|
Biography
Its quite a trick to be a standout on an ensemble comedy especially a cult hit like Arrested Development (Fox, 2003 - )--but Will Arnett did just that in his breakthrough role: as the middle brother George Oscar 'GOB' Bluth II --pronounced like the Biblical Job--Arnett made the role of the mediocre magician, foil to older brother Michael (Jason Bateman) and all-around screw-up a scene-stealing wonder.
The Canadian-born Arnett sneaked onto the Hollywood scene in a handful of smaller movies. Like many actors, his first credited part didnt have a name he played Weather Video Guy on the little known movie Eds Next Move, and proceeded from there to small parts in Weekend Getaway and Broken Giant. He next appeared in Southie, (1998) which was written and directed by good friend Dave McLaughlin, followed by parts in other smaller films, The Waiting Game, (1999) and The Acting Class (2000).
Around the same time, Arnett began making his first television appearances, notably HBOs Sex & The City (1999), playing the character of Jack in the episode, La Douler Exquise! That was followed by bit parts on Third Watch (NBC, 2000) Boston Public, (Fox, 2000) and Yes, Dear, (CBS, 2002). He then returned to HBO to play the character of Mike Waldrup on two 2002 episodes of The Sopranos. More guest appearances followed, including a 2002 episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Next was his standout turn on the critically hailed but often ratings-impaired sitcom Arrested Development, which was perhaps helped by the fact that, along with Tony Hale, he was one of just two relative comedy newcomers among the central cast, and thus brought no preconceived image with him and allowed him to inhabit his character from scratch. But there was no denying his comedic skills, whether its his trademark authoritative, resonant declaration of <I>Michael</I> to his brother, or his insistence on being labeled an illusionist instead of a magician.
After his breakthrough, he had a memorable turn on the hit NBC sit-com Will & Grace in 2004 as dancer Artemis Johnson--who vies with Sean Hayes Jack for a spot as one of Janet Jacksons back-ups--. A return to the big screen is marked by a feature role the Universal comedy Monster-in-Law, (2005) with Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda, and the 9/11 drama, The Great New Wonderful (2005).
Arnett is married to Amy Poehler, a regular on Saturday Night Live, (NBC), who has also made guest appearances on her husbands show.
|
