Greg Behrendt
About
Biography
Biography
Outspoken and straightforward, but with a twinkle in his eye, comedian and best-selling author Greg Behrendt found success as a stand-up comic with his blunt and realistic comedic insight into the male psyche. Coining the phrase "He's just not that into you" while working as a consultant on HBO's critically-acclaimed "Sex and the City" (1998-2004), Behrendt inadvertently became a sought-after relationship guru and went on to co-author the aptly titled New York Times best-seller, He's Just Not That Into You with "City" writer Liz Tucillo. Named as one of Variety's "10 Comics to Watch in 2001," Behrendt performed his sly stand-up on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (NBC, 1992-2014) and "The Late Show with David Letterman"(CBS, 1993-2015), among others. In 2006 Behrendt appeared in his own stand-up comedy special, "Greg Behrendt is Uncool," on Comedy Central and with a one-two punch, signed a deal with Sony to host his own daytime talk show, "The Greg Behrendt Show" (2006-07).
Born July 21, 1963 in San Francisco, CA, Behrendt grew up just north of the Golden Gate City in the Marin County town of Larkspur. After graduating from Larkspur's Redwood High School in 1981, Behrendt attended the University of Oregon in Eugene. Initially enrolled as a business major, Behrendt ended up studying classical theater. Moving back to the Bay Area after college, Behrendt joined a San Francisco-based improvisational comedy group in 1986, which also included fellow comic Margaret Cho. An aspiring rock musician, Behrendt began performing as a comedian in order to support himself while writing music with his band. Encouraged by his peers to pursue stand-up, Behrendt took to the stage at local comedy clubs in the late 1980's and early 1990's, being cheered on by his other up-and-coming comedian friends, Janeane Garafolo, Patton Oswalt and Behrendt's then-roommate, David Cross. As part of the Un-Cabaret, a Los Angeles-based group that provided an alternative venue for local comics, Behrendt began to develop his unique, biting, straightforward sense of humor.
After overcoming a long struggle with alcohol and drugs, Behrendt's career as a comedian began to take off. He landed gigs on "An Evening at the Improv" (1982-1996) and Comedy Central's "Premium Blend" (1997-2006). Catching the eye of HBO producers, Behrendt filmed the half-hour comedy special "Mantastic," which was directed by "Sex and the City" (1998-2004) executive producer Michael Patrick King. Focused on the plight of the modern man, Behrendt found his comedic "everyman" niche. In 2001, Behrendt hosted the late-night comedy series "Late Friday" (NBC, 2001-02) and was featured in the comedy special, "Comedy Central Presents: Greg Behrendt." The comic went on to land stand-up gigs on "The Late Show with David Letterman" (CBS, 1993-2015), "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" (NBC, 1992-2014) and "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" (NBC, 1993-2009).
In need of a straight, male point of view, former employer King sought out Behrendt as a consultant on his iconic show, "Sex and the City" during the show's third season. Responding to a colleague while working on the series, Behrendt coined the phrase, "He's just not that into you," which was later worked into an episode of "City," in which Carrie Bradshaw's (Sarah Jessica Parker) then boyfriend Jack Berger (Ron Livingston) broke the news to a hopeful Miranda Hobbs (Cynthia Nixon) that her latest boyfriend would not be calling her back.
Encouraged by "City" writer Liz Tucillo, Behrendt and Tucillo co-authored a relationship self-help book in 2004 geared towards the predominately female demographic of "City." Offering women a blunt, "tough love" type of advice, He's Just Not That Into You (2004) topped the #1 best seller lists of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today, prompting Behrendt to appear multiple times on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (1986-2011) as a relationship advisor and "big brother" to all wayward females sitting by the phone and waiting for the boy to call.
After the phenomenal success of the book - which was often sold out at all the major book chains throughout the year - Behrendt went on to co-author It's Called a Break-Up Because It's Broken (2005) with his wife, Amiira Ruotula-Behrendt. Similar to Not That Into You, Broken offered up a list of ways to help readers get over a difficult split. Though the book was initially geared towards a male audience, Behrendt's publishers later shifted the book's emphasis towards a female demographic, knowing there was an already established trust between Behrendt and his female readers.
Returning to stand-up, Behrendt filmed the Comedy Central special "Greg Behrendt is Uncool" in 2006, tackling the deconstruction of "cool" from rock 'n roll Gen-Xer to forty-something parent. On a career high from the success of his book, Behrendt signed deals with Sony for the daily relationship talk show "The Greg Behrendt Show" (2006-07), and with ABC to star in the mid-season replacement show, "Greg Behrendt's Wake-up Call." The latter never aired on ABC, and was eventually picked up by SoapNet, which aired the show in 2009.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Writer (Feature Film)
Misc. Crew (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Life Events
1986
Performed stand-up comedy and improv in San Francisco
1995
Moved to Los Angeles
1995
Appeared in several episodes of "Mr. Show with Bob and David" (HBO)
1997
Appeared in the HBO special, "Mantastic," directed by "Sex and the City" creator Michael Patrick King
2001
Wrote, produced and starred in the pilot series, "The Lemur" (Comedy Central)
2001
Joined the writing staff of HBO's award-winning series, "Sex and the City"
2004
Co-wrote with Liz Tuccillo, the New York Times best seller, He's Just Not That Into You
2005
Co-authored with wife Amiira Ruotula-Behrendt, It's Called a Breakup Because It's Broken
2005
Released his debut DVD, "Greg Behrendt is Uncool" (aired on Comedy Central in 2006)
2006
Hosted the short-lived daytime talk show "The Greg Behrendt Show" (syndicated)
2009
Aired "Greg Behrendt's Wake Up Call" on ABC's sister cable network SoapNet
2009
His best-selling book was adapted into a feature film, "He's Just Not That Into You"
