1. Akiva Daniel Shebar Schaffer is an American writer, producer, director, comedian, actor, and musician.
19 Facts About Akiva Schaffer
1. 2.
Akiva Schaffer is a member of the comedy music group The Lonely Island, along with childhood friends Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone.
3.
In 2005, Saturday Night Live hired the trio, with Akiva Schaffer joining as a writer.
4.
Akiva Schaffer produced a number of TV shows and movies, including MacGruber, PEN15, I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and Palm Springs.
5.
Akiva Schaffer was born in Berkeley, California to Jewish parents from New York.
6.
The film inspired Akiva Schaffer to write an overwrought play, in the style of Tennessee Williams, called The Lonely Island, in reference to their apartment.
7.
Akiva Schaffer has contributed to several other Channel 101 productions as part of the Lonely Island.
8.
In 2007, Akiva Schaffer directed and acted in the film Hot Rod, which starred Samberg, Taccone, Bill Hader, Danny McBride, Isla Fisher, Ian McShane, and Sissy Spacek, which was produced by SNLs Lorne Michaels.
9.
Akiva Schaffer directed the film The Watch starring Ben Stiller, Vince Vaughn, Jonah Hill and Richard Ayoade, and written by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg.
10.
Akiva Schaffer was credited as an executive producer on the film MacGruber.
11.
In 2016 Akiva Schaffer co-wrote, co-directed, and co-starred in the Judd Apatow produced feature film, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
12.
Akiva Schaffer directed four music videos for the band We Are Scientists and one for the Eagles of Death Metal.
13.
In 2018, Akiva Schaffer guest-starred on NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine, portraying Brett Booth in the episode Show me Going.
14.
The Lonely Island co-produced both seasons of I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, most episodes of which Akiva Schaffer has co-directed with Alice Mathias.
15.
Akiva Schaffer produced the film Palm Springs, which debuted on Hulu in July 2020 and delivered the largest opening weekend viewership ever for a film on the platform.
16.
Akiva Schaffer directed the Disney film Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers.
17.
Akiva Schaffer is married to comedy writer and actress Liz Cackowski; they have two children.
18.
In 2007, Akiva Schaffer won an Emmy for his participation in the production of "Dick in a Box".
19.
Akiva Schaffer has won two Writers Guild of America Awards and a Peabody Award for his work on Saturday Night Live.