Robert Smigel

Robert Smigel (born February 7, 1960) is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, producer, and puppeteer best known for his influential work on Saturday Night Live and the creation of the foul‑mouthed puppet Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. Raised in New York City by Lucia and Irwin Smigel, a dentist and philanthropist, he grew up in a Jewish household and spent summers at Jewish camps, experiences he later referenced in his comedy. He attended Cornell University studying pre‑dental before switching to political science at New York University, graduating in 1983. While in Chicago, Smigel honed his improvisational skills at The Players Workshop under Josephine Forsberg, alongside future collaborators like Bob Odenkirk, and performed with the troupe All You Can Eat. His early break came when Lorne Michaels hired him for the 1985‑86 SNL writing staff, where he survived a major purge and began crafting memorable sketches, including the iconic William Shatner “get a life” bit and recurring roles in the Bill Swerski’s Superfans segments.

During the 1990s Smigel expanded his repertoire, co‑creating The Ambiguously Gay Duo for the short‑lived Dana Carvey Show and launching the animated TV Funhouse series on SNL, which later became a Comedy Central program. In 1997 he introduced Triumph the Insult Comic Dog on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, a character that achieved cult status through celebrity roasts and political satire, later starring in The Jack and Triumph Show and a Hulu election special. Smigel also co‑wrote the first two Hotel Transylvania films, contributed to Adam Sandler comedies such as You Don't Mess with the Zohan (where he also acted as Yosi), and earned an Emmy for the 2012 Night of Too Many Stars fundraiser. Married to lighting technician Michelle Saks, the couple has three children, one of whom has autism, prompting Smigel’s advocacy work with NEXT for AUTISM and the creation of the celebrity benefit Night of Too Many Stars. His career, spanning over three decades, showcases a unique blend of sharp satire, puppetry, and animated storytelling that continues to influence American comedy.