Eric Petersen

Eric Petersen is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021–2022), and for playing the title character in the first US national tour of Shrek The Musical.

Early life and education Petersen was born in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and attended Glenbard North High School. He began acting during his freshman year of high school, after quitting the football team and subsequently missing soccer tryouts. His friend suggested that he audition for a role in the school production of The Hobbit, and the experience of playing that role inspired him to continue acting. Afterwards, he attended Bradley University, where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in theater. When he was 18, he had corrective surgery to address issues with his eyes.

Career After graduating from Bradley, Petersen took a role on the US national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He played William Barfee, one of the contestants in the eponymous spelling bee. He followed this effort with Shrek the Musical, serving as an understudy for the title character. When Shrek began its first national tour in 2010, Petersen served in the titular role.

Living in New York City at the time, Petersen made the transition into TV with a two-episode arc in the long-running soap opera As the World Turns. He played a "Bad Santa"-type criminal who held one of the main characters hostage as part of an attempted robbery. He followed this with a series of bit parts in shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2012, Petersen was cast as a series lead in Giant Baby, later renamed Kirstie, where he starred as Arlo, the long-lost son of Madison Banks (Kirstie Alley).

In 2021, Petersen starred opposite Annie Murphy as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself. Petersen's character was meant to channel the stereotypical "sitcom husband", in the style of The King of Queens, The Honeymooners, and Family Guy, while revealing the dissatisfaction of Murphy's character, Allison.

Eric and producer Danny Jordan host the podcast; Christmas Countdown Show, in which the hosts countdown topics such as movies, TV, music, and special experiences. Eric also co-hosts the Perfect Albums Podcast with producer Chris Sisley. In each episode, the hosts talk about an album that they think is (basically) perfect.

Personal life Petersen married musical theater actress Lisa Marie Morabito, in 2007. They have two children.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 Evan and Gareth Are Trying to Get Laid Hank TV film 2013 Life with Maddie Arlo Barth Short film 2014 The Brittany Murphy Story Simon Monjack TV film Naughty & Nice Jonah TV film 2018 Groomzilla Scoot TV film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Boarder Anthology film 2021 Raunch and Roll Nia's father

Television

Theatre

Awards and nominations Year Association Category Work Result Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program Madagascar: A Little Wild