Bill Chott (born July 23, 1969) is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Mr. Laritate on the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place.

Bill Chott
Chott in 2008
Born (1969-07-23) July 23, 1969 (age 55)
EducationRitenour High School
Occupation(s)Actor, comedian
Years active1998–present

Early life

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During his school years, Chott appeared in numerous plays and musicals. He graduated from Ritenour High School, and in 2010 was inducted into their Alumni Hall of Fame.[1] He continued pursuing theater in college at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri, acting in a wide variety of plays. He was also in Chi Delta fraternity while at Central Methodist as well as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia's Beta Mu chapter. He left Missouri in 1992, and headed to Chicago, IL where he quickly became involved with improvisational theater at ComedySportz, IO Theater, and the Second City comedy troupe. His contemporaries in the Chicago improv scene included Steve Carell, Stephen Colbert, Tina Fey and Amy Poehler.[2]

Career

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Writing

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Chott toured the country and in 1995 he made his television debut on The Dana Carvey Show, among a repertory cast that included Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, and Robert Smigel. His most lasting contribution to the program was as the announcer for The Ambiguously Gay Duo, a series of animated shorts created by Smigel and J.J. Sedelmaier, which continued to be produced by J.J. Sedelmaier Productions for Saturday Night Live after the quick cancellation of "The Dana Carvey Show."

Film

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His film roles include performances in Galaxy Quest, Dude Where's My Car, Brainwarp, Dante's Inferno, Wild Girls Gone, Dancing at the Blue Iguana and The Ringer.

Television

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His television appearances include 3rd Rock from the Sun, Freaks and Geeks, Popular, ER, Crossballs, Weekends at the DL, CSI, Wizards of Waverly Place, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, She Spies, Young Sheldon, This Is Us, and Monk.

Theater

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Lucille Ball fans will recognize him for his award-winning portrayal of Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy: Live on Stage.[3]

Chott continues to teach and coach improvisational comedy in both Los Angeles and St. Louis, through his school The Improv Trick.

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1998 Tomorrow Night English Dandy
1998 Crossfire Security Guard
1999 Children of the Struggle Cafe Manager
1999 Galaxy Quest Fan #1
2000 Dancing at the Blue Iguana Angel's Regular
2000 Dude, Where's My Car? Big Cult Guard #1
2004 Outpost Larry Video short
2004 Nerd Hunter 3004 Fantasy Nerd Short
2005 The Ringer Thomas
2006-2012 Curious George Hundley / The Doorman Voice, 18 episodes
2007 Dante's Inferno Ciaccio 'El Gordo' / Calvacanti / Stalin / Ulysses' Crew
2007-2012 Wizards of Waverly Place Mr. Laritate 23 episodes
2007 Wild Girls Gone Ice Cream Manager
2007 The Red Sandwich Christmas Hour
2010 Night Terrors Troy Cody (segment "Christmas Stalking")
2011 Four Weddings and a Shaadi
2011 The Rum Diary Bowling Champ
2012 Santa Paws 2: The Santa Pups Mr. Holman
2013 The Middle Wendell
2013 Paranormal Roommates Nessie (voice) Pilot
2014 The Snow Queen 2 Lukum English version, Voice
2015 Marshall the Miracle Dog Gary Weaver
2017 This Is Us Mailman Episode: What Now?
2018-2021 Young Sheldon Dean/Franklin 2 Episodes
2019 Legion Teacher Episode: Chapter 20
2019 Klaus Voice
2019 Snowfall Union Rep Steve Episode: The Bottoms
2020 The Seniors Improv Comedy Guest Improviser
2020 WizWorld LIVE Fart Mage
2022 Mid-Century Dr. Volker
2022 Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story MPA President Episode 9

References

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  1. ^ "Entering Ritenour's Hall of Fame" St. Louis Post-Dispatch (October 19, 2010)
  2. ^ "Big Funny: Founder Bill Chott and his fellow improv tricksters aim to bring back the glory days of St. Louis sketch comedy".
  3. ^ "I Love Lucy: Live on Stage review". November 1, 2011. Entertainment Weekly.
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