Biography
Michael English Showalter (born June 17, 1970; Princeton) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He is one third of the sketch comedy trio Stella. Showalter first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. He co-wrote (with David Wain) and starred in Wet Hot American Summer (2001) and he wrote, directed, and starred in The Baxter (2005), with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux and Elizabeth Banks. Both of these movies featured many of hi...
Known For
Complete Filmography
Verity
2026
Director, Producer
Struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh is on the brink of financial ruin when she accepts the job offer of a lifetime: she's been hired to complete the rema...
Oh. What. Fun.
2025
Director, Writer, Producer
Claire Clauster organizes a special Christmas outing when her family forgets her in the shuffle. By the time they realize their mistake, she’s gone mi...
Long Live the State
2025
as Self
In 2024, the eleven (!) members of the iconic mid-90’s cult comedy troupe The State reunited for a live tour. With their irreverent and absurdist live...
The Idea of You
2024
Director, Producer, Screenplay
40-year-old single mom Solène begins an unexpected romance with 24-year-old Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of August Moon, the hottest boy band on th...
Spoiler Alert
2022
Director, Producer
Journalist Michael Ausiello embarks on a rollercoaster ride of emotions when Kit Cowan, his partner of 14 years, is diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Stomach People
2022
Executive Producer
When Julia returns home for her grandmother's funeral, she has a nervous breakdown and vomits up the imaginary friends that have been living inside he...
The Eyes of Tammy Faye
2021
Director
From the 1960s to the 1980s, evangelist Jim Baker and his ambitious wife, Tammy Faye, rose from humble beginnings to build an empire based on big-time...
The Lovebirds
2020
Director, Executive Producer
A couple experiences a defining moment in their relationship when they are unintentionally embroiled in a murder mystery. As their journey to clear th...
It Started As a Joke
2019
as Self
This documentary chronicles the decade-long run of the Eugene Mirman Comedy Festival – including a final farewell show. The film celebrates Eugene’s u...
Ray Romano: Right Here, Around the Corner
2019
Director
Ray Romano first cut his stand-up teeth at the Comedy Cellar in New York. Now, in his first comedy special in 23 years, he returns to where it all beg...
The Big Sick
2017
Director
Pakistan-born comedian Kumail Nanjiani and grad student Emily Gardner fall in love but struggle as their cultures clash. When Emily contracts a myster...
Giles Vanderhoot
2016
as Giles Vanderhoot
No one is better at portraying rehabilitationamalist Giles Vanderhoot than Vanderhoot himself.
Giles Vanderhoot
2016
Writer, Director, Executive Producer
No one is better at portraying rehabilitationamalist Giles Vanderhoot than Vanderhoot himself.
The Second Sound Barrier
2016
Writer
The tale of the three fastest drivers in the world and their quest to save Lady Billionaire. Struck with a mysterious illness, the only way to save he...
Hello, My Name Is Doris
2015
Director, Writer, Executive Producer
A self-help seminar inspires a sixty-something woman to romantically pursue her younger co-worker.
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
2015
as Self
Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage offers a glimpse into the comic minds behind a "Wet Hot" summer-camp cult hit featuring many future stars.
Hurricane of Fun: The Making of Wet Hot
2015
Executive Producer
Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage offers a glimpse into the comic minds behind a "Wet Hot" summer-camp cult hit featuring many future stars.
Misery Loves Comedy
2015
as Self
Do you have to be miserable to be funny? More than sixty comedians—including stand-ups, writers, actors, and directors from the US, Canada, and abroad...
Two Night Stand
2014
as Rick Raines
After an extremely regrettable one night stand, two strangers wake up to find themselves snowed in after sleeping through a blizzard that put all of M...
They Came Together
2014
Writer, Producer
A small business owner is about to lose her shop to a major corporate development.
Wanderlust
2012
as Himself
Rattled by sudden unemployment, a Manhattan couple surveys alternative living options, ultimately deciding to experiment with living on a rural commun...
Stella: Live in Boston
2009
as Michael
The comedy trio performs live in Boston.
Stella: Live in Boston
2009
Executive Producer, Writer
The comedy trio performs live in Boston.
Birthday
2008
as Michael
"Birthday" is a new short film from the unique three-man comedy group STELLA:
Birthday
2008
Executive Producer, Writer
"Birthday" is a new short film from the unique three-man comedy group STELLA:
The Ten
2007
as Police Lt. Flarn Bleern
Ten stories, each inspired by one of the ten commandments.
Reno 911!: Miami
2007
as Paul
A rag-tag team of Reno cops are called in to save the day after a terrorist attack disrupts a national police convention in Miami Beach during spring ...
Griffin & Phoenix
2006
as Terry's Fiancé
A terminally ill man falls in love with a woman who has a secret that threatens their time spent together.
The Baxter
2005
as Elliot Sherman
A man with a "doormat" personality tries standing up for himself for a change in this comedy. Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman is what he c...
The Baxter
2005
Director, Writer
A man with a "doormat" personality tries standing up for himself for a change in this comedy. Mild mannered tax accountant Elliot Sherman is what he c...
Hair High
2004
as Wally (voice)
Bill Plympton's gothic '50s high-school comedy about a love-triangle that goes terribly wrong. Two murdered teens return from the grave, then go to th...
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
2002
as Michael
STELLA is a three-man comedy troupe from New York City, comprised of well-known comedians/actors Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black....
Stella Shorts 1998-2002
2002
Director, Writer
STELLA is a three-man comedy troupe from New York City, comprised of well-known comedians/actors Michael Showalter, David Wain, and Michael Ian Black....
Signs
2002
as Lionel Prichard
A family living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.
Operation Midnight Climax
2002
as Chip
Will Nitch is on a mission to achieve a transendental tantric sexual experience: a sustained orgasm. He begins to assemble a Secret Society of Women: ...
Kissing Jessica Stein
2002
as Stephen
Jessica, a Jewish copy editor living and working in New York City, is plagued by failed blind dates with men, and decides to answer a newspaper's pers...
Wet Hot American Summer
2001
as Coop / Alan Shemper
The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It's the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there's still a summer's worth of unfi...
Wet Hot American Summer
2001
Screenplay, Producer
The setting is Camp Firewood, the year 1981. It's the last day before everyone goes back to the real world, but there's still a summer's worth of unfi...
Chocolate For Breakfast
1998
Four very different female roommates try to stick together while dealing with hectic daily schedules that living in New York City often conditions.
Safe Men
1998
as Larry
Two untalented singers are mistaken for a pair of major league safe crackers in Providence, Rhode Island. The two are pressed into service by the loca...
Tick
1996
as Clifford
A brisk look into the lives of two bomb diffusers. John Hamburg's student film.
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
1995
as Various
Comedy troupe The State hosts a Halloween special on CBS.
The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special
1995
Writer
Comedy troupe The State hosts a Halloween special on CBS.
MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers
N/A
VHS only release featuring skits from MTV's The State.
Untitled Holiday Comedy Project
N/A
Director
The film follows two women fighting the elements to make it home for Christmas
The Last Ride of Cowboy Bob
N/A
Director
The story will follow a real-life '90s Texas bank robber named Peggy Jo Tallas, who got away with her heists by dressing up as a man, aka “Cowboy Bob....
Ma 2
N/A
Director
Following the events of the first film, Sue Ann now resides in the Pacific Northwest, working as a real estate agent, when her murderous past as “Ma” ...