Matt Walsh: Comedy Legend from Chicago Who Shaped Modern Improv and Became Veep Star

# Matt Walsh: From Chicago Improv to Comedy Legend - A Deep Dive Episode

In this engaging podcast episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Matt Walsh, a cornerstone of American comedy. Born in Chicago in 1964, Walsh's path from backup tight end at Hinsdale South High School to Emmy-nominated actor offers fascinating insights into the evolution of modern comedy.

Discover how Walsh's psychology degree and early improv training at The Second City laid the foundation for his illustrious career. We trace his pivotal role in co-founding the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) alongside Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, and Ian Roberts—a comedy collective that revolutionized improv comedy and launched countless careers.

This episode details Walsh's impressive filmography, from scene-stealing roles in comedies like "Old School" and "The Hangover" to his Emmy-nominated performance as Mike McLintock on HBO's "Veep." We also examine his versatility as a writer, director, and producer across multiple platforms.

Whether you're a comedy enthusiast, aspiring performer, or simply curious about the forces shaping contemporary humor, this comprehensive look at Matt Walsh's career offers valuable perspectives on creativity, collaboration, and comic timing. Don't miss this insightful exploration of one of comedy's most influential yet understated figures.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Matt Walsh was born Matthew Paul Walsh on October thirteenth,
nineteen sixty four, in Chicago, Illinois. He grew up in
a large family, the fourth of seven children of Dick
and Audrey Walsh. The neighborhoods of Chicago provided the backdrop
for his formative years, and he attended Hinsdale South High School,
where he participated on the football team as a backup

(00:32):
tight end. After high school, Walsh enrolled in Northern Illinois
University and completed a degree in psychology. His interest in
understanding the human mind may have foreshadowed the nuanced comedic
characters he would later bring to life. During his university years,
Walsh also studied abroad at Salzburg College in Austria, an

(00:52):
experience that likely expanded his cultural perspectives. Shortly before finishing college,
Walsh took his first improv classes at the Player's Workshop
of The Second City, quickly becoming immersed in the thriving
Chicago comedy scene. According to The Second City, Walsh co
founded a sketch group called Department of Works before advancing
through trainings and performances at other key comedy institutions like

(01:16):
the Annoyance Theater and Improv Olympic, where he studied with
legendary improv coach Dell Close. It was in nineteen ninety
one that Walsh met fellow comedian Matt Besser. Together, they
started performing stand up in sketch comedy, quickly earning a
reputation for their distinct comedic style. The chemistry between Walsh

(01:37):
and Besser was undeniable, and soon expanded to include Amy
Poehler and Ian Roberts. Together, the four became the founding
members of The Upright Citizens Brigade also known as UCB,
a sketch and improv group that would radically influence American comedy.
The Upright Citizens Brigade started as a performing troupe in Chicago,

(01:59):
but eventually made seven seventy two the leap to New York,
opening their own theater and transforming a former burlesque house
into a stage for boundary pushing comedy. The original UCB
comedy series on Comedy Central premiered in the late nineteen nineties,
and the group's unique blend of absurdist humor and clever

(02:19):
ensemble work earned a dedicated following. The impact of UCB
extended far beyond their television program, Walshin does UCB colleagues
established improv theaters in New York and Los Angeles, training
generations of comics and actors, many of whom have gone
on to become stars in their own right. UCB remains

(02:39):
a key pipeline for comedic talent in film and television.
In addition to his sketch comedy achievements, Walsh quickly built
a career as a prolific film intellivision actor. He became
known for his small but memorable roles and hit comedies
like Road Trip, Bad Santa School for Scoundrels, Old School
Starsky and Hutch, The Hangover, Roll Mode, Models, Semi pro

(03:01):
Ted Elf, and Keeping Up with the Joneses. These appearances
helped solidify Walsh's image as a reliable and hilarious supporting player.
He has notably appeared in several Todd Phillips films, often
cast in quirky supporting roles. Walsh also created and starred
in Martin and Orloff, a cult endy comedy that showcased
his offbeat sense of humor. Walsh's television career blossomed as well.

(03:25):
In two thousand and one, he became a correspondent on
The Daily Show with John Stewart, using his energy and
wit to satirize current events. He appeared in various comedy
sketches on Late Night with Conan O'Brien and MTV's Human Giant,
and starred in comedy programs like Dog Bites Man and Players.
Players was an improvised TV series that Walsh created, wrote, directed,

(03:48):
and executive produced for Spike TV. Although short lived, it
did seem med demonstrated his creative versatility and willingness to
experiment with the boundaries of television comedy. Walsh's background in
live performance, improvisational techniques, and ensemble comedy made him a
highly sought after character actor in television. However, his most

(04:11):
prominent role began in twenty twelve, when he was cast
as Mike McLintock on HBO's Veep. Walsh's portrayal of the bumbling,
luckless press secretary to Vice President Selina Meyer, played by
Julia Louis Dreyfuss, earned him critical acclaim and two consecutive
nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor

(04:32):
in a Comedy Series in twenty sixteen and twenty seventeen,
Deep became one of HBO's signature comedies, and Walsh's character
resonated with both audiences and critics for his comedic timing
and depth, proving he could match wits with comedic icons
and bring his own unique take to every scene. Continuing
through the twenty tens and into the twenty twenties, Walsh

(04:54):
expanded his filmography to include feature films, independent projects, and
voice work. Contributed voices to animated series like Fox's Bob's
Burgers and adult swims Rick and Morty, further demonstrating his
adaptability as a performer in various genres of entertainments. He
also appeared on numerous television shows, either as a guest
star or recurring supporting character, ranging from Arrested Development to

(05:17):
How I Met Your Mother, Reno nine, one one, and more.
Walsh's presence on screen has been steady and wide ranging,
allowing him to maintain relevance and continue collaborating with both
established and emerging creatives in the industry. Walsh is also
a director, writer, and producer whose behind the scenes contributions
have further enriched his career. According to IMDb, he has directed, written,

(05:39):
and xi's rating and signing protocols reappearance of the industry's
bad day. End production consutive produced a variety of television episodes, shorts,
and comedy specials, including The Offend, Did Four Players, and
other projects. His film editing and production work on Dead
Time Stories Volume one and is writing for martmin Orloff
showcases multifascined talents away from the screen. He rarely limits

(06:01):
himself to a single role in the creative process, always
seeking new avenues for storytelling and humor in his personal life,
Walsh married actress and writer Morgan Walsh on March twenty first,
two thousand and nine, and the couple has three children.
Outside of his entertainment career, Walsh continues to actively support
improving comedy training, maintaining deep ties to the UCB theaters,
and often mentoring younger comics. His philosophy has always emphasized

(06:24):
the importance of community collaboration and creative risk taking. In
interviews with The Second City, Walsh has remarked that Chicago
is a great comedy training ground because it allowed him
to balance work, performances, and personal life, creating a space
where artists could develop their craft without the high pressure
often found on the coasts. Walsh's decades long career is

(06:44):
marked by versatility, resilience, and a dedication to the art
of comedy. Whether on stage, screen, or behind the scenes,
he has consistently contributed to the evolution of American humor,
shaping the next generation through both direct mentorship and the
enduring influence of his work with the US The Upright
Citizens Brigade. Today, Matt Walsh remains a vital figure in comedy,

(07:04):
continuing to act, write, direct, and inspire. He stays busy
with film roles, television appearances, and improve initiatives supporting creative
growth in the entertainment industry. His lasting legacy can be
seen in the Countless Quiet, Please dot Ai hear what
matters