Biography of Dennis Miller

It has been said that Dennis Miller is "one of the premier comedy talents in America today..." While others are blunt assessing Miller's comedic stature, Dennis himself makes a virtue of understatement, but there is nothing low key about the career of this Pittsburgh native.

Dennis Miller is the host of his own Emmy and CableACE Award-winning half-hour, live talk show, Dennis Miller Live, which returns for a 5th season and airs Friday nights at 11:30 P.M. Dennis Miller Live can best be described as "biting social commentary laced with humor."

Besides Dennis Miller Live, Miller starred in his fourth one hour special for HBO titled Citizen Arcane, added author to his credits with the release of his first book, The Rants (Doubleday) and starred in the feature film Murder at 1600 with Wesley Snipes and Joel Silver's Tales From the Crypt Presents: Bordello of Blood.

In 1995, Dennis Miller was seen co-starring in two films, Never Talk To Strangers with Rebecca DeMomay and The Net where he played Sandra Bullock's ex-boyfriend. Previously, Miller co-starred alongside Michael Douglas and Demi Moore in the film Disclosure, based on Michael Crichton's best-selling book.

A former journalism major, Dennis Miller got his start in the late '70s, honing his skills in Pittsburgh area clubs and eventually relocating to New York where he performed at such famed clubs as Catch A Rising Star and the Comic Strip. Miller's next move was a return to Pittsburgh where he wrote, produced and appeared in more than 100 humorous essays for the syndicated PM MAGAZINE show, as well as hosting his own Saturday Morning television program aimed at teenage audiences.

By 1982, Dennis Miller was touring the country as a comedy club regular and establishing himself as one of the most assured, accomplished, and, of course, funniest comics on the scene. It was shortly thereafter that he was spotted by Saturday Night Live executive producer Lorne Michaels at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles. Michaels auditioned Miller and subsequently offered him the coveted "Weekend Update" slot on the show that he held for six years before exiting in 1991.

Over the years, Dennis Miller has become both a public and critical favorite. The New York Times said, "Mr. Miller is exquisitely tuned to contemporary foibles.. .his material can be scathing, his delivery low key.. .Mr. Miller reaches a bit further than most comedians for the scorching comment.. this smart aleck has an uncommonly sharp eye..."

"I like to do what I do," says Dennis Miller, whose career portfolio includes having hosted his own syndicated TV talk show and three HBO specials: Dennis Miller, Live From Washington (They Shoot HBO Specials, Don't They?); Dennis Miller: Black & White and Mr. Miller Goes to Washington. Dennis' special for Comedy Central, The State of the Union: Undressed, was nominated for a Cable ACE Award.

Dennis has hosted the 1995 MTV Music Awards, co-hosted the 1994 Billboard Music Awards, 1993 MTV Movie Awards, twice hosted the ESPY Awards as well as twice co-hosting the EMMY Awards. In the recording area, Warner Bros. released his "Off White Album."

Miller, who is married to model Ali Espley and is the father of two boys, notes, "comedy is a funny job, I mean, let's face it, my only commitment is to be a funny man."