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.
Fan Request: Chris Elliott Is Paul Shaffer | Letterman
VideoKnown For
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
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Musical Guest
2015
TV
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
2019
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
TV
Saturday Night Live
Various (uncredited)
1975
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Musician
1975
Filmography
2026FilmYou Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution...as Self2026FilmPeter Asher: Everywhere Manas Self2026FilmMarty, Life Is Shortas Self2025FilmI'm Chevy Chase and You're Notas Self2025FilmSpinal Tap II: The End Continuesas Artie Fufkin2025FilmSNL50: 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 Self2015TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertas Self - Musical Guest2014TVThe 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 Shaffer2001Film50 Years of NBC Late Nightas Self (archive footage)2001FilmAmerica | 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 Self1993FilmFriends of Gildaas Self1993TVLate Show with David Lettermanas Self -Musical Director1993FilmThe Best of the Blues Brothersas Self (archive footage)1992FilmA 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 Self1956TVTony Awardsas Self - Performer—FilmSay Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shafferas Self—FilmDarlene Love: I Know Where I've Beenas Self