Andy Richter was born in the city of Grand Rapids, located in the state of Michigan, which is situated in the Midwestern region of the United States, as the second of four children born to his parents, Glenda (Palmer),a professional kitchen cabinet designer, and Laurence R. Richter, who held the esteemed position of teaching Russian at Indiana University.
Growing up, Andy was raised in the charming town of Yorkville, Illinois, where he spent his formative years. Unfortunately, his parents' marriage did not last, and they divorced when Andy was just four years old. This significant life event would likely have a profound impact on his upbringing and future development.
Andy went on to pursue his higher education at the prestigious University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he honed his skills and knowledge in various academic disciplines. However, his academic pursuits did not come to an end there, as he later transferred to Columbia College in Chicago to focus on studying film.
Before his rise to fame, Andy was an active member of several improvisation groups in Chicago, where he sharpened his comedic skills and developed his unique sense of humor. It was during this time that he eventually caught the attention of the renowned television personality, Conan O'Brien, and landed a role on his show, marking a significant turning point in his career.