Nathan Fielder

Early life and education

Nathan Joseph Fielder was born on May 12, 1983, in Vancouver, British Columbia, into a Jewish family. His parents, Deb and Eric Fielder, both worked as social workers, providing an environment that likely informed his later interest in social dynamics and human behaviour. He attended Vancouver Talmud Torah for his elementary education and later Point Grey Secondary School, where his comedic interests first took shape during his teenage years. As a member of the school's improv comedy group, he performed alongside future comedian and actor Seth Rogen, an experience that provided a foundational exposure to performance and collaborative comedy. After high school, Fielder pursued a business education, enrolling at the University of Victoria where he graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce degree in 2005, a background that would directly influence the business-centric satire of his later work. He then moved to Toronto in 2006 to attend the renowned Comedy Program at Humber College, a decision that marked his formal entry into the world of comedy after a brief stint working for a brokerage firm, which he quit to pursue comedy full time.

Early career and breakthrough (2006 to 2012)

Fielder's professional comedy career began in earnest after he received the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award in 2006, a grant designed to encourage emerging comedic talent in Ontario. This recognition led to a writing job on the television series Canadian Idol, where his work caught the attention of CBC executive producer Michael Donovan. Donovan hired Fielder as a field correspondent for the satirical news program This Hour Has 22 Minutes, where from 2008 to 2009 he developed the popular recurring segment 'Nathan on Your Side'. This segment, which featured Fielder's awkward persona offering dubious help to the public, became the direct precursor to his later series and established his trademark deadpan delivery. During this period, he also wrote and directed sketches for the second season of Comedy Central's Important Things with Demetri Martin in 2010, expanding his work into the American market. Fielder made several guest appearances on other comedy shows, providing a voice for episodes of Bob's Burgers including the Season 2 finale 'Beefsquatch' and a Season 6 episode, and playing a boom operator in Jon Benjamin Has a Van in 2011. He also portrayed journalist Bob Woodward in the 'Washington, D.C.' episode of Comedy Central's Drunk History, further establishing his presence in the American comedy scene. Fielder maintained an active YouTube channel during these years, posting short sketches with friends that complemented his television work.

<em>Nathan for You</em> and mainstream recognition (2013 to 2017)

In 2013, Fielder co-created, wrote, directed, and starred in the Comedy Central series Nathan for You, which ran for four seasons until its conclusion in November 2017. The show featured Fielder playing an exaggerated, socially inept version of himself offering absurdly complex and logically flawed marketing advice to struggling small businesses. Its blend of reality television parody, elaborate pranks, and genuine human interaction developed a dedicated cult following and critical acclaim for its innovative format. One of the most famous stunts from the show was the February 2014 opening of 'Dumb Starbucks Coffee' in the Los Feliz neighbourhood of Los Angeles, a fully operational parody coffee shop that offered free drinks and pastries. The shop, which used Starbucks' logo and branding with the prefix 'Dumb', operated for a few days before being shut down by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for lacking permits, generating significant media attention and speculation about its creator before Fielder revealed his involvement. In the corresponding episode, Fielder stated his understanding of parody law was 'based off what I read on Wikipedia', exemplifying the show's commitment to absurdist logic. During the show's run, Fielder also took on acting roles, guest-starring on Rick and Morty in 2015 and appearing in the films The Night Before (2015) and The Disaster Artist (2017), demonstrating his versatility as a performer.

Expansion into documentary and scripted series (2018 to present)

Following Nathan for You, Fielder expanded his creative scope, serving as a consulting producer, writer, and co-director for Sacha Baron Cohen's 2018 political mockumentary series Who Is America?. In 2019, he signed an overall deal with HBO, leading to his role as executive producer on the documentary series How To with John Wilson which aired from 2020 to 2023. His next major project was The Rehearsal, a docu-comedy series for HBO that he created, wrote, directed, and starred in, with the first season premiering in 2022 to generally positive reception and an immediate renewal for a second season. The series, in which Fielder constructs elaborate rehearsals for people to practice life events, won the Independent Spirit Award for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series. A second season aired in 2025, receiving generally positive reviews and resonating particularly with autistic viewers for its depiction of rehearsing social interactions, which many saw as an analogy for autistic masking. As part of a storyline for the second season focusing on aviation and pilot communication, Fielder employed former National Transportation Safety Board member John Goglia as an advisor and publicly criticized the FAA on CNN after it disputed the show's premise. He became a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified Boeing 737 commercial pilot in February 2025 and worked briefly in 2025 as a ferry pilot for the Nomadic Aviation Group, integrating this real-life certification into the comedic fabric of the show.

In 2022, Showtime picked up the comedy series The Curse, created and written by Fielder and filmmaker Benny Safdie, and starring Fielder, Safdie, and Emma Stone. The first three episodes premiered at the 2023 New York Film Festival in Manhattan, with the remainder airing on Paramount+ and shown at Lincoln Center. Stone later praised Fielder's ability to move between directing, writing, acting, and producing when she named him to Time magazine's '100 Most Influential People in 2023' list. Fielder's first feature film, the A24 documentary You Can See Everything, co-directed with Lance Oppenheim, premiered in a surprise screening at the Telluride Film Festival in Colorado on September 6, 2026. The film follows disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes and her partner Billy Evans in the weeks before she began serving her 11-year prison sentence for defrauding investors and was released widely on October 16, 2026.

Key projects from this period include his work as a field correspondent and segment creator for CBC's This Hour Has 22 Minutes from 2008 to 2009. He wrote and directed sketches for the American show Important Things with Demetri Martin in 2010. Fielder also made guest voice appearances on Bob's Burgers and acted in the series Jon Benjamin Has a Van. His early career was supported by winning the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award in 2006.

• Who Is America? (2018), Consulting producer, writer, co-director.
• How To with John Wilson (2020 to 2023), Executive producer.
• The Rehearsal (2022 to 2025), Creator, writer, director, star. Season 2 aired in 2025.
• The Curse (2023 to 2024), Co-creator, writer, director, star with Benny Safdie and Emma Stone.
• You Can See Everything (2026), Co-director with Lance Oppenheim. Documentary on Elizabeth Holmes.

Activism and Summit Ice Apparel

Fielder's activism is closely tied to his Jewish heritage and a formative experience hearing a Holocaust survivor speak at an event hosted by the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre (VHEC) during his student years. This experience led to a longstanding relationship with the VHEC and ultimately inspired his philanthropic work. In 2015, he founded the not-for-profit company Summit Ice Apparel, which produces outdoor softshell jackets and is dedicated to raising awareness and funds for Holocaust education. The venture was specifically inspired after Fielder learned that another outdoor apparel company he had supported, Taiga in Vancouver, had published a tribute to Holocaust denier Doug Collins. Summit Ice Apparel generated close to $500,000 in sales in its first three months of operation, with all profits directed to the VHEC to support their educational mission. By 2025, the company reported it had earned millions of dollars in support of youth education programs focused on intolerance, racial bias, and genocide. In 2017, Fielder hosted a one-day pop-up shop in Vancouver where customers could trade in their Taiga clothing for Summit Ice products, a direct action against the company he once supported. He has described Summit Ice Apparel as his 'proudest achievement', expressing disappointment when the second episode of Nathan for You's third season, which featured the company, was removed by Paramount+ worldwide after the platform's German division expressed concerns in the wake of the Gaza war.

Personal life and influences

Fielder married children's librarian Sarah Ziolkowska in 2011, and the couple divorced in 2014. He has lived in the Silver Lake neighbourhood of Los Angeles, and in September 2025, he became a naturalized citizen of the United States, maintaining dual Canadian-American citizenship. His comedic influences include British satirist Chris Morris and American comedian Stephen Colbert, whose work has informed his own approach to blending performance with incisive social commentary. Fielder's background in business from the University of Victoria and his early improv work with Seth Rogen have been consistently cited as foundational elements that shaped his unique perspective on comedy and entrepreneurship.

Selected filmography and awards

Nathan Fielder's body of work spans television and film, often blending genres and formats to create unique comedic experiences. He co-created, directed, and starred in the parody reality show Nathan for You from 2013 to 2017. He later executive produced the docu-series How To with John Wilson and created the docu-comedy The Rehearsal for HBO. Fielder co-created and starred in the scripted series The Curse with Benny Safdie and Emma Stone, and co-directed his first feature documentary, You Can See Everything, in 2026.

Fielder's work has been recognized with several major awards that highlight his impact on television and documentary filmmaking. He won a Peabody Award, a Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award, and an Independent Spirit Award for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series for The Rehearsal. His career was also kickstarted by winning the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award in 2006, which provided crucial early support. He has received four nominations for Primetime Emmy Awards throughout his career, reflecting consistent critical recognition from his peers in the television industry.

Questions about Nathan Fielder

Is Nathan Fielder Canadian?

Yes, Nathan Fielder is a Canadian citizen. He was born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He studied business at the University of Victoria and attended a comedy program at Humber College in Toronto. In September 2025, he also became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

What is Summit Ice Apparel?

Summit Ice Apparel is a not-for-profit clothing company founded by Nathan Fielder in 2015. It sells softshell jackets and uses all profits to support the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre. The company was founded after Fielder learned another brand had honoured a Holocaust denier. By 2025, it had earned millions for Holocaust education.

What is Nathan Fielder's most famous show?

Nathan Fielder is best known for creating, writing, directing, and starring in the Comedy Central parody reality show Nathan for You, which aired from 2013 to 2017. The show features him playing a slightly more awkward version of himself who offers advice to struggling businesses. It was based on his earlier recurring segment 'Nathan on Your Side' from the CBC series This Hour Has 22 Minutes. A famous stunt from the show was the 2014 opening of a parody coffee shop called Dumb Starbucks Coffee in Los Angeles, which Fielder revealed he was behind. The show's premise and his deadpan persona cemented his reputation for surreal humor and satire.

What awards has Nathan Fielder won?

Nathan Fielder has won several awards including a Peabody Award, an Independent Spirit Award, and a Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award. He won the Independent Spirit Award for Best New Non Scripted or Documentary Series for his HBO series The Rehearsal. His accolades also include four nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award. Earlier in his career, in 2006, he received the Tim Sims Encouragement Fund Award. In 2023, his influence was recognized when he was featured on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Is Nathan Fielder a pilot?

Yes, Nathan Fielder became a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified Boeing 737 commercial pilot in February 2025. This achievement was part of the overarching subject matter for the second season of his HBO docu comedy series The Rehearsal, which satirized the use of roleplay to train pilots on communication. As part of his comedy bit for the show, he worked briefly in 2025 as a ferry pilot for the Nomadic Aviation Group. His involvement with aviation topics led him to employ an aviation safety consultant as an advisor and to publicly criticize the FAA's stance on pilot communication during promotional interviews.

What is Nathan Fielder's newest project?

Nathan Fielder's newest project is the documentary film You Can See Everything, which he co directed with filmmaker Lance Oppenheim. The film, produced by A24, had a surprise premiere at the Telluride Film Festival on September 6, 2026. It was subsequently released on October 16, 2026. The documentary follows disgraced entrepreneur Elizabeth Holmes and her partner Billy Evans in the weeks before Holmes began serving her 11 year prison sentence for defrauding investors. This project marks Fielder's first feature film as a director, expanding his work beyond television series like The Rehearsal and The Curse.

Sources and further reading

• Nathan Fielder (Wikipedia)
• Who is Nathan Fielder, really? (cnn.com)
• Nathan Fielder Movies & TV Shows List (rottentomatoes.com)
• Who Is Nathan Fielder? (readtheprofile.com)
• Nathan Fielder: Movies, TV, and Bio (primevideo.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-18.