Patton Oswalt first made a name for himself as a standout presence in the stand-up comedy scene during the late 1990s, and from there, Patton Oswalt steadily built a diverse and impressive career that blended mainstream success with indie credibility. You might recognize Patton Oswalt from his recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom King of Queens (1998–2007), or perhaps from lending his distinctive voice to the beloved Pixar film Ratatouille (2007). But at the same time, Patton Oswalt was also carving out a niche in alternative comedy—voicing characters across numerous Adult Swim series and helping pioneer The Comedians of Comedy, a groundbreaking tour that brought offbeat comics into rock clubs, giving them a fresh platform to connect with audiences.
Even as he gained wider recognition, Patton Oswalt never strayed far from his roots. He kept performing live, releasing critically acclaimed stand-up albums like Werewolves and Lollipops (2007) and Patton Oswalt: Finest Hour (2011), both of which showcased his sharp wit and intellectual flair. Alongside his stand-up work, Patton Oswalt took on a variety of film and TV roles that highlighted his range—from the indie drama Big Fan (2009), to supporting turns in Steven Soderbergh’s The Informant! (2009) and Jason Reitman’s Young Adult (2011). Throughout it all, Patton Oswalt maintained a unique comedic voice: intelligent, politically charged, and endlessly curious, weaving together pop culture riffs and incisive social commentary in a way that felt both spontaneous and deeply thoughtful.
Life threw a devastating curveball in April 2016 when Patton Oswalt lost his wife, acclaimed crime writer Michelle McNamara, after ten years of marriage. The tragedy was profound, yet Patton Oswalt found ways to keep moving forward, channeling his grief into his craft. He continued working consistently, appearing in projects like the action-comedy Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016) and the tech-focused thriller The Circle (2017). On television, Patton Oswalt took on co-starring roles in the revived Mystery Science Theater 3000 on Netflix (2017) and the darkly humorous crime series Happy! on Syfy (2017– ), further proving that, through ups and downs, Patton Oswalt remains a resilient and vital voice in modern comedy and storytelling.
When it comes to Patton Oswalt’s filmography, fans and critics alike often point to Patton Oswalt: I Love Everything (2020) as his standout performance—this one really shines as Patton Oswalt’s highest rated movie. It’s a solid showcase of his sharp wit and unique perspective, earning top marks across review platforms. On the other end of the spectrum, Freaks of Nature (2015) tends to come up as the lower point in his career, making it Patton Oswalt’s lowest rated film to date. While it had its moments, it just didn’t resonate the same way with audiences. Overall, when you look at the range of Patton Oswalt’s work, these two titles really highlight the highs and lows—one truly capturing his comedic brilliance, the other serving as a bit of a misfire. Still, even in less successful roles, Patton Oswalt brings something memorable to the table.