Discovering Brett Gelman’s body of work is a bit like diving into an eclectic treasure chest—unexpected, textured, and delightfully unpredictable. Over nearly two decades, Gelman has carved out a niche as both a comic chameleon and a reliable character actor. From bizarre Adult Swim specials to genre-spanning TV and film roles, he’s shown a willingness to flirt with the weird and the complex. Let’s wander through a curated journey of his most notable appearances.
A Sharp Rise in Comedy and Sketch Works
Beginnings at Upright Citizens Brigade and Early Sketches
Gelman’s early creative years are rooted in the New York improvisational scene, particularly at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. That era fostered his surreal, edgy comedic sensibility through sketch duos like Cracked Out and the group Mr. A$$.
By the mid-2000s, he landed his first screen role in Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story (2004)—a modest debut, but it set the tone for an under-the-radar trajectory in parody films and sketchy ensembles.
Adult Swim and Experimental Comedy
Gelman hopped headfirst into the Adult Swim pantheon with Eagleheart, playing Brett Mobley, Chris Elliott’s hapless sidekick. That role led to collaboration with the absurdist minds behind Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends (2014) and its sequels, blending dark comedy, horror, and twisted satire in an entirely scripted—but deeply unnerving—format.
“Gelman considered his character … exaggerated, yet somewhat identical, to his own.”
That special and its follow-ups debuted to modest but strong cable viewership and critical curiosity—people weren’t sure what to make of it, but they couldn’t look away.
Transitioning to Television Sitcoms and Supporting Roles
The Sitcom Circuit: Go On, Married, and More
By early 2010s, Gelman started appearing in more mainstream TV—Go On (NBC) where he played the offbeat Mr. K, followed by Married (FX), portraying the awkwardly intense A.J. These sitcom outings allowed his oddball energy to shine in sitcom structures, adding layers to ensemble casts.
He also popped in for guest roles across notable shows—The Office, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Mad Men, Happy Endings, The League, and The Inbetweeners, which injected a recognizable, comic eccentricity into each episode.
Streaming Era: Supporting Characters Turned Highlights
Gelman’s career truly expanded when streaming platforms surged. In Love (Netflix), he portrayed Dr. Greg Colter, a reluctant psychiatrist with emotional baggage. Meanwhile, the genre-defying Fleabag saw him as Martin, a husband character whose toxicity was equal parts horrifying and fascinating—and even earned him award-talk buzz.
Then came Stranger Things—as the eccentric, conspiracy-savvy Murray Bauman. Initially recurring in Season 2, he became a full cast member in Season 4, adding comedic depth and unexpected action chops to the show.
“This is very much a high point of my life,” he said in a 2019 interview, calling his simultaneous work on Fleabag and Stranger Things both ironic and rewarding.
In Season 4, he took Murray to a new level—traipsing off to Russia, doing physical stunts, blending comedic tension with action. Gelman’s childhood hero worship of ’70s and ’80s comedic legends clearly informed his performance.
Film Appearances: Supporting, Surreal, and Sporadic
Gelman’s film roles often land on the quirky or offbeat side of the spectrum. In The Other Guys (2010), he played Hal—a small but memorable part. He followed that with 30 Minutes or Less and A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas in 2011.
Later indie roles include Jobs (2013), Awful Nice (2013), Lemon (2017, which he co-wrote and starred in), The Disaster Artist (2017), and Room for Rent (2018)—films with varied tones, from drama-inflected to meta-comedic, showing his creative risk-taking.
More recently, his work slanted toward both genre blockbusters and unconventional one-offs: Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse (2021), Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile (2022), Metal Lords (2022), Boy Kills World (2023), Strays (2023), and McVeigh (2024).
Recent Highlights: Streaming Leadership and Voice Work
In 2024, Gelman took a lead role in Apple TV+’s Lady in the Lake. Playing Milton Schwartz, he anchored the drama alongside adaptations from Laura Lippman’s novel. Voice acting also complements his on-screen presence: in Inside Job (2021–22), he lent his voice to Magic Myc, diversifying into animation.
In 2023, he starred as Gabe in Entitled, a Showtime/Channel 4 black-comic drama. Notably, he also served as executive producer—bridging creative and business roles in modern content-making.
Conclusion
Brett Gelman’s career defies tidy labels: he thrives where the understated, the bizarre, and the emotionally volatile intersect. Whether skewering sitcom norms or leaning into horror-comedy or sci-fi prestige, he brings a self-aware unpredictability that feels authentic. His journey reveals an artist embracing both comedic absurdity and dramatic nuance—rare in its depth and consistency. Audiences keen on characters that surprise, unsettle, or subtly crack open a scene will find Gelman’s roles rich and compelling.
FAQs
Q: What show made Brett Gelman widely popular?
The Netflix series Stranger Things introduced him to a broad audience as conspiracy theorist Murray Bauman, particularly after becoming a main cast member in Season 4.
Q: Has Brett Gelman done any work behind the camera?
Yes. He co-wrote and starred in Lemon (2017) and served as executive producer on Entitled (2023), among other creative credits in television specials and sketches.
Q: Which sketch-based work is Brett Gelman known for?
He gained attention through Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends (2014) and its sequels—a surreal series of comedy-horror specials elaborating his darker comedic vision.
Q: Has Gelman done voice acting?
Indeed. He voiced Magic Myc in the animated series Inside Job (2021–22), showcasing his versatility beyond live-action roles.
Q: What kind of film roles has Brett Gelman taken on?
His filmography spans mainstream comedies like The Other Guys, indie dramas like Lemon, and recent genre-spanning titles like Boy Kills World and Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, reflecting a diverse palette.
Q: Did Brett Gelman appear in Fleabag?
Yes. He played Martin, the deeply flawed husband in Fleabag. His performance was critically praised and contributed to his reputation for playing complex, unsettling characters.
