Pete Holmes is a lot. If you’ve ever heard his laugh—a booming, uninhibited honk that seems to vibrate the very air around him—you know exactly what I’m talking about. He’s the guy who turned a mid-life crisis involving a cheating wife and a lost faith into one of the most vulnerable comedies on HBO. But when people look up Pete Holmes movies and tv shows, they often get lost in the sea of his voice-acting credits or that one CBS sitcom that vanished almost as fast as it appeared.
Honestly? Most people are missing the good stuff.
Whether you know him as the "E-Trade Baby" voice or the guy who keeps asking celebrities if they believe in God on his podcast, Pete's filmography is a weird, jagged mountain. It’s not a straight line of success. It’s a series of "holy crap, that’s actually deep" moments mixed with "why is he a professional bowler on network TV?"
The Crashing Era: Where Pete Holmes Found His Voice
If you want to understand the core of Pete's work, you have to start with Crashing. It ran on HBO from 2017 to 2019, and it’s basically a high-definition documentary of Pete’s own soul, just with slightly different names. Produced by Judd Apatow, the show follows a fictionalized Pete as he navigates the "barking" scene of New York City comedy after his marriage implodes.
It wasn't just another show about comedians. It was a show about failure.
Watching Pete sleep on Artie Lange's couch or get humiliated at a Christian comedy gig felt painfully real. It captured that specific, grimy energy of the New York basement clubs. The guest list was a literal who's who of the industry: John Mulaney, Sarah Silverman, Bill Burr, and Dave Attell all showed up to basically tell Pete he was too nice for show business.
And then, HBO canceled it.
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Fans were devastated. The show ended after three seasons, right as Pete’s character was finally starting to "make it." While it felt premature, those 24 episodes remain the gold standard for anyone searching for Pete Holmes movies and tv shows that actually have something to say about the human condition.
The Weird World of Voice Acting and Commercials
You’ve definitely heard Pete Holmes even if you haven't seen his face. He has one of those voices that sounds like a hug—if the hug was also trying to sell you insurance or a tech platform.
- The E-Trade Baby: For a long time, Pete was the voice behind those talking infants. It’s a weird claim to fame, but it paid the bills and honed his timing.
- The Simpsons: Pete didn't just guest star; he wrote for the show. He played Bode Wright, the young, hip preacher who comes to Springfield. It’s one of the few times The Simpsons actually tackled modern spirituality with some nuance.
- Ugly Americans: He voiced Toby, the well-meaning but incompetent social worker in a world full of demons and zombies.
- Secret Life of Pets 2: He popped up as Chuck. It’s a small role, but it fits his "enthusiastic dad" energy perfectly.
There is a strange irony in the fact that one of the most physically imposing guys in comedy (he’s about 6'6") is most recognizable to some people as a pixelated baby or a cartoon rat.
Why How We Roll Didn't Stick
In 2022, Pete took a swing at the traditional multi-cam sitcom with How We Roll on CBS. He played Tom Smallwood, a real-life guy who got laid off from an assembly line and decided to become a pro bowler.
On paper? It made sense. Pete is likable. He’s "Middle America" friendly. He has that big, goofy smile.
In practice? It felt like putting a wild animal in a very small, very beige cage. The show was fine. It was "nice." But Pete Holmes isn't just nice—he's weird, and he's spiritual, and he's obsessive. The constraints of a 22-minute network sitcom with a laugh track didn't let him do what he does best. CBS canceled it after 11 episodes. Most fans of his podcast, You Made It Weird, barely even tuned in because it lacked the "straying from the script" energy they love.
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The Recent Shift: Movies and the 2024-2026 Resurgence
Lately, Pete has been leaning into being a "character guy" in movies. He’s moved away from trying to be the next Jerry Seinfeld and started embracing roles that use his size and warmth in clever ways.
In 2023, he appeared in Family Switch and Woman of the Hour. Then came 2024’s The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, where he played Bob Bradley. It was a hit. It reminded everyone that when you give Pete a role that requires genuine heart—not just jokes—he delivers.
The Current State of Pete: 2026 and Beyond
As of early 2026, Pete is back where he belongs: on stage. He’s currently touring his "Pete Here Now" show across the country. But if you’re looking at his screen credits right now, the project everyone is talking about is The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh. It’s a different vibe for him, playing the neighborly presence in a show about an Indian family’s first few months in America.
Also, keep an eye out for (Saint) Peter, a project that has been in the works for a bit. It’s a post-production gem where he plays Buck Blanes. It feels like a return to the "spiritual but funny" territory he thrives in.
The Stand-Up Specials You Can't Skip
You can't talk about his filmography without the specials. This is where he owns the room.
- Impregnated with Wonder (2011): The early stuff. Pure energy.
- Faces and Sounds (2016): This is arguably his best. The bit about "Enthusiasm" is basically his manifesto.
- Dirty Clean (2018): Filmed during the height of the Crashing years.
- I Am Not For Everyone (2023): His most recent Netflix drop. It’s more contemplative. He talks about aging, fatherhood, and still being a "silly goose" in a world that’s often on fire.
What Most People Get Wrong About Pete's Career
The biggest misconception is that Pete is a "failed" sitcom star because of The Pete Holmes Show (his late-night TBS stint) or How We Roll.
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That’s a narrow way to look at it.
Pete Holmes is a creator who uses movies and TV shows as experiments. His late-night show gave us the legendary "Badman" sketches—the definitive Batman parody. His HBO show gave us a raw look at the comedy industry. His podcast, which has over 600 episodes, is arguably more influential than any 30-minute sitcom he could ever lead.
Actionable Steps for the Pete Holmes Newbie
If you’re just diving into the world of Pete Holmes movies and tv shows, don't just click on the first thing you see on a streaming menu. Follow this path to get the actual "Pete Experience":
- Watch Crashing (HBO/Max) first. It’s the most "Pete" thing that has ever existed. It explains his worldview, his divorce, and his obsession with comedy.
- Check out the "Badman" sketches on YouTube. If you want to see his writing and character work at its funniest, start there.
- Skip the network sitcoms unless you're a completionist. They don't capture his lightning.
- Watch the Faces and Sounds special. It’s the perfect introduction to his physical comedy and his "honking" laugh.
- Catch him live in 2026. He’s currently hitting cities like Durham, Charleston, and Los Angeles. There is no substitute for being in the room when he starts riffing.
Pete Holmes isn't for everyone—he says it himself in his latest special title. But for those who get the "sweet, silly, slightly-too-intense" vibe, his filmography is a gold mine of honesty. Start with the HBO stuff and work your way out. You'll find that underneath the big laugh, there’s a guy who’s actually trying to figure out the meaning of life, one bit at a time.
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