Jeff Garlin

Jeffrey Todd Garlin was born on June 5, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. He spent his early childhood in Morton Grove before relocating to South Florida. Garlin attended the University of Miami, where he began performing stand-up comedy, marking the initial steps in his entertainment career. After returning to Chicago in 1984, he joined The Second City comedy troupe, an experience that shaped his comedic style. He later developed three critically acclaimed solo shows, “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With,” “Uncomplicated,” and “Concentrated,” showcasing his unique blend of storytelling and improvisation.

Garlin has built a diverse career across various aspects of the entertainment industry. He is widely known for his co-starring and executive producing role as Jeff Greene in the HBO series “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” which premiered in 2000. For his work on the show, he has received numerous nominations and awards, including the Golden Globe for Best Comedy, the Danny Thomas Producer of the Year Award, and multiple Primetime Emmy nominations. From 2013 to 2022, Garlin also played Murray Goldberg, the patriarch in the ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs,” appearing in over 200 episodes. His filmography includes appearances in major productions like “Daddy Day Care” (2003) and voice roles in Disney/Pixar’s “WALL-E” (2008) and the “Toy Story” franchise as Buttercup.

Beyond acting, Garlin has made significant contributions as a director and writer. He directed HBO specials for Jon Stewart (“Unleavened”) and Denis Leary (“Lock-n-Load”) and helmed his own films, including “I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With” (2006) and “Dealin’ with Idiots” (2013). The latter was an entirely improvised film inspired by his experiences with youth sports. In 2010, Garlin published his memoir, “My Footprint: Carrying the Weight of the World.” He also hosted the podcast “By the Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin,” which featured unscripted conversations with guests like Larry David.