Pete Gardner, a talented individual, was born and raised in the affluent town of Scarsdale, New York. In 1986, he made the bold decision to relocate to the vibrant city of Chicago, driven by a passion for improv. It was during this time that he had the privilege of studying under the legendary Del Close at the renowned ImprovOlympic. For many years, he was an integral part of a house team at ImprovOlympic, honing his skills and developing his unique style.
Gardner's next creative venture was joining the group ED, which ultimately led to the conception of Jazz Freddy in 1992 at the Live Bait Theatre. This innovative endeavour allowed him to bring his vision of more patient, theatrical improv to life. As his career progressed, he began directing at the prestigious Second City, further cementing his reputation as a talented improviser.
Beyond his impressive work in improv, Pete Gardner is perhaps best known for his memorable portrayal of Darryl on the CW's critically acclaimed series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a role he embodied for an impressive four years. Throughout his career, he has also appeared in a wide range of films and television shows, including the blockbuster hit Project X, the blockbuster franchise Transformers, and most recently, the HBO series Our Flag Means Death.