Born November 13, 1960 in Chicago, Illinois, Neil Flynn is an actor best known for his role as the sarcastic, intriguing and a little bit crazy Janitor on the NBC hit series Scrubs. Growing up, his family moved from the south side of Chicago to Waukegan at an early age. He attended Waukegan East High School and, together with partner Mike Shklair, won an Illinois Individuals Events championship for Humorous Duet Acting, perhaps a sign of his future as a comedian. After high school, he went on to attend and graduate from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where he participated in the nationally known Bradley University Speech Team. He then moved to Chicago to pursue acting professionally.
As with a lot of actors, Neil Flynn started out with the theater circuit in Chicago. He was with the renowned Goodman and Steppenwolf Theaters, where he earned a nomination for a Joseph Jefferson Award for Actor in a Principal Role for The Ballad of the Sad Caf? in 1986. After this, he toured with Second City Comedy Troupe and performed at the Improv Olympic.
Flynn had several minor roles in many different and well-known television series such as Seinfeld, That 70’s Show and Smallville but in 2001 he finally landed a role that would put him on the map. He was cast as the janitor in the NBC comedy series Scrubs, and even though creator Bill Lawrence originally planned for the character to appear only in the pilot, he felt compelled to keep the character after watching the episode, which proved greatly fortunate for Flynn.
As for the big screen, Flynn bagged a minor role in the movie that catapulted Lindsay Lohan to mainstream popularity Mean Girls. He played the father of Lohan’s character who brought her to America from Africa. He also had roles in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Major League, Rookie of the Year, as well as an animated pilot that didn’t see the light of day.
An alumnus of Chicago's ImprovOlympic and Second City.
Formerly a member of the Chicago improv troupe known as "The Family" (predecessor to Comedy Central's "Upright Citizen's Brigade").
Student of Del Close.
In "Scrubs" (2001), he originally tried out for the role of Dr. Perry Cox, which later went to co-star John C. McGinley. The role he did get was that of the Janitor, which was originally intended for only the pilot episode. He has since become a regular cast member.
Raised in Waukegan, Illinois.
Attended Waukegan High School (East Campus).
Graduated from Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois.
Often cast in small roles as a Police Officer.
1 win.
1999: (won) National Board of Review, USA - NBR Award
Best Acting by an Ensemble
for: Magnolia (1999)
Shared with: Tom Cruise, Pat Healy, Julianne Moore, Genevieve Zweig, Mark Flannagan, William H. Macy, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rod McLachlan
2001-present: "Scrubs" - The Janitor
2008: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull - Smith
2007: '77 - Dr. Callahan
2007: Alive and Well - Joel
2007: Sex and Death 101 - Zack
2006: Re-Animated - Head of Appleday Board
2006: Hoot - Mr. Eberhardt
2004: Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal (voice) - The Waterworker, Skidd McMarxx, Taxi Driver, Gary
2004: Mean Girls - Cady's Dad
2003: Ratchet & Clank: Going Commando (voice) - Waterworker
2003: Brainwarp - Detective Jim Fist
2002-2003: "Clone High" - Julius Caesar (12 episodes)
2002: It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie - The Janitor
2000-2001: "Buzz Lightyear of Star Command" - XR (24 episodes)
2001: The Removers - Alien Masked Man
2000: The Right Temptation - Max
1999: Magnolia - Stanley Berry
1997: Home Alone 3 - Police Officer #1
1996-1997: "Early Edition" - Cop at Newsstand (3 episodes)
1996: Chain Reaction - State Trooper Nemitz
1996: To Sir, with Love II - Detective Dennis
1994: Baby's Day Out - Cop #1
1994: The Fence - Dominick
1993: The Fugitive - Transit Cop
1993: Rookie of the Year - Okie
1989: Major League - Longshoreman