The Canadian Encyclopedia — neutral, cited, updated
July 26, 2026Sources cited
Canadianwire.
Canada’s encyclopedia & explainer
Home›Entertainment›Comedian›Matt Walsh (comedian)
Entertainment • Comedian

Matt Walsh (comedian)

Matthew Paul Walsh is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director born in 1964.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Matthew Paul Walsh is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director born in 1964. He is best known for playing Mike McLintock on HBO’s Veep and for being a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade sketch comedy troupe. Walsh was born in Chicago, Illinois, and developed his improv background in the Chicago comedy scene.

Early life and training

Walsh was born in Chicago, Illinois, and developed his improv background through training in the Chicago comedy scene. Sources note his early work at Second City-related institutions and other improv venues.

Upright Citizens Brigade

Walsh co-founded the Upright Citizens Brigade with Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts, and Matt Besser. The troupe became a major improv and sketch-comedy institution and later expanded into television and training schools.

Television career

Walsh became widely known for playing Mike McLintock, the press secretary on HBO’s Veep. He also appeared in earlier and later comedy series including Dog Bites Man and Players.

Film and other work

In addition to television, Walsh has had supporting roles in feature films and has worked as a writer, director, and producer. He has also appeared in podcasts and other comedy projects.

Key facts

  • Walsh is a founding member of the Upright Citizens Brigade.
  • He played Mike McLintock on Veep, the role most associated with his career.
  • His performance on Veep earned two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
  • He has appeared in films including The Hangover, Old School, Ted, and Elf.
  • He was a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 2001 to 2002.
🍁
Canadian context

Walsh’s work has reached Canadian audiences through television, film, touring comedy, and streaming distribution, but he has no strong Canada-specific public profile in the sources provided.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Matt Walsh the comedian?
He is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director best known for Veep and the Upright Citizens Brigade.
What is Matt Walsh best known for?
He is best known for playing Mike McLintock on HBO’s Veep.
When was Matt Walsh born?
He was born on October 13, 1964.
Where is Matt Walsh from?
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.
What is the Upright Citizens Brigade?
It is a sketch and improv comedy troupe co-founded by Walsh and others that became influential in American comedy.
Did Matt Walsh receive Emmy nominations?
Yes. He received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for his role in Veep.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Walsh_(comedian)
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, nationality, occupation, *Veep* role, Emmy nominations, UCB founding member.
  2. Upright Citizens Brigade — https://ucbcomedy.com/people/matt-walsh/
    Supports: Founding member status, *Veep* role, and selected credits.
  3. The Second City — https://www.secondcity.com/people/matt-walsh
    Supports: Chicago background, improv training, UCB co-founding, TV and film credits, and Emmy nominations.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0909768/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupations, and family details.
  5. NPR — https://www.npr.org/transcripts/1091775384
    Supports: Chicago origin, UCB founding, and *Veep* role.