) Producer
- The Idea of You (2024) Director
- The Idea of You (2024) Screenplay
- The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh (2024) Executive Producer
- The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh (2024) Director
- The Dropout (2022) Executive Producer
- The Dropout (2022) Director
- Spoiler Alert (2022) Producer
- Spoiler Alert (2022) Director
- I Love That for You (2022) Director
- I Love That for You (2022) Executive Producer
- Stomach People (2022) Executive Producer
- The Shrink Next Door (2021) Executive Producer
- The Shrink Next Door (2021) Director
- The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) Director
- The Lovebirds (2020) Director
- The Lovebirds (2020) Executive Producer
- In the Dark (2019) Director
- In the Dark (2019) Executive Producer
- It Started As a Joke (2019) as Self
- Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner (2019) Director
- Sugar Rush (2018) as Self - Judge
- The Big Sick (2017) Director
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017) as Coop / Ronald Reagan
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017) Executive Producer
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017) Writer
- Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later (2017) Creator
- 9JKL (2017) as Walter Michaelson
- Search Party (2016) as Max
- Search Party (2016) Story
- Search Party (2016) Writer
- Search Party (2016) Director
- Search Party (2016) Executive Producer
- Love (2016) Director
- Giles Vanderhoot (2016) as Giles Vanderhoot
- Giles Vanderhoot (2016) Writer
- Giles Vanderhoot (2016) Director
- Giles Vanderhoot (2016) Executive Producer
- The Second Sound Barrier (2016) Writer
- Jammers (2016) as Jeremy
- Grace and Frankie (2015) Director
- The Grinder (2015) as Sandy Malmuth
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015) as Coop
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015) Executive Producer
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015) Writer
- Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015) Creator
- Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015) Writer
- Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015) Director
- Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015) Executive Producer
- Misery Loves Comedy (2015) as Self
- Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot (2015) as Self
- Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot (2015) Executive Producer
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Two Night Stand (2014) as Rick Raines
- They Came Together (2014) Writer
- They Came Together (2014) Producer
- American Viral (2014) Executive Producer
- @midnight with Chris Hardwick (2013) as Self
- Newsreaders (2013) Writer
- Super Fun Night (2013) Writer
- Wanderlust (2012) as Himself
- You're Whole (2012) Director
- Bob's Burgers (2011) as Ethan (voice)
- The Slope (2010) as Ben
- Michael Showalter's the Making of... (2010) Director
- Michael Showalter's the Making of... (2010) Writer
- Michael Showalter's the Making of... (2010) Executive Producer
- Michael Showalter's the Making of... (2010) Creator
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) as Self
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) Director
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) Producer
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) Writer
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) Executive Producer
- Michael & Michael Have Issues (2009) Creator
- Stella: Live in Boston (2009) as Michael
- Stella: Live in Boston (2009) Executive Producer
- Stella: Live in Boston (2009) Writer
- Childrens Hospital (2008) as Nils Vildervaan
- Childrens Hospital (2008) Writer
- Birthday (2008) as Michael
- Birthday (2008) Executive Producer
- Birthday (2008) Writer
- The Michael Showalter Showalter (2008) Executive Producer
- The Michael Showalter Showalter (2008) Writer
- The Michael Showalter Showalter (2008) Creator
- The Ten (2007) as Police Lt. Flarn Bleern
- Reno 911!: Miami (2007) as Paul
- Griffin & Phoenix (2006) as Terry's Fiancé
- American Dad! (2005) as Mark (voice)
- Stella (2005)
- Stella (2005) Writer
- Stella (2005) Producer
- Stella (2005) Creator
- The Baxter (2005) as Elliot Sherman
- The Baxter (2005) Director
- The Baxter (2005) Writer
- Cheap Seats (2004)
- Hair High (2004) as Wally (voice)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- The Wrong Coast (2003) Writer
- Signs (2002) as Lionel Prichard
- Kissing Jessica Stein (2002) as Stephen
- Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (2002) as Michael
- Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (2002) Director
- Stella Shorts 1998-2002 (2002) Writer
- Operation Midnight Climax (2002) as Chip
- Wet Hot American Summer (2001) as Coop / Alan Shemper
- Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Producer
- Wet Hot American Summer (2001) Screenplay
- Buzz Lightyear of Star Command (2000) as Plasma Boy (voice)
- Random Play (1999)
- Random Play (1999) Writer
- Sex and the City (1998) as Billy
- Comedy Central Presents (1998) as Self
- Comedy Central Presents (1998) Executive Producer
- Comedy Central Presents (1998) Writer
- Safe Men (1998) as Larry
- Chocolate For Breakfast (1998)
- Tick (1996) as Clifford
- The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special (1995) as Various
- The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special (1995) Writer
- Chickula! Teenage Vampire (1995)
- The State (1994) as Various Characters
- The State (1994) Writer
- The State (1994) Creator
- You Wrote It, You Watch It (1992) Writer
- Law & Order (1990) as Artie Kramer
- Law & Order (1990) as Allan Gee
- Friday Night Videos (1983)
- The Off Weeks Executive Producer
- The Off Weeks Creator
- Baby Boom Director
- Baby Boom Producer
- Ma 2 Director
- Untitled Holiday Comedy Project Director
- MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
- Untitled 'Cyrano Pop' Movie Director
- Untitled 'Cyrano Pop' Movie Story
- Untitled 'Cyrano Pop' Movie Producer
- The Last Ride of Cowboy Bob Director
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Michael Showalter best known for?
Michael Showalter is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Verity (2026), Verity (2026), Oh. What. Fun. (2025), Oh. What. Fun. (2025).
When and where was Michael Showalter born?
Michael Showalter was born on June 17, 1970 in Princeton, New Jersey, USA.
How many credits does Michael Showalter have?
Michael Showalter has accumulated over 149 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1983 to 2026.
What is Michael Showalter's background in cinema and television?
Michael Showalter, born June 17, 1970, in Princeton, New Jersey, is an American director, writer, and producer. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. Showalter and David Wain created the Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring...
Michael Showalter by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Friday Night Videos (1983) — aged about 13
- Bob's Burgers (2011) as Ethan (voice) — aged about 41
- Sex and the City (1998) as Billy — aged about 28
- Law & Order (1990) as Artie Kramer — aged about 20
- Law & Order (1990) as Allan Gee — aged about 20
- American Dad! (2005) as Mark (voice) — aged about 35
What viewers say
No comments yet. Be the first to share your take on Michael Showalter.