Tim Heidecker
Encyclopedia
Tim Heidecker is an American
actor, comedian, musician, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric
. Heidecker, along with Eric Wareheim
, created the television shows Tom Goes to the Mayor
and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.
, a limited animation
series that originally aired from November 2004 to September 2006 on Adult Swim
. Tim plays "Tom," the confused and optimistic protagonist of the show. He is presented as something of a pushover, a "nice guy who wants to do good things." He continually brings his ideas to the Mayor (played by Wareheim), who ends up thwarting them in most cases and leaving Tom worse off than when he started. Heidecker has said that he is not much like Tom in reality.
Heidecker and Wareheim's latest show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
, premiered February 11, 2007 on Adult Swim
. The eleven minute show features "live action, sketch, animation, emotions, phone calls, love, etc.", according to their website. Wareheim and Heidecker had mailed copies of an early version of the show to comedian Bob Odenkirk
, who agreed to take on the project as the executive producer of the series and sold it to Cartoon Network. The series has developed a strong following.
Heidecker starred in a series of films for Absolut Vodka's
website with Wareheim and Zach Galifianakis
. He will star in Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
.
Heidecker along with Eric Wareheim appeared on Fox
's Talkshow with Spike Feresten
on February 16, 2008 and May 16, 2009 and on NBC
's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
on April 14, 2009.
Wareheim and Heidecker appeared together as Debt Collectors
on the Adult Swim
special, The Young Persons Guide to History
and have made guest appearances in the movie Let's Go to Prison
, as well as the Scottish video game series VideoGaiden
and a Version 2 episode of Mega64
. Heidecker also had a small role in the 2011 film Bridesmaids
.
In March 2010, Heidecker and Wareheim directed a series of Old Spice
commercials starring actor Terry Crews
.
Using characters and skits from Awesome Show, Heidecker and Wareheim (via their Abso Lutely production company) created a online-only show called Tim and Eric Nite Live!
, originally broadcast on the website SuperDeluxe.
In July 2008, the New York Times reported that an Awesome Show spin-off, Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule
, would air on Cartoon Network beginning some time in 2009. The show parodies local news
casts, and as Heidecker briefly described it: "It's like his half-hour to go around town and interview the local beer-maker
or whatever." The show will have an episode run time of approximately 11 minutes, and it will feature John C. Reilly reprising his role as Dr. Steve Brule. According to Heidecker, Reilly had the original idea of giving the Dr. Steve character an entire show. Vanity Fair reported that the program would begin airing on August 23, 2009; however, the program did not air on that date, and LA Weekly
reported in September 2009 that Check It Out! is currently "forthcoming." The show's only season began on May 16, 2010, and ended on June 20, 2010.
In the same July 2008 New York Times article, it was reported that the duo was in the process of developing a surreal game show
series starring Neil Hamburger
, titled The New Big Ball with Neil Hamburger. Wareheim described it as a mix between "Japanese bizarre game show
and The Price Is Right
." In late July 2009, Neil Hamburger posted a blog on MySpace
stating that a pilot had been filmed, but that Adult Swim was not satisfied and had "pulled the plug on the project."
On March 15, 2011, Heidecker released a music album as part of the duo Heidecker & Wood. The album, Starting From Nowhere, is inspired by 70's soft rock. In October of the same year he also contributed a parody
campaign jingle for Herman Cain's 2012 presidential bid titled "Cain Train". This was the first of nine songs which would eventually become a full album, titled Cainthology: Songs in the Key of Cain. All of the proceeds from the album's sales go to benefit the Violence Intervention Program. The number nine was chosen as the number of songs, and $9.99 the original price, in reference to Herman Cain
's 9-9-9 financial plan.
, Pennsylvania
. He attended Allentown Central Catholic High School
and Temple University
.
Heidecker is married to Marilyn Porayko. She has appeared on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
In 2006, Tim was stabbed twice in the upper back while attempting to protect an elderly neighbor who was being attacked by her son (who was believed to be under the influence of PCP). The wounds were not life threatening.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor, comedian, musician, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is an American sketch comedy television series, created by and starring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, which premiered February 11, 2007 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim comedy block and ran until May 2010...
. Heidecker, along with Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim is an American actor, comedian, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric. Wareheim, along with Tim Heidecker, created the television shows Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and Check It Out! with Dr...
, created the television shows Tom Goes to the Mayor
Tom Goes to the Mayor
Tom Goes to the Mayor is an American animated television series created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim for Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered on November 14, 2004 and ended on September 25, 2006, with a total of thirty episodes.-History:Tom Goes to the...
and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job.
Career
Heidecker and Wareheim first became known as the makers, writers, and stars of Tom Goes to the MayorTom Goes to the Mayor
Tom Goes to the Mayor is an American animated television series created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim for Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim. It premiered on November 14, 2004 and ended on September 25, 2006, with a total of thirty episodes.-History:Tom Goes to the...
, a limited animation
Limited animation
Limited animation is a process of making animated cartoons that does not redraw entire frames but variably reuses common parts between frames. One of its major trademarks is the stylized design in all forms and shapes, which in the early days was referred to as modern design...
series that originally aired from November 2004 to September 2006 on Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
. Tim plays "Tom," the confused and optimistic protagonist of the show. He is presented as something of a pushover, a "nice guy who wants to do good things." He continually brings his ideas to the Mayor (played by Wareheim), who ends up thwarting them in most cases and leaving Tom worse off than when he started. Heidecker has said that he is not much like Tom in reality.
Heidecker and Wareheim's latest show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! is an American sketch comedy television series, created by and starring Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, which premiered February 11, 2007 on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim comedy block and ran until May 2010...
, premiered February 11, 2007 on Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
. The eleven minute show features "live action, sketch, animation, emotions, phone calls, love, etc.", according to their website. Wareheim and Heidecker had mailed copies of an early version of the show to comedian Bob Odenkirk
Bob Odenkirk
Robert "Bob" Odenkirk is an American actor, comedian, writer, director and producer. He is best known as the co-creator and co-star of the HBO sketch comedy series Mr...
, who agreed to take on the project as the executive producer of the series and sold it to Cartoon Network. The series has developed a strong following.
Heidecker starred in a series of films for Absolut Vodka's
Absolut Vodka
Absolut Vodka is a brand of vodka, produced near Åhus, Skåne, in southern Sweden. Since July 2008 the company has been owned by the French firm Pernod Ricard who bought V&S Group from the Swedish government....
website with Wareheim and Zach Galifianakis
Zach Galifianakis
Zachary Knight "Zach" Galifianakis is an American stand-up comedian and actor known for his numerous film and television appearances including his own Comedy Central Presents special...
. He will star in Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie
Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie is an upcoming comedy film written and directed by Tim and Eric creators of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!. The film stars both Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim. Supporting actors include Zach Galifianakis, Will Ferrell, Jeff Goldblum, John C...
.
Heidecker along with Eric Wareheim appeared on Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
's Talkshow with Spike Feresten
Talkshow with Spike Feresten
Talkshow with Spike Feresten is an American late-night talk show television program on Fox starring Spike Feresten that aired from September 16, 2006 to May 16, 2009. It was the longest-running late night talk show in Fox's history, with three seasons...
on February 16, 2008 and May 16, 2009 and on NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
's Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon is an American late-night talk show hosted by Jimmy Fallon on NBC. The show premiered on March 2, 2009, as the third incarnation of the Late Night franchise originated by David Letterman....
on April 14, 2009.
Wareheim and Heidecker appeared together as Debt Collectors
Collection agency
A collection agency is a business that pursues payments of debts owed by individuals or businesses. Most collection agencies operate as agents of creditors and collect debts for a fee or percentage of the total amount owed....
on the Adult Swim
Adult Swim
Adult Swim is an adult-oriented Cable network that shares channel space with Cartoon Network from 9:00 pm until 6:00 am ET/PT in the United States, and broadcasts in countries such as Australia and New Zealand...
special, The Young Persons Guide to History
Young Person's Guide to History
Young Person's Guide to History is a two part television special produced by Funny Garbage, the creators of Saul of the Mole Men, and features most of the same actors and creative team...
and have made guest appearances in the movie Let's Go to Prison
Let's Go to Prison
Let's Go to Prison is an American comedy that was released in theatres November 17, 2006, starring Dax Shepard, Will Arnett and Chi McBride, and directed by Bob Odenkirk....
, as well as the Scottish video game series VideoGaiden
VideoGaiden
VideoGaiden is a Scottish computer games television show broadcast by BBC Scotland. Its creators and presenters, Robert Florence and Ryan Macleod, are responsible for the internet-distributed videogaming show Consolevania, upon which the show is based...
and a Version 2 episode of Mega64
Mega64
Mega64 is a low-budget series of comedy skits centered on video games.-Premise:In the not too distant future, a sinister scientist named Dr. Poque creates the most powerful video game console ever assembled...
. Heidecker also had a small role in the 2011 film Bridesmaids
Bridesmaids (2011 film)
Bridesmaids is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written by Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, directed by Paul Feig and produced by Judd Apatow, Barry Mendel, and Clayton Townsend. The plot centers on Annie ....
.
In March 2010, Heidecker and Wareheim directed a series of Old Spice
Old Spice
Old Spice is a prominent American brand of male grooming products. It is manufactured by Procter & Gamble, which acquired the brand in 1990 from the Shulton Company.-History:...
commercials starring actor Terry Crews
Terry Crews
Terrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
.
Using characters and skits from Awesome Show, Heidecker and Wareheim (via their Abso Lutely production company) created a online-only show called Tim and Eric Nite Live!
Tim and Eric Nite Live!
Tim and Eric Nite Live! was an American television series, which premiered November 8, 2007 on SuperDeluxe. The talk show stars Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, creators of Tom Goes to the Mayor and Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, and consists of a variety of strange segments often featuring...
, originally broadcast on the website SuperDeluxe.
In July 2008, the New York Times reported that an Awesome Show spin-off, Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule
Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule
Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule is a spin-off of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, starring John C. Reilly as Dr. Steve Brule, a character from Awesome Show. The series premiered on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, on May 16, 2010...
, would air on Cartoon Network beginning some time in 2009. The show parodies local news
Local news
In journalism, local news refers to news coverage of events in a local context which would not normally be of interest to those of other localities, or otherwise be of national or international scope.-Television:...
casts, and as Heidecker briefly described it: "It's like his half-hour to go around town and interview the local beer-maker
Brewing
Brewing is the production of beer through steeping a starch source in water and then fermenting with yeast. Brewing has taken place since around the 6th millennium BCE, and archeological evidence suggests that this technique was used in ancient Egypt...
or whatever." The show will have an episode run time of approximately 11 minutes, and it will feature John C. Reilly reprising his role as Dr. Steve Brule. According to Heidecker, Reilly had the original idea of giving the Dr. Steve character an entire show. Vanity Fair reported that the program would begin airing on August 23, 2009; however, the program did not air on that date, and LA Weekly
LA Weekly
LA Weekly is a free weekly tabloid-sized "alternative weekly" in Los Angeles, California. It was founded in 1978 by Editor/Publisher Jay Levin and a board of directors that included actor-producer Michael Douglas...
reported in September 2009 that Check It Out! is currently "forthcoming." The show's only season began on May 16, 2010, and ended on June 20, 2010.
In the same July 2008 New York Times article, it was reported that the duo was in the process of developing a surreal game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
series starring Neil Hamburger
Neil Hamburger
Neil Hamburger is a standup comedian character played by comedian and musician Gregg Turkington.-Style:Hamburger's live act, which is quite different from his many albums, features a barrage of question/answer jokes aimed often at celebrity targets, including Paris Hilton, Britney Spears, The Red...
, titled The New Big Ball with Neil Hamburger. Wareheim described it as a mix between "Japanese bizarre game show
Japanese variety show
Japanese variety show is a entertainment television program made up of a variety of original stunts, musical performances, comedy skits, quiz contests, and other acts.-Current situation:...
and The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right
The Price Is Right is a television game show franchise originally produced by Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and created by Bob Stewart, and is currently produced and owned by FremantleMedia. The franchise centers on television game shows, but also includes merchandise such as video games, printed...
." In late July 2009, Neil Hamburger posted a blog on MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
stating that a pilot had been filmed, but that Adult Swim was not satisfied and had "pulled the plug on the project."
On March 15, 2011, Heidecker released a music album as part of the duo Heidecker & Wood. The album, Starting From Nowhere, is inspired by 70's soft rock. In October of the same year he also contributed a parody
Parody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
campaign jingle for Herman Cain's 2012 presidential bid titled "Cain Train". This was the first of nine songs which would eventually become a full album, titled Cainthology: Songs in the Key of Cain. All of the proceeds from the album's sales go to benefit the Violence Intervention Program. The number nine was chosen as the number of songs, and $9.99 the original price, in reference to Herman Cain
Herman Cain
Herman Cain is a candidate for the 2012 U.S. Republican Party presidential nomination.Cain has a background as a business executive, syndicated columnist, and radio host from Georgia. He served as chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza from 1986 to 1996...
's 9-9-9 financial plan.
Personal life
Heidecker was born in AllentownAllentown, Pennsylvania
Allentown is a city located in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is Pennsylvania's third most populous city, after Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and the 215th largest city in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 118,032 and is currently...
, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. He attended Allentown Central Catholic High School
Allentown Central Catholic High School
Allentown Central Catholic High School is a private, parochial school located at 301 North Fourth Street in Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
and Temple University
Temple University
Temple University is a comprehensive public research university in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Originally founded in 1884 by Dr. Russell Conwell, Temple University is among the nation's largest providers of professional education and prepares the largest body of professional...
.
Heidecker is married to Marilyn Porayko. She has appeared on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
In 2006, Tim was stabbed twice in the upper back while attempting to protect an elderly neighbor who was being attacked by her son (who was believed to be under the influence of PCP). The wounds were not life threatening.
Discography
- (2008) Awesome Record, Great Songs! (by Tim and Eric)
- (2011) Starting From Nowhere (by Heidecker & Wood)
- (2011) Cainthology: Songs in the Key of Cain