James Adomian (born January 31, 1980) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and impressionist. He is best known for his work on Comedy Bang! Bang!, Chapo Trap House, Last Comic Standing, The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson where he impersonated President George W. Bush until 2009, and for portraying Bernie Sanders during the 2016 Trump vs. Bernie tour. He voices Talking Ben in the Talking Tom and Friends animated series.
| James Adomian | |
|---|---|
 Adomian in 2016 | |
| Born | January 31, 1980 Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Medium | Stand-up comedy, television |
| Years active | 2005–present |
| Notable works and roles | Trump vs. Bernie |
| Website | jamesadomian |
Early life
editAdomian was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on January 31, 1980, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was ten years old.[1] Adomian is an alumnus of Los Angeles Baptist High School and attended Whittier College studying in a self-designed major in Economics and Theatre Arts.[2] He notes that he did not graduate during a 2017 interview with Pete Holmes.[3] Adomian is of partial Armenian descent.[4]
Career
editAdomian began appearing as President George W. Bush frequently on The Late Late Show after Craig Ferguson took over hosting the show in January 2005 until 2009.
He has appeared on several other comedy programs, including MADtv, Mind of Mencia, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Short Circuitz, Atom TV, Cavemen, Recount and Players.[5] His appearances on Kimmel have included recurring portrayals of Mike Lindell.[6] He is a recurring guest on Chapo Trap House, where he performs a Sebastian Gorka impression.[7]
Adomian has appeared in the films Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay and Miss March.
As a voice-over artist, Adomian performed on The Onion Radio News, as several recurring characters on the PBS cartoon series WordGirl, as President Bush on a few episodes of MADtv, as Jimmy Kimmel on Celebrity Deathmatch, and on a number of other cartoons.
In 2011, he was cast as a co-lead in the unaired Kari Lizer pilot project for NBC alongside Sarah Paulson and Tim Meadows.
In 2012, Adomian appeared on Comedy Bang! Bang! as PBS broadcaster Huell Howser, on Adult Swim's Childrens Hospital as Madonna, and on MTV's Money from Strangers as himself, also making regular appearances as various sketch characters on Conan.
In 2018, Adomian was one of the headliners at the Portland Queer Comedy Festival.[8][9]
For the Freddie Mercury episode of the 2019 Netflix program Historical Roasts, Adomian played the title character.[10]
Stand-up comedy album
editIn 2012, Adomian released his debut comedy album Low Hangin Fruit. The release was the first album released by Earwolf, and received mostly positive reviews.[11] The one-hour stand-up set features personal stories, a number of celebrity impressions and political material including observations regarding the cultural perceptions of LGBT people.
Live appearances
edit
Adomian frequently performs live at Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre in sketch and stand-up shows such as Comedy Bang! Bang!, Who Charted?, and many others. He is also an alumnus of the Sunday Company at The Groundlings Theatre, where he still frequently performs. He also regularly performs at "The Tomorrow Show" and other stand-up shows in Hollywood. Adomian is known for doing many impressions at live shows, both in-costume and as part of his standup act, including Vincent Price, Lewis Black, Orson Welles, Jesse Ventura, Paul Giamatti, Michael Caine, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Sam Elliott, Al Franken, Huell Howser, Christopher Hitchens, Gary Busey, John McCain, Joe Lieberman, Marc Maron, Jimmy Kimmel, Andy Kindler, Tom Leykis, Todd Glass, George W. Bush, Bernie Sanders and Slavoj Žižek.[12] He has performed several impressions as recurring characters on Comedy Bang! Bang![13]
Adomian often makes live appearances around the country doing standup or characters, particularly at left-wing political events like YearlyKos, Laughing Liberally, the National Conference for Media Reform and campaign events for Congressman Alan Grayson. In 2010, he made several live standup appearances across North America in the Breaking Even tour.[citation needed]
In 2008, he appeared with comedian Greg Giraldo at venues around the country as part of the Indecision '08 Tour produced by Comedy Central. He has performed at comedy festivals across North America, including Just for Laughs in Montreal.[14] In March 2012, Adomian had his first overseas appearance, headlining a sold-out two night show in Seoul, South Korea for Stand Up Seoul.[15]
Adomian toured the US with the Trump vs. Bernie tour in February–March 2016.
Personal life
editAdomian is gay.[16] He is the grandson of Armenian-American mathematician George Adomian.[17] He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[18]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay | George W. Bush | |
| 2009 | Miss March | Deadbeat Dad | Voice |
| 2011 | The Treasure Hunt: A Chad, Matt & Rob Interactive Adventure | The Gunslinger | |
| 2011 | Freak Dance | Mickey Stardust, Zip Fleestreet, Fraggle McWinkerbean | |
| 2014 | Hits | Donovan | |
| 2016 | Storks | Additional voice | |
| 2017 | Love After Love | Chris | |
| 2019 | The Day Shall Come | Settmonk | |
| 2020 | Have a Good Trip: Adventures in Psychedelics | Various voices |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Yacht Rock | Vincent Price | Episode: "Believe in It" |
| 2005–2007 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson | George W. Bush | 49 episodes |
| 2006–2009 | MADtv | Voice, episode #12.4 | |
| 2006 | Mind of Mencia | 2 episodes | |
| 2007 | Celebrity Deathmatch | Jimmy Kimmel | Voice, episode: "The Banter Bloodbath" |
| Short Circuitz | George W. Bush | Episode #1.4 | |
| Cavemen | Waiter | Episode: "Her Embarrassed of Caveman" | |
| The Right Now Show | Ensemble sketch cast member, various | Pilot | |
| 2008–2015 | WordGirl | Captain Huggyface | Voice, main role |
| 2009 | Atom TV | George W. Bush | 2 episodes |
| The Jay Leno Show | Mad Doctor | Unknown episodes | |
| Popzilla | Various characters | Voice | |
| 2010 | Players | Barfly | Episode: "Barb's Husband" |
| Last Comic Standing | Himself (standup) | 10 episodes | |
| 2011–2012 | Conan | Various sketch characters | Unknown episodes |
| 2012–2013 | Money From Strangers | Himself | 5 episodes |
| 2012–2016 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Various | 10 episodes |
| 2012–2015 | Childrens Hospital | 3 episodes | |
| 2012 | Gravity Falls | Additional voices | Episode: "Headhunters" |
| 2012–2014 | The Eric Andre Show | Various | 2 episodes |
| 2013 | The Chris Gethard Show | Jesse Ventura | Episode: "Loser Is Still the New Nerd" |
| Adventure Time | Ogdoad | Voice, episode: "The Suitor"[19] | |
| Maron | Brian Burkman | Episode: "Jen Moves to L.A." | |
| 2013–2015 | Axe Cop | Various | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Animation Domination High-Def | Voice, 3 episodes | |
| 2014 | Drunk History | Alexander Cochrane | Episode: "Baltimore" |
| 2014–2021 | Talking Tom & Friends | Talking Ben, Maurice Claremont, Ronnie Bergstedt, McGillicuddy, various | Voice[19] |
| 2015 | Kroll Show | Alan the Limo Driver | Episode: "Lizards vs. Penguins" |
| 2015–2019 | BoJack Horseman | Stuart | 7 episodes |
| 2015 | Major Lazer | General Rubbish, various | Voice, 8 episodes |
| 2015–2018 | The Venture Bros. | Phineas Phage, Night Dick, S-464, Lawyer, Termite, Mission Creep, Sensei Finkelstein, Blackout | Voice, 8 episodes[19] |
| 2015–2017 | Pig Goat Banana Cricket | President of the Planet, additional voices | Voice, 17 episodes[19] |
| 2015 | The Jim Gaffigan Show | Himself | Episode: "Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday" |
| 2015–2016 | Regular Show | Rikki, Harry | Voice, 2 episodes[19] |
| 2015 | TripTank | Brunette, Blonde | Voice, episode: "Short Change"[19] |
| 2016–2017 | @midnight | Bernie Sanders | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Trump vs. Bernie: Debate for America | TV special | |
| Trump vs. Bernie: Shout the Vote! | TV special | ||
| The UCB Show | Episode: "Feel the Bern" | ||
| Man Seeking Woman | Spider | Episode: "Balloon" | |
| Star Wars Rebels | Imperial Captain | Voice, episode: "The Forgotten Droid" | |
| Wander Over Yonder | Gluteus Maximus | Voice, episode: "The Party Poopers"[19] | |
| 2016–2018 | Future-Worm! | Future-Worm | Voice, main role |
| 2016–2021 | American Dad! | Various | Voice, 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Zoolander: Super Model | Voice, television film., | |
| Take My Wife | Theater Owner | Episode: "Applause Break" | |
| 2017 | The President Show | Bernie Sanders | 2 episodes |
| 2017–2019 | The Special Without Brett Davis | Sebastian Gorka, Jesse Ventura | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Maximillian Blanc | Episode: "The Platinum Curse" |
| 2018–2020 | Our Cartoon President | Bernie Sanders, Ted Cruz, Sean Hannity, Bill Clinton, various | Voice, 46 episodes |
| 2018 | Random Acts of Flyness | Everybody Dies! TV Talk Show Host | Episode: "What are your thoughts on raising free black children?" |
| Bob's Burgers | Glenn | Voice, episode: "Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street"[19] | |
| 2019 | Historical Roasts | Freddie Mercury | Episode: "Freddie Mercury" |
| Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Stinkbomb, Harold | Voice, episode: "How to Make Enemies and Bend People to Your Will" | |
| Amphibia | Sheriff Buck Leatherleaf | Voice, episode: "Girl Time"[19] | |
| DuckTales | Jones | Voice, episode: "Whatever Happened to Donald Duck?"[19] | |
| 2019–present | Harley Quinn | Bane, Ratcatcher, Clock King, Nelvin Eckles, Snowflame, Chaz, Ian | Voice, recurring role[19] |
| 2020 | Central Park | Jimmy | Voice, episode: "Hot Oven" |
| Hoops | Voice, 2 episodes | ||
| 2020–2022 | Duncanville | Voice, 19 episodes | |
| Close Enough | Randy | Voice, 24 episodes | |
| 2021 | Let's Be Real | Jeff Bezos | Voice, 2 episodes |
| Q-Force | Ennis | Voice, episode: "Backache Mountain" | |
| Tig n' Seek | H.G. Fluffenfold | Voice, episode: "Chester's Roasting On A Open Fire" | |
| 2021–2022 | Looney Tunes Cartoons | Rocky | Voice, 2 episodes[19] |
| Rugrats | Mr. Garth | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Various | Recurring role[20] | |
| Inside Job | Various voices | 4 episodes | |
| 2022 | Cat Burglar | Rowdy | Voice, main role[21] |
| Human Resources | The Need Demon | Voice, episode: "Bad Mummies" | |
| Rick and Morty | Voice, 2 episodes | ||
| Teen Titans Go! | Bane | Voice, episode: "The Great Holiday Escape" | |
| 2022–2023 | Hamster & Gretel | Rodney Thunderpants, various | Voice, 3 episodes[19] |
| 2023 | Velma | Thespian | Voice, episode: "The Candy (Wo)man"[19] |
| History of the World, Part II | Richard Nixon | 2 episodes | |
| Krapopolis | Pan, Various | Recurring voice role | |
| 2024 | Kite Man: Hell Yeah! | Bane | Voice[22] |
References
edit- ^ James Adomian: An up-and-comer hits the Lodge., Time Out, October 4, 2011
- ^ Notable Whittier College Alumni: Entertainment, Arts & Literature, whittier.edu
- ^ "You Made It Weird #387: James Adomian". Nerdist. October 11, 2017. Archived from the original on July 9, 2018. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
- ^ The always funny & fresh to death James Adomian, May 8, 2013
- ^ "James Adomian". IMDb. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ Gularte, Alejandra (January 14, 2022). "Jimmy Kimmel Live!: James Adomian's Mike Lindell Impression Returns Behind Bars". Vulture. Vox Media LLC. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
- ^ Tani, Maxwell. "The best political impression of the year is being performed on a cult-favorite leftist podcast". Business Insider. Retrieved September 15, 2024.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Mike Acker | For The (July 13, 2018). "Portland Queer Comedy Festival is back for year two, with a more expansive lineup". The Oregonian. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ "Portland Queer Comedy Festival 2018". Portland Monthly. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
- ^ Lindsay, Kathryn. "All The Hilarious Comedians In Netflix's New Show "Historical Roasts"". refinery29.com. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
- ^ Wenzel, John. "James Adomian Low Hangin Fruit album review". The Spit Take. Retrieved April 10, 2013.
- ^ Machen, Rod (March 10, 2023). "Getting Sweaty With this Year's SXSW Comedy Keynote, Impressionist James Adomian". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "James Adomian on Earwolf". Comedy Bang! Bang!. Archived from the original on September 18, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2013.
- ^ "Just for Laughs | James Adomian". jamesadomian.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
- ^ MacDonald, Hamish (February 28, 2012). "James Adomian brings the funny to Seoul". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on March 4, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ^ McKee, Ryan. "How to Improve 'Last Comic Standing': Bring Back The House!". TV Squad. Archived from the original on July 21, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011. - "When James Adomian performs, it's more exciting if you know he could be the first gay comic to win 'LCS.' Wait, you didn't even know he's gay? My point exactly. Bring back the house."
- ^ "Probably Science : Episode 017 - James Adomian". Probablyscience.libsyn.com. April 23, 2012. Retrieved March 8, 2014.
- ^ @JAdomian (February 8, 2018). "I became a member of the DSA specifically so that I could be dragged into a pedantic semantic feud at any hour in every timezone" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "James Adomian (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 10, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ "Trump REALLY Exaggerated His Wealth, Jimmy's Pick for Supreme Court & Doocy's Stupid Non-Questions - YouTube". January 26, 2022. Retrieved January 26, 2022 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Cat Burglar". Netflix. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ Milligan, Mercedes (September 14, 2023). "'Harley Quinn' Spin-Off 'Kite Man: Hell Yeah!' Ready to Soar with New Teaser". animationmagazine.net. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
