Craig Shoemaker

Craig Shoemaker was born on November 15, 1964, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the Philadelphia area and graduated from Springfield Township High School before attending Temple University and California University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Radio, Television, and Film. Shoemaker began his show business career spanning over three decades, establishing himself as a multifaceted talent in comedy, acting, writing, and production. His early days involved balancing college with working as a bartender and emcee for comedy shows, building foundational skills in performance and audience engagement. This early exposure to live audiences honed his comedic timing and stage presence, which would become hallmarks of his career.

Throughout his career, Shoemaker has achieved significant recognition, including being named Comedian of the Year at The American Comedy Awards on ABC and garnering two NATAS Emmy awards. His 90-minute stand-up special, “Daditude,” aired in prime time on the SHOWTIME Network and was featured prominently on Netflix for several months, showcasing his unique comedic style and relatable observations on fatherhood. As an actor, he has appeared in various film and television productions, playing roles like Bandit in the film “Middle Man,” Wilson Gromling on NBC’s “Parks & Recreation,” and a five-episode run on “The Bold & The Beautiful.” He also played the Artsy Teacher in the horror sequel “Scream 2.”

Beyond performing, Shoemaker has a notable presence as a writer and producer. He joined the writing staff for season two of the sitcom “Fuller House” and wrote, produced, and starred in the cult classic “Totally Baked.” His film “The LoveMaster” won an award at the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival. He is actively involved in film production, with projects like “Working with Warhol” and “The Boogeyman Chronicles.” Shoemaker is also the author of the best-selling book, “LoveMaster’d – A Digital Journey to Love & Happiness,” which has received acclaim from figures such as Whoopi Goldberg and Dr. Drew Pinsky. In 2003, he founded LaughterHeals.org, a non-profit organization dedicated to using laughter for healing, reflecting his commitment to leveraging humor for positive impact.