Andy Breckman - Profile

Profile

Breckman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a middle-class Jewish family. He grew up in Haddonfield, New Jersey and attended Haddonfield Memorial High School. Breckman dropped out of Boston University in his freshman year, and despite an admitted lack of musical ability, he launched a brief career as a satirical folk singer. He released two albums, Don't Get Killed and Proud Dad.

Breckman wrote for Late Night with David Letterman from 1982 to 1984, and contributed sketches to Saturday Night Live from 1983 to 1996. One of his most well-known vignettes was a Saturday Night Live sketch called "White Like Me" (which he also directed), in which Eddie Murphy disguises himself as a Caucasian for a day. In 2003, he took part in a USO tour to US military war zones, contributing material for comedian Al Franken. That year he was served as a jokewriter for comedian Steve Martin's stint as host of the Academy Awards.

Breckman lives in Madison, New Jersey with his wife, documentary filmmaker Beth Landau, whom he met on the dating pages of Nerve.com and who is nicknamed "Boo." They have two children. As an engagement present, Breckman applied his fiancee's name (spelled "Beth Landow") to the murder victim in Monk's season two (2003) première, "Mr. Monk Goes Back to School". His production bio at USA Network says, "He has trouble making friends."

Breckman has three children from a previous marriage. His brother David has worked on Monk in various producer roles.

In 2011, Andy and wife Beth Landau were a featured couple in the documentary When Strangers Click, a film about internet dating.