Garry Shandling
Who Garry Shandling is
Comedian, actor, writer and producer whose stand-up career led to two influential television series: It's Garry Shandling's Show and The Larry Sanders Show. He began as a sitcom writer, moved into stand-up after a serious 1977 car accident and became a frequent Tonight Show guest and guest host before creating his own series.
At a glance
- Born
- 1949
- Died
- 2016
- Came up through
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Comedy Store
- Stand-up specials
- Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas, The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special and Garry Shandling: Stand-Up
- On screen
- It's Garry Shandling's Show, The Larry Sanders Show, The Tonight Show and 2 more
Specials, shows and podcasts
Stand-up specials
- Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas
- The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special
- Garry Shandling: Stand-Up
On screen
- It's Garry Shandling's Show
- The Larry Sanders Show
- The Tonight Show
- Iron Man 2
- Captain America: The Winter Soldier
Where they got their start
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson a career-defining first spot, then its permanent guest host, from 1981
- The Comedy Store did his first stand-up there, 1978
Came up the same way
Other comedians in SUCDb who came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson and The Comedy Store:
Comedians like Garry Shandling
Each linked to them by something on the record — a stage they both came through, a bill, a show, a style or a home town.
- Steven Wright also in The Larry Sanders Show
- Tom Dreesen also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Andy Kaufman also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Byron Allen also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- David Letterman also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Elayne Boosler also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Jay Leno also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
- Jimmie Walker also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Questions about Garry Shandling
What stand-up specials has Garry Shandling released?
Garry Shandling: Alone in Vegas, The Garry Shandling Show: 25th Anniversary Special and Garry Shandling: Stand-Up.
What TV shows and films are they in?
It's Garry Shandling's Show, The Larry Sanders Show, The Tonight Show, Iron Man 2 and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Where did they get their start?
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (a career-defining first spot, then its permanent guest host) and The Comedy Store (did his first stand-up there).
Who are some comedians like them?
Steven Wright (also in The Larry Sanders Show), Tom Dreesen (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), Andy Kaufman (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson), Byron Allen (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson) and David Letterman (also came through The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson).
The full SUCDb record
The full record — the career in order, the specials and credits, and the sources for each — is on SUCDb, with their place on the Legends ballots.
Sources
- Television Academy — Garry Shandling ↗ 1949–2016 dates, stand-up career, Emmy history, series and specials
- Television Academy Interviews — Garry Shandling ↗ early writing, stand-up transition and Tonight Show career
Updated 5 October 2026 · the record checked 25 September 2026