Paul Calvin Vogt (born December 16, 1964) is an American actor and comedian, best known for his work as a cast member on the sketch comedy programs Mad TV, The Big Gay Sketch Show, and The Rerun Show.

Paul Vogt
Vogt in March 2013
Born (1964-12-16) December 16, 1964 (age 59)
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
Years active1987–present
RelativesPeter Allen Vogt (twin brother)

Life and career edit

Paul C. Vogt was born in Buffalo, New York. He graduated from Kenmore East High School in 1982. Most famous for appearing on TV and film in Mad TV, episodes of Arrested Development, Reno 911!, Hannah Montana, and Maximum Bob, and the films The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement and Valentine's Day.[1]

Vogt has guest starred on Chicago Hope, Hannah Montana, In-Laws, Grey's Anatomy, and Glee. He was a regular cast member of the NBC summer series The Rerun Show. He has also starred in several commercials, independent films, and stage work. He also acted as Jimbo Milachi in Happy Days, a musical based on the hit television series by Garry Marshall at the Falcon Theater in Burbank.[2] He also appeared in Marshall's film Raising Helen.

In January 2007, he took over the lead role of Edna Turnblad in the Broadway production of Hairspray (the role created by Divine in the John Waters film and then by Tony winner Harvey Fierstein on Broadway).[3] Previously, he played the role in the Las Vegas production (succeeding Harvey Fierstein) in May 2006, as well as the regional theatre premiere at the North Shore Music Theatre (Beverly, Massachusetts) in the fall of 2006. He appeared in the movie Blonde Ambition, filming his scenes in between Hairspray performances. Paul voiced the character Buzz Offmann in the 2008 animated film Igor.

In August 2008, he reprised his role as Edna Turnblad in Hairspray for 12 performances at the Sacramento Music Circus. He also reprised the role in August 2009 at The Muny.

In 2011, appeared as Ursula in the summer production of The Little Mermaid at The Muny in St. Louis.

In January 2013, he once again reprised his role as Edna Turnblad with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's production of Hairspray in Concert. The concert also played the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra the same month.[4] He went on to appear in Hairspray Live! playing Harriman F. Spritzer, broadcast on December 7, 2016.

In 2019, Vogt joined the cast of Perfect Harmony on NBC.[2]

Mad TV edit

 
Vogt in 2011

Vogt joined the cast of Mad TV during the eighth season as a featured player, then was promoted to repertory status the following. He created characters such as flamboyant Lillian Verner Game Show host Dale Briskett and Angela Wright's Canadian cousin Natalie. His celebrity impersonations included Charlotte Rae (a reprisal of Mrs. Edna Garrett from The Rerun Show), Dick Cheney, James Lipton, and Richard Simmons. He left the TV show because he had an out in his contract after three years[citation needed]. Vogt is the second cast member (after Nelson Ascencio) to have a twin sibling appear with each other in a sketch in the show. Vogt was also the only known openly gay cast member.

Characters

  • 2-Litre Beth (Fantanas)
  • Cynthia "Cindy" Delmont (Big Lady), a plus-sized woman who is oblivious to being discriminated against due to her size.
  • Dale Briskett (Lillian Verner Game Show)
  • Ernie "Ernest" (The B.S.)
  • Harvey Muckenthaler (Stuart Larkin)
  • Carlton "Carl" Swanson, Sr. (Lorraine Swanson)
  • Natalie Wright
  • Nurse (7:00 AM Condo Report)
  • Officer Rufus Champagne, a police officer who keeps getting attacked by midgets.
  • Sister Mary (Coach Hines)

Celebrity impressions edit

Personal life edit

Vogt was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2013. As of April 2015, Vogt is now a stage 4 lymphoma survivor and is in recovery.[5]

Filmography edit

References edit

  1. ^ Palm, Matt. "Paul Vogt hits Broadway". Orlando Sentinel. Archived from the original on 10 September 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2012.
  2. ^ a b "Biography". Paul C. Vogt. Retrieved 2020-10-08.
  3. ^ http://www.nsmt.org/images/Press/2006/hairspray/Edna.jpg[permanent dead link]
  4. ^ "Beth Leavel, Paul Vogt, Nick Adams, Marissa Perry, John Waters Set for Hairspray: In Concert! | Playbill". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2016-01-01.
  5. ^ "Cancer Can't Keep Paul Vogt From Dazzling Broadway | TheaterMania". 3 July 2014.

External links edit