# Cole Stratton > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cole_Stratton > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Cole_Stratton.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Stratton > Source revision: 1346809092 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American actor, comedian, producer (b. 1976)}} {{Infobox person | name = Cole Stratton | image = Cole Stratton 2020.jpg | caption = Stratton in 2020 | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|9|21}} | birth_place = [Lansing, Michigan](/source/Lansing%2C_Michigan), U.S. | occupation = Actor, comedian, podcaster, writer, producer | years_active = 2002–present | website = {{URL|colestratton.com}} }} '''Cole Stratton''' (born September 21, 1976) is an American actor, comedian, podcaster, writer and producer, best known as one of the Co-Founders of [SF Sketchfest](/source/SF_Sketchfest), the San Francisco Comedy Festival and the co-host of the [Pop My Culture Podcast](/source/Pop_My_Culture_Podcast). ==Early life== Stratton was born in Lansing, Michigan and moved to Davis, California when he was 9 years old, where he attended [Davis Senior High School](/source/Davis_Senior_High_School_(California)).{{cite web|title=BA #019: Cole Stratton|url=http://boxangeles.com/2014/04/01/ba-019-cole-stratton/|website=Box Angeles podcast|date=2 April 2014 }} He graduated with a degree in Cinema from [San Francisco State University](/source/San_Francisco_State_University). He moved to Los Angeles in 2003, where he currently resides. ==Career== ===SF Sketchfest=== Stratton co-founded [SF Sketchfest](/source/SF_Sketchfest),{{cite web|url=http://www.sfsketchfest.com |title=SF Sketchfest Official Website |publisher=Sfsketchfest.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-29}} the San Francisco Comedy Festival with David Owen and [Janet Varney](/source/Janet_Varney) in 2002. One of the most prestigious festivals in the country, it showcases sketch, stand-up, improv, tributes, movies, cast reunions, musical and [alternative comedy](/source/alternative_comedy). Past performers include [Carol Burnett](/source/Carol_Burnett), [Conan O'Brien](/source/Conan_O'Brien), [The State](/source/The_State_(1993_TV_series)), [Gene Wilder](/source/Gene_Wilder), [Garry Shandling](/source/Garry_Shandling), [The Kids in the Hall](/source/The_Kids_in_the_Hall), [Mr. Show](/source/Mr._Show), [Paul Reubens](/source/Paul_Reubens), [Upright Citizens Brigade](/source/Upright_Citizens_Brigade), [Neil Patrick Harris](/source/Neil_Patrick_Harris) and many more. ===Pop My Culture Podcast=== Stratton co-hosted the [Pop My Culture Podcast](/source/Pop_My_Culture_Podcast){{cite web|url=http://www.popmyculturepodcast.com |title=Pop My Culture Podcast Official Website |publisher=Popmyculturepodcast.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-29}} alongside Vanessa Ragland. The podcast ranked second on ''[Rolling Stone](/source/Rolling_Stone)''{{'}}s Best Comedy Podcast of the Moment,Joe Berkowitz, [https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/news/the-10-best-comedy-podcasts-of-the-moment-20110406 "The 10 Best Comedy Podcasts of the Moment", "Rolling Stone", April 6, 2011] one of the top 20 Comedy Podcasts of 2013 by Paste Magazine Mark Rozeman, [http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/12/the-20-best-comedy-podcasts-of-2013.html "The 20 Best Comedy Podcasts of 2013", "Paste Magazine", December 27, 2013] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141003130827/http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2013/12/the-20-best-comedy-podcasts-of-2013.html |date=October 3, 2014 }} and one of 10 Favorite Comedy Podcasts by IFCAndy Hunsaker, [http://www.popmyculturepodcast.com/press/ifc-review_lg.jpg "Our 10 Favorite Comedy Podcasts That You Should Be Downloading", "IFC", December 16, 2011] and [Mashable.com](/source/Mashable.com).Christine Erickson, [http://mashable.com/2012/03/29/comedy-podcasts/ "These 10 Hilarious Podcasts Will Make You LOL", "Mashable.com", March 29, 2011] After 6 years, the podcast wrapped up in January 2017 with their 213th and final episode with guests [Paul F. Tompkins](/source/Paul_F._Tompkins), [Rhett Miller](/source/Rhett_Miller) and [Samm Levine](/source/Samm_Levine). The episodes are available on [iTunes](/source/iTunes), [Nerdist](/source/Nerdist_Podcast_Network) and the podcast's website. He's a frequent guest host and improviser on [Kevin Pollak](/source/Kevin_Pollak)'s podcast, Alchemy This, appearing on over 40 episodes. He also is a recurring guest on [Chuck Bryant](/source/Chuck_Bryant)'s Movie Crush Podcast, with episodes focused on ''[Searching for Bobby Fischer](/source/Searching_for_Bobby_Fischer),'' ''[The Manchurian Candidate](/source/The_Manchurian_Candidate_(1962_film))'', ''[Still Crazy](/source/Still_Crazy)'' and a special episode discussing his "100 Lesser-Known Movies to Watch at Home" list. Other podcast guest appearances include Voyage to the Stars, Dumb People Town, [Never Not Funny](/source/Never_Not_Funny) with [Jimmy Pardo](/source/Jimmy_Pardo), Alison Rosen is Your New Best Friend, Comedy Film Nerds, [Hello from the Magic Tavern](/source/Hello_from_the_Magic_Tavern), [Jordan, Jesse, Go!](/source/Jordan%2C_Jesse%2C_Go!), James Bonding, The JV Club, Totally Laime with Elizabeth Laime, Competitive Erotic Fan Fiction, The Wahlberg Solution, The Mutant Season, Talkin Walkin and Probably Science. ===RiffTrax=== Stratton has written and performed several comedic audio commentaries for films along with Janet Varney. These appear on the [RiffTrax](/source/RiffTrax){{cite web|url=http://www.rifftrax.com/riffers/guest-riffer/cole-stratton |title=RiffTrax Official Website |publisher=Rifftrax.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-29}} website under the "RiffTrax Presents" branding, as being officially sanctioned by RiffTrax founder and ''[Mystery Science Theater 3000](/source/Mystery_Science_Theater_3000)'' alum, [Michael J. Nelson](/source/Michael_J._Nelson). RiffTrax commentaries featuring Stratton & Varney include ''[Dirty Dancing](/source/Dirty_Dancing)'', ''[Ghost](/source/Ghost_(1990_film))'', ''[Footloose](/source/Footloose_(1984_film))'', ''[Poltergeist](/source/Poltergeist_(1982_film))'', ''[The Lost Boys](/source/The_Lost_Boys)'', ''[Jaws 3D](/source/Jaws_3D)'', ''[Flatliners](/source/Flatliners_(1990_film))'' and ''[Dreamscape](/source/Dreamscape_(1984_film))''. ===Television and film=== Television appearances include: ''[American Horror Story](/source/American_Horror_Story)'', ''[Good Girls](/source/Good_Girls_(TV_series))'', ''[9-1-1](/source/9-1-1_(TV_series))'', ''[Nash Bridges](/source/Nash_Bridges)'', ''[America's Most Wanted](/source/America's_Most_Wanted)'' (featuring [The Zodiac Killer](/source/The_Zodiac_Killer)), the [Animal Planet](/source/Animal_Planet) original film ''[The Retrievers](/source/The_Retrievers)'', MTV's ''[Yo Momma](/source/Yo_Momma_(TV_series))'', and he was a cast member on NBC's competitive comedy pilot ''Comedy Colosseum''. Film projects include: ''Diani & Devine Meet The Apocalypse'', Callback opposite [Kevin Farley](/source/Kevin_Farley), ''Around the Fire'', ''[Dead Man on Campus](/source/Dead_Man_on_Campus)'' and ''The Selling''.[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0833631/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1 IMDB the Internet Movie Database] ===Improv and sketch comedy=== Stratton has studied improvisation at [The Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre](/source/The_Upright_Citizens_Brigade_Theatre) and [M.I.'s Westside Comedy Theater](/source/M.I.'s_Westside_Comedy_Theater),{{cite web|author=Westside |url=http://www.westsidecomedy.com |title=M.I.'s Westside Comedy Theater Website |publisher=Westsidecomedy.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-29}} where he performs frequently with the groups Pretty, Pretty Pony and The Cobranauts. He tours with the improv group Theme Park (featuring [Rachel Dratch](/source/Rachel_Dratch), [Oscar Nunez](/source/Oscar_Nunez), [Simon Helberg](/source/Simon_Helberg), [Danny Pudi](/source/Danny_Pudi), [John Michael Higgins](/source/John_Michael_Higgins), [Michael Hitchcock](/source/Michael_Hitchcock), [Ian Brennan](/source/Ian_Brennan_(writer)), [Janet Varney](/source/Janet_Varney) and Jessica Makinson). Theme Park has performed at [SF Sketchfest](/source/SF_Sketchfest), the [Bridgetown Comedy Festival](/source/Bridgetown_Comedy_Festival),[http://bridgetowncomedy.com/show/theme-park/ The Bridgetown Comedy Festival Website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518044715/http://bridgetowncomedy.com/show/theme-park/ |date=May 18, 2013 }} [Bentzen Ball](/source/Bentzen_Ball),{{cite web|url=http://brightestyoungthings.com/bentzen-ball/ |title=The Bentzen Ball Festival Website |publisher=Brightestyoungthings.com |date= |accessdate=2014-06-29}} the Moontower Comedy Festival and the Rooftop Comedy Festival. He co-founded the Bay Area sketch collective Totally False People (who performed at the 2004 HBO [U.S. Comedy Arts Festival](/source/U.S._Comedy_Arts_Festival) in [Aspen, Colorado](/source/Aspen%2C_Colorado)). He's also performed with [Greg Proops](/source/Greg_Proops), [Patton Oswalt](/source/Patton_Oswalt), [Jack McBrayer](/source/Jack_McBrayer), [Bob Odenkirk](/source/Bob_Odenkirk), [Scott Adsit](/source/Scott_Adsit), [Rick Overton](/source/Rick_Overton), [Matt Walsh](/source/Matt_Walsh_(comedian)), and [Jeff Garlin](/source/Jeff_Garlin). ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [http://www.colestratton.com Website for Cole Stratton] * {{IMDb name|833631}} {{authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Stratton, Cole}} Category:American male television actors Category:Living people Category:1976 births Category:People from the San Francisco Bay Area Category:Davis Senior High School (California) alumni Category:American comedy podcasters --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Cole Stratton](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Stratton) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cole_Stratton?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.