Ed Helms

Edward Parker Helms is an American actor and comedian best known for his television and film performances. He gained national prominence as a correspondent on the satirical news show The Daily Show with Jon Stewart before starring as paper salesman Andy Bernard in the comedy series The Office. He achieved further widespread recognition for playing dentist Stuart "Stu" Price in The Hangover film trilogy, and later co-created, co-wrote, and starred in the comedy series Rutherford Falls.

Helms was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. At age 13, he underwent a nine-hour open-heart surgery to correct a severe congenital heart defect, requiring a week of recovery in intensive care. He attended the Interlochen Center for the Arts and graduated from The Westminster Schools in 1992. He then attended Oberlin College, where he initially studied geology before graduating in 1996 with a Bachelor of Arts in film theory and technology. During his college years, he spent a semester at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and completed an internship with WNBC's press and publicity department.

After moving to New York City, Helms began performing sketch comedy and studying improvisation with the Upright Citizens Brigade. While working as a trainee film editor at a post-production facility, he recorded temporary voiceover tracks that led to paid voice work and talent representation. In 2002, he joined The Daily Show as a correspondent, remaining on the program until 2006. His work included field reporting and hosting recurring segments such as "Digital Watch," "Ad Nauseam," and signature reports on Massachusetts marriage laws and beachwear regulations.

In 2006, Helms joined the cast of The Office as Andy Bernard, a role that was later expanded to a series regular and core cast member, as well as an executive producer. His television career also includes guest appearances on programs such as Arrested Development, Childrens Hospital, Wilfred, and The Mindy Project. Beyond television series, he co-created, produced, and starred in the web series Tiny Commando and participated in reality survival programming.

In feature films, Helms played leading and supporting roles in comedies and dramas, including Cedar Rapids, Jeff, Who Lives at Home, We're the Millers, Vacation, Chappaquiddick, Tag, A Futile and Stupid Gesture, and Together Together. He has also lent his voice to major animated films, including The Lorax, Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, Monsters vs. Aliens, and Ron's Gone Wrong.

An accomplished musician who plays banjo, guitar, and piano, Helms performs with the bluegrass band The Lonesome Trio, which he formed during college. He co-founded the music blog and brand The Bluegrass Situation, founded its annual Los Angeles festival, and launched the production company Pacific Electric Picture Company in 2013. He also serves on the board of the anti-corruption organization RepresentUs and has engaged in voter outreach and political campaign efforts.

Helms won a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2008 as part of the ensemble cast of The Office, out of six total nominations. He earned a Writers Guild of America Award for writing the special The Fake News with Ted Nelms. Additionally, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts from Knox College and delivered commencement speeches at Knox College, Cornell University, and the University of Virginia.