Ike Barinholtz, born Isaac Barinholtz on February 18, 1977, in Chicago, Illinois, is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer.
Raised in the Lakeview neighborhood, he grew up in a supportive, humor-filled household with parents Peggy and Alan Barinholtz, the latter an attorney and actor.
Ike’s Jewish upbringing and education at Bernard Zell Anshe Emet Day School and The Latin School of Chicago shaped his early years.
Initially set on a path toward politics, he attended Boston University but dropped out, finding his true calling in comedy after being inspired by a show at The Vic Theatre.
Siblings
Ike has one sibling, his younger brother Jon Barinholtz, who is also an actor and comedian.
Jon has made a name for himself with roles such as Marcus in the NBC sitcom Superstore and appearances alongside Ike in The Mindy Project, where he played a minor role as one of Peter’s frat brothers.
The brothers share a close bond, rooted in their shared Chicago upbringing and mutual passion for comedy.
Their similar comedic styles—often described as silly, lovable, and slightly absurd—have led to collaborations, including a performance together at the 2012 Chicago Improv Festival.
Jon’s voice and mannerisms are strikingly similar to Ike’s, a fact noted by fans who initially found their resemblance uncanny before learning of their familial connection.
Also Read: Patton Oswalt Siblings: Getting to Know Matt Oswalt
Career
Barinholtz first gained prominence as a cast member on MADtv from 2002 to 2007, where he showcased characters like Dutch, the Abercrombie & Fitch model, and Principal Lankenstein in the Coach Hines sketches.
His time with the improv troupe Boom Chicago in Amsterdam alongside Jordan Peele and Josh Meyers honed his comedic skills.
Barinholtz later joined HBO’s Eastbound & Down in 2012 as Ivan Dochenko, a Russian rival to Kenny Powers, and became a fan favorite as nurse Morgan Tookers on The Mindy Project (2012–2017), where he also served as a writer and story editor.
His film credits include Neighbors (2014), Sisters (2015), Suicide Squad (2016), and The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent (2022).
Barinholtz co-wrote the 2016 action-comedy Central Intelligence and wrote, directed, produced, and starred in the 2018 dark comedy The Oath.
More recently, he appeared in The Afterparty (2022), History of the World, Part II (2023), and The Studio (2025–present).
His work extends to voice acting in Bless the Harts (2019–2021) and improv with The Lindbergh Babies, a group directed by comedy legend Del Close.
Accolades
In 2023, Barinholtz won the inaugural primetime season of Celebrity Jeopardy!, securing $1,000,000 for Pacific Clinics and earning a spot as a semifinalist in the 2024 Tournament of Champions, where he defeated 13-game winner Ray Lalonde in the quarterfinals.
His competitive streak continued in 2024 when he and his father, Alan, became the first duo to win $1,000,000 on the revamped Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, benefiting the ASL Program at Los Encinos School, where Jon’s son, Dezi, attends.
Ike’s performance on Jeopardy! was lauded by Slate as that of a “chaos agent,” highlighting his ability to blend humor with sharp intellect.
Beyond game shows, Barinholtz received an IMDb STARmeter Award at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival for his work on The Studio, alongside creators Evan Goldberg, Frida Perez, and James Weaver.
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