Paul Welsh
Biography
Paul Welsh is an American actor, improvisational comedian, and writer originally from New Fairfield, Connecticut, who later became active in the world of television and sketch comedy. He attended Georgetown University, where he studied political science and Italian, before embarking on a career in comedy and performance. Welsh has performed extensively at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), becoming a noteworthy member of the improv and sketch community by 2008, regularly appearing with the house improv team JV. His comedic talents have been featured in two solo shows—Men in Paintings and Paul Welsh Goes to a TED Conference—as well as in numerous performances across UCB stages on both coasts. As an actor, Welsh is best known for his television roles, including portraying Trent Maddock on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (2015–2018), and for playing the character Brad Portenburg in Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2013; guest appearance in Season 7 episode aired in 2020). In addition to acting, Welsh has built a significant career as a writer and producer. He served as co-producer and executive story editor on Brooklyn Nine-Nine (2019–2021), during which he wrote or contributed to multiple episodes alongside his writing partner Madeline Walter, marking them as the first writing duo hired on the show. Following his work on Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Welsh co-wrote for the sitcom Killing It (2022) and penned the screenplay for the feature film Mack & Rita (2022). Beyond television, Welsh continues to be engaged in the comedy and improv scene, both through performances and podcast appearances, such as sharing a story arc with Madeline Walter on an Earwolf podcast.
Known For & Full Filmography9 Titles
Drama Series - 2013, 16 episodes • as Brad Portenburg
A single-camera ensemble comedy following the lives of an eclectic group of detectives in a New York precinct, including one slacker who is forced to shape up when he gets a new boss.
Drama Series - 2008, 16 episodes • as Worker
A hospital isn't a place for lazy people. It's a place for smart people who take care of people who aren't smart enough to keep themselves healthy. So begins Children's Hospital, a parody series that follows the lives, loves and laughs of a hospital staff.
Drama Series - 2012, 16 episodes • as Nazi Soldier
Key & Peele is an American sketch comedy television show. It stars Keegan-Michael Key and Jordan Peele, both former cast members of MADtv. Each episode of the show consists of several pre-taped sketches starring the two actors, introduced by Key and Peele in front of a live studio audience.
Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Claz
Broad City follows two women throughout their daily lives in New York City, making the smallest and mundane events hysterical and disturbing to watch all at the same time.
Drama Series - 2015, 16 episodes • as Trent Maddock
Rebecca Bunch is a successful, driven, and possibly crazy young woman who impulsively gives up everything - her partnership at a prestigious law firm and her upscale apartment in Manhattan - in a desperate attempt to find love and happiness in that exotic hotbed of romance and adventure: suburban West Covina, California.
Drama Series - 2014, 16 episodes • as Paul
A single-camera buddy comedy about what happens when two best friends come back together, just when they need each other most. Inspired by the ultra-close friendship between the series' creators and stars, "Playing House" centers on mother to-be Maggie who asks her single and career-driven best friend Emma to return home from her job overseas to attend her baby shower, having no idea what’s truly in store.
Drama Series - 2023, 16 episodes • as Self
Dan Black presents THE ULTIMATE IMPROV SHOW! An all-star cast of improvisers perform the best, funniest and ultimate-est improv show of all time! (Ultimate-est is a word!) Each show will feature a celebrity guest monologist who will tell impromptu stories based off of a random suggestion from the audience. These stories will inspire the funniest improvised comedy scenes you've ever seen, like ever!
Movie - 2021, 2h 15m • as Adler
Annie and Tom Clark throw an annual holiday party, “Clarkmas.” It’s become the go-to event for their ragtag group of friends. When chronically single Natalie and Logan continue to run into each other at the party year after year, they begin to wonder if maybe they’re meant to be...
Movie - 2015, 2h 15m • as Priest
One week before proposing to his girlfriend, Kyle, a down-on-his-luck romantic, discovers that she's been sleeping with another man. Unemployed, saddled with debt, and depressed, Kyle embarks on a funny yet affecting journey to recovery that involves living in his car, bottom-of-the-barrel jobs, therapy, online dating, and Kyle's own wild, fantastical, and snarky imagination.