David Steinberg

Emmy award winning director, writer, producer, actor and comedian David Steinberg has been called "a cross between Woody Allen and Lenny Bruce" by The New York Times and "a credit to his people, actually to all people" by Robin Williams. He has worked in movies and television and on Broadway, and has launched the careers of many successful comedians. Now in his fifth decade as a major entertainer, Steinberg has worked with nearly all of entertainment's funniest performers and comedians.

The New York Times included him among a handful of the best and most creative directors working in television. He currently writes and directs for television mega hits such as Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sons and Daughters and the Dane Cook pilot. He has directed many episodes of Friends, Newhart, Seinfeld, Mad About You, and Designing Women. His work on Seinfeld, Mad About You and Curb Your Enthusiasm has earned him several DGA and Emmy Awards and nominations.

His 2007 book, The Book of David, is an unique memoir with a twist; adopting the style of scripture, Steinberg tells the story of his life as a character in the Old Testament. The trajectory of his career brings with it an often hilarious and irreverent look his rise to the top of the entertainment world.

As a stand up comedian, Steinberg had four number one comedy albums, two Grammy nominations, and a successful nightclub act at the Bitter End in New York that catapulted him into television both as a comedian and a writer. He was also a leader of the famed SecondCity and influenced the careers of John Belushi, Bill Murray, John Candy and many others who followed him there.

Steinberg was a regular substitute for host Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show and is second only to Bob Hope in guest appearances. Steinberg is also known for the memorable parts he created on "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour:" His 'Existential Psychiatrist' first coined the popular phrase "Booga Booga!" and his satirically controversial "sermons" caused the Smothers Brothers to be thrown off the air.

He is currently executive producer, creator and host of Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg, a one-on-one interview series shot live in front of an audience at UCLA. As host, he has interviewed some of today's top comedians including Jon Stewart, Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Robin Williams, Ray Romano, Mike Myers, Martin Short, George Lopez, Bob Newhart, Jon Lovitz, Roseanne Barr and Garry Shandling

At the podium, Steinberg shares the story of his journey from a young Jewish man from Winnipeg, Canada studying the Talmud making his way to SecondCity, Broadway and eventually to Johnny Carson's Tonight Show. Peppered with hysterical anecdotes of the many celebrities he has worked with, his program is a warm and thoughtful look at the life of a comedian.