James Adomian
James Adomian (born January 31, 1980) is an Armenian-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 accepts the Superstar Award at the 2018 20th anniversary gala of GALAS LGBTQ+ Armenian Society | |
| 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
Adomian 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
Adomian 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]
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.[6][7]
For the Freddie Mercury episode of the 2019 Netflix program Historical Roasts, Adomian played the title character.[8]
Stand-up comedy album
In 2012, Adomian released his debut comedy album Low Hangin Fruit. The release was the first album released by Earwolf, and received mostly positive reviews.[9] 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
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, and Bernie Sanders. He has performed several impressions as recurring characters on Comedy Bang! Bang![10]
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.[11] In March 2012, Adomian had his first overseas appearance, headlining a sold-out two night show in Seoul, South Korea for Stand Up Seoul.[12]
Adomian toured the US with the Trump vs. Bernie tour in February–March 2016.
Personal life
Adomian is gay.[13] He is the grandson of Armenian-American mathematician George Adomian.[14] He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.[15]
Filmography
Film
| 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
| 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 | George W. Bush (voice) | Episode #12.4 |
| 2006 | Mind of Mencia | George W. Bush | 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, additional voices (voice) | 26 episodes |
| 2009 | Atom TV | George W. Bush | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | The Jay Leno Show | Mad Doctor | Unknown episodes |
| 2009 | Popzilla | Various characters (voice) | Unknown episodes |
| 2010 | Players | Barfly | Episode: "Barb's Husband" |
| 2010 | 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 | Various | 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" |
| 2013 | Adventure Time | Ogdoad (voice) | Episode: "The Suitor" |
| 2013 | Maron | Brian Burkman | Episode: "Jen Moves to L.A." |
| 2013–2015 | Axe Cop | Various (voice) | 4 episodes |
| 2013–2015 | Animation Domination High-Def | Various (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Drunk History | Alexander Cochrane | Episode: "Baltimore" |
| 2014–present | Talking Tom and Friends | Talking Ben, Maurice Claremont, Ronnie Bergstedt, McGillicuddy, others | Starring role, 5 seasons |
| 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, various (voice) | 8 episodes |
| 2015–2017 | Pig Goat Banana Cricket | President of the Planet, various (voice) | 17 episodes |
| 2015 | The Jim Gaffigan Show | Himself | Episode: "Go Shorty, It's Your Birthday" |
| 2015–2016 | Regular Show | Rikki / Harry (voice) | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | TripTank | Brunette / Blonde (voice) | Episode: "Short Change" |
| 2016–2017 | @midnight | Bernie Sanders | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | Trump vs. Bernie: Debate for America | Bernie Sanders | TV special |
| Trump vs. Bernie: Shout the Vote! | Bernie Sanders | TV special | |
| The UCB Show | Bernie Sanders | Episode: "Feel the Bern" | |
| Man Seeking Woman | Spider | Episode: "Balloon" | |
| Star Wars Rebels | Imperial Captain (voice) | Episode: "The Forgotten Droid" | |
| Wander Over Yonder | Various (voice) | Episode: "The Party Poopers/The Waste of Time" | |
| 2016–2018 | Future-Worm! | Future-Worm!, various (voice) | 15 episodes |
| 2016–2021 | American Dad! | Various (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2016 | Zoolander: Super Model | (voice) | TV movie |
| 2016 | 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?" |
| 2018 | Bob's Burgers | Glenn (voice) | Episode: "Nightmare on Ocean Avenue Street" |
| 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" | |
| DuckTales | Jones (voice) | Episode: "Whatever Happened to Donald Duck?" | |
| 2019–present | Harley Quinn | Bane, Ratcatcher, Chaz, Ian (voice) | Recurring role |
| 2020–2021 | Duncanville | (voice) | 12 episodes |
| 2020–2022 | Close Enough | Randy (voice) | 24 episodes |
| 2020 | Central Park | Jimmy (voice) | Episode: "Hot Oven" |
| 2020 | Looney Tunes Cartoons | Rocky (voice) | Episode: "Chain Gangster" |
| 2021 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Mike Lindell, Elon Musk | 9 episodes |
| Let's Be Real | Jeff Bezos (voice) | 2 episodes | |
| Q-Force | Ennis (voice) | Episode: "Backache Mountain" | |
| Rugrats | Mr. Garth (voice) | Episode: "Escape from Preschool/Mr. Chuckie" | |
| 2022 | Cat Burglar | Rowdy (voice) | Main role; interactive special[16] |
| Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Detective Mick "Mickey" J. McSullivan, Pinkerton | Episode: "Trump REALLY Exaggerated His Wealth, Jimmy’s Pick for Supreme Court & Doocy’s Stupid Non-Questions"[17] |
References
- ^ James Adomian: An up-and-comer hits the Lodge., timeout.com, October 4, 2011
- ^ Notable Whittier College Alumni: Entertainment, Arts & Literature, whittier.edu
- ^ . Nerdist. 2017-10-11. Archived from the original on 2018-07-09. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
- ^ The always funny & fresh to death James Adomian, 8 May 2013
- ^ "James Adomian". IMDb. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Mike Acker | For The (2018-07-13). "Portland Queer Comedy Festival is back for year two, with a more expansive lineup". oregonlive. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
- ^ "Portland Queer Comedy Festival 2018". Portland Monthly. Retrieved 2020-02-08.
- ^ Lindsay, Kathryn. "All The Hilarious Comedians In Netflix's New Show "Historical Roasts"". www.refinery29.com. Retrieved 3 June 2019.
- ^ Wenzel, John. "James Adomian Low Hangin Fruit album review". The Spit Take. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
- ^ "James Adomian on Earwolf". Comedy Bang! Bang!. Retrieved 2013-10-07.
- ^ "Just for Laughs | James Adomian". jamesadomian.com. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
- ^ MacDonald, Hamish (28 February 2012). "James Adomian brings the funny to Seoul". The Korea Herald. Retrieved 2012-03-05.
- ^ McKee, Ryan. . TV Squad. Archived from the original on 2010-07-21. Retrieved 2011-02-24. - "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. 2012-04-23. Retrieved 2014-03-08.
- ^ @JAdomian (8 February 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.
- ^ "Cat Burglar". Netflix. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- ^ "Trump REALLY Exaggerated His Wealth, Jimmy's Pick for Supreme Court & Doocy's Stupid Non-Questions - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved January 26, 2022.