Biography
Who is Taran Killam?
Early life and education
Taran Killam Hourie Killam was born on April 1, 1982, in Culver City, United States. He lived in Big Bear Lake until he reached fifteen years of age. His mother toured as a singer-songwriter with The Charlie Daniels Band, while his father worked as a contractor with acting ambitions. He grew up alongside a younger brother named Taylor and a sister named Danielle.
For his education, Taran attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. He then studied musical theater at the University of California, Los Angeles, within the School of Theater, Film and Television. He spent much of his time working on the campus theater festival before leaving the university to pursue his acting career full time.
Television and comedy career
Taran began his television career with appearances on Nickelodeon programs including The Amanda Show. In 2001, he joined the cast of the Fox comedy series MADtv during its seventh season. At nineteen years old, he was the youngest cast member hired on the program at that time. He also made appearances on Wild 'n Out and the Disney Channel original film Stuck in the Suburbs.
In September 2010, Taran joined the cast of the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live for its thirty-sixth season. During his time on the show, he gained public attention for portraying characters such as Mokiki in a popular sketch. He remained a cast member until August 2016, when he and castmate Jay Pharoah departed from the program.
Film and theatre work
Taran has appeared in several feature films throughout his career. His film credits include Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult, Big Fat Liar, Just Married, The Heat, and 12 Years a Slave. In 2017, he produced, scripted, directed, and starred in the action comedy film Killing Gunther.
In addition to screen work, Taran performed in Broadway theatre productions. He played King George III in the musical Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in 2017. He later returned to Broadway to play Lancelot in Spamalot at the St. James Theatre between late 2023 and early 2024.
Family and personal life
Taran married actress Cobie Smulders on September 8, 2012, in Solvang, California, after becoming engaged in January 2009. The couple share two daughters, who were born in 2009 and 2015. He made several guest appearances as Gary Blauman on his wife's television series How I Met Your Mother.
Outside of his acting work, Taran is an avid fan of the Los Angeles Rams and frequently attends their home games. In January 2025, his family home in the Pacific Palisades area of Los Angeles was destroyed by a Southern California wildfire.
Birthday and age
Taran Killam was born on April 1, 1982, which makes Taran 44 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Taran shares the date with 56 other famous people.
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