Chris Parnell

Chris Parnell, born Thomas Christopher Parnell, is an America-based actor and comedian widely recognized for his prime roles in several hit series, including 'Saturday Night Live', '30 Rock', 'Archer', and 'Rick and Morty'. Parnell took his initial steps into acting with the Los Angeles comedy troupe, The Groundlings, and shot to fame during his tenure at the NBC sketch comedy series 'Saturday Night Live' from 1998 to 2006. He eventually played the role of Dr. Leo Spaceman on another NBC sitcom '30 Rock'. Parnell's voice is distinct, deep, and is a well-known element in the world of animation, voicing characters in 'WordGirl', 'Archer', 'Rick and Morty', and 'Family Guy. He is also a prominent figure in the commercial industry, lending his voice to various brands and corporations such as Hamburger Helper, Orbit Gum, and most notably, Progressive Corporation.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Parnell grew up in a Southern Baptist family with his father, a known radio personality in Memphis. His passion for acting flared up at 17, and he aimed to make a career as a theater actor. He graduated with a BFA in Drama from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. Parnell spent some time in Houston, Texas as an apprentice actor but returned to his hometown to teach the arts for a while. In 1992, Parnell moved to Los Angeles where he took classes at the Groundlings while working at FAO Schwarz. Parnell's career spanned over commercials, sitcoms, and he eventually joined the cast of 'Saturday Night Live' in 1998. His performances in 'Lazy Sunday' and 'More Cowbell' are still widely remembered. Following his journey on SNL, he played key roles in '30 Rock', 'Suburgatory', 'Big Lake', and voiced characters in the 'Hotel Transylvania' series and 'Rick and Morty'.