David Koechner

David Michael Koechner ( ; born August 24, 1962) is an American actor and comedian. His prominent roles include Champ Kind in the Anchorman film series (2004–2013) and Todd Packer in The Office (2005–2013).

Koechner first became involved in performing when he began studying improvisational comedy in Chicago at ImprovOlympic, before joining the Second City Northwest. Koechner relocated to New York City in 1995, doing sketch comedy as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (1995–1996) and as a sketch regular on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in the mid-1990s. In 1997, Koechner moved to Los Angeles and started working regularly in various film and television comedies, making his first film appearances with small roles in the films such as Wag the Dog, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and Man on the Moon.

While filming the country mockumentary film Dill Scallion in 1998, Koechner befriended actor/comedian Dave 'Gruber' Allen, and eventually began performing as the comedy duo, The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show, a live musical comedy act. The act became a hit at Hollywood clubs such as Largo, and Allen and Koechner were invited to open for Tenacious D. In 2007, Koechner and Allen created and starred together in a Naked Trucker & T-Bones Show sketch comedy series that ran for one season on Comedy Central.

After his breakout role as Champ Kind in the 2004 comedy Anchorman, Koechner began appearing frequently with larger supporting roles in many high-profile comedic films including Talladega Nights, Thank You for Smoking, Waiting..., Semi-Pro, The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard and Extract. His first leading film role was Coach Lambeau Fields in sports comedy, The Comebacks (2007). More recently, Koechner reprised his role of Champ Kind for Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, co-starred in the horror-comedy Krampus, and received praise from critics for his dark turn in the 2014 black comedy Cheap Thrills. He co-starred in the sitcoms Bless This Mess and Superior Donuts and recurred on Another Period and on the revival of Twin Peaks. He made regular appearances on the sitcom The Goldbergs and currently provides the voice of Dick Reynolds on American Dad!.

Early life and education Koechner was born on August 24, 1962, in Tipton, Missouri, to Margaret Ann (née Downey) and Cecil Stephen Koechner. He has two brothers, Mark and Joe, and three sisters, Mary-Rose, Cecilia, Joan. His father ran a business that manufactured turkey coops (Koechner has stated that "If you see a turkey going down the road in a big truck, most likely its coop is from Tipton..."). He was raised Catholic, and is of German, English, and Irish descent. Koechner studied Political Science at Benedictine College and the University of Missouri, before he eventually decided to pursue a career in improvisational comedy and moved to Chicago. After studying at Chicago's ImprovOlympic, under famed improvisation instructor Del Close, Koechner joined The Second City comedy troupe in Chicago, graduating in 1994.

Career

Early career In 1995, Koechner landed a year-long stint on Saturday Night Live, joining the show with Second City friends Nancy Walls and Adam McKay.

Partnership with David "Gruber" Allen On the set of the 1999 country music mockumentary, Dill Scallion, Koechner struck a partnership with SNL colleague David "Gruber" Allen, joining Allen's improvisational comedy act, The Naked Trucker Show.

Koechner joined the act as Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons, a character he had been playing on comedy stages for a few years, including a recurring character bit on SNL. Gerald Tibbons dates back to 1995, when he filmed a short television pilot based on the character's misadventures. The "Gerald" character, based on a real drifter named Four-Way George, became so popular that Koechner would go to auditions, only to find that directors were always demanding his stage persona. The stage act, a mix of stand-up comedy and off-color country songs, became a hit on the Hollywood improv circuit, ultimately landing television performances on Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Real Time with Bill Maher. The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show toured with fellow comedic musical duo, Tenacious D.

2004–2006 In 2004, Koechner landed his largest film role up to that point, as sports reporter Champ Kind in Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy. As part of the Anchorman ensemble, Koechner shared two MTV Movie Award nominations for Best On-Screen Team and Best Musical Performance. MTV's initial press release accidentally listed Fred Armisen instead of David Koechner, but eventually corrected the error on their website, crediting Koechner during the broadcast. Following this role, he landed small and supporting roles in such films such The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Talladega Nights, The Dukes of Hazzard and Snakes on a Plane. In 2006, he made his voice acting debut in Barnyard as "Dag". That same year, he had a supporting role as a gun lobbyist in the critically acclaimed satire, Thank You for Smoking. Thank You for Smoking was one of the best-reviewed films of Koechner's career, and he was included in Fox Searchlight's Oscar campaign, among the film's listings for Best Supporting Actor.

After co-starring in Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin, fellow Second City alum Steve Carell personally recommended Koechner for a recurring role on NBC's The Office, playing Todd Packer. Koechner's role is the American version of Chris Finch from the original. Packer is an obnoxious, alcoholic best friend of Carell's character. Koechner guest-starred, both in person and voice, on fifteen episodes of the series. His frequent work with actors Ferrell, Carell, Jack Black, and Ben Stiller have led some critics and journalists to point out his association with the media-dubbed "Frat Pack". David had a guest starring role as Uncle Earl in an episode on Hannah Montana.

2007–present In 2007, Koechner was seen in his first leading role in The Comebacks (which opened on October 19), the first comedy to be released under Fox Searchlight's Fox Atomic division. He played a college football coach with the worst record in the history of the sport who vows to turn things around with his new team of ragtag recruits. He described this career opportunity as the "first lead for the right-hander."

In the eight years Koechner & Allen have been playing these characters, there have been several attempts to bring the act to television, but they had trouble figuring how to translate it into a series. Koechner & Allen's first album, Naked Trucker and T-Bones Live at the Troubador, was released March 20, 2007. Koechner co-starred with Luke Wilson in the 2009 indie-comedy Tenure and was a lead in the 2012 horror film Piranha 3DD. Koechner returned as Champ Kind, in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013).

Following the release of Live at the Troubador, Koechner revealed that a T-Bones film is in development with Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez Productions. Koechner wrote the script with veteran television writer/producer Norm Hiscock, who also wrote for The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show, in addition to past work on Saturday Night Live, The Kids in the Hall, and King of the Hill. He made his first return guest appearance to Saturday Night Live on December 7, 2013, with his fellow Anchorman co-stars Will Ferrell, Steve Carell, and the episode's host, Paul Rudd. The Anchorman stars sang "Afternoon Delight" with the episode's musical guest One Direction during the opening monologue. Koechner and Ferrell also reprised their Bill Brasky sketch in the same episode.

In 2015, Koechner began co-starring as Commodore Bellacourt in the Comedy Central series Another Period. He also recurs as Bill Lewis on The Goldbergs.

In a contrast to his largely comedy-based acting career, Koechner starred in the 2016 drama Priceless, a film about human trafficking. He said of the role, "My wife and I have five kids – three of them are daughters. So, just to imagine the horror of any young lady having to go through this. This film is based on true events. It's happening right now. It's happening in Chicago. It's happening here in Los Angeles. It's happening globally. So, to be a participant in a film like this – to bring awareness to such a horror – makes me happy."

In 2023, Koechner began portraying "Vice President of Party" for a regional marketing campaign for Harrah's Cherokee Casinos. The fictional character is a casino employee in charge of making sure guests have a good time.

Personal life

Koechner lives in Los Angeles and married his wife Leigh in 1998. Koechner has the names of his wife and children tattooed on his right upper-arm. In 2020, Koechner filed for divorce.

Koechner performs regularly in Los Angeles comedy clubs such as Flappers Comedy Club, Improv Olympic, West Theater (in the show Beer Shark Mice), and Largo, the nightclub where the Naked Trucker Show plays regularly. Koechner supported the 2004 US presidential campaign of Senator John Kerry, performing at a June 6, 2004, Hollywood fundraiser for the senator, where The Naked Trucker & T-Bones opened up for Tenacious D.

On December 31, 2021, Koechner was arrested on New Year's Eve for a suspected DUI and hit and run in Simi Valley, California. A court date was set in Ventura, California; he was charged with a DUI and hit and run.

On June 4, 2022, Koechner was arrested for DUI in Ohio.

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes 1995 It's Now... or NEVER! Jay 1997 Wag the Dog Director 1998 Dirty Work Anton Phillips 1999 Man on the Moon National Enquirer Reporter Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Co-pilot Dill Scallion Bubba Pearl 2000 Whatever It Takes Virgil Doolittle Dropping Out Henry 2001 Out Cold Stumpy Life Without Dick Uncle Hurley 2002 Waking Up in Reno Bell Hop American Girl Guy in Fun Fun Land TV Commercial The Third Wheel Carl Run Ronnie Run! Clay 2003 My Boss's Daughter Speed A Guy Thing Buck Morse Soul Mates Steve 2004 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Champ Kind Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Team (shared with Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd)Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Musical Performance (shared with Will Ferrell, Steve Carell and Paul Rudd) Wake Up, Ron Burgundy: The Lost Movie 2005 Yours, Mine & Ours Darrell Daltry Calhoun Doyle Earl Here Comes Peter Cottontail: The Movie Elroy/Wind Voice only The 40-Year-Old Virgin Dad at Health Clinic The Dukes of Hazzard Cooter Waiting... Dan 2006 Unaccompanied Minors Ernie Wellington Tenacious D in The Pick of Destiny Surplus Store Clerk Scene Deleted Let's Go to Prison Shanahan Snakes on a Plane Richard "Rick" Barnyard Dag Voice only Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby Herschell Thank You for Smoking Bobby Jay Bliss Larry the Cable Guy: Health Inspector Donnie 2007 The Comebacks Lambeau Fields Wild Girls Gone Mr. Fremont Reno 911!: Miami Sheriff of Aspen Balls of Fury Rick the Birdmaster Farce of the Penguins Melvin Voice only Careless Lizard 2008 Semi-Pro The Commissioner Drillbit Taylor Frightened Dad Get Smart Agent Larabee Sex Drive Hitchhiker The Perfect Game Charlie 2009 Still Waiting... Dan Extract Nathan The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard Brent Gage Tenure Jay Hadley My One and Only Bill Massey 2011 Paul Gus Final Destination 5 Dennis Lapman A Good Old Fashioned Orgy Vic George Fully Loaded Dave Koechner 2012 This Means War Ollie Piranha 3DD Chet Wedding Day Pastor Augustus Hit and Run Sanders Small Apartments Detective O'Grady 2013 A Haunted House Dan Kearney Cheap Thrills Colin Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Champ Kind Crawlspace Chuck the Exterminator 2014 Hits Rich No Clue Ernie Jason Nash Is Married Scooter 2015 Road Hard Chad Regular Show: The Movie Principal Dean Voice only Hell and Back Asmodeus Voice only Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse Scout Leader Rogers Krampus Howard 2016 Priceless Dale 2017 CHiPs Pat How to Get Girls Principal B. Bernard and Huey Huey I'm Not Here Dad's Attorney The Pine Tar Incident: Making of Tar Wars Director Gnome Alone Zamfeer Voice 2018 Then Came You Bob Lewis All Creatures Here Below Robert 2019 3 Days with Dad Dr. Clarence Grey Braking for Whales Uncle Randall Hillhouse 2020 Faith Based Butch Savage The Dark Divide Shayne Vicious Fun Zachary Reboot Camp Himself 2021 The Right One Bob Glasser A Week Away David Match Struck Unknown Man National Champions Richard Everly 2022 Marmaduke Phil Voice only Dotty & Soul Brannigan Izzy Lyon: The Unspun Truth Antoine St. Pupon Diamond in the Rough Bill Fisher Wrong Reasons Marshall Winandi 2023 Match Struck Unknown Man The Allnighter Bruce Ganymede Pastor Royer 2024 Half Baked: Totally High Diesel2025Attack of the Killer Tomatoes: Organic IntelligenceU.S. president's Press Secretary

Television

Year Show Role Notes 1995–1996 Saturday Night Live Cast member 20 episodes 1996 The Jamie Foxx Show Stephen Queen Episode: "A Killer Ending" Something So Right Man Episode: "Something About a Christmas Miracle" 1997 Mad About You Store Clerk Episode: "Uncle Phil and the Coupons" 1998 The Love Boat: The Next Wave Charles Episode: "Getting to Know You" 1999 Get Real Roger Episode: "Pilot" Dharma & Greg Joe Episode: "See Dharma Run" 2000 Freaks and Geeks Waiter Episode: "Carded and Discarded" The Norm Show Lance Episode: "Norm vs. the Oldest Profession" 2002 Late World with Zach Various Recurring role Curb Your Enthusiasm Joseph Episode: "Mary, Joseph and Larry" Greg the Bunny Paintball Instructor Episode: "Jewel Heist" 2002–2003 Still Standing Carl 9 episodes Whatever Happened to Robot Jones? Clancy Q. Sleepyjeans (voice) 7 episodes 2003 Comedy Central Laughs for Life Telethon 2003 Jerry Prastis/Gerald Tibbons/Various TV special Wanda at Large Roger Unaired pilot 2003–2006 Reno 911! Various characters 3 episodes 2005–2013 The Office Todd Packer 15 episodes 2006 Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law Cubby McQuilkin (voice) Episode: "Babysitter" 2007 The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show Gerald "T-Bones" Tibbons Star, writer, producer, co-creator American Body Shop Trey Episode: "Shop for Sale" Monk Joey Krenshaw 2 episodes 2008 Kath & Kim Pete Episode: "Friends" King of the Hill Frank (voice) Episode: "Six Characters in Search of a House" Pushing Daisies Merle McQuoddy Episode: "The Legend of Merle McQuoddy" 2008–2010 Hannah Montana Uncle Earl 3 episodes 2008–present American Dad! Dick / various characters (voice) 37 episodes 2009 Glenn Martin, DDS Unknown (voice) Episode: "Deck the Malls" The Goode Family Cranky (voice) Episode: "A Goode Game of Chicken" Head Case Himself 2 episodes 2009–2010Hank Grady Funk 10 episodes 2010Gary Unmarried Joe "Soup" Campbell Episode: "Gary's Big Mouth" Neighbors from Hell Robert the Insult Weight Loss Robot (voice) 3 episodes Glory Daze Baseball Coach Episode: "Pilot" 2010–2011 Funny or Die Presents Various characters 3 episodes 2011 Beavis and Butt-Head Various characters (voice) 4 episodes Chuck Crazy Bob Episode: "Chuck Versus the Business Trip" Good Vibes Various characters (voice) 2 episodes Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Dosu (voice) Episode: "Hometown Hero" 2012 Comedy Bang! Bang! Mr. Doublebutt Episode: "Amy Poehler Wears a Black Jacket & Grey Pants" The Inbetweeners Jim Remus Episode: "The Field Trip" 2013 The Middle Jeff Webber Episode: "The Friend" Behind the Candelabra Adoption Attorney Television film Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja Mac Antfee (voice) 3 episodesPsych Leslie Valerie Sally Episode: "Office Space" Phineas and Ferb Rusty Britches (voice) Episode: "Terrifying Tri-State Trilogy of Terror" 2014 Justified Deputy Gregg Sutter 2 episodes Maron Himself Episode: "Therapy" 2015 Sofia the First Muck (voice) Episode: "Minding the Manor" Full Circle Phil Davis 4 episodes 2015–2016 Regular Show Principal Dean / Jayden (voice) 5 episodes 2015–2017 All Hail King Julien Rob / Nurse Phantom / Phantom, Butterfly Prince (voice) 11 episodes 2015–2023 The Goldbergs Bill Lewis 38 episodes 2015–2019 Drunk History Diego Columbus / Edwin Forrest / John Pastore / Theodore Roosevelt 4 episodes Another Period Commodore Bellacourt Series regular; 18 episodes 2015–2021 F is for Family Robert "Bob Pogo" Pogrohovich (voice) 32 episodes 2016 Angie Tribeca Commissioner Bigfish Episode: "Commissioner Bigfish" Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Roger Ramsey Episode: "Roger Me Rightly" Hidden America with Jonah Ray Mayor Marty Lehrman Episode: "Chicago: The Second Best City" The Soul Man Denny Doyle Episode: "Southern Discomfort" TripTank Buck LaFontaine / Gary / Frank (voice) 2 episodes Tween Fest Congressman Rich Halstrom Episode: "Congressman-Ass Bitch" Future-Worm! Coach (voice) 2 episodes 2017 Bones Jack Flap Episode: "The Flaw in the Saw" All Hail King Julien: Exiled Nurse Phantom (voice) Episode: "The Most Eggcellent Adventure" Twin Peaks Detective Fusco 4 episodes Future Man Barry Futturman Episode: "A Blowjob Before Dying" Stan Against Evil Kenny 2 episodes Rhett and Link's Buddy System Jimbo / Jumbo Episode: "Sanctuary" Hell's Kitchen Himself Guest diner and Shane's Inspiration contributor; Episode: "It's All Gravy" 2017–2018 Superior Donuts Carl "Tush" Tushinski Series regular 2018 Trolls: The Beat Goes On! Buzby (voice) 3 episodes Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters 'Swell' Del Wainwright Episode: "Face in the Car Lot" Ask the StoryBots Pirate Episode: "How Do Volcanoes Work?" 2018–2020 The Epic Tales of Captain Underpants Mr. Meaner (voice) 18 episodes + 3 specials 2019–2020 Bless This Mess Beau Bowman Series regular 2019 Schooled Bill Lewis Episode: "Be Like Mike" Crank Yankers Ray Erbst Episode: "Adam Carolla, David Koechner & Natasha Leggero" 2020 At Home with Amy Sedaris Clovis Episode: "Outdoor Entertaining" 2021 Close Enough Wyatt Trickle (voice) Episode: "Meet the Frackers" Tacoma FD Bernard Spatchcock Episode: "Thanksgiving" The Bitch Who Stole Christmas Mr. E Television Film 2022–2023 Puppy Dog Pals Willie (voice) Credited as Dave Koechner; 7 episodes 2023 Justified: City Primeval Greg Sutter Episode: "The Question" Underdeveloped Brent Arnold 6 episodes 2023–2024 Krapopolis Poseidon (voice) 2 episodes 2025 A Week Away: The Series David 7 episodes It's Florida, Man Uncle Matt Episode: "Moonshine"

Music videos Year Title Artist 2010 "Baby We Were Young" The Dirty Guv'nahs 2011 "New Romance" Miles Fisher 2011 "Weed Card" Garfunkel and Oates