Illinois native Bob Odenkirk worked frequently as a stand-up at the Second City Theater in Chicago before joining "Saturday Night Live" (NBC) as a writer for four seasons (1987-91). After a stint as executive story editor for Fox's "Get a Life" (1991-92), he wrote and performed for the short-lived "The Ben Stiller Show" (Fox, 1992-93). With fellow "Stiller" writer David Cross, he formed a comedy partnership and financed (using $18,000 of their own money) a series of showcase stage versions of what would become HBO's "Mr. Show with Bob and David". Since its debut in 1995, "Mr. Show" has amassed a cult following and rave reviews, the LOS ANGELES TIMES calling it "some of television's smartest and darkest comedy." Odenkirk also plays the recurring role of Stevie Grant, Shandling's agent, on HBO's "The Larry Shandling Show" (1992-98) and has appeared on "Roseanne", "Seinfeld" and "Everybody Loves Raymond", among other series. His feature films include "Wayne's World 2" (1993), "The Cable Guy" (1996), as Matthew Broderick's brother, and "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" (1996), starring good friend Janeane Garofalo.