Sam Richardson (actor)

Sam Richardson
Born Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Nationality American
Occupation Actor, Writer
Years active 2007 - present

Sam Richardson is an American film and television actor and writer, known for playing Richard Splett in the TV Series Veep.

Early life

Richardson was born in Detroit and raised in both Detroit and in Ghana, West Africa, as his father is American and his mother is Ghanaian.[1][2] Once or twice a year, the family would travel to Ghana, where Richardson’s grandfather, W.A. Wiafe, was a chief and local political leader.[3] Richardson graduated from the University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy in 2002[4] and studied theater at Wayne State University.[5] Early in his career, Richardson performed at the Second City sketch theatre group in Detroit and then in Chicago.[6] At Second City, Richardson was known for his range of characters, from sight gags to impressions of public figures.[7]

Television and film career

Following a move to Los Angeles, he received parts on television including appearing on six episodes,[8] including the series finale of The Office and a Season 4 episode of Arrested Development.[6] He has also appeared on episodes of Drunk History, New Girl, The Teachers, and six episodes of Harder Than It Looks.[8] Richardson currently plays the role of Richard Splett on the HBO comedy VEEP, first appearing in four episodes during Season 3 as the handler for Selina Meyer during her Iowa book tour.[9] During Season 4, Richardson was made a regular cast member of the show,[6][10][11] after his character received a job offer in President Meyer’s administration as an assistant to the character “Jonah”.[12] He has also appeared in films including We're the Millers,[8] Horrible Bosses 2, Spy,[9] Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and Ghostbusters.[13]

Detroiters

In 2015, Comedy Central ordered a pilot for the show Detroiters, created by Richardson and Tim Robinson. The show stars Richardson and Robinson, who also co-wrote and co-executive produce the series with others.[14] Comedy Central then ordered ten episodes of the series, which began shooting in the Detroit area in 2016. According to the Detroit Free Press, “In the series, Richardson and Robinson play struggling advertising men in Detroit who make local TV commercials. The plot was inspired partly by the classic Detroit ads they grew up watching, including the Mel Farr Superstar and Gordy from ABC Warehouse campaigns.”[15]

Awards

In 2016 Richardson was nominated for the Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series (Individual or Ensemble) award at the Canadian Screen Awards for his work on The Second City Project. He was also nominated for the Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the 2015 Screen Actor Guild awards for his work on Veep.[16]

Filmography

Year Title Role Director Notes
2007 The Planning Lady Police Officer Marty Shea Short
2010 Superman vs. The Office Sam Jeff Hadick Short
2012 Harder Than It Looks Sam Seth Weitberg TV Series (6 Episodes)
2013 We're the Millers TSA Agent Rawson Marshall Thurber
The Rule of Threes Jeff Aaron Behl Short
Crash Site Ben Jason Sperling Short
Arrested Development TSA Agent Mitchell Hurwitz & Troy Miller TV Series (1 Episode)
The Office Colin Several TV Series (6 Episodes)
2014 Horrible Bosses 2 The Producer Sean Anders
All Stars Ramel Johnson Lance Kinsey
MOCKpocalypse Neil W. Garguilo & David F. Park TV Series (1 Episode)
2014–present Veep Richard T. Splett Several TV Series (23 Episodes)
Nominated - Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
2015 Spy John Paul Feig
The Night Is Young Sam Dave Hill & Matt Jones
Drunk History Jim Brown Derek Waters TV Series (1 Episode)
The Sixth Lead Security Guard Rick Glassman TV Series (2 Episodes)
The Second City Project Tim Hamilton TV Series (10 Episodes)
Also Writer
Nominated - Best Performance in a Variety or Sketch Comedy Program or Series
2016 Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising Eric Baiers Nicholas Stoller
Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates Eric Jake Szymanski
Ghostbusters Basement Cop Paul Feig
Office Christmas Party Joel Josh Gordon & Will Speck
Detroiters Sam Duvet John Solomon TV Movie
Also Writer
New Girl Dunston Christine Gernon TV Series (1 Episode)
Teachers Mr. Jackson Payman Benz TV Series (1 Episode)
2017 The House Andrew J. Cohen

References

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