Paul Shaffer
Biography
Paul Shaffer is a Canadian musician, composer, vocalist, and band leader, among the highlights being the de facto leader of the early Saturday Night Live house band, and serving for 33 years (1982-2015) as the leader of David Letterman's house band.
Known For
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band
2014
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self - Musical Guest
2014
TV
Late Show with David Letterman
Self -Musical Director
1993
TV
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
2019
TV
Jeopardy!
Self
1984
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Host
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Igor (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Crowd Member (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Pianist (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Musician at Plato’s Cave (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Don Kirshner / Paul (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - The Blues Brothers Band / Don Kirshner (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Don Kirshner (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Paul (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - The Blues Brothers Band (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Don Kirshner / Self (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Danny Kreutzman (uncredited)
1975
Filmography
2025FilmI'm Chevy Chase and You're Notas Self2025FilmSpinal Tap II: The End Continuesas Artie Fufkin2025FilmYou Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...as Self2025FilmSNL50: The Homecoming Concertas Self2025FilmLadies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Musicas Self - SNL Band Member 1975 - 19802023FilmThe Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Storyas Self2022FilmFinding Sandleras Self2022TVSpectoras Self2020FilmChuck Leavell: The Tree Manas Self2019TVPaul Shaffer Plus Oneas self2019TVThe Kelly Clarkson Showas Self2019FilmLinda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voiceas Self (archive footage)2019TVThe Masked Singeras Self - Video Message2018FilmAlways at The Carlyleas Self2018FilmBachmanas Self2018FilmRock And Roll Hall Of Fame: In Concert 2014-2017as Self2018FilmLove, Gildaas Self2017FilmNight of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programsas Self2016FilmSharknado 4: The 4th Awakensas Paul Shaffer2016FilmTodd Who?as Himself2015FilmA Very Murray Christmasas Paul Schaffer2015FilmBeing Canadianas Self2014TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonas Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band2012Film12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Reliefas Self2012FilmBachman & Turner - Live at the Roseland Ballroomas Keyboards2010TVRunning Wildeas Self2009TVCelebrity Ghost Storiesas Self2008FilmRay Charles: The Legend Lives Onas Self2007FilmBob & Doug McKenzie's Two-Four Anniversaryas Self2007FilmFats and Friendsas Self2006TVSecond City: First Family of Comedyas Self2005TVHow I Met Your Motheras Paul Shaffer2005FilmSaturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroydas Blues Brothers Band (archive footage)2005FilmThe Blues Brothers: Transposing The Musicas Self2005FilmDisney Heroes Volume 1as Hermes (voice)2004FilmRockin' Pianosas Self2003TVHope & Faithas Himself2003TVJimmy Kimmel Live!as Self2002FilmThe N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chaseas Self - Host2001FilmThe Concert for New York Cityas Self2001TVLaw & Order: Criminal Intentas Paul Shaffer2001FilmAmerica | A Tribute to Heroesas Self2001TVPrimetime Glick2000TVEdas Irv Nadler1999FilmMan on the Moonas Letterman Band (uncredited)1999FilmHercules: Zero to Heroas Hermes (voice) (archive sound)1999TVWhere Are They Now?as Self1999TVThe Late Late Show with Craig Kilbornas Self1999TVMark Twain Prizeas Self1998TVHollywood Squaresas Self - Panelist1998FilmThe Stories Behind the Making of 'The Blues Brothers'as Self1998TVHerculesas Hermes (voice)1998FilmBlues Brothers 2000as Marco1997TVThe Viewas Self1997FilmHerculesas Hermes (voice)1996TVFlash Gordonas Dr. Zarkov (voice)1996FilmFlash Gordon: Marooned on Mongoas Dr. Hans Zarkov (voice)1995FilmThe Weinerville New Year's Special: Lost in the Big Appleas Self1995FilmThe Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Showas Self1994FilmThe Best of the Blues Brothersas Self (archive footage)1993FilmFriends of Gildaas Self1993TVLate Show with David Lettermanas Self -Musical Director1992FilmA Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Outas Artie Fufkin1990FilmLook Who's Talking Tooas Taxi Businessman1990FilmSeriously... Phil Collinsas Self1990FilmNight of 100 Stars IIIas Self1988FilmScroogedas Street Musician1987FilmHeartbeatas Filmmaker's Assistant1987FilmThe Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikikias Self1985FilmTears Are Not Enoughas Self1985FilmMartin Short: Concert for the North Americas1984TVJeopardy!as Self1984FilmThis Is Spinal Tapas Artie Fufkin1981FilmSteve Martin's Best Show Everas Self / Jo Jo the Dog-Faced Boy1980FilmGilda Liveas Don Kirshner / Arnie Schnachtman / Student Body President / The Candy Slice Group1979FilmMr. Mike's Mondo Videoas Church of Jack Lord Organist1979TVCBS News Sunday Morningas Self1978FilmThe Blues Brothers Live at Winterland1977TVA Year at the Top1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Host1962TVThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonas Self—FilmSay Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shafferas Self