Brian Gallivan is an American actor, writer and comedian. He gained significant attention for his Second City Network web series Sassy Gay Friend , based on a character he created in 2004 Second City mainstage revue Red Scare . The series shows events that may have transpired if famous women (and a few men) in literature, film and history had been advised by the titular character.
Gallivan got his start improvising in his hometown of Boston before moving to Chicago in 2003, where he performed at The Second City between 2003 and 2007, appearing in four mainstage revues, including the long-running Between Barack and a Hard Place . He was twice nominated for Joseph Jefferson Awards for his work while there.
Gallivan appeared in the Matt Damon film The Informant! and in the Derek Westerman web series Bad Dads alongside Michael Cera . Gallivan appeared in the feature film A Thousand Words .
Gallivan was a writer on the NBC sitcom Are You There, Chelsea? and the ABC comedy series Happy Endings .
For the 2014-15 television season, Gallivan created and produced the CBS television sitcom The McCarthys , which was cancelled in early 2015.
Gallivan is openly gay.
Producer
2023
Shrinking (TV Series) (co-executive producer - 10 episodes) - Closure (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Moving Forward (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Boop (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Apology Tour (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Imposter Syndrome (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Woof (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Potatoes (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Fifteen Minutes (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Fortress of Solitude (2023) - (co-executive producer)
- Coin Flip (2023) - (co-executive producer)
2019
Friends-In-Law (TV Movie) (executive producer)
-
Splitting Up Together (TV Series) (co-executive producer - 6 episodes, 2018) (consulting producer - 1 episode, 2018) - Glowing Pains (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- Yes, Deer (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- War of the Wagners (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- We Need to Talk About Karen (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- Asking for a Friend (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- Sign Language (2018) - (co-executive producer)
- Devil May Care (2018) - (consulting producer)
2017
Future Man (TV Series) (consulting producer - 8 episodes) - A Date with Destiny (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Girth, Wind & Fire (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Prelude to an Apocalypse (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Beyond the TruffleDome (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Pandora's Mailbox (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Operation: Natal Attraction (2017) - (consulting producer)
- A Blowjob Before Dying (2017) - (consulting producer)
- Operation: Fatal Attraction (2017) - (consulting producer)
2017
Imaginary Mary (TV Series) (co-executive producer - 8 episodes) - Sleep Over (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- Last Dance with Mary (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- The Ex X Factor (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- Alice the Mole (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- In a World Where Worlds Collide (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- Prom-Com (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- The Parent-y Trap (2017) - (co-executive producer)
- The Mom Seal (2017) - (co-executive producer)
2016
Hail Mary (TV Movie) (executive producer)
-
The McCarthys (TV Series) (executive producer - 15 episodes, 2014 - 2015) (co-executive producer - 1 episode) - End Games (2015) - (executive producer)
- Family Therapy (2015) - (executive producer)
- Cutting the Cord (2015) - (executive producer)
- Gerard's Engagement Party (2015) - (executive producer)
- The Ref (2015) - (executive producer)
- Hall of Fame (2015) - (executive producer)
- Sister Act (2015) - (executive producer)
- Red Sox Swap (2014) - (executive producer)
- Arthur and Marjorie's Night Apart (2014) - (executive producer)
- Why Guys Shouldn't Date Their Sister's Ex (2014) - (executive producer)
- Thanks a Lot, Ronny (2014) - (executive producer)
- Supporting Jackie (2014) - (executive producer)
- The Good Coach (2014) - (executive producer)
- Love, McCarthys Style (2014) - (executive producer)
- Pilot (2014) - (executive producer)
- Unaired Pilot - (co-executive producer)
2014
Bambi Cottages (TV Movie) (executive producer)
Writer
2023
Shrinking (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode) - Fifteen Minutes (2023) - (written by)
2019
Friends-In-Law (TV Movie)
2018
Splitting Up Together (TV Series) (written by - 2 episodes) - War of the Wagners (2018) - (written by)
- Soups Jealous (2018) - (written by)
2017
Imaginary Mary (TV Series) (written by - 1 episode) - In a World Where Worlds Collide (2017) - (written by)
-
The McCarthys (TV Series) (created by - 15 episodes, 2014 - 2015) (written by - 2 episodes, 2014) (writer - 1 episode) - End Games (2015) - (creator)
- Family Therapy (2015) - (creator)
- Cutting the Cord (2015) - (creator)
- Gerard's Engagement Party (2015) - (creator)
- The Ref (2015) - (creator)
- Hall of Fame (2015) - (creator)
- Sister Act (2015) - (creator)
- Red Sox Swap (2014) - (creator)
- Arthur and Marjorie's Night Apart (2014) - (creator)
- Why Guys Shouldn't Date Their Sister's Ex (2014) - (creator)
- Thanks a Lot, Ronny (2014) - (creator)
- Supporting Jackie (2014) - (creator)
- The Good Coach (2014) - (creator) / (written by)
- Love, McCarthys Style (2014) - (creator)
- Pilot (2014) - (creator) / (written by)
- Unaired Pilot - (writer)
2014
Bambi Cottages (TV Movie)
2012
Happy Endings (TV Series) (written by - 2 episodes) - She Got Game Night (2013) - (written by)
- To Serb with Love (2012) - (written by)
-
Are You There, Chelsea? (TV Series) (staff writer - 9 episodes, 2012) (written by - 1 episode, 2012) - The Foodie (2012) - (staff writer)
- Fired (2012) - (staff writer)
- Those Damn Yankees (2012) - (staff writer)
- Dee Dee's Pillow (2012) - (staff writer)
- How to Succeed in Business Without Really Crying (2012) - (staff writer)
- The Gynecologist (2012) - (staff writer)
- Strays (2012) - (staff writer)
- Believe (2012) - (staff writer)
- Sloane's Ex (2012) - (written by)
- Pilot (2012) - (staff writer)
2010
Sassy Gay Friend: Hamlet (Short)
Actor
2020
The Big Show Show (TV Series) as
Principal Crowley
- The Big Surprise (2020) - Principal Crowley
2020
Outmatched (TV Series) as
Sebastian
- Royal Rumble (2020) - Sebastian
2018
Womp It Up! (Podcast Series) as
Billy Reck
- Spotlight On: Billy Reck (2018) - Billy Reck (voice)
2016
The Boys at the Bar as
Cuddle Bear
2015
Marry Me (TV Series) as
Flight Attendant
- Wake Me (2015) - Flight Attendant
2013
The Caterpillar's Kimono as
Duncan
2012
The Intern (Short) as
Brian
2012
The Last Supper (Short)
2012
A Taste of Magic (Short) as
Magician
2011
Childrens Hospital (TV Series) as
Reporter 1
- The '70s Episode (2011) - Reporter 1
2011
Bad Dads (Short) as
Jessica's Boyfriend
2011
Funny or Die Presents... (TV Series) as
- Episode #2.3 (2011) - Abraham Lincoln (segment "The Amazing Adventures of David and Jennie")
2010
Sassy Gay Friend: Hamlet (Short) as
Sassy Gay Friend
2010
AIDS: We Did It! (Short)
2009
The Informant! as
Ron Henkoff
2008
The Promotion as
Banjo Player #1 (voice)
2004
Disturbing Leonard (Short) as
Intimidating Man At Urinal 2
Self
-
Underground Comedy (Documentary) (post-production)
2012
UCB Comedy Originals (TV Series short) as
Self
- Happy Endings: LIVE! (2012) - Self
2011
Second City This Week (TV Series) as
Celebrity Guest