Stephen Guarino
A character actor who brings a sharp, offbeat energy to every role, making him a secret weapon in acclaimed TV comedies.
Born 1975 (age 51)·American actor·Birthday: November 14·Generation X
Biography
Stephen Guarino carved out a distinct space in the television landscape not through leading roles, but by becoming the unforgettable scene-stealer. Hailing from a background in improv and comedy, his breakthrough came with the role of the flamboyant and scene-stealing Derrick on 'Happy Endings,' a character so potent he migrated to another network's sitcom. This demonstrated a rare comedic magnetism. He later delved into darker, dramatic territory as Sully Patterson on Showtime's 'I'm Dying Up Here,' exploring the gritty world of 1970s stand-up. Guarino's career is a testament to the power of specificity; he embodies characters with a unique, often unpredictable rhythm that makes them instantly memorable, securing his status as a trusted asset for showrunners seeking to inject authentic, quirky life into their ensembles.
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.
Stephen was born in 1975, 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 Stephen Was Born
The biggest hits of 1975
#1 Movie
Jaws
Best Picture
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
#1 TV Show
All in the Family
Stephen's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1975Born
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1980Started school
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1988Became a teenager
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1991Could drive
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
1993Could vote
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1996Turned 21
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2005Turned 30
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2015Turned 40
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 50
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 51 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed the recurring role of Derrick on 'Happy Endings,' a character later written into the NBC sitcom 'Marry Me.'
- Played a series regular role as Sully Patterson on the Showtime drama 'I'm Dying Up Here.'
- Appeared as a recurring character, Connor, on the ABC sitcom 'Dr. Ken.'
Did You Know?
He is openly gay and has spoken about the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in media.
He performed with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, a famed improv and sketch comedy group.
His role on 'I'm Dying Up Here' was part of a series executive produced by Jim Carrey.
“I'm not playing a stereotype; I'm playing a person who is unapologetically himself.”
