Neil Hamburger

Neil Hamburger is a standup comedian and singer character, created and portrayed by Gregg Turkington, known for his unique anti-comedy style and diverse artistic ventures. After first capturing attention for his distinctive anti-comedy style, Neil Hamburger emerged in 1992 on the album ‘Great Phone Calls Featuring Neil Hamburger.’ His prolific recording career began with his debut album ‘America’s Funnyman’ (1996) on Drag City Records, followed by ‘Raw Hamburger’ (1998), ‘Left for Dead in Malaysia’ (1999), and ’50 States, 50 Laughs’ (2000). Known for his misanthropic jokes, stilted delivery, and rasping vocal style, Hamburger quickly established himself as a unique figure, engaging audiences through confrontational question/answer routines. Hamburger expanded beyond audio recordings in the late 1990s, beginning live performances that included supporting the punk rock band Frenzal Rhomb in Australia.

His on-stage persona often embraced negative audience reactions. He contributed to music videos for Frenzal Rhomb’s ‘Ballchef’ and ‘Punisher’ in 2003. Gaining wider exposure, Hamburger made a cameo in the 2006 film ‘Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny’ and opened for Tenacious D on their ‘Pick of Destiny’ tour (2006-2007), including a performance at Madison Square Garden. He also became a frequent guest on internet talk shows like ‘Tom Green’s House Tonight’ (2006–2013) and later hosted ‘Poolside Chats with Neil Hamburger.’ In 2008, he released ‘Neil Hamburger Sings Country Winners,’ followed by the iPhone App ‘Shaky Advice from Neil Hamburger’ by Special Entertainment in 2010.

Through a career spanning over three decades, Neil Hamburger remains a distinctive and impactful figure, consistently pushing the boundaries of traditional performance with his unparalleled anti-comedy approach and varied artistic portfolio.