Andy Samberg
Andy Samberg joined an esteemed list of breakout performers to emerge from one of television's most revered comedy training grounds, "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ), during his seven-year run. Getting his start in television as an assistant on the political sitcom "Spin City" (ABC, 1996-2002), Samberg's talent and drive landed him a spot as a cast member on "SNL" in 2005. Joining him behind the scenes were his longtime friends and writing partners, Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, who filled out the comedy trio collectively known as The Lonely Island. Trafficking in the medium of digital short films, Samberg and his partners contributed the hilarious music-video send-ups "Lazy Sunday" and "D*ck in a Box," which racked up millions of views on YouTube and establish Samberg as one of the more promising new additions to the "SNL" cast. Before long, the comedic actor was starring in solo projects like the man-child comedy "Hot Rod" (2007) and lending his voice to animated features, "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs" (2009) among them. Buoyed by their success, The Lonely Island released the hit album Incredibad in 2009, followed by Turtlenecks & Chains in 2011. In 2013, Samberg was cast in the lead role of the sitcom "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (Fox, 2013-18; NBC, 2018- ), which went on to be both a critical and popular hit that was beloved by fans. Talented, prolific and blessed with an almost-indefinable nerdish charisma, Samberg was just hitting his stride as a top-flight comic actor well versed in all mediums.