Directory Profile

Jim Staahl has a wide range of experience as both a writer and actor in the comedy genre, which may explain why he looks familiar.

Jim Staahl began his comedy career as a resident member of Chicago’s Second City Theater and wrote for SCTV. Staahl performed and wrote for an array of Variety shows starring Martin Mull, Steve Allen, Sid Caesar, Steve Martin and Marty Short.  He was also a co-head writer for shows that starred John Candy, Mike Myers, Howie Mandel, Fred Willard and Louie Anderson; Staahl was also host and head writer of his own series, Laugh Trax.

Staahl half hour writing credits include Mork and Mindy, Married People, Lightning Force, The Searcher, Charles In Charge, Young Hercules and Sledge Hammer, along with numerous TV Pilots for NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX.  Staahl received two Emmy nominations for writing on Bobby’s World, an animated series he co-created with Howie Mandel and co-produced for 8 years.  Staahl has written animation series for Disney, Sony Wonder, Warner Brothers, Film Roman, DIC and Dream Works. Staahl also co-wrote multiple episodes for Emmy Award winning Disney series, Teacher’s Pet. Feature writing credits include Here Come the Munsters, The Beverly Hillbillies, Under Surveillance, Star Kid II and Blow Hard.

As an actor Staahl has numerous network appearances and was a series regular on three network series: Mork & Mindy, Goodnight Beantown and Normal Life. Staahl has also appeared in a number of features including Spies Like Us, Max Dugan Returns, and Night Shift. Staahl continues to perform; he recently appeared on King of Queens and was a series regular on Curb Your Enthusiasm.

Staahl received his B.A. in Theatre Arts with a Minor Radio and Television from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.  Staahl is a WGA Board Member and a current member of the WGA Waiver Committee.