Jeff Garlin is an American stand-up comedian, actor, voice artist, director, writer, and author who has a net worth of $20 million. Jeff Garlin is perhaps best known for playing Jeff Greene on the HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. He has also had notable roles in other series, such as “Arrested Development” and “The Goldbergs.”
Outside of his television work, Garlin has landed roles in a multitude of film projects. These include not only live-action films like Safety Not Guaranteed but also voice-acting gigs in animated movies such as ParaNorman, Wall-E, Toy Story 3, and many others. In 2013, Jeff created his own podcast on the American podcasting network Earwolf.
Early Life
Jeff Garlin was born on June 5, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. Jeff was raised in a Jewish household in Morton Grove, Illinois. His mother was active in community theatre while he was growing up, and his father ran a plumbing supply business. At the age of eight, Garlin was inspired to become a stand-up comedian after watching Jimmy Durante perform in Chicago.
At a young age, it became apparent that Jeff had Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a problem with the electrical system of the heart. Although the risk of complication and death is very low, Jeff had to stop playing sports as a child. In sixth grade, Jeff’s father sold his business, and the entire family moved to South Florida. Garlin then attended Broward Community College and the University of Miami during the ’80s, but he dropped out and decided to begin his stand-up comedy career instead.
Career
Jeff Garlin began his career as a stand-up comedian. By the age of 22, he was living in Chicago and performing with the famous comedy troupe The Second City. During this period, he also worked at the box office with Stephen Colbert. During the late ’90s, Garlin appeared on Mad About You as Marvin. He appeared in three seasons of the show, finishing in 1999. In the early 2000s, Jeff appeared on the HBO show Curb Your Enthusiasm. In 2013, he booked a role on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs. He was also known for his role as Uncle Kelbo during this period on the series Wizards of Waverly Place. In terms of film work, Garlin’s debut came in 1983 with a role in “Spring Break.” He later gained a more substantial role in the 1992 comedy Straight Talk. Garlin is perhaps best known for making cameos in various films, including:
- Robocop 3
- Run Ronnie Run!
- After the Sunset
- Fat Albert
- Sleepover
- Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Health Issues
During his 20s, Jeff underwent surgery to correct his heart condition. At the age of 37, Jeff had a stroke. This caused his speech to become slurred during season one of Curb Your Enthusiasm, although he later recovered fully. Garlin has type II diabetes and has struggled with weight issues over the years. He has discussed these issues publicly, and over the years, Jeff has made excellent progress with his general health, diet, and weight.
