kiva Daniel Shebar Schaffer is an American writer, producer, director, comedian, actor, and musician known for his sharp comedic style and creative versatility. Born on December 1, 1977, he is a founding member of the comedy music group The Lonely Island, alongside his childhood friends Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone. Schaffer first gained recognition by creating videos for Channel 101, which led to the trio being hired by Saturday Night Live in 2005. During their time on SNL, they helped popularize the digital short format with viral sketches like “Lazy Sunday,” “I Just Had Sex,” “I’m on a Boat,” and the Emmy-winning “Dick in a Box.”

Following his success at SNL, Schaffer transitioned into film directing, bringing his offbeat humor to movies such as Hot Rod, The Watch, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and the animated hit Chip ‘n Dale: Rescue Rangers. Through these projects, he showcased a knack for blending absurd comedy with heart, creating cult favorites that resonated with fans of quirky, unconventional humor. Meanwhile, The Lonely Island continued releasing music albums like Incredibad, Turtleneck & Chain, and The Wack Album, cementing their reputation as pioneers of comedic music.

Beyond his work with The Lonely Island, Schaffer expanded his influence as a producer for a variety of acclaimed TV shows and films. His production credits include the cult action-comedy MacGruber, the critically praised coming-of-age series PEN15, the sketch comedy hit I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson, and the time-loop romantic comedy Palm Springs. Across all his work, Schaffer has maintained a unique comedic voice that blends absurdity, cleverness, and a strong sense of fun.

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