Patton Oswalt is a well-known American stand-up comedian and actor. He gained recognition for his role as Spence Olchin in the sitcom "The King of Queens" (1998-2007) and as the narrator (adult Adam F. Goldberg) in "The Goldbergs" (2013-2023). His career began with an appearance in a "Seinfeld" episode. He's had roles in numerous TV series, including "Parks and Recreation," "Community," "Two and a Half Men," "Drunk History," and many others, showcasing his versatility. He's also known for his voice acting work. He further showcased his acting prowess by playing Principal Ralph Durbin in "A.P. Bio" (2018-2021) and Matthew the Raven in "The Sandman" (2022-present). His career spans various comedic and dramatic roles across film and television.
January 27, 1969: Birth of Patton Oswalt
Patton Oswalt was born on January 27, 1969, in Portsmouth, Virginia.
1987: High School Graduation
Oswalt graduated from Broad Run High School in 1987.
July 18, 1988: Stand-up Comedy Debut
Patton Oswalt began performing stand-up comedy on July 18, 1988.
1991: College Graduation
Oswalt graduated from the College of William & Mary with a BA in English in 1991.
1996: HBO Comedy Special and Down Periscope
In 1996, Oswalt had his own HBO comedy special and made his film debut in "Down Periscope".
1998: The King of Queens Debut
In 1998, Patton Oswalt began his role as Spence Olchin in the sitcom "The King of Queens".
1999: Man on the Moon Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "Man on the Moon" in 1999.
2001: Zoolander Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "Zoolander" in 2001.
2004: Blade: Trinity Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "Blade: Trinity" in 2004.
September 24, 2005: Marriage to Michelle McNamara
Patton Oswalt married true crime writer Michelle McNamara on September 24, 2005.
August 2007: Comedy Central Roasts and SpongeBob SquarePants
In August 2007, Oswalt appeared on the Comedy Central Roasts of William Shatner and Flavor Flav, and voiced Jim in a "SpongeBob SquarePants" episode.
2007: The King of Queens Ends, Ratatouille Release
In 2007, Oswalt's role in "The King of Queens" concluded. The same year, he voiced Remy in the Pixar film "Ratatouille".
2008: All Roads Lead Home Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "All Roads Lead Home" in 2008.
2008: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Panel
Oswalt moderated a "Mystery Science Theater 3000" reunion panel at San Diego Comic-Con in 2008.
February 28, 2009: Third Comedy Album Recording
Oswalt recorded his third comedy album on February 28, 2009.
April 2009: Birth of Daughter
Patton Oswalt's daughter was born in April 2009.
August 23, 2009: My Weakness Is Strong Premiere
Oswalt's comedy special "Patton Oswalt: My Weakness Is Strong" premiered on Comedy Central on August 23, 2009.
August 25, 2009: My Weakness Is Strong DVD Release
The DVD of "Patton Oswalt: My Weakness Is Strong" was released on August 25, 2009.
November 2009: Christmas Shoes Animated Video
In November 2009, an animated video of Patton Oswalt's comedic take on the song "Christmas Shoes" was uploaded to YouTube. The audio is believed to have been from a performance at Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
2009: Big Fan Release
Oswalt starred in the film "Big Fan" in 2009.
2009: Big Fan Leading Role
Oswalt played the leading role in the film "Big Fan" in 2009.
2010: Broadway Revival Cancelled
A planned Broadway revival of "Lips Together, Teeth Apart" starring Oswalt was cancelled in 2010.
2010: BookExpo America
Oswalt emceed the 2010 BookExpo America, promoting his upcoming book.
September 19, 2011: Finest Hour Album Release
Patton Oswalt released his comedy album "Patton Oswalt: Finest Hour" on September 19, 2011.
2011: A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas" in 2011.
2011: Zombie Spaceship Wasteland Release
Oswalt's book "Zombie Spaceship Wasteland" was released in 2011.
April 2012: Finest Hour DVD Release
The extended and uncensored DVD of Patton Oswalt's "Finest Hour" was released in April 2012, shortly after its television premiere on Comedy Central.
2012: Two and a Half Men Appearance
Oswalt played Matt Freehauf in "Young Adult" and appeared on "Two and a Half Men" in 2012.
2012: Endorsement of Barack Obama
Patton Oswalt endorsed Barack Obama for re-election in 2012.
September 2013: The Goldbergs Narration Begins
Oswalt's narration of "The Goldbergs" began in September 2013.
2013: The Goldbergs Begins
Patton Oswalt began narrating the sitcom "The Goldbergs" in 2013.
January 16, 2014: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time Delayed Release
Patton Oswalt's comedy special "Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time" was initially scheduled for release on January 16, 2014, via Epix, but was delayed.
April 6, 2014: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time Premiere
"Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time" premiered on Comedy Central on April 6, 2014.
April 8, 2014: Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time DVD/CD Release
"Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time" was released on DVD and CD on April 8, 2014.
2014: BoJack Horseman and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Debut
In 2014, Patton Oswalt started voicing various characters in "BoJack Horseman" and guest-starred as the Koenigs in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.".
October 2015: Minecraft: Story Mode Release
Oswalt voiced Jesse in "Minecraft: Story Mode", released in October 2015.
April 21, 2016: Death of Michelle McNamara
Michelle McNamara, Patton Oswalt's wife, died in her sleep on April 21, 2016, due to a combination of an undiagnosed heart condition and medication complications.
April 22, 2016: Talking for Clapping Netflix Release
Patton Oswalt's comedy special "Talking for Clapping" premiered on Netflix on April 22, 2016. He later won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing and a Grammy for Best Comedy Album for this special.
August 1, 2016: Work on McNamara's Book Announced
On August 1, 2016, Patton Oswalt announced he was working to finish his late wife Michelle McNamara's book on the Golden State Killer.
2016: Talking for Clapping Release and Awards
Oswalt's Netflix special "Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping" was released and won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Grammy Award in 2016.
July 2017: Engagement to Meredith Salenger
Patton Oswalt and actress Meredith Salenger announced their engagement in July 2017.
September 2017: I'll Be Gone in the Dark Book Announcement
Patton Oswalt announced in September 2017 that Michelle McNamara's book, "I'll Be Gone in the Dark", would be released on February 27, 2018.
October 17, 2017: Annihilation Netflix Release
Patton Oswalt's comedy special "Annihilation" was released on Netflix on October 17, 2017.
November 2017: Marriage to Meredith Salenger
Patton Oswalt and Meredith Salenger were married in November 2017.
2017: You Must Remember This Podcast
In 2017, Oswalt voiced Boris Karloff in the podcast "You Must Remember This".
2017: The Circle Release
Oswalt appeared in the film "The Circle" in 2017.
2017: Mystery Science Theater 3000 Reboot
Oswalt played Max in the "Mystery Science Theater 3000" reboot, which premiered on Netflix in 2017.
February 27, 2018: I'll Be Gone in the Dark Release
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark," the true crime book by Michelle McNamara completed by Patton Oswalt, was released on February 27, 2018.
April 25, 2018: Golden State Killer Arrest
On April 25, 2018, the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest of a suspect in the Golden State Killer case, shortly after the release of Michelle McNamara's book on the subject. Patton Oswalt reacted to the news online, dedicating the moment to his late wife.
July 6, 2018: Sorry to Bother You Release
Oswalt had a voice-over role in the film "Sorry to Bother You", released on July 6, 2018.
2018: A.P. Bio Debut
Oswalt began portraying Principal Ralph Durbin in "A.P. Bio" in 2018.
January 2019: Donation to Trump Supporter
In January 2019, following a heated exchange on Twitter, Patton Oswalt donated $2,000 to a Trump supporter's GoFundMe campaign for medical expenses.
April 15, 2019: WGA Stand Against ATA
Oswalt joined other writers in firing their agents as part of the WGA's stand against the ATA on April 15, 2019.
November 14, 2019: I Love Everything Confirmation and Netflix Release
On November 14, 2019, during an episode of "Hiking with Kevin Nealon," Patton Oswalt confirmed his new special, "I Love Everything," which was already recorded and airing on Netflix.
2019: The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Best of the Worst
In 2019, Oswalt voiced Max in "The Secret Life of Pets 2" and appeared in the web series "Best of the Worst".
2019: The Secret Life of Pets 2 and Kim Possible
Oswalt voiced Max in "The Secret Life of Pets 2" and Professor Dementor in the live-action "Kim Possible" film in 2019.
2020: BoJack Horseman and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. End
Both "BoJack Horseman" and "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.", in which Oswalt had roles, concluded in 2020.
2020: Endorsement of Joe Biden
Patton Oswalt endorsed Joe Biden for president in 2020.
2021: Caesars Sportsbook Campaign
In 2021, Patton Oswalt appeared as the character "Carl" in an advertising campaign for Caesars Sportsbook.
2021: A.P. Bio Ends, Eternals and M.O.D.O.K. Release
Oswalt's role in "A.P. Bio" concluded in 2021. The same year, he voiced Pip the Troll in "Eternals" and M.O.D.O.K. in the eponymous animated series.
2022: The Sandman Debut
Oswalt began portraying Matthew the Raven in "The Sandman" in 2022.
January 26, 2023: Celebrity Jeopardy! Appearance
Patton Oswalt appeared on "Celebrity Jeopardy!" on January 26, 2023.
March 24, 2023: Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire Casting Announcement
On March 24, 2023, it was confirmed that Patton Oswalt joined the cast of the upcoming film "Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire."
May 2023: Honorary Doctorate
Patton Oswalt received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from William & Mary in May 2023.
2023: The Goldbergs Concludes
Patton Oswalt concluded his narration of "The Goldbergs" in 2023.