--- name: "Ken Marino" canonical: "https://film.one/person/ken-marino" fi1m_id: "ken-marino" imdb_id: "nm0547800" tmdb_id: 77089 wikidata_id: "Q980143" roles: ["Actor","Director"] born: "19 December 1968" reviewed_on_fi1m: 6 average_fi1m_score: 73 average_as: "actor" average_over: 5 updated: "2026-10-07T14:32:38.810716+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." --- # Ken Marino ## Identity Ken Marino - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/ken-marino - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** ken-marino - **IMDb ID:** nm0547800 - **TMDB ID:** 77089 - **Wikidata ID:** Q980143 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Marino, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q980143, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0547800/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/77089 Actor and director. Born 19 December 1968 in West Islip, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor, Director - **Born:** 19 December 1968, West Islip, New York, USA - **Active:** 1996–present - **Also known as:** Kenneth Joseph Marino, Kenneth Marino - **Titles on Fi1m:** 6: 5 acting, 1 directing - **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 5 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 80 (1), 2000s 74 (3), 2010s 82 (1), 2020s 62 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 71 to 66 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 4, Drama 3, Crime 1, Mystery 1, Science Fiction 1, Sport 1 - **Screen time:** 2 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $13m across 1 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Marino, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q980143, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0547800/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/77089 ## Streaming the US now - **Apple TV:** [*Party Down*](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) (82) - **Netflix:** [*The Residence*](https://film.one/tv/the-residence.md) (62) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Ken Marino > Ken Marino plays men who want something too badly and cannot hide it, and he plays them with his whole body. Ron Donald in *Party Down* is the best of them, and nothing since has given him as much room. A client frowns. Ron Donald, who runs the catering crew in *Party Down* (2009), sees it, and the panic arrives all at once: the sweat, the pleading, the voice of some manager he once worked under and has never shaken. Ken Marino holds the look a beat past the point where it is funny, so that for a second we are watching a frightened man, and then it is funnier than it was. He has been doing some version of this for thirty years. He came out of sketch. *The State* (1993–1995), the MTV series he co-created and performed in, gave him a troupe he has never really left. David Wain, from the same group, has directed him five times, in *Wet Hot American Summer* (2001) and *Role Models* (2008) among them, and Marino co-wrote *Role Models*. A recurring part as Vinnie Van Lowe in *Veronica Mars* kept him busy in the years between. Then *Party Down*, 2009 to 2010 with a return in 2023, in which he also directed, including the second season's finale. Since then the parts have been showbiz creeps and men in suits: Streeter Peters in *The Other Two* (2019), Harry Hollinger in *The Residence* (2025). What he does that most comic actors do not is take the stupid thing seriously. Where another actor would signal that he knows the joke, Marino plays it straight down the middle, and the Strasberg training shows in how completely he believes Ron's five-year plan, which ends in a Soup 'R Crackers franchise. We laughed at that plan and then, somewhere in the first season, stopped laughing, because Marino plays it as the only thing keeping the man upright, and the show is honest enough to let us see that. Michael J. Pepin's unflattering fluorescent light helps; nobody in *Party Down* looks better than they are, and Marino least of all. The limit is that everyone now knows what he is for. Casting directors want the arrogant man about to be humiliated or the desperate man about to be exposed, and he has said himself that it is more fun to play the butt of the joke than the straight man. It is, and he is good at it. But in *The Residence*, a crowded whodunnit with eight episodes to fill, he is one White House adviser among many, and we did not find much to say about him, which is a first. The role was written to the type and the type did the work. Ron Donald had wants, a past and a drink problem, and Marino turned all three into comedy without denying any of them. He needs writers who will do that for him again. Failing that, we would like to see someone cast him as the calm one at the table, and find out what he does with the silence. ## Biography Ken Marino is an American actor, comedian, director and screenwriter. Born on 19 December 1968 in West Islip, New York, he studied at the Lee Strasberg Institute and New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts. He began his career as a cast member on the MTV sketch series *The State* (1993–1995). Marino has since appeared in films including *Wet Hot American Summer* (2001), *The Ten* (2007) and *Wanderlust* (2012), and in television series such as *Party Down* (2009–2010), *Childrens Hospital* (2008–2016) and *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013–2021). He is married to screenwriter Erica Oyama and frequently collaborates with David Wain. *Sources: imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, deadline.com.* ## On Fi1m (6) ### Performed in (5) — the average rests on these - *The Residence* (2025), Fi1m 62, as Harry Hollinger — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-residence.md) - *Key & Peele* (2012), Fi1m 82, as Dreadlocked Guy — [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md) - *Eastbound & Down* (2009), Fi1m 78, as Guy Young — [page](https://film.one/tv/eastbound-and-down.md) - *Californication* (2007), Fi1m 63, as David Wilder — [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md) - *Gattaca* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Sequencing Technician — [page](https://film.one/film/gattaca.md) ### Directed (1) - *Party Down* (2009), Fi1m 82, as Ron Donald — [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) ## Complete filmography (132) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *President Curtis* (2026), series, as Captain Marks (voice) - *Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass* (2026), as Vincent · Writer, Producer - *For Worse* (2026), as Rick - *Strip Law* (2026), series, as (voice) - *The Residence* (2025), series, as Harry Hollinger — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-residence.md) - *High Potential* (2024), series, as Charles Lavoie — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/high-potential.md) - *Candy Cane Lane* (2023), as Bruce - *Susie Searches* (2023), as Edgar Cabot - *Royal Crackers* (2023), series, as Keith (voice) - *History of the World: Part II* (2023), series, as Bishop - *Help Me Understand* (2023), Actor - *Cursed Friends* (2022), as Nikki Evans - *Monster High* (2022), series, as Dracula (voice) - *Reno 911! Defunded* (2022), series, as Widower, Creepy Clown - *The Great North* (2021), series, as Poppa Paul (voice), Reggie (voice), Phoenix (voice), Chab (voice) - *Animaniacs* (2020), series, as Columbus (voice) - *The Babysitter: Killer Queen* (2020), as Archie - *The Sleepover* (2020), as Glen Finch - *Close Enough* (2020), series, as Dave (voice) - *Solar Opposites* (2020), series, as Kevin (voice), Kevin / Silvercop #1 (voice), Kevin / Investigator / Sports Fans (voice), Kevin / Massage Guy (voice), Kevin / Recap Singer (voice), Kevin / Team Leader (voice), (voice) - *Never Have I Ever* (2020), series, as Stoo — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/never-have-i-ever-2020.md) - *The Main Event* (2020), as Frankie - *Medical Police* (2020), series, as Glenn Richie, Glen Richie - *The Other Two* (2019), series, as Streeter Peters - *Black Monday* (2019), series, as Larry Lehman, Larry Lehman / Lenny Lehman - *Dog Days* (2018), as Carven Wagi · Director - *The Babysitter* (2017), as Dad - *Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later* (2017), series, as Victor Pulak - *How to Be a Latin Lover* (2017), Director - *The Late Bloomer* (2016), as Mr. Hanson - *Masterminds* (2016), as Doug - *Speechless* (2016), series, as Ethan - *The Second Sound Barrier* (2016), as Lars Van Der Hoot - *Vinyl* (2016), series, as Jackie Jervis - *The Comments* (2015), as Will - *Long Live the Royals* (2015), series, as Snake - *Life in Pieces* (2015), series, as Will - *Goosebumps* (2015), as Coach Carr - *Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp* (2015), series, as Victor Pulak - *Fresh Off the Boat* (2015), series, as Gus - *Togetherness* (2015), series, as Craig Weets - *Marvel's Agent Carter* (2015), series, as Joseph Manfredi - *Marry Me* (2014), series, as Jake - *The Salad Mixxxer* (2014), Director - *They Came Together* (2014), as Tommy - *Bad Teacher* (2014), series, as Mike - *Veronica Mars* (2014), as Vinnie Van Lowe - *Rick and Morty* (2013), series, as (voice) — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/rick-and-morty.md) - *Toy Story of Terror!* (2013), as Pocketeer (voice) - *Super Fun Night* (2013), series, Director - *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, Director - *Brooklyn Nine-Nine* (2013), series, as Jason Stentley — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/brooklyn-nine-nine.md) - *Wander Over Yonder* (2013), series, as Phil (voice) - *Uncle Grandpa* (2013), series, as Christopher Columbus (voice) - *Bad Milo!* (2013), as Duncan - *In a World...* (2013), as Gustav Warner - *We're the Millers* (2013), as Todd - Strip Club Owner - *Axe Cop* (2013), series, as Flute Cop - *Struck by Lightning* (2013), as Dr. Wealer - *Brenda Forever* (2013), as Gary Murphy - *For a Good Time, Call...* (2012), as Harold - *Burning Love* (2012), series, as Mark Orlando · Director - *Wanderlust* (2012), as Rick · Writer, Producer - *Key & Peele* (2012), series, as Dreadlocked Guy — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md) - *House of Lies* (2012), series, as Mark - *American Judy* (2012), as Dean Jennings - *The First A.D.* (2011), Actor - *Whitney* (2011), series, as Brian - *Happy Endings* (2011), series, as Richard Rickman - *Bob's Burgers* (2011), series, as Jack Conway (voice), Agent Flanley (voice), Becket (voice) - *Funny or Die Presents* (2010), series, Director - *Jeffie Was Here* (2010), as Roger - *Infomercials* (2009), series, Director - *The League* (2009), series, as Donny 'The Seed' Sedowsky - *In the Motherhood* (2009), series, Actor - *Party Down* (2009), series, as Ron Donald · Director — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/party-down.md) - *Eastbound & Down* (2009), series, as Guy Young — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/eastbound-and-down.md) - *Childrens Hospital* (2008), series, as Glenn Richie · Writer, Director - *Role Models* (2008), as Jim Stansel · Screenplay - *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Darren Larsen - *Reaper* (2007), series, as Tony - *Californication* (2007), series, as David Wilder — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md) - *The Ten* (2007), as Glenn Richie · Writer, Producer - *Greek* (2007), series, as Camp Leader - *Diggers* (2007), as Lozo · Writer, Producer - *Reno 911!: Miami* (2007), as Deaf Tattoo Artist - *The Sarah Silverman Program* (2007), series, as Patient - *Duncan Removed* (2006), as Ben - *Falling in Love with the Girl Next Door* (2006), as Mark Lucas - *Hoodwinked!* (2005), as Raccoon Jerry (voice) - *Inconceivable* (2005), series, as Peter - *The Baxter* (2005), as Jack Mechanic - *Love For Rent* (2005), as Dr. Neil Gardner - *Grey's Anatomy* (2005), series, as Brad Ackles — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/greys-anatomy.md) - *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Professor (voice), Stu (voice) - *Veronica Mars* (2004), series, as Vinnie Van Lowe — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/veronica-mars.md) - *Las Vegas* (2003), series, as Anton McCarren - *Rock Me Baby* (2003), series, as Kelly - *Reno 911!* (2003), series, as Sgt. Andrew Blake, Frank, Rookie Jared Reese - *Old School* (2003), as Josh - *CSI: Miami* (2002), series, as Alan Farris - *What I Like About You* (2002), series, as Dr. Brad Turner - *Do Over* (2002), series, Actor - *Monk* (2002), series, as Lester Highsmith - *Leap of Faith* (2002), series, as Andy - *Joe Somebody* (2001), as Rick Raglow - *Tortilla Soup* (2001), as Jeff - *Wet Hot American Summer* (2001), as Victor - *First Years* (2001), series, as Miles Lawton - *Angel* (1999), series, as Wilson Christopher - *Rockin' Roller Coaster—Preshow* (1999), Actor - *Love Happens* (1999), as Mike Parker - *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Dallas Portland (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md) - *Carlo's Wake* (1999), as Antonio Torello - *Charmed* (1998), series, as Miles - *Will & Grace* (1998), series, as Mark - *Conrad Bloom* (1998), series, as Ben - *Dawson's Creek* (1998), series, as David Wilder - *Veronica's Closet* (1997), series, as Wayne - *Gattaca* (1997), as Sequencing Technician — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/gattaca.md) - *The Practice* (1997), series, as Kevin Michaels - *Men Behaving Badly* (1996), series, as Steve Coprin - *Spin City* (1996), series, as Dan - *Nash Bridges* (1996), series, as Todd West - *Boston Common* (1996), series, as Bob Cabot - *The State's 43rd Annual All-Star Halloween Special* (1995), as Various - *The Single Guy* (1995), series, as Big Tipper - *The State* (1994), series, as Various Characters - *To Be the Best* (1993), as Songs - *The Waiting Room* (1991), as Joey - *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Dean Belichick (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md) - *MTV: The State, Skits and Stickers*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Ken Marino](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-991978e1a42c.jpg) Ken Marino — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Ken_Marino_The_State-10_%28cropped%29.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_The_State-10_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ken Marino at the PaleyFest Fall TV Previews 2014 for NBC's "Marry Me"](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-73c32a1196a4.jpg) Ken Marino at the PaleyFest Fall TV Previews 2014 for NBC's "Marry Me" — Dominick D, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Ken_Marino.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Ken Marino and Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-f83ae26ee381.jpg) Ken Marino and Martin Starr at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Ken_Marino_%26_Martin_Starr_%285976563605%29.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_%26_Martin_Starr_%285976563605%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ken Marino at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-9003ab8547e8.jpg) Ken Marino at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3d/Ken_Marino_%285977513776%29.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_%285977513776%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ken Marino](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-71ca1429c6a8.jpg) Ken Marino — Image via TMDB - ![Ken Marino](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-0d2738e3d66e.jpg) Ken Marino — Image via TMDB - ![Ken Marino at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere.](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-876f1a084cda.jpg) Ken Marino at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con International in San Diego, California. Please attribute to Gage Skidmore if used elsewhere. — Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Ken_Marino_%285977517036%29.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_%285977517036%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Ken Marino at Long Live The State during the 2025 Tribeca Festival](https://film.one/media/person/46956/gallery-495dc869f485.jpg) Ken Marino at Long Live The State during the 2025 Tribeca Festival — Bryan Berlin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Ken_Marino_The_State-09.jpg/1280px-Ken_Marino_The_State-09.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © 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/ken-marino