Billy Gardell

Billy Gardell Headshot

Comedian • Actor • Game Show Host

Birth Name: William Gardell Jr.

Birth Date: August 20, 1969

Age: 55 years old

Birth Place: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

A self-deprecating, street-wise stand-up comic, Billy Gardell's ingratiating humor led to an acting career that included stints on "My Name is Earl" (NBC, 2005-09) and his own sitcom, "Mike and Molly" (CBS, 2010-16). A veteran of the tour circuit before he reached 21, Gardell's humor - which poked knowing fun at his own large frame and appetite - made him a favorite among clubgoers, which in turn led to guest shots on TV and in films like "Bad Santa" (2003). He made the rounds as a guest star and recurring character for a decade before landing his starring role on "Mike and Molly" as an overweight police officer who enters into a romantic relationship with an equally plus-sized teacher (Melissa McCarthy). The positive response to his heartfelt performance signaled that Gardell had bloomed into a capable leading man.

Born Aug. 20, 1969 in Pittsburgh, PA, Gardell moved with his mother and younger siblings to Orange County, FL after the separation of his parents. A socially awkward teen, made all the more uncomfortable by his husky build, he found solace in live performance. While a student at Winter Park High School, he wrote, directed and starred in his own sketch comedy show, "Winter Park Live," which received glowing reviews from fans and the press. Inspired by the response, he decided to pursue stand-up comedy as a career, and hit the local club circuit at 19. He quickly graduated to national gigs, including opening slots for such established comics as George Carlin and Dennis Miller.

In 2000, Gardell branched into acting for film and television. As was often the case with larger men, he essayed his share of funny neighbors and working class stiffs, with multiple stints on "The Practice" (ABC, 1997-2004) and "Yes, Dear" (CBS, 2000-06). His feature debut came in 2000 with "Avenging Angelo," which cast him as a hit man whose murder of mob boss Anthony Quinn set star Sylvester Stallone on the revenge trail. More minor but memorable parts followed, most notably in the Coen Brothers-produced "Bad Santa" (2003) as a security guard who confronts Billy Bob Thornton's drunken, ersatz Santa Claus. In 2006, he landed his first job as a series regular on the short-lived crime drama, "Heist" (NBC, 2006) as a detective pursuing a team of high-profile jewel thieves. His partner was actor Reno Wilson, who later re-teamed with Gardell on "Mike and Molly." In 2006, he released his debut comedy album, Billy Gardell: Throwback.

Gardell's TV appearances gradually grew in stature; by 2007, he had a recurring role on "My Name is Earl" as the ineffectual Officer Hoyne, and enjoyed a showy turn on "Desperate Housewives (ABC, 2004-12) as an undercover cop who enjoyed a smooch with Eva Longoria's Gaby. Gardell also appeared frequently as a man-on-the-street interviewer on Dennis Miller's eponymous CNBC talk show (2005), and in a series of commercials for Round Table Pizza, which cast him as the host of a fictitious, pizza-centric talk show. In 2008, Gardell earned his first solo comedy special, which aired as part of the "Comedy Central Presents" (Comedy Central, 1998- ) series.

In 2010, Gardell received his first star billing with the CBS sitcom "Mike and Molly," which co-starred Melissa McCarthy of "Gilmore Girls" (The WB, 2000-07) fame as a woman who meets and falls for a lonely cop (Gardell) at an Overeaters Anonymous meeting. The show, produced by Chuck Lorre and directed by James Bridges, was well received by critics and audiences alike with its September debut.

Credits

Family Film and TV Awards

Self
Show
2024

Live with Kelly and Mark

Guest
Talk
2023

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Guest
Talk
2022

Guy's Ultimate Game NightStream

Self
Reality
2022

Secret Celebrity RenovationStream

Guest
Reality
2021

Let's Make a Deal Primetime

Guest
Show
2020

Feeding America Comedy Festival

Actor
Show
2020

Bob Hearts AbisholaStream

Actor
Bob
Series
2019

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Guest
Talk
2019

CBS Fall Preview Show

Host
Show
2019

Young SheldonStream

Guest Star
Herschel Sparks
Series
2017

Funny You Should Ask

Guest
Game Show
2017

Funny You Should Ask

Guest Star
Game Show
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
Talk
2017

Sun RecordsStream

Actor
Colonel Tom Parker
Series
2017
60%

A Very Merry Toy Store

Actor
Roy Barnes
Movie
2017

Harry

Guest
Talk
2016

The $100,000 PyramidStream

Guest
Game Show
2016

Must See TV: An All-Star Tribute to James Burrows

Guest
Show
2016

Undrafted

Actor
Umpire Haze
Movie
2016

Special Unit

Actor
Captain Wynn
Movie
2016

Mariah Carey's Merriest Christmas

Guest
Show
2015

Chopped JuniorStream

Judge
Reality
2015

Jay Leno's GarageStream

Guest Star
Reality
2015

The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream

Guest
Talk
2015

Monopoly Millionaires' Club

Host
Game Show
2015

The Late Late Show

Host
Show
2015

Dancer and the Dame

Actor
Dancer
Movie
2015

Celebrity Name Game

Contestant
Game Show
2014

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Girl Meets WorldStream

Guest Star
Coach Bobby Campagnola
Series
2014

Jimmy Shubert: Alive & Kickin'

Actor
Billy
Show
2014

Billy Gardell Presents Road Dogs: Chicago

Actor
Show
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Billy Gardell Presents Road Dogs

Actor
Show
2013

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Sullivan & SonStream

Actor
Lyle Winkler
Series
2012

Sullivan & SonStream

Guest Star
Series
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Voice
Santa
Show
2011

LIVE with Kelly

Host
Talk
2011

The Chew

Guest
Talk
2011

Long Island MediumStream

Guest Star
Reality
2011

New GirlStream

Guest Star
Jason
Series
2011
95%

Billy Gardell: Halftime

Actor
Show
2011

Billy Gardell: Halftime

Executive Producer
Show
2011

Billy Gardell: Halftime

Producer
Show
2011

Billy Gardell: Halftime

Writer
Show
2011

The Gayle King Show

Guest
Show
2011

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas

Actor
Santa
Movie
2011

ConanStream

Guest
Talk
2010

The TalkStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Mike & MollyStream

Actor
Officer Mike Biggs
Series
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
Show
2009

The Joy Behar Show

Guest
Show
2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Comics Unleashed With Byron Allen

Guest
Talk
2006

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Heist

Actor
Billy O'Brien
Series
2006
33%

My Name Is EarlStream

Guest Star
Billy
Series
2005
82%

BonesStream

Guest Star
Bob Sayles
Series
2005
90%

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Desperate HousewivesStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
72%

Quintuplets

Guest Star
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

Lucky

Actor
Show
2003

MonkStream

Guest Star
Ian Agnew
Series
2002
91%

Avenging Angelo

Actor
Bruno
Movie
2002

CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationStream

Guest Star
Charlie Jackson
Series
2000

Yes, Dear

Actor
Series
2000

Yes, Dear

Guest Star
Series
2000

The Early Show

Guest
Show
1999

Judging Amy

Guest Star
Series
1999

Family Guy

Guest Voice
Mike Biggs
Show
1999

Family GuyStream

Guest Voice
Mike Biggs
Series
1999

Comedy Central PresentsStream

Actor
Series
1998

The King of QueensStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

News aboutBilly Gardell

Folake Olowofoyeku and Billy Gardell in 'Bob Hearts Abishola' - 'Uncharted Waters of Mediocrity'

Billy Gardell on That ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Ending & What’s Next

Bob Hearts Abishola Video Interview

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’: Billy Gardell & Folake Olowofoyeku on Series Ending & Emotional Goodbye (VIDEO)

Billy Gardell as Bob and Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola in 'Bob Hearts Abishola' finale

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Finale Takes Fans Into the Future (PHOTOS)

Billy Gardell for 'Live with Mark and Kelly'

Billy Gardell Opens Up About His Amazing Weight Loss Journey (VIDEO)

2024 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour/Warner Bros. Television Group Studio Day, Burbank, California, USA - Feb, 13 2024. “BobHeartsAbishola” Panel
Q&A

Billy Gardell Talks ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Finale, Weight Loss & Off-Screen Friendship With Fọlákẹ́ Olówófôyekù

Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola, Saidah Arrika Ekulona as Ebunoluwa, and Billy Gardell as Bob in Bob Hearts Abishola - 'Kill the Cat'
Exclusive

Cultures Clash in ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Season 5 Premiere Sneak Peek (VIDEO)

Billy Gardell as Bob, Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola, Barry Shabaka Henley as Uncle Tunde, and Shola Adewusi as Auntie Olu in Bob Hearts Abishola - 'Kill the Cat'
Preview

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Season 5 Premiere Sees Uncle Tunde Get Into An Accident (PHOTOS)

Folake Olowofoyeku as Abishola and Billy Gardell as Bob in Bob Hearts Abishola - 'Uncharted Waters of Mediocrity'

Does ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Ending With Season 5 Reveal Cliffhanger Resolution?

Bob Hearts Abishola - Uncharted Waters of Mediocrity - Folake Olowofoyeku and Billy Gardell
Spoiler Alert

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’: How Did the Season 4 Finale Set Up Cast Changes?

Shola Adewusi as Auntie Olu, Barry Shabaka Henley as Uncle Tunde,Folake Olowafoyeku as Abishola, Billy Gardell as Bob, Gina Yashere as Kemi, and Tony Tambi as Chukwuemeka

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Shocker: Bosses Reduce Roles of 11 Cast Members

Billy Gardell weight loss before and after

Billy Gardell Details His Incredible 150-Pound Weight Loss

Folake Olowafoyeku as Abishola, Billy Gardell as Bob, and Gina Yashere as Kemi in Bob Hearts Abishola Season 4
Fall Preview

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’: Bob Shocks Everyone in the Season 4 Premiere

Bob Hearts Abishola Season 4 poster
Exclusive

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Is Back! Get a First Look at Season 4 in Poster (PHOTO)

'Bob Hearts Abishola' & 'The Neighborhood' Crossover Episode, CBS, Folake Olowofoyeku, Billy Gardell, Tichina Arnold, Cedric the Enteertainer

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ Sets Crossover Episode with ‘The Neighborhood’

Bob Hearts Abishola, Folake Olowofoyeku and Billy Gardell
Exclusive

‘Bob ♥ Abishola’: Your First Look at the Couple’s Nigerian Wedding (PHOTOS)

The Game of Life Game Show

Did You Have a ‘Clue’ These 8 Board Games Were Adapted for TV?

Bob Hearts Abishola Season 2 Episode 9 Dancing
Exclusive

‘Bob ♥ Abishola’ First Look: Bob Shows Off His Dance Moves (PHOTO)

Dayo Ade Folake Olowofoyeku Bob Hearts Abishola Tayo
Preview

‘Bob ♥ Abishola’ May Be Heading for a Divorce & 2 Weddings

Folake Olowofoyeku and Billy Gardell sitting on a park bench in Bob Hearts Abishola
Fall Preview

‘Bob ♥ Abishola’: A Season 2 Engagement Quickly Gets Complicated

Bob Hearts Abishola
Preview

‘Bob Hearts Abishola’s Barry Shabaka Henley on Staying ‘Zen,’ On-Set and Off

Pilot
Fall Preview

How ‘Bob ♥ Abishola’ Is Helping Chuck Lorre Move on From ‘Big Bang Theory’

Untitled design

Roush Review: ‘Prodigal Son,’ ‘Bob ♥ Abishola,’ ‘All Rise,’ ‘Bluff City Law’

BOB HEARTS ABISHOLA
Fall Preview

‘Bob ❤ Abishola’: He Said/She Said With Billy Gardell & Folake Olowofoyeku

Monopoly Millionaires Club

‘Monopoly Millionaires’ Club’ Returns Next Month, Moves to Half-Hour Format

Gardell

Mike & Molly’s Billy Gardell Hands Out $1 Million At His Other Job

Billy Gardell of Mike & Molly

My Obsessions: Mike & Molly’s Billy Gardell