Career Timeline of Andy Richter: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Andy Richter, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Andy Richter is an American actor, comedian, writer, and talk show announcer. He is widely recognized as Conan O'Brien's sidekick on Late Night, The Tonight Show, and Conan. Richter also starred in the Fox television series Andy Richter Controls the Universe. Furthermore, he's known for his voice work, including Mort in the Madagascar film franchise and Ben Higgenbottom in The Mighty B! on Nickelodeon. Richter's career spans across television, film, and voice acting, solidifying his presence in the entertainment industry.
1988: Attended Columbia College Chicago
In 1988, Andy Richter left Columbia College Chicago, where he was a film major. During his time there, he learned comedic acting and writing through starring in student films and videos.
1989: Started at Chicago's Improv Olympic
In 1989, Andy Richter began taking classes at Chicago's Improv Olympic, quickly progressing from student to "House Performer" within a year. He also worked with "The Comedy Underground" and the Annoyance Theatre and wrote for the Jonathan Brandmeier television show.
1993: Joined Late Night with Conan O'Brien
In 1993, Andy Richter was hired as a writer for Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Shortly before the show began airing, he became O'Brien's sidekick, establishing a strong rapport with the host.
1998: Appeared on Upright Citizens Brigade with Sarah Thyre
In 1998, Andy Richter and Sarah Thyre appeared together playing Hansel and Gretel in an episode of the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch comedy series on Comedy Central.
May 26, 2000: Departure from Late Night with Conan O'Brien
On May 26, 2000, Andy Richter departed from Late Night with Conan O'Brien after seven years, motivated by a desire to explore new opportunities and "stretch his good fortune."
2000: Pursued Acting in Film and Television
In 2000, after leaving Late Night, Andy Richter began a career acting in films and television. His first venture was "Andy Richter Controls the Universe" on Fox, which was canceled after two mid-season runs.
April 2002: Guest Appearance on Malcolm in the Middle
In April 2002, Andy Richter appeared in the Fox series Malcolm in the Middle, playing a psychiatrist giving therapy to Malcolm, Reese, and Dewey in the episode "Clip Show".
October 2005: Guest Appearance on Will & Grace
In October 2005, Andy Richter appeared in the NBC sitcom Will & Grace. He played an annoying blind date that was teased and misled by Grace Adler in "The Old Man and the Sea".
2006: Recurring Role in The New Adventures of Old Christine
From 2006, Andy Richter had a recurring role as "Sad Dad" Stan in the TV show The New Adventures of Old Christine.
2006: Appeared in Arrested Development as Richter quintuplets
In 2006, Andy Richter appeared in the Fox series Arrested Development in the episode "S.O.B.s," playing every member of a fictional group of identical Richter quintuplets: Donnie, Chareth, Rocky, Emmett, and himself.
2007: Starred in "Andy Barker P.I."
In 2007, Andy Richter starred in the television series "Andy Barker P.I.", which was co-written and executive produced by Conan O'Brien. The series, in which Richter played an accountant turned private investigator, was canceled after poor ratings, despite being named a Top Ten Show of 2007 by Entertainment Weekly.
2008: Appeared in "Prop 8 - The Musical"
In 2008, Andy Richter appeared in composer Marc Shaiman's satirical mini-musical called "Prop 8 — The Musical", which was distributed on the internet at FunnyOrDie.com.
2008: Recurring Role in The New Adventures of Old Christine
In 2008, Andy Richter continued his recurring role as "Sad Dad" Stan in the TV show The New Adventures of Old Christine.
February 24, 2009: Rejoined Conan O'Brien on The Tonight Show
On February 24, 2009, Andy Richter rejoined Conan O'Brien as the announcer for The Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien in Los Angeles. He also appeared in comedy sketches and was part of the show's writing staff.
July 2009: Played in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game
In July 2009, Andy Richter played for the American League as a first baseman in the Taco Bell All-Star Legends and Celebrity Softball Game. He represented the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and hit a home run.
December 2009: Joined Conan on the Couch
In December 2009, Andy Richter began joining Conan O'Brien on the couch during celebrity interviews on The Tonight Show, similar to his role on Late Night.
2009: Won Celebrity Jeopardy!
In 2009, Andy Richter achieved the highest one-day score on Celebrity Jeopardy!, winning $68,000 during the Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational. His earnings were donated to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
June 2010: Hosted Team Coco Presents the Conan Writers Live
In June 2010, Andy Richter hosted the Team Coco Presents the Conan Writers Live comedy special for TBS at the Just for Laughs festival in Chicago, in place of Conan O'Brien.
2010: Joined Conan on TBS
In 2010, Andy Richter followed Conan O'Brien to TBS, resuming his roles as announcer, writer, sidekick, and participant in comedy sketches on the show Conan.
2010: Joined Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour
In 2010, Andy Richter joined Conan O'Brien on his Legally Prohibited from Being Funny on Television Tour, serving as announcer and sidekick. He also made an appearance on The Suite Life on Deck as Brother Theodore.
2010: Considered as Host for Pyramid Game Show
In 2010, Andy Richter was considered as a potential host of the Pyramid game show that was being developed for CBS, but it was ultimately not picked up by the network.
May 18, 2011: TBS Announced Development of Pyramid Hosted by Richter
On May 18, 2011, TBS announced development of a possible new version of Pyramid, again to be hosted by Andy Richter.
July 2013: Signed On to Host Step Up
In July 2013, Andy Richter signed on to host a game show called Step Up, which was ordered by Fox.
2013: Reprised Quintuplet Roles in Arrested Development
In 2013, Andy Richter reprised his roles as the Richter quintuplets in several episodes of season 4 of Arrested Development, which aired on Netflix.
2016: Support of Planned Parenthood
In 2016, Andy Richter publicly voiced his support for Planned Parenthood at a fundraiser, referencing abortion services provided in 1992 for Thyre when they were split and undergoing personal difficulties.
January 2017: Began Hosting Big Fan
In January 2017, Andy Richter began hosting the ABC game show Big Fan.
April 15, 2019: Fired Agents as Part of WGA Stand
On April 15, 2019, Andy Richter joined other writers in firing their agents as part of the WGA's stand against the ATA and against film packaging, which they believed to be an unfair practice.
June 2019: Began Hosting a Podcast on Earwolf
Since June 2019, Andy Richter has hosted his own podcast on the Earwolf network.
May 2021: Appeared on the Gus and Eddy Podcast
In May 2021, Andy Richter appeared on the Gus and Eddy Podcast hosted by the comedy duo Gus Johnson and Eddy Burback.
2021: Voiced Himself in Chicago Party Aunt
In 2021, Andy Richter voiced himself in an episode of the Netflix animated sitcom Chicago Party Aunt.
September 2022: Appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy!
In September 2022, Andy Richter appeared on the series premiere of Celebrity Jeopardy! and finished in second place, winning $30,000 for The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank.
2024: Competed on The Masked Singer
In 2024, Andy Richter competed in season twelve of The Masked Singer as "Dust Bunny" with Dick Van Dyke as his Mask Ambassador. He was eliminated in the Group B premiere "Sports Night".
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