Bill Hader
A master impressionist and writer who evolved from a behind-the-scenes film nerd into a groundbreaking, anxiety-ridden TV antihero.
Born 1978 (age 48)·American actor and comedian·Birthday: June 7·Generation X
Biography
Bill Hader began his career as a production assistant and researcher in Hollywood, a film obsessive whose deep knowledge of cinema eventually fueled his comedy. His big break came as a cast member on 'Saturday Night Live,' where his uncanny impressions—from Al Pacino to Vincent Price—and original characters like the chaotic club kid Stefon made him a standout. After leaving SNL, Hader shattered expectations by co-creating, writing, directing, and starring in 'Barry,' a dark HBO series about a hitman who discovers community theater. The role allowed him to explore profound themes of guilt and identity with a startling blend of brutal violence and poignant humor, earning him multiple Emmy Awards. Hader’s journey reflects a creative mind constantly pushing beyond sketch comedy into nuanced, auteur-driven storytelling.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Bill was born in 1978, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bill Was Born
The biggest hits of 1978
#1 Movie
Grease
Best Picture
The Deer Hunter
#1 TV Show
Laverne & Shirley
Bill's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1978Born
First test-tube baby born
Gas: $0.63/galHome: $35,300Min wage: $2.65/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Shadow Dancing" — Andy GibbBest Picture: The Deer Hunter
1983Started school
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1991Became a teenager
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1994Could drive
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1996Could vote
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Turned 21
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2008Turned 30
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2018Turned 40
Royal wedding of Harry and Meghan; Parkland shooting
Gas: $2.72/galHome: $211,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"God's Plan" — DrakeBest Picture: Green Book
2026Age 48 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series for his role in 'Barry'.
- Co-created, executive produced, and frequently directed the critically acclaimed HBO series 'Barry'.
- Received a Peabody Award for his work as a writer and performer on 'Saturday Night Live'.
- Voiced the character Fear in Pixar's Academy Award-winning film 'Inside Out'.
- Earned widespread praise for his portrayal of Stefon, a cult-favorite character on SNL's Weekend Update.
Did You Know?
He has a condition called 'face blindness' (prosopagnosia), which makes it difficult for him to recognize people's faces.
He worked as a production assistant on the film 'Collateral' and was tasked with researching Los Angeles bus schedules for the script.
He is a huge film buff and co-hosts the podcast 'The Projection Booth' with film critic Matt Zoller Seitz.
He based his famous SNL impression of actor James Carville on his own grandfather.
He was terrified of performing live on SNL and would often feel physically ill before shows.
“The best advice I ever got was from my dad, who said, 'If you say you’re going to do something, do it.'”
