---
name: "Dana Carvey"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/dana-carvey"
fi1m_id: "dana-carvey"
imdb_id: "nm0001022"
tmdb_id: 56159
wikidata_id: "Q545924"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "2 June 1955"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 64
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-05T15:07:43.894518+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Dana Carvey

## Identity

Dana Carvey

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/dana-carvey
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** dana-carvey
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001022
- **TMDB ID:** 56159
- **Wikidata ID:** Q545924
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Carvey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q545924, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001022/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/56159

Actor. Born 2 June 1955 in Missoula, Montana, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 2 June 1955, Missoula, Montana, USA
- **Active:** 1984–2019
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Frequently works with:** [Brian Lynch](https://film.one/person/brian-lynch.md), [Chris Meledandri](https://film.one/person/chris-meledandri.md), [Chris Renaud](https://film.one/person/chris-renaud.md), [Eric Stonestreet](https://film.one/person/eric-stonestreet.md), [Janet Healy](https://film.one/person/janet-healy.md), [Jenny Slate](https://film.one/person/jenny-slate.md), [Kevin Hart](https://film.one/person/kevin-hart.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 64, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 91 (1), 1990s 72 (1), 2010s 56 (4), 2020s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 64 to 61 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 1 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 3 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Comedy 6, Animation 3, Family 3, Music 2, Action & Adventure 1, Adventure 1
- **Screen time:** 7 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,241m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dana_Carvey, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q545924, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001022/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/56159

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Rick and Morty*](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md) (78)
- **Pluto TV:** [*Wayne's World*](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md) (72)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*The Secret Life of Pets 2*](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md) (62)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Dana Carvey

> Dana Carvey builds characters from precise vocal rhythms and physical habits. We like him best beside Mike Myers in *Wayne's World*, where he can be ridiculous without having to sustain every joke himself.

Garth Algar's awkward enthusiasm is a large part of the pleasure of *Wayne's World* (1992). Carvey and Mike Myers, as Wayne Campbell, let these two be ridiculous without constantly asking us to congratulate them on it. We laughed at the abrupt 'not' reversals because the second half of the joke simply knocks down the first. The joke gets less funny with repetition, but we do not need the pair to say something clever to enjoy their company.

Carvey's years on *Saturday Night Live* (1986–1993) established the method: give a character a particular voice and way of moving. The prudish Church Lady and his Johnny Carson impression show how much of his comedy depends on mannerisms and vocal rhythm. Those are skills suited to a sketch, where a recognisable person can be established quickly. A film needs somewhere to take them once the audience has got the idea.

In *Wayne's World*, director Penelope Spheeris supplies that movement by keeping the sight gags brisk and letting other performers interrupt the double act. Tia Carrere's Cassandra has enough presence to stand alongside them, while Rob Lowe's Benjamin Kane gives us a change of company. Carvey benefits from a film that knows when to look elsewhere. The juvenile dialogue sometimes amounts to the whole joke, and some of the jokes at women's expense are lazy. Even so, the interruptions keep the central pairing from becoming exhausting.

Garth returned in *Wayne's World 2* (1993), followed by a less successful move into leading film roles, including *Clean Slate* (1994). Carvey created the short-lived sketch series *The Dana Carvey Show* (1996). *The Master of Disguise* (2002) became another poorly received film built around him. The uneven move from sketches to film leads suggests how much he benefits from a partner and a director who can vary the pace.

His later work has concentrated on stand-up, animation voices and occasional returns to *Saturday Night Live*. We would still start with Spheeris's film, for the simple pleasure of Carvey and Myers being foolish together. If the first exchanges irritate, there is no particular reason to keep going.

## Biography

Dana Carvey is an American actor and stand-up comedian. He was a cast member on the sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1986 to 1993, where he was known for his impressions and characters including the Church Lady.

Carvey played Garth Algar opposite Mike Myers in the 1992 film Wayne's World and its 1993 sequel. He has appeared in other comedies including Moving (1988), Opportunity Knocks (1990), Trapped in Paradise (1994) and The Master of Disguise (2002), and has provided voice work for animated films such as The Secret Life of Pets (2016). He studied at San Francisco State University.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, rottentomatoes.com, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *The Secret Life of Pets 2* (2019), Fi1m 62, as Pops (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md)
- *Hotel Transylvania 2* (2015), Fi1m 52, as Dana (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md)
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), Fi1m 78, as Leonard Smith (voice) — [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *Jack and Jill* (2011), Fi1m 31, as Scraggly Puppeteer — [page](https://film.one/film/jack-and-jill.md)
- *Wayne's World* (1992), Fi1m 72, as Garth Algar — [page](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md)
- *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), Fi1m 91, as Mime Waiter — [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Lorne* (2026), Fi1m 58, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/lorne.md)

## Complete filmography (45)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Mulligan* (2023), series, as Sentator Cartwright LaMarr (voice)
- *The Secret Life of Pets 2* (2019), as Pops (voice) — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/the-secret-life-of-pets-2.md)
- *Sandy Wexler* (2017), as Testimonial
- *Becoming Bond* (2017), as Johnny Carson
- *Dana Carvey: Straight White Male, 60* (2016), Writer, Executive Producer
- *The Secret Life of Pets* (2016), as Pops (voice)
- *Great Minds with Dan Harmon* (2016), series, as John F. Kennedy
- *Bajillion Dollar Propertie$* (2016), series, as Prince Borislav
- *Hotel Transylvania 2* (2015), as Dana (voice) — Fi1m 52, [page](https://film.one/film/hotel-transylvania-2.md)
- *3 Still Standing* (2014), Actor
- *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as Leonard Smith (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md)
- *The Birthday Boys* (2013), series, Actor
- *Jack and Jill* (2011), as Scraggly Puppeteer — Fi1m 31, [page](https://film.one/film/jack-and-jill.md)
- *Presidential Reunion* (2010), as George H.W. Bush
- *Dana Carvey: Squatting Monkeys Tell No Lies* (2008), Writer, Executive Producer
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Chris Farley* (2003), as Various (archive footage) (uncredited)
- *The Master of Disguise* (2002), as Pistachio Disguisey · Writer
- *The Fairly OddParents* (2001), series, as Schnozmo (voice)
- *TV Funhouse* (2000), series, Creator
- *Little Nicky* (2000), as Referee
- *Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dana Carvey* (1999), as Massive Headwoound Harry
- *Just Shoot Me!* (1997), series, as Milos
- *The Dana Carvey Show* (1996), series, as Various Characters
- *The Shot* (1996), as Dana Carvey
- *Dana Carvey: Critics' Choice* (1995), Writer
- *The 100 Funniest Moments of the 20th Century: The Unexpected* (1995), as George H. W. Bush
- *Trapped in Paradise* (1994), as Alvin Firpo
- *Nirvana: Live! Tonight! Sold Out!!* (1994), Actor
- *The Road to Wellville* (1994), as George Kellogg
- *Clean Slate* (1994), as Maurice L. Pogue
- *Wayne's World 2* (1993), as Garth Algar
- *The 15th Annual Young Comedians Show* (1992), Actor
- *The Larry Sanders Show* (1992), series, as Dana Carvey — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-larry-sanders-show.md)
- *Wayne's World* (1992), as Garth Algar — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/waynes-world.md)
- *Saturday Night Live: Halloween Special* (1991), as Garth Algar
- *Opportunity Knocks* (1990), as Eddie
- *Cranium Command* (1989), as Right Ventricle (voice)
- *Moving* (1988), as Brad Williams
- *Tough Guys* (1986), as Richie Evans
- *Young Lust: A Soap Opera* (1984), as Dwayne Bimster
- *Racing with the Moon* (1984), as Baby Face
- *This Is Spinal Tap* (1984), as Mime Waiter — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/this-is-spinal-tap.md)
- *Blue Thunder* (1984), series, as Clinton Wonderlove
- *One of the Boys* (1982), series, as Adam Shields
- *Halloween II* (1981), as Assistant

## Gallery

- ![Dana Carvey](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-f2e93b408215.jpg) Dana Carvey — TAS-C, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ab/Dana_Carvey%2C_USO.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Gary Sinese, Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop, (Joe Rogan)???, Tony Stewart, Lt.Gen. Robert W. Cone, Chamillionaire, Nick Jonas, Dana Carvey, show support for sold](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-f35337dbb366.jpg) Gary Sinese, Mallory Lewis & Lamb Chop, (Joe Rogan)???, Tony Stewart, Lt.Gen. Robert W. Cone, Chamillionaire, Nick Jonas, Dana Carvey, show support for sold — TAS-C, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5a/Boss_with_USO_supporters.JPG/1280px-Boss_with_USO_supporters.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![1990 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-506151c5732d.jpg) 1990 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Dana_Carvey_%282082309206%29.jpg/1280px-Dana_Carvey_%282082309206%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![1989 Emmy Awards - rehearsal. Scanned from the original 35MM film negative.](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-1fde07b309bd.jpg) 1989 Emmy Awards - rehearsal. Scanned from the original 35MM film negative. — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a3/Dana_Carvey_and_Alan_Light_%282086871185%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Dana Carvey](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-bc28ebc543d3.jpg) Dana Carvey — Image via TMDB
- ![Dana Carvey](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-eb810bef6dfc.jpg) Dana Carvey — Image via TMDB
- ![Dana Carvey](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-01336d3fae9b.jpg) Dana Carvey — Image via TMDB
- ![1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-4467646a40be.jpg) 1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Dana_Carvey_and_Mike_%282086970197%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Me (Alan Light) with Dana Carveyat the rehearsal for the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/16/89 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please cr (1989)](https://film.one/media/person/81416/gallery-e3e8d05c0414.jpg) Me (Alan Light) with Dana Carveyat the rehearsal for the 41st Annual Emmy Awards, 9/16/89 - Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post but please cr (1989) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/43/Dana_Carvey_and_me_%28255125868%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/dana-carvey