Erik Stolhanske (Super Troopers, Adaptive Athletes and the Catharsis of Comedy) - Episode 673

Erik Stolhanske is an actor, producer and member of the Broken Lizard Comedy Troupe. We discuss his childhood amputation, overcoming adversity, the speeding ticket that spawned Super Troopers, P90X, fostering and so much more.

Erik Stolhanske (born August 23, 1968) is an American actor, writer, and producer, and one of the members of the Broken Lizard comedy group. He is best known as “Officer Rabbit” from the 2001 cult-classic comedy Super Troopers and the 2018 sequel Super Troopers 2.

As one of the five principal members of the famed sketch comedy troupe, he has starred in all of the Broken Lizard films including Quasi (2021), Beerfest (2006), The Slammin’ Salmon (2009), Club Dread (2004), and Puddle Cruiser, as well as performed in The Sweetest Thing (2002) and The Onion Movie (2008). On television, he can be seen on the HBO critically acclaimed series Curb Your Enthusiasm and Six Feet Under, as well as the Comedy Central special Broken Lizard Stands Up.

Erik has a uniquely motivating and inspiring message having been born without a fibula. Despite his disability, he has overcome the challenges to become a popular actor in Hollywood. He has even been featured on the popular P90X training videos in an inspirationally motivating workout series on Plyometrics, alongside Tony Horton, trainer to rock stars such as Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks, and Bruce Springsteen.

He is currently in development on two projects with the Broken Lizard Group, Quasi and Super Troopers 3.

Early Life

Born August 23, 1968 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Erik is Swedish, Norwegian and Native American in descent.

Captain of the baseball team in high school, he has always been athletic by nature and driven to persevere, despite the obstacles.

Stolhanske was born without a fibula and wears a prosthetic below the knee on his right leg. He uses his poignant and often humorous story speaking to audiences across the country of the importance of perseverance, even when the odds are stacked against you.

He married his wife Barbara Slade on December 5, 2008. Erik is a Virgo.

Education

Erik graduated from Breck School, followed by Colgate University with a BA in English. He is a member of Beta Theta Pi at Colgate University.

After graduating, he moved to New York City where he attended the William Esper Studio for two years, receiving formal training in acting and theater arts. He then spent a year training with Wynn Handman, director and acting teacher responsible for shaping the careers of Dustin Hoffman, Faya Dunaway, Richard Gere and other stars at the influential American Place Theater in Manhattan.

While in New York, Stolhanske and fellow college friends Jay Chandrasekhar, Kevin Heffernan, Steve Lemme, and Paul Soter formed the American comedy troupe Broken Lizard.

Career

Erik has written, produced and starred in all the Broken Lizard comedies, including Super Troopers 3 (in the works). Together, they collaborate on the screen-writing, acting and productions of all their films.

He has worked alongside a number of Academy Award-winning actors and nominees from Cloris Leachman to Donald Sutherland and Michael Clarke Duncan. He acted alongside Golden Globe winner Brian Cox in Super Troopers and Super Troopers 2. He also starred opposite Rob Lowe in Super Troopers 2 and Bill Paxton in Club Dread.

He is amongst Hollywood’s top comedic actors, known to have worked with Jim Gaffigan, Will Forte, and Johnny Knoxville. Stolhanske has co-written various screenplays, including one with NFL star Jared Allen of the Minnesota Vikings.