Thomas Papa Jr. (born November 10, 1968) is an American
comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing
Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...
, actor, and radio host. He hosts the
Sirius XM Satellite Radio
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is an American broadcasting company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City that provides satellite radio and online radio services operating in the United States. It was formed by the 2008 merger of Sirius ...
show ''Come to Papa'' and, in July 2019, he and
Fortune Feimster
Emily Fortune Feimster (; born July 1, 1980) is an American writer, comedian, and actress. Having made her television debut on NBC's ''Last Comic Standing'' in 2010, Feimster starred as Colette on '' The Mindy Project'' (2015–2017). In July 2 ...
started hosting the Sirius XM show ''What a Joke with Papa and Fortune''. Papa hosted the show ''Baked'' on the
Food Network
Food Network is an American basic cable channel owned by Television Food Network, G.P., a joint venture and general partnership between Warner Bros. Discovery Networks (which holds a 69% ownership stake of the network) and Nexstar Media Group ...
and was the head writer and a performer on the radio variety show ''
Live from Here
''Live from Here'', formerly known as ''A Prairie Home Companion with Chris Thile'', is an American variety radio show known for its musical guests, tongue-in-cheek radio drama, and relaxed humor. Hosted by Chris Thile, it aired live on Saturd ...
'', hosted by
Chris Thile
Christopher Scott Thile (; born February 20, 1981) is an American mandolinist, singer, songwriter, composer, and radio personality, best known for his work in the progressive acoustic trio Nickel Creek and the acoustic folk and progressive blue ...
, where he delivered the "Out In America" segment.
Early life
Papa was born in
Passaic, New Jersey
Passaic ( or ) is a city in Passaic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the city had a total population of 70,537, ranking as the 16th largest municipality in New Jersey and an increase of 656 from the 69,78 ...
, and grew up in
Park Ridge, New Jersey
Park Ridge is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. Park Ridge had a population of 8,645 as of the 2010 United States Census,[Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Woodcliff Lake is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 Census, the borough's population was 5,730,][Pascack Hills High School
Pascack Hills High School (PHHS) is a four-year comprehensive public high school, one of two secondary schools serving students in ninth through twelfth grades as part of the Pascack Valley Regional High School District in Bergen County, Ne ...]
in 1986. He is a graduate of
Rider College
Rider University is a private university in Lawrence Township, New Jersey. It consists of four academic units: the Norm Brodsky College of Business, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Education and Human Services, and West ...
. He has two daughters, and a sister who works at the non-profit organization, City Green. Papa is noted to have played football and track while younger.
Career
Stand-up comedy
He began in New York City in 1993 playing open mics and hosting at the Stand Up New York comedy club. He toured with
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerome Allen Seinfeld ( ; born April 29, 1954) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. He is best known for playing a Jerry Seinfeld (character), semi-fictionalized version of himself in the sitcom ''Seinfeld'', which he ...
after meeting him at the Comedy Cellar in New York. In 2005 he released his debut comedy album ''Calm, Cool, & Collected''. His successful one-man show ''Only Human'' opened at the Montreal
Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.
He has recorded five stand-up specials. ''Live in New York City'' and ''Freaked Out'' were directed by
Rob Zombie. His fourth special, ''Human Mule'', aired December 2016. All of his specials stream on Hulu, Amazon and Netflix. Papa has appeared multiple times on ''
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014.
The fourth incarnation of the ...
'', ''
Late Show with David Letterman
The ''Late Show with David Letterman'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS, the first iteration of the The Late Show (franchise), ''Late Show'' franchise. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and was produced by ...
'', and ''
The Joe Rogan Experience
''The Joe Rogan Experience'' is a podcast hosted by American comedian, presenter, and UFC color commentator Joe Rogan. It launched on December 24, 2009, on YouTube by Rogan and comedian Brian Redban, who was its sole co-host and producer unti ...
''.
Papa's catchphrase is "Have you ever...? I have!"
Radio
Papa hosts the
Sirius XM Satellite Radio
Sirius XM Holdings Inc. is an American broadcasting company headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, New York City that provides satellite radio and online radio services operating in the United States. It was formed by the 2008 merger of Sirius ...
show ''Come to Papa'', with other comedians occasionally serving as guest hosts. In July 2019, Papa and
Fortune Feimster
Emily Fortune Feimster (; born July 1, 1980) is an American writer, comedian, and actress. Having made her television debut on NBC's ''Last Comic Standing'' in 2010, Feimster starred as Colette on '' The Mindy Project'' (2015–2017). In July 2 ...
started hosting ''What a Joke with Papa and Fortune'', interviewing comedians and other celebrities, the first live programming on the Sirius XM station
Netflix is a Joke.
Papa writes and performs the monthly ''Come to Papa Live'', a version of a classic radio play combined with standup, music, and sketches. ''Come to Papa Live'' is alternately hosted between The Village Underground in New York and Largo in Los Angeles. Guests on ''Come to Papa Live'' have included
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige Damon (; born October 8, 1970) is an American actor, film producer, and screenwriter. Ranked among ''Forbes'' most bankable stars, the films in which he has appeared have collectively earned over $3.88 billion at the North Ameri ...
,
Sarah Silverman
Sarah Kate Silverman (born December 1, 1970) is an American comedian, actress, and writer.
Silverman was a writer and performer on ''Saturday Night Live'', and she starred in and produced '' The Sarah Silverman Program'', which ran from 2007 to ...
,
Joel McHale,
Andy Richter
Paul Andrew Richter (born October 28, 1966) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and talk show announcer. He is best known as the sidekick for Conan O'Brien on each of O'Brien's talk shows: ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Night'' and ' ...
, and
Jim Gaffigan
James Christopher Gaffigan (born July 7, 1966) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His material often addresses fatherhood, laziness, food, religion, and general observations. He is regarded as a "clean" comic, using l ...
. Tom first appeared as a panelist on NPR's ''Wait, Wait...Don't tell Me'' on June 30, 2018. He appeared as the guest for ''The Official Podcast'' on
YouTube
YouTube is a global online video platform, online video sharing and social media, social media platform headquartered in San Bruno, California. It was launched on February 14, 2005, by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. It is owned by ...
on August 30, 2018. After Chris Thile took over ''
A Prairie Home Companion
''A Prairie Home Companion'' is a weekly radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor that aired live from 1974 to 2016. In 2016, musician Chris Thile took over as host, and the successor show was eventually renamed ''Live from He ...
'' from
Garrison Keillor, Papa was a key contributor to the show, now re-named ''Live From Here'', that included the regular segment "Out in America with Tom Papa". He worked behind the scenes as head writer.
TV and film
Papa had a recurring role as Luff in the
HBO
Home Box Office (HBO) is an American premium television network, which is the flagship property of namesake parent subsidiary Home Box Office, Inc., itself a unit owned by Warner Bros. Discovery. The overall Home Box Office business unit is ba ...
and
Cinemax
Cinemax is an American pay television, cable, and satellite television network owned by the Home Box Office, Inc. subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery. Developed as a companion "maxi-pay" service complementing the offerings shown on parent ...
series ''
The Knick
''The Knick'' is an American medical period drama television series on Cinemax created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The series follows Dr. John W. Thackery ( Clive Owen) and the staff at a fictionalized ...
,'' starring Clive Owen. He appeared in Chris Rock's movie ''Top Five'', and starred as Ray Arnett alongside Michael Douglas and Matt Damon in ''
Behind the Candelabra
''Behind the Candelabra'' is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship that he had with Scott Thorson. It is based on Thorson's ...
'', which aired on HBO on May 26, 2013. That was his second film with director
Steven Soderbergh
Steven Andrew Soderbergh (; born January 14, 1963) is an American film director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer and editor. A pioneer of modern independent cinema, Soderbergh is an acclaimed and prolific filmmaker.
Soderbergh's direc ...
.
Papa played opposite
Matt Damon
Matthew Paige Damon (; born October 8, 1970) is an American actor, film producer, and screenwriter. Ranked among ''Forbes'' most bankable stars, the films in which he has appeared have collectively earned over $3.88 billion at the North Ameri ...
in Steven Soderbergh's 2009 film ''
The Informant!
''The Informant!'' is a 2009 American biographical-crime comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Written by Scott Z. Burns, the film stars Matt Damon as the titular informant named Mark Whitacre, as well as Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie ...
''. He also played the title character of El Superbeasto and starred opposite
Paul Giamatti
Paul Edward Valentine Giamatti (; born June 6, 1967) is an American actor and film producer. He first garnered attention for his breakout role in '' Private Parts'' as Kenny "Pig Vomit" Rushton, leading to supporting roles in ''Saving Private R ...
in the
Rob Zombie animated feature ''
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto
''The Haunted World of El Superbeasto'' is a 2009 American adult animated superhero film directed, co-written and co-produced by Rob Zombie. The film was written by Zombie and Tom Papa from Zombie's comic book series of the same name. The film wa ...
''. He played himself in ''
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing
Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...
'', and lent his voice to the animated feature ''
Bee Movie
''Bee Movie'' is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film co-produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG and Columbus 81 Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner (in the fo ...
''.
In 2010, Papa hosted NBC's ''
The Marriage Ref'', which ran for two seasons.
Papa's other TV appearances include ''Inside Amy Schumer'', ''The Jim Gaffigan Show'', a recurring role on ''
The New Adventures of Old Christine
''The New Adventures of Old Christine'' (often shortened to simply ''Old Christine'') is an American sitcom television series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, a divorced mother doing her best to keep pace with those around her ...
'', hosting the FOX show ''
Boom!'' which aired in summer 2015,
VH1's ''
I Love the '70s'', ''
I Love the '80s'', and ''
I Love the '90s'' series,
National Geographic Channel
National Geographic (formerly National Geographic Channel; abbreviated and trademarked as Nat Geo or Nat Geo TV) is an American pay television television network, network and flagship (broadcasting), flagship channel owned by the National Geograp ...
's US version of the British game show ''
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
''Duck Quacks Don't Echo'' is a British television comedy panel game show that aired on Sky1 from 7 February 2014 to 12 October 2017. It was hosted by Lee Mack.
Rounds
Each episode has three rounds.
* Fact Off - The three guests reveal their ...
''.
In 2020, Papa appeared in an hour long comedy special for
Netflix
Netflix, Inc. is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and production company based in Los Gatos, California. Founded in 1997 by Reed Hastings and Marc Randolph in Scotts Valley, California, it offers a fil ...
entitled ''You're Doing Great!'' and published a book of the same name.
Filmography
Film
*''
Analyze That
''Analyze That'' is a 2002 American mafia comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and produced by Paula Weinstein and Jane Rosenthal. The film is a sequel to the 1999 film '' Analyze This''. The film starred Robert De Niro and Billy Crystal who ...
'' (2002)
*''
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing
Amusement is the state of experiencing humorous and entertaining events or situations while the person or a ...
'' (2002)
*''The Life Coach'' (2005)
*''
Bee Movie
''Bee Movie'' is a 2007 American computer-animated comedy film co-produced by DreamWorks Animation SKG and Columbus 81 Productions, and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film was directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner (in the fo ...
'' (2007)
*''
The Haunted World of El Superbeasto
''The Haunted World of El Superbeasto'' is a 2009 American adult animated superhero film directed, co-written and co-produced by Rob Zombie. The film was written by Zombie and Tom Papa from Zombie's comic book series of the same name. The film wa ...
'' (2009) (also writer)
*''
The Informant!
''The Informant!'' is a 2009 American biographical-crime comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh. Written by Scott Z. Burns, the film stars Matt Damon as the titular informant named Mark Whitacre, as well as Scott Bakula, Joel McHale and Melanie ...
'' (2009)
*''
Behind the Candelabra
''Behind the Candelabra'' is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship that he had with Scott Thorson. It is based on Thorson's ...
'' (2013)
*''
Top Five
''Top Five'' is a 2014 American comedy film written and directed by Chris Rock. Produced by Scott Rudin and Eli Bush, the film stars Rock, Rosario Dawson, and Gabrielle Union, and follows New York City comedian and film star Andre Allen (Rock), ...
'' (2014)
*''
3 from Hell'' (2019)
*''
Paper Spiders'' (2021)
*''
Air Jordan
Air Jordan is an American brand of basketball shoes produced by American corporation Nike. The first Air Jordan shoe was produced for Hall of Fame former basketball player Michael Jordan during his time with the Chicago Bulls in late 1984 an ...
'' (TBA)
TV
*''
Comedy Central Presents
''Comedy Central Presents'' is an American stand-up comedy television series created for Comedy Central. It is the network's main half-hour program which highlights either one or a series of stand-up comedians each episode. In 2011, the series ...
'' (2001 and 2007)
*''
Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn
''Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn'' is a comedic talk show which aired on Comedy Central from 2002 to 2004. The show featured host Colin Quinn and a panel of comedian guests, discussing politics, current events, and social issues.
Show history an ...
'' (Unknown episodes, 2002)
*''
Come to Papa'' (4 episodes, 2004)
*''
The New Adventures of Old Christine
''The New Adventures of Old Christine'' (often shortened to simply ''Old Christine'') is an American sitcom television series starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Christine Campbell, a divorced mother doing her best to keep pace with those around her ...
'' (2 episodes, 2008)
*''
The Marriage Ref'' (2010)
*''
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jay Leno that first aired from May 25, 1992, to May 29, 2009. It resumed production on March 1, 2010 and ended on February 6, 2014.
The fourth incarnation of the ...
''
*''
The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore
''The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore'' is a 2015–16 American Late night television, late-night panel discussion, panel Late-night talk show, talk show hosted by Larry Wilmore that aired for two seasons on Comedy Central. The show was a spin-o ...
''
*''
Late Night with David Letterman''
*''
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien. NBC aired 2,725 episodes from September 13, 1993, to February 20, 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and music ...
''
*''
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
''Jimmy Kimmel Live!'' is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, broadcast on American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The nightly hour-long show debuted on January 26, 2003, at Hollywood Masonic Temple in Hollywood, Los ...
''
*''
Behind the Candelabra
''Behind the Candelabra'' is a 2013 American biographical drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh. It dramatizes the last ten years in the life of pianist Liberace and the relationship that he had with Scott Thorson. It is based on Thorson's ...
'' (2013)
*''
Duck Quacks Don't Echo
''Duck Quacks Don't Echo'' is a British television comedy panel game show that aired on Sky1 from 7 February 2014 to 12 October 2017. It was hosted by Lee Mack.
Rounds
Each episode has three rounds.
* Fact Off - The three guests reveal their ...
'' (2014)
*''Human Mule'' (EPIX special) (2016)
*''
Tosh 2.0
''Tosh.0'' ( ) is an American television series that aired on Comedy Central from June 4, 2009, to November 24, 2020. The series is hosted and produced by comedian Daniel Tosh, who provides satirical commentary on online viral video clips, inte ...
'' (2016)
*''
Inside Amy Schumer
''Inside Amy Schumer'' is an American sketch comedy television series created and hosted by Amy Schumer. The series aired on Comedy Central from April 30, 2013 to June 16, 2016 and was revived in 2022 for a new season on Paramount+. Schumer and ...
'' (2015)
*''
The Jim Gaffigan Show
''The Jim Gaffigan Show'' is an American sitcom written and executive produced by comedian Jim Gaffigan and his wife Jeannie Gaffigan. Gaffigan stars as a fictionalized version of himself as a stand-up comedian raising five children in a two-bedr ...
'' (2015)
*''
The Knick
''The Knick'' is an American medical period drama television series on Cinemax created by Jack Amiel and Michael Begler and directed by Steven Soderbergh. The series follows Dr. John W. Thackery ( Clive Owen) and the staff at a fictionalized ...
'' (US TV series) (2014–)
*''
Boom!'' (2015)
*''
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
''The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'' is an American late-night news and liberal political satire talk show hosted by Stephen Colbert, which premiered on September 8, 2015. Produced by Spartina Productions and CBS Studios, it is the second it ...
'' (2016)
*''Baked with Tom Papa'' (2018–)
*''You're Doing Great! (Netflix special)'' (2020)
*''What A Day! (Netflix special)'' (2022)
Podcasts
*''Breaking Bread with Tom Papa'' (2020-)
*
''Come To Papa'' (2013–2020)
*''The Official Podcast'' (2018)
Specials
*''Calm, Cool, & Collected'' (BSeenMedia, 2005)
*''Tom Papa: Live in New York City'' (
Comedy Central Records
Comedy Central Records is a record label based in New York and owned by Paramount Global. The label specializes in stand-up comedy albums and is distributed by Alternative Distribution Alliance, a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
The label has r ...
, 2012)
*''Freaked Out'' (2013)
*''Human Mule'' (2016)
*''You're Doing Great! (2020)
*''What A Day! (2022)''
References
External links
Official site*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Papa, Tom
1968 births
Living people
American game show hosts
American male comedians
American male film actors
American male television actors
Pascack Hills High School alumni
People from Park Ridge, New Jersey
Writers from Passaic, New Jersey
People from Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey
Male actors from New Jersey
21st-century American male actors
American television writers
American male television writers
Rider University alumni
American radio personalities
American writers of Italian descent
20th-century American comedians
21st-century American comedians
Comedians from New Jersey
Screenwriters from New Jersey
American radio writers
Television producers from New Jersey