Horatio Sanz, a name synonymous with comedy, improvisation, and a memorable stint on Saturday Night Live, has captivated audiences for years. From his early days on SNL to his voice work in animated films like Wreck-It Ralph, Sanz has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. While he maintains a quiet personal life, his journey, including a notable weight loss transformation, has garnered attention.
From SNL Star to Voice Acting Talent
Horatio Sanz joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1998 and remained a cast member until 2006. During this time, he became known for his versatility and comedic timing, building a resume of small standout roles in films like Boat Trip, School for Scoundrels, Lucky You, Step Brothers, Year One, and Bachelorette. Beyond his live-action work, Sanz has also lent his voice to the character of Duncan in Wreck-It Ralph and Ralph Breaks the Internet, further showcasing his talent for comedic performance.
A Private Life
Sanz is known to be quiet about his personal life. He married Jenn Schatz in 2015.
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Horatio Sanz is known for Comedy Bang! Bang! is a comedy podcast which began airing as a radio show on May 1, 2009. Between 2012 and 2016 Comedy Bang! Bang! Comedy Death-Ray Radio first aired May 1, 2009, after Aukerman gained permission from Indie 103 to conduct a one-month tryout. On the May 15, 2011 podcast celebrating the show's second anniversary, Aukerman announced that the show's name was changing to Comedy Bang! Bang!. Since 2016, Ben Schwartz (and previously Horatio Sanz) have recorded a new "Closing Up the Plugbag" theme during the first episode each year. That theme (or a remix created by a listener) is then used for the rest of the year.
A Look at Other SNL Alumni
Sanz's career trajectory shares some similarities with other Saturday Night Live alumni such as Gilda Radner, Jane Curtin, Laraine Newman, Chevy Chase, John Belushi, Eddie Murphy, Dana Carvey, Chris Farley and Phil Hartman, who all used their time on the show as a springboard to success in film and television.
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Gilda Radner, the first person ever cast for Saturday Night Live (1975), stayed on SNL for 5 years, from 1975 to 1980.
Jane Curtin, after her five-year run on SNL, moved on, having a daughter named Tess in-between a new show with Susan Saint James titled Kate & Allie (1984), which was about two divorced women living in one house with their children. After Kate & Allie (1984) and several film roles, including Coneheads (1993), came 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996), a show about aliens living in Ohio and adjusting to Earth. In 2001, 3rd Rock ended production, and Jane eventually brought her talents to Broadway.
Laraine Newman is a founding member of The Groundlings, Lorne Michaels cast her in a Lily Tomlin Special and later as an original cast member of Saturday Night Live (1975).
Chevy Chase was a cast member of Saturday Night Live (1975) from its debut until 1976, and then embarked on a highly successful movie career. He scored in the 1980s with hits such as Caddyshack (1980), National Lampoon's Vacation (1983) and its sequels, Fletch (1985) and Fletch Lives (1989).
Eddie Murphy was offered a contract for the Not-Ready-For-Prime-Time Players of Saturday Night Live (1975), where Murphy exercised his comedic abilities in impersonating African American figures and originating some of the show's most memorable characters: Velvet Jones, Mr. Robinson, and a disgruntled and angry Gumby.
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Dana Carvey began seeking comedy film vehicles to extend his stardom, following the pathway of many other successful post-SNL comics. Dana's best results on film came in tandem with Mike Myers in which the duo recreated their memorable "party-on" dudes Wayne and Garth from the famous SNL sketches. Wayne's World (1992) and its sequel Wayne's World 2 (1993) were box-office smashes, but it strangely did not further Dana's film career.
Phil Hartman joined the cast of Saturday Night Live (1975) and was on the show for a record of 8 seasons (which was later broken by Tim Meadows). Phil played a wide range of characters including: Frank Sinatra, Bill Clinton, Ronald Reagan, Ed McMahon, Barbara Bush, and many others. He was known to help out other writers who wanted to get their sketches read and onto the show. He held Saturday Night Live (1975) together during his 8-year reign, thus the nickname he garnered while on the show, "The Glue."
The "Road Trip" Connection
Breckin Meyer stood out as Travis Birkenstock in Clueless and scoring supporting roles in The Craft, Go and The Insider, Meyer moved into the starring position in Road Trip as Josh-a cheater (it all works out in the end) but the relatively nice, normal one of the bunch. Next up was the ensemble comedy Rat Race and he's the voice of Jon in the Garfield movies with Bill Murray as the lazy, lasagna-loving cat.
Seann William Scott had just played Stifler in American Pie and would have three more turns as the unhinged but well-meaning party animal down the road. Scott dove into his subsequent type-casting with relish, starring in the bromance classic Dude, Where's My Car? with Ashton Kutcher and Final Destination (both of which also came out in 2000), The Dukes of Hazzard, Mr. Woodcock and Role Models. He also turned up in Old School and Jay and Silent Bob Strikes Back and provided the voice of Crash in four Ice Age films.
After Road Trip, which was preceded by modeling, starring in Varsity Blues and playing Ruby on Felicity, Smart reunited with Breckin Meyer in Rat Race and co-starred in The Butterfly Effect with Ashton Kutcher. She has appeared in a slew of films, including Win a Date With Tad Hamilton, Starsky & Hutch, The Best Man, Just Friends (as the object of Ryan Reynolds' long-suffering affection), The Town and the holiday ABC Family classic 12 Dates of Christmas.
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Paolo Costanzo went on to co-star in 40 Days and 40 Nights with Josh Hartnett and then landed the technically plum role of Joey's nephew Michael Tribbiani in the ultimately short-lived Friends spin-off. A steadier gig came as a star of the USA dramedy Royal Pains for eight seasons, after which he had a pivotal role in the HBO series The Night Of and joined the cast of Designated Survivor in season two.
Tom Green's bum isn't on the road trip, but his character-Barry Manilow-serves as narrator and school bard.
Rachel Blanchard, the former child star (The Kids of Degrassi Street, Are You Afraid of the Dark?) who played Cher when Clueless was briefly a sitcom, has since worked alongside a slew of talented actors, but her most recognizable film since Road Trip is the instant-cult-classic Snakes on a Plane.
Ethan Suplee had already excelled at comedy (the only one who can't see the optical illusion in Mallrats; a high school bully's strongman in Boy Meets World) and drama (as Edward Norton's racist lump of a friend in American History X) by the time he had a small role in Road Trip as Ed. In January 2020-after decades of yo-yo dieting and gaining and losing hundreds of pounds-he proudly revealed his new muscled physique.
Mary Lynn Rajskub is a prolific improv comedian and star of Mr. Show. She shares son Valentine with personal trainer Matthew Rolf.
The Significance of Physical Transformation
Ethan Suplee's weight loss journey, revealed in January 2020, serves as an inspiring example of dedication and transformation. After decades of yo-yo dieting, Suplee proudly revealed his new muscled physique, demonstrating that significant change is possible with commitment and hard work.