Seth Rogen

Early Years

Seth Rogen was born April 15, 1982 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His mother is a social worker and his father is an assistant director for a non-profit organization. During his youth, he attended a Talmud Torah school, but it was at camp that he got his first taste of stand-up comedy, performing for the other campers.

Rogen has a unique story in that he made his stand-up debut when he was just 13 and grabbed second place in the Vancouver Amateur Comedy Contest when he was 16. The taste of success led him to pursue stand-up and acting in the U.S., when he made the move to Los Angeles at age 16.

Early Roles

Seth Rogen earned his first role as Ken Miller in the low-rated, cult classic television series Freaks and Geeks (1999) during an open casting call. While the show was cancelled during its first season, Rogen and the show's executive producer, Judd Apatow, continue to have a long history of working together.

Rogen was then cast in Apatow’s followup TV comedy, Undeclared (2001), which focused on the lives of freshmen college students. Rogen began testing the writing waters as well, penning several episodes of the series, which was cancelled after just one season.

Seth Rogen also appeared in the film Donnie Darko (2001), starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and an episode of Dawson’s Creek (2003).

Accomplished Writer

After writing for the series Undeclared, Rogen wrote for the second and final season of Da Ali G Show, starring Sacha Baron Cohen. He, along with the writing staff for the series, earned an Emmy nomination for the category of "Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program." Rogen has said in an interview that he was also involved (though uncredited) for Baron Cohen’s hit film, Borat.

Rogen has worked on numerous writing projects with his childhood friend, Evan Goldberg, including Da Ali G Show, Superbad, The Pineapple Express, and a remake of The Green Hornet. The 2007 summer hit, Superbad, is said to have been inspired by Rogen and Goldberg’s friendship and Rogen co-wrote the screenplay when he was just 13. Rogen’s latest co-written screenplay is for the upcoming film Drillbit Taylor, starring Owen Wilson.

Film Roles

Rogen has appeared in several of Apatow’s films, including a supporting part in The 40-Year-Old Virgin (2005), starring Steve Carell, and the lead role in the 2007 film Knocked Up, co-starring Katherine Heigl. It was Rogen’s role as loveable loser Ben Stone in Knocked Up that put him on the map as a leading man -- albeit a bit unconventional. Rogen can also be seen in smaller roles in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (2004) and You, Me and Dupree (2006). Rogen also appears in Superbad as Officer Warren Michaels and will be seen (or heard) in these upcoming films:

• Fanboys
• The Spiderwick Chronicles (voice of Hogsqueal the hobgoblin)
• Horton Hears a Who! (voice of Morton the mouse)
• Kung Fu Panda (voice of Master Mantis)
• The Pineapple Express (also executive producer)
• The Middle Child
• The Green Hornet (also executive producer)

Seth Rogen Facts

• Rogen was the host of Saturday Night Live on October 6, 2007.
• His improvisational talent first grabbed Apatow’s attention on the set of Freaks and Geeks. This led to him to cast Rogen in his other projects.
• Rogen and girlfriend Lauren Miller live together.
• Rogen is said to have been inspired by Adam Sandler’s comedy album, They’re All Gonna Laugh at You!, calling it the funniest thing he’s ever heard.
• He lent his voice to the animated film, Shrek the Third (2007) as ship captain.
• Though he dropped out of high school, Rogen did earn his degree with an on-set tutor.