Dax Shepard

American actorTemplate:SHORTDESC:American actor[[Category:**Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'Module:Pagetype/config' not found.**s with short description]]

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**Dax Randall Shepard** (born January 2, 1975) is an American actor, writer, director and podcast host. He is best known for his work in the feature films *Without a Paddle* (2004), *Zathura: A Space Adventure* (2005), *Employee of the Month* (2006), *Idiocracy* (2006), *Let's Go to Prison* (2006), *Hit and Run* (2012), and *CHiPs* (2017), the last pair of which he also wrote and directed, and the MTV practical joke reality series *Punk'd* (2003). He portrayed Crosby Braverman in the NBC comedy-drama series *Parenthood* from 2010 to 2015. Since 2018, he has hosted the popular podcast *Armchair Expert*. He played Luke Matthews in the Netflix show *The Ranch* and co-stars in *ABC*'s *Bless This Mess*.

## Early life

Shepard was born in Highland Township, Oakland County, Michigan, in suburban Detroit. He is the son of Laura LaBo, who worked at General Motors (GM), and David Robert "Dave" Shepard, Sr.(deceased), who was a car salesman. His parents divorced when he was 3 years old.

Shepard's mother developed a substantial business by the time he was in high school. She worked car shows with traveling events at race tracks. She started as a janitor on the midnight shift at GM, then worked in fleet management at the GM proving grounds in Milford, Michigan, then hosted hospitality days for all the GM family members, eventually moving into public relations at an ad agency. She went back to GM, becoming the owner of four shops that managed publicity events for magazine journalists. From the age of 14 to 18, Shepard worked for his mother on the road, going from racetrack to racetrack. For about two years, Shepard had a stepfather who was an engineer on the Corvette. Shepard's mother has been married four times; Shepard said he's had three stepfathers.

According to Shepard, his mother named him for the rich playboy Dax (Diogenes Alejandro Xenos), in Harold Robbins' novel *The Adventurers*. He has an older brother, David Shepard, who lives in Oregon, and a younger half-sister, Carly Hatter, whom he cast in two films: 2012's *Hit and Run* and 2017's *CHiPs*.

Shepard has said that he was raised in Milford, although he lived in a lot of places in suburban Detroit, growing up primarily in Walled Lake, Michigan. He graduated from Walled Lake Central High School in 1993 before enrolling in The Groundlings school. After attending Santa Monica College and West Los Angeles College, Shepard transferred to UCLA, where he graduated *magna cum laude* with a B.A. in Anthropology. He had a deal with his mother that if he went to college she would pay his rent.

Shepard has said he wasn't interested in child-acting per se. He was a class clown in school, had a sense he was funny, and wanted to do stand-up. He has also said that he was more excited about being on talk shows than he was actually acting. Although he had friends who did stand-up in Detroit, he was too scared. Shepard thought if he moved to California "that commitment would force him to do it."

## Career

 File:Dax Shepard at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival.JPG
After a year in Santa Barbara, California, Shepard moved to Los Angeles in 1996. He found out about The Groundlings improv troupe from a friend from Santa Barbara, Kareem Elseify, ended up auditioning (the first time he acted), and took classes while also attending UCLA. After about five years of classes, he got into the Sunday Company of The Groundlings—in a group that included Melissa McCarthy, Fortune Feimster, Tate Taylor and Nat Faxon.

From 2003 onwards, Shepard became known from his work in the improv Candid Camera-type show, *Punk'd,* with Ashton Kutcher. When the show had its 2012 revival, he continued to appear. Shepard said he auditioned for *Punk'd* and while doing the pilot became friendly with Kutcher, who arranged for him to get an agent. He had auditioned unsuccessfully for 10 years before landing the role in *Punk'd*, his first.

In 2004, Shepard starred in the comedy *Without a Paddle*, alongside Seth Green and Matthew Lillard. Although the film received negative reviews, it was a commercial success that as of 2009 had grossed more than US$65 million worldwide. In 2005 he starred as The Astronaut in *Zathura: A Space Adventure*, a science fiction adventure fantasy film. In 2006, he appeared with Dane Cook and Jessica Simpson in the comedy *Employee of the Month* and in Mike Judge's film *Idiocracy* as the character Frito.

During the same time, Shepard began appearing in more films and landed his first main character role in *Let's Go to Prison* (2006), alongside Will Arnett and Chi McBride. He also had a main role in the 2008 comedy *Baby Mama*, starring opposite Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Shepard wrote the script for the Paramount venture *Get 'Em Wet*, in which he again appeared with Arnett. In 2010, he wrote, directed and starred in the low-budget satirical mockumentary feature *Brother's Justice*; the film won an Audience Award at the 2010 Austin Film Festival. He also had a supporting role in the 2010 romantic comedy film *When in Rome*, which also starred his future wife Kristen Bell.

From 2010 to 2015, Shepard was part of the main cast of the NBC drama *Parenthood*, playing Crosby Braverman.

 File:Kristen Bell Dax Shepard.jpg
Shepard wrote, produced, co-directed, and starred in the 2012 low-budget film *Hit and Run* alongside Bell and his close friend Bradley Cooper. He said the movie, which includes numerous car chases and fast driving scenes, allowed him to live out his *Smokey and the Bandit* fantasy.

Shepard had a supporting role in the 2014 film *The Judge*, which starred Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall and Vera Farmiga.

In September 2014, Dax starred with his wife, Kristen Bell, in a commercial for the Samsung Galaxy Tab S. It was so popular (with over 20 million YouTube views) that they did another commercial for the holiday season. The ad agency McKinney was behind both.

Shepard wrote and directed a feature-length film called *CHiPs,* based on the 1977 to 1983 American crime drama of the same name, where he starred as Officer Jon Baker alongside Michael Peña as Frank "Ponch" Poncherello. The project was released by Warner Bros. on March 24, 2017 to negative reviews.

On February 14, 2018 Shepard launched the podcast *Armchair Expert* with cohost Monica Padman. The show explores the stories of their well-known guests. Featured guests on the show have included Kristen Bell, Ashton Kutcher, Will Ferrell, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus . On June 7, 2018 the show released their first episode of "Experts on Expert", in which Shepard and Padman interview experts in their fields. Featured experts on the show have included psychologist Wendy Mogel, comedian and author David Sedaris, and speechwriter Jon Favreau. The show was the most popular new podcast on iTunes in 2018. On December 3, 2019, it was revealed the Shepard will be a host of the revived *Top Gear America*, which will debut on Motor Trend in Spring 2020.

## Personal life

### Relationships

Shepard met actress Kristen Bell, also a native of Detroit's northern suburbs, at the birthday party of a mutual friend; they began dating in late 2007. The couple announced their engagement in January 2010; however, they decided to delay marriage until the state of California passed legislation legalizing same-sex marriage. After section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court on June 26, 2013, Bell asked Shepard through Twitter to marry her, which he accepted. They were married at the Beverly Hills County Clerk's Office on October 17, 2013. They have two daughters, Lincoln and Delta, born in March 2013 and December 2014.

### Sobriety

Shepard has said that, except for a year in high school when he used drugs (in 1992, leading to the police and his mother getting involved), he did not have a substance abuse problem until he was 18 years old. After many struggles, Shepard got sober in September 2004.

### Interests and charity work

Shepard races motorcycles at Buttonwillow Raceway, including his Ducati Hypermotard 1100S and Suzuki GSX-R1000. He donates much of his time to the Hollenbeck Youth Center, an after-school program that provides opportunity to at-risk inner-city youth. He has served as their official Master of Ceremonies, along with his friend Tom Arnold, for the Inner-City Games and Hollenbeck Youth Center's Miracle on 1st Street Toy Giveaway Program in East Los Angeles.

He is an avid car enthusiast and can rebuild an engine. He has a 1967 Lincoln Continental (which was featured in the movie *Hit and Run*) and races off-road.

Shepard and his wife are advocates of California Senate Bill 606, called "no-kids paparazzi". Bell said: "We're not saying that we can't be newsworthy. We're saying that our child is not newsworthy." California Senate Bill 606 passed in 2013, with testimony by actresses Halle Berry and Jennifer Garner.

Shepard practices the Transcendental Meditation program.

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Birthplace given as Milford, Michigan in "Dax Shepard". TVGuide.com. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/dax-shepard/credits/146761/. Retrieved September 2, 2019. "Birth Name: Dax Randall Shepard"
2. ↑ "UPI Almanac for Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019". January 2, 2019. Archived from the original on September 2, 2019. https://archive.today/20190902220401/https://www.upi.com/Top\_News/2019/01/02/UPI-Almanac-for-Wednesday-Jan-2-2019/6081546203973/. Retrieved September 2, 2019. "actor Dax Shepard in 1975 (age 44)"
3. ↑ 3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 Maron, Marc (September 15, 2014). "Episode 533 – Dax Shepard" (Podcast). http://www.wtfpod.com/podcast/episodes/episode\_533\_-\_dax\_shepard. Retrieved September 20, 2014. Template:SubscriptionTemplate:Better source
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Car Firm Shows Off For Celebrities, Press", *Chicago Tribune* (January 30, 1994). Retrieved on September 20, 2014.
5. ↑ "Dax Shepard goes full throttle: Actor's hot-rod Lincoln, desert racer are stars in new movie", *Autoweek* (July 11, 2012). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
6. ↑ "David R Shepard". United States Social Security Death Index. December 30, 2012. https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KX3S-BFH. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Shepard, Dax (March 20, 2013). "My Father's Horniness". Archived from the original on September 24, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140924042326/http://daxtumbler.tumblr.com/post/45876994574/my-fathers-horniness. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
8. ↑ "Dax Shepard Writes Emotional Post About His Late Father And Kristen Bell (Photo)". *Huffington Post*. March 22, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/22/dax-shepard-shares-emotio\_n\_2933457.html. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "Dax Shepard: Motor City hit and run man". *The New Zealand Herald*. September 6, 2012. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c\_id=1501119&objectid=10831982. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
10. ↑ "Dax Shepard Talks Directing 'About a Boy's' Take on 'A Christmas Carol'", *The Hollywood Reporter* (December 9, 2014). Retrieved on December 10, 2014.
11. ↑ Stern, Howard (September 16, 2010). "Thursday, September 16, 2010". http://www.howardstern.com/howard-on-air/howard-100-101/2010-09-16?mode=full. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
12. ↑ Aukerman, Scott (June 26, 2009). "Comedy Death Ray Radio with Scott Aukerman – Episode 9 – Chip Pope, Dax Shepard, Neil Hamburger, Paul F. Tompkins" (Audio interview (podcast)). *Comedy Bang! Bang!*. http://www.earwolf.com/episode/episode-9-chip-pope-dax-shepard-neil-hamburger-paul-f-tompkins. Retrieved December 17, 2010.
13. ↑ Olya, Gabrielle (July 28, 2013). "Dax Shepard: Being a Father Is Like Falling in Love for the First Time". *People*. http://celebritybabies.people.com/2013/07/28/dax-shepard-being-a-father-is-like-falling-in-love-for-the-first-time/. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
14. ↑ Ellwood, Gregory (August 21, 2012). "Dax Shepard gives his friends a career showcase in 'Hit and Run'". *HitFix*. http://www.hitfix.com/awards-campaign/dax-shepard-gives-his-friends-a-career-showcase-in-hit-and-run. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
15. ↑ "Dax Shepard pays tribute to FOX 2 anchor in new movie". *WJBK*. July 9, 2012. http://www.wmyt12.com/story/18980300/2012/07/09/dax-shepard-pays-tribute-to-fox-2-anchor-in-new-movie. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
16. ↑ "Performers – Dax Shepard". *The Groundlings*. http://groundlings.com/performers/performer-details.aspx?performerID=380. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
17. ↑ D., Spence (August 19, 2004). "Dax Shepard and Matthew Lillard". *IGN*. http://www.ign.com/articles/2004/08/19/dax-shepard-and-matthew-lillard. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
18. ↑ "Without A Paddle (2004)". *Box Office Mojo*. http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=withoutapaddle.htm. Retrieved September 1, 2009.
19. ↑ "First impressions – "Parenthood"", *Variety* (July 6, 2009). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
20. ↑ "Review: ‘Parenthood’", *Variety* (February 25, 2010). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
21. ↑ "NBC Renews 'Parenthood' for Sixth and Final Season", *The Hollywood Reporter* (May 11, 2014). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
22. ↑ "Review: ‘Hit & Run’", *Variety* (August 20, 2012). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
23. ↑ "Hit and Run: Film Review", *The Hollywood Reporter* (August 19, 2012). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 "Dax Shepard Will Flash His Anus While Acting If That's What It Takes", *Vulture*, New York Magazine (September 5, 2014). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
25. ↑ "Galaxy Tab S – What You Really Need". Samsung Mobile USA YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3Kjj2ca4oQ. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
26. ↑ "Kristen & Dax: Home for the Holidays". Samsung Mobile USA YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH-o5JqOXBM. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
27. ↑ "Samsung work page". McKinney. http://mckinney.com/work/clients/samsung. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
28. ↑ "Dax Shepard Making 'CHiPS' Movie for Warner Bros.", *The Hollywood Reporter* (September 2, 2014). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
29. ↑ "Dax Shepard, Michael Peña to Star in CHiPS Movie", *IGN* (September 3, 2014). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
30. ↑ "Dax Shepard will turn '70s cop show CHiPs into a movie", *The A.V. Club* (September 3, 2014). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
31. ↑ Sanchez, Omar (December 6, 2018). "Here Are the Top Podcasts of 2018 on Apple Podcasts". https://www.thewrap.com/joe-rogan-dax-shephard-here-are-the-top-podcasts-of-2018/. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
32. ↑ "REVEALED! Meet the Hosts of Top Gear America". December 3, 2019. https://www.motortrend.com/news/top-gear-america-hosts-revealed/.
33. ↑ "Exclusive: Kristen Bell Is Engaged To Dax Shepard!". *US Magazine*. January 31, 2010. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebritynews/news/kristen-bell-is-engaged-to-dax-shepherd-2010311. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
34. ↑ "'Hit & Run' Couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard Won't Marry Until Same-Sex Marriage is Legal in California". August 14, 2012. http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-08-14/hit-run-couple-kristen-bell-and-dax-shepard-on-playing-onscreen-lovers-they-do-mirror-a-portion-of-us/. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
35. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
36. ↑ Template:Cite tweet
37. ↑ Ravitz, Justin (October 17, 2013). "Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard Get Married in "No Frills" Wedding at County Clerk's Office". *Us Weekly*. http://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/kristen-bell-dax-shepard-get-married-in-no-frills-ceremony-at-county-clerks-office-report-20131710. Retrieved October 19, 2013.
38. ↑ "Dax Shepard and Kristen Bell Welcome Daughter Lincoln". *People*. March 28, 2013. https://people.com/parents/kristen-bell-dax-shepard-welcome-daughter-lincoln/. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
39. ↑ "Dax Shepardand Kristen Bell Welcome Daughter Delta". *People*. December 19, 2014. https://people.com/parents/kristen-bell-dax-shepard-welcome-daughter-delta/. Retrieved February 23, 2019.
40. ↑ Carolla, Adam (August 12, 2009). "Dax Shepard" (audio interview (podcast)). http://carcastblog.adamcarolla.com/2009/08/dax-shepard/. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
41. ↑ Chong, Michele (December 16, 2008). "Hollenbeck Gym Hosts Toy Giveaway". Archived from the original on January 17, 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100117203207/http://myboxingfans.com/2008/12/hollenbeck-gym-hosts-toy-giveaway/. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
42. ↑ "Picture – Tom Arnold and Dax Shepard – Photo 586706". *Contactmusic.com*. December 15, 2007. http://www.contactmusic.com/photos.nsf/main/tom\_arnold\_5068275. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
43. ↑ "1967 Lincoln Continental – Lincoln Stuntinental", *Popular Hot Rodding* (January 8, 2013). Retrieved on September 21, 2014.
44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 "Why Our Children Should Be Off Limits to the Paparazzi", *Huffington Post* (January 30, 2014). Retrieved on September 20, 2014.
45. ↑ "Kristen Bell, Dax Shepard urge boycott on celebrity kid photos", *Los Angeles Times* (January 31, 2014). Retrieved on September 20, 2014.
46. ↑ "Senate Bill No. 606, Chapter 348". September 24, 2013. http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill\_id=201320140SB606. Retrieved September 20, 2014.
47. ↑ "31 things you didn't know about Kristen Bell", *Women's Health (Australia)* (October 1, 2013). Retrieved on December 20, 2014. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015.
48. ↑ Template:Citation
49. ↑ Template:Citation

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