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IMDbPro

Robert Smigel

  • Writer
  • Producer
  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Robert Smigel
Watch Triumph
Play demo reel8:55
Triumph
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77 Photos
Robert Smigel is an American actor, humorist, comedian, writer and director known for his Saturday Night Live "TV Funhouse" cartoon shorts and as the puppeteer and voice behind Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog.

Smigel's most famous creation, however, would be the foul-mouthed puppet Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog, who mercilessly mocks celebrities and others in the style of a Borscht Belt comedian. This character debuted on Late Night with Conan O'Brien in February 1997.

He also co-wrote the Hotel Transylvania films and You Don't Mess with the Zohan, both starring Adam Sandler.

His film debut as a director was The Week Of (2018).
BornFebruary 7, 1960
  • More at IMDbPro
    • Contact info
    • Agent info
    • Resume
BornFebruary 7, 1960
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • View contact info at IMDbPro
    • Won 3 Primetime Emmys
      • 11 wins & 26 nominations total

    Photos77

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    Known for

    Saturday Night Live (1975)
    Saturday Night Live
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Writer
    Adam Sandler in Leo (2023)
    Leo
    7.0
    • Writer
    • 2023
    Conan O'Brien in Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993)
    Late Night with Conan O'Brien
    8.2
    TV Series
    • Writer
    Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
    Punch-Drunk Love
    7.3
    • Walter the Dentist
    • 2002

    Credits

    Edit
    IMDbPro

    Writer



    • Night of Too Many Stars
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2025
    • Conan O'Brien in The Oscars (2025)
      The Oscars
      6.5
      TV Special
      • special material written by
      • 2025
    • Saturday Night Live (1975)
      Saturday Night Live
      8.0
      TV Series
      • written by
      • writer
      • additional sketches ...
      • 1985–2024
    • Adam Sandler in Leo (2023)
      Leo
      7.0
      • written by
      • 2023
    • Let's Be Real (2020)
      Let's Be Real
      5.1
      TV Series
      • sketches written by
      • developed by
      • written by
      • 2020–2021
    • Adam Sandler, Chris Rock, Allison Strong, and Roland Buck III in The Week Of (2018)
      The Week Of
      5.2
      • written by
      • 2018
    • Night of Too Many Stars (2017)
      Night of Too Many Stars
      5.3
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2017
    • Too Funny to Fail: The Life & Death of The Dana Carvey Show (2017)
      Too Funny to Fail: The Life & Death of The Dana Carvey Show
      7.7
      • additional material by
      • 2017
    • Triumph's Election Watch 2016 (2016)
      Triumph's Election Watch 2016
      8.2
      TV Mini Series
      • Writer
      • 2016
    • Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Jonny Solomon, Keegan-Michael Key, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Sadie Sandler, and Asher Blinkoff in Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
      Hotel Transylvania 2
      6.6
      • written by
      • 2015
    • Louis C.K. in Louie (2010)
      Louie
      8.5
      TV Series
      • story by
      • 2015
    • Robert Smigel and Jack McBrayer in The Jack and Triumph Show (2015)
      The Jack and Triumph Show
      7.1
      TV Series
      • created by
      • written by
      • creator
      • 2015
    • Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs (2015)
      Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs
      6.0
      TV Special
      • Writer
      • 2015
    • Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special (2015)
      Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special
      8.1
      TV Special
      • written by
      • 2015
    • Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs (2012)
      Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs
      6.1
      TV Special
      • writer
      • 2012

    Producer



    • Night of Too Many Stars
      TV Special
      • producer
      • 2025
    • Let's Be Real (2020)
      Let's Be Real
      5.1
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2020–2021
    • Let's Make a Poop! With Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
      Podcast Series
      • producer
      • 2019–2020
    • Night of Too Many Stars (2017)
      Night of Too Many Stars
      5.3
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2017
    • Triumph's Election Watch 2016 (2016)
      Triumph's Election Watch 2016
      8.2
      TV Mini Series
      • executive producer
      • 2016
    • Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, David Spade, Kevin James, Jonny Solomon, Keegan-Michael Key, Selena Gomez, Andy Samberg, Sadie Sandler, and Asher Blinkoff in Hotel Transylvania 2 (2015)
      Hotel Transylvania 2
      6.6
      • executive producer
      • 2015
    • Robert Smigel and Jack McBrayer in The Jack and Triumph Show (2015)
      The Jack and Triumph Show
      7.1
      TV Series
      • executive producer
      • 2015
    • Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs (2015)
      Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs
      6.0
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2015
    • Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs (2012)
      Night of Too Many Stars: America Comes Together for Autism Programs
      6.1
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2012
    • Steve Buscemi, Adam Sandler, CeeLo Green, Kevin James, and Selena Gomez in Hotel Transylvania (2012)
      Hotel Transylvania
      7.0
      • executive producer
      • 2012
    • Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill (2011)
      Jack and Jill
      3.3
      • executive producer
      • 2011
    • Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education (2010)
      Night of Too Many Stars: An Overbooked Concert for Autism Education
      6.4
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2010
    • Kristen Wiig in SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas (2009)
      SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas
      6.4
      TV Special
      • executive producer (segment "Saturday TV Funhouse")
      • 2009
    • Snake 'n' Bacon (2009)
      Snake 'n' Bacon
      7.0
      TV Short
      • consulting producer
      • 2009
    • Match Game
      6.3
      TV Special
      • executive producer
      • 2008

    Actor



    • Leo 2
      • Pre-production
    • Burying Bubby
      • Rabbi Kirshblum
      • Post-production
      • Short



    • Conan O'Brien in Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2025)
      Conan O'Brien: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
      8.2
      • Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
      • 2025
    • The Daily Show (1996)
      The Daily Show
      8.3
      TV Series
      • Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
      • 2000–2025
    • Hanging with Dr. Z (2021)
      Hanging with Dr. Z
      8.7
      TV Mini Series
      • Triumph the Insult Comic Dog
      • 2024
    • Triumph the Insult Comic Dog's Let's Make a Poop! (An SF Sketchfest Presentation)
      Video
      • Triumph, the Insult Comic Dog
      • 2024
    • Carol Kane and Jason Schwartzman in Between the Temples (2024)
      Between the Temples
      6.3
      • Rabbi Bruce
      • 2024
    • Adam Sandler in Leo (2023)
      Leo
      7.0
      • Miniature Horse
      • Drone
      • Old Lizards #1 & #3 (voice)
      • 2023
    • What We Do in the Shadows (2019)
      What We Do in the Shadows
      8.6
      TV Series
      • Alexander
      • 2023
    • Woody Harrelson and Justin Theroux in White House Plumbers (2023)
      White House Plumbers
      6.8
      TV Mini Series
      • Inmate Friedman
      • 2023
    • Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm (2022)
      Aqua Teen Forever: Plantasm
      6.2
      • Fraptaculan (Fraptaculan Robert) (voice)
      • 2022
    • H. Jon Benjamin, Kristen Schaal, Eugene Mirman, Dan Mintz, and John Roberts in Bob's Burgers (2011)
      Bob's Burgers
      8.2
      TV Series
      • Yuli
      • Security Guard
      • Night Security Guard (voice)
      • 2012–2022
    • Let's Be Real (2020)
      Let's Be Real
      5.1
      TV Series
      • Jared Kushner (voice)
      • 2020–2021
    • Stephen Colbert in The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
      The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
      7.1
      TV Series
      • Triumph (uncredited)
      • 2020
    • Jason Sudeikis in Tournament of Laughs (2020)
      Tournament of Laughs
      3.2
      TV Series
      • Triumph, The Insult Comic Dog
      • 2020
    • Pete Davidson in The King of Staten Island (2020)
      The King of Staten Island
      7.1
      • Male Pharmacy Owner
      • 2020
    • Scarlett Johansson, Adam Driver, and Azhy Robertson in Marriage Story (2019)
      Marriage Story
      7.9
      • Mediator
      • 2019

    Videos3

    Triumph
    Demo Reel 8:55
    Triumph
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    Official Trailer
    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:01
    Official Trailer
    This Is 40
    Featurette 3:50
    This Is 40

    Personal details

    Edit
    • Alternative names
      • Triumph The Insult Comic Dog
    • Height
      • 6′ (1.83 m)
    • Born
      • February 7, 1960
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Spouse
      • Michelle Saks Smigel1993 - present (3 children)
    • Children
        Daniel Smigel
    • Parents
        Irwin Smigel
    • Other works
      Album (as Triumph the Insult Comic Dog): "Come Poop with Me" (Warner Bros. Records)
    • Publicity listings
      • 1 Interview
      • 1 Article

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In 2000, Smigel was sued by Pets.com because they claimed his Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) character, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, made comments about Pets.com's TV sock puppet dog.
    • Trademark
        Voices dog with a Hungarian accent; ie. Triumph the Insult Comic Dog

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