Kevin Nealon

Early life and education

Nealon was born on November 18, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Kathleen M. (née Kimball) and Emmett F. Nealon, an aircraft company executive. He has four siblings. A few months after he was born, the family moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut; when he was six, they moved to Heidelberg, West Germany for four years. He is of Irish descent and was raised Catholic.

Career

Nealon played guitar in bands during high school and gravitated to comedy in college. He later became a regular there and on Late Night with David Letterman. He appeared on stage, alongside Jan Hooks, both relatively unknown at the time, celebrating Tim Holleran's big $90,000 cash win on Sale of the Century in 1985 (Holleran would win over $166,000 in cash and prizes). Holleran was a fellow comedian and a good friend of both Nealon and Hooks.

In 1986, Saturday Night Live recruited his friend Dana Carvey, and Carvey, in turn, recommended Nealon. Both joined the cast that year, and Nealon became a full-time performer in the 1987–1988 season. Nealon's SNL characters include Mr. Subliminal (which also became known as the "Subliminal Editorial" when Nealon was promoted to Weekend Update anchorman), Frank Gannon, P.I.P.I. (for Politically Incorrect Private Investigator), Bob Waltman (a male Barbara Walters), and Franz (of Hans and Franz) along with Carvey. He also parodied sportscaster Brent Musburger. From 1991 to 1994, Nealon anchored Weekend Update. By the time he departed in 1995, he held the record for longest-tenured cast member at nine seasons, which has since been surpassed.

In 1991, he had his first major film role, as boyfriend Tony Boer in All I Want for Christmas. Other films in which he has since appeared include Happy Gilmore, The Wedding Singer, Daddy Day Care, Good Boy!, and Aliens in the Attic (2009). He has a part in many of Adam Sandler's Happy Madison films, including Grandma's Boy (2006), You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), and Father of the Year (2018), and made a cameo appearance in the 2008 film Get Smart.

In the mid-1990s, Nealon played himself in three episodes of The Larry Sanders Show. The most popular episode was titled "The New Writer" when he starts hanging around the office so much that Hank (played by actor Jeffrey Tambor) is worried Nealon is trying to steal his job. Garry Shandling and Nealon had a close relationship. In 1994, Nealon hosted the 13-part series Amazing America on the Discovery Channel.

Nealon had a recurring television role on the 2002–06 CBS comedy Still Standing playing Ted Halverson, the Millers' competitive and religious neighbor. He also appeared as a patient in a mental institution on the first season of Monk. Nealon played Dr. Mark Crest in "Deja Vu", an episode of The Outer Limits television show. It first aired on July 9, 1999, during the fifth season. From 2005 to 2012, Nealon had an ongoing supporting role as Doug Wilson on the show Weeds on Showtime. In 2009–2011 he voiced the title character in Nick at Nite's animated series Glenn Martin, DDS.

In 2002, he hosted The Conspiracy Zone on The New TNN for 26 episodes plus an unaired pilot. In 2004, he hosted the first season of Poker Royale on the Game Show Network. Nealon also hosted several years of World's Funniest Commercials specials on TBS in the 2000s.

In 2008, he published a book chronicling his experiences during his wife's pregnancy, Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?

Starting in 2015, Nealon portrayed Captain Telstar in commercials for Charter Spectrum. From 2016 to 2020, he was a regular on the TV sitcom Man with a Plan.

Since 2017 he has also hosted a YouTube talk show called Hiking with Kevin where he hikes a trail with various celebrity guests; the idea came about when during a hike with Matthew Modine the two of them ran out of breath, and Nealon thought it'd be funny to record their inability to talk. As of 2022, the show is on its fourth season with over 100 episodes. Nealon produces and edits the entire show by himself, recording simply using a selfie stick and a camera drone. In January 2025, Fox News Media announced that they had reached a deal with Nealon to stream episodes on Fox Nation.

Personal life

Nealon was dating Jan Hooks when they were both hired by Saturday Night Live. During this time, Nealon, who has been a vegetarian since 1989, became active in the animal rights movement; he has supported PETA, the Washington Wildlife Alliance, The Ark Trust's Genesis Awards, and also Meat Out.

On September 3, 2005, he married Susan Yeagley in Bellagio, Lombardy, Italy. They have a son, Gable, born in 2007. They reside in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

He is distantly related to Daniel Webster.

Nealon played rugby for Fairfield Yankees RFC.

On February 22, 2006, Nealon contributed an opinion article to The New York Times about having his phone tapped and his police records searched by Hollywood private investigator Anthony Pellicano, who was later convicted of crimes including racketeering and illegal wiretapping. It was also revealed in a separate court case later the same month that investigators working for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus may also have targeted Nealon for wiretapping in connection with his work for PETA. Nealon holds dual Irish and American citizenship.

Nealon is a fixture on the European melodic rock scene both as a fan, and as a benefactor; in 2019 he used his fame to organize a benefit for close friend and ailing rocker Tony Mills. All proceeds from the festival went towards Mills's medical expenses.

On May 15, 2022, Nealon was awarded a Doctorate of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, by his alma mater, Sacred Heart University. Nealon also served as the convocation speaker for the graduating class of 2022.

Filmography

Film

Television

Books

• I Exaggerate: My Brushes with Fame. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 2022.
• Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me? New York: It Books, 2008.

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. . (2021-11-18). "Birthdays". *[[The Modesto Bee]]*.
2. (April 21, 1991). "Kevin Nealon".
3. "Kathleen Nealon -".
4. "Emmett Nealon Obituary (1925 - 2018) - Fort Myers, CT - Connecticut Post".
5. Forrest, Rachel. (September 2, 2010). "Love and marriage: The Nealons celebrate 60 years".
6. Kahn, Toby. (November 18, 1991). "Vun, Two, Pump Up the Update!".
7. As told in his book, ''Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?''
8. Fishman, Laurel. (April 1993). "Nealon Update".
9. (November 30, 2017). "Kevin Nealon's DNA Test Confirmed His Feakle Ancestry". The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
10. (May 28, 2014). "High School Sports Chop-Up: Kevin Nealon". USA Today.
11. (March 1, 2019). "Kevin Nealon On 'Man With A Plan', Stand-Up Comedy & Johnny Carson". CBS Local.
12. (February 18, 2021). "Jim Nantz Knows What Life After CBS Looks Like".
13. (2023-08-17). "SNL Weekend Update Hosts Through the Years".
14. Patton, Tess. (2025-02-21). "SNL Cast Members Who Were on the Show the Longest".
15. Ebert, Roger. (November 8, 1991). "Reviews: ''All I Want for Christmas''".
16. Condran, Ed. (May 24, 2013). "For Kevin Nealon, variety is the spice of life". Bucks County Courier.
17. Wheaton, Dave. (February 6, 2014). "Kevin Nealon as Pro Golfer Gary Potter in 'Happy Gilmore' is His Best Role Ever". Mix92.5.
18. Ebert, Roger. (February 9, 2011). "Reviews: ''Just Go with It''".
19. Hartlaub, Peter. (August 3, 2009). "Movie review: 'Aliens in the Attic'". San Francisco Chronicle.
20. (January 6, 2006). "'Grandma's Boy' Movie Review".
21. Scott, A. O.. (June 6, 2008). "Watch Out, He's Packing a Blow-Dryer". The New York Times.
22. Osterndorf, Chris. (July 21, 2018). "'Father Of the Year' is another baffling, bonkers Happy Madison comedy". The Daily Dot.
23. Hiltbrand, David. (June 19, 2008). "Sorry about that, classic 'Get Smart' fans". Philadelphia Inquirer.
24. Lehmann, Michael. (December 18, 1996). "The New Writer".
25. Caro, Mark. (April 25, 2016). "Garry Shandling Memorial Mixes Laughs, Tears and a Few Characters". The New York Times.
26. (2003). "The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present". Ballantine Books.
27. Hinckley, David. (August 16, 2009). "Nick at Nite's new animated series 'Glenn Martin, DDS,' with Kevin Nealon, is satire with biting wit". New York Daily News.
28. King, Susan. (January 3, 2002). "A Platform for Paranoia". Los Angeles Times.
29. (December 7, 2004). "Nealon puts on poker face". Variety.
30. Taylor, Catharine P.. (August 21, 2006). "TBS showcases very funny commercials".
31. Catlin, Roger. (August 30, 2007). "Kevin Nealon Shows International Commercials; Making Fun of Rappers". The Hartford Courant.
32. (June 26, 2009). "'World's Funniest Commercials': Blurbs take the spotlight". Variety.
33. (May 20, 2010). "''Yes, You're Pregnant, But What About Me?'' by Kevin Nealon".
34. Diaz, Ann-Christine. (September 18, 2015). "Kevin Nealon Is Captain Telstar, Leader of an Antiquated Satellite TV Station".
35. Ausiello, Michael. (May 6, 2020). "Man With a Plan Cancelled at CBS".
36. (October 24, 2022). "Kevin Nealon Is Hiking and Laughing and Drawing".
37. Skiver, Rayna. (October 11, 2022). "Everything You Need to Know About Season 4 of 'Hiking With Kevin'".
38. Gates, Christopher. (February 12, 2020). "The Untold Truth Of Hiking With Kevin - Exclusive".
39. "Fox Nation Lands Kevin Nealon's Eponymous Web Series "Hiking with Kevin" -".
40. (July 3, 2015). "Comic Kevin Nealon is still 'pumped up' about fitness".
41. Saval, Malina. (November 13, 2016). "Jon Stewart, Kevin Nealon, Emily Deschanel Raise Awareness for Animal Rights at Starry Gala". Variety.
42. (September 3, 2005). "Nealon and Yeagley marry in Italy". UPI.
43. Ingrassia, Lisa. (September 17, 2007). "High on Life". People.
44. (August 22, 2019). "Kevin Nealon sells one Pacific Palisades property and buys another".
45. Youtube.com. Hiking with Kevin - Mariel Hemingway. 25Apr2019. 3:00
46. "Kevin Nealon: Biography". TV Guide.
47. Nealon, Kevin. (February 22, 2006). "Don't Stop Bugging Me". The New York Times.
48. Jackman, Tom. (February 28, 2006). "Ringling Circus Hired Private Eye To Infiltrate PETA, Fairfax Jury Told". The Washington Post.
49. (April 13, 2019). "Kevin Nealon, 65, Reveals His Biggest Life Lesson (Exclusive)".
50. "BLACK SWAN - TONY MILLS FESTIVAL".
51. "Comedian Kevin Nealon Awarded Doctorate Degree".
52. Grobar, Matt. (July 14, 2022). "Karen Gillan, Margaret Sophie Stein & Jermaine Fowler".