Ron Funches
Birth nameRonald Kyle Funches
Birth dateMarch 12, 1983 (age 43)
Birth placeCarson, California, U.S.[1]
MediumStand-up · television · film
GenreObservational comedy · black comedy · surreal humor · insult comedy · sarcasm · satire · deadpan
SubjectAfrican-American culture · American politics · human behavior · pop culture · current events · autism · fatherhood · marijuana
Years active2006–present

Ronald Kyle Funches (born March 12, 1983) is an American comedian and actor.[2][3] From 2014 to 2016, Funches starred as a regular on the NBC series Undateable, and in 2015, began performing as a voice actor on such series as BoJack Horseman, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and Adventure Time. He subsequently voiced Cooper in the animated film Trolls (2016). He also had guest-starring roles on a number of television series, including Transparent (2016), Black-ish (2017), and reprised the role of Cooper in the Trolls spin-off series Trolls: The Beat Goes On! (2018).

Beginning in 2019, he began voicing the roles of King Shark in the DC Comics TV series Harley Quinn and Fox in the TBS/Adult Swim TV series Final Space. In 2020, Funches again reprised the role of Cooper in the sequel film Trolls World Tour. Starting in 2020, Funches voiced Ron on the Netflix series Hoops. In 2021, Funches began voicing Kevin in the FX series Poorly Drawn Lines.

Early life

Ronald Kyle Funches was born in Carson, California,[4] but spent his early life with his mother and sister in the Woodlawn neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois.[5][1] Funches' mother was a social worker.[1] When he was 13 years old, he moved to Salem, Oregon, to live with his father, who was employed there as a pipefitter.[1] He began his comedy career in Portland, Oregon, at age 23. After moving to Los Angeles in 2012, he began appearing as a guest on several comedy series, including @midnight, Mulaney, and Kroll Show.

He graduated from Douglas McKay High School in Salem, where he took English courses,[5][1] and was inspired by writers such as Molière, J. D. Salinger, William Faulkner, and Erich Maria Remarque.[1] After high school, Funches relocated to Portland, Oregon, where he worked a variety of jobs, including at a bank call center and as a clerk at a Grocery Outlet store.[1][5]

Career

Funches began pursuing stand-up comedy at the age of 23 in Portland.[5][1] After having a small role on an episode of Portlandia in 2011,[6][7][8] he relocated to Los Angeles in 2012.[1] Beginning in 2013, he was a regular panelist on the comedy series @midnight, had a recurring role in the comedy series Crash & Bernstein (2013), and worked as a writer on The Eric Andre Show and Comedy Central's The Half Hour (2014). Also in 2014, Funches performed as a regular comic panelist on Chelsea Lately.[9][10][11]

Beginning in 2014, Funches appeared in several episodes of Drunk History, and in 2015, performed numerous guest-starring voice roles on the animated series BoJack Horseman, The Adventures of Puss in Boots, and Adventure Time.

Funches subsequently starred as Shelly on the NBC comedy series Undateable from 2014 until the series' conclusion in 2016.[12][5][13] Funches also had a supporting role in the 2015 comedy film Get Hard.

In 2016, he voiced the role of Cooper in the animated film Trolls,[14] Also in 2016, Funches guest-starred on numerous series, such as Another Period, Take My Wife, and Transparent.

Beginning in 2019, he began voicing the role of King Shark in the DC Comics TV series Harley Quinn and the role of Fox in the TBS series Final Space. He played the recurring character "Funchy" in season 3 (2019) of the CBS sitcom Man with a Plan. Funches reprised his role of Cooper in the Trolls sequel, Trolls World Tour (2020). Funches also voiced Shag Rugg on the 2021 HBO Max television series Jellystone![15] and Rock on the 2024 Nickelodeon television series Rock Paper Scissors.

In 2021, Funches hosted a spin-off of the Food Network series Chopped—Chopped 420—for Discovery+.[16]

Since 2022, Funches played the cousin of Maya Rudolph's character on Loot.[17]

Influences

Funches has cited Lucille Ball, Dave Chappelle, and Mitch Hedberg as major influences on his comedy.[18] Commenting on Ball, he said: "I Love Lucy was kind of my introduction to the world of comedy in general. And when you look at the history of Lucille Ball, and the work that she did for women in Hollywood, having her own production company, and also showing an interracial marriage on TV in the '50s, to me, she's just one of my biggest influences overall as a human being. That's what it means to be a professional and what it means to stand up for yourself even though interracial marriage has nothing to do with a career."[19]

Personal life

Funches had his first son, Malcolm, when he was 20 years old.[20] He mentions Malcolm's autism in his standup routine and welcomes fans sharing their stories with him.[5][13][21][22] He married Christina Dawn in August 2020. They had a son, Funches's second child, in 2022.[23][24][25] In October 2022, they separated.[26][27] They are now divorced. He has been divorced twice.[28]

Funches is an avid video gamer[29][30] and wrestling fan, having taken classes at a wrestling school for a few months.[31] Eventually Funches made his in-ring debut at GCW in September 2021 in a match against Tony Deppen that featured Paul Scheer as his cornerman and interference from Danhausen.[32] In August 2022 he started his wrestling podcast One Fall with Ron Funches.[33]

He told Adam Carolla that he had once weighed 360 pounds (160 kg). Funches said that over a few years he lost around 140 pounds (64 kg).[34]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2014Night Night with Ron FunchesHimselfWriter; short film for Funny or Die
Night Night with Ron Funches Ep 2
2015Movie Mind MachineRonShort film
Get HardJojo[35]
2016Donald Trump's The Art of the Deal: The MovieMember of The Fat Boys[36]
TrollsCooperVoice role[14]
2017Once Upon a Time in VeniceMocha[37]
Killing HasselhoffBill
2019JexiCraig
NoelleElf Mortimer
6 UndergroundBlaine's cousin / the funeral speaker
LuckySammyVoice role
2020Sylvie's LoveTank
UnderlingsSalVoice role
Trolls World TourCooper
The One and Only IvanMurphy
Golden ArmCarl
2021Dark Web: Cicada 3301Avi
2022Cheaper by the DozenSeth's Neighbor
Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Underground Rock ExperienceLes PantsVoice role
202380 for BradyChip
Under the BoardwalkAnemoneVoice role
Trolls Band TogetherCooper
Good Burger 2Jimathy
2024Inside Out 2BloofyVoice role; also performed "Bloofy's House Theme Song"[38][39]

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2011PortlandiaBaseball PlayerEpisode: "Baseball"
2013Crash & BernsteinRoland5 episodes
Dead KevinHomeless KingEpisode: "How Not to Rob a Liquor Store"
New GirlStreet MusicianEpisode: "First Date"
2014MulaneyRodney aka Tall TucanEpisode: "It's a Wonderful Home Alone"
The Eric Andre ShowWriter
Episode: "Seth Rogen; Asa Akira"
SelfieWayneEpisode: "Traumatic Party Stress Disorder"
The Half HourHimselfStand-up special
Bob's BurgersHorseplay / Patrick2 episodes
Voice role		[40]
EnlistedPrivate HugginsEpisode: "Pilot"
2014–2015Kroll ShowHimselfActor: 4 episodes
Writer: 11 episodes
2014–2016UndateableShelly36 episodes
Drunk HistoryVarious3 episodes[40]
2015Cougar TownMartyEpisode: "To Find a Friend"
BoJack HorsemanLeviEpisode: "Chickens"
Voice role
The Adventures of Puss in BootsFartholomew FishflingerEpisode: "Mouse"
Voice role
Adventure TimeThe Fool2 episodes in Stakes
Voice role
2016Great Minds with Dan HarmonIdi AminEpisode: "Idi Amin"
Another PeriodHamish's Cellmate2 episodes
The Lion GuardAjabuEpisode: "The Imaginary Okapi"
Voice role
HarmonquestCaptain Ribs SanchezEpisode: "Across the Dernum Sea"
Cupcake WarsHimselfEpisode: "Josie and the Pussycats"[35]
Home: Adventures with Tip & OhSharzod45 episodes
Voice role
Take My WifeRonEpisode: "Headliner"
TransparentFredrickEpisode: "Elizah"
2017Drive ShareNicky NitroEpisode: "The Light Source"
Black-ishLedariusEpisode: "I'm a Survivor"[40]
The GoldbergsFroy2 episodes
PowerlessRon12 episodes
We Bare BearsWyattEpisode: "Road Trip"
Voice role
Future ManRayEpisode: "Pilot"
Trolls HolidayCooperTV special
Voice role
2018A.P. BioHans2 episodes[40]
Talk Show The Game ShowHimself1 episodes[41]
OK K.O.! Let's Be HeroesSparko4 episodes
Voice role
2018–2019Trolls: The Beat Goes On!Cooper65 episodes
Voice role		[40]
2019Infinity TrainKhaki BottomsEpisode: "The Ball Pit Car"
Voice role
Man with a PlanFunchy3 episodes[40]
Twelve ForeverManquin25 episodes
Voice role
2019–2021Final SpaceFoxVoice role
18 episodes
2019–presentHarley QuinnKing Shark23 episodes
Voice role		[40]
2019Ron Funches: Giggle FitHimselfStand-up special
2019–2022Crank Yankers2 episodes
Voice role		[42]
2020Central ParkDannyEpisode: "Squirrel, Interrupted"
Voice role
Room 104CharlieEpisode: "Oh, Harry!"
HoopsRon10 episodes
Voice role
The Last BlockbusterHimself
Nice One!Host, writer
Top Secret Videos[43]
Match GameEpisode: "Joel McHale, Amanda Seales, Ron Funches, Ana Gasteyer, Rob Huebel, Nikki Glaser"
2020–2022Trolls: TrollsTopiaCooper52 episodes
Voice role
2021–2025The Great NorthJerry ShawRecurring
Voice role
Jellystone!Shag Rugg, Astro, Hong Kong PhooeyVoice role
2021Nailed It!Himself/JudgeEpisode: "Burbank State Fair"
Chopped 420Himself/host5 episodes
2021–2022Inside JobMothman
2021Poorly Drawn LinesKevin
Trolls: Holiday in HarmonyCooperTV special
Voice role
A Tale Dark & GrimmJacobVoice role
2022–presentLootHowardMain role
2023–presentRock Paper ScissorsRockVoice role
Frog and ToadRaccoon
2024After MidnightHimselfEpisode #26
ArielDelfinoEpisode: "The Singing Dolphin"
Voice role
2025Celebrity Weakest LinkContestantEpisode: "8 Degress of Jane"
KrapopolisColinVoice, episode: "Vengeance Will Be Nine"
2026The TraitorsContestantContestant[44]

Other accomplishments

References

  1. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (July 29, 2012). "Rising star, comedian Ron Funches outgrows Portland, leaves for Los Angeles". The Oregonian. Archived July 18, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  2. ^ Oregonian/OregonLive, Kristi Turnquist | The (2012-07-30). "Rising star, comedian Ron Funches outgrows Portland, leaves for Los Angeles". oregonlive. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  3. ^ Broadcast Group, Sinclair (2023-08-25). "Actor & Comedian Ron Funches". KATU. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
  4. ^ Funches, Ron (July 6, 2022). "#203 - Couples Therapy with Ali Macofsky". Gettin' Better with Ron Funches. Retrieved July 12, 2022. – via YouTube
  5. ^ Duelund, Theis (May 28, 2014). "7 Things you Need to Know About Comedian Ron Funches". Los Angeles Magazine. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  6. ^ Crowder, Courtney (June 4, 2014). "Ron Funches on NBC's 'Undateable'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  7. ^ Cutler, Jacqueline (May 29, 2014). "'Undateable': Ron Funches 'giggles 'like an Asian princess'". Zap2it. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  8. ^ Turnquist, Kristi (May 31, 2014). "TV Rewind: Ron Funches on 'Undateable'; 'Mad Men' midseason finale; 'Downton Abbey,' more". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  9. ^ "Chelsea Lately". Ron Funches. Archived from the original on 5 April 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  10. ^ "Watch Chelsea Lately S8E119 Online - Ethan Hawke, Ron Funches, Sarah Colonna, Ross Mathews". SideReel. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  11. ^ "Ron Funches Can't Stop Giggling on Chelsea Lately". The Interrobang. August 7, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  12. ^ Hinds, Julie (August 1, 2014). "4 theories on why NBC renewed Detroit-centric sitcom 'Undateable'". Detroit Free Press. Archived August 2, 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  13. ^ Socci, Blair (August 5, 2013). "Talking to Ron Funches About Standup, LA, and His First Sitcom Acting Gig". Splitsider. Retrieved March 16, 2016.
  14. ^ Vlessing, Etan (April 14, 2016). "Zooey Deschanel, Jeffrey Tambor Join DreamWorks Animation's 'Trolls'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived September 8, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 9, 2020.
  15. ^ "Login • Instagram". z-p42.www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2021-08-26.
  16. ^ "Stream It Or Skip It: 'Chopped 420' On Discovery+, Where Four Chefs Compete To Make Dishes That Incorporate Cannabis". Decider. 2021-04-20. Retrieved 2022-01-27.
  17. ^ "Ron Funches says he's grateful for rich friendship with 'Loot' costar Maya Rudolph". CNN. 2024-04-03. Retrieved 2026-02-14.
  18. ^ Variety Staff (May 9, 2015). "Cameo critic: Ron Funches loves 'I Love Lucy'". Star Tribune. Archived April 30, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  19. ^ MacPherson, Guy (July 5, 2017). "From wrestling to Lucille Ball, comedian Ron Funches mixes it up". The Georgia Straight. Archived April 30, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  20. ^ "Ron Funches Celebrates His Son Malcolm on Autism Awareness Day: 'Teaches Me So Much Every Day'". Peoplemag. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
  21. ^ Pashman, Dan (21 April 2015). "Comic Ron Funches' Autistic Son Loves Oreos With Bacon". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  22. ^ Nailen, Dan (June 28, 2018). "Ron Funches' "open-hearted, optimistic" comedy helps him stand out in stand-up". Inlander. Retrieved December 7, 2018.
  23. ^ "Inside Scoop: Hanging With UNDATEABLE's David Fynn & Ron Funches". Oh So Gray. 17 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2016.
  24. ^ "Ron Funches on Facebook Watch", retrieved 2020-04-09
  25. ^ "Ron Funches on How Parenting Is Different the Second Time Around". Jennifer Hudson Show. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  26. ^ Naumann, Ryan (2023-01-05). "Comedian Ron Funches' Estranged Wife Demands Spousal Support, Primary Custody Of 8-Month Old". RadarOnline. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  27. ^ "Comedian Ron Funches Files For Divorce After 'Pandemic Wedding'". www.yahoo.com. 17 November 2022. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  28. ^ "Ron Funches: Bad at Money Stories (The Andy Richter Call-In Show) - The Three Questions with Andy Richter". iHeart
  29. ^ Husband, Andrew (16 November 2015). "Ron Funches Discusses Video Games, Giggles And 'The Funches Of Us'". Uproxx. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  30. ^ Kodner, Matt (18 October 2013). "What are you playing this weekend? Ron Funches, comedian". The Gameological Society. Retrieved 19 March 2016.
  31. ^ "Stand-up comedian Ron Funches brings positivity and pot-sitivity to KC". The Pitch. 2022-08-12. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  32. ^ Blanchard, Matthew (2021-09-19). "Actor Ron Funches Proves Himself In The Ring With GCW". The Overtimer. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  33. ^ "One Fall with Ron Funches". Spotify. Retrieved 2023-01-12.
  34. ^ "Ron Funches". The Adam Carolla Show. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2017.
  35. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (October 28, 2019). "Quibi Greenlights Comedy Game Show 'Nice One!' With Ron Funches". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  36. ^ Barclay, Douglas (February 11, 2016). "Funny or Die made a satirical Trump 'biopic' that raised the bar for absurdist humor". Dayton Daily News. Archived May 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  37. ^ Heath, Josh (June 8, 2017). "Once Upon a Time in Venice". CutPrintFilm. Archived May 1, 2020 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. ^ Anderton, Ethan (2024-04-16). "Inside Out 2 Introduces Two New Scene-Stealing Characters With Very Different Animation Styles". SlashFilm. Retrieved 2024-04-16.
  39. ^ "Disney and Pixar's 'Inside Out 2' Reveals New Trailer and Voice Cast". thewaltdisneycompany.com. March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
  40. ^ "Ron Funches Credits". TV Guide. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  41. ^ Wright, Megh (January 11, 2018). "truTV Announces a Pile of Premiere Dates, New Series, and Shows in Development". Vulture. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  42. ^ "Crank Yankers: Aubrey Plaza, Ron Funches and Derek Waters". Comedy Central. April 9, 2020. Archived from the original on May 1, 2020.
  43. ^ "At-Home Vasectomy". www.trutv.com
  44. ^ "'The Traitors' season 4 cast revealed". EW.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  45. ^ Ron Funches beats Laura James by forfeit to win DDT Pro Wrestling Ironman Heavymetalweight Title (video). 26 July 2016. Retrieved 26 August 2016. – via YouTube