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IMDbPro

'Weird Al' Yankovic

  • Music Artist
  • Actor
  • Music Department
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
'Weird Al' Yankovic at an event for The 57th Annual Grammy Awards (2015)
Here's a look back at the various roles "Weird Al" Yankovic has played throughout his acting career.
Play clip1:01
'Weird Al' Yankovic | Supercut
19 Videos
99+ Photos
Few would have guessed that "Weird Al" Yankovic - who as a shy, accordion-playing teenager got his start sending in homemade tapes to the Dr. Demento Radio Show - would go on to become a pop culture icon and the biggest-selling comedy recording artist of all time, with classic song and music video parodies such as "Eat It," "Like a Surgeon," "Smells Like Nirvana," "Amish Paradise," "White & Nerdy" and "Word Crimes." Now in his fourth decade as America's foremost song parodist, he has been honored with four Grammy® Awards and fifteen nominations, including a 2015 win for his 14th studio album Mandatory Fun.

Alfred Matthew Yankovic was born on October 23, 1959, in the Los Angeles suburb of Lynwood, to Mary Elizabeth (Vivalda) and Nick Louis Yankovic. His father was of Yugoslavian descent and his mother was of Italian and English ancestry. He first took up the accordion when a salesman came around to solicit business for a music school. His parents decided on the accordion because of polka king Frankie Yankovic (no relation). As a child and young teen, Al watched a lot of television, which gave him much inspiration for his later work. He also became a fan of such musician/comedians as Allan Sherman and Spike Jones. He became especially acquainted with these musicians through the radio show of Barry Hansen, aka "Dr. Demento", which would later become a great source of publicity for his talents. After an extraordinary career at Lynwood High School, where Al graduated as valedictorian, he attended the California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo to study architecture, a field he is said to have chosen because it was listed first in the catalog (although he has said that he really chose it on the advice of a guidance counselor). It was at Cal Poly that Al had a radio show and earned the nickname "Weird Al". Although he had sent tapes to Dr. Demento in the past, it was at Cal Poly where he recorded his first real published piece, a parody of the popular "My Sharona" by The Knack, called "My Bologna". After the astounding success of that song, forever to be known as the "bathroom recording" as it was recorded in the acoustically perfect mens' room, Al began his phenomenal career, which has spanned twelve albums, numerous compilations, a box set, movies, videos and edible underwear. He has also done a great deal to advance the cause of accordion-wielding weirdos, for which we can all be thankful.

In addition to his 1989 cult hit feature film UHF, his late 1990s CBS Saturday morning series The Weird Al Show and numerous AL-TV specials he has made for MTV and VH1 over the years, Yankovic has remained a staple of film and television, from appearances on The Simpsons and 30 Rock to performing on the 2014 Primetime Emmy Awards. More recently he guested on ABC's Galavant (as a singing monk) and The Goldbergs (as the '80s version of himself). In the spring of 2015 Yankovic joined the fifth and final season of IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang! as its co-host and bandleader. Al can be heard as the voice of the title character in Disney XD's animated series Milo Murphy's Law. Additional voiceover work includes Gravity Falls, Wander Over Yonder, Adventure Time, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, The 7D, Teen Titans Go!, We Bare Bears, Pig Goat Banana Cricket, Uncle Grandpa, Voltron: Legendary Defender, Bojack Horseman, and the DC animated feature Batman vs. Robin. Other notable past projects include the 2009 themed attraction Al's Brain: A 3-D Journey through the Human Brain, featuring cameos by everybody from his mother-in-law to Paul McCartney. Two years later, Comedy Central broadcast and released the concert special "Weird Al" Yankovic Live: The Alpocalypse Tour, filmed at Toronto's venerable Massey Hall. Yankovic added "New York Times bestselling author" to his resumé in 2011 with the release of his children's book, When I Grow Up (HarperCollins), followed two years later by My New Teacher and Me! An animated series based on his children's books is being developed in partnership with the Jim Henson Company. 2012 saw the release of Weird Al: The Book (Abrams), an illustrated hardcover on Al's life and career, and in 2015 Yankovic became not only MAD Magazine's cover boy, but the first Guest Editor in their 63-year history. 2016 saw the release of George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison, featuring Al's live performance of "What is Life?" The past year has seen the June premiere of the Dreamworks animated film Captain Underpants, for which Al co-wrote and performed the film's theme song, and the release by NECA Toys of the second in its line of retro-clothed Weird Al action figures. In August, Al wrote and performed "The North Korea Polka (Please Don't Nuke Us)" on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

In May 2017, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that Weird Al would be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In November of this year, Legacy Recordings will release Squeeze Box: The Complete Works of "Weird Al" Yankovic, a career-spanning box set of all 14 of Al's studio albums remastered for 150-gram vinyl and CD formats, plus an exclusive rarities album and 120-page book of archival photos, all housed in a replica of Weird Al's trademark accordion. Released in July 2014, Mandatory Fun became the first comedy album in history to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart, and the first to reach the top of the chart since 1963. Yankovic set the U.S. record on Spotify for having the most tracks from one album in the viral top 10 at one time, taking the first four spots. Internationally, the album debuted in the Top 10 in both Canada and Australia (#3 and #9 respectively). In addition, "Word Crimes" debuted in the Billboard Top 40, making Al one of only four artists to have had Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades - the other three are Michael Jackson, Madonna and U2. For Mandatory Fun, Al blew up the internet by releasing eight music videos in eight days, including "Tacky" (the star-studded parody of Pharrell Willliams' "Happy") and "Word Crimes" (an animated grammar lesson to the tune of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines"). Combined, the videos accrued more than 46 million views in their first week. In 2015 and 2016, Weird Al's Mandatory World Tour encompassed 200 shows throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Australia, including two nights with a full orchestra at the Hollywood Bowl and a tour-ending sold-out show at New York's Radio City Music Hall. Among his many other past music and video milestones, Yankovic's 2006 album Straight Outta Lynwood spawned the Platinum Billboard Top 10 anthem "White & Nerdy," while the video spent two straight months at #1 on iTunes.

Weird Al has launched The Ridiculously Self-Indulgent, Ill-Advised Vanity Tour, playing stripped-down shows in smaller, more intimate theatres across North America with his band of over three decades.
BornOctober 23, 1959
  • More at IMDbPro
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    • Agent info
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BornOctober 23, 1959
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 13 wins & 25 nominations total

    Photos110

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    Known for

    Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
    Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
    6.8
    • Tony Scotti(as Al Yankovic)
    • 2022
    'Weird Al' Yankovic in UHF (1989)
    UHF
    6.9
    • George Newman
    • 1989
    Atop the Fourth Wall (2008)
    Atop the Fourth Wall
    7.1
    TV Series
    • Soundtrack("Polka Your Eyes Out", "Bohemian Polka", "Eat It", "Polka Power", "Polka Face", "Now That's What I Call Polka", "Everything You Know is Wrong", "Christmas at Ground Zero", "Now That's What I Call Polka!", "Ode to a Superhero", "Hooked on Polkas", "Polkas on 45", "Polkarama", "Truck Driving Song", "Angry White Boy Polka", as Weird Al, "The Night Santa Went Crazy", "The Hot Rocks Polka", "Spam", "UHF", uncredited, "I Love Rocky Road", "Livin' in the Fridge", "I Was Only Kidding", "It's All About the Pentiums", "Spy Hard", "Fun Zone", "Ebay", "Melanie", "I Think I'm a Clone Now")
    Tyler Mane in Halloween II (2009)
    Halloween II
    4.8
    • Weird Al Yankovic(as Al Yankovic)
    • 2009

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Actor



    • Young Math Legends
      • Young Fibonacci
      • Released
      • TV Series
      • 2018
    • Untitled Kestrin Pantera Feature Film
      • Post-production
    • It Wants Blood 2
      • Melvin Baldron
      • In Production



    • JusTFalco in Albuquerque: Reanimated (2025)
      Albuquerque: Reanimated
      Video
      • Miracle Machine
      • 2025
    • Clairo: Terrapin
      8.8
      Music Video
      • Clairo
      • 2025
    • Mystery Cuddlers (2024)
      Mystery Cuddlers
      7.7
      TV Series
      • Rich Jerk
      • 2024
    • Transformers: Earthspark (2022)
      Transformers: Earthspark
      4.0
      TV Series
      • Cosmos (voice, as Al Yankovic)
      • 2024
    • Mighty MonsterWheelies (2024)
      Mighty MonsterWheelies
      6.9
      TV Series
      • Mayor Van Helsing (voice)
      • 2024
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Polkamania! (2024)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Polkamania!
      8.5
      Music Video
      • 'Weird Al' Yankovic
      • 2024
    • The Gregory Brothers and 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Deja Vu (But Worse) (2024)
      The Gregory Brothers and 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Deja Vu (But Worse)
      7.5
      Music Video
      • 'Weird Al' Yankovic (uncredited)
      • 2024
    • Mulligan (2023)
      Mulligan
      4.9
      TV Series
      • Weird Al (voice)
      • 2023–2024
    • Firebuds (2022)
      Firebuds
      5.0
      TV Series
      • Latch (voice, as Al Yankovic)
      • 2024
    • Auli'i Cravalho in Hailey's on It! (2023)
      Hailey's on It!
      7.1
      TV Series
      • Chip Dingle (voice, as Al Yankovic)
      • 2023
    • Scott Pilgrim Takes Off (2023)
      Scott Pilgrim Takes Off
      7.7
      TV Mini Series
      • Documentary Narrator (voice, as Al Yankovic)
      • 2023
    • Bill Barretta, Dave Goelz, Peter Linz, David Rudman, Matt Vogel, Eric Jacobson, and Lilly Singh in The Muppets Mayhem (2023)
      The Muppets Mayhem
      7.9
      TV Series
      • 'Weird Al' Yankovic
      • 2023
    • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
      The Simpsons
      8.6
      TV Series
      • 'Weird Al' Yankovic (voice)
      • 2003–2023
    • Ross Bagdasarian Jr., Janice Karman, Vanessa Bagdasarian, and Michael Bagdasarian in Alvinnn!!! And the Chipmunks (2015)
      Alvinnn!!! And the Chipmunks
      4.6
      TV Series
      • Dave Seville (voice)
      • 2022–2023
    • Mindy Kaling in Velma (2023)
      Velma
      1.6
      TV Series
      • Dandruff Tuba (voice)
      • 2023

    Music Department



    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Polkamania! (2024)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Polkamania!
      8.5
      Music Video
      • arranger
      • musician: accordion/vocals/background vocals (as Al Yankovic)
      • 2024
    • Julie Kavner, Nancy Cartwright, Dan Castellaneta, and Yeardley Smith in The Simpsons (1989)
      The Simpsons
      8.6
      TV Series
      • accordion
      • 2023
    • Daniel Radcliffe in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story (2022)
      Weird: The Al Yankovic Story
      6.8
      • supervising music producer (as Al Yankovic)
      • 2022
    • Cartoon Hell (2018)
      Cartoon Hell
      7.6
      TV Series
      • theme music
      • 2018–2019
    • Dropout (2006)
      Dropout
      7.7
      TV Series
      • theme music
      • vocals
      • 2011–2018
    • Milo Murphy's Law (2016)
      Milo Murphy's Law
      7.6
      TV Series
      • performer: theme song
      • 2016–2018
    • Animal Man (2012)
      Animal Man
      7.3
      TV Mini Series
      • singer: theme song
      • 2012
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Close but No Cigar (2006)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Close but No Cigar
      6.0
      Music Video
      • musician: vibraslap
      • 2006
    • Straight Outta Lynwood
      8.2
      Video
      • musician: accordion
      • musician: vibraslap
      • 2006
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: White & Nerdy (2006)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: White & Nerdy
      7.8
      Music Video
      • lyrics
      • record producer
      • 2006
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Amish Paradise (1996)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Amish Paradise
      8.0
      Music Video
      • music producer
      • 1996
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Headline News (1994)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Headline News
      6.9
      Music Video
      • musician: accordion
      • 1994
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: Jurassic Park (1993)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: Jurassic Park
      7.5
      Music Video
      • music producer
      • 1993
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic: You Don't Love Me Anymore (1992)
      'Weird Al' Yankovic: You Don't Love Me Anymore
      6.7
      Music Video
      • musician: keyboards
      • 1992
    • 'Weird Al' Yankovic in UHF (1989)
      UHF
      6.9
      • additional lyrics by
      • musician (as Al Yankovic, uncredited)
      • 1989

    Videos19

    How They Made That Cameo-Filled Pool Party in 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story'
    Clip 2:09
    How They Made That Cameo-Filled Pool Party in 'Weird: The Al Yankovic Story'
    Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood Reveal Their 'Weird' Childhood Hobbies
    Clip 2:44
    Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood Reveal Their 'Weird' Childhood Hobbies
    Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood Reveal Their 'Weird' Childhood Hobbies
    Clip 2:44
    Daniel Radcliffe and Evan Rachel Wood Reveal Their 'Weird' Childhood Hobbies
    Elvis, Whitney and Weird Al: Everything We Know About Upcoming Music Biopics
    Clip 2:43
    Elvis, Whitney and Weird Al: Everything We Know About Upcoming Music Biopics
    'Weird Al' Yankovic | Supercut
    Clip 1:01
    'Weird Al' Yankovic | Supercut
    Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases! Clip #3
    Clip 0:54
    Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases! Clip #3
    "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" Clip #2
    Clip 0:49
    "Bat-Mite Presents: Batman's Strangest Cases!" Clip #2

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Official sites
      • Facebook
      • Instagram
    • Alternative names
      • Weird Al
    • Height
      • 6′ (1.83 m)
    • Born
      • October 23, 1959
      • Downey, California, USA
    • Spouse
      • Suzanne KrajewskiFebruary 10, 2001 - present (1 child)
    • Children
      • Nina Yankovic
    • Parents
        Mary Elizabeth Vivalda
    • Other works
      Directed the music video for "Only A Fool", by The Black Crowes.
    • Publicity listings
      • 2 Biographical Movies
      • 1 Print Biography
      • 1 Portrayal
      • 6 Interviews
      • 8 Articles
      • 2 Pictorials
      • 1 Magazine Cover Photo

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      When he asked Nirvana for permission to parody "Smells Like Teen Spirit", their first question was, "Will it be about food?". When Weird Al explained that "Smells Like Nirvana" would be about how nobody could understand their singing, they agreed that it sounded funny and granted permission.
    • Quotes
      [on a 1999 episode of Behind the Music (1997), answering a question about (then) being unmarried. He is now married and has a daughter] My parents are like, "Well, he's almost 40, lives in Los Angeles, and he's unmarried. You know what that means!".
    • Trademarks
        Hawaiian shirt, canvas shoes and (until 1997) glasses
    • Nicknames
      • The Weird One
      • The Boneless Boy
      • The King of Parody

    FAQ11

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