Jason Sudeikis Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Long before he was a star of TV and film, comedian Jason Sudeikis has entertained people performing with comedy groups.  Saturday Night Live was his big break before achieving success in films.

Childhood and Early Life

Jason Sudeikis was born on September 18, 1975, in Fairfax, Virginia.  Comedy and acting were already in his blood.  George Wendt, an actor, known best for his role in Cheers, is his uncle on his mother's side. 

The family moved to Kansas when he was young.  His childhood in Kansas gave him plenty of content for his future comedy career.  

Education

Jason Sudeikis attended the Catholic schools in Kansas City such as Holy Cross Cathedral and Jesuit Rockhurst High School. However, he transferred to the public school system where he graduated. 

Jason Sudeikis attended Fort Scott Community College on a basketball scholarship but later dropped out.

Rise To Stardom

Even though Jason Sudeikis started his standup comedy career in Kansas City, he moved to Illinois to study improvisation.  He took to comedy theater as a member of Second City. 

This time in the improv group out of Chicago, Illinois led to opportunities as the touring cast member.  Jason Sudeikis was one of the founding members of Second City Las Vegas.  Because of his experience, it was able to be hired on at Saturday Night Live in 2003.

Career

Jason Sudeikis started as a writer for SNL.  He wrote some of the sketches and played roles as an extra.  By 2006, he was a regular cast member.  Along with some recurring roles, he was able to portray Mitt Romney during the 2012 presidential campaign. His connection to SNL also led to guest star roles on television shows.  He was on 30 Rock with fellow SNL alum Tina Fey.  Other shows include Eastbound & Down, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. 

As a voice actor, he has found work on The Cleveland Show until the end of the series in 2013.  Video game fans of Grand Theft Auto IV will recognize his voice as radio host Richard Bastion.  In 2016, his show Son of Zorn started in which he is the voice of the character Zorn.

Jason Sudeikis started film work in 2008 with Cameron Diaz in What Happens in Vegas.  By 2011, Sudeikis landed two starring roles in the comedy films Horrible Bosses and Hall Pass.  He returned to the sequel Horrible Bosses 2 in 2014.

Personal Life and Legacy

In 2004, Jason Sudeikis married Kay Cannon, a writer on 30 Rock.  They divorced in 2010.  He is engaged to actress Olivia Wilde since 2013.  Together they have a son and daughter.

Awards

While Jason Sudeikis has not won any awards at this time, he has been nominated for a few:

•    Teen Choice Award, Choice Movie, We're the Millers (2014)
•    People's Choice Award, Favorite Movie Duo, We're the Millers (2014)
•    MTV Movie Award, Best Comedic Performance, We're the Millers (2014)
•    American Comedy Award, Breakout Performer of the Year (2012)

Philanthropic Works / Humanitarian Work

Jason Sudeikis has supported the efforts of charities such as

•    Alzheimer's Association
•    Amnesty International
•    Children's Miracle Network Hospitals
•    Hollywood Arts

Summary Of Major Works

•    Cast Member, Saturday Night Live, 2005-2013
•    Recurring roles on 30 Rock, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Eastbound & Down
•    Voice actor on The Cleveland Show, Grand Theft Auto IV, Son of Zorn
•    MTV Movie Award host