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Brad Garrett facts for kids

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Brad Garrett (25730514003) (cropped).jpg
Garrett in 2016
Birth name Bradley Henry Gerstenfeld
Born (1960-04-14) April 14, 1960 (age 63)
Oxnard, California, U.S.
Medium
Alma mater University of California, Los Angeles
Years active 1980–present
Genres
  • Observational comedy
  • prop comedy
  • improvisational comedy
  • insult comedy
  • satire
Subject(s)
Spouse
Jill Diven
(m. 1999; div. 2007)
IsaBeall Quella
(m. 2021)
Children 2

Bradley Henry Gerstenfeld (born April 14, 1960), known professionally as Brad Garrett, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. Possessing a distinctive deep voice, he has appeared in numerous television and film roles in both live-action and animation mediums.

Garrett was initially successful as a stand-up comedian in the early 1980s. Taking advantage of that success in the late 1980s, Garrett began appearing in television and film, in minor and guest roles. His first major role was Robert Barone on the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. The series debuted September 13, 1996, and ran for nine seasons. In 2002, he gave an Emmy-nominated and critically lauded performance as Jackie Gleason in the television film Gleason.

Garrett also played the leading role of Eddie Stark on the Fox sitcom 'Til Death from 2006 to 2010. From 2006 to 2014, he played the Easter Island Head in the Night at the Museum trilogy. From 2018 to 2020, he starred in the ABC sitcom Single Parents. In 2021, Garrett also helped create Disney+'s Big Shot with David E. Kelley and Dean Lorey. He is also known for voicing the Big Dog on 2 Stupid Dogs.

Garrett has won three Primetime Emmy Awards, with three other nominations. He is still prominent within stand-up comedy and owns a comedy club at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, called Brad Garrett's Comedy Club, where he performs regularly.

Early life

Bradley Henry Garrett was born to Barbara and Alvin "Al" Gerstenfeld in Oxnard, California. He is Jewish. Garrett has two older brothers, Jeff and Paul. He attended George Ellery Hale Middle School and graduated from El Camino Real High School, both in the Woodland Hills section of Los Angeles, California. Garrett attended UCLA for less than two months before dropping out to pursue his comedy career.

Career

Before comedy Garrett was known for being on the rear cover of ELO's eighth studio album Discovery. In the early 1980s, he started doing standup at various comedy clubs in Los Angeles, including The Improv in Hollywood and The Ice House in Pasadena. In 1984, he became the first $100,000 grand champion winner in the comedy category of the TV show Star Search. This led to his first appearance, at age 23, on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, making him one of the youngest comedians ever to perform on the show. His appearance with Carson brought Garrett more national attention, and soon he was appearing as an opening act for such headliners as Diana Ross and Liza Minnelli. He also opened in Las Vegas for Frank Sinatra, David Copperfield, Smokey Robinson, Sammy Davis, Jr., the Beach Boys, The Righteous Brothers and Julio Iglesias.

After achieving a strong measure of success with stand-up comedy, Garrett began performing on TV. From 1985 to 1986, he was the voice of Hulk Hogan (in a voice similar to Rodney Dangerfield) for the cartoon series Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n Wrestling. He was featured on Family Feud during Ray Combs's tenure in a "Funny Men vs. Funny Women Week" during November sweeps. He also appeared for a week on the game show Super Password in 1987. He also appeared on Hollywood Squares including a moment when he impersonated Bill Cosby during a question about Jell-o. He then appeared in the short-lived summer comedy First Impressions (CBS, 1988), in which he was a divorced father who makes a living doing impressions, in a one-time spot as a bank loan officer on Roseanne (ABC), and The Pursuit of Happiness (NBC, 1995–96), in which he was the hero's gay best friend. ..... He soon won the role of Ray Romano's brother Robert Barone on the family-oriented comedy Everybody Loves Raymond, and in 1998, he and Romano appeared together in their respective roles on a Season 1 episode of The King of Queens, titled "Road Rayge", in which Robert is jealous of his brother spending so much time with Doug Heffernan (the main character played by Kevin James). Garrett has also made an appearance on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air playing a hitman who attempts to kill Will Smith's character.

Brad Garrett
Garrett in 2007

Garrett also works as a voice actor, such as on Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series, 2 Stupid Dogs, The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper, Project Geeker, Biker Mice from Mars, Toonsylvania, A Bug's Life, Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Asterix and the Vikings, Superman: The Animated Series, and Justice League as Lobo.

His role on Everybody Loves Raymond won him five Emmy Award nominations, and the 2002, 2003 and 2005 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

In 1990, Garrett appeared as a semi-regular panelist on the revival of Match Game. On the May 2, 1996 episode of the sitcom Seinfeld, called "The Bottle Deposit", Garrett played a rogue auto mechanic who steals Jerry Seinfeld's car.

In 2003, he was also nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for Gleason. With his Raymond castmates, he won the 2003 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. He won the fifth season championship of Celebrity Poker Showdown, and played in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 World Series of Poker. Garrett was hoping to do a spin-off with his character Robert Barone from Everybody Loves Raymond when the show ended its nine-year run in 2005, but he withdrew in October 2005 due to inaction from CBS that led to a number of the writers from Raymond leaving and taking other jobs.

In 2005, Garrett appeared on Broadway playing Murray the Cop in the revival of Neil Simon's The Odd Couple with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick. He understudied Lane in the role of Oscar Madison, and substituted for him in January 2006, during Lane's illness. That same year, he starred in The Pacifier opposite Vin Diesel. In 2006, Fox network announced they would pick up a new sitcom called 'Til Death starring Garrett in the lead role. The plot revolves around a long married couple whose new next door neighbors are a pair of feisty newlyweds. Joely Fisher plays Garrett's wife in the series. He also appeared onstage on American Idol season six (2007) during judging on week 11, to which Ryan Seacrest said, "And the next person off American Idol is—Brad, you're out."

In the fall of 2008, Garrett starred in, and was the executive producer for, an online reality show called Dating Brad Garrett. In 2008, Garrett hosted a celebrity roast of Cheech & Chong, which was aired on TBS.

In 2009, Garrett entered the main event at the World Series of Poker, losing on the second day of the event. Garrett has starred in commercials for 7-Up, where he portrays a more happy, cheerful version of himself because of the soda.

In June 2010, he opened Brad Garrett's Comedy Club in the Tropicana Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. In December 2010, he was one of the narrators during performances of the Candlelight Processional at Epcot.

In June 2011, I Kid with Brad Garrett, a candid kids show, premiered on TLC. On December 12, 2011, Garrett closed his club at the Tropicana. He started a new club with the same name across the street at the MGM Grand, and is active as of April 2016.

In the summer of 2013, Garrett played Chug in the film Planes, marking the fourth time he starred in a film with John Ratzenberger. In the fall of 2013, Garrett played a recurring character in The Crazy Ones. In May 2016, he was confirmed to appear as the voice of Krang, in the sci-fi action comedy film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.

In November 2016, Garrett portrayed Frankenstein's monster in a Christmas commercial for Apple's iPhone 7. As of 2017, the ad has received over seven million views. In 2018, Garrett voiced the character Eeyore in the live-action film Christopher Robin, based on Disney's Winnie the Pooh franchise, and in a cameo in the animated film Ralph Breaks the Internet. He previously voiced the character in the 1995 video game Disney's Animated Storybook: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree.

As of 2021, he portrays a character named Tony Bolognavich in Jimmy Johns's commercials.

Personal life

BradGarrettHWOFMay2012
Garrett in 2012

In 1998, Garrett proposed to his then-girlfriend, Jill Diven, on the set of Everybody Loves Raymond, and they were married on May 18, 1999; together they have two children, a son and a daughter. Garrett and Diven separated in 2005, and Diven filed for divorce in July 2006. The divorce was finalized in November 2007.

In 2008, he began dating actress IsaBeall Quella, whom he met at a Vose art gallery in Boston. They were engaged in December 2015. The couple married on November 11, 2021.

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Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Transformers: Five Faces of Darkness Trypticon Voice, direct-to-video
1990 Jetsons: The Movie Bertie Furbelow Voice
1995 Casper Fatso
1996 Spy Hard Short Rancor Guard
Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off Grin Voice, direct-to-video
A Delicatessen Story Sheldon Lutz Short film
1997 George B. Security Guard
... Kings Jeckyll
Sea World and Busch Gardens Adventures: Alien Vacation! Robert
1998 Postal Worker Oren Starks
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World Uttamatomakkin Voice, direct-to-video
A Bug's Life Dim Voice
1999 Façade Henry
Sweet and Lowdown Joe Bedloe
2000 An Extremely Goofy Movie Tank Voice, direct-to-video
2001 Bleacher Bums Marvin
2002 The Country Bears Fred Bedderhead Voice
Stuart Little 2 Rob the Plumber
2003 The Trailer Victim Short film
Finding Nemo Bloat Voice
2004 Garfield: The Movie Luca
2005 The Amateurs Wally
Porco Rosso Mamma Aiuto Boss Voice, English dub
The Pacifier Vice Principal Dwayne Murney
Tom and Jerry: Blast Off to Mars Commander Bristle, Martian Guard #3 Voice, direct-to-video
Mickey's Around the World in 80 Days Additional Voices Direct-to-video
Tarzan II Uto Voice, direct-to-video
2006 Asterix and the Vikings Obelix Voice, English dub
Night at the Museum Easter Island Head Voice
2007 Music and Lyrics Chris Riley
Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage Bloat Voice, short film
Ratatouille Gusteau Voice
Underdog Riff-Raff
Christmas Is Here Again Charlee Voice, direct-to-video
2008 3 Pigs and a Baby Mason Pig Voice
2009 Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Easter Island Head
2010 Tangled Hook Hand Thug
2011 Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil The Giant
2012 Not Fade Away Jerry Ragovoy
Delhi Safari Bagga Voice, English dub
2013 Planes Chug Voice
2013 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Dominic 'Dom', Burt's Lawyer
2014 The Clockwork Girl T-Bolt Voice
Planes: Fire & Rescue Chug Voice
Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb Easter Island Head
2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Krang Voice
Finding Dory Bloat Voice
2018 Christopher Robin Eeyore Voice
Ralph Breaks the Internet Voice, cameo
Gloria Bell Dustin
2019 Jake and Kyle Get Wedding Dates Stu Westen Voice, direct-to-video
2022 Cha Cha Real Smooth Stepdad Greg
Wildflower Earl
2025 Elio Ambassador Grigon Voice

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1983–84 Star Search As himself Grand Champion in Comedy category
1985–1986 Hulk Hogan's Rock 'n' Wrestling Hulk Hogan Voice, 23 episodes
1986 The Transformers Trypticon Voice, 5 episodes
1987 The Real Ghostbusters Arzuun, Tolay Voice, episode: "Egon's Ghost"
1988 First Impressions Frank Dutton 8 episodes
1990 The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda Rosinante Voice, main role
1991 Where's Wally? Wizard Whitebeard
Roseanne Doug Episode: "The Pied Piper of Lanford"
1992 Goof Troop Big Boy Bandit Voice, episode: "To Catch a Goof"
1992–1996 Eek! The Cat Thuggo, Additional voices 21 episodes
1993 The Legend of Prince Valiant King Aaron Goth Voice, episode: "The Eyes of the Serpent"
Mighty Max Spike Voice, episode: "Norman's Conquest"
Biker Mice from Mars Greasepit Voice
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa Longhorn Silver Voice, episode: "Cow Pirates of Swampy Cove"
Problem Child Additional voices
Bonkers 4 episodes
Marsupilami Eduard Voice, 3 episodes
Hollyrock-a-Bye Baby Big Rock Voice, television film
1993–1995 2 Stupid Dogs Big Dog Voice, main role
1993–1996 Biker Mice from Mars Greasepit
1994 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air John "Fingers" O'Neill Episode: "Fresh Prince: The Movie"
Batman: The Animated Series Goliath Voice, episode: "Sideshow"
Bobby's World Anthony, Anthony's Dad Voice, episode: "Rebel Without a Clue"
1995 The Twisted Tales of Felix the Cat Fufu Gauche Voice, episode: "The Earth Heist/Attack of the Tacky"
The Pursuit of Happiness Alex Chosek 7 episodes
The Shnookums and Meat Funny Cartoon Show Commissioner Stress, Wrongo, Super Water Buffalo, Shirley Pimple, Santa Claus, Additional voices Main role
What a Cartoon! Harley Voice, episode: "Hard Luck Duck"
Fantastic Four Hydro-Man Voice, episode: "Inhumans Saga: Part 1: And the Wind Cries Medusa"
1995–1996 Timon & Pumba Boss Beaver Voice, 5 episodes
1996 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Reverend Bob Episode: "I Now Pronounce You..."
Mad About You The Nurse Episode: "The Sample"
Seinfeld Tony Episode: "The Bottle Deposit"
Tales from the Crypt Drinky Voice, episode: "The Third Pig"
The Tick Jim Rage Voice, episode: "That Mustache Feeling"
Earthworm Jim The Lord of Nightmares Voice, episode: "Evil in Love"
Quack Pack Beef Jerky Voice, episode: "Ducks by Nature"
Project G.e.e.K.e.R. Noah Voice, 5 episodes
The Spooktacular New Adventures of Casper Fatso Voice, 22 episodes
1996–1997 Mighty Ducks Grin Hardwing Voice, main role
1996–1999 Superman: The Animated Series Lobo, Bibbo Bibbowski Voice, recurring role (10 episodes)
1996 Dexter's Laboratory Magmanamus, Driver, Man #1 Voice, episode: "Magmanamus"
1996–2005 Everybody Loves Raymond Robert Barone Awards:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2002, 2003, 2005)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (2003)
Nominations:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (2000, 2004)
Prism Award for Performance in a TV Comedy Series (2006)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series (2004)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004–06)
Television Critics Association Award for Individual Achievement in Comedy (2003)
TV Guide Award for Supporting Actor of the Year in a Comedy Series (2001)
Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Quality Comedy Series (1997–2000)
1997 Don King: Only in America Assassin TV film
101 Dalmatians: The Series Buttons Voice, episode: "Shake, Rattle and Woof/Cadpig Behind Bars"
One Saturday Morning Jelly Roll the Elephant Voice
Nightmare Ned Ed Voice, main role
1998 Murphy Brown SWAT Team Captain Episode: "Wee Small Hours"
The King of Queens Robert Barone Episode: "Road Rayge"
Voltron: The Third Dimension Bull Max #7 Voice, episode: "A Rift in the Force"
Mad Jack the Pirate Darsh the Dragon, Biclops, Frank Sinatra Voice, 13 episodes
Toonsylvania Phil Voice, main role
1998–1999 Hercules Midas Guards, Otus, Orthrus (mohawk head), Gegenees Voice, 5 episodes
1999 Mickey Mouse Works Muncey, Additional voices 3 episodes
2000 Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Torque Voice, 5 episodes
2001 Club Land Lou Montana TV film
Bleacher Bums Marvin
2001–2002 House of Mouse Muncey, Additional voices 3 episodes
2002 Kim Possible Big Mike Voice, episode: "Tick-Tick-Tick"
Gleason Jackie Gleason TV film;
Nominations:
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries
Ozzy & Drix Strepfinger Voice, 2 episodes
Robbie the Reindeer Prancer, Viking #3 Voice, English dub
Bear in the Big Blue House Small Possum Voice, episode: "Welcome to Woodland Valley"
2003 Justice League Lobo Voice, episode: "Hereafter"
2006–2007 Eloise: The Animated Series Diamond Jim Johnson Voice, 4 episodes
2006–2010 'Til Death Eddie Stark 82 episodes; also producer (23 episodes), executive producer
(40 episodes) and supervising producer (19 episodes)
2008 Monk "Honest" Jake Phillips Episode: "Mr. Monk Buys a House"
2009 Comedy Central Roast of Joan Rivers Himself / Roaster Special
2010 Glory Daze Jerry Harrington Episodes: "Pilot", "Papa Don't Pre-Game"
Special Agent Oso Professor Buffo Voice, 2 episodes
2011 I Kid with Brad Garrett Himself 5 episodes; also executive producer
2013 How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life) Max Green 13 episodes
2013–2014 The Crazy Ones Gordon Lewis 6 episodes
2014 Writers Guild Awards Himself / Host Special
2015 Fargo Joe Bulo 5 episodes
Manhattan Eli Isaacs Episode: "Human Error"
2016 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Gary Munson Episodes: "Intersecting Lives", "Heartfelt Passages"
This Is Us Wes Manning Episode: "The Big Three"
2017 Bull Ron Getman Episode: "The Illusion of Control"
The Get Bill TV film
Michael Jackson's Halloween Bubbles Voice, television film
2018–2019 Tangled: The Series Fish Monger, Hook Hand Voice, 2 episodes
2018 I'm Dying Up Here Roy Martin 9 episodes
2018–2020 Single Parents Douglas Fogerty 45 episodes
2020 Penny Dreadful: City of Angels Benny Berman 3 episodes
2020–2021 To Tell the Truth Himself 5 episodes
2021 Big Shot Creator and executive producer
2021–2022 Kamp Koral: SpongeBob's Under Years The Kraken Voice, 2 episodes
2021 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "A Game Show from Hell"
Bubble Guppies Tall Punyan Voice, episode: "A Giant Harvest Day!"
Amphibia Robert Otto Voice, episode: "Spider-Sprig"
2023 SpongeBob SquarePants The Kraken Voice, episode: "Abandon Twits"
High Desert Bruce Main role, upcoming series
TBA Descendants: Magical Wishes Adventure Ord Voice, television film

Video games

Year Title Role Notes
1995 Disney's Animated Storybook: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree Eeyore
1997 Ready to Read with Pooh
Fallout Harry
1998 A Bug's Life Dim
2000 Sacrifice James
Buzz Lightyear of Star Command Torque
2003 Finding Nemo Bloat
2007 Ratatouille Auguste Gusteau
2014 Puzzle Charms Additional voices

See also

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