Wil Shriner
Encyclopedia
Wil Shriner is an American actor, comedian, director and game show host.
, New York
, the twin brother of soap opera actor Kin Shriner
and the son of Eileen “Pixie” McDermott and Herb Shriner
, a Hoosier
humorist who had several shows in the early days of television, including Two for the Money and The Herb Shriner Show. Wil made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and then went on to be a regular on the NBC morning show The David Letterman Show
. For one season in the 1980s (1987–88), he hosted The Wil Shriner Show, a nationally-syndicated television talk show. TV Guide
described the program as "a daily variety-talk show featuring celebrity guests, segments on health and fitness, and interviews with authors and experts."
He also hosted two game shows, the American version of That's My Dog
(replacing Steve Skrovan
) from 1993 until its cancellation in 1995 and Small Talk
. He also hosted a show about inventors called Why Didn't I Think of That that ran for two years. He also hosted the Miss Teen USA 1989
pageant. He spent four years as a correspondent and guest host on the ABC network morning show Home Show.
He began directing sitcoms in 2000 with his start at Frasier, and Becker to Everybody Loves Raymond. He also did episodes of Raising Dad, My Wife and Kids, Norm, Married to the Kellys, Luis, Ladies Man, Two Guys and A Girl, and Living With Fran
.
In 2006, he wrote the screenplay and directed the feature film Hoot
which was released by New Line Cinema on over 3000 screens. The family film came out on DVD in August 2007 and continues to entertain kids with the beauty of Florida and the message of stepping up when they see wrongdoing. Hoot was recently added to the film collection of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
He directed an episode of The Gilmore Girls on the CW.
He continues to do stand-up comedy around the country and in the corporate arena while working on his next film project.
Life and career
Shriner was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, the twin brother of soap opera actor Kin Shriner
Kin Shriner
Kin Shriner is an American actor, best known for playing Scott Baldwin on both daytime serials General Hospital and Port Charles .-Personal life:...
and the son of Eileen “Pixie” McDermott and Herb Shriner
Herb Shriner
Herbert Arthur "Herb" Shriner was an American humorist, radio personality and television host. Shriner was known for his homespun monologues, usually about his home state of Indiana...
, a Hoosier
Hoosier
Hoosier is the official demonym for a resident of the U.S. state of Indiana. Although residents of most U.S. states typically adopt a derivative of the state name, e.g., "Indianan" or "Indianian", natives of Indiana rarely use these. Indiana adopted the nickname "Hoosier State" more than 150...
humorist who had several shows in the early days of television, including Two for the Money and The Herb Shriner Show. Wil made his first appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and then went on to be a regular on the NBC morning show The David Letterman Show
The David Letterman Show
The David Letterman Show was a live morning NBC talk show hosted by David Letterman from June 23 to October 24, 1980. The show originally ran for 90 minutes, then 60 minutes from August 4 onward.-Background:...
. For one season in the 1980s (1987–88), he hosted The Wil Shriner Show, a nationally-syndicated television talk show. TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
described the program as "a daily variety-talk show featuring celebrity guests, segments on health and fitness, and interviews with authors and experts."
He also hosted two game shows, the American version of That's My Dog
That's My Dog
That's My Dog was a television game show which aired on The Family Channel in the United States. Two families and their dogs competed for prizes in games and stunts oriented toward the dogs...
(replacing Steve Skrovan
Steve Skrovan
-Career:A former stand-up comedian, Skrovan was a writer for the CBS sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond. Previously, he was the host for the first two seasons of the game show That's My Dog! on Family. Skrovan was also the original host of Totally Hidden Video, which aired on FOX from 1989-1992...
) from 1993 until its cancellation in 1995 and Small Talk
Small Talk
Small Talk was an American game show hosted by comedian Wil Shriner and produced by Reg Grundy Productions that aired on The Family Channel from September 30, 1996 to January 3, 1997...
. He also hosted a show about inventors called Why Didn't I Think of That that ran for two years. He also hosted the Miss Teen USA 1989
Miss Teen USA 1989
Miss Teen USA 1989, the seventh Miss Teen USA pageant, was televised live from San Bernardino, California on July 25, 1989.At the conclusion of the final competition, Brandi Sherwood of Idaho was crowned by outgoing titleholder Mindy Duncan of Oregon. Brandi is the only Miss Teen USA from Idaho...
pageant. He spent four years as a correspondent and guest host on the ABC network morning show Home Show.
He began directing sitcoms in 2000 with his start at Frasier, and Becker to Everybody Loves Raymond. He also did episodes of Raising Dad, My Wife and Kids, Norm, Married to the Kellys, Luis, Ladies Man, Two Guys and A Girl, and Living With Fran
Living With Fran
Living With Fran is an American sitcom that debuted on The WB network in April 2005 that starred Fran Drescher. The show last aired on March 2006.-Premise:Drescher plays Fran Reeves, an interior designer and divorced mother of two...
.
In 2006, he wrote the screenplay and directed the feature film Hoot
Hoot (film)
Hoot is a 2006 American family comedy film based on Carl Hiaasen's novel of the same name. It was directed by Wil Shriner and produced by New Line Cinema and Walden Media. Hoot was released on May 5, 2006....
which was released by New Line Cinema on over 3000 screens. The family film came out on DVD in August 2007 and continues to entertain kids with the beauty of Florida and the message of stepping up when they see wrongdoing. Hoot was recently added to the film collection of the Museum of Modern Art in NYC.
He directed an episode of The Gilmore Girls on the CW.
He continues to do stand-up comedy around the country and in the corporate arena while working on his next film project.