Chris Elliott

Christopher Nash Elliott, born May 31, 1960 in New York City, is an American actor, comedian and writer celebrated for his surreal, off‑beat humor. He began his television career as a production assistant on Late Night with David Letterman in 1982, quickly rising to writer and on‑camera regular, where his eccentric characters such as the Conspiracy Guy and the Guy Under the Seats became cult favorites. Between 1983 and 1988 his writing staff earned four consecutive Primetime Emmy Awards, cementing his reputation as a sharp comedy craftsman. After leaving Letterman in 1990, Elliott created and starred in the absurdist sitcom Get a Life (1990‑1992), a show that featured his real father, legendary comedian Bob Elliott, and earned a spot in TV Guide’s list of funniest TV moments. He later co‑wrote and headlined the cult film Cabin Boy (1994), a project that, despite its initial critical panning and a Razzie, has since achieved a dedicated fan base. Elliott’s versatility is evident in supporting roles across a spectrum of films, from the iconic Groundhog Day (1993) and There’s Something About Mary (1998) to family‑oriented pictures like Snow Day (2000). On television he delivered memorable recurring performances as Peter MacDougall on Everybody Loves Raymond (2003‑2005) and as the estranged father on How I Met Your Mother (2009‑2014). From 2011 to 2014 he headlined the darkly comic Adult Swim series Eagleheart, and from 2015 to 2020 he portrayed the lovable but blundering mayor Roland Schitt on the Emmy‑winning Schitt’s Creek, earning a Screen Actors Guild Award as part of the ensemble. Beyond acting, Elliott has authored four humor books that spoof history and autobiography, further showcasing his distinctive comedic voice. He has been married to Paula Niedert since 1986, and the couple raise two daughters, Abby and Bridey, while residing in Old Lyme, Connecticut and maintaining a home in Harpswell, Maine.