Paul F. Tompkins
Master of Character Comedy & Improvisation
Active Since
1986
Notable Projects
Mr. Show, BoJack Horseman
Comedy Style
Character-Based, Surrealist
Podcasts
Comedy Bang! Bang!, Threedom
The Versatile Virtuoso of Alt-Comedy
A versatile force in the alt-comedy world, Paul F. Tompkins has shaped the scene through his quick wit, masterful character work, and adaptability across stand-up, improv, and podcasting. Emerging alongside icons like Bob Odenkirk and David Cross, Tompkins contributed to the genre-defining "Mr. Show," influencing generations of alternative comedians.
Known for his dapper appearance—typically sporting a suit and bow tie—Tompkins brings a level of theatrical polish to alternative comedy that contrasts with its often deliberately casual aesthetic. This visual signature mirrors his performance style: meticulously crafted yet spontaneous, refined yet absurd.
Tompkins represents a unique intersection in comedy—where vaudevillian showmanship meets postmodern sensibility. His work embraces both the craft of traditional performance and the subversiveness of alternative comedy.
— The New Yorker
What sets Tompkins apart is his rare combination of improvisational brilliance and disciplined craft. While many alternative comedians excel in either carefully written material or off-the-cuff riffing, Tompkins seamlessly bridges both worlds. His stand-up specials like "Laboring Under Delusions" demonstrate his gift for structured storytelling, while his legendary podcast appearances showcase lightning-fast comedic reflexes.
Beyond his visible performances, Tompkins has been a crucial behind-the-scenes force in alternative comedy, mentoring younger performers and creating spaces for experimental work. His live show "The Paul F. Tompkins Show" at Largo in Los Angeles became a laboratory for alternative comedy, blending variety show formats with unexpected comedic tangents.
Signature Characters
Tompkins is particularly celebrated for his vivid comedic alter egos, bringing to life figures such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, Werner Herzog, and even an eccentric take on Santa Claus. His performances blend sharp observation with absurdist flourishes, making him a constant presence in live shows and audio formats that revel in imaginative, character-driven humor.
Werner Herzog
Tompkins' impression of the German filmmaker has become legendary in alternative comedy circles. His Herzog delivers grim observations about the brutality of nature and the futility of human existence with deadpan conviction, often in wildly inappropriate contexts.
Cake Boss
Based on reality TV baker Buddy Valastro, Tompkins' Cake Boss character inexplicably possesses supernatural powers and regularly experiences bizarre visions. His catchphrase "Cake Boss!" has become a fan favorite.
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Tompkins portrays the famous composer as an eccentric snob obsessed with his own achievements and continuously name-dropping. The character frequently dives into elaborate, increasingly absurd stories about his life in musical theater.
Garry Marshall
Depicting the late director and producer as an affable raconteur with an endless supply of Hollywood stories, Tompkins' Marshall character often brings along his "nephew" Pickle (another character) to comedy shows.
These characters aren't merely impressions but fully realized comic creations that have developed rich backstories through years of appearances across various platforms. Fans of alternative comedy often track the evolving mythology of these characters, which have become a shared universe within the comedy podcast world.
Career Journey
Stand-up Beginnings
After moving from Philadelphia to Los Angeles, Tompkins began performing stand-up comedy while working as a host at the Olive Garden. These early years shaped his distinctive voice as he worked in traditional comedy clubs while developing a style that would eventually find its home in alternative venues.
Mr. Show Era
Tompkins joined the cast of HBO's groundbreaking sketch series "Mr. Show with Bob and David," which became a cornerstone of alternative comedy. His performances on the show, particularly his memorable turn as the host of "The Joke: The Musical," established him as a distinctive voice in the emerging alt-comedy scene.
VH1 Commentary & Largo Shows
Tompkins became a familiar face on VH1's "Best Week Ever" while simultaneously developing his live show at Largo in Los Angeles. This period marked his transition from conventional entertainment to more experimental formats, as his monthly show at Largo became a laboratory for alternative comedy approaches.
Podcast Revolution
As podcasting emerged as a vital platform for alternative comedy, Tompkins became one of the medium's most prolific and celebrated voices. His appearances on "Comedy Bang! Bang!" and his own shows like "The Pod F. Tompkast" and "Spontaneanation" helped define the conversational, improvisational style that made podcasting a new frontier for alternative comedy.
BoJack Horseman & Mainstream Recognition
Tompkins voiced the character of Mr. Peanutbutter on the critically acclaimed animated series "BoJack Horseman," bringing his distinctive comedic sensibility to a wider audience. During this period, he also continued to release comedy specials and albums, including "Crying and Driving" (2015).
Continued Evolution
Tompkins has remained a central figure in alternative comedy, continuing to perform in podcasts like "Threedom" with Scott Aukerman and Lauren Lapkus while expanding into new territories. His work increasingly reflects the maturation of alternative comedy as a form, balancing its experimental roots with refined craft.
Podcast Empire
Paul F. Tompkins has been instrumental in the development of comedy podcasting, helping to establish the medium as a playground for alternative comedy. His distinctive voice—both literally and figuratively—has become synonymous with the improvisational, conversational comedy that thrives in the podcast format.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
As one of the most frequent guests on Scott Aukerman's flagship podcast, Tompkins has introduced many of his most beloved characters on this show. His appearances often feature elaborate improvisational scenarios that have become legendary among fans.
Notable Episodes: "Farts and Procreation," "Time Bobby," "Solo Bolo"
Spontaneanation
Tompkins hosted this improvised narrative podcast from 2015 to 2019. Each episode featured an interview with a guest, followed by a completely improvised story set in a location suggested by the previous week's guest, performed by Tompkins and a rotating cast of improvisers.
Format: Interview followed by long-form improv narrative
Threedom
Co-hosted with Scott Aukerman and Lauren Lapkus, this podcast features the three friends discussing their lives and playing improvisational games. The show highlights Tompkins' ability to balance genuine conversation with comedic riffing.
Dynamic: Friendship-based conversation with structured game segments
The Pod F. Tompkast
Tompkins' first major podcast venture combined sketches, monologues, and segments from his live show at Largo. Though it ran for only 17 episodes from 2010 to 2012, it was highly influential in demonstrating how the podcast format could accommodate elaborate, produced comedy content.
Innovation: Blended live performance, scripted content, and improvisation
Through these podcasts and numerous guest appearances on other shows, Tompkins has helped establish the conversational, character-based style that defines much of alternative comedy podcasting. His work in this medium has allowed him to reach audiences worldwide and develop comedic ideas that might not find expression in more traditional formats.
Influence & Legacy
Paul F. Tompkins occupies a unique position in the alternative comedy ecosystem: a bridge between traditional showmanship and experimental approaches, between structured writing and free-flowing improvisation. His influence can be seen across multiple dimensions of contemporary comedy:
Character-Based Improvisation
Tompkins pioneered a form of character work that thrives particularly well in podcasting and live alternative comedy shows. His approach to creating fully realized character voices with consistent worldviews and perspectives has influenced countless performers in the alt-comedy scene, particularly in how these characters can develop over time through multiple appearances.
Formal Experimentation
Throughout his career, Tompkins has pushed the boundaries of comedy formats while maintaining accessibility. From his structured-yet-digressive live shows to his podcast experiments, he has demonstrated how alternative comedy can balance artistic exploration with audience engagement.
Community Building
Perhaps most significantly, Tompkins has been a central node in the alternative comedy community, connecting performers across generations and styles. His shows at Largo provided a platform for emerging comedians, while his enthusiastic collaboration with younger performers has helped maintain the scene's vitality.
What makes Paul special isn't just that he's hilarious—though he absolutely is—it's that he's created a community around himself. He's like a comedy nexus point, bringing people together who might not otherwise connect.
— Scott Aukerman, comedian and podcast host
In many ways, Tompkins' career trajectory mirrors the evolution of alternative comedy itself: beginning in reaction to conventional forms, developing distinctive approaches and aesthetics, and eventually achieving a level of refinement and recognition while maintaining its essential character. His work continues to demonstrate the possibilities of comedy as both entertainment and art form.
Essential Performances
While Paul F. Tompkins' work spans numerous media and formats, these selected performances showcase the range and depth of his comedic approach:
From "Laboring Under Delusions" (2012), Tompkins recounts working as a hat store clerk in a story that exemplifies his gift for finding absurdity in mundane experiences.
A compilation of Tompkins performing as Werner Herzog on "Comedy Bang! Bang!", showcasing his character work and improvisational abilities.
Tompkins in "The Joke: The Musical" sketch from "Mr. Show", highlighting his contributions to this groundbreaking alternative comedy series.
