As a Tipton, Mo. native, Koechner grew up working for his father in the family’s turkey coop business. Later, he studied at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kan. and then transferred to the University of Missouri, before moving to Chicago to study improv.
This Second City Theater alum got his first big break as a cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” followed by a part in the movie “Wag the Dog.”
Always acting, writing, and producing, Koechner stays busy across film, comedy, and live performance. He recently filmed the crime thriller Tender and showed his Kansas City pride with an appearance in the Chiefs’ buddy comedy The Magic Number. When he’s not on screen, Koechner is on the road, bringing his national stand-up comedy tour to clubs coast to coast.
Koechner’s face (and talent) is instantly recognizable. He’s starred in more than 210 movies and TV shows, including cult favorites such as “Waiting,” “Out Cold,” “Thank You for Smoking,” “Cheap Thrills,” “Krampus,” “Anchorman” and NBC’s “The Office.”
Riggle was raised in Overland Park, Kan. He attended Shawnee Mission South High School and went to college at the University of Kansas, where he developed his love for the Jayhawks.
Riggle got his start at Upright Citizens Brigade. His efforts at UCB earned him a spot on “Saturday Night Live” followed by a correspondent role on “The Daily Show.”
Riggle stays busy across film, television, and podcasting. He has multiple projects in the works, including the drama Nickels and the horror-thriller Don’t Move, from Big Slick alum James Murray. He recently hosted Netflix’s Chestnut vs. Kobayashi: Unfinished Beef and competed on The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition. You can also catch him weekly on his podcast, Riggle’s Picks, where his humor and competitive spirit are always on full display.
An actor, writer, producer and director, Riggle has been a staple in comedic films for over two decades; He’s best known for his roles in “The Hangover,” “21 [and 22] Jump Street,” “Dumb and Dumber To,” “The Other Guys” and “Step Brothers.” Lieutenant Colonel Riggle also served 23 years with the United States Marine Corps and earned more than 22 medals and ribbons to include the Combat Action Ribbon.
Rudd graduated from Shawnee Mission West High School and later attended the University of Kansas, where he majored in theater. Rock Chalk!
Rudd’s first acting job came when he landed a recurring role on the 90s hit “Sisters.” Soon after, he co-starred in the major motion picture, “Clueless.”
Rudd continues to stay busy with a mix of big studio projects and offbeat comedies. Most recently, he’s starred in Anaconda opposite Jack Black, as well as the buzzy films Friendship and Death of a Unicorn. In recent years, he’s also returned to beloved franchises, including Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, and popped up in fan-favorite series like Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Selena Gomez. We’ll see him again later this year in the musical comedy, Power Ballad, alongside Nick Jonas, and he’ll return as part of the cast in Avengers: Doomsday.
As an actor, creator and writer, Rudd has become a go-to funny man in Hollywood. Outside of the Marvel universe, he’s loved for his roles in “This is 40,” “Anchorman,” “Knocked Up,” “Role Models,” “I Love You, Man,” “The 40 year Old Virgin” and “Wet Hot American Summer,” among others. He’s also one of PEOPLE’S sexiest men alive.
Born and raised in Kansas City, Kan., Stonestreet was introduced to acting after a friend dared him to audition for the play Prelude to a Kiss while he was studying at Kansas State University.
After studying at ImprovOlympic and The Second City in Chicago, Stonestreet started building his impressive resume with roles on “Dharma & Greg,” “Malcolm in the Middle,” “Party of Five” and the film “Almost Famous” before landing his iconic role in “Modern Family.”
Stonestreet stays busy across television and pop culture. He stars as a Midwestern serial killer in Showtime’s highly anticipated Dexter: Resurrection and recently appeared in a national campaign for Norwegian Cruise Line, showcasing his signature charm well beyond the screen.
Stonestreet has made us laugh for more than a decade on “Modern Family,” earning him two Emmy Awards for Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. His resume – and talent – broadly ranges from kid-friendly animation, like “The Secret Life of Pets” and “Sofia the First,” to dark and dramatic, including “The Loft” and “Confirmation.”
Sudeikis grew up in Overland Park, Kan. His path in show business began by taking classes at KC’s ComedySportz Theater (now Comedy City).
Sudeikis performed with The Second City National Touring Company, ImprovOlympic, The Annoyance Theater, and Boom Chicago in Amsterdam before sending a tape of his work to the producers of “SNL.” After two years as a sketch writer, he found himself camera-side and never looked back.
Sudeikis continues to stay front and center across film and television. He recently appeared in SNL50: The Anniversary Special, celebrating five decades of Saturday Night Live. He’s also set to return as the voice of Red in The Angry Birds Movie 3, and – yes – it’s official: Ted Lasso is returning for season four. BELIEVE.
In addition to playing everyone’s favorite soccer coach, Sudeikis has a robust resume, including “Horrible Bosses,” “Hall Pass,” “We’re the Millers,” “Sleeping with Other People,” “Mother’s Day,” “Masterminds,” “Colossal,” and multiple appearances on his BFF Will Forte’s “The Last Man on Earth.”
Gardner grew up in KCMO and graduated from Notre Dame de Sion, where she was voted “Most likely to be a cast member of Saturday Night Live.” She spent time at both the University of Kansas and the University of Missouri before leaving the midwest for LA.
Gardner began acting full time in 2015. After finding success as a voice actress, she joined the cast of SNL in 2017.
You can find Gardner staying busy across film, television, and the stage. After a celebrated run on Saturday Night Live, she’s continued to expand her range with standout appearances in hit series like You and Shrinking. On the big screen, she’s set to star in the Amazon MGM comedy Judgement Day, alongside Big Slick alums Will Ferrell, Bobby Cannavale, and Fortune Feimster. Gardner has also brought her talents to the stage, making her Broadway debut in the acclaimed revival of The Skin of Our Teeth, further cementing her reputation as a versatile performer across comedy, drama, and live theater.
Her eight-year (and counting) stint on SNL keeps us laughing week after week. She’s been seen alongside Adam Sandler in Netflix’s “Hustle,” spotted in the HBO Max exclusive “That Damn Michael Che,” and helped bring stories to life in podcast series. Plus, she’s brave enough to take on Big Slick. And we definitely love her for that.
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