Andy Samberg

Comedian / Actor / Internet Celebrity

Andy Samberg is the writer and cast member of Saturday Night Live whose videos "Lazy Sunday" and "D--- in a Box" made him an Internet celebrity and budding movie star. Samberg grew up in California, but went to New York University to study film. While trying his hand at stand-up comedy, he made short comic films with childhood friends Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer. They called themselves The Lonely Island and got their first big exposure on the it's-almost-TV website Channel101. By 2005 the trio had joined Saturday Night Live, but it was Samberg who got the screen time and the spotlight. With former SNL member Chris Parnell, Samberg appeared in a short music video called "Lazy Sunday," rapping comically about a trip to see the movie The Chronicles of Narnia (2005, based on the novels by C.S. Lewis). The video was released on YouTube and became a sensation. Samberg followed up with a parody duet with Justin Timberlake ("D--- in a Box"), and soon enough Hollywood came calling. Samberg landed the starring role in the 2007 comedy Hot Rod, a part originally intended for Will Ferrell. His pal Schaffer was chosen to direct the feature, with Taccone as a co-star.

Extra credit: "Lazy Sunday" includes the inspired lyric, "You can call us Aaron Burr from the way we're dropping Hamiltons."