Person biography:
Dana Carvey is a renowned American comedian, actor, writer, and impressionist. Born on June 2, 1955, in Missoula, Montana, he is of Norwegian, English, German, Swedish, and Irish ancestry. He grew up in San Carlos, California, where his parents, Billie Dahl and Bud Carvey, instilled in him a love for creativity. His mother was a schoolteacher and a painter, while his father taught high school business law.
Carvey's gift for making people laugh emerged at a young age. By the time he was 9 or 10, he was already mimicking characters he saw on TV, with Jonathan Winters being one of his early inspirations. He also developed a passion for music, playing the drums and guitar.
After majoring in Communication Arts at San Francisco State, Carvey began performing stand-up comedy, initially focusing on impressions of well-known personalities. He eventually replaced impersonations with self-created characterizations, which led to the creation of his iconic characters, including the Church Lady.
Carvey's career took off after he joined the repertory company of Saturday Night Live (SNL) in 1986. He became a staple on the show, creating memorable characters and impressions, and was nominated for six Emmy Awards, winning one in 1993. He also won multiple American Comedy Awards.
After leaving SNL, Carvey pursued a career in film, starring in movies such as Opportunity Knocks, Clean Slate, The Road to Wellville, and Trapped in Paradise. He had moderate success, but it was his work with Mike Myers in the Wayne's World films that brought him the most recognition.
Carvey has continued to work in television, starring in his own TV comedy series, The Dana Carvey Show, and appearing in numerous TV specials and stand-up concert appearances. He has also voiced characters in animated films, including Hotel Transylvania 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2.
Carvey is married to Paula and has two children. He currently resides in Southern California.
