Trivia

Dropped out of Cornell University in 1981 to pursue writing and performing.Graduated from NYU in 1983.

In 2000, Smigel was sued by Pets.com because they claimed his Late Night with Conan O'Brien (1993) character, Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, made comments about Pets.com's TV sock puppet dog.

Was in a Chicago improv troupe called "All You Can Eat" for several years.

His father is a dentist, who introduced tooth bonding to the public.

Infamous for making TV Funhouse segments on Saturday Night Live (1975) like "The Ambigously Gay Duo," "The New Adventures Of Mr. T," "Michael Jackson," and the now banned "Conspiracy Theory Rock" (What if real life companies buy out other companies).

Friend and frequent collaborator of Adam Sandler, having worked with the comedian six times starting with Saturday Night Live (1975), Billy Madison (1995), Happy Gilmore (1996), The Wedding Singer (1998), Little Nicky (2000) and Punch-Drunk Love (2002). Smigel had written with Sandler or appeared with him on Saturday Night Live (1975) while playing small roles in Sandler's films.

Longest-running writer on Saturday Night Live (1975); he wrote for the show from 1985 to 2013.

On Saturday Night Live (1975), he wrote sketches such as The Superfans, The McLaughlin Group, The Sinatra Group, and The William Shatner Star Trek Convention.

Father of Daniel Smigel and twin boys.

Born on the same day as James Spader.

Is of Jewish descent.

Uncle of Russell Rutter, who he has hired as a writer on three shows.