BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) FAMILY MATTERS
He played Urkel! Not really, but wouldn’t your mind be blown if that was in fact a fact? Sudeikis didn’t have too much of a struggle getting influences in the business growing up. His great-grandfather was legendary photographer Tom Howard. His uncle is pretty damn famous too. I’m talking about “Norm Peterson” himself George Wendt. His ex wife is a writer for 30 Rock and one of his more recent hook ups was actress January Jones. Dude keeps fame close.
(THREE) DAY FAN
Jason Sudeikis is part of SNL royalty now, but he has worked with “It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia” star Charlie Day THREE TIMES. I know that’s no Pryor/Wilder connection or anything, but it’s a start. They were co-supporting stars in the really underrated “Going The Distance”, he showed up in an episode of “Always Sunny”, and just recently the “Horrible Bosses” movie.
(TWO) BEFORE LORNE MICHAELS
Before getting onto SNL in 2005, he paid his dues. He worked with an improv group in Kansas City and did well. He would then move to Chicago, studied at the ImprovOlympic, got cast in Second City’s touring group, help found Second City Las Vegas, and then onto the Upright Citizens Brigade where he STILL performs frequently. It’s always cool to read this kind of stuff. He obviously had the family ties, but he still went out and worked the road and proved how serious he was about making people laugh.
(ONE) NON-PRO, BUT PAID
Jason Sudeikis could hoop it up back in the day. In high school he was the point guard for Shawnee Mission West High School until graduating in 1994. The real interesting story is that he played on an AAU team with a lot of controversy. Myron Piggie, the coach, pleaded guilty to conspiracy for paying over THIRTY FIVE GRAND to five players from 96 to 98. He was one of those five players. Kinda shocking. Look it up if you don’t believe me.
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