JEFF GARLIN

Name, Age & Place of Birth

Jeffrey Todd Garlin was born on June 5, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois. As of 2025, he is 63 years old .

Childhood & Education

Growing up in suburban Morton Grove, Jeff was the son of a plumbing supply business owner and a mom active in community theater . Diagnosed with Wolff–Parkinson–White syndrome, a heart condition, he moved with his family to South Florida, graduated from Nova High School, and later studied film at the University of Miami—where he also launched into stand‑up comedy .

Stand‑Up & Improv Beginnings

Jeff returned to Chicago in the mid‑1980s to pursue stand‑up and joined the famed Second City troupe, even working behind the ticket counter alongside Stephen Colbert . His early comedy chops led to one‑man shows and eventually his first film, I Want Someone to Eat Cheese With, which he wrote, directed, and starred in—premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival .

Breakthrough TV Roles

Garlin gained national attention by portraying Jeff Greene on HBO's hit Curb Your Enthusiasm (2000–present), where he also serves as executive producer, earning multiple Emmy and Producers Guild nominations . In 2013, he began starring as Murray Goldberg, the loving family patriarch, on ABC's nostalgic sitcom The Goldbergs—a role he played through Season 9 before departing following internal investigations in late 2021 .

Film & Voice‑Acting Highlights

Jeff’s versatility shines in memorable supporting roles across comedies like Daddy Day Care, The Bounty Hunter, and Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me . His distinctive voice is heard as Captain B. McCrea in WALL‑E and Buttercup the Unicorn in Toy Story 3, 4, and 5, as well as Perry Babcock in ParaNorman . He also directed comedies including Dealin’ with Idiots (inspired by Little League dads) and Handsome, Netflix’s murder‑mystery film .

Writing, Producing & Photography

Garlin is multi-talented—he authored the memoir My Footprint in 2010, directed documentaries (like the John Waters–centered This Filthy World), and produced his own photography exhibit “Big Bowl of Wonderful”, with prints benefiting cancer charities . He’s also hosted a live-format comedy podcast and remains active in stand‑up, including a recent Netflix special “Our Man in Chicago”.

Personal Life & Resilience

Jeff married Marla Beth Cahan in 1994; they had two sons before divorcing in 2020 . After briefly dating editor Sari Tracht, he lives in Los Angeles but proudly supports teams like the Chicago Cubs and Bears, attending games every June 5th . He openly manages health challenges—bipolar disorder, ADHD, type 2 diabetes, and heart issues—and advocates for balanced wellness and honesty .

Legacy & What Lies Ahead

From impulsive stand‑up routines at The Second City to front‑center on beloved TV shows, Jeff Garlin’s career reflects creativity, compassion, and candor. A producer, actor, director, author, comedian, and photographer, he remains an enduring presence in entertainment—ever‑grounded by honesty, family, craft, and Chicago roots.