Patrick Bristow (born September 26, 1962) is an American actor and comedian.

Biography

Perhaps best known for his television role as Peter, the best friend of Ellen Degeneres' character in the series Ellen, the red-haired Patrick Bristow is one of the more recognizable character actors working today. He is a veteran of numerous high-profile TV guest-star roles that include Seinfeld's "The Wig Master", his recurring role as the machiavellian Troy on Mad About You, and Larry David's choreographer on Curb Your Enthusiasm. He has also guest starred on Malcolm in the Middle., "Friends," "CSI," "The Minor Accomplishments of Jackie Woodman," "The Larry Sanders Show," "Head Case," "The Suite Life of Zack and Cody," " and the animated series "King of the Hill" and "Family Guy," and many others.

Bristow has also appeared as himself in episodes of both the U.K. and U.S. versions of the improvisational show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and on "Celebrity Apprentice." He is currently the Stage Show Director and Host for the Jim Henson Company's [http://www.puppetup.com Puppet Up!], which combines comedic improvisation with puppetry, and which he co-created with Brian Henson.

Bristow has been nominated for a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, a Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award, and took home a Back Stage West Garland Award for originating the role of Bob in [http://www.thebreakupnotebook.com The Breakup Notebook: The Lesbian Musical], which received the prestigious 2006 Ovation Award for World Premiere Musical. His live show, "Stuffed and Unstrung," was also nominated for a Drama Desk award in 2010 in the category of "Unique Theatrical Experience." Bristow is also an alumnus of the Los Angeles landmark sketch comedy/improv troupe The Groundlings, where he still occasionally performs improvisation comedy. His film work includes Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery as a tour guide at Virtucon, the cult camp-classic Showgirls, "So I Married an Axe Murderer," The Longest Yard, Twilight of the Golds, Jimmy and Judy, Enigma with a Stigma, and the upcoming "Pain & Gain."

In 2010, he appeared off-Broadway at the Union Square Theatre as director and stage host of the revamped "Puppet Up", renamed "Stuffed and Unstrung" (co-created with Brian Henson) for its New York debut. The show, a mix of improvised, uncensored comedy sketches and recreations of vintage Jim Henson comedy pieces, garnered rave reviews, including an "A-" from Entertainment Weekly. Bristow is also credited as director and co-creator (alongside Brian Henson). He continues to teach improv in Los Angeles through his own school/repertory company, [http://www.improvatorium.com Improvatorium].

A Los Angeles native, Bristow is the third child of former performers Frank Bristow and Patricia O'Kane. He resides in L.A. with Andrew Nicastro, his partner since 1994 and the former Director of Global Production for Steven Spielberg's Shoah Foundation. He and Nicastro were married in April 2010 in a ceremony in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, attended by friends and family.