Eric Petersen is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021–2022), and for playing the title character in the first US national tour of Shrek The Musical (2010).
Early life and education Petersen was born in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and attended Glenbard North High School. He began acting during his freshman year of high school, after quitting the football team and subsequently missing soccer tryouts. His friend suggested that he audition for a role in the school production of The Hobbit, and the experience of playing that role inspired him to continue acting. Afterwards, he attended Bradley University, where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in theater. When he was 18, he had corrective surgery to address issues with his eyes.https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/five-burning-questions-with-school-of-rock-star-eric-petersen/
Career After graduating from Bradley, Petersen took a role on the US national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He played William Barfee, one of the contestants in the eponymous spelling bee. He followed this effort with Shrek the Musical, serving as an understudy for the title character. When Shrek began its first national tour in 2010, Petersen served in the titular role.
Living in New York City at the time, Petersen made the transition into TV with a two-episode arc in the long-running soap opera As the World Turns. He played a "Bad Santa"-type criminal who held one of the main characters hostage as part of an attempted robbery. He followed this with a series of bit parts in shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. In 2012, Petersen was cast as a series lead in Giant Baby, later renamed Kirstie, where he starred as Arlo, the long-lost son of Madison Banks (Kirstie Alley).
In 2021, Petersen starred opposite Annie Murphy as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself. Petersen's character was meant to channel the stereotypical "sitcom husband", in the style of The King of Queens, The Honeymooners, and Family Guy, while revealing the dissatisfaction of Murphy's character, Allison.
Eric and producer Danny Jordan host the podcast; Christmas Countdown Show, in which the hosts countdown topics such as movies, TV, music, and special experiences. Eric also co-hosts the Perfect Albums Podcast with producer Chris Sisley. In each episode, the hosts talk about an album that they think is (basically) perfect.
Personal life Petersen married musical theater actress Lisa Marie Morabito, in 2007. They have two children.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2009 Evan and Gareth Are Trying to Get Laid Hank TV film 2013 Life with Maddie Arlo Barth Short film 2014 The Brittany Murphy Story Simon Monjack TV film Naughty & Nice Jonah TV film 2018 Groomzilla Scoot TV film The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Boarder Anthology film 2021 Raunch and Roll Nia's father
Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 As the World Turns Santa #1 2 episodes 2010 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Jake Episode: "Quickie" Law & Order Anderson Leavitt Episode: "Brazil" Outlaw Stan Zaret Episode: "Pilot" 2011 Modern Family Tree Salesman Episode: "Express Christmas" 2012 GCB Angus Horvath Episode: "Turn the Other Cheek" Jessie Dr. Cyrus Van Adams Episode: "We Are So Grounded"2012–13Pair of KingsCatawampus3 episodes 2013–14 Kirstie Arlo Barth Series regular 2014 The Big Bang Theory Eric Episode: "The Locomotive Manipulation" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Todd Burris Episode: "Consumed" 2015 F'd Ronnie Episode: "Trapped in the Closet" Kirby Buckets Mr. Gibonson Episode: "Balloonacy!" (voice role) 2016 NCIS 'Pale' Dale Matteson Episode: "Shell Game" 2019 Sydney to the Max Don 3 episodes 2020–21 Madagascar: A Little Wild Ant'ney, various voice roles 19 episodes 2021–22 Kevin Can F**k Himself Kevin McRoberts Main role 2022 Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty Stan Episode: "Memento Mori" 2023 The Curse Dennis (mistakenly credited as "Eric Peterson") Episode: "It's a Good Day"2026The BeautyGunther ForstEpisode: "
Theatre YearTitleRoleNotes 2006–07 The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee William Barfee US national tour 2009–10Shrek the MusicalShrek Broadway Understudy/Standby 2010–11 US national tour 2012–13 Peter and the Starcatcher Ted Off-Broadway Replacement 2015 Elf Buddy North American tour 2016-17 School of Rock Dewey Broadway Replacement 2017Escape to MargaritavilleBrick North American tour2018 Original Broadway cast Mamma MiaBill AustinWells Fargo Pavilion 2019 Something Rotten! Nick Bottom Musical Theatre West
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Work Result Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated Program Madagascar: A Little Wild
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