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Will Arnett Biography

Birth Name:William Emerson Arnett

Birth Place:Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack, Writer, Director

Fast Facts

  • Co-hosted the Worldwide Orphans Foundation's Seventh Annual Benefit Gala in 2011
  • Nominated in 2012 for a Satellite Award for his work in "Up All Night․"
  • Under the encouragement of his mother, he began studying acting at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in 1990
  • Quote: "The reality is a lot of the [roles] I wanted to do, because I have historically found it much more interesting and/or fun, to play characters that are really flawed․․․The combination of really dumb and really cocky is fun․ It's just fun to play․"
  • Quote: "[on "Arrested Development"] "This pilot by far was the best I ever read--and I hope that insults every other pilot I worked on․""
  • Co-founded the production company with actor Jason Bateman, "Dumbdumb Productions" in 2010
  • Often takes on the role of dimwitted or misinformed characters who are nonetheless arrogant and power-hungry
  • Appeared in a commercial for "Orbit" gum called "The Prom Date" with fellow actor Jason Bateman
  • Was originally cast in "Still Standing," but his character was cut from the show after the pilot
  • Having attended Francophone schools as a child, he speaks French fluently
  • Influenced in acting by Steve Martin and Chevy Chase
  • Lent his voice for the video game "Eat Lead: The Return of Matt Hazard" as the role of Matt Hazard in 2009
  • After being a part of a series of failed pilots, he decided to stop shooting pilots until his agent convinced him to audition for "Arrested Development․"

Awards

  • 2004Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2004Future Classic Award-: winner
  • 2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2005Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 2005OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2006Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: winner
  • 2006OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2006Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2007Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2008Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: winner
  • 2008INOCA TV-Best Guest Actor in a Drama or Comedy Series: winner
  • 2008OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2009Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor of the Decade: winner
  • 2010Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade: nominated
  • 2010Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2012Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 2013BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special: nominated
  • 2013Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Supporting Actor: winner
  • 2013Gold Derby TV Award-Comedy Guest Actor: nominated
  • 2013INOCA TV-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: winner
  • 2013OFTA Television Award-Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2014American Comedy Award-Funniest Supporting Male Performer in a TV Series: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Vocal Performance in a Television Series in a Guest Role - Comedy/Musical: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2015BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: winner
  • 2015Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2017Blimp Award-Favorite Movie Actor: nominated
  • 2017MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2017OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program: winner
  • 2017Teen Choice Award-Choice Movie Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2017WAFCA Award-Best Voice Performance: nominated
  • 2018BTVA Feature Film Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Feature Film: nominated
  • 2018BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Film Award-Best Voice-Over Performance: winner
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program: winner
  • 2019Annie-Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production: winner
  • 2019MCFCA Award-Best Animated Film: nominated
  • 2019OFTA Television Award-Best Voice-Over Performance in a Animated Program: winner
  • 2019Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Animated Program: nominated
  • 2021CCA Super Award-Best Voice Actor in an Animated Series: winner
  • 2025SDFCS Award-Best Comedic Performance: nominated
  • 2025WFCC Award-Best Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2026Movies for Grownups Award-Best Screenwriter: nominated