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Akiva Schaffer

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Akiva Schaffer
Schaffer in 2017
Born
Akiva Daniel Shebar Schaffer

(1977-12-01) December 1, 1977 (age 46)[1]
Berkeley, California, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of California, Santa Cruz (BFA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • writer
  • director
  • producer
  • rapper
  • singer
  • songwriter
Years active2001–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2010)​
Children2
Comedy career
Medium
  • Television
  • music
  • internet
  • film
  • stand-up
Genres
Musical career
GenresComedy hip hop
DiscographyThe Lonely Island discography
Member ofThe Lonely Island
Websitethelonelyisland.com

Akiva Daniel Shebar Schaffer (/əˈkiːvə ˈʃeɪfər/;[2] born December 1, 1977) is an American writer, director, actor, comedian, and musician. He is a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island along with childhood friends Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone. Schaffer began his career with The Lonely Island making videos for Channel 101. In 2005, Saturday Night Live hired the trio, with Schaffer joining as a writer. In their time at SNL, The Lonely Island pioneered the digital short format, creating popular sketches such as "Lazy Sunday", "I Just Had Sex", "I'm on a Boat", and "Dick in a Box". After SNL, Schaffer went on to direct movies including Hot Rod, The Watch, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers. The Lonely Island has made albums such as Incredibad, Turtleneck & Chain, and The Wack Album. Schaffer also produced a number of TV shows and movies, including MacGruber, PEN15, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and Palm Springs.

Early life

[edit]

Schaffer was born in Berkeley, California to Jewish parents from New York.[3][4]

In 2000, he graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with a degree in film.[4]

Career

[edit]

We were putting ourselves through boot camp without any idea of what we were doing it for. We were training ourselves for the jobs we got.[4]

Schaffer at the premiere of Hot Rod in 2007

After college, he and his childhood friends, Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone, moved to Los Angeles and began making comedy movies.[4] Theater director Tony Taccone brought home the film Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, a choice the other men teased as being "too theatrical". The film, however, inspired Schaffer to write an overwrought play, in the style of Tennessee Williams, called The Lonely Island, in reference to their apartment. The name eventually extended to the comedy group itself.[4] On the Internet, Schaffer got his start directing The Lonely Island's The 'Bu, the group's record-breaking contribution to Channel 101, which was a parody of The OC and starred Sarah Chalke as Melissa, as well as Samberg and Taccone.[5] Schaffer has contributed to several other Channel 101 productions as part of the Lonely Island.

In the fall of 2005, Schaffer was hired for Saturday Night Live where he directed, co-wrote, and edited the majority of the SNL Digital Shorts.[4] Some notable shorts/songs include "Lazy Sunday", "I Just Had Sex", "Natalie's Rap", "Dick in a Box", "Peyton Manning for the United Way", "Iran So Far", "Jizz in My Pants", "Boombox", "I'm on a Boat", "Great Day", "Threw It on the Ground", "Jack Sparrow", "Like A Boss", "YOLO", "Semicolon", "Dear Sister", "Spring Break Anthem", "Shy Ronnie", "Ras Trent" and "Motherlover", the sequel to "Dick in a Box".

In 2007, Schaffer directed and acted in the film Hot Rod, which starred Samberg, Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, and Sissy Spacek, which was produced by SNL's Lorne Michaels.[6][better source needed]

Schaffer directed the film The Watch starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade, and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.[7]

The Lonely Island has released three albums (Incredibad, Turtleneck & Chain, The Wack Album) along with two full soundtracks (Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping and The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience).[8] In 2014, the group co-wrote "Everything is Awesome", the theme song to the film, The Lego Movie.[9][better source needed] It was nominated for Best Original Song which they performed at the 2015 Oscars.[10] That same year, Everything Is Awesome was certified platinum by the RIAA, joining their previous platinum singles, "I'm on a Boat" (2×), "I Just Had Sex", "Jizz in My Pants", and the gold-certified single "Like a Boss".

Schaffer was credited as an executive producer on the film MacGruber.[7] The film was co-written and directed by Jorma Taccone.

In 2016 Schaffer co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the Judd Apatow produced feature film, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.[7] The film focuses on pop/rap superstar Conner4Real (Samberg), who goes into a major tailspin and watches his celebrity high life collapse after his new album fails to sell records.

He also co-directed/created Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special for Netflix with Scott Aukerman.[7]

Schaffer directed four music videos for the band We Are Scientists and one for the Eagles of Death Metal.[7]

In 2018, Schaffer guest-starred on NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, portraying Brett Booth in the episode Show me Going.[7]

The Lonely Island co-produced both seasons of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, most episodes of which Schaffer has co-directed with Alice Mathias.[7] Also in 2019, they released Netflix's The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience, a visual poem about former Oakland A's legends Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire.[7] That summer, The Lonely Island embarked on their first ever live tour, instantly selling out venues across the United States and drawing some of the biggest crowds of the weekend at the Bonnaroo Festival and Milwaukee's Summerfest.

Schaffer produced the film Palm Springs,[7] which debuted on Hulu in July 2020 and delivered the largest opening weekend viewership ever for a film on the platform.[7] Prior to launching on Hulu, NEON/Hulu acquired the film for a record-setting $17,500,000.69 at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, making it the biggest deal in the festival's history.[11] Most recently, the film and cast were nominated for five Super Critics Choice Awards, a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Picture, Musical or Comedy, as well as a Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy nomination for Samberg. The film also won a Critics' Choice Movie Awards in the category of Best Comedy and garnered a Writers Guild of America Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay.[12][better source needed]

Schaffer also executive produces Hulu's Emmy nominated show, PEN15, starring Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle.[7]

Schaffer directed the Disney film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.[7] The film stars Andy Samberg and John Mulaney and is a combination of live action and computer animation. It was released in Spring 2022.[13]

Schaffer hosts The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast with Samberg, Taccone and Seth Meyers, which discusses The Lonely Island's SNL Digital Shorts.[14]

Personal life

[edit]

Schaffer is married to comedy writer and actress Liz Cackowski; they have two children.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Director Producer Writer
2007 Hot Rod Yes No Uncredited
2008 Extreme Movie No No Yes
2012 The Watch Yes No No
2016 Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Yes Yes Yes
2017 Brigsby Bear No Yes No
2020 I Used to Go Here No Yes No
Palm Springs No Yes No
2022 Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers Yes No No
2025 The Naked Gun Yes No Yes

Executive producer

Acting credits

Year Title Role
2007 Hot Rod Derek
2012 The Watch Casual Wanker #3
2013 Grown Ups 2 Male Cheerleader
2014 Neighbors Toga #2
2016 Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Lawrence
2018 7 Splinters in Time McFly
2022 Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers Rescue Rangers director;
Voices of E.T, Colonel, Harold, Mr. Natural, Officer Chameleon, Officer Puppet Sock,
Black and White Cartoon Shoeshiner, Hungry Mouse, Pig in a Sauna
Weird: The Al Yankovic Story Alice Cooper

Television

[edit]
Year Title Director Executive
Producer 		Writer Notes
2003–2005 The 'Bu No Yes Yes Also creator
2005–2011 Saturday Night Live Yes No Yes 68 episodes (director);
116 episodes (writer)
2014-2018 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Yes No No Episodes "Charges and Specs" and "The Puzzle Master"
2016 Party Over Here No Yes No
2017 The Gorburger Show No Yes No
2017–2019 I'm Sorry No Yes No
2018 Alone Together No Yes No Also creator
2019–2023 I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson Yes Yes No 9 episodes
2019 The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience Yes Yes No Also editor
2019–2021 PEN15 No Yes No

TV specials

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2004 2004 MTV Movie Awards No No Yes
Channel 101 Yes Yes Yes Segment "Football Town";
Also editor
2005 2005 MTV Movie Awards No No Yes
2009 2009 MTV Movie Awards No Co-producer Yes
2015 Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special No No Yes
2017 Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Yes Executive No Co-directed with Scott Aukerman
2019 76th Golden Globe Awards No No Yes Special material

TV movies

Year Title Director Producer Writer Notes
2003 Regarding Ardy Yes Yes Yes Also editor
2004 G-Phoria 2004 No No Yes Documentary
2017 Home for the Weekend No Executive No

Acting credits

Year Title Role Notes
2008–2024 Saturday Night Live Various characters 9 episodes
2016 Party Over Here The Lonely Island (Uncredited) Episode "Suffragettes"
2017 Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Alan TV special
2018 Brooklyn Nine-Nine Brett Booth Episode "Show Me Going"
2019 The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience Mark McGwire

Awards

[edit]

In 2007, Schaffer won an Emmy for his participation in the production of "Dick in a Box". He was nominated for an Emmy for the song "Motherlover." He was featured in People's Sexiest Bachelor with Andy Samberg, as Sexiest Best Friends. He has also won two Writers Guild of America Awards and a Peabody Award for his work on Saturday Night Live. The Lonely Island was nominated in 2009 for a People's Choice Award and a Grammy Award.

Year Award Category Work Result
2007 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "Dick In A Box" 		Saturday Night Live Won
Writers Guild of America Award Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series Won
2008 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Nominated
2009 Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series Nominated
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "Motherlover" 		Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series Won
2010 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "Shy Ronnie" 		Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series Nominated
Grammy Award Best Rap/Sung Collaboration "I'm on a Boat" Nominated
Writers Guild of America Award Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series Saturday Night Live Won
2011 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "Jack Sparrow" 		Nominated
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "3-Way (The Golden Rule)" 		Nominated
Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics
for the song "I Just Had Sex" 		Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Series Nominated
2012 Grammy Award Best Comedy Album Turtleneck & Chain Nominated
Improvisation News New York Awards
(INNY Award) 		Best Comedy Video Saturday Night Live Won
Writers Guild of America Award Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) - Series Nominated
2014 Hollywood Music In Media Awards
(HMMA) 		Best Song - Animated Film
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		The Lego Movie Won
Online Film & Television Association
(OFTA Television Award) 		Best Direction in a Comedy Series Brooklyn Nine-Nine Nominated
Phoenix Film Critics Society Awards
(PFCS Award) 		Best Original Song
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		The Lego Movie Won
2015 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special Nominated
Grammy Award Best Song Written for Visual Media
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		The Lego Movie Nominated
International Online Cinema Awards
(INOCA) 		Best Original Song
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		Nominated
Iowa Film Critics Awards Best Song
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		Nominated
Satellite Awards Best Original Song
for the song "Everything Is Awesome" 		Nominated
2016 Las Vegas Film Critics Society Awards
(Sierra Award) 		Best Song
for the song "Finest Girl (Bin Laden Song)" 		Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping Nominated
2018 Writers Guild of America Award Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) - Specials Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special Nominated
2019 Gotham Independent Film Award Breakthrough Series - Shortform PEN15 Won
2021 Primetime Emmy Award Outstanding Comedy Series Nominated

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Akiva D Schaffer, Born 12/01/1977 in California". California Birth Index. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
  2. ^ Schaffer, Akiva; Taccone, Jorma (2016). Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (Motion picture).
  3. ^ "The Lonely Island". Cleveland Jewish News. June 21, 2013. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Townsend, Peggy (August 26, 2015). "Alumni Profile / 2000: Akiva Schaffer: It's all funny business for Saturday Night Live alum". UC Santa Cruz News. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  5. ^ Channel 101 - The 'Bu, retrieved April 15, 2021
  6. ^ Schaffer, Akiva (August 3, 2007), Hot Rod (Comedy, Sport), Andy Samberg, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, Jorma Taccone, Paramount Pictures, Broadway Video, Michaels Goldwyn, retrieved April 15, 2021
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Akiva Schaffer". IMDb. Retrieved April 15, 2021.[better source needed]
  8. ^ "The Lonely Island". www.thelonelyisland.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  9. ^ Songfacts. "Everything Is Awesome by Tegan and Sara - Songfacts". www.songfacts.com. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  10. ^ Ugwu, Reggie (February 23, 2015). "All The Musical Performances From The 2015 Oscars". BuzzFeed. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  11. ^ "Making of 'Palm Springs': How a 22-Day Film Shoot and a Tight Budget Produced a Record-Setting Sundance Hit". The Hollywood Reporter. January 28, 2021. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
  12. ^ Palm Springs - IMDb, retrieved April 15, 2021
  13. ^ "John Mulaney 'n Andy Samberg to voice Chip 'n Dale in 'Rescue Rangers' movie for Disney+". EW.com. Retrieved April 16, 2021.
  14. ^ Millman, Ethan (April 5, 2024). "Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Will Break Down Every 'SNL' Short on New Podcast". Rolling Stone. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
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