Rafi Metz

Jason Mantzoukas, born December 18, 1972, is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and podcaster. He gained recognition for his role as Rafi in the FX comedy series 'The League' and as Nadal in Sacha Baron Cohen's 'The Dictator'. Mantzoukas is also a co-host of the popular podcast 'How Did This Get Made?'. His career began in improv comedy, leading to numerous comedic roles in film and television, including recurring parts in shows like 'Parks and Recreation' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'. He has also lent his voice to several animated series, such as 'Big Mouth' and 'Invincible'.

Mantzoukas's background includes a passion for music, particularly drumming, and a college major in religion. He traveled extensively in North Africa and the Middle East on a Watson Fellowship, studying religious and transcendental music. This experience involved living in Morocco and traveling to countries like Egypt, Israel, and Turkey. He has also written for television, with a pilot ordered by NBC and a deal with Comedy Central for sketch comedy. Beyond his acting and writing, Mantzoukas is a frequent guest on various podcasts.

Born in Massachusetts to second-generation Greek-American parents, Jason Mantzoukas's early life included a significant focus on music, particularly drumming, where he cited influences like Stewart Copeland and Jimmy Chamberlin. He participated in various musical ensembles throughout high school and college. Mantzoukas pursued a degree in religion at Middlebury College. Following his graduation, he received a Watson Fellowship, which allowed him to spend nearly two years traveling through North Africa and the Middle East. During this period, he immersed himself in the study and recording of religious and transcendental music, including Gnawa music in Morocco, and visited countries such as Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Jordan, and Syria.

Mantzoukas's comedic journey began during his high school years, writing sketches for variety shows. He discovered a deep passion for improvisational comedy at Middlebury College, finding parallels between improv and jazz performance. Upon moving to New York City, he became actively involved with the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, where he trained and performed. He formed a notable improv duo, 'The Mantzoukas Brothers,' with Ed Herbstman, earning accolades. He also collaborated extensively with Jessica St. Clair, developing sketch shows and long-form improv, leading to a pilot pitch to HBO and a deal with Comedy Central. Mantzoukas also shared his expertise by teaching advanced improv classes.

Beyond his on-screen roles, Mantzoukas has a significant presence in voice acting for animated projects. He has held main roles in series like 'Big Mouth,' 'Close Enough,' 'HouseBroken,' and 'Star Trek: Prodigy.' His distinctive voice work also extended to commercials, where he voiced Mr. Mucus for Mucinex. Mantzoukas has also contributed to television writing, with NBC ordering a pilot for a series he wrote called 'Off Duty.' He also earned screenplay credit for the comedy film 'Ride Along' and has served as a consulting writer and producer for shows such as 'Childrens Hospital' and 'Portlandia.'