David Wain

David Wain, born August 1, 1969 in Shaker Heights, Ohio where he was a student of the Shaker Theatre Arts Department, is a Jewish-American writer, actor, comedian, and director, best known for the feature film Wet Hot American Summer, the 90s sketch comedy series The State, and the Comedy Central show Stella, based on the stage comedy and short films of the comedy troupe by the same. Wain was a founding member of Stella, along with Michael Showalter and Michael Ian Black. Stella uses absurdist humor, and in addition to their stage act and their show, have a series of 22 short films. Wain directed and co-wrote all of the shorts with Showalter and Black. Stella also appeared on the show Comedy Central Presents with an hour of their taped standup routine. Wain was a featured commentator in the I Love the 70s series, I Love the 90s Part Deux series, and the weekly VH1 show Best Week Ever.

A graduate of New York University (NYU) film school, Wain first began his career as a writer/director in 1991, with the short film Aisle Six. The film stars Thomas Lennon, Joe Lo Truglio, Michael Patrick Jann as well as other cast members from The State. Wain acted in Bamboozled, Along Came Polly, Keeping The Faith, Anchorman, and Michael Showalter's The Baxter along with fellow Stella member Michael Ian Black.

David Wain is currently directing his second feature film, The Ten.

He has worked on many other shows and short films, often writing or directing but sometimes acting in them as well. Some of the better-known shows he has worked on are MADtv, You Wrote It, You Watch It, Sheep in the Big City, Idiot Savants, Random Play, Best Week Ever, I Love the 70's, The Daily Show, Crank Yankers, and Strangers With Candy. Wain has also dabbled in Theatre and writing. He and Michael Showalter wrote the play "SEX, aka Wieners and Boobs". With the state, Wain co-wrote the book "State by State with The State". David Wain currently lives in New York City.