Brett Gelman Biography: Wife, Age, Sister, Net Worth, Career, Stranger Things, Fleabag, Divorce

Brett Clifford Gelman is an American actor, comedian, writer and producer who first gained widespread notice through his work with Adult Swim in the early 2000s.

His off‐kilter characters in Eagleheart and his recurring live‐action and sketch appearances helped established him.

He later reached a broader audience with his performance as conspiracy‐theorist Murray Bauman in Stranger Things, and as Martin in the BBC hit Fleabag.

Profile

• Full name: Brett Clifford Gelman
• Nickname: Jaddy (Jewish Daddy)
• Date of birth: October 6, 1976
• Age: 49 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Highland Park, Illinois
• State of origin: Illinois
• Nationality: American
• Profession: Actor, comedian, writer, producer
• Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
• Weight: 75–82 kg
• Eye color: Brown
• Hair color: Dark Brown / Black
• Parents: Father – Ira Gelman; Mother – Candace Gelman
• Siblings: One younger sister (speech pathologist)
• Spouse: Janicza Bravo (m. 2015; divorced 2018)
• Children: N/A
• Relationship status: In a relationship with Ari Dayan
• Religion: Jewish
• Ethnicity: White (Ashkenazi Jewish descent)
• Net worth: $5,000,000

Early Life and Education

Brett Gelman is now 49 years old and was born on October 6, 1976, in Highland Park, Illinois to Ira Gelman; and Candace Gelman.

He was raised in a Jewish household alongside a younger sister who later became a speech pathologist.

He attended Highland Park High School, graduating around 1994, before enrolling at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he earned a BFA in theatre.

After college, he moved to New York City and became a regular performer at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre, collaborating with sketch groups like Cracked Out and Mr. A$$.

Personal Life

Gelman married director Janicza Bravo on December 22, 2015, after they met on the set of a New York Lottery commercial.

The marriage ended in divorce in 2018. In 2023, he got into in a relationship with musician Ari Dayan. He has no children and keeps details of his dating life mostly private outside.

Career

After establishing himself in New York comedy and sketch work, Brett Gelman appeared in TV ads, most notably for the New York Lottery, which helped fund his early career.

He created and performed a one‐man show titled 1,000 Cats and co‐starred in Adult Swim series Eagleheart as Brett Mobley.

His TV credits include Funny or Die Presents, Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time, The Life & Times of Tim, Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Office, Happy Endings and The League.

In film, he appeared in The Other Guys and 30 Minutes or Less.

He co‐wrote and starred in the film Lemon (2017), premiered at Sundance, and played key roles in Room for Rent and other indie projects.

His breakout dramatic role came in TV with Martin in Fleabag and Murray Bauman in Stranger Things, where he was promoted to the main cast in season 4.

In 2022 he joined Apple TV+ series Lady in the Lake.

He also created Adult Swim specials such as Dinner with Friends with Brett Gelman and Friends (2014) and its follow‐up exploring social themes.

Net worth

Brett Gelman’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. His income stems from acting, writing, producing, and stand‐in for commercials such as the successful New York Lottery campaign.

Controversy

In November 2016, Gelman publicly distanced himself from Cartoon Network and Adult Swim, citing concerns over their handling of female staff and content decisions regarding Million Dollar Extreme Presents: World Peace.

Social Media

• Instagram: @brettgelman
• X: N/A

Filmography

• Blackballed: The Bobby Dukes Story (2004)
• The Other Guys (2010)
• 30 Minutes or Less (2011)
• A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas (2011)
• Jobs (2013)
• Funny or Die Presents (TV)
• The Life & Times of Tim (TV)
• Eagleheart (TV)
• Go On (TV)
• Another Period (TV)
• Married (TV)
• Fleabag (TV)
• Stranger Things (TV)
• Room for Rent (2018)
• Lemon (2017)
• Camping (TV)
• Mr. Mercedes (TV)
• Inside Job (voice, TV)
• Jeff & Some Aliens (voice, TV)
• TripTank (voice, TV)
• Lady in the Lake (TV, upcoming)