Greg Proops
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Born Name:
Gregory Everett Proops
Born Date: October 3, 1959
Born Place: Phoenix, Arizona
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, stand-up comedian, television host
Brief Biography: Greg Proops is best known for his rapid-fire, improvisational skills on the UK and US versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and his highly successful, opinionated podcast, The Smartest Man in the World.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, he was raised primarily in San Carlos, California, a suburb south of San Francisco. He attended the College of San Mateo—where he formed a comedy duo called "Proops & Brakeman"—and later studied acting and improvisation at San Francisco State University. Early in his career, he formed the improv troupe Faultline alongside fellow comedian Mike McShane.
Improv Success and Television Work:
Proops gained international prominence as a regular cast member on the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1989. He later moved to the US edition on ABC, establishing himself as a fan-favorite alongside Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and Colin Mochrie. Beyond Whose Line, his extensive television credits include:
True Jackson, VP: Played the eccentric Vice President of Human Resources, Max Madigan, on the Nickelodeon sitcom.
Drew Carey's Green Screen Show and Improv-A-Ganza: Appeared regularly in these improvised, sketch comedy game shows.
Whose Live Anyway?: Tours North America frequently with a live, unscripted show alongside other Whose Line veterans.
Voice Acting and Film Roles:
With his distinct, sharply-enunciated delivery, Proops has secured notable voice-acting and film roles. Most notably, he voiced the Harlequin Demon and the Devil in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and the pod-race announcer Fode in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. He also provided the voice for the title character in the animated children's show Bob the Builder.
The Smartest Man in the World:
In 2010, Proops launched his hit podcast, The Smartest Man in the World. Recorded largely in front of a live audience with no notes, the show is an unscripted, sprawling, and humorous deep dive into history, pop culture, sports, poetry, and philosophy. He adapted this podcast format into a book, titled The Smartest Book in the World.
Born Date: October 3, 1959
Born Place: Phoenix, Arizona
Died Date:
Died Place:
Occupations: Actor, stand-up comedian, television host
Brief Biography: Greg Proops is best known for his rapid-fire, improvisational skills on the UK and US versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and his highly successful, opinionated podcast, The Smartest Man in the World.
Early Life and Career Beginnings:
Born in Phoenix, Arizona, he was raised primarily in San Carlos, California, a suburb south of San Francisco. He attended the College of San Mateo—where he formed a comedy duo called "Proops & Brakeman"—and later studied acting and improvisation at San Francisco State University. Early in his career, he formed the improv troupe Faultline alongside fellow comedian Mike McShane.
Improv Success and Television Work:
Proops gained international prominence as a regular cast member on the British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1989. He later moved to the US edition on ABC, establishing himself as a fan-favorite alongside Drew Carey, Ryan Stiles, and Colin Mochrie. Beyond Whose Line, his extensive television credits include:
True Jackson, VP: Played the eccentric Vice President of Human Resources, Max Madigan, on the Nickelodeon sitcom.
Drew Carey's Green Screen Show and Improv-A-Ganza: Appeared regularly in these improvised, sketch comedy game shows.
Whose Live Anyway?: Tours North America frequently with a live, unscripted show alongside other Whose Line veterans.
Voice Acting and Film Roles:
With his distinct, sharply-enunciated delivery, Proops has secured notable voice-acting and film roles. Most notably, he voiced the Harlequin Demon and the Devil in Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas and the pod-race announcer Fode in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. He also provided the voice for the title character in the animated children's show Bob the Builder.
The Smartest Man in the World:
In 2010, Proops launched his hit podcast, The Smartest Man in the World. Recorded largely in front of a live audience with no notes, the show is an unscripted, sprawling, and humorous deep dive into history, pop culture, sports, poetry, and philosophy. He adapted this podcast format into a book, titled The Smartest Book in the World.