Since beginning his career in 1995 as a member of the Saturday Night Live cast, David Koechner has been a comedic force both on and off the silver screen. From playing popular characters Champ Kind and Todd Packer in ensemble comedies Anchorman and The Office to navigating the waters of fatherhood as he raises his five children, Koechner’s set encapsulates every hilarious moment of life that made him into the actor, comedian, and father he is today.
As he hits the road for his Blue Skies and Dirty Lies stand-up tour, Koechner makes a pitstop in Montgomery on April 17 to perform at City Winery Hudson Valley. Since opening its doors in Orange County in 2021, City Winery has been a destination for all things music, wine, food, and culture, drawing in big crowds for everything from themed wine pairing dinners to performances by popular tribute bands and local talent.
Now, Koechner joins a growing roster of highly anticipated shows at the venue. When he is not traveling for performances, he co-hosts America’s Top Dog, plays Bill Lewis on The Goldbergs, voices recurring characters on American Dad and F Is for Family, and creates original content for his YouTube channel “Full on Koechner.” The comedian and actor also co-hosts the annual Big Slick Celebrity Weekend charity event with a slew of fellow actors, including his Anchorman co-star, Samuel’s Sweet Shop part-owner, and Hudson Valley native Paul Rudd.
When it comes to his stand-up set, the Hudson Valley audience can expect “hilarity and their money’s worth,” jokes Koechner. Although the comedian underlined that describing one’s act is the hardest thing for any comic to do, he gave us some insight into the main themes of his show. Ultimately, he takes audiences on a journey through everything that informed his whole life, from SNL and Anchorman to marriage and divorce.
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Of course, as someone with five children, a lot of Koechner’s material involves what his life at home looks like and what it’s like to juggle work with raising his kids. Despite the challenges that his type of work poses, he manages to prioritize his family and spend most of his time with them before they’re all grown up. The comedian notes that his audiences tend to be people who already have kids, too, but adds that anyone can find humor in his comedic recollections of chaotic moments and absurd interactions with his children.
At the end of the day, Koechner is an entertainer and always has been since his days as a part of Chicago’s Second City Theater prior to SNL. Although Anchorman certainly stands out in his extensive career, during which time he has appeared in over 200 films and television shows, he shares with us that the 2013 comedy thriller Cheap Thrills and the 2015 Christmas-themed horror film Krampus were among his career favorites.
As for his characters, “I know I’m supposed to say Champ Kind and Todd Packer,” he says when asked what some of his favorite roles are, but he instead highlights his portrayal of Nathan in the 2009 film Extract. “He was this annoying neighbor that was just delicious to play,” Koechner explains, noting that he could have easily played the character in a recurring role.
Although Koechner has worked with many world-renowned actors, comedians, and producers, he is currently enjoying the company of fellow comic Rob Maher. The two travel together constantly as Maher is the host of Koechner’s other live show, The Office Trivia With Todd Packer. “We complement each other well due to our differences in comedic styles, and [Maher] always brings it as an opener,” Koechner notes, adding that he is traveling with Maher for about 39 weekends this year as a part of his stand-up tour.
After his show in Montgomery, Koechner heads to Connecticut before traveling down south to continue his tour. Tickets to see David Koechner live at City Winery Hudson Valley start at $28, and doors open at 6 p.m. on April 17.
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