Career Timeline of Louis C.K.: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Louis C.K. built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Louis C.K., born Louis Alfred Székely, is a highly acclaimed American stand-up comedian, actor, and filmmaker. He has garnered significant recognition throughout his career, including three Peabody Awards, three Grammy Awards, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. His stand-up specials, particularly 'Live at the Beacon Theater' (2011) and 'Oh My God' (2013), have received widespread praise. Notably, Rolling Stone ranked his 'Shameless' special among the best stand-up specials of all time and recognized him as one of the top stand-up comics.
2001: Release of "Live in Houston"
In 2001, Louis C.K. innovated direct-to-consumer distribution by releasing his debut comedy album, Live in Houston, directly through his website.
2006: TV Series Lucky Louie
In 2006, Louis C.K. acted in Lucky Louie television series
2010: TV Series Louie
In 2010, Louis C.K. acted in Louie television series
December 10, 2011: Live at the Beacon Theater Released
On December 10, 2011, C.K. released his fourth full-length special, Live at the Beacon Theater, digitally on his website for $5.00 without DRM.
December 21, 2011: Live at the Beacon Theater Earns $1 Million
By December 21, 2011, sales of the special Live at the Beacon Theater from C.K.'s website had earned him over $1 million.
2011: Talking Funny Airs on HBO
In 2011, C.K. joined Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, and Ricky Gervais for a discussion of comedy in Talking Funny, a one-hour television special that aired on HBO.
2011: Donations to Charities
In 2011, after earning a million dollars from selling Live at the Beacon Theater on his website, Louis C.K. gave half of it away to his staff and charities, including the Fistula Foundation.
May 11, 2012: Audio Downloads Available
On May 11, 2012, C.K. made two audio-only downloads available for $5.00 each: WORD – Live at Carnegie Hall and Shameless (audio version), as well as an audio-only version of Live at the Beacon Theater.
November 3, 2012: C.K. Hosts Saturday Night Live
On November 3, 2012, C.K. hosted Saturday Night Live.
2012: Grammy Award Win for Hilarious
In 2012, Louis C.K. won the Grammy award for Best Comedy Album for Hilarious.
April 13, 2013: Oh My God Premieres on HBO
C.K.'s fifth one-hour special, Oh My God, premiered on HBO on April 13, 2013, and was sold and distributed using the same model as C.K. used for Live at the Beacon Theater.
December 2013: American Hustle Released
In December 2013, C.K. starred in David O. Russell's black comedy crime film American Hustle, playing the role of FBI supervisor Stoddard Thorsen.
2013: C.K. takes roles in American Hustle and Blue Jasmine
In 2013, C.K. played roles in David O. Russell's American Hustle and Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine, leading to a hiatus for his show Louie.
2013: Pig Newton Signs Contract with FX
In 2013, C.K.'s production company, Pig Newton, signed a contract to develop and executive produce pilots for FX Networks.
2013: Starred in Blue Jasmine
In 2013, Louis C.K. starred in Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.
2013: Screen Actors Guild Award Win for American Hustle
In 2013, Louis C.K. won the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for American Hustle, along with the other cast members.
January 2014: C.K. to Produce Baskets Pilot
In January 2014, it was announced that C.K. would produce and co-write a Zach Galifianakis–created comedy pilot for FX Networks titled Baskets.
March 29, 2014: Hosts Saturday Night Live
On March 29, 2014, C.K. hosted Saturday Night Live and received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for the episode.
2014: FX Announces Shortened Louie Season
In 2014, FX Networks announced that Louie would return in spring 2015 for a shortened fifth season of seven episodes.
January 2015: Live at the Comedy Store Released
In January 2015, C.K. released his sixth one-hour special Live at the Comedy Store to his website.
April 2015: Louie Season 5 Premieres
In April 2015, Louie premiered its shortened fifth season consisting of seven episodes, compared to the 13 episodes of the prior seasons.
May 2015: C.K. to Write, Direct, and Star in I'm a Cop
In May 2015, it was announced that C.K. would write, direct, and star in the film I'm a Cop.
May 16, 2015: Hosts Saturday Night Live Again
On May 16, 2015, C.K. hosted Saturday Night Live for the third time, receiving another Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
May 28, 2015: Live at the Comedy Store Premieres on FX
On May 28, 2015, C.K.'s sixth one-hour special Live at the Comedy Store premiered exclusively on FX.
August 2015: Louie Extended Hiatus Announcement
In August 2015, it was announced that the series Louie would take an "extended hiatus".
November 2015: Co-stars in Trumbo and executive produces One Mississippi pilot
In November 2015, C.K. co-starred in the biographical drama film Trumbo. Also in November 2015, C.K. executive-produced the pilot for the Amazon Video black comedy series One Mississippi.
2015: TV Series Louie
In 2015, Louis C.K. acted in Louie television series
January 2016: Brooks and C.K. Rumored to create animated series
In January 2016, C.K. and actor/comedian Albert Brooks were rumored to create, write, executive produce, and provide the voices for the two main characters in an animated series pilot for FX.
January 2016: C.K. Uncertain About Louie's Return
In January 2016, C.K. expressed uncertainty about whether the series Louie would return.
January 21, 2016: Baskets Premieres on FX
On January 21, 2016, the 10-episode single-camera comedy Baskets, co-written by C.K., premiered on FX Networks.
January 30, 2016: Horace and Pete Released
On January 30, 2016, C.K. released the first episode of the tragicomic drama series Horace and Pete to his website, without any prior announcements.
July 8, 2016: The Secret Life of Pets Released
On July 8, 2016, The Secret Life of Pets, in which C.K. voiced the lead role of Max, was released.
September 2016: Better Things Premieres on FX
In September 2016, Better Things, a series developed by C.K. with Pamela Adlon, premiered on FX.
2016: TV Series Horace and Pete
In 2016, Louis C.K. acted in Horace and Pete television series
2016: Charity Win on Jeopardy!
In 2016, Louis C.K. selected the Fistula Foundation as the beneficiary of his Jeopardy! Power Players Week appearance and won $50,000 for the charity.
2016: Grammy Award Win for Live at Madison Square Garden
In 2016, Louis C.K. won the Grammy award for Best Comedy Album for Live at Madison Square Garden.
April 4, 2017: 2017 Stand-up Special Released on Netflix
C.K.'s stand-up special 2017 was filmed in Washington, D.C., and released on April 4, 2017, through the streaming service Netflix.
April 8, 2017: Hosts Saturday Night Live for Fourth Time
On April 8, 2017, C.K. hosted Saturday Night Live for a fourth time, receiving strong reviews for his opening monologue and bits about a racist chicken and talking animals. C.K. also honored Don Rickles.
June 2017: I Love You, Daddy Filmed
In June 2017, C.K. directed the film I Love You, Daddy in secret, shooting entirely on black and white 35 mm film.
November 9, 2017: The Orchard Cancels Premiere
On November 9, 2017, The Orchard, distributor of C.K.'s upcoming film I Love You, Daddy, canceled the New York premiere of the film due to "unexpected circumstances".
November 2017: FX Cuts Ties with C.K.
In November 2017, FX cut ties with C.K. due to misconduct allegations, ending their partnership.
August 26, 2018: Unannounced Appearance at Comedy Cellar
On August 26, 2018, Louis C.K. made an unannounced appearance at the Comedy Cellar in Manhattan, New York, receiving an ovation and performing a typical set without addressing the sexual controversy. This return to stand-up was met with mixed reactions from fellow comedians.
October 2018: Jerry Seinfeld's Commentary on C.K.'s Return
In October 2018, Jerry Seinfeld commented on Louis C.K.'s return to stand-up, suggesting the public might feel C.K. hadn't adequately acknowledged his actions and expressing the public's expectation of a show of remorse.
December 2018: Use of Yondr Pouches
Following the leak of his new material in December 2018, Louis C.K. began requiring audience members to lock cell phones and other devices in Yondr pouches at his shows, a practice that became more common among comedians.
2018: Repercussions from Scandal
In 2018, C.K. stated that the fallout from the scandal had taken him through "hell and back" and cost him approximately $35 million in lost income. His film release was cancelled, and FX Networks and Netflix cut ties with C.K.
2018: FX Expresses Interest in C.K.'s Return
In 2018, FX CEO John Landgraf stated that the network was ready to welcome C.K. back and was eager for Louie season six.
2018: The Cops to premiere on TBS
In January 2017, the series was announced to instead be premiering on TBS in 2018 and titled The Cops, following two Los Angeles patrolmen.
December 31, 2018: Controversial New Material Leaked
On December 31, 2018, Louis C.K.'s new stand-up material, including jokes about school shootings, was secretly recorded and posted online, leading to media controversy and a divided reaction from other comedians.
October 2019: International Tour Announcement
In October 2019, Louis C.K. announced an international tour of his new material via email to subscribers of his website, following the December 2018 leak of his new material.
January 2020: Unannounced Set at Patrice O'Neal Benefit
In January 2020, Louis C.K. performed an unannounced set at the eighth annual benefit show for the late comedian Patrice O'Neal, receiving a standing ovation.
March 2020: Show Cancellations Due to COVID-19 Pandemic
Beginning in March 2020, most of Louis C.K.'s shows were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
April 4, 2020: Release of Stand-Up Special "Sincerely Louis CK"
On April 4, 2020, Louis C.K. self-released a new stand-up special entitled "Sincerely Louis CK" through his website without advance notice, generating a divided response.
April 2020: Donation to Comedy Cellar Wait Staff
In April 2020, Louis C.K. donated $30,000 to the wait staff at the Comedy Cellar during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of a GoFundMe program called "Tip Your Wait Staff".
July 2020: Release of "Long Distance Relationship" Audio Series
In July 2020, Louis C.K. released an audio series of conversations between himself and then-girlfriend Blanche Gardin titled "Long Distance Relationship", with proceeds going to charity.
August 4, 2020: Appearance in Dave Chappelle's Standup Series
On August 4, 2020, Louis C.K. joined Dave Chappelle in an installment of his standup series "An Intimate Socially Distanced Affair" in Yellow Springs, Ohio, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
October 2020: Appearance in "The Comedy Store" Docu-Series
In October 2020, Louis C.K. appeared in a docu-series titled "The Comedy Store" about the Los Angeles comedy club of the same name, directed by Mike Binder.
May 2021: Unannounced Stop at Village Underground and Tour Announcement
In May 2021, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in New York City, Louis C.K. made an unannounced stop at the Village Underground, after which he announced upcoming tour dates for summer 2021.
August 2021: Announcement of US and International Tour
In August 2021, Louis C.K. announced a tour of the United States for 2021 and international dates for 2022, including shows at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden, rescheduling dates canceled due to COVID-19.
November 2021: New Special Filmed at Hulu Theater
In November 2021, Shane Gillis revealed on The Joe Rogan Experience that Louis C.K. had filmed a new special at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.
December 2021: Release of Stand-Up Special "Sorry"
On 18 December 2021, Louis C.K. announced the release of his new stand-up comedy special, titled "Sorry", for sale through his website, also offering a bundle of previous specials.
April 2022: Grammy Award Win for "Sincerely, Louis C.K."
In April 2022, Louis C.K. won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album for his special Sincerely, Louis C.K.
May 2022: Guest Appearance on Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast
In May 2022, Louis C.K. was a guest on Matt and Shane's Secret Podcast, hosted by comedians Shane Gillis and Matt McCusker.
June 2022: Premiere of "Fourth of July" Film
June 2022 saw the premiere of Louis C.K.'s film "Fourth of July", which he produced, directed, and co-wrote. To promote the film, he appeared on several podcasts.
2022: Grammy Award Win for Sincerely Louis C.K.
In 2022, Louis C.K. won the Grammy award for Best Comedy Album for Sincerely Louis C.K.
January 28, 2023: Performance at Madison Square Garden
On January 28, 2023, Louis C.K. performed at a sold-out show at Madison Square Garden. The performance was live recorded and aired on his website as the special, Louis C.K.: Back to the Garden.
March 2025: Announcement of "Ridiculous" Tour
In March 2025, Louis C.K. announced his Ridiculous tour with dates across the US.
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