Andy Richter

Paul Andrew Richter, born on October 28, 1966, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, grew up in Yorkville, Illinois. His foundational years in comedy included studies at the University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign and Chicago’s Columbia College, where he pursued film. He honed his improvisational skills through various groups in Chicago, most notably at Improv Olympic, transitioning from a student to a ‘House Performer’ within a year. Richter further expanded his comedic range by working with ‘The Comedy Underground’ and the Annoyance Theatre.

Richter’s career saw a significant turning point when he joined “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” in 1993, initially as a writer, quickly becoming O’Brien’s sidekick. This partnership established him as a prominent figure in late-night television. After seven years on “Late Night,” he transitioned to pursue acting roles in film and television. His post-“Late Night” endeavors included starring in his own Fox sitcom, “Andy Richter Controls the Universe” (2002-2003), where he also served as a producer. He subsequently reunited with Conan O’Brien as the announcer for “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” (2009-2010) and continued this role on “Conan” (2010-2021) on TBS, solidifying their enduring professional relationship.

Beyond his work with O’Brien, Richter has an extensive filmography, including roles in movies like “Elf” (2003), “Madagascar” (2005) as the voice of Mort, and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby” (2006). His television career includes appearances in “Arrested Development” (2005-2006, 2013), “The Mighty B!” (2008-2011), and “American Dad!” (2006-2023). He has also ventured into hosting game shows, such as ABC’s “Big Fan” (2017), and holds the record for the highest one-day score on “Celebrity Jeopardy!” ($68,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) in 2009. His recent work includes competing on “The Masked Singer” (2024) and “Dancing with the Stars” (2025).