Louis C.K. launched his career in 1984 by directing the short film Trash Day before transitioning into stand-up comedy. Born in Washington, D.C. in 1967 to an American mother and a Mexican father, he spent his infancy in Mexico, learning Spanish as his first language before moving to the Boston area at age seven.
Early Career and Writing
After graduating from Newton North High School in 1985, he worked as an auto mechanic and in a public access television station in Boston. He performed his first open mic set in 1985. In 1989, he moved to Manhattan to pursue comedy full-time. During the 1990s, he built a career as a writer for programs including Late Night with Conan O'Brien, Late Show with David Letterman, and The Chris Rock Show, for which he won an Emmy in 1999.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Television and Film Directing
He directed the feature films Tomorrow Night in 1998 and Pootie Tang in 2001. His FX series Louie, which he created, directed, and starred in, aired from 2010 to 2015 and garnered him two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series in 2012 and 2014. He also co-created the series Baskets and Better Things, and starred in the 2016 self-funded web series Horace and Pete.
Independent Distribution
In 2001, he released his debut comedy album, Live in Houston, directly through his website. This set a precedent for his career, as he became one of the first performers to offer direct-to-fan ticket sales and DRM-free video concert downloads. He later produced and released numerous comedy specials, including Shameless, Chewed Up, Hilarious, and Oh My God, through this independent model.
Recent Projects and Controversy
In 2017, he admitted to sexual misconduct following a report in The New York Times, leading to the cancellation of his film I Love You, Daddy. He returned to stand-up in 2018. His recent work includes the specials Sincerely Louis C.K. in 2020 and Sorry in 2021, the former of which received a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album. He also directed and co-wrote the film Fourth of July in 2022.
Fast facts
- Born: 1967, Washington, D.C.
- Citizenship: United States, Mexico
- High School: Newton North High School
- Writing Emmy Awards: 2012, 2014
- Debut Feature: Tomorrow Night (1998)
- Languages: English, Spanish
Questions readers ask
What early roles did Louis C.K. hold?
Before his comedy career, he worked as an auto mechanic, a cook, and at a public access television station in Boston.
Which major television series did he create?
He created the semi-autobiographical series Louie and the web series Horace and Pete, and co-created Baskets and Better Things.
Achievements
- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series — 2014
- Worked as stand-up comedian, actor and film director
