Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Derek Waters

Derek Waters (born July 30, 1979) is an comedian, actor, writer, director, and producer best known for co-creating, directing, and hosting the anthology series [Drunk History](/page/Drunk History) (2013–2019), which features inebriated narrators recounting historical events reenacted by celebrities. Born and raised in , , Waters moved to in his early twenties to pursue a career in acting and quickly immersed himself in the local scene. Early in his career, Waters formed a comedy duo with , leading to the creation of the Derek & Simon: The Show in 2007 on , executive produced by and featuring guest appearances from actors such as and ; the series concluded after the platform's merger, after which Helberg joined the cast of . He gained further recognition through appearances on sketch shows like Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and roles in films such as (2011), alongside guest spots on series including , , , and . Waters originated Drunk History as a series of short videos on in 2007, co-created with director Jeremy Konner, inspired by a drunken storytelling session with friend ; the concept won a jury prize for short filmmaking at the 2010 and evolved into a full series in 2013, earning critical acclaim and eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Waters, including for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series and Outstanding Directing for a Variety Series. The show's innovative format, blending humor with educational content, has been praised for highlighting underrepresented historical narratives, and Waters has continued to work in and television, including acting roles in Mythic Quest (2020) and its spin-off Side Quest (2025), following its conclusion.

Early life

Family background

Derek Waters was born on July 30, 1979, in , . He was raised in Lutherville, a suburb of , where he developed a strong connection to the city's distinctive cultural environment from an early age. Growing up amid 's vibrant local traditions, including its humor-infused community life and traditions like crab feasts, Waters absorbed the region's eclectic spirit, which later influenced his comedic sensibilities. Waters' family played a pivotal role in shaping his worldview and career aspirations. The household dynamics, rooted in Baltimore's humorous and resilient ethos, offered a foundation for Waters' appreciation of storytelling through .

Education and early interests

Waters attended in , graduating in the late 1990s. After high school, he briefly enrolled at the (CCBC) Essex campus for one semester to study and dramatics, where he achieved a perfect 4.0 GPA to satisfy his parents' expectations. During his teenage years, Waters discovered his passion for comedy, particularly influenced by the work of . He engaged in early creative pursuits such as stand-up routines, skit performances, and even auditioning for commercials, using humor as a key outlet for expression. These endeavors highlighted his budding talent and helped shape his comedic voice. Following his short college stint, Waters made the deliberate choice to forgo further formal education in favor of a full-time pursuit in entertainment, moving to to train in improvisation and at .

Career

Early comedy work

After graduating high school in in 1998, Waters briefly studied and improv at in in 1999 before relocating to in 2000 at age 21 to pursue a career in entertainment. Upon arriving in the city, he took an entry-level job at Tower Video, a now-defunct rental store, where he gained exposure to a wide range of cinema that influenced his comedic sensibilities. To support himself, Waters performed and participated in skit-based performances at local venues, while also appearing in commercials to make ends meet. In the early 2000s, Waters immersed himself in ' burgeoning and scene, training and performing at the (UCB), a key hub for emerging comedians. He formed a creative partnership with fellow performer , creating the duo Derek & Simon, which produced short-form content including web videos for platforms like starting around 2006. These early web shorts featured absurd, character-driven humor that showcased Waters' knack for delivery and ensemble sketches, helping him build a network within the community. Waters' first notable collaborations came through the ecosystem in the mid-2000s, where he connected with creators and amid the rise of their surreal programming. He contributed to the offbeat style of their projects, including a as part of the "Prank Crew" in the 2007 "Chunky" of Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, which built on the foundational weirdness established in their earlier series (2004–2006). These experiences solidified his role in the indie comedy landscape, emphasizing low-budget, experimental sketches that prioritized bizarre narratives over traditional punchlines.

Drunk History

Drunk History originated as a created by Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner in 2007, inspired by drunken storytelling sessions among friends, such as actor recounting the tragic death of musician while intoxicated. The initial short, featuring Johnson as the narrator and in a reenactment, was posted on and quickly gained viral attention for its humorous take on historical anecdotes delivered through slurred, unscripted narration. The ' success led to its adaptation as a television program on , premiering in July 2013 with Waters serving as host, writer, director, and producer alongside Konner. Executive produced by and , the show expanded the format to full half-hour episodes, running for six seasons and concluding in after 70 episodes. In the television version, Waters appears as the host, guiding inebriated narrators—typically comedians or actors—through their boozy retellings of historical events, which are then reenacted by celebrity guest stars lip-syncing the narration with comedic exaggeration. The series' distinctive format blended education and comedy, covering topics from the to lesser-known tales like the invention of the , with standout episodes including Season 5's "Sex" featuring as and Season 4's "Are You Afraid of the Drunk?" highlighting ghost stories in . received critical acclaim for its innovative approach to historical storytelling, earning 17 Primetime Emmy nominations, including multiple nods for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, as well as a win for Outstanding Costumes for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program in 2016. Reviewers praised its ability to make accessible and entertaining, with outlets like noting its "booze-fueled journeys to the past" as a fresh twist on sketch comedy. Production challenges included the rapid turnaround required for each episode, often shooting multiple segments in a single day to capture authentic intoxication levels, as well as the logistical demands of coordinating celebrity reenactors like , who portrayed figures such as , and as . Casting high-profile talent was facilitated by Ferrell and McKay's involvement, but Waters and Konner faced hurdles in selecting obscure yet compelling historical stories through extensive with historians, ensuring factual accuracy amid the comedic liberties. Despite these obstacles, the show's DIY from its web origins persisted, contributing to its and influence on educational humor.

Acting roles

Waters began his on-screen acting career with supporting roles in independent and mainstream comedies during the mid-2000s. In the 2007 film , directed by , he portrayed the Video Store Clerk, a minor character interacting with the film's socially awkward protagonists in a video rental store scene. His breakthrough supporting film role came in the 2011 ensemble comedy , where he played Brent, a competitive and resentful who becomes a romantic rival in the story of two husbands granted a "hall pass" from their marriages. On television, Waters established himself through recurring and guest appearances in popular comedy series, often leveraging his improvisational skills in ensemble casts. He appeared as , the eccentric friend of main character Dave Rose, in multiple episodes of the ABC sitcom from 2011 to 2013, contributing to the show's quirky group dynamics. He also made guest spots in Comedy Central's Reno 911! across its run from 2003 to 2009, embodying the show's improvised absurdity in various peripheral characters. Additionally, Waters took on smaller roles and voice work in cult favorites like Adult Swim's (2008–2016), where he contributed to the parody medical drama's humor through brief live-action and animated segments. Waters has lent his voice to animated projects, showcasing his comedic timing in performances. Notably, in the 2011 direct-to-video animated film Barbie: Princess Charm School, he voiced Brock, a sassy royal attendant adding levity to the fairy-tale narrative. In recent years, Waters has taken on more prominent ensemble roles in streaming series. He stars as , the long-suffering head of the art department, in the 2025 Apple TV+ anthology Side Quest, an expansion of the universe that delves into the lives of game developers and fans through standalone stories; his performance highlights Phil's tormented yet resilient personality in a key episode focused on workplace pressures.

Directing and producing

Derek Waters has directed numerous episodes of the Comedy Central series Drunk History, which he co-created. His directorial work on the show earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Directing for a Series in 2019. Waters' approach to directing emphasized the unique blend of inebriated narration and reenactments, often collaborating closely with co-creator Jeremy Konner to capture the chaotic energy of historical retellings. As a , Waters served as an on Drunk History throughout its run, overseeing the transition of the concept from short-form content to a full television format. The series originated as a on in 2007, where Waters produced initial episodes featuring comedians recounting history while intoxicated, laying the groundwork for its expansion into a 70-episode TV program. This producing role extended to extensions, including early digital shorts that tested the format's viability before its 2013 pickup. Waters' writing contributions include sketches for projects in the alt-comedy space, such as appearances and contributions to Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! on , where he helped shape surreal comedic elements in episodes like "Chunky" in 2007. His standalone sketches, often produced for online platforms like , further demonstrated his versatility in short-form comedy writing. In recent years, Waters has focused on producing through his company, Be Nice or Leave Productions, which signed a with in 2019 to develop new comedy content for TV and digital platforms. Waters' career evolution reflects a progression from independent web productions, like the original Drunk History shorts and the web series Derek & Simon, to established network television, where he maintains creative control over multifaceted comedy projects.

Influences and style

Comedic inspirations

Derek Waters' comedic sensibilities were profoundly shaped by Baltimore's cultural landscape, including the work of the renowned filmmaker , whose cult classics like and blended irreverent humor with social satire, inspiring Waters' early interest in boundary-pushing comedy. Growing up in , Waters immersed himself in Baltimore's nascent local comedy scene during his teenage years, experimenting with acting classes and homemade films alongside neighborhood friends, which honed his penchant for absurd, collaborative sketches before he pursued formal training. A pivotal personal influence came from comedian , whose high-energy captivated Waters as a teenager; Farley's untimely death at age 33 in 1997 motivated the 18-year-old Waters to commit to a career in comedy, viewing it as a way to honor that exuberant style. In Los Angeles, Waters drew from trailblazers, notably through his mentorship under , co-creator of Mr. Show with Bob and David, whose surreal, interconnected sketches influenced Waters' approach to narrative absurdity during their collaboration on the web series Derek & Simon. Waters' affinity for exaggerated reenactments stemmed from his fascination with poorly acted crime reconstructions in 1980s and 1990s true crime television programs, such as those on and , where amateurish portrayals of perpetrators added unintended humor that directly informed the stylistic choices in . Key collaborators like and further molded his taste for ; as a recurring performer on Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Waters absorbed their experimental, discomforting humor, which emphasized awkward, off-kilter scenarios over traditional punchlines. Broader cinematic touchstones included mockumentaries like (1984), directed by , whose improvisational satire of rock excess resonated with Waters' interest in observational, character-driven comedy that pokes fun at earnest pretensions. These elements collectively fostered Waters' enduring draw toward humor that thrives on imperfection, exaggeration, and cultural subversion.

Signature style and impact

Derek Waters' comedic style is characterized by absurd historical retellings, where inebriated narrators deliver rambling, error-prone accounts of events, which are then faithfully reenacted by actors in a manner, amplifying the inherent ridiculousness. This approach, central to , juxtaposes factual history with slurred, subjective interpretations, creating layers of irony through visual mismatches between and . Waters' self-deprecating hosting further enhances this voice, as he frequently interrupts segments with bumbling interventions or becomes comically entangled in the reenactments, underscoring the chaos of memory and storytelling. A key innovation in Waters' work lies in seamlessly blending DIY web sensibilities with mainstream television production, originating Drunk History as a low-budget series in 2007 before its expansion to in 2013, which popularized the drunk narration format as a viable comedic structure. This transition democratized historical parody, making it accessible and replicable, and influenced the format's adoption in international adaptations, including Drunk History: and Drunk History: . The show's impact is evidenced by eight Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for Outstanding Variety Sketch Series and Directing for a Variety Series, recognizing its blend of education and absurdity. It also inspired spin-offs like Drunk History: Black Stories, which extended the format to highlight underrepresented narratives in Black history. Waters' legacy extends to elevating character actors within comedy, providing platforms for talents like , , and to deliver memorable, exaggerated performances in short-form sketches that prioritize ensemble dynamics over star vehicles. His emphasis on diverse has broadened comedic representation, focusing on overlooked figures and events from to civil rights, fostering inclusivity in historical satire up to the series' conclusion in 2019. By 2025, this influence persists in parody series that echo the ironic reenactment , such as anthology-style historical comedies on streaming platforms. In recent works like the 2025 Apple TV+ anthology Side Quest, Waters evolves his style by incorporating gaming culture and ensemble-driven narratives, reprising his role as the tormented from Mythic Quest in stories exploring the ripple effects of virtual worlds on diverse characters, blending awkward humor with emotional depth. This shift maintains his signature absurdity—through exaggerated character interactions in game-inspired scenarios—while expanding into multifaceted tales of and creativity, marking a maturation toward more layered, interactive .

References

  1. [1]
    Derek Waters - IMDb
    Derek Waters was born on 30 July 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for Drunk History (2013), Hall Pass (2011) and The Brothers ...
  2. [2]
    Derek Waters - Actor - TV Insider
    Derek Waters · Actor · Birth Date: July 30, 1979 · Age: 46 years old · Birth Place: Baltimore, Maryland · Credits · Photos.
  3. [3]
    Derek Waters — The Movie Database (TMDB)
    Derek Waters is an actor and writer. He is best known for his work on the television series Drunk History, for which he has been nominated for seven Primetime ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  4. [4]
    Derek Waters - Earwolf
    Derek Waters is an actor and comedian who has been featured on Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, Happy Endings, Hall Pass and created the web-series Drunk ...Missing: biography | Show results with:biography
  5. [5]
    'Drunk History' creator Derek Waters tries to tell the stories not told in ...
    Aug 27, 2015 · Derek Waters started "Drunk History" as a web series in 2007 and now it's up for an Emmy. Waters talks about how the show got started and bizarre reality of ...
  6. [6]
    'Drunk History' wins Sundance jury prize - The Hollywood Reporter
    Jan 28, 2010 · Jeremy Konner and Derek Waters' "Drunk History: Douglass & Lincoln" has won the jury prize in short filmmaking at the Sundance Film Festival ...
  7. [7]
    Variety's 2013 Comedy Impact Report
    Nov 12, 2013 · Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner – Digital​​ Host and director: The pair made “Drunk History” an Internet sensation on Funny or Die, and Comedy ...
  8. [8]
    Derek Waters | Television Academy
    8 Nominations · Outstanding Variety Sketch Series - 2020 · Outstanding Variety Sketch Series - 2019 · Outstanding Directing For A Variety Series - 2019.
  9. [9]
    How Lin-Manuel Miranda Became 'Drunk History' - Deadline
    Apr 9, 2017 · “Some of the best ideas come out of having a couple of drinks,” says Drunk History's Derek Waters. Devised by Waters and Jeremy Konner, ...
  10. [10]
    Drunk History: TV Review - The Hollywood Reporter
    Jul 7, 2013 · Derek Waters' web series, where celebrities act out a drunk narrator's retelling of historical events, makes its Comedy Central debut on Tuesday.
  11. [11]
    Derek Waters - Biography - IMDb
    Derek Waters was born on July 30, 1979 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for Drunk History (2013), Hall Pass (2011) and The Brothers ...Missing: Jewish dyslexia uncle comedy Lutherville
  12. [12]
    What's next for 'Drunk History' creator Derek Waters ... - Baltimore Sun
    Aug 28, 2020 · Lutherville native and "Drunk History" creator Derek Waters (pictured, left) said he was looking for someone to say on-camera that they loved ...
  13. [13]
    A very sober-minded Derek Waters on work, life and doing Baltimore ...
    Jul 1, 2014 · It's a promotion for the second season of “Drunk History,” the off-kilter Comedy Central hit created by Lutherville native Derek Waters.
  14. [14]
    The Man, the Myth, the DIY Legend: 'Drunk History' Creator Derek ...
    Jan 16, 2019 · It began with a drunken story. Waters and his friend, Jake Johnson (The New Girl), were drinking one night when the actor, then relatively ...
  15. [15]
    Drunk History's Derek Waters answers our 11 Questions ... - AV Club
    Jul 15, 2014 · I worked at Tower Video when I first moved out to Los Angeles from Baltimore. It was cool, because growing up in the suburbs of Baltimore, I ...
  16. [16]
    Derek Waters Talks Drunk History Season 4 | EXCLUSIVE - MovieWeb
    Sep 27, 2016 · Like many comedy superstars, Derek Waters has a background in improv comedy, performing at Los Angeles clubs such as Upright Citizens Brigade ...Missing: stand- | Show results with:stand-
  17. [17]
    Sorta-Comedians Tim and Eric on Influences, Audiences, and ...
    the show's stars and creative engine — do ...Missing: Derek collaboration Tom Mayor
  18. [18]
    "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" Chunky (TV Episode 2007)
    "Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!" Chunky (TV Episode 2007) - Cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more.Missing: Tom Goes Mayor
  19. [19]
    The Internet Owes Its Sense of Humor to This Man - WIRED
    Oct 18, 2013 · Among them were Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim from Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! ... Tom Goes to the Mayor and Tim and Eric Awesome Show ...
  20. [20]
    Talking to Derek Waters About 'Drunk History,' Comedy Central, And ...
    Jul 3, 2013 · In 2007, Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner created the first video in the web series Drunk History, in which wasted comedians retell stories of ...Missing: early jobs Tower
  21. [21]
    https://www.wired.com/2013/10/bob-odenkirk/
  22. [22]
    'Drunk History' Canceled After Six Seasons at Comedy Central
    Aug 19, 2020 · “Drunk History's” sixth and most recent season will be the Comedy Central show's last, Variety has confirmed. The show had been renewed for ...
  23. [23]
    Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner on Drunk History's first ... - AV Club
    Sep 12, 2013 · Club walkthrough, Waters and Konner talk us through the show's transition to television, as well as its stops in Washington D.C., Chicago, ...
  24. [24]
    The 25 Best and Funniest 'Drunk History' Segments, Ranked - Vulture
    and the best the show's ever been.
  25. [25]
    'Drunk History' Not Moving Forward With Season 7, Ends With Emmy ...
    Aug 19, 2020 · During its six-season run, Drunk History racked up 17 Primetime Emmy nominations, including a win Outstanding Costumes in for a Variety Program ...Missing: key | Show results with:key
  26. [26]
    Derek Waters on 'Drunk History' Emmy Nom: "Somehow I'm Still Here"
    Aug 11, 2018 · Comedy Central's 'Drunk History' received a Emmy nomination for outstanding variety sketch series for the fourth consecutive year.
  27. [27]
    Quick Production Pace a Challenge for 'Drunk History' Design Crew
    Aug 18, 2017 · 'Drunk History's' Quick Production Pace Challenges Design Crew's Skills ... Arbiture's Emmy nomination, which is for outstanding production ...
  28. [28]
    How 'Drunk History' Cracks The Books And Makes Funny Epic
    Jun 20, 2020 · Derek Waters and Jeremy Konner's approach to building a season of Drunk History comes simply from mining the best unknown stories.
  29. [29]
    Derek Waters on How 'Drunk History' Is Made - Vulture
    Jul 1, 2014 · Season two of Drunk History finds the show expanding and taking on new challenges, with a full 10-episode order (two more than last year) ...
  30. [30]
    The Brothers Solomon - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide
    Derek Waters as Video Store Clerk. Derek Waters. Video Store Clerk. Chandler Hill. Ron · Ashley Johnson as Patricia. Ashley Johnson. Patricia · Brooke Bloom as ...Missing: film roles Hall Pass
  31. [31]
    Hall Pass - Full Cast & Crew - TV Guide
    Derek Waters as Brent. Derek Waters. Brent. Alexandra Daddario as Paige. Alexandra Daddario. Paige. Rob Moran as Ed Long. Rob Moran. Ed Long. Lauren Bowles as ...
  32. [32]
    Hall Pass Cast & Character Guide - Screen Rant
    Apr 18, 2023 · Derek Walters as Brent: Derek Walters appears in the Hall Pass cast as Brent, the vindictive barista who competes with Rick for Leigh's ...
  33. [33]
    Derek Waters signs for 'Happy Endings' role - Digital Spy
    Aug 10, 2011 · Derek Waters joins Happy Endings in the potentially recurring role of Dave's friend Glaze. Derek Waters has signed up for a potentially ...
  34. [34]
    Derek Waters Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Actor and writer Derek Waters moved from working on web shorts to creating, writing, producing and starring in a critically-acclaimed series on Comedy Central.
  35. [35]
    Watch Side Quest - ‎Apple TV
    Go deeper into the Mythic Quest universe in these four standalone stories. Follow the lives of players, comic book shop owners, touring orchestra musicians.
  36. [36]
    "I Thought My Character Was Dead": 'Mythic Quest's Derek Waters ...
    Apr 26, 2025 · The premiere episode of Apple TV+'s Side Quest kicks off the anthology series with an unexpectedly tender return to Mythic Quest's most ...
  37. [37]
    'Side Quest' Review: Apple TV+ Launches 'Mythic Quest' Spinoff
    Mar 26, 2025 · It focuses on a character we already know (Derek Waters' perpetually put-upon art director Phil), and features a cameo by an already existing ...
  38. [38]
    The Rumpus Interview with Derek Waters
    Jul 5, 2013 · Comedy writer and Drunk History creator Derek Waters sits down and chats about success, his comedic roots, the future of media, ...Missing: early career relocation
  39. [39]
    https://collider.com/side-quest-anna-konkle-derek-waters-mythic-quest-phil/
  40. [40]
    The Lost Projects of Bob Odenkirk and David Cross - Vulture
    Oct 20, 2011 · Bob Odenkirk created The Derek & Simon Show for HBO with comedic actors Derek Waters and Simon Helberg. It was a low-key, realistic comedy in ...Missing: influence | Show results with:influence
  41. [41]
    Why the Creator of Drunk History Is Obsessed With Bad Crime ...
    Nov 15, 2016 · The creator of Drunk History is obsessed with bad crime reenactments. Derek Waters on how he decides which stories to tell.Missing: early stand- Tower
  42. [42]
    Derek Waters - Wikipedia
    Career. After moving to Los Angeles, he worked at Tower Video, a job he liked since he had never been exposed to independent movies before. He has performed ...
  43. [43]
    Derek Waters Explains His TV Series 'Drunk History'
    Jul 5, 2013 · In Derek Waters's “Drunk History” on Comedy Central, actors like Jack Black and Owen Wilson re-enact historical accounts as described by ...Missing: early stand- Tower
  44. [44]
    A Drinking Game Interview With 'Drunk History' Creator Derek Waters
    Jul 22, 2014 · The topics: The legal issues behind getting someone drunk on television, the show's transition from the web to HBO before arriving on Comedy ...Missing: Los Angeles Toronto
  45. [45]
    Drunk History: UK (TV Series 2015–2017) - IMDb
    Rating 6.9/10 (696) Drunk History: UK: With Jimmy Carr, Matthew Steer, Dustin Demri-Burns, Bruce Mackinnon. UK comedians relate their favourite historical stories while drunk.Missing: international spin- offs
  46. [46]
    Comedy Central orders second round of Drunk History: Black Stories
    Sep 5, 2023 · Comedy Central has renewed Drunk History: Black Stories, a spin-off to its flagship Drunk History franchise, for a second season.
  47. [47]
    'Drunk History' Co-Creator Shares Show's Takeaways (Guest Column)
    Aug 27, 2020 · Derek Waters eulogizes his Emmy-nominated variety sketch series after it gets canceled by Comedy Central and explains how he got big stars to work for scale.Missing: nephew | Show results with:nephew
  48. [48]
    'Drunk History' Serves An Educational Cocktail, With Comedic Twist
    Jul 2, 2014 · Its creator, Derek Waters, tells NPR's Steve Inskeep about the show's accuracy, teaching history through humor and at what point during filming ...Missing: influences inspirations