Chris Hardwick

Chris Hardwick looks like he could be a poseur. The comedian and actor behind Nerdist.com (and @nerdist) and the weekly Nerdist podcast is handsome and gregarious, two qualities missing from the nerd archetype. In a world where nerd-dom no longer comes with stigma, Hardwick has frequently been asked to prove his geeky bona fides. He contributes to Wired, does product reviews for G4’s Attack Of The Show, and spent his adolescence ensconced in extracurriculars like Latin Club. He’s legit—and very busy. Last year he published a book, The Nerdist Way; hosted AMC’s The Walking Dead recap show Talking Dead; and expanded the Nerdist brand in the form of a panel talk show for BBC America. Despite his increasingly demanding schedule, Hardwick still manages to make time for stand-up, which finds him as affable and conversationally funny as he is in his higher-profile gigs.

Updated 02/24/2012