Richard Appel Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for a BET Comedy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series for "The Bernie Mac Show" in 2005
• Was nominated for a Humanitas Prize in the 30 Minute Category for "The Bernie Mac Show" in 2004
• Graduated from Harvard University with a degree in History and Literature in 1985 and attended Harvard Law School
• Became interested in comedy as a child and wrote for the "Harvard Lampoon," but didn't initially pursue a comedy writing career because he wanted to follow his mother into the legal profession
• Began his career in comedy writing on "The Simpsons" in 1994, where he would remain for four years
• Best known as the creator and executive producer of "The Cleveland Show" and the co-executive producer of "Family Guy" and "The Simpsons․"
• Started out as a lawyer, working as a law clerk for Judge John M․ Walker, Jr․ before becoming a federal attorney
• The Simpsons character Mona Simpson, Homer's mother, was named after his wife
• Played the role of Josh in the 2004 film "I Heart Huckabees" and did some voice-over work for "The Cleveland Show․"