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Entertainment • Comedian

Rob Riggle

Rob Riggle is an American actor, comedian, and former U.S.

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

Rob Riggle is an American actor, comedian, and former U.S. Marine Corps Reserve officer. He is known for his work on *Saturday Night Live*, *The Daily Show*, and film comedies including *The Hangover*, *21 Jump Street*, and *Step Brothers*. Riggle also served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve for 23 years, retiring as a lieutenant colonel.

Early life and education

Rob Riggle was born in Louisville, Kentucky, and was raised in Overland Park, Kansas. He studied theater and film at the University of Kansas and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Webster University.

Military career

Riggle served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel. Sources describe a long military career that included deployments to multiple countries.

Comedy and television

Riggle became widely known through television work on *Saturday Night Live* and *The Daily Show*. He also had a recurring role as Gil Thorpe on *Modern Family* from 2013 to 2020.

Film career

Riggle has appeared in numerous comedy films, including *The Hangover*, *Step Brothers*, *The Other Guys*, *21 Jump Street*, and *Dumb and Dumber To*. His film roles helped establish him as a prominent supporting comic actor.

Key facts

  • Riggle was a cast member on *Saturday Night Live* from 2004 to 2005.
  • He worked as a correspondent on *The Daily Show* from 2006 to 2008.
  • He played Gil Thorpe on *Modern Family* from 2013 to 2020.
  • He appeared in comedy films including *The Hangover*, *Step Brothers*, *The Other Guys*, *21 Jump Street*, and *Dumb and Dumber To*.
  • Riggle served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel after 23 years of service.
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Canadian context

Rob Riggle has appeared in internationally distributed films and television programs that are widely watched in Canada, but there is no specific Canada-based role or connection identified in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Rob Riggle?
Rob Riggle is an American actor, comedian, and former U.S. Marine Corps Reserve officer known for television and film comedy roles.
What is Rob Riggle best known for?
He is best known for *Saturday Night Live*, *The Daily Show*, and film roles in *The Hangover*, *21 Jump Street*, and *Step Brothers*.
Did Rob Riggle serve in the military?
Yes. He served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve and retired as a lieutenant colonel.
What role did Rob Riggle play on *Modern Family*?
He played Gil Thorpe, a recurring real-estate rival of Phil Dunphy, from 2013 to 2020.
Where was Rob Riggle born?
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Riggle
    Supports: Television credits including Saturday Night Live, The Daily Show, and Modern Family.
  2. RobRiggle.com — https://robriggle.com/biography
    Supports: Biography, education, major credits, and personal background.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1443527/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, education, and military background.
  4. MCA Marines — https://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/from-corps-to-comedy/
    Supports: Marine Corps Reserve service and retirement as lieutenant colonel.
  5. Simple English Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Riggle
    Supports: Birthplace, early life, and career overview.