Paul Feig
Paul Feig (born September 17, 1962) is an American filmmaker and actor. He is best known for directing films such as Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), Spy (2015), Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), A Simple Favor (2018), Last Christmas (2019), and The Housemaid (2025). He often collaborates with actress Melissa McCarthy.
Also recorded as Paul Samuel Feig
Paul Feig

Gage Skidmore · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Born
- 17 September 1962
- Birthplace
- Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
- Occupation
- * Film director
- Full name
- Paul Samuel Feig.
- Nationality
- United States.
- Fields
- film direction.
- Education
- Wayne State University, University of Southern California and Chippewa Valley High School.
- Honours
- Directors Guild of America Award.
- Languages
- English.
VALÉORINE Encyclopedia
VALÉORINE documentary reading
Documentary summary
Paul Feig (born September 17, 1962) is an American filmmaker and actor. He is best known for directing films such as Bridesmaids (2011), The Heat (2013), Spy (2015), Ghostbusters: Answer the Call (2016), A Simple Favor (2018), Last Christmas (2019), and The Housemaid (2025). He often collaborates with actress Melissa McCarthy.
Admitted source layer · organised and presented by VALÉORINE
Note VALÉORINE
No house-authored Note is published until its assertions and sources pass the VALÉORINE evidence contract. The documentary article remains available in full while that enrichment is being consolidated.
Documentary enrichment in progress · no unsupported statement published
Reference Check
Propose documentary evidence for Paul Feig. A contribution is never written directly as fact: identity, source, rights and evidence gates still decide.
Sign in to contribute
World of VALÉORINE
Documentary connections
Only confirmed graph relationships appear here. Images are shown only when their identity and reuse rights both pass the documentary gate.
Documentary evidence
Evidence Panel
not yet certified
- Identity
- resolved
- Independent source families
- 0
- Admitted assertions
- 0
- Open conflicts
- 0
Authority files
wikidata · Q2031292 · wikipedia · Paul Feig
In this article
Biography
Biography
Feig created the comedy series Freaks and Geeks (1999–2000) and Other Space (2015). He has also directed several episodes of Arrested Development, Nurse Jackie, Mad Men, The Office, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, and Weeds. He received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards for writing on Freaks and Geeks, and two for producing and directing on The Office. His most notable acting roles were as Bobby Wynn in the sitcom The Jackie Thomas Show (1992–1993), Tim the Camp Counselor in the comedy film Heavyweights (1995), and Mr. Eugene Pool on the sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch (1996–1997).

Director Paul Feig in 2024
Nerdtropolis · YouTube

Director Paul Feig in 2024
Nerdtropolis · YouTube
Key facts
Key facts
• Born — 17 September 1962 • Birthplace — Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S. • Occupation — * Film director • producer • screenwriter • actor • Years Active — 1986–present
Early life
Early life
Feig was born in Royal Oak, Michigan, on September 17, 1962, the son of telephone operator Elaine Elizabeth (née Artingstall) and Gratiot Avenue store owner Sanford William Feig. He grew up in a Christian Scientist household in Mount Clemens, Michigan. His father was born into a Jewish family, but converted to Christian Science, and met Feig's mother at a church social. Feig attended Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan.
1986–2010: Early career, Freaks and Geeks and directorial debut
1986–2010: Early career, Freaks and Geeks and directorial debut
After a year at Wayne State University, Feig moved to Los Angeles and transferred to the University of Southern California. He also worked as a tour guide at Universal Studios Hollywood, embarked on a stand-up comedy act, and landed minor roles on various television shows. Feig also appeared in a number of films, such as Ski Patrol, and in a role alongside Ben Stiller in the 1995 film Heavyweights, in which he played camp counselor Tim. On the first season of Sabrina, the Teenage Witch, Feig portrayed Mr. Eugene Pool, Sabrina's science teacher. With Heavyweights co-scripter Judd Apatow, Feig created the short-lived comedy series Freaks and Geeks, inspired by his experiences at Chippewa Valley High School in Clinton Township, Michigan. The show aired on NBC during the 1999–2000 television season. Eighteen episodes were completed, but the series was canceled after only twelve had aired. Despite the short run, Freaks and Geeks has since maintained a devoted cult following. The show was named in Time magazine's 100 Greatest Shows of All Time, and in summer 2008, Entertainment Weekly ranked Freaks and Geeks as the 13th best show of the past 25 years. Feig was nominated for two Emmys for writing the show's pilot and the season finale. Feig made his directorial debut with the drama film I Am David, which premiered at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival. He later directed the Christmas comedy film Unaccompanied Minors (2006).
2017–present: A Simple Favor and Last Christmas
2017–present: A Simple Favor and Last Christmas
• Illustration — Feig at SXSW 2025 for Another Simple Favor In 2017, Feig produced Jonathan Levine's comedy film Snatched, starring Amy Schumer and Goldie Hawn as a mother-daughter couple who are abducted while on vacation in South America. The same year, he began production on the comedy thriller A Simple Favor. Based on the 2017 novel of the same name by Darcey Bell, it stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, and Henry Golding, and follows a small town blogger who tries to solve the disappearance of her mysterious and rich best friend. Released in September 2018, the film received generally favorable reviews from critics, with praise for the plot twists and performances of Kendrick and Lively. In 2018, Feig directed an advertisement for Diet Coke starring Hayley Magnus, which was shown during the Super Bowl. In 2019, he directed the romantic comedy Last Christmas, re-teaming with Henry Golding, who starred in the film alongside Emilia Clarke. The film received mixed reviews and was a box office success, earning over $120 million. In March 2019, following 20th Century Fox's acquisition by The Walt Disney Company, Feig announced he would be moving his Feigco production studio to Universal Pictures. In August 2026, Feig entered talks to direct a follow-up film to The Italian Job.
Producer only
Producer only
• Year — Title — Notes • 2015 — The Peanuts Movie • 2017 — Snatched • 2019 — Someone Great • 2020 — Holler — Executive producer
Acting roles
Acting roles
• Year — Title • Role — Note • 1987 — Zombie High — Emmerson • Three O'Clock High — Hall Monitor • 1990 — Ski Patrol — Stanley • Zoo Radio — Chester Drawer — credited as Skylar Billings • 1994 — Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult — Oscar Audience Member • 1995 — The TV Wheel — Various • Heavyweights — Tim The Camp Counselor • 1996 — That Thing You Do! — KMPC D.J. • My Fellow Americans — Reporter #2 • 1997 — Life Sold Separately — Clark • Statical Planets — Renfester • 2000 — Bad Dog — Messenger — Short film • 2002 — Stealing Harvard — Electrician • 2003 — I Am David — American Man • 2007 — Knocked Up — Fantasy Baseball Guy • Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story — Different DJ — Uncredited • 2011 — Bad Teacher — Dad at the Car Wash • Bridesmaids — Guy at Wedding — Uncredited • 2013 — The Heat — Doctor • 2015 — Spy — Drunken Guest at Paris Hotel • 2017 — Ferdinand — Picador (voice) • 2018 — Song of Back and Neck — Dr. Street
Television
Television
• Year — Title — Director — Producer — Writer — Notes • 1999–2000 — Freaks and Geeks — Also creator and producer; 18 episodes Episode directed: "Discos and Dragons" Episodes written: * "Pilot" * "Tricks and Treats" * "Carded and Discarded" * "Girlfriends and Boyfriends" * "Looks and Books" * "Discos and Dragons" • 2001 — Undeclared — Episode: "Oh, So You Have a Boyfriend?" • 2004–2005 — Arrested Development — Episodes: * "Whistler's Mother" * "Let 'Em Eat Cake" * "Switch Hitter" * "Burning Love" * "Ready, Aim, Marry Me!" * "The Cabin Show" * "The Ocean Walker" • 2005–2007 — Weeds — Episodes: * "The Punishment Lighter" * "He Taught Me How to Drive By" * "Risk" • 2005–2011 — The Office — (exec. Executive producer) — Episodes directed: * "Office Olympics" * "Halloween" * "Performance Review" * "E-mail Surveillance" * "Survivor Man" * "Dinner Party" * "Goodbye, Toby" * "Weight Loss" * "The Surplus" * "Moroccan Christmas" * "New Boss" * "Dream Team" * "Niagara" * "Goodbye, Michael" • 2007 — 30 Rock — Episode: "Cleveland" • Mad Men — Episode: "Shoot" • 2009 — Parks and Recreation — Episode: "Pawnee Zoo" • Bored to Death — Episodes: * "Take a Dive" * "The Case of the Lonely White Dove" • 2009–2010 — Nurse Jackie — Episodes: * "Nosebleed" * "Ring Finger" * "Comfort Food" * "Twitter" * "Silly String" * "Monkey Bits" * "P.O. Box" * "Sleeping Dogs" * "What the Day Brings" * "Years of Service" • 2012 — Ronna and Beverly — (exec. Executive producer) — 6 episodes • 2015 — Other Space — (exec. Executive producer) — Creator; 8 episodes Episode written: "Into the Great Beyond...Beyond" • 2018 — The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale — (exec. Executive producer) — 19 episodes • 2020–2021 — Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist — (exec. Executive producer) — 12 episodes • Love Life — (exec. Executive producer) — 10 episodes • 2022 — Welcome to Flatch — (exec. Executive producer) — Episodes directed: * "Pilot" * "Jesus Take The Wheel" * Dance It Out" • 2022 — Minx — (exec. Executive producer) — 10 episodes • 2025 — King of Drag — Guest judge; Episode: "Battle of the Boy Bands" • TBA — East of La Brea — (exec. Executive producer) — 6 episodes
Acting roles
Acting roles
• Year — Title • Role — Note • 1986 — The Facts of Life — Ron — Episode: "The Ratings Game" • 1988–1989 — Dirty Dancing — Norman Bryant — 11 episodes • 1990 — thirtysomething — Focus Group Member — Episode: "Pulling Away" • It's Garry Shandling's Show — Chester Bass — Episodes: "The Proposal", "The Honeymoon Show" and "Chester Gets a Show" • 1991 — Good Sports — Leash — Episodes: "Pros and Ex-Cons", "Electricity", "The Return of Nick" and "A Class Act" • Get a Life — Mark — Episode: "Chris Becomes a Male Escort" • 1992 — Deep Dish TV — Unknown — Television film • 1992–1993 — The Edge — Various — 7 episodes • The Jackie Thomas Show — Bobby Wynn — 18 episodes • 1993 — Roseanne — Pete — Episode: "A Stash from the Past" • 1994 — The Good Life — Video Clerk — Episodes: "Paul Dates a Buddhist" and "John Takes Out Melissa" • Hardball — Agent #1 — Episode: "Whose Strike Is It Anyway?" • 1996 — The Louie Show — Dr. Jake Anderson — 6 episodes • 1996–1997 — Sabrina, the Teenage Witch — Mr. Eugene Pool — 26 episodes • 1997 — Men Behaving Badly — Nelson — Episode: "The Sting" • Ellen — Peterson — Episode: "G.I. Ellen" • 1998 — The Drew Carey Show — Worker #1 — Episode: "From the Earth to the Moon" • 1999 — Freaks and Geeks — Alexander the Guitarist — Uncredited; Episode: "I'm with the Band" • 2005 — Arrested Development — Magician — Episode: "Sword of Destiny" • Early Bird — Unknown — Television film • 2009 — Nurse Jackie — Mr. Spagnolo — Episode: "Monkey Bits" • 2013 — The Office — Animal Trainer — Episode: "Stairmageddon" • 2014 — Maron — Warren — Episode: "Therapy" • Hell's Kitchen — Himself — Episode: "18 Chefs Compete" • 2017 — 9JKL — Episode: "Pilot" • 2018 — The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale — 14 episodes • 2020 — Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist — Dale — Episode: "Zoey's Extraordinary Mother"
Identity
Identity
Paul Feig is recorded with the occupation television actor. Recorded with the occupation film producer. Recorded as actor, screenwriter, film producer, television producer and director. Recorded at birth as Paul Samuel Feig.
Activity and practice
Paul Feig is recorded as having studied at Wayne State University, University of Southern California and Chippewa Valley High School.
2011–2016: Bridesmaids and other film works with Melissa McCarthy
2011–2016: Bridesmaids and other film works with Melissa McCarthy
In 2011, Feig was consulted to direct the Apatow-produced comedy film Bridesmaids. Written by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig, the plot centers on Annie (Wiig), who suffers a series of misfortunes after being asked to serve as maid of honor for her best friend, Lillian, played by Maya Rudolph. Budgeted at $32.5 million, Bridesmaids was both critically and commercially successful, eventually grossing over $288 million worldwide, and served as a touchstone for discussion about women in comedy. The film was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and received multiple other accolades, including Academy Award nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category for Melissa McCarthy and Best Original Screenplay for Wiig and Mumolo. In 2013, Feig reunited with McCarthy on buddy cop action comedy film The Heat, also starring Sandra Bullock. Directed by Feig and written by Katie Dippold, it centers on a mismatched police pairing who must overcome their differences in order to take down a mobster. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised the chemistry, and performances of Bullock and McCarthy, and was a success at the box office, grossing $229 million worldwide against a $43 million budget. In 2015, Feig wrote, directed, and produced the spy comedy movie Spy for 20th Century Fox, again starring Melissa McCarthy. It follows the life of a secret agent, Susan Cooper, trying to expose the black-market. The film received acclaim from critics and became another box office success at an international gross of $235.7 million. It was nominated for two Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for McCarthy. Also in 2015, Feig produced the animated feature The Peanuts Movie for Blue Sky Studios, based on the Peanuts comic strip and characters created by Charles M. Schulz. That same year, it was announced that Feig will direct a film adaptation of Play-Dohs for Hasbro Studios, 20th Century Fox, and Chernin Entertainment. During 2015, Feig also created the science fiction comedy series Other Space for Yahoo!'s video on demand service Yahoo! Screen and wrote the show's first episode. The series stars Trace Beaulieu, Neil Casey, Eugene Cordero, Joel Hodgson, Conor Leslie, Bess Rous, Karan Soni, and Milana Vayntrub as the dysfunctional crew of an exploratory spaceship who become trapped in an unknown universe. Other Space received positive reviews, but was not renewed for a second season due to Yahoo! Screen being shut down in 2016. Feig later created a Tumblr to provide direct links to each episode after he reobtained the rights to the series. In 2020, the series was picked up by streaming service DUST. In 2016, Feig directed and co-wrote the female driven reboot of the Ghostbusters franchise, starring McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones as four women who begin a ghost-catching business in New York City. The announcement of the female-led cast in 2015 drew a polarized response from the public and internet backlash, leading to the film's IMDb page and associated YouTube videos receiving low ratings prior to the film's release. The film grossed $229 million worldwide against a production budget of $144 million, becoming the highest-grossing live-action comedy domestically of 2016. However, due to its high production and marketing budget, it is considered a box-office bomb.
Film
Film
• Year — Title • Director — Producer — Writer • 2003 — I Am David • 2006 — Unaccompanied Minors • 2011 — Bridesmaids — Executive • 2013 — The Heat — Executive • 2015 — Spy • 2016 — Ghostbusters — Executive • 2018 — A Simple Favor • 2019 — Last Christmas • 2022 — The School for Good and Evil • 2024 — Jackpot! • 2025 — Another Simple Favor • The Housemaid
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Paul Feig”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q2031292: Paul Feig
Unverified · Wikidata
Awards and nominations
• Year — Association — Category — Work — Result — Ref. reference • 2000 — 53rd Primetime Emmy Awards — Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series — Freaks and Geeks • 2001 — 54th Primetime Emmy Awards • 2008 — 60th Primetime Emmy Awards — Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series — The Office • 2009 — 61st Primetime Emmy Awards — Outstanding Comedy Series • 61st Directors Guild of America Awards — Outstanding Directing – Comedy Series • 2010 — 21st Producers Guild of America Awards — Best Episodic Comedy • 2014 — 16th American Comedy Awards — Best Comedy Director – Film — The Heat • 2017 — 59th Hugo Awards — Best Dramatic Presentation – Long Form — Ghostbusters
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Smith, Krista. Paul Feig on the BridesmaidsSequel, Female Comedy, and His S.N.L. Dreams. Vanity Fair. January 5, 2012.
- 2.Celebrity birthdays for the week of Sept. 12-18. Associated Press. September 7, 2021.
- 3.The Trouble With Paul Feig. The New York Times. September 28, 2008.
- 4.Joseph, Gina. Director Paul Feig is a genius at portraying awkwardness. Royal Oak Tribune. July 29, 2011.
- 5.Personally Speaking. Windsor Star. 27. January 4, 1961.
- 6.Lawson, Terry. Paul Feig Again Puts Teens in the Spotlight. Detroit Free Press. 1C. December 7, 2006.
- 7.Michigan's Paul Feig to direct female-led 'Ghostbusters. Detroit Free Press. Associated Press. October 9, 2014.
- 8.Robert, Daniel. Interviews > Paul Feig Director Of Unaccompanied Minors. SuicideGirls. May 4, 2006.
- 9.Schilling, Mary Kaye. The King of the Lady Gross-out. Grantland. June 28, 2013.
- 10.Davidson, Adam. Geeking Out: Paul Feig Discusses his Career and Ties to Michigan. Hour Detroit. October 10, 2024.
- 11.Bowe, John. The Trouble With Paul Feig. The New York Times Magazine. September 26, 2008.
- 12.James, Caryn. Ski Patrol (1989) Review/Film; Meanwhile, Pops Is Back At the Lodge. The New York Times. January 13, 1990.
- 13.Poniewozik, James. The 100 Best TV Shows of All-TIME. Time. September 6, 2007.
- 14.Connolly, Kelly. The New Classics: TV. Entertainment Weekly. March 20, 2012.
- 15.Fox, Margalit. Jill Clayburgh Dies at 66; Starred in Feminist Roles. The New York Times. November 5, 2010.
- 16.Bridesmaids (2011). Rotten Tomatoes. May 13, 2011.
- 17.Friendly, David T. 'Bridesmaids' Effect: Why Female Comedies Are Making Comeback. The Hollywood Reporter. June 19, 2011.
- 18.'Bridesmaids' Breathes Life into Women's Comedy. Third Age.
- 19.Ryan, Tim. Critics Consensus: White House Down Is Predictable Action Fluff. Rotten Tomatoes. June 28, 2013.
- 20.The Heat (2013). Box Office Mojo.
- 21.Sneider, Jeff. Paul Feig Developing Female James Bond Comedy 'Susan Cooper'. The Wrap. June 18, 2013.
- 22.'Spy' - Movie Review.
- 23.Travers, Peter. Spy Review. Rolling Stone.
- 24.Fleming, Mike Jr. Fox Molding 'Play-Doh' Film With Paul Feig Circling; Another Hasbro Toy Brand Making Movie Transfer. Deadline Hollywood. April 2, 2015.
- 25.Other Space: Season 1. Rotten Tomatoes.
- 26.Other Space: Season 1. Metacritic.
- 27.Whitbrook, James. It's Finally Easy to Watch Other Space, the Best Scifi Comedy You've Never Seen. io9. January 31, 2017.
- 28.Oller, Jacob. WIRE Buzz: Adam Sandler's Hubie Halloween; Tenet teases Easter egg; 'Other Space' to Dust. SyFy Wire. July 7, 2020.
- 29.Zuckerman, Esther. Paul Feig explains his vision for a female-led 'Ghostbusters'. Entertainment Weekly. October 8, 2014.
- 30.Sharf, Zack. 'Ghostbusters' Reboot Added New Scene As Reaction To Internet Backlash. IndieWire. July 8, 2016.
- 31.Hayes, Britt. 'Ghostbusters' Haters Spam IMDb With Low Ratings. ScreenCrush. July 11, 2016.
- 32.Hickey, Walt. 'Ghostbusters' Is A Perfect Example Of How Internet Movie Ratings Are Broken. FiveThirtyEight. July 14, 2016.
- 33.Box Office Performance for Comedy Movies in 2016. The Numbers.
- 34.Fritz, Ben. Rising Box Office Masks Glut of Big-Budget Film Flops. The Wall Street Journal. August 14, 2016.
- 35.Fleming, Mike Jr. Director Jonathan Levine Circles Amy Schumer Mother-Daughter Comedy At Fox. Deadline Hollywood. August 18, 2015.
- 36.A Simple Favor (2018). Box Office Mojo.
- 37.Steinberg, Brian. Inside Diet Coke's Return to Super Bowl Advertising. Variety. February 5, 2018.
- 38.Last Christmas (2019). Box Office Mojo.
- 39.Fox Film Team Faces Rocky Disney Future; Paul Feig Moves Label To Universal. Deadline Hollywood. March 31, 2019.
- 40.Donnelly, Matt. Paul Feig's Feigco Entertainment Jumps From Fox to First-Look Deal at Universal. Variety. March 21, 2019.
- 41.Holmes, Adam. Why Paul Feig Won't Direct Any More Remakes. Cinema Blend. August 8, 2016.
- 42.D'Alessandro, Anthony. Blue Sky's Bull Toon 'Ferdinand' To Lock Horns With 'Star Wars: The Last Jedi'. Variety. February 9, 2017.
- 43.Paul Feig – Awards. IMDb.
Bibliography printed in the source article · 4
- Feig, Paul. Kick Me: Adventures in Adolescence. Crown. September 24, 2002. 978-0-609-80943-3.
- Feig, Paul. Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin. Crown. June 28, 2005. 978-1-4000-5175-5.
- Feig, Paul. Ignatius MacFarland: Frequenaut!. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. September 1, 2008. 978-0-316-03993-2.
- Feig, Paul. Ignatius MacFarland: Frequency Freakout!. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. July 1, 2010. 978-0-316-08882-4.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Partially resolvedauthority record
Unverified
Further particulars
Held on the record
Further particulars
Open the remaining particulars
Paul Feig studied at Wayne State University, University of Southern California and Chippewa Valley High School.
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 14 August 2026.
Elsewhere in Film memorabilia
37,408 published records in this field, each with its sources named.
- Paul EddingtonPerson
- Paul EsserPerson
- Paul F. HeardPerson
- Paul FaivrePerson
- Paul FejosPerson
- Paul FitzgeraldPerson
- Paul FixPerson
- Paul FoxPerson
Best supported in this field
For owners
Own a work by Paul Feig?
A specialist will read what you send and tell you what the house can establish, what it cannot, and whether the object is suited to sale. There is no charge and no obligation. The object stays with you throughout; nothing is shipped to us unless it is arranged in writing beforehand.