Greg Proops

Greg Proops was born on October 3, 1959, in Phoenix, Arizona, and raised in San Carlos, California. He pursued improvisation and acting at San Francisco State University after attending the College of San Mateo, where he formed the comedy duo “Proops & Brakeman.” Proops gained early recognition for his work in improvisational comedy, notably joining an improv group with Mike McShane. Their talents led to their inclusion in the British version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, where Proops lived in London for four years while performing on the show. His quick wit and humor, often highlighting differences between British and American English, became a defining characteristic of his performances. Following the conclusion of the British series, he transitioned to the American version of “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”, appearing in 74 episodes, making him a frequent and memorable guest.

Throughout his career, Proops has diversified his work across various entertainment mediums. He has appeared in films such as “The Nightmare Before Christmas” (1993), “Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace” (1999), and “Brother Bear” (2003), providing voice work for multiple characters. In television, he hosted “Space Cadets” in the UK, served as a panelist on “Mock the Week,” and hosted game shows like “VS.” and “Head Games.” His voice acting expanded to include the titular role of Bob in the US version of “Bob the Builder: Project: Build It” (2005-2007) and roles in animated series like “Stripperella” (2003-2004) and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” (2010). Proops has also made numerous guest appearances on various talk shows and comedy programs, showcasing his versatility.

Beyond acting and television, Proops has a significant presence in radio and podcasting. Since 2010, he has hosted the popular podcast “The Smartest Man In The World,” which features his commentary on current events and personal life, often performed live. His comedic albums include “Live” (1994), “Joke Book” (2006), and “The Resistance” (2018). Proops has also ventured into writing with his nonfiction book “The Smartest Book in the World” (2015), which draws inspiration from his podcast. His involvement with Turner Classic Movies since 2013, appearing on podcasts and as a presenter, further highlights his broad appeal and contributions to the entertainment industry.