This article is about the American Broadway and television actor. For others with a similar name, see Erik Petersen (disambiguation).
Eric Petersen
Birth placeCarol Stream, Illinois, U.S.
Alma materBradley University
OccupationActor
Years active2006–present
SpouseLisa Marie Morabito (m. 2007)

Eric Petersen is an American actor. He is best known for his starring role as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself (2021–2022), and for playing the title character in the first US national tour of Shrek The Musical (2010).

Early life and education

Petersen was born in Carol Stream, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, and attended Glenbard North High School. He began acting during his freshman year of high school, after quitting the football team and subsequently missing soccer tryouts. His friend suggested that he audition for a role in the school production of The Hobbit, and the experience of playing that role inspired him to continue acting.[1] Afterwards, he attended Bradley University, where he graduated in 2003 with a degree in theater.[2] When he was 18, he had corrective surgery to address issues with his eyes.[3]

Career

After graduating from Bradley, Petersen took a role on the US national tour of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. He played William Barfee, one of the contestants in the eponymous spelling bee.[4] He followed this effort with Shrek the Musical, serving as an understudy for the title character. When Shrek began its first national tour in 2010, Petersen served in the titular role.[5]

Living in New York City at the time, Petersen made the transition into TV with a two-episode arc in the long-running soap opera As the World Turns. He played a "Bad Santa"-type criminal who held one of the main characters hostage as part of an attempted robbery.[6] He followed this with a series of bit parts in shows such as The Big Bang Theory, Modern Family, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.[7] In 2012, Petersen was cast as a series lead in Giant Baby, later renamed Kirstie, where he starred as Arlo, the long-lost son of Madison Banks (Kirstie Alley).[8][9]

In 2021, Petersen starred opposite Annie Murphy as the titular character in the AMC dark comedy series Kevin Can F**k Himself. Petersen's character was meant to channel the stereotypical "sitcom husband", in the style of The King of Queens, The Honeymooners, and Family Guy, while revealing the dissatisfaction of Murphy's character, Allison.[10]

Eric and producer Danny Jordan host the podcast; Christmas Countdown Show , in which the hosts countdown topics such as movies, TV, music, and special experiences.[11] Eric also co-hosts the Perfect Albums Podcast with producer Chris Sisley. In each episode, the hosts talk about an album that they think is (basically) perfect.[12]

Personal life

Petersen married musical theater actress Lisa Marie Morabito, in 2007. They have two children.[13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009Evan and Gareth Are Trying to Get LaidHankTV film
2013Life with MaddieArlo BarthShort film
2014The Brittany Murphy StorySimon MonjackTV film
Naughty & NiceJonahTV film
2018GroomzillaScootTV film
The Ballad of Buster ScruggsBoarderAnthology film
2021Raunch and RollNia's father

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007As the World TurnsSanta #12 episodes
2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJakeEpisode: "Quickie"
Law & OrderAnderson LeavittEpisode: "Brazil"
OutlawStan ZaretEpisode: "Pilot"
2011Modern FamilyTree SalesmanEpisode: "Express Christmas"
2012GCBAngus HorvathEpisode: "Turn the Other Cheek"
JessieDr. Cyrus Van AdamsEpisode: "We Are So Grounded"
2012–13Pair of KingsCatawampus3 episodes
2013–14KirstieArlo BarthSeries regular
2014The Big Bang TheoryEricEpisode: "The Locomotive Manipulation"
'Todd BurrisEpisode: "Consumed"
2015F'dRonnieEpisode: "Trapped in the Closet"
Kirby BucketsMr. GibonsonEpisode: "Balloonacy!" (voice role)
2016NCIS'Pale' Dale MattesonEpisode: "Shell Game"
2019Sydney to the MaxDon3 episodes
2020–21Madagascar: A Little WildAnt'ney, various voice roles19 episodes
2021–22Kevin Can F**k HimselfKevin McRobertsMain role
2022Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers DynastyStanEpisode: "Memento Mori"
2023The CurseDennis (mistakenly credited as "Eric Peterson")Episode: "It's a Good Day"
2026The BeautyGunther ForstEpisode: "

Theatre

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006–07The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeWilliam BarfeeUS national tour
2009–10Shrek the MusicalShrekBroadway Understudy/Standby
2010–11US national tour
2012–13Peter and the StarcatcherTedOff-Broadway Replacement
2015ElfBuddyNorth American tour
2016-17School of RockDeweyBroadway Replacement
2017Escape to MargaritavilleBrickNorth American tour
2018Original Broadway cast
Mamma MiaBill AustinWells Fargo Pavilion
2019Something Rotten!Nick BottomMusical Theatre West

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResultRef.
2021
Daytime Creative Arts Emmy AwardsOutstanding Performer in a Preschool Animated ProgramMadagascar: A Little Wild[14]

References

  1. ^ Gire, Dann (December 3, 2013). "Comical Carol Stream kid hits Broadway, and now TV Land". Daily Herald. Archived March 24, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  2. ^ Renken, Leslie (November 17, 2018). "Performing artist Eric Petersen returns to his alma mater BU". Journal Star. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  3. ^ https://www.broadwaybox.com/daily-scoop/five-burning-questions-with-school-of-rock-star-eric-petersen/
  4. ^ Hodgins, Paul (December 21, 2006). "Theater: 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee'". The Orange County Register. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Vitello, Barbara (July 8, 2010). "Carol Stream native steps into title role in 'Shrek the Musical'". Daily Herald. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Smith, Katlyn (November 30, 2017). "Broadway actor to Glenbard North theater students: 'Remember where you're from'". Daily Herald. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  7. ^ "School of Rock's Eric Petersen on Getting Big Laughs as a Second Grader, His Green Day Obsession & More". Broadway.com. December 15, 2016. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  8. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 6, 2012). "Eric Petersen Lands Co-Lead Opposite Kirstie Alley In TV Land Pilot 'Giant Baby'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 8, 2015. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  9. ^ Purcell, Casey (December 23, 2013). "PLAYBILL.COM'S BRIEF ENCOUNTER With Eric Petersen, Co-Starring With Kirstie Alley in TV Land's "Kirstie"". Playbill. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  10. ^ Han, Angie (June 17, 2021). "How 'Kevin Can F—k Himself' created the best worst sitcom husband". Mashable. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  11. ^ "Christmas Countdown • A podcast on Anchor". Anchor. Retrieved 2022-06-18.
  12. ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 2025-07-04.
  13. ^ "Alumni Spotlight: Lisa Morabito Petersen". The First Academy. February 8, 2018. Retrieved June 24, 2021.
  14. ^ "Children's & Lifestyle Nominations". Emmy Awards. 28 June 2021. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2021.