33 Facts About The Goldbergs Cast You Didn’t Know Before

The Goldbergs is the long-running US sitcom that is a love letter to the 1980s and was created by Adam F. Goldberg. Beginning on the 24th September 2013, Goldberg, Seth Gordon and Doug Robinson, adapted his memories and home videos into over 200 episodes. Wendi McLendon-Covey plays Adam’s overbearing Mother, Beverly and Curb Your Enthusiasm alumni Jeff Garlin plays his Father, Murray. His older siblings Barry and Erica are played by Troy Gentile and Hayley Orrantia.

Here are 33 little known facts about the cast of The Goldbergs including which cast member learnt improvisation alongside Melissa McCarthy, who has their own stand up DVD and who found fame on The XFactor.

1. Wendi McLendon-Covey Has A Degree In Liberal Studies & Creative Writing

Wendi McLendon-Covey attended Long Beach city College, Golden West College, and California State University where she graduated with a degree in Liberal Studies and Creative Writing.

2. Troy Gentile Is Half Iranian

Troy Gentile was born in Troy Francis Farshi to Debra Gentile and Albert Farshi. His mother is from New York and has Italian ancestry while his father is originally from Iran.

3. Hayley Orrantia Was On The XFactor

Hayley Orrantia was a member of a country pop girl group assembled by Paula Abdul during the first season of The X Factor in the USA. The band was named Lakoda Rayne and were put together after Boot Camp. At Judges Houses they sang a country version of Lady Gaga born this Way but were ultimately eliminated after being in the bottom three and receiving The fewest public votes. The band came in ninth place. The band was also made up of Cari Fletcher, Dani Knights, and Paige Elizabeth Ogle.

4. Jeff Garlin Kept The Goldberg’s Dog

Jeff Garlin has a dog called Sage and The Goldbergs fans may recognise her as being the dog featured on the show. 

5. George Segal Released A Banjo Album

In his role on The Goldbergs, George Segal plays the banjo and he is an accomplished banjo player of screen two. He has released three albums and performed during many of his roles and on late night TV.

6. Wendi McLendon-Covey Learnt Improvisation Alongside Melissa McCarthy

During her time in the sketch comedy group The Groundlings, Wendi McLendon-Covey Performed alongside Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig and Kaitlin Olson. During press interviews, she admitted to finding work hard during this time as she did not have an agent but steadily auditioned for TV and film roles. 

7. Sean Giambrone Started Acting At 9 Years Old

Sean Giambrone was born in 1999 and started acting at the age of nine in TV commercials including from McDonald’s and Friendly’s Restaurants.

8. Stephen Tobolowsky’s Cousin Was Murdered

Stephen Tobolowsky’s cousin Ira Tobolowsky was a former Dallas attorney and was murdered in his home in 2016. The investigation remains unsolved. 

9. George Segal Is In London’s The National Portrait Gallery

A portrait of George Segal hangs in the National portrait Gallery in London. It is a resin print from the 1960s and was given to the museum by photographer Lewis Morley in 1989.

10. Wendi McLendon Covey Worked In A Hotel Until 2012

Wendi McLendon Covey was working at a hotel in Anaheim after graduating from college and she enrolled in a weekend class with the renowned improvisational and sketch comedy group called The Groundlings. In 2002 she officially joined the group and worked as an editor for the California State University academic journal of social work - a job she kept up until 2012!

11. Troy Gentile Has Played A Young Jack Black Twice

Troy Gentile has played younger versions of Jack Black characters in both in Nacho Libre and Tenacious D The Pick of Destiny. Both films were released in 2006. 

12. Hayley Orrantia Has Written Songs For Charity

Hayley Orrantia wrote a song for the National Eating Disorders Association called “Who I Am“. She also wrote the song “Power of a girl “for the Girl Scouts of the USA. She regularly works with charities including those associated with Cancer Research and she has served as an ambassador for the Texas Music Project which raises awareness for music education in public schools.

13. George Segal’s Grandparents Changed Their Russian Name

All four of George Segal’s grandparents were Russian Jewish immigrants with his maternal grandparents changing their name from Slobodkin to Bodkin in the USA. His eldest brother John worked in the hops brokerage business, his brother Fred was a screenwriter and his sister Greta died of pneumonia before he was born.

14. Jeff Garlin Is Obsessed With Monty Python

Jeff Garlin is heavily inspired by British comedies. He has stated during an interview with the Guardian that Monty python changed his life. He goes on to say that he has enjoyed shows such as the original The Office by Ricky Gervais comedy The Mighty Boosh and The Goon show. He also enjoys watching Fawlty Towers and Ealing comedy films.

15. Bryan Mellor Hosts A Mixed Martial Arts Podcast

Bryan Callen, who plays Coach Mellor In the Goldbergs and later in the spinoff series Schooled, hosts a podcast called The Fighter and the Kid with Brendan Schaub Which originally was focused on discussing mixed martial arts but now regularly talks pop culture and current events. The regular feature alongside Joe Rogan during live event broadcasts.

16. AJ Michalka’s Mother Was In A Christian Rock Band

Amanda Joy Michalka, known as AJ Michalka, Started acting at the age of five in church productions and was home-schooled as part of her childhood. Her mother Carrie is a musician and performed with a Christian rock band named “JC Band”.

17. Jeff Garlin Is Friends With The Lead Of REO Speedwagon

Every year on his birthday, Jeff Garlin attends again of the Chicago Cubs with his friend Kevin Cronin, the lead singer of REO Speedwagon.

18. Wendi McLendon-Covey Started A Pop Culture Podcast In Covid 19

In April 2020 and during the COVID-19 pandemic, Wendi McLendon Covey started a pop culture podcast called Generation Ripe with Dfernando Zaremba, a fashion art director and producer. The podcast is aimed at “teenagers over 40 “and features interviews with guest across the entertainment & arts industries. Their audience is also described as “a generation ripe listener is someone who thinks of their age is an asset, not a liability. We are older people with young souls or younger people with old souls.“

19. Jeff Garlin Released A Memoir About His Carbon Footprint

In 2010 Jeff Garlin released a book called “My Footprint: Carrying The Weight Of The World“, a memoir that documents his journey into lessening his weight and carbon footprint.

20. Natalie Alyn Lind’s Mother Was In One Tree Hill

Natalie Alyn Lind is the daughter of actor Barbara Alyn Woods Who is known for starring in One Tree Hill in 2003 and the tv adaptation of Honey, I Shrunk The Kids.

21. Wendi McLendon-Covey Has Performed In Iraq During New Years

In the years 2009, 2010 and 2011, Wendi McLendon Covey saw the new year in while performing at small bases in Iraq and Kuwait.

22. Kenny Ridwan Is Studying Creative Writing At Columbia University

Kenny Ridwan, who plays The Goldbergs’ Dave Kim, Took up acting at the age of six following advertisement for acting school And trained in acting classes for 2 1/2 years before landing his first audition. He is currently enrolled at Columbia University for creative writing.

23. Bryan Callen Has A BA In History

Bryan Callen, who plays Coach Mellor In The Goldbergs and later in the spinoff series Schooled, attended American University in Washington D.C. and graduated with a Bachelors Degree in History.

24. AJ Michalka Can Play Many Instruments

AJ Michalka Can play a multitude of instruments including the acoustic and electric guitar and piano.

25. Jeff Garlin Wanted To Play Sports When He Grew Up

Jeff Garlin has said in interviews that he always wanted to be a comedian from the age of eight when he saw Jimmy Durante perform in Chicago. However he was gifted at sports school but had to stop after being diagnosed with a heart condition named Wolff Parkinson White syndrome. Jeff Garlin states that he was the 72nd recipient of surgery for this condition and millions of people have since undergone the same thing. 

26. AJ Michalka Performed In A Band With Her Sister

AJ Michalka Is a frequent collaborator with her sister Aly Michalka. The pair have previously performed together in the Disney Channel original movie Cow Belles and In the MTV film Super Sweet 16: The Movie. The sisters performed in the musical duo 78violet from 2009 to 2013. They decided to change their name to Aly and AJ in 2015.

27. Bryan Callen Has His Own Stand Up DVD

Bryan Callen is a stand-up comedian who plays venues across the USA and he released his own stand up DVD called never grow up in 2016.

28. Jeff Garlin Has An Interview Podcast

Jeff Garlin hosted a podcast called “By The Way, In Conversation with Jeff Garlin” Which consisted of unscripted talks with guests. The debut episode included curb your enthusiasm*Larry David and two episodes were released every month and were recorded in front of a live studio audience at Largo at The Coronet in Los Angeles. The final episode was released in 2015.

29. Stephen Tobolowsky Was In A Band

Stephen Tobolowsky, who plays Principal Earl Ball in The Goldbergs, used to play in a band called “A Cast of Thousands” alongside Stevie Ray Vaughan. They had two songs, “Red, White and Blue” and “I Heard A Voice Last Night”. 

30. Hayley Orrantia Has Sang Backing Vocals For Demi Lovato

Hayley Orrantia Began singing at the age of nine and was professionally training at the age of 12. She recorded her first EP of cover songs at 13! She would go on to record the vocals to “Magic of a Friend“ on Disney’s Tinkerbell and The Lost Treasure soundtrack in 2009 as well as seeing backing vocals for Demi Lovato on Disney’s Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam. She also sang in the background for Miley Cyrus on Disney’s Hannah Montana Forever soundtrack.

31. Jeff Garlin Does Transcendental Meditation 

In an article in the Guardian, Jeff Garlin speaks about practising transcendental meditation which he does twice a day. He claims that he has helped him manage his ADHD. Garlin also has epilepsy and type two diabetes.

32. Bryan Callen Has Been Accused Of Sexual Assault By 4 Women

In July 2020, four women spoke to the Los Angeles Times, including actor Kathryn Fiore, And reported the Bryan Callen (Coach Mellor) Had mistreated them and described sexual assaults and comments dating back to 1999. Callen denied the allegations on Twitter. 

33. George Segal Served In The US Army In Korea

George Segal served in the United States Army during the Korean War. Cording to an article in the Chicago Tribune, George Segal played in a band called Corporal Bruno’s Sad Sack Six during this time.

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