BA #085: Thomas Middleditch

On the eighty-fifth Box Angeles actor / improviser Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley, The Wolf of Wall Street) stops by Studio 309. He discusses being bullied in grade school before “figuring it out”, why Chicago is a great training ground for actors, odd jobs like selling shoes & walking dogs, how numerous random events have led to his success, and more!

the BA #085 breakdown

– Box rants people in the elevator bay.

– The Tommy Middlesnatch buzz and drinking and rituals.

– Growing up in Nelson, BC, Canada and “figuring it out” in high school being voted valedictorian.

– Indoorsy, flashes of weirdness and getting put into a play in 8th grade which changed everything.

– Theatresports, playing soccer and traveling to Australia after graduation.

– Briefly attending the University of Victoria before moving to Toronto for George Brown College.

– Focusing on sketch comedy, selling sneakers at New Balance and relocating to Chicago.

– Immigration, cash jobs like dog walking and taking classes at both Second City & iO.

– Getting a work visa with help from Charna Halpern and not enjoying the ways of old school improv.

– Doing Second City Cruise, considering quitting comedy and getting an SNL audition.

– Random events; new manager, network holding deal and McNuggets sketch into a commercial.

– Starting over in New York City, starting to do commercials and delaying the move to Los Angeles.

– How an audio bit, turned into a pilot, landed the role in Silicon Valley and trying to get in at UCB LA.

– Successes, not enjoying The Office spin-off, and avoiding saying no.

For more Thomas, catch him in ‘Silicon Valley‘ and follow him on Twitter @middleditch.

STUDIO BEER – Golden Road, Heal the Bay IPA