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[26 Dec 2009|03:39am] |
Christopher Cameron Hartsel (born September 3, 1981) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and film producer. Hartsel began his career doing stand-up comedy while attending Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Experiencing minor success in New York City comedy clubs and various competitions, he was “discovered” by a network television producer who later cast him in a supporting role on the show Freaks and Geeks. After his short stint as an actor Hartsel went on to become an Emmy-Award-winning staff writer for Da Ali G Show. In 2005 he returned to acting, making his film debut in the critically acclaimed, 40-Year-Old-Virgin.
Since appearing in 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Hartsel has scored major comedic roles in the films Knocked Up, Superbad, Step Brothers, Pineapple Express, Zack and Miri Make a Porno, Fanboys, and Funny People. He has also established himself as a voice actor for various family-friendly movies in Shrek the Third, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Horton Hears a Who!, Kung Fu Panda, and Monsters vs. Aliens. In addition to his ongoing acting career he has co-wrote screenplays and co-produced a handful of projects.
Hartsel was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey to Joseph, a restaurateur, and Dana Hartsel, who was a home maker. The third of four boys, he has two older brothers, Patrick and Richard, and a younger brother, Sean, who has worked alongside Hartsel on several projects. He was raised in an Irish Catholic household, which he has described as, “the basis behind every conceivable negative stereotype of Irish Americans.” Hartsel ‘s parents encouraged and supported their son from an early age, they have been repeatedly referred as his biggest fans, but has also claimed that his family members were, “my first audience and my first hecklers, too.” He attended private Catholic Schools from elementary school through high school before going on to Rutgers University for three semesters. In early stand-up, he incorporated classmates and childhood friends into his material.
In 2000 Hartsel began performing stand up, participating in amateur events at comedy clubs in Northern New Jersey and the New York City area. By 2001 his trademark deadpan routines had received critical acclaim, however, he gained further exposure in the entertainment industry through his break out performances in various comedy competitions. After attending an amateur event featuring Hartsel, the producer of Freaks and Geeks approached him with an offer to appear on the television series. He was cast as the caustic “freak,” Ken Miller. Despite positive reviews, Freaks and Geeks was canceled after twelve episodes. The show’s producer was so impressed by Hartsel’s comedic timing as well as his improvisational skills that he featured was in a similar starring role in the equally short-lived sitcom, Undeclared.
Hartsel’s decision to re-direct his career in comedy followed the cancelation of the second series he starred in as an actor. Credited with writing one episode of Undeclared and co-writing four others, he had prior experience when he was hired as a writer during Ali G Show’s second and final season. His work off-screen proved to be more lucrative. In 2005 the show’s writing staff, including Hartsel, earned a Primetime Emmy Award nominationin the Writing For A Variety, Music Or Comedy Program category.
Hartsel resurrected his acting career in the 2005 blockbuster, 40-Year-Old-Virgin which grossed $109,449,237 domestically ($177,358,395 worldwide). Cast as major supporting character, producers became eager to capitalize on the film’s success and recognized his potential to be featured in starring roles. He was praised for his ability to flourish in situational comedies based on real-life, which resulted in his first lead role in the movie, Knocked Up. Another triumph for Hartsel, Knocked up opened at #2 at U.S. box offices and went on to spend eight weeks in the box office top ten, the longest streak amongst May-June openers in 2007.
In 2007 he co-wrote the teen comedy Superbad with his brother, Sean Hartsel, a comedy film and television writer. The film was based off
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