Charlie Finn
Charlie Finn (born September 18, 1975) is an American actor recognized for his voice work and live-action performances in film and television.[1] Best known for voicing the laid-back character Spud in the Disney animated series American Dragon: Jake Long (2005–2007), Finn has built a career spanning over 25 acting credits, including comedic roles in cult favorites like Super Troopers (2001), where he played a wisecracking fast-food cashier, and The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) alongside Johnny Knoxville.[2][3] Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois, Finn initially entered the entertainment industry as a production assistant before transitioning to acting.[3] His early film appearances included supporting parts in Psycho Beach Party (2000), Rolling Kansas (2003), and Gone, But Not Forgotten (2005), showcasing his knack for quirky, ensemble-driven comedies.[2] On television, he co-starred as Dave in the short-lived ABC sitcom Help Me Help You (2006–2007)[4] and appeared in Life on a Stick (2005),[5] further establishing his presence in ensemble casts. Later credits include guest spots on shows like Drunk History (2013) and voice work in Chicago Party Aunt (2021–2022),[6] as well as a role in the film Una Great Movie (2022), with Finn remaining active through personalized fan videos on platforms like Cameo, often channeling his iconic characters.[7][8]Early life and education
Childhood and upbringing
Charlie Finn was born on September 18, 1975, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] He was raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois, with his family.[3][9]Academic background
Finn attended Lake Forest High School in Lake Bluff, Illinois, where he completed his secondary education.[9] After graduating high school, Finn enrolled at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas, majoring in English.[9]Career
Early career and breakthrough
Charlie Finn entered the entertainment industry with his professional debut in 1999, appearing as Corbin Davis in a guest role on the ABC drama series Sports Night in the episode "Kyle Whitaker's Got Two Sacks." This early television credit marked the beginning of his on-screen presence, following his training in theater and improvisation in Chicago.[10] Throughout the early 2000s, Finn secured supporting roles in films that showcased his comedic timing. His film debut came in 2000 as Pea Brain in the campy comedy Psycho Beach Party.[11] In 2001, he portrayed the wisecracking Dimpus Burger Guy in the cult comedy Super Troopers, a small but memorable part in the Broken Lizard ensemble film about highway patrol officers.[12] He followed with the role of Kevin Haub in the road-trip comedy Rolling Kansas (2003).[13] By 2005, he appeared as Royce, a dimwitted geology student, in the action-comedy The Dukes of Hazzard, assisting the protagonists with coal samples in the big-screen adaptation of the classic TV series,[14] and as John in the TV movie Gone, But Not Forgotten.[15] These film roles provided Finn with opportunities to hone his live-action comedic skills amid the competitive landscape of Hollywood. Finn's breakthrough came in television through a mix of live-action and voice work in the mid-2000s, establishing him as a versatile performer. He co-starred as Fred, the quirky best friend of the lead character, in the Fox sitcom Life on a Stick (2005), for which 13 episodes were produced, though only five aired before its cancellation due to low ratings. The following year, he took on the role of Dave, a hapless group therapy patient, in the ABC sitcom Help Me Help You (2006–2007), appearing in all 13 episodes of the single season before the network axed the series. These short-lived shows highlighted the instability of early sitcom runs, prompting Finn to pivot toward more stable formats. Concurrently, his voice acting gained prominence as Spud (Arthur P. Spudinski), Jake's laid-back best friend, in the Disney Channel animated series American Dragon: Jake Long (2005–2007), where he contributed to 47 of the 52 episodes, solidifying his reputation in animation.[16] The rapid cancellations of his live-action series underscored the challenges of breaking through in network television, influencing Finn's development of a multifaceted approach that balanced voice, film, and episodic work to sustain his career momentum.[17]Later career and recent projects
Following his mid-2000s television work, Finn appeared as Douglas in the comedy film Bar Starz (2008)[18] and as Ron in the Hallmark TV movie Front of the Class (2008).[19] He also guest-starred as Ian Yankman in an episode of the ABC crime series Castle (2009).[20] In the 2010s, Charlie Finn transitioned to a broader range of guest appearances and supporting roles in both film and television, diversifying beyond his earlier sitcom work. He appeared as Coach Colin Walker in the coming-of-age comedy Struck by Lightning (2012), directed by Brian Dannelly, and as the Sperm Bank Receptionist in the ensemble comedy The Babymakers (2012), helmed by Jay Chandrasekhar.[21][22] On television, Finn guest-starred as Colin Morrow in an episode of the legal comedy Franklin & Bash (2011) and portrayed Mike Veeck in a 2013 episode of Drunk History, later returning as Captain 'Black Jack' Bonfield in the 2016 "Shit Shows" installment.[23] These roles highlighted his versatility in comedic ensemble pieces, often in supporting capacities that showcased his timing in humorous scenarios. Finn also expanded into voice acting during this period, providing additional voices for the animated sequel Happy Feet Two (2011), contributing to the film's ensemble of penguin characters in this family-oriented Warner Bros. production.[24] In live-action television, he played Russell in the 2016 episode "Enter Super Grisham" of Lady Dynamite, a Netflix series starring Maria Bamford, where his character added to the show's surreal comedic elements.[25] This blend of voice and on-screen work marked a shift toward more varied, often under-the-radar contributions in comedy genres, with Finn appearing in projects that emphasized ensemble dynamics over lead roles. More recently, Finn has focused on voice work and independent films, including voicing additional characters across three episodes of the Adult Swim animated series Chicago Party Aunt (2021–2022), which follows a boisterous Chicago sports fan created by the Barinholtz brothers.[26] In 2022, he portrayed Nate, a beaten-down artist, in the indie drama Una Great Movie, a low-budget feature exploring creativity and perseverance in the film industry.[27] Public records indicate limited information on major projects from 2023 to 2025, with no significant acting credits announced during this time, underscoring a quieter phase in his career amid a sustained but selective output in voice and supporting roles. Overall, Finn's trajectory has evolved toward voice acting and ensemble comedy casts, maintaining steady work without garnering major awards, while his contributions in recent indie and animated projects remain less covered in pre-2020 media profiles.[1]Filmography
Film roles
Charlie Finn's film career includes a series of supporting roles in independent and ensemble comedies, where he typically portrayed eccentric or humorous secondary characters. His appearances emphasize comedic timing in group dynamics, from early cult favorites to later indie projects.[28][1] The following is a chronological list of his feature film credits:| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Psycho Beach Party | Pea Brain |
| 2000 | The In Crowd | Greg |
| 2001 | Super Troopers | Dimpus Burger Guy |
| 2002 | The Year That Trembled | Jim "Hairball" Morton |
| 2002 | King's Highway | Bruce |
| 2003 | Rolling Kansas | Kevin Haub |
| 2005 | The Dukes of Hazzard | Royce |
| 2008 | Bar Starz | Douglas |
| 2012 | The Babymakers | Sperm Bank Receptionist |
| 2012 | Struck by Lightning | Coach Colin Walker |
| 2022 | Una Great Movie | Nate |