You may or may not know his name, but you’ve probably seen—or heard about—his videos.
Andy Samberg, a Jewish comedian and cast member of “Saturday Night Live,” (SNL) is famous for creating and starring in such comic and raunchy music videos as “Motherlover,” “I’m on a Boat,” “D__ in a Box,” and “Lazy Sunday,” collaborating with entertainers like Justin Timberlake and Natalie Portman. His videos appear as SNL digital shorts and then rocket their way to YouTube fame.
In addition to seeing Samberg on “Saturday Night Live” and on YouTube, you can see him live at the JUF’s Young Leadership Division’s (YLD) second annual Big Event on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The comedian’s videos have garnered several Emmy nominations and awards and broken records on YouTube. For instance, the music video “Lazy Sunday” collaboration with SNL alum Chris Parnell, marked Samberg’s breakthrough performance on the sketch comedy show. Then, the video became an internet phenomenon with more than 5 million hits on YouTube within a few days of the video airing on television.
A Berkeley native, Samberg recently starred opposite actors Paul Rudd and Jason Segal in the movie “I Love You, Man” about a groom’s search for a best friend and best man at his wedding. And, this fall, Samberg’s voice was showcased in the animated feature film “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”
Samberg, alongside his comedy troupe Lonely Island partners Akiva Schaffer and Jorma Taccone, released their album “Incredibad” earlier this year, the first full-length album to reach the number one spot on iTunes. The comedian also recently hosted the 2009 MTV Movie Awards and started his fifth season on “Saturday Night Live” this fall.
The second annual Big Event will launch YLD’s 2010 Campaign and will feature an evening with Samberg. The event will take place on Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6:00 pm at the Swissotel Chicago, and will include hors d’ Oeuvres, open bar, and dessert reception and after-party.
Last year, in its inaugural year, YLD’s Big Event, which featured Hassidic Reggae star Matisyahu, drew more than 700 people, making it the single biggest Campaign event in YLD’s history.
This time around, YLD hopes to draw an even larger crowd—both to entertain and to spread the word about the important work that JUF/JF and YLD do. “People are coming out of the woodwork and signing up for the event—we are excited to be attracting people who traditionally have not been involved with YLD,” said Jonathan Rutman, YLD’s 2010 Campaign vice president. “Last year’s turnout was amazing and we are expecting to set an even bigger attendance record this year! Samberg is a huge draw, but the response is also a great reflection on our community’s support for the work that Federation does.”
Tickets to YLD’s Big Event cost $75 per person (not tax-deductible) and require a gift to the 2010 JUF Annual Campaign. The minimum requirement is a match or increase to your previous JUF gift. If you have not given to JUF in the past, you are required to make a gift. For more information, contact the YLD office at (312) 357-4880 or YLD@JUF.org.
