You’ve definitely seen Colton Dunn. Even if you can't immediately place the name, you know that voice—that dry, slightly unimpressed, but deeply charismatic delivery that makes every line feel like an inside joke. He’s the guy who can steal an entire scene in Parks and Recreation just by standing in the background with a tranquilizer gun, and then turn around and anchor a massive network sitcom for six seasons.
Honestly, it's hard to find a better example of a "utility player" in Hollywood. Whether he's writing for sketch legends or playing a cynical retail worker, the man delivers. Let’s get into the Colton Dunn movies and shows that actually define his career, because he’s done way more than just the "guy in the wheelchair" role everyone remembers.
The Cloud 9 Legacy: Why Garrett McNeil Worked
When people search for Colton Dunn movies and shows, Superstore is usually the first thing that pops up. It makes sense. For 113 episodes, he played Garrett McNeil, the sardonic voice of Cloud 9.
What made that performance so special wasn't just the sarcasm. It was the grounded nature of it. Garrett was the audience’s surrogate—the person who looked at the absurdity of corporate retail and just... sighed. A lot of actors would have played that role one-dimensionally, but Dunn gave Garrett a weirdly loyal heart. Plus, he wrote several episodes, including "Forced Hire" and "Conspiracy," proving he wasn't just there to deliver lines; he was helping build the world.
Superstore ended in 2021, but its DNA is all over modern workplace comedies. If you haven't seen it, you're missing out on some of the best ensemble chemistry of the last decade.
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Sketch Comedy Roots and the Key & Peele Connection
Long before he was at Cloud 9, Colton Dunn was a beast in the writer’s room. Seriously.
If you look at his credits, you’ll see MADtv and Key & Peele. He didn't just guest star on those shows; he was a core writer and producer. He spent years at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) in Los Angeles, honing that lightning-fast improvisational style.
- Key & Peele: He wrote for 53 episodes. He was also a co-producer.
- MADtv: He penned 55 episodes during the mid-2000s.
- The Eric Andre Show: He even did some additional writing for this chaotic masterpiece.
That background explains why his timing is so precise. In shows like Parks and Recreation, where he played Brett (one half of the most incompetent animal control duo in history), he wasn't just playing a character. He was performing a masterclass in "low-energy comedy." Every time he and Harris Wittels appeared on screen, you knew things were about to go hilariously wrong.
Recent Hits: From The Recruit to The Rookie
Lately, Dunn has been branching out into more dramatic and high-concept roles. He’s currently a series regular on the Netflix spy thriller The Recruit, playing Lester Kitchens. It’s a bit of a departure, though he still gets to flex those comedic muscles.
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In early 2025, he also made a notable appearance on The Rookie as Matt Wallace. It's cool to see him popping up in these procedural environments because he brings an authenticity that breaks up the sometimes-stiff nature of network dramas.
The Big Screen: Blockers, Lazer Team, and More
While he’s a staple of the small screen, his film work is nothing to sneeze at.
In 2018, he appeared in Blockers as Rudy. It was a massive hit, and while John Cena and Leslie Mann got the headlines, the supporting cast—including Dunn—kept the momentum going. He also stepped into the lead for the Lazer Team franchise, playing Herman. These movies, produced by Rooster Teeth, have a huge cult following and showed that he can carry a sci-fi comedy as a lead, not just a supporting player.
He’s also done a fair amount of horror-comedy, like Hatchet II, where he played Vernon. It’s a weirdly diverse filmography for a guy mostly known for being "the funny guy from that one show."
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Voice Acting: The Unsung Chapter
Don't ignore his voice work. His voice is distinct—deep, resonant, and inherently funny.
- Steven Universe: He voiced Mr. Smiley.
- Big City Greens: He recurs as Russell Remington.
- Star Trek: Lower Decks: He’s popped up as Captain Dorg and Bargh.
- Krapopolis: Most recently, he's been voicing Brutus and Odin in Dan Harmon's ancient Greek comedy.
What to Watch Next
If you’re looking to dive into the best of Colton Dunn, don’t just stick to the hits.
Start with Superstore for the long-form character development. Then, go back and watch his episodes of Parks and Recreation (specifically the ones where animal control gets fired... and then rehired... and then fired again). After that, check out The Recruit on Netflix to see how he handles a more plot-driven, serialized world.
If you're a fan of improv or sketch comedy, look up his old UCB sets or his appearances on podcasts like improv4humans. That’s where you see the raw engine behind the actor. He isn't just a guy playing a part; he’s a creator who understands exactly why something is funny before he even says the word.
Keep an eye on his upcoming projects in 2026. He's consistently working, often in roles that bridge the gap between "indie darling" and "mainstream success." The best way to support his work is to actually watch the smaller stuff—the guest spots in shows like Grand Crew or Pivoting—because that's where he really shines.