Will Forte

Cast · Writer

Born

June 17, 1970 · Alameda County, California, USA

Birth name

Orville Willis Forte IV

Will Forte began his artistic formation with a history degree from UCLA, then shifted from a brief career as a financial broker to comedy, studying at The Groundlings improv troupe in Los Angeles while writing for television programs such as The Jenny McCarthy Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, and That ’70s Show. He transitioned to performance when he joined Saturday Night Live as a writer and cast member, where he spent eight seasons developing original characters and participating in sketch writing procedures. He co-created and portrayed the title character in MacGruber, evolving that sketch into a larger production with collaborators like Jorma Taccone and John Solomon. Forte expanded into voice acting, contributing to animated features and series, and he created and starred in a television sitcom which he also wrote and produced, earning industry recognition and nominations.