Brett Gelman
With his intense, off-kilter presence, he became the go-to actor for unsettling, scene-stealing characters in cult comedies and genre hits.
Born 1976 (age 50)·American actor and comedian·Birthday: October 6·Generation X
Biography
Brett Gelman didn't arrive in Hollywood looking like a conventional leading man, and he built a formidable career because of it. His early work in Chicago's improv and comedy scene honed a uniquely intense, unpredictable style. He became a favorite of alt-comedy auteurs, delivering memorably unhinged performances on 'The Sarah Silverman Program' and in Tim and Eric's bizarre universe. For mainstream audiences, he broke through as the morally ambiguous journalist Murray Bauman in 'Stranger Things,' bringing a world-weary gravitas and surprising heart to the Netflix phenomenon. Perhaps his most perfectly cast role was as the insufferable, needy brother-in-law Martin in 'Fleabag,' a masterpiece of cringe comedy. Gelman's power lies in his ability to be simultaneously intimidating, pathetic, and hilarious, making him an indispensable character actor in projects that thrive on discomfort.
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.
Brett was born in 1976, 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 Brett Was Born
The biggest hits of 1976
#1 Movie
Rocky
Best Picture
Rocky
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Brett's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1976Born
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1981Started school
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1989Became a teenager
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Could drive
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1994Could vote
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
1997Turned 21
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2006Turned 30
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2016Turned 40
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 50
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the conspiracy theorist journalist Murray Bauman in the Netflix series 'Stranger Things' across multiple seasons.
- Played the critically acclaimed role of Martin, the awkward brother-in-law, in the BBC series 'Fleabag'.
- Starred as the lead in the Adult Swim comedy series 'Dinner in America' and the comedy special 'Brett Gelman's Dinner in America'.
- Had a recurring role as 'Tobias' on the Comedy Central series 'The Sarah Silverman Program.'
Did You Know?
He is married to actress and comedian Janicza Bravo, who directed the film 'Zola'.
He hosted a public access-style talk show called 'Brett Gelman's Late Night Deals' on Adult Swim.
He provided the voice for the character of 'Larry' in the animated series 'The Great North'.
He is a graduate of the Theatre School at DePaul University in Chicago.
“I'm drawn to characters who are completely unraveling at the seams.”
