Born:

August 24, 1964

Dana Gould Overview:

Often called The Father of Alternative Comedy (a movement that would later include the likes of Patton Oswalt, Andy Kindler and Janeane Garofalo), Dana Gould is one of the best comedians that's still best known mostly in comedy circles. Despite a distinguished career as a writer on shows like The Simpsons and The Ben Stiller Show, Gould isn't as recognizable as some of his comedy peers, even those he so clearly inspired.

Gould started doing stand-up in the '80s, but rejected the popular "set-up/punchline" formula of the time, instead creating long-form bits that didn't resemble anything with which audiences were familiar. Gould applies his brilliant comic mind to sharp observations tinged with a dark black cynicism. He's a smart man who wants everything to be better. Thanks to him, stand-up comedy certainly is.

Quick Dana Gould Facts:

• Dana Gould was born and raised in Hopedale, Massachusetts.
• He moved to San Francisco in the mid 1980s to pursue a career in stand-up comedy.
• Gould's first big break came as a writer and occasional performer on The Ben Stiller Show in 1992.
• His first comedy album, Funhouse, was released in 1998.
• In 2001, he became a writer on The Simpsons, where he remained until leaving the job in 2006 to pursue other writing opportunities. He remained with the show as an executive producer for seasons 14 through 18.
• His second stand-up album and accompanying special, Let Me Put My Thoughts in You, was released in 2009. It was recorded at Second City in Chicago and was directed by Bob Odenkirk.

• In 2012, he started his own comedy podcast, Th Dana Gould Hour.

Additional Dana Gould Facts:

• Upon moving to San Francisco in the mid-'80s, Gould was the first inhabitant of what has now become called "The Comedy Condo," a legendary space in California that has been rented by comedians since Gould lived there. Past inhabitants have included Ryan Stout, Lizz Winstead, Ron Lynch and Barry Lank, as well as Louis C.K. and Janeane Garofalo.
• In 2009, Gould became a producer on the NBC series Parks and Recreation. He remained with the series for only six episodes.
• Gould was a regular guest on Adam Carolla's radio show and still appears from time to time on The Adam Carolla Podcast.
• He has made guest appearances on a number of shows and sitcoms, including Seinfeld, Roseanne and The King of Queens. He also had a regular role on the short-lived NBC sitcom Working in 1997-98.