T.J. Miller
A booming absurdist who treats a standup set like a manic prank.
2 specials · 2011–2017
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When T.J. Miller performs, he takes up all the oxygen in the room. He is loud, frantic, and usually sweating through a suit before he finishes his first bit. He paces the stage with a booming, theatrical voice, delivering absolute nonsense with the conviction of an angry philosopher. He might leave the stage to retrieve a physical prop like a battle axe, or pause to over-explain a neologism he just invented, screaming the words to force a reaction when the room gets quiet.
Specials
On stage
He treats the entire performance like a manic prank.
His portrayal of the oblivious tech bro Erlich Bachman on Silicon Valley put him everywhere for a few years. Then came a highly public exit from the show, followed by a string of strange legal and personal controversies that effectively ended his mainstream Hollywood run. He operates outside that ecosystem now. He tours comedy clubs and drops independently recorded specials on YouTube, leaning hard into his reputation as a chaotic outcast.
The act relies on physical scale rather than written jokes. Miller resists tight setups, preferring long, meandering stories and improvised tangents that depend on him wearing the audience down. When the crowd is with him, a set feels like a strange, shared hallucination. When they aren’t, it sounds like a guy at a bar shouting weird words because he likes the sound of his own voice. He just talks, yells, and sweats until something ridiculous happens.
Turning points
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2010–2011
Brain Surgery for Arteriovenous Malformation
After experiencing severe behavioral changes while filming Yogi Bear, Miller underwent successful brain surgery to treat a right frontal lobe arteriovenous malformation.
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Departure from HBO's Silicon Valley
Following four seasons as fan-favorite Erlich Bachman, Miller parted ways with the HBO series amid reports of workplace absenteeism and erratic behavior.
At a glance
- Born
- , Denver, Colorado
- On stage
- since 2007
- Style
- absurdist, observational, satire
- Breakout
- No Real Reason
- Topics
- Elsewhere
- Website, Wikipedia
Fans also like
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Cash LevyLevy is Miller's longtime podcast co-host and touring partner, sharing a rapport grounded in loose, absurdist banter.
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Doug Benson
Benson frequently features Miller on his comedy podcast Doug Loves Movies and appeared on Miller's concept album.
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Pete HolmesHolmes and Miller share overlapping circles in alt-comedy and have collaborated on audio tracks and podcast appearances.
Podcasts
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Cashing in with T.J. Miller · co-host
Comedian T.J. Miller is interviewed repeatedly by his friend and touring partner Cash Levy, exploring philosophical nonsense, unsolicited advice, and road stories.
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Red Bar Radio · co-host
Chicago-based comedy podcast where Miller served as a semi-regular co-host starting in 2006.
Also on screen
- 2007–2008
- Carpoolers
- Cloverfield
- 2014–2017
- Silicon Valley
- Big Hero 6
- Deadpool
A clip to start with
T.J. Miller Stand-Up 12/13/10 | CONAN on TBS