Patton Oswalt
Born 1969 · Age 56
American stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, writer and author known for King of Queens, voice of Remy in Ratatouille, multiple stand-up specials, Emmy and Grammy winner.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Portsmouth, Virginia
Patton Peter Oswalt born to Carla and Larry J. Oswalt (a career U.S. Marine Corps officer). Named after General George S. Patton.
Graduated Broad Run High School
Graduated Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia.
Started performing stand-up comedy
Began performing stand-up comedy (first performance date cited as July 18, 1988).
Graduated College of William & Mary (BA, English)
Graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English; initiated into Alpha Theta chapter of Phi Kappa Tau.
Regular appearances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien (early career)
Began appearing regularly on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in early 1990s (IMDb mini-bio references 1993).
Television acting debut on Seinfeld ('The Couch')
Made acting debut in the Seinfeld episode 'The Couch' (credited role as video store clerk in that episode).
Wrote for MADtv (two seasons)
Wrote for MADtv for two seasons, early television writing credit.
Film debut in Down Periscope
Film debut in the military comedy Down Periscope (small supporting role).
HBO comedy special
Starred in his own 1996 HBO comedy special (early national stand-up special exposure).
Cast as Spence Olchin on The King of Queens
Began recurring/starring role as Spence Olchin on the sitcom The King of Queens (series run 1998–2007).
Featured in Man on the Moon and Magnolia
Appeared in films Man on the Moon and Magnolia (supporting roles, expanding film credits).
Named Entertainment Weekly's 'It' comedian (recognition)
Recognized by Entertainment Weekly as an 'It' comedian (noted in IMDb mini-bio, date cited 2002).
Published comic story in Batman #600 (JLA backup)
Wrote the backup story 'JLA: Welcome to the Working Week' in Batman #600 — first noted comics writing credit.
Role in Zoolander and Blade: Trinity
Appeared in mainstream studio films Zoolander and Blade: Trinity (supporting/comedic roles).
Married Michelle McNamara
Married true crime writer Michelle McNamara.
Comedy Central Roast appearances and touring prominence
Appeared on Comedy Central Roast of William Shatner (2006) and continued stand-up touring; increasing national profile.
Released album 'Werewolves and Lollipops' (charting)
Comedy album credited on Sub Pop (listed on discography with chart positions).
Appeared on SpongeBob SquarePants
Guest voice role as Jim in the SpongeBob episode 'The Original Fry Cook'.
Voiced Remy in Ratatouille (lead role)
Voiced Remy, lead character in Pixar's Ratatouille (film won Academy Award for Best Animated Feature).
Began voicing Tobey on WordGirl
Expanded voice acting by voicing villain Tobey on PBS Kids GO! series WordGirl (recurring).
Moderated Mystery Science Theater 3000 reunion panel at SDCC
Moderated MST3K reunion panel at San Diego Comic-Con International in 2008.
Played lead in Big Fan
Starred as Paul Aufiero in Robert D. Siegel's directorial debut Big Fan (critically noticed dramatic role).
Recorded 'My Weakness Is Strong' at Lisner Auditorium
Recorded his third comedy album at GWU's Lisner Auditorium; the special premiered on Comedy Central August 23, 2009.
Daughter Alice born
Daughter Alice Rigney Oswalt born to Patton Oswalt and Michelle McNamara (April 15, 2009).
Set to star in Broadway revival (Lips Together, Teeth Apart) — production postponed
Set to star in 2010 Broadway revival; show postponed/canceled after co-star left the production.
Emceed BookExpo America
Emceed BookExpo America promoting his upcoming book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland; introduced Christopher Hitchens, William Gibson, Sara Gruen.
Appeared in Young Adult and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas
Played Matt Freehauf in Young Adult and appeared in A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (film roles in 2011).
Published 'Zombie Spaceship Wasteland' (memoir/humor)
Released Zombie Spaceship Wasteland (Scribner) — first major book publication.
Released comedy album 'Finest Hour'
Album 'Finest Hour' released September 19, 2011 (Comedy Central Records); DVD extended version released April 2012.
Began narrating The Goldbergs
Started narrating the sitcom The Goldbergs as adult Adam F. Goldberg (series narration ran Sept 2013–May 2023).
Special 'Tragedy Plus Comedy Equals Time' aired
Comedy special premiered on Comedy Central April 6, 2014 after delay from January 16 planned date.
Published memoir 'Silver Screen Fiend'
Published Silver Screen Fiend: Learning About Life from an Addiction to Film (Simon & Schuster).
Won Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special
Won Emmy for writing Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping (Primetime Emmy, 2016).
Released Netflix special 'Talking for Clapping'
Comedy special released on Netflix; album won major awards following release.
Won Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album
Won the Grammy for Best Comedy Album for the Talking for Clapping album (Grammy ceremony in 2017, for 2016 release).
Netflix 'Annihilation' special released
Stand-up special Annihilation released on Netflix on October 17, 2017.
Married Meredith Salenger
Announced engagement July 2017 and married actress Meredith Salenger in November 2017.
Michelle McNamara died
Wife Michelle McNamara died in her sleep; death attributed to undiagnosed heart condition and medication complications.
Arrest announced in Golden State Killer case
Less than two months after I'll Be Gone in the Dark released, Sacramento County Sheriff's Department announced arrest of suspect in the Golden State Killer case; Oswalt publicly reacted.
Worked to complete Michelle McNamara's book
Announced on August 1, 2016, he'd been completing Michelle's book; book released Feb 27, 2018 (I'll Be Gone in the Dark).
Replaced Louis C.K. as voice of Max in The Secret Life of Pets 2
Took over voice role of Max in The Secret Life of Pets 2 (2019) following Louis C.K.'s removal.
Appeared on web series and continued voice roles
Featured in web series Best of the Worst (2019) and continued multiple voice and TV roles including Mystery Science Theater 3000 reboot (2017 onward) and Agent appearances.
Joined WGA writers firing agents (WGA-ATA conflict)
On April 15, 2019, Oswalt joined many writers in firing their agents in solidarity with WGA (packaging controversy).
Released special 'I Love Everything' (recorded late 2019)
Recorded I Love Everything three weeks prior to Nov 14, 2019 comment; special aired on Netflix and was Emmy-nominated.
Voiced M.O.D.O.K. and Pip the Troll (MCU cameo)
Voiced/played M.O.D.O.K. in Hulu series (2021) and voiced Pip the Troll in Marvel's Eternals (2021).
Featured in Caesars Sportsbook ad campaign
Appeared as 'Carl' in ad campaign for Caesars Sportsbook in 2021.
Portrayed Matthew the Raven in The Sandman
Voiced/portrayed Matthew the Raven in Netflix's The Sandman (2022–present).
Narration of The Goldbergs concluded
Narrated The Goldbergs from Sept 2013 through May 2023 (all 10 seasons); final narration season-end dedication to Michelle McNamara noted earlier.
Honorary Doctor of Arts from William & Mary
Awarded an honorary Doctor of Arts by the College of William & Mary in May 2023.
Joined cast of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Joined cast as Dr. Hubert Wartzki (announced 2024).
Began hosting FOX's The 1% Club
Began hosting The 1% Club on FOX in May 2024.
Netflix developing TV series based on 'Minor Threats'
Netflix in early development on a TV series based on Minor Threats (comic co-created by Oswalt); Oswalt and Jordan Blum to serve as writers, showrunners and executive producers.
Executive producer credit on short 'Sardinia'
Joined Sardinia as Executive Producer alongside wife Meredith Salenger (announced November 2024).
Left hosting role on The 1% Club
Left the FOX show The 1% Club in 2025 (announcement/coverage indicates he departed and Joel McHale replaced him for Season 2).
Key Achievement Ages
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