Ed Helms
Ed Helms is an American actor and comedian, widely recognized for his roles in the television series "The Office" and the "Hangover" film trilogy. Born on January 24, 1974, in Atlanta, Georgia, he developed an early interest in music and theater, participating in various school productions. Helms attended Oberlin College, initially majoring in geology before switching to film, where he also performed in an a cappella group.
He began his career in New York City with voice-over work and stand-up comedy, eventually landing a correspondent role on "The Daily Show," where he became a familiar face over four years. His breakthrough came with his character Andy Bernard on "The Office," which ran from 2006 to 2013. Helms' film career escalated with the commercial success of "The Hangover" in 2009, leading to sequels and various other comedic and dramatic roles.
In addition to acting, Helms has worked as a voice actor in animated films and series, showcasing his musical talents in projects like "The Lorax." Despite his public persona, he maintains a private life, noting that he is married and has children while being an avid bluegrass musician.
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Subject Terms
Ed Helms
Actor
- Born: January 24, 1974
- Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia
Contribution: Ed Helms is an actor and comedian best known for his roles in the television series The Office, from 2006 to 2013, and the Hangover series of comedy films (2009–13).
Background
Edward Parker Helms was born on January 24, 1974, in Atlanta, Georgia. He developed an interest in music and theater early in life and played comedic roles in several school productions while attending Atlanta’s Westminster Schools. Helms attended Oberlin College in Ohio, beginning as a geology major but later transitioning to film. During college, Helms performed with the a cappella singing group the Obertones and also played in several small working bands in the area. After graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in film theory and technology, Helms moved to New York City.
Helms worked as an assistant film and video editor for a time but soon began to consider pursuing a career in comedy. During this time, he performed stand-up comedy and studied with the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), an improvisational-comedy troupe known for launching the careers of many successful comics. Helms would later collaborate with fellow UCB alumni on a number of film and television projects.
Career
Helms initially found work performing voice-overs for commercials. In 2002, he was one of a large number of comedians who auditioned for a correspondent position on the satirical news program The Daily Show, hosted by Jon Stewart. Helms won the role and remained with the series as a regular correspondent for four years, ultimately appearing in more than two hundred episodes. During his time on The Daily Show, Helms also made a guest appearance in a 2004 episode of the critically acclaimed comedy series Arrested Development, playing realtor James Carr. He later reprised his role in the 2013 Netflix revival of the series.
Helms made his film debut in the 2004 comedy Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story, appearing alongside fellow Daily Show correspondent Rob Corddry. In 2006, Helms was cast in the popular American version of the award-winning workplace mockumentary The Office, playing the role of sales representative Andy Bernard. Introduced in the show’s third season, Helms’s character was initially rather minor but eventually developed into one of the focal characters of the series. Helms remained a regular cast member of The Office through the end of the series in 2013.
As The Office brought Helms to the attention of a wider audience, he was increasingly offered roles in films. He played small parts in Evan Almighty, alongside fellow Daily Show alumnus Steve Carell, and Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, starring John C. Reilly and Office costar Jenna Fischer. Helms also played a minor role in the sports comedy Semi-Pro in 2008, working alongside Woody Harrelson and Will Ferrell.
Helms’s breakthrough came in 2009, when he costarred with actors Bradley Cooper, Zach Galifianakis, and Justin Bartha in the buddy comedy The Hangover. The film was a major box-office success and gave Helms a significant boost in popularity. Helms went on to reprise his Hangover character in The Hangover Part II (2011) and The Hangover III (2013).
In 2011, Helms costarred in Jeff, Who Lives at Home as Pat, a man struggling with a failing marriage. The film focuses on the relationship between Pat and his brother, Jeff, played by Jason Segel, a stoner who still lives at home with their mother, played by Susan Sarandon. Three years later, he appeared in the comedies They Came Together (2014) and Stretch (2014). Along with Christina Applegate, he had the opportunity, as the character Rusty Griswold, to take part in another installation of the iconic National Lampoon's Vacation series with the 2015 film Vacation. Though he stuck with his comedic form for the films The Clapper (2017), I Do . . . Until I Don't (2017), and Father Figures (2017), he also had a major role in the historical drama Chappaquiddick (2017). In addition to being part of the ensemble cast for the comedic film Tag (2018), about a group of friends who have been carrying on the same game of tag into adulthood, he starred in the comedy-horror Corporate Animals (2019).
Helms continued to star in movies into the 2020s. He portrayed a police officer in Coffee & Kareem (2020), a film about a twelve-year-old who tries to scare off his mother's new boyfriend. In 2021, Helms played a middle-aged man who hires a surrogate to give him a child in Together Together. He starred in Family Switch in 2023, a comedy about family members who switched bodies. He also continued to act in television series. In 2020, he starred in and executive produced the comedy Aunty Donna's Big Ol' House of Fun, and from 2021 to 2022, he portrayed Nathan Rutherford on Rutherford Falls, which Helms also created, wrote, and produced. In addition to his live-action roles, Helms has provided voices for a number of animated films and television shows, including the comedy series American Dad!, Family Guy, and Ugly Americans. Helms also lent his voice to the 2009 film Monsters vs. Aliens and in 2012 voiced the Once-ler in the animated adaptation of the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax. Helms also performed songs for the soundtrack to the latter film, showcasing his skills as a guitar player and singer. In 2017, he was the voice of the titular character in the animated film Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie. In 2023, he lent his voice to Graham Pudowski in the animated science-fiction comedy Ron's Gone Wrong.
Impact
Helms’s roles in The Office and the Hangover films have made him a popular comedic actor who is increasingly featured in starring, rather than supporting, roles. In recognition of his work, Helms has been awarded an honorary doctorate in humane letters from Knox College and was asked to give the college’s commencement speech in 2013.
Personal Life
Helms is extremely private and reveals little about his personal life. However, he has said that he is married and has revealed on podcasts that he has at least two children. He lives in Los Angeles, California. He is a dedicated fan and player of bluegrass music and plays guitar, banjo, and piano.
Bibliography
“Actor Ed Helms.” Tavis Smiley. PBS Television, 2 May 2012. Web. 16 July 2013.
Heckert, Amanda Brown. “Higher Ed.” Atlanta Magazine. Emmis, June 2009. Web. 16 July 2013.
Marx, Rebecca Flint. “The GQ+A: Ed Helms.” GQ. Condé Nast, 13 Mar. 2012. Web. 16 July 2013.
Phipps, Keith. “Interview: Ed Helms.” AV Club. Onion Media, 3 June 2009. Web. 16 July 2013.
Pond, Neil. "Review: Ed Helms Avoids Hollywood Spotlight in The Clapper." Review of The Clapper, directed by Dito Montiel. Parade, 25 Jan. 2018, parade.com/639664/npond/review-ed-helms-avoids-hollywood-spotlight-in-the-clapper/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.
Raab, Scott. “Ed Helms: The ESQ+A” Esquire. Hearst Communications, Mar. 2012. Web. 16 July 2013.
Ryan, Mike. “Ed Helms on ‘The Lorax’ and the Critical Reception to ‘The Hangover Part II.’” Huffington Post. TheHuffingtonPost.com, 4 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 July 2013.
Wang, Jessica. "Ed Helms Says 'Tornado of Fame' after The Hangover Caused Career Anxiety and 'Total Loss of Control'." Entertainment Weekly, 29 Dec. 2022, ew.com/movies/ed-helms-fame-the-hangover-caused-anxiety/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2024.