Ike Barinholtz's Real Name: Isaac Barinholtz
Ike Barinholtz → Isaac Barinholtz
Quick answer: The comedian is known professionally as Ike Barinholtz. TV Guide and a Rolling Stone profile both record the name Isaac Barinholtz and place the birth in Chicago. Neither page gives a calendar birth date.
Real name and early life
TV Guide lists the birth name as Isaac Barinholtz and places the birth in Chicago, Illinois, without a calendar date. Rolling Stone independently says Isaac Barinholtz was born in Chicago and raised in the Lakeview section of the city. Both accounts say he attended Boston University only briefly. TV Guide says that before becoming a comic he worked for the Chicago Transit Authority and began his comedy career by attending classes at Second City, ImprovOlympic, and Annoyance Theatre. Rolling Stone independently says he worked for Chicago Transit and in telemarketing while studying with ImprovOlympic and the Second City, and later helped anchor the Amsterdam-based troupe Boom Chicago, where he worked alongside Jordan Peele and Jason Sudeikis. TV Guide also says he performed in Amsterdam alongside Jordan Peele and Jason Sudeikis.
Career highlights
TV Guide says that after several years in improv theater groups, he landed his first recurring screen role on MADtv in 2002, a series he would appear on for five years. Rolling Stone independently says he has written for and appeared in MadTV, The Mindy Project, and History of the World Part II, and acted in films including Neighbors, Blockers, and Suicide Squad, and that he wrote, directed, and starred in The Oath. A Library of Congress name authority also cites credits on The Mindy Project Season One (2013) for Ike Barinholtz. Rolling Stone further discusses later work including The Studio and says he co-created and executive produced the Netflix comedy Running Point. TV Guide lists later awards-line nominations, including a 2025 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, without naming the series in that awards line, and a 2013 WGA Award nomination for New Series.
Name notes for searchers
People looking up Ike Barinholtz or Isaac Barinholtz are looking for the same comedian, including the later work on MADtv and The Mindy Project most often associated with his name. Search traffic often uses the professional name Ike Barinholtz.
FAQ
What is Ike Barinholtz's real name?
He is known professionally as Ike Barinholtz. TV Guide and Rolling Stone both record the name Isaac Barinholtz.
Where was he born?
TV Guide and Rolling Stone both place the birth in Chicago. Neither page gives a calendar birth date. Rolling Stone says he was raised in the city's Lakeview section.
What later work is cited here?
TV Guide discusses MADtv. Rolling Stone also names The Mindy Project, later films including Neighbors, and The Oath. The Library of Congress cites The Mindy Project Season One credits.
Did he work in improv before television?
Yes. TV Guide and Rolling Stone both discuss training at ImprovOlympic and Second City, and later work in Amsterdam with Jordan Peele and Jason Sudeikis.


