There’s a certain unpredictable charm in tracking Brett Gelman’s eclectic career through movies and TV—he’s the kind of artist who surprises you. One moment he’s a conspiracy-mongering journalist in Stranger Things, the next he’s slipping into surreal horror-comedy specials that feel almost improvised by design. This article strolls through his filmography with a journalistic curiosity, offering context, quirky insights, and a few small conversational quirks—because who’s perfect?
Brett Gelman’s creative journey began not in big studios but in the gritty theaters of improv. After graduating from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, he plunged into New York’s Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, co-founding the duo Cracked Out and joining sketch troupe Mr. A$$ . These formative experiences—plus a memorable New York Lottery commercial that helped pay the bills—laid the groundwork for a career built on oddball characters and meta-comedy .
This was where the narrative sharpened: a comedian finding footing, taking risks in shorts like 1,000 Cats, and moving from stage to screen via adult-swim offbeat comedies like Eagleheart .
From there, Gelman began appearing in recognizable TV shows, often delivering memorable guest turns in The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mad Men and more . It’s funny—there’s this sensation that you’ve seen him somewhere, and that feeling only grows as his film work starts cropping up.
Around 2010–2011, he landed small but visible roles in The Other Guys, 30 Minutes or Less, and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas . Then his niche expanded into a certain brand of absurdist comedy via Adult Swim and sketch programs like Funny or Die Presents and Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time .
Gelman’s film roles sketch a trajectory from one-off cameos to creating and starring in his own projects. Let’s walk through some highlights:
Gelman’s evolution truly gains momentum on the small screen:
He became a fixture in quirky comedy series: NBC’s Go On, Comedy Central’s Another Period, and FX’s Married showcased him as the unpredictable foil or eccentric sidekick .
His turn as Murray Bauman, the conspiracy-obsessed ex-journalist in Stranger Things, began in season 2 and was a breakout—by season 4 he was promoted to main cast, blending screwball humor with drama . In an entertaining GQ interview, he described channeling ’70s and ’80s comedic icons—Gene Wilder, Richard Dreyfuss, Eddie Murphy—to inform his take on the character, which leaned into martial-arts comedy tropes and nostalgic aesthetics .
Meanwhile, Gelman took on a peculiar but resonant role in Fleabag, playing Martin—the socially awkward boyfriend who unexpectedly delivers one of the most memorable cringe-comic moments on TV .
He’s also ventured into voice work: shows like Inside Job and I Heart Arlo allowed him to explore different registers (and weirdness) .
Series like Camping, Mr. Mercedes, Twin Peaks, and Making History illustrate his range—jumping from thriller to sci-fi satire to period comedy .
In 2023’s Entitled, Gelman stars and executive-produces as Gabe in a gothic comedy about an American inheriting a crumbling estate overseas . In 2024, he appeared in Apple TV+’s Lady in the Lake as Milton Schwartz, part of a noir-ish drama based on a beloved novel .
He’s not just popping in and out—there’s an auteur streak. His writing on Lemon, and three Adult Swim specials (Dinner with Friends…, Dinner with Family…, Dinner in America) highlight a willingness to twist formats, shock for laughs, and subvert audience expectations . These are small-scale but distinctive experiments in dark, absurd comedy.
“I want to do that. I want to do that. I’m meeting with people about that… the show really opened up the possibility of being the hero for me.”
— Brett Gelman, reflecting on his shift from villainous roles to a potential action star path
It’s refreshing to see an actor both self-aware and intentionally unpredictable, building roles with strange humor and expressive authenticity.
From sketch stages in New York to a career spanning indie film, prestige TV, animation, and meta-comedy specials, Brett Gelman has crafted a filmography defined by versatility, weirdness, and steady evolution. Whether playing a beloved snarky conspiracy theorist, delivering a cringe-worthy romantic stumble, or writing his own twisted comedy, he brings a unique voice to every project. His trajectory suggests he’s not done yet—and perhaps, as he’s said, the “action hero” Gelman might yet emerge.
He’s best known as Murray Bauman in Stranger Things and Martin in Fleabag. Both roles have become cultural reference points for their comedic timing and unexpected emotional weight .
Yes—he’s lent his voice to animated series such as Inside Job and I Heart Arlo, showcasing his adaptability in different forms of comedy .
Indeed. He co-wrote and starred in Lemon and created a trio of dark, absurdist specials for Adult Swim—demonstrating an authorial side beyond acting .
He stars and serves as executive producer on Entitled (2023) and appears as Milton Schwartz in Lady in the Lake (2024). He’s also mused publicly about pursuing action roles in the future .
Absolutely. In addition to prestige projects like Stranger Things and Fleabag, he continues to take varied roles—from family films to streaming series—demonstrating both range and ongoing appeal .
Yes. In interviews, he’s talked about wanting to move beyond villainous or side roles into action-oriented leading roles, describing Stranger Things as kind of a gateway .
This snapshot underscores a deeply textured career, full of comedic risk-taking, surprising turns, and a restless creative spirit.
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