Rob Riggle
Comic actor (and former U.S. Marine) Rob Riggle has appeared in bit parts on Arrested Development, Human Giant, and The Office, though most know him for the last two years he spent as a correspondent—and go-to guy for man-child antics—on The Daily Show. Riggle ended his run with the show in December, but he’s not going anywhere: He’s currently developing a comedy for CBS in which he’ll star, a shift from the smaller parts he’s known to play. But first: a well-deserved respite from the rigors of industry work, courtesy of a national stand-up tour. Decider called Riggle before his shows at Comix on April 3-4 to chat about his life sans Daily Show and the bullies who picked on him as a kid.
Decider: Stand-up is relatively new for you, right?
Rob Riggle: Yeah, I’ve been doing it for going on a year and a half, two years. Because I was on The Daily Show, I would sneak out and do gigs on the weekend wherever I could. So I never got to tour.
D: What was the appeal?
RR: Something new. I started doing improv and sketch at the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York, so for nine years it was sketch and improv, sketch and improv, and that was it. So, very slowly, I put together an act and started doing it in little rooms in New York, basically any place that would let me come and do five minutes.
D: Do you remember those early shows?
RR: [Laughs] Yes I do. So awesome. You’re gonna get up there, and you’re gonna eat it, you’re gonna eat shit—pardon my language. But then out of that will come something.
D: How are you enjoying life post-Daily Show?
RR: Oh man, I’ve put on 30 pounds. I’m high as a kite every day. It’s pathetic. It’s great, actually. I’ve been very productive. It’s wonderful! [Laughs] I love it! I love it, I do. I’m actually—I feel like I’m getting my health back. I’m able to enjoy the air, work out, and eat right, and do all the things you say you’re gonna do but never, never do.