Michael Showalter is an American comedian, actor, director, writer, and producer. He first achieved recognition as a cast member on MTV's
The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995. He and David Wain created the
Wet Hot American Summer franchise, with Showalter co-writing and starring in
Wet Hot American Summer (2001), and the Netflix series. Showalter wrote and directed
The Baxter (2005), in which he starred with Michelle Williams, Justin Theroux, and Elizabeth Banks. Both films featured many of his co-stars from
The State, and so do several of his other projects. Showalter is also a co-creator, co-producer, actor, and writer for the TV series
Search Party. He directed the 2017 film
The Big Sick and the 2021 film
The Eyes of Tammy Faye, both of which were critically acclaimed.