Craig Ward Anton (born August 28, 1962) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his roles as Mr. Pettus in Lizzie McGuire and Lloyd Diffy in Phil of the Future.
Early life Anton was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska, the eldest son of Antoinette (Akromis) and Arthur Ward Anton. He has a younger brother, Brian, and two sisters, Toni and Megan. Anton graduated from Omaha Burke High School in 1980, and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1996.
Career Anton started acting as a kid in Omaha, Nebraska and made his career as a stand-up comedian at age 17, performing in comedy clubs in 1978 while in high school. He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and graduated in 1983 with a B.A. in Theater and English. Anton began his career as a college circuit comedian in the 1980s. In 1984, he traveled the Mediterranean and Middle East as part of an all-comedy USO tour, spending two months in Turkey, Greece, Bahrain, Italy, Israel and Spain entertaining troops. In 1985, he was named Showtime's Funniest Person in Nebraska. In the late 1980s, Anton moved to New York City and pursued some acting opportunities, then moved to Los Angeles. He currently teaches at SCAD in Savannah, Georgia.
2 Headed Dog He is a member of comedy group 2 Headed Dog with comedians Jim Turner, Mark Fite, and Dave (Gruber) Allen.
First Time Out and MADtv In the fall of 1995, Anton booked two TV pilots in Los Angeles. He was cast as Nathan in The WB sitcom First Time Out which premiered in September and was later cast on the FOX sketch comedy series MADtv in October. Anton's other show First Time Out was quickly cancelled two months after the premiere of MADtv. His most enduring character was Clorox from the "Star Trek: Deep Stain Nine" sketches. Clorox was supposed to be the main nemesis of the sketch and he was loosely based on Q from Star Trek. He impersonated Dennis Miller and Nate Richert before leaving the show in 1998 at the end of the third season.
Other television projects Since leaving MADtv, Anton developed an extensive resume on television. He has made appearances on such television series as Mr. Show with Bob and David, Coach, Boston Legal, Entourage, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The King of Queens, Ally McBeal, Lizzie McGuire, Phil of the Future, Everybody Loves Raymond, Weekends at the D.L., 2 Broke Girls, and Mad Men. After leaving MADtv Craig was cast as Mr. Pettus in Lizzie McGuire. After Season 1 ended Craig Anton left the show. He was eventually cast as Lloyd Diffy in Phil of the Future.
Film projects Anton has appeared in such films as Mail Bonding (1995), Deliver Us From Eva (2003), The Goldfish (2003), Run Ronnie Run (2002), D-WAR (2005), and Careless (2007). He also took part in the feature film is The Mother of Invention (2010).
Voice acting projects In 2004, Anton starred in the animated series Tom Goes to the Mayor. He provided the voice (and body) of one of the city council members.
Tomorrow Show Along with comedians Ron Lynch and Brendon Small, Craig hosted the Tomorrow Show, a weekly live comedy show at the Steve Allen Theater in Los Angeles, California. Though Anton and Small are no longer actively involved with the show the two occasionally make surprise appearances including a yearly anniversary performance.
Personal life Anton married Lesley Gray in September 1994. They have twin daughters, Delphine and Ruby. They currently live in Savannah, Georgia.
Filmography Film YearTitleRoleNotes1993Ice CreamManShort film1995Mail BondingPoet2002Run Ronnie RunHollywood Agent2003Deliver Us From EvaTheo WilsonThe GoldfishDuncan Poole2005D-WARDr. Austin2007CarelessOfficer Bill2010The Mother of InventionJames Gilmore2017JigsawBad Dad2022The Bob's Burgers MovieMr. DowlingVoice role 2025 Bride Hard Mark
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1995–1998First Time OutNathan MADtvVarious CharactersSketch Comedy 1995Mr. Show with Bob and DavidExpert Truck (voice)1996CoachBrian1998Driven to DrinkThe Bartender The Army Show Lt. Branford Handy 1999Random PlayVarious Roles2000Curb Your EnthusiasmCraigSeason 1, Episode 8 ("Beloved Aunt") 2001 Lizzie McGuireMr. PettusLate FridayHimself Ally McBealRoger ClaytonPrimetime GlickVarious Characters2001–2005The King of QueensAs Mitch in "Package Deal" (Season 3), and Neal Berger in "Awed Couple" (Season 7)2002Everybody Loves RaymondNeil2002Live From BaghdadAmerican Hostage #22003LuckyUnknown2004Tom Goes to the MayorCity Council Member/Various (voices)2005Weekends at the DLWinston Sicklebee 2006Boston LegalRay Richardson 2006The OfficeCraigEpisode: "Valentine's Day"2004–2006Phil of the FutureLloyd Diffy 2010True Jackson VPSnackleberry Junction Chef2010WorkaholicsBart2012–2023Bob's BurgersMr. Dowling (voice)4 episodes2013Mad MenFrank Gleason2014The MiddleBob Branderson2014–2015Comedy Bang! Bang!Roger Tamblin and Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Mooselager2 episodes2016Walk the PrankDoug1 episode2022The Girl from PlainvilleSamuel Sutter2 episodes
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