Join or Sign In

Continue with Facebook Continue with email

By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.

Fred Armisen Biography

Birth Name:Fred Robert Armisen

Birth Place:Hattiesburg, Mississippi, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Producer, Writer, Music department, Director

Fast Facts

His first foray into comedy was in the 1998 short film "Fred Armisen's Guide to Music and SXSW," filmed in Austin, Texas
The first recurring character he played on the late-night sketch show "Saturday Night Live" was a Venezuelan nightclub comedian named Fericito
Quote: "I want to continue doing TV shows, and I love comedy, and my hope is to do a TV show that's different genre altogether․ A name that doesn't exist yet․"
Quote: "[on creating recurring characters on "Saturday Night Live"] "We write a sketch, and if people keep bringing it up, we ask if we should try it again․ Sometimes it's twice, sometimes it's a bunch of times, but it's all because of the audience․""
Co-founded ThunderAnt․com, a comedy sketch website, with comedian Carrie Brownstein
Is a frequent collaborator with comedic performer Carrie Brownstein, having worked with her on the sketch comedy TV show "Portlandia․"
Is featured on the album "Let's Stay Friends" by Les Savy Fav in 2007
Appeared in the music video "Rabbit Habits" by Man Man in 2009
Originally wanted to be a drummer and performed in the punk band Trenchmouth in the early 1990s
Performed with the "Blue Men Group" as a drummer in the 1990's

Awards

2005MTV Movie Award-Best Musical Performance: nominated
2012BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series: nominated
2012Peabody Award-: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2013BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
2013Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2013WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: winner
2014American Comedy Award-Funniest Male Performer in a TV Series (Leading Role) Network, Cable or Syndication: nominated
2014BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy/Musical: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2014Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2014WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series: nominated
2015OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Fiction Program: nominated
2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2016Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2017Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2017WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: winner
2018OFTA Television Award-Best Male Performance in a Variety Program: nominated
2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2018WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2019WGA Award (TV)-Comedy/Variety Sketch Series: nominated
2023OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
2023Peabody Award-Entertainment: winner
2024Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Music Direction: nominated