Happy 58th Birthday, Paul Feig! Born today in 1962 as Paul Samuel Feig, this American actor, writer, producer and filmmaker is best known for directing films starring frequent collaborator Melissa McCarthy.
Born in and raised in Mount Clemens, Michigan, Feig's mother was a telephone operator and his father owned Ark Surplus on Gratiot Avenue.
Feig's father was born Jewish and later converted to Christian Science; Feig's parents met at a church social, and Feig was also raised in Christian Science.
After a year at Wayne State University, Feig moved to Los Angeles, California and later transferred to the University of Southern California.
He also later worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood, embarked on a stand-up comedy act, and landed minor roles on various television shows.
In the mid-1990s, Feig appeared in the 1995 American family comedy film 'Heavyweights', in which he played camp counselor Tim Orford.
The following year, on the first season of the American television sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (1996–2003), Feig portrayed Mr. Eugene Pool, Sabrina's science teacher.
In the late 1990s, along with 'Heavyweights' co-scripter Judd Apatow, Feig created the short-lived American teen comedy-drama television series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000).
The show was inspired by Feig's experiences at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan. The show aired on NBC, and eighteen episodes were completed in all.
Despite the short run, Freaks and Geeks has since maintained a devoted cult following. Time had named the series 100 Greatest Shows of All Time.
In summer 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked Freaks and Geeks as the 13th best show of the past twenty-five years. Feig was eventually nominated for two Emmys for writing the show's pilot and the season finale.
According to the 2009 TV Guide's 100 Greatest Episodes of All-Time list, the Freaks and Geeks episode "Carded and Discarded" (S01E07) ranked in at #41. The episode was co-written by Feig and Apatow and directed by the latter.
Airing on January 10, 2000, the forty-five-minute episode tells of how the pretty new transfer student, Maureen Sampson (Kayla Ewell) at school befriends Sam (John Frances Daley) and the geeks.
However, things change when she starts talking to the popular kids; Lindsay (Linda Cardellini) and Nick (Jason Segel) decide to get fake ID cards so that they can see a hot local band perform at a bar.
Later, after they go through the trouble of getting their IDs and going into the bar, the group is stunned to find out who the hot local bands lead singer is.
Feig directed fourteen episodes of the American mockumentary sitcom television series The Office (2005–2013). The last episode he directed was "Goodbye, Michael" (S07E22). It had aired on April 28, 2011.
That same day, the feature of which Feig is best known for directing was released. This was the 2011 American comedy/romance film 'Bridesmaids'. The film was co-produced by Apatow and co-written by Kristen Wiig, of whom also starred.
One year later, 'Bridesmaids' was nominated an Oscar for both Best Supporting Actress (Melissa McCarthy) and Best Original Screenplay (Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo).
This made the film the first Apatow-produced film to be nominated for an Academy Award. This occurred at the 84th Academy Awards in late February 2012.
Among his other film credits, Feig is also known for directing 'The Heat' (2013), 'Spy' (2015), 'Ghostbusters' (2016), 'A Simple Favor' (2018) and 'Last Christmas' (2019).
Among his other television credits, Feig is most notable for directing seven episodes of Arrested Development (2003–2019), one episode of Weeds (2005-2012), one episode of 30 Rock (2006–2013), one episode of Mad Men (2007–2015), and one episode of Parks and Recreation (2009–2015).
For his work on television, Feig has received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards for writing on Freaks and Geeks and two for producing and directing on The Office.
According to his personal life, Feig has been married to Laurie Karon since September 23, 1994.
Feig has worn many hats throughout his enduring showbiz career. From teenage standup to high-profile Hollywood player, his unique perspective always seems to offer something fresh and innovative.
Feig has been active from 1986–present.
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