# John Michael Higgins

John Michael Higgins (born February 12, 1963) is an American actor, game show host, and comedian whose film credits include Christopher Guest's mockumentaries, the role of David Letterman in HBO's The Late Shift, and a starring role in the American version of Kath & Kim. He portrayed Peter Lovett in the TV Land original sitcom Happily Divorced and provided the voice of Iknik Blackstone Varrick in The Legend of Korra and Mini-Max in Big Hero 6: The Series. He also starred in the NBC sitcom Great News as Chuck Pierce for two seasons. From 2018-2022, he hosted the game show America Says, which earned him a 2019 Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Game Show Host. Higgins attended Amherst College, graduating in 1985 and was a member of the a cappella group the Zumbyes. Starting on April 17, 2023, he began hosting the new version of the game show Split Second on Game Show Network.

## Career

In the early 1980s Higgins was a theatre instructor with Street 70, a theatre production company in Rockville, Maryland that is now known as Round House Theatre. He also taught voice and improvisation. In 1991, Higgins was featured in Broadway's La Bête, and in 2000 he was seen Off-Broadway at Second Stage Theatre in a production of Edward Albee's Tiny Alice. He also originated the title role in Paul Rudnick's Jeffrey Off-Broadway in 1993.
Higgins's numerous television credits include recurring characters on Ally McBeal, Brother's Keeper, Boston Legal and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show. In Season 8 of Seinfeld, he portrayed Elaine's boyfriend Kurt. He also played attorney Wayne Jarvis in five episodes of Arrested Development. Higgins arranged the dense vocal harmonies sung by the nine-part ("neuftet") New Main Street Singers in 2003's A Mighty Wind, a change from the writers' original concept of having the group sing in unison, leveraged by Higgins' musical talent.
Higgins gained more recognition by being featured in the films Fun with Dick and Jane, Pitch Perfect and its sequels, and The Break-Up, for which he also wrote vocal arrangements. His work as a voice actor includes the roles of Judge Mentok in Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law, 2401 Penitent Tangent in Halo 2, and Riddler in Batman: The Brave and the Bold. Higgins also portrayed David Letterman in the HBO TV film The Late Shift. Higgins was seen in the pre-show video for the Epcot attraction Test Track. However, the ride was refurbished in 2012 and the pre-show room was removed.
Higgins directs and appears on the stage from time to time as well. In 2004, he played Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld in the American premiere of David Hare's Stuff Happens at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In 2003, he played the title role in A. R. Gurney's Big Bill at New York's Lincoln Center Theater.
Higgins has been featured in TV ads for DirecTV, alongside fellow co-stars Christopher Guest and Ed Begley Jr., and for Old Navy. He also stars in the second season of TNT's Raising the Bar as an openly gay, rule-obsessed judge. Higgins took part in The Suite Life on Deck, taking the role of the sinister and secluded Mr. Tipton.
In 2011, Higgins was cast in Happily Divorced opposite Fran Drescher. He played Fran's gay ex-husband, Peter Lovett, a character based on Drescher's real-life ex-husband Peter Marc Jacobson. In 2012, Higgins was cast as the voice of vain and eccentric businessman Iknik Blackstone Varrick in The Legend of Korra. From 2017 to 2018, Higgins starred as Chuck Pierce on the NBC comedy series Great News.
Higgins became the host of the game show America Says in 2018. Coincidentally, he played a game show host 14 years earlier in a season 3 episode of the TV comedy/drama detective series Monk. Since 2019, Higgins has appeared in TV commercials for Omaha-based Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. In 2020, Higgins began appearing in a series of adverts for 123.ie, an Irish insurance company. Higgins played the role of Principal Toddman in the 2020 Peacock comedy series Saved by the Bell, which was created by Tracey Wigfield.

## Personal life

Higgins married actress and writer Margaret Welsh on February 1, 2003. They met in Connecticut while actors in George Bernard Shaw's play, Arms and the Man. He never wanted to date a workmate or marry an actress until he met his wife. They have two children, a daughter and a son.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | National Lampoon's Class of '86 | Various characters | |
| 1988 | Vampire's Kiss | Ed | |
| 1997 | G.I. Jane | Chief of Staff | |
| 1997 | Wag the Dog | John Levy | |
| 1999 | Bicentennial Man | Bill Feingold | |
| 2000 | Seven Days to Live [de] | Social Worker | |
| 2000 | Best in Show | Scott Donlan | |
| 2001 | The Man Who Wasn't There | Emergency Room Physician | Uncredited |
| 2002 | Teddy Bears' Picnic | Whit Summers | |
| 2003 | A Mighty Wind | Terry Bohner | |
| 2004 | Jiminy Glick in Lalawood | Andre Devine | |
| 2004 | After the Sunset | Hotel Manager | Uncredited |
| 2004 | Killer Diller | Deermont | |
| 2004 | Blade: Trinity | Dr. Edgar Vance |
| 2005 | English as a Second Language | Norman Benjamin | |
| 2005 | Fun with Dick and Jane | Garth | |
| 2006 | The Break-Up | Richard Meyers | |
| 2006 | For Your Consideration | Corey Taft | |
| 2007 | Evan Almighty | Marty Stringer | |
| 2007 | Fred Claus | Willie | |
| 2007 | Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story | Record producer | Uncredited |
| 2008 | Yes Man | Nick | |
| 2009 | Still Waiting... | Dennis | |
| 2009 | The Ugly Truth | Larry | |
| 2009 | Fired Up | Coach Keith | |
| 2009 | Couples Retreat | Therapist | |
| 2010 | The Burying Beetle | Philip | Short film |
| 2011 | Bad Teacher | Principal Wally Snur | |
| 2011 | 6 Month Rule | Paul | |
| 2011 | We Bought a Zoo | Walter Ferris | |
| 2012 | My Uncle Rafael | Damon | |
| 2012 | Big Miracle | Wes Handrick | |
| 2012 | Tom and Jerry: Robin Hood and His Merry Mouse | Prince John | Voice |
| 2012 | Pitch Perfect | John Smith | |
| 2013 | Rapture-Palooza | Mr. Lewis | |
| 2013 | Super Buddies | Drex | Voice |
| 2013 | The Best Man Holiday | Stan | |
| 2014 | A Million Ways to Die in the West | Dandy #1 | |
| 2014 | Planes: Fire & Rescue | Cad | Voice |
| 2014 | Tell | Huffman | |
| 2014 | Breaking the Bank | Richard Grinding | |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | John Smith | |
| 2016 | Is That a Gun in Your Pocket? | Mayor Wally | |
| 2016 | Sundown | Dad | |
| 2016 | Internet Famous | Dave Larson | |
| 2016 | Mascots | Upton French | |
| 2016 | Almost Christmas | Brooks | |
| 2017 | Shimmer Lake | Brad Dawkins | |
| 2017 | Pitch Perfect 3 | John Smith | |
| 2017 | Reality High | Principal Dixon | |
| 2018 | Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Riddler | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2018 | Status Update | Mr. Moody | |
| 2019 | Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island | Alan Smithee | Voice, direct-to-video |
| 2021 | Licorice Pizza | Jerry Frick | |
| 2022 | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie | Warren Stone | Voice |
| 2022 | The Curse of Bridge Hollow | Principal Floyd | |
| 2024 | Prom Dates | Principal Lundy | |
| 2025 | Spinal Tap II | | Filming |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | Miami Vice | Murray Phillips | Episode: "Hell Hath No Fury" |
| 1991 | Mathnet | I. M. Uppwardd | Episode: "The Case of the Poconos Paradise" |
| 1994 | The George Carlin Show | Dan Goodwin | Episode: "George Expresses Himself" |
| 1996 | Cybill | Chip | Episode: "Cybill Does Diary" |
| 1996 | The Late Shift | David Letterman | Television film |
| 1997 | Seinfeld | Kurt | Episode: "The Little Jerry" |
| 1997 | Weird Science | Timidius | Episode: "I, Chettus" |
| 1997 | Party of Five | Glenn | Episode: "S'Wunnerful Life" |
| 1997–1998 | Honey, I Shrunk the Kids: The TV Show | Ar'nox | 3 episodes |
| 1998 | From the Earth to the Moon | Master of Ceremonies | Episode: "The Original Wives Club" |
| 1998 | Nothing Sacred | Father Jesse O'Connell | Episode: "HIV Priest! Film at Eleven" |
| 1998 | Guys Like Us | Mr. Levin | Episode: "Maestro's First Crush" |
| 1998–1999 | Brother's Keeper | Mark | 3 episodes |
| 1998–1999 | Mad About You | Patrick | 2 episodes |
| 2000 | Get Real | George Clark | Episode: "Guilt" |
| 2000 | Movie Stars | Kurt Mason | Episode: "Who's on First?" |
| 2000–2002 | Ally McBeal | Steven Milter | 13 episodes |
| 2001 | Bette | Alex Berringer | Episode: "Big Business" |
| 2001 | Frasier | William | Episode: "It Takes Two to Tangle" |
| 2001 | Gideon's Crossing | Dr. Plummer | Episode: "The Mistake" |
| 2002 | George Lopez | Charles | Episode: "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, Honey" |
| 2002–2007, 2018 | Harvey Birdman, Attorney at Law | Mentok the Mindtaker, Zardo, Grape Ape, additional voices | Voice, 31 episodes |
| 2003 | Monte Walsh | Robert Slocum | Television film |
| 2003–2006 | Arrested Development | Wayne Jarvis | 5 episodes |
| 2004 | Game Over | Sully, additional voices | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2004 | Higglytown Heroes | Tow Truck Driver Hero | Voice, episode: "All Tire'd Out" |
| 2004 | Monk | Roddy Lankman | Episode: "Mr. Monk and the Game Show" |
| 2004 | Boston Legal | Jerry Austin | 2 episodes |
| 2005 | Joey | Albert | 2 episodes |
| 2006 | So Notorious | Phillip Walker | Episode: "Whole" |
| 2006 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Anthony Caprice | Episode: "Time of Your Death" |
| 2008–2009 | Kath & Kim | Phil Knight | 17 episodes |
| 2009 | NUMB3RS | Floyd Mayborne | Episode: "Dreamland" |
| 2009 | Raising the Bar | Judge Albert Farnsworth | 9 episodes |
| 2009–2010 | Community | Professor Eustice Whitman | 3 episodes |
| 2010 | Glee | Russell | Episode: "Dream On" |
| 2010 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Various | Voice, episode: "Funshine, USA" |
| 2010 | Psych | Clive Prescott | Episode: "Chivalry Is Not Dead... But Someone Is" |
| 2010 | Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Riddler | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Human Target | Richard Applebaum | Episode: "The Other Side of the Mall" |
| 2010–2011 | Glory Daze | Brother Jerrod | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | The Suite Life on Deck | Wilfred Tipton | Episode: "Twister: Part 3" |
| 2011 | Man Up! | Mr. Tipton | Episode: "Camping" |
| 2011–2013 | Happily Divorced | Peter Lovett | 34 episodes |
| 2011–2013 | The Good Wife | Rodney Jesko | 2 episodes |
| 2011–2014 | Wilfred | Dr. Cahill | 4 episodes |
| 2012 | Doc McStuffins | Star Blaster Zero | Voice, episode: "Blast Off!" |
| 2012 | Cars Toons | Stanley | Voice, episode: "Time Travel Mater" |
| 2012–2014 | Sullivan & Son | Gary Barton | 3 episodes |
| 2012–present | Bob's Burgers | Doug Wheeler, additional voices | Voice, 12 episodes |
| 2013 | Men at Work | Lindsey Tucker | Episode: "The New Boss" |
| 2013 | Good Morning Today | Reverend Jeremiah Phelps | Voice, Episode: "Episode Three" |
| 2013–2014 | The Legend of Korra | Varrick, additional voices | Voice, 22 episodes |
| 2014 | Mike & Molly | Dr. Gayle Rosen | Episode: "Mind Over Molly" |
| 2014 | Terry the Tomboy | Doctor Larry | Television film |
| 2014 | Phineas and Ferb | Additional voices | Episode: "Phineas and Ferb: Star Wars" |
| 2014 | Franklin & Bash | Dominic | Episode: "Love Is the Drug" |
| 2014 | Jessie | Carlisle | Episode: "Between the Swoon and New York City" |
| 2014–2017 | Sofia the First | Flambeau | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2014–2015 | Instant Mom | Hoyt Ebnetter | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Turbo FAST | Pasadena Paul, Trash Fire Snail | Voice, episode: "Groundhog, Stay!" |
| 2015 | Switched at Birth | Larry Shimingo | Episode: "Borrowing Your Enemy's Arrows" |
| 2015 | Jesse Stone: Lost in Paradise | Evan | Television film |
| 2015 | Adam Ruins Everything | Sommelier | Episode: "Adam Ruins Restaurants" |
| 2016–2018 | Angie Tribeca | Dr. Zaius and Randall "Randy" Zaius | 3 episodes |
| 2016 | The Tom and Jerry Show | Uncle Harry | Voice, episode: "Say Uncle" |
| 2016 | 2 Broke Girls | Elliot | Episode: "And the Pity Party Bus" |
| 2016–2017 | All Hail King Julien | Barty | Voice, 7 episodes |
| 2016 | Tween Fest | Todd Crawford | 8 episodes |
| 2016 | Awkward | Garrett Gibson | Episode: "Happy Campers. Happier Trails" |
| 2017–2018 | Great News | Chuck Pierce | 23 episodes |
| 2017 | Dropping the Soap | Flock Deluge | Episode: "Man Musk" |
| 2017 | Niko and the Sword of Light | King Scampi | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2017 | Goldie & Bear | Pops Weasel | Voice, episode: "Pops Goes the Weasel" |
| 2018–2020 | Big Hero 6: The Series | Mini-Max, additional voices | Voice, 25 episodes |
| 2018–2022 | America Says | Himself (host) | 540+ episodes Nominated - Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show Host (2019) |
| 2018 | Drunk History | Wilhelm Von Osten | Episode: "Animals" |
| 2018–2020 | F Is for Family | Dr. McCallister | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2018–2019 | Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Warren Stone | Voice, 6 episodes |
| 2019 | Just Roll with It | General Caleb Barnswallow | Episode: "General Nuisance" |
| 2019 | Archibald's Next Big Thing | Tolby | Voice, episode: "The Enchanted Mansion" |
| 2019 | Sunnyside | Wallace Furley | Episode: "The Ethiopian Executioner" |
| 2020 | Single Parents | Bud Cooper | Episode: "The Angie-Man" |
| 2020–2021 | Saved by the Bell | Principal Toddman | Main role |
| 2021 | Monsters at Work | Argus | Voice, episode: "The Cover Up" |
| 2022 | Celebrity Jeopardy! | Himself (Contestant) | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | Super Pumped | Michael Ovitz | Episode: "Grow or Die" |
| 2022 | Tab Time | Burnie | 8 episodes |
| 2023 | Split Second | Himself (host) | Also executive producer |
| 2023 | Family Guy | Kidnapper #1 | Voice, episode: "Snap(ple) Decision" |
| 2023–2024 | Baby Shark's Big Show! | Mayor Anchovy | Voice, 15 episodes |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | Halo 2 | 2401 Penitent Tangent | |
| 2008 | Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law | Mentok the Mindtaker | |

### Theme park attractions

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Test Track | Bill McKim | Under GM-sponsored iteration from 1999 to 2012 |