Josh Gad facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Josh Gad
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![]() Gad at the 2014 Annie Awards
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Born |
Joshua Ilan Gad
February 23, 1981 Hollywood, Florida, U.S.
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Education | Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 2002–present |
Spouse(s) |
Ida Darvish
(m. 2008) |
Children | 2 |
Josh Gad (born February 23, 1981) is an American actor. He is famous for being the voice of Olaf the snowman in the Frozen movies. He also played Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Broadway show The Book of Mormon.
For his role as Olaf, Josh won two Annie Awards. For The Book of Mormon, he won a Grammy Award. He was also nominated for a Tony Award. He shared these honors with his co-star Andrew Rannells.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Josh Gad was born in Hollywood, Florida, on February 23, 1981. His mom is a real estate agent. His dad was born in Afghanistan and moved to Israel. Josh has two older brothers, a stepbrother, and a stepsister. His family has Jewish roots from Afghanistan and Germany. He grew up following the Jewish faith.
He went to the University School of Nova Southeastern University. He graduated in 1999. While there, he won national speech and debate championships. He also won a humor competition.
After high school, Josh went to the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts. He earned a degree in drama in 2003. He studied with other future Broadway stars like Leslie Odom Jr. and Rory O’Malley. He even based his voice for Olaf on Rory O'Malley. During college, he also studied acting in Australia for a semester.
Acting Career
Starting Out (2002–2008)
Josh Gad started his acting career in 2002. His first movie was Mary and Joe. In 2005, he appeared on TV in the medical show ER. That same year, he joined the Broadway musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.
From 2007 to 2008, he starred in the TV show Back to You. He played Ryan Church, a news director. In 2008, he had roles in the movies 21 and The Rocker.
Broadway Success and More (2008–2012)
After Back to You, Josh became a reporter for The Daily Show in 2009. He made his last appearance there in 2011. In 2009, he also starred in the horror-comedy web series Woke Up Dead.
In 2010, Josh voiced a character in the movie Marmaduke. In 2011, he voiced Mondo in the TV show Good Vibes. That same year, he took on the role of Elder Cunningham in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. The show opened on March 24, 2011. His last performance was on June 6, 2012.
For his role in The Book of Mormon, Josh was nominated for a Tony Award. He also won a Grammy Award with his co-star Andrew Rannells. In 2012, Josh starred in the movie She Wants Me. He also helped create and star in the TV show 1600 Penn. Both Good Vibes and 1600 Penn lasted only one season. In 2012, he voiced Louis the molehog in Ice Age: Continental Drift.
The Frozen Years (2013–2019)
In 2013, Josh played Andrew in The Internship. He also played Steve Wozniak in the movie Jobs. That same year, he voiced Olaf in Disney's Frozen. He worked again with Robert Lopez, who wrote songs for The Book of Mormon. In 2014, Josh co-starred in Wish I Was Here.
In 2015, Josh starred in The Wedding Ringer and Pixels. In Pixels, he played a video game player who fights old video game characters. Also in 2015, he starred with Billy Crystal in the TV show The Comedians. In 2016, he voiced Chuck in The Angry Birds Movie.
In 2017, Josh voiced Bailey the dog in A Dog's Purpose. He also played LeFou in the live-action movie Beauty and the Beast. He starred alongside Emma Watson. Josh also appeared in the movie Marshall with Chadwick Boseman. He played Hector MacQueen in Murder on the Orient Express.
In 2019, Josh starred in the horror-comedy Little Monsters. He also returned as Bailey in A Dog's Journey. In 2019, he voiced Olaf again in Frozen II and the video game Kingdom Hearts III.
New Projects (2020–Present)
In 2020, Josh returned to TV in two shows. He starred in the HBO science fiction comedy Avenue 5 with Hugh Laurie. He also created, produced, and voiced characters in the Apple TV+ animated musical Central Park.
He starred in the fantasy adventure movie Artemis Fowl in 2020. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh started a YouTube series called Reunited Apart. He brought together the casts of famous movies like Back to The Future and Lord of the Rings. The show encouraged viewers to support charities.
Josh was going to be part of a Beauty and the Beast TV series for Disney+. He would have played LeFou again. However, this series was put on hold in 2022. He is also set to star in Shrunk, a sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids.
In 2019, it was announced that Josh would produce a live-action remake of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame. There were rumors he might play Quasimodo, but the movie plans were canceled in 2023. Josh was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional in 2022.
From September 2023 to January 2024, he starred in Gutenberg! The Musical! with Andrew Rannells. Josh will make his directing debut with a movie about Chris Farley. He also co-wrote a comic book series called The Writer in 2024. This series is inspired by Jewish folklore. Josh will release a picture book called PictureFace Lizzy in late 2024. His Frozen co-star, Kristen Bell, will narrate it. He also announced a memoir called In Gad We Trust for 2025.
Personal Life
Josh Gad met actress Ida Darvish in 2004. They were playing a married couple in a play. They got married in 2008. Josh has said he loves parts of Judaism and celebrates some traditions of his wife's Catholicism. He considers himself spiritual but not strictly religious. They have two daughters.
Josh has spoken openly about his struggle with generalized anxiety disorder. He wants to help reduce the shame around mental health issues. In 2018, he joined the #MyYoungerSelf campaign. This project helps kids understand mental health. Josh and other celebrities share their own struggles and how they found help. His YouTube series Reunited Apart also helped him during the pandemic. It allowed him to focus on something positive and keep his mental health strong.
Acting Credits
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2002 | Mary and Joe | Angel | |
2006 | Razortooth | Jay Wells | |
2007 | Watching the Detectives | Mark | |
2008 | 21 | Miles | |
The Rocker | Matt | ||
2009 | Crossing Over | Howie | |
No Heroics | Horseforce | Television film | |
Waiting to Die | Simon | ||
The Lost Nomads: Get Lost 22 | Gigi / Miss Piggy / Jose Sanchez / The Clown / Spatula Lover | ||
Big Guy | Rodney | Short film | |
2010 | Marmaduke | Bandana Dog | Voice |
2011 | Mardi Gras: Spring Break | Bump (Bartholomew T. Brown) | |
2012 | She Wants Me | Sam Baum | |
Ice Age: Continental Drift | Louis | Voice | |
Thanks for Sharing | Neil | ||
2013 | Jobs | Steve Wozniak | |
The Internship | Headphones | ||
Frozen | Olaf | Voice | |
2014 | Wish I Was Here | Noah Bloom | |
2015 | The Wedding Ringer | Doug Harris | |
Frozen Fever | Olaf | Voice; short film | |
Pixels | Ludlow Lamonsoff | ||
2016 | The Angry Birds Movie | Chuck | Voice |
2017 | A Dog's Purpose | Bailey / Ellie / Tino / Buddy | |
Beauty and the Beast | LeFou | ||
Marshall | Sam Friedman | ||
Murder on the Orient Express | Hector MacQueen | ||
Olaf's Frozen Adventure | Olaf (voice) | Voice; short film | |
2018 | Matangi/Maya/M.I.A. | Himself | Documentary |
2019 | Little Monsters | Teddy McGiggle | |
A Dog's Journey | Bailey | Voice | |
The Angry Birds Movie 2 | Chuck | ||
Frozen II | Olaf | ||
2020 | Artemis Fowl | Mulch Diggums | |
Once Upon a Snowman | Olaf | Voice; short film | |
2021 | Ghostbusters: Afterlife | Muncher | Voice |
2023 | Strays | Gus | |
Once Upon a Studio | Olaf | Voice; short film | |
TBA | A Tree Fell in the Woods ![]() |
Mitch | Post-production |
Adulthood ![]() |
Noah | Post-production | |
The Angry Birds Movie 3 ![]() |
Chuck | Voice; in production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2005 | ER | Sgt. Bruce Larabee | Episode: "Here and There" |
2007–2008 | Back to You | Ryan Church | Main role |
2008 | American Dad! | Art (voice) | Episode: "Pulling Double Booty" |
2008, 2009 | Numbers | Roy McGill | 2 episodes |
2009 | Party Down | Jeffrey Ells | Episode: "California College Conservative Union Caucus" |
2009–2011 | The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Himself (correspondent) | 5 episodes |
2010 | Bored to Death | Warren | Episode: "Make It Quick, Fitzgerald!" |
2011 | The Cleveland Show | Droopy | Voice; episode: "Our Gang" |
Californication | Doctor | 2 episodes | |
Gigi: Almost American | Gigi | 10 episodes; also executive producer | |
2011, 2020 | Modern Family | Kenneth Ploufe | 2 episodes: "Punkin Chunkin" and "Dead on a Rival" |
2011 | Good Vibes | Mondo (voice) | Main role |
2012–2013 | 1600 Penn | Skip Gilchrist | Main role; also co-creator and executive producer |
2012–2015 | New Girl | Bearclaw | 3 episodes: "Katie", "Birthday", "Walk of Shame" |
2013 | Hollywood Game Night | Himself | Episode: "America's Got Game Night" |
2014 | Monsters vs. Aliens | Internet | Voice; episode: "Bride of the Internet" |
2015 | The Comedians | Josh | Main role |
Sesame Street | Vincent Van Stop | Episode: "Bert's Sign Painting Challenge | |
Phineas and Ferb | Wendell | Voice; 2 episodes | |
TripTank | Louis | Voice; 1 episode | |
Jeopardy! | Himself | Celebrity contestant | |
2016 | Lip Sync Battle | Himself / Donald Trump | Episode: "Josh Gad vs. Kaley Cuoco" |
Sofia the First | Olaf | Voice; episode: "The Secret Library: Olaf and the Tale of Miss Nettle" | |
LEGO Frozen Northern Lights | Voice; special | ||
Talking Dead | Himself | Guest | |
2017 | Star Wars Rebels | LT-319 | Voice; episode: "Double Agent Droid" |
South Park | Marcus Preston / Ms. McGullicutty | Voice; 1 episode; Also producer | |
2018 | Bob's Burgers | Damon | Voice; episode: "Just One of the Boyz 4 Now for Now" |
2019 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show | Himself | Guest host |
2020–2022 | Avenue 5 | Herman Judd | Main cast |
2020 | At Home with Olaf | Olaf | Main role; voice |
2020–2022 | Central Park | Birdie / Ernst Von Gunten | Main cast; voice; also co-creator, writer and executive producer |
2020 | Home Movie: The Princess Bride | Grandson | Episode: "Chapter One: As You Wish" |
2021 | Olaf Presents | Olaf | Main role; voice |
Curb Your Enthusiasm | Chiropractor | Episode: "Man Fights Tiny Woman" | |
2022–present | Wolf Like Me | Gary | Main cast |
2022 | The Boys | Himself | Episode: "Herogasm"; cameo |
The Tiny Chef Show | 2 episodes | ||
2023 | History of the World, Part II | William Shakespeare | Episode: "I" |
Storybots: Answer Time | The Great Bubblini | Episode: "Bubbles" | |
Solar Opposites | Pinecone / Rotten Peach / Jesse Guard #2 | Voice; episode: "The Earth Rake (beta)" | |
2024 | Dinner Time Live with David Chang | Himself | Episode: "Holiday Noodle Cook-Off" |
2025 | Wonder Man ![]() |
TBA | Post-production |
Video Games
Year | Title | Voice roles |
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2012 | MIB: Alien Crisis | Emilio Chauncey, Handsome Guest, Khnemu |
2013 | Frozen: Olaf's Quest | Olaf |
2015 | Disney Infinity 3.0 | |
2017 | South Park Phone Destroyer | Marcus Preston |
2019 | Kingdom Hearts III | Olaf |
Web Series and Podcasts
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2009 | Woke Up Dead | Matt | 21 episodes |
2013 | Kevin Pollak's Chat Show | Himself / Guest | Episode: "163" |
2019–present | Blood Ties | Michael Richland | Radio drama/podcast |
2020 | Reunited Apart | Host | Web series |
Theatre
Year | Title | Role | Theatre | Notes |
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2006–07 | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | William Barfée | Circle in the Square Theatre | Broadway Replacement |
2011–12 | The Book of Mormon | Elder Cunningham | Eugene O'Neill Theatre | Original Broadway Cast |
2023–24 | Gutenberg! The Musical! | Bud Davenport | James Earl Jones Theatre | Original Broadway Cast |
Awards and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
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2011 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical | The Book of Mormon | Nominated |
2012 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Won | |
2014 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production | Frozen | Won |
2016 | Golden Raspberry Award | Worst Supporting Actor | Pixels
The Wedding Ringer |
Nominated |
2020 | Annie Awards | Outstanding Voice Acting in a Feature Production | Frozen II | Won |
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Male Voice from an Animated Movie | The Angry Birds Movie 2
Frozen II |
Won | |
2022 | Disney Legends Award | Honoree | ||
2024 | Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Gutenberg! The Musical! | Nominated |
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Josh Gad para niños