Robert Smigel

Robert Smigel is an actor, puppeteer, comedian, and filmmaker who is perhaps known for his Saturday Night Live "TV Funhouse" shorts and as the performer of Triumph the Insult Comic Dog. He's also well known for writing feature films starring Adam Sandler like Leo, You Don't Mess with the Zohan, & the first two Hotel Transylvania films. Robert created Triumph as a foul-mouthed dog puppet who mocked celebrities and others since his debut appearance in 1997. Smigel performed the dog in a cameo role on It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie, in which he conversed with Kermit the Frog on the phone for one scene. As a writer, he wrote for Saturday Night Live and Late Night with Conan O'Brien, even serving as a producer for both talk shows. Comedy Central even made a series of TV Funhouse where he puppeteered various characters. As a filmmaker, Robert Smigel wrote, produced, and/or directed on many films such as the ones mentioned above, as well as The Week Of and Jack and Jill. He seems to be a master at television more than film for he's acted, wrote, produced, and performed Triumph, on many projects over the years. I've read on Wikipedia that in June 2022, he was arrested in for unlawful entry of an office building in Washington D.C. That would make Robert the first puppeteer to ever be arrested for something, luckily no charges were filed as announced a month later. At least Smigel was released of charges and continues to perform, nonetheless. In addition to acting, he also does impersonations of celebrities as seen on SNL TV Funhouse cartoons and The Dana Carvey Show. He's probably going to continue acting, writing, producing, directing, and performing Triumph for the future. Robert Smigel, I think you're one of the funniest performers in America with all the characters you've played, especially Triumph. I'll bet you were excited to meet Kermit the Frog for that one Muppet TV film. Keep on being an actor, puppeteer, and filmmaker for the near future. "Hot dog" Robert. You're hilarious Smigel!

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