Rick Mitchell

Rick Mitchell is a Los Angeles-based comedy writer, comedian, producer, and speechwriter whose work spans television, live performance, books, and custom writing services. He spent six seasons on the writing staff of The Ellen DeGeneres Show, earning five Daytime Emmy Awards, and worked for more than ten seasons as a writer and producer at TMZ, where he also appeared on camera as a comic presence. Mitchell performs stand-up at venues including The Improv, The Punchline, and The Ice House, and has shared stages with comedians such as Sarah Silverman, Maria Bamford, and Emo Phillips.

With Carol Leifer, Mitchell co-authored How to Write a Funny Speech, published by Chronicle Books, with a foreword by Carol Burnett. The book guides readers through creating humorous speeches for occasions such as weddings, bar mitzvahs, and graduations. For customers who would rather not write their own, his Funny Toast service creates custom funny speeches. His website also features comedy videos, character performances, and writing samples, and invites inquiries about writing, comedy, and consulting.