Steven Wright facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steven Wright
Wright in 1994
Birth name	Steven Alexander Wright
Born	(1955-12-06) December 6, 1955 (age 69) Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.
Medium	Stand-up film television
Genres	anti-humor deadpan one-liners wit/word play non sequitur observational comedy musical comedy

Steven Alexander Wright (born December 6, 1955) is a famous American comedian, actor, writer, and film producer. He is known for his unique, slow voice and calm, serious way of telling jokes. His jokes are often funny because they are ironic, philosophical, or just silly and unexpected. He is especially good at telling "one-liners," which are short, clever jokes.

Rolling Stone magazine named Steven Wright the 15th Greatest Comedian in 2017. He won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for a short movie he starred in, wrote, and produced called The Appointments of Dennis Jennings (1988). He also received two Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for his work as a producer on the TV show Louie.

Early Life and Education

Steven Wright was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He grew up in Burlington, Massachusetts, with his three siblings. His mother was Italian American, and his father was of Scottish descent.

Steven went to Middlesex Community College for two years. After that, he studied at Emerson College. He finished his studies and graduated from Emerson in 1978.

Comedy Career

Steven Wright started his stand-up comedy career in 1979. He performed at the Comedy Connection in Boston. He has said that famous comedians like George Carlin and Woody Allen inspired his comedy style.

In 1982, a producer from The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson saw Steven perform. The producer invited Steven to appear on the show. Steven impressed the host, Johnny Carson, and the audience so much that he was asked back less than a week later.

Stand-Up Success

In 1985, Steven Wright released his comedy album called I Have a Pony. This album was very popular and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. Because of the album's success, he got his own special on HBO. This special was filmed in San Francisco and was called A Steven Wright Special.

By this time, Steven had created his own special kind of comedy. He was known for his calm, quiet style and for telling unexpected, funny jokes. His serious way of speaking made him even more mysterious and popular. His HBO special became one of the most requested comedy shows. It helped him become very successful, especially performing at college concerts.

Beyond Stand-Up Comedy

In 1989, Steven Wright and producer Dean Parisot won an Academy Award. They won for their 30-minute short film, The Appointments of Dennis Jennings. Steven starred in the film and helped write it. When he accepted the Oscar, he made a joke, saying, "We're really glad that we cut out the other sixty minutes."

In 1992, Steven had a role on the TV show Mad About You. He also lent his voice to the radio DJ in the movie Reservoir Dogs. He explained that the film's editor, who was married to his co-producer Dean Parisot, suggested him for the voice role.

Sometimes, jokes that Steven Wright didn't write are shared online and people think they are his. He has said that he wishes he had thought of some of them, but others he is embarrassed by.

After his 1990 comedy special, Wicker Chairs and Gravity, Steven continued to perform stand-up. He didn't appear on TV as much, but he would sometimes visit late-night talk shows. In 1999, he wrote and directed a short film called One Soldier. He said it was about a soldier after the Civil War who was thinking about life and big questions.

In 2006, Steven Wright made his first stand-up special in 16 years. It was called Steven Wright: When the Leaves Blow Away and aired on Comedy Central. In 2007, he released a CD of the material from this special, also called I Still Have a Pony. This album was also nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album.

From 2008, Steven would sometimes appear on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson. He would often help with the fan-mail part of the show.

Awards and Recognition

Steven Wright won an Oscar in 1989 for Best Short Live-Action Film. This was for The Appointments of Dennis Jennings, which he co-wrote and starred in. He also received two Emmy nominations. These were for his work as a producer on the TV show Louie in 2014 and 2015.

On December 15, 2008, Steven Wright was the first person to be added to the Boston Comedy Hall of Fame. In 2005, other comedians and comedy experts voted him among the top 50 comedy acts. Comedy Central also named him number 23 on their list of the 100 greatest stand-up comedians.

Other Interests

Steven Wright is also a musician. He has recorded non-comedy songs with his friend Mark Wuerthner. He also enjoys painting as a hobby.

Film Roles

Television Roles

Discography

Albums

Specials

Appearances

Books

See also

In Spanish: Steven Wright para niños