Born Name:  Matthew Gregory Besser

Born Date:  September 22, 1967

Born Place:  Little Rock, Arkansas

Died Date: 

Died Place: 

Occupations:  Actor, comedian, director, producer, writer

Brief Biography:  Matthew Gregory Besser (born September 22, 1967) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and producer, best known as one of the four founding members of the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) sketch comedy troupe. He is a prolific improviser known for his work on the improv-based podcast Improv4humans and for his character roles in television and film.

Early Life and Education:
Matt grew up with an appreciation for comedy, citing influences like Steve Martin and Andy Kaufman. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1985, where he played varsity soccer. He later attended Amherst College, majoring in American Studies.

Career:
In 1991, Besser moved to Chicago, where he studied improvisation under Del Close at the ImprovOlympic Theater. There, he formed the Upright Citizens Brigade with Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Walsh. The group relocated to New York City, launching the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch show on Comedy Central, which ran from 1998 to 2000.

Television and Film:
Besser has appeared in various films and sitcoms, including:
Film: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Junebug, Bad Teacher, Freak Dance, and Drillbit Taylor.
Television: Recurring roles as Jerry in Modern Family, Crazy Ira in Parks and Recreation, and characters in New Girl, Key & Peele, Reno 911!, and Haters Back Off.

Podcasting and Other Work:
Improv4humans: He hosts this popular improvisation-based podcast, formerly on Earwolf and now independently operated.
Other Projects: He co-created and starred in the Comedy Central show Crossballs: The Debate Show and MTV's hidden camera show Stung.
Stand-up: He has released stand-up specials including Pot Humor and Besser Breaks the Record.