Akiva Schaffer

Director · Born December 1, 1977 · Berkeley, California, USA

Biography

Akiva Schaffer (born December 1, 1977) is an American filmmaker. He began his career as a writer for Saturday Night Live and a member of The Lonely Island, a sketch-comedy troupe that first found success on the Internet, which includes Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone. He majored in film at University of California, Santa Cruz. He is best known for directing the films Hot Rod (2007), Popstar (2016), and the reboot of The Naked Gun (2025).

Directed 21

2020s

2025
The Naked Gun
Director
71
2022
Chip 'n Dale: Rescue Rangers
Director
68

2010s

2019
The Lonely Island Presents: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience
Director
68
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
Director
78
2017
Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special
Director
74
2016
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Director
70
2015
An SNL Valentine
Director
2013
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Director
83
2012
The Watch
Director
44

2000s

2009
SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas
Director
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Amy Poehler
Director
2008
Laser cats 3
Director
2007
Hot Rod
Director
56
Laser Cats 2
Director
2006
Laser Cats!
Director
Awesometown
Director
2005
Football Town
Director
2003
The 'Bu
Director
Regarding Ardy
Director
2001
White Power
Director

1970s

1975
Saturday Night Live
Director
77

Acted in 19

2020s

2010s

2019
The Lonely Island Presents: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience
Mark McGwire
68
2018
7 Splinters in Time
McFly
38
2017
Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special
Alan
74
2016
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Lawrence Dunn
70
2014
Neighbors
Toga #2
66
2013
Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Brett Booth · 1 episode
83
Grown Ups 2
Male Cheerleader
38
2012
The Watch
Casual Wanker #3
44

2000s

2008
Water and Power
Ambassador · 1 episode
2007
Hot Rod
Derrick (uncredited)
56
2006
Awesometown
TV
2005
Football Town
Walt Rice
House of Cosbys
Cosby Team TriOsby (voice) · 2 episodes
2003
Regarding Ardy
Kiv
2001
White Power
Kiv

Produced 16

2020s

2025
The Naked Gun
Executive Producer
71
2024
Self Reliance
Executive Producer
62
2023
Digman!
Executive Producer
65
2020
I Used to Go Here
Producer
65
Palm Springs
Producer
80

2010s

2019
The Lonely Island Presents: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience
Executive Producer
68
I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson
Executive Producer
78
PEN15
Executive Producer
81
2018
Alone Together
Executive Producer
66
2017
Brigsby Bear
Producer
74
Michael Bolton's Big, Sexy Valentine's Day Special
Executive Producer
74
2016
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping
Producer
70
Party Over Here
Executive Producer
2010
MacGruber
Executive Producer
51

2000s

2003
Regarding Ardy
Producer
2001
White Power
Producer

Wrote 11

2020s

2025
The Naked Gun
Writer
71

2010s

2000s

2008
Extreme Movie
Writer
39
Laser cats 3
Writer
2007
Laser Cats 2
Writer
2006
Awesometown
Writer
2005
Football Town
Writer
2003
Regarding Ardy
Writer
2001
White Power
Writer

1970s

1975
Saturday Night Live
Writer
77

Edited 3

2010s

2019
The Lonely Island Presents: The Unauthorized Bash Brothers Experience
Editor
68

2000s

2003
Regarding Ardy
Editor
2001
White Power
Editor

Sound 2

2010s

2017
Tour de Pharmacy
Recording Supervision
75
2014
The Lego Movie
Songs
82

Created 1

2000s

2003
The 'Bu
Creator

Appearances9

2020s

2025
Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music
Self - SNL Writer / Self - Director
85

2010s

2017
Carpool Karaoke: The Series
Self · 1 episode
57
2014
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest · 2 episodes
60
2012
Comedy Bang! Bang!
Self · 2 episodes
73

2000s

2009
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · 1 episode
54
2007
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
Self · 1 episode
76
2006
Awesometown
Self
2003
The 'Bu
self · 1 episode

1970s

1975
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited), Bad Guy (uncredited), DJ (uncredited), Kiv (uncredited), Guy Selling Guy (uncredited), Guy (uncredited), Self (uncredited) · 3 episodes
77