# Sam Pancake

Sam Pancake (born May 10, 1964) is an American actor, improviser, writer, and comedian. He began his career with small roles in TV and film, such as Wings in 1990 and Pizza Man in 1991.

## Early life

Sam Pancake was raised in Romney, West Virginia, with siblings Chet Pancake, an American filmmaker, and Ann Pancake, an American novelist. Sam is also a distant relative of Breece D'J Pancake. Sam's father, Joe S. Pancake, was a Presbyterian minister, and later in life, a social worker. His mother, Robin Pancake, was a high-school teacher. Both parents attended university, and encouraged their children to pursue the arts, which Sam's sister Ann Pancake credits to the siblings' creativity.

## Education

Pancake graduated from Hampshire High School in West Virginia and graduated cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts in theater from West Virginia University in 1990. After graduation, Pancake moved to Los Angeles, where he still resides.

## Career

Sam Pancake was 26 when made his first on-screen appearance in the TV show Wings in 1990. Pancake has appeared as Alfie Copper in Where The Bears Are and James Alan Spangler in Arrested Development (between 2003 and 2004). He hosts his own show, Monday Afternoon Movie, a weekly podcast focusing on a different 1970's TV movie each week.

## Filmography

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1990 | Wings | Deliveryman |
| 1991 | Pizza Man | The Kid |
| 1991 | True Colors | Howard |
| 1995 | Cagney & Lacey: Together Again | Roy Osmond |
| 1995 | Fast Company | Mr. Ashton |
| 1996 | Scream, Teen, Scream | Henry |
| 1997 | Interruptions | Brian |
| 1997 | Blue Heat: The Case of the Cover Girl Murders | Vernon Breen |
| 1998 | The Thin Pink Line | Randy Nephews |
| 1998 | God | Margaret's Husband |
| 1998 | Gia | Francesco Stylist |
| 1998 | The Hughleys | The Salesman |
| 1999 | Can't Stop Dancing | Commercial Casting Agent |
| 1999 | G vs E | Oliver |
| 1999 | Angel | Manager |
| 2000 | Color Me Gay | Lisping Office Homo |
| 2000 | Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye | Mackey's Secretary |
| 2000 | Cover Me | Jerome |
| 2000 | Any Day Now | Hollis |
| 2001 | Spyder Games | Motel Clerk |
| 2001 | Curb Your Enthusiasm | Michael Halbreich |
| 2002 | The King of Queens | Desk Clerk |
| 2002 | Yes, Dear | Waiter |
| 2002 | Friends | The Waiter |
| 2003 | Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde | Kevin |
| 2003 | Girls Will Be Girls | Brad |
| 2003 | The West Wing | Stu Winkle |
| 2003 | Charmed | Skreek |
| 2003 | Friends | The Waiter |
| 2004 | Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! | Hotel Clerk |
| 2004 | Straight-Jacket | Tour Guide |
| 2004 | Good Morning, Miami | Jordy |
| 2004 | NYPD Blue | James Westphal |
| 2004 | Will & Grace | Jimmy |
| 2004 | Arrested Development | James Alan Spangler |
| 2004 | Life with Bonnie | Constance / Chance / Juggler |
| 2005 | The Life Coach | Tracy Neustadt |
| 2005 | A Lot like Love | Hipster at Party |
| 2005 | All of Us | Paul the Wedding Planner |
| 2005 | Fat Actress | Man in Car |
| 2005 | Kitchen Confidential | Cameron |
| 2006 | A-List | Bruce |
| 2006 | Without a Trace | Michael Mills |
| 2006 | American Dad! | Waiter |
| 2006 | Lovespring International | Burke Kristopher |
| 2007 | Cook Off! | David Lord |
| 2008 | Ready? OK! | Mable |
| 2008 | Over Her Dead Body | Bill |
| 2008 | Just Ask Mike | Jay |
| 2008 | Untitled Victoria Pile Project | Medical Examiner |
| 2008 | Chocolate News | Father Wayne Stephens |
| 2009 | Falling Up | Ray |
| 2009 | Pushing Daisies | Denny Downs |
| 2010 | Barry Munday | D.J. |
| 2010 | Gaysharktank.com | |
| 2010 | 'Til Death | Stewart |
| 2010 | $#*! My Dad Says | Lawrence |
| 2010-12 | Pretty the Series | Michael Champagne |
| 2011 | Qwerty | Chase |
| 2011 | Half-Share | Michael No |
| 2011 | Holiday Engagement | Julian |
| 2011 | Svetlana | Jared |
| 2012 | Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva la Fiesta! | Frederick |
| 2012 | Living Will | Nurse Sam |
| 2012 | Something Real | |
| 2012 | The Penis Files | Sam Smithhoff Hopeful |
| 2012 | Waffle Hut | Del Handle |
| 2012 | Parenthood | Adam's Makeup Artist |
| 2012 | She's Living for This | |
| 2013 | Out West | Travis Lennon |
| 2013 | Paragon School for Girls | Mrs. Copperpenny |
| 2013 | Jessie | Simon Sneed |
| 2014 | Space Station 76 | Saul |
| 2014 | The Hungover Games | Tracey |
| 2014 | Growing Up Fisher | Kevin |
| 2014 | From Here on OUT | Richard |
| 2014 | Hit the Floor | Wendall |
| 2014 | Los Feliz, 90027 | Sal Malone |
| 2014 | Where the Bears Are | Alfie Cooper |
| 2015 | You're Killing Me | Dr. Strauss |
| 2015 | Cougar Town | Mr. Danner |
| 2015 | Truth Be Told | Stephen |
| 2015 | Not Looking | Homeless Nathan |
| 2016 | The Family Lamp | Sam |
| 2016 | Transparent | Drag Blair |
| 2016 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Pyotr |
| 2016 | Documentary Now! | Ed Brulay |
| 2016 | Major Crimes | George Greenwood |
| 2016 | Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life | Donald |
| 2016 | Last Will and Testicle | Doctor |
| 2016 | Neil Patrick and Harris | Clarke |
| 2017 | Linda from HR | Oren Ferver |
| 2017 | Losing It | Kevin |
| 2017 | The Mick | Oliver Fishburn |
| 2017 | His Wives and Daughters | Nathan Markham |
| 2017 | Pilot Season | Sam |
| 2018 | Dumplin' | Dale |
| 2018 | The Untitled Lucy Davis & Kimberly Aboltin Project | Frank |
| 2018–2023 | A Million Little Things | Carter French |
| 2019 | Abby's | Richard |
| 2020 | Equal | Dick Leitsch |
| 2020–2021 | Search Party | Patrick |

## Personal life

Pancake is gay and notes that he most often portrays gay characters in films and television series. Pancake is single and had at least one previous relationship which was unknown to the media. He has no children.