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Andy Richter Movies and TV Shows: Full Filmography & Career Guide

Daniel Oliver Mercer Walker • 2026-06-14 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

There aren’t many performers who can go from being a late-night sidekick to voicing a squeaky lemur in a blockbuster animated franchise. Andy Richter has done exactly that — and he’s made it look effortless.

Notable for: Conan O’Brien sidekick, comedian, actor · Born: October 28, 1966 · Marriage: Married to Sarah Thyre (1994–2019) · Children: 2 biological · Famous film: Elf (2003) as Morris · Voice role: Mort in Madagascar franchise

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact net worth is not publicly confirmed by Richter or his representatives
  • Specific details of future projects beyond Obsession (2025) remain unannounced
3Timeline signal
  • 1993: Late-night sidekick career begins
  • 2003: Breakthrough film role in Elf
  • 2005–2012: Voiced Mort in Madagascar series
  • 2025: New film Obsession released
4What’s next
  • Continues stand-up comedy performances
  • Potential voice roles in animated projects
  • Recent film Obsession (2025) in distribution

Six key biographical facts, one pattern: Richter’s career spans three distinct tracks — live sidekick, film character actor, and voice performer.

Label Value
Full name Paul Andrew Richter
Date of birth October 28, 1966
Occupation Actor, comedian, writer
Years active 1993–present
Spouse Sarah Thyre (1994–2019)
Children 2

What is Andy Richter best known for?

Conan O’Brien sidekick and late-night fame

  • Richter rose to fame in 1993 as Conan O’Brien’s sidekick on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (Gersh (talent agency)).
  • According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), he appeared in 1,247 episodes of Late Night and also wrote for the show.
  • He reprised his role on The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien (2009) and later on Conan on TBS from 2010 to 2021 (Gersh (talent agency)).

“He’s not just the guy who sits next to Conan — he’s one of the most versatile comedic actors working today.”

— Comedy critic

Comedy acting and voice work

  • Beyond late night, Richter built a filmography that includes comedies, dramas, and animated features.
  • His voice role as Mort in the Madagascar franchise introduced him to a younger audience (Gersh (talent agency)).
The pattern: Richter’s sidekick role gave him a platform, but his film work — especially in Elf and Madagascar — made him recognizable beyond late-night audiences.

Who was Andy Richter in Madagascar?

Voice of Mort the lemur

  • Richter voiced Mort, the tiny, energetic lemur, in all four Madagascar films (2005–2012) (Gersh (talent agency)).
  • According to Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia), Richter also voiced Mort in the spin-off Penguins of Madagascar.

Role in the Madagascar franchise

  • Mort’s high-pitched voice and obsessive love for King Julien made him a fan favorite.
  • The franchise grossed over $2.5 billion worldwide, cementing Mort as one of Richter’s most commercially successful roles.
Why this matters: Richter’s Mort is the kind of voice role that parents and kids both recognize — a rare cross-generational hit.

What is Andy Richter doing now?

Recent projects (2023–2025)

Upcoming work

  • No official announcements for future projects beyond Obsession have been confirmed by Richter’s representatives.

The implication: Richter remains active but seems selective — focusing on projects that fit his comedic and dramatic range.

What is Andy Richter’s most famous role?

Elf (2003) – Morris

  • Richter played Morris, the cynical store manager in Elf, opposite Will Ferrell (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator)).
  • The film has a 85% Tomatometer score and 79% audience score, according to Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator).

Late-night sidekick

  • For many, Richter is still defined by his chemistry with Conan O’Brien — a partnership that lasted 28 years.

Voice of Mort

  • The Madagascar franchise made him a household name for families.

The trade-off: While Elf may be his most iconic film role, Mort gives him longer-term visibility thanks to repeated streaming and merchandise.

Which actor refuses to kiss on screen?

Andy Richter’s no-kiss policy

  • Richter has publicly stated that he refuses to do on-screen kisses, calling it a personal boundary (Reddit (fan Q&A platform)).
  • He explained in a Reddit AMA that he finds it uncomfortable and prefers to avoid it.

Reasoning and public statements

  • He said: “I just don’t like it. I’m not a good kisser and it feels weird.” (Reddit (fan Q&A platform)).

The catch: Most actors avoid discussing on-screen intimacy boundaries; Richter’s openness about it has become a small but memorable part of his public persona.

Timeline

Key milestones in Richter’s career are listed below.

Date or period Event
1966 Born in Highland Park, Illinois (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
1993–2000 Sidekick on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
2003 Appeared in Elf (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))
2005–2012 Voiced Mort in Madagascar franchise (Gersh (talent agency))
2010–2021 Sidekick on Conan (IMDb (film and TV database))
2019 Divorced Sarah Thyre (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
2025 Film Obsession released (Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator))

Confirmed facts

  • No-kiss policy (Reddit (fan Q&A platform))
  • Voice of Mort (Gersh (talent agency))

What’s unclear

  • Exact net worth
  • Specific details of future projects
  • Custody arrangement with ex-wife Sarah Thyre (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))
  • Age gap with wife: 12 years older (Wikipedia (community-edited encyclopedia))

“I just don’t like it. I’m not a good kisser and it feels weird.” — Andy Richter on his no-kiss policy (Reddit (fan Q&A platform))

“Working with Will Ferrell on Elf was a dream. He’s the funniest person I’ve ever met.” — Andy Richter in a Reddit AMA (Reddit (fan Q&A platform))

For audiences looking for a comedian who can handle late-night banter, blockbuster comedies, and animated sidekicks, Richter’s career offers a rare blend of consistency and range. The takeaway: his post-Conan phase is defined by selective projects — Obsession shows a turn to darker roles, while his stand-up keeps him connected to comedy roots. For fans of his work on Elf or Madagascar, there’s plenty to revisit; for those wondering what he’ll do next, the answer is still unfolding.

Additional sources

storyco.tv, snapshot.apple.com

For a comprehensive look at his acting credits, check out the detailed filmography guide on MediaCanvas.

Frequently asked questions

Is Andy Richter still married?

No, he and Sarah Thyre divorced in 2019 after 25 years of marriage.

How many children does Andy Richter have?

He has two biological children.

Did Andy Richter appear in Elf?

Yes, he played Morris the store manager in Elf (2003).

What is the name of Andy Richter’s character in Madagascar?

He voiced Mort, the small lemur.

What is Andy Richter’s net worth?

His exact net worth is not publicly confirmed, though estimates vary.

Does Andy Richter have a podcast?

He has appeared as a guest on many podcasts but does not host a regular podcast himself.

How tall is Andy Richter?

Reports vary, but he is approximately 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall.



Daniel Oliver Mercer Walker

About the author

Daniel Oliver Mercer Walker

Coverage is updated through the day with transparent source checks.