meet the coney crew
We've wrangled the A-list of Detroit-lovin', do-gooding people to make The Coney happen. They're actors, activists, producers, comedians and philanthropists. Some of them are all of those things combined. That's what makes them Celebrity Host Committee material.
Celeb Roll Call…
TIM MEADOWS
Actor, Writer, Comedian
Tim Meadows got his start as a member of the renowned Second City comedy troupe in Chicago. He was one of the longest-running cast members on Saturday Night Live, where he appeared for ten seasons—and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series in 1993. Tim was born in the Detroit enclave, Highland Park. He loves cats.
Recently seen in: Mean Girls, Poker Face, The Mandalorian, Dream Scenario…
J.K. Simmons
Actor
Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons has appeared in a diverse range of projects spanning motion pictures, television and the stage on and off-Broadway. In 2015, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the merciless jazz instructor, Fletcher, in Sony Pictures Classics’ Whiplash. Simmons was born on the East Side, and grew up just off of Mack Ave. in Grosse Pointe.
Recently seen in: Red One, The Union, The Accountant 2, Saturday Night, Whiplash…
Favorite Detroit spot: Comerica Park. Also Buddy’s Pizza. And a big fan of Joe Muer.
Fun fact: His dream role? To play the manager of the Tigers in For Love of the Game, directed by Sam Raimi.
sam richardson
Actor, Comedian
Born and raised in Detroit, Sam Richardson is an Emmy Award winning actor and comedian (hello, Ted Lasso?). His CV is a crazy and diverse one, spanning genres from sci-fi to sketch comedy. His voice has graced a plethora of animated series. Along with Tim Robinson, he co-created the cult sensation Detroiters.
Recently seen in: Poker Face, The Afterparty, I Think You Should Leave, Ted Lasso, Detroiters…
Fun fact: Sam is a master at 3-D printing.
Kristen Bell
Unable to attend in person but supporting from afar.
Actor, Singer
It’s Kristen Bell! The Emmy and Golden Globe-winning actor and singer, whose work includes iconic characters like Veronica Mars, Eleanor on the highly-acclaimed NBC series The Good Place and voicing Anna in the Frozen films. In 2025, Time included her in their selection of the 100 most influential people in the world. No big deal.
Recently seen in: The Netflix comedy series, Nobody Wants This…
Fun fact: Kristen Bell was on a hockey semi-finals playoff ticket in 1997.
DAX SHEPARD
Unable to attend in person but supporting from afar.
Actor, Comedian, Filmmaker
Dax's first TV role was on 2003's Punk’d and he has since starred in NBC's long-running Parenthood (for which he received a 2015 People’s Choice Award nomination), The Ranch, Bless This Mess, and as a host on Top Gear America. He wears a lot of hats.
Recently seen in: The Golden Globe-nominated podcast Armchair Expert, Parenthood, Baby Momma, CHiPs, Hit and Run…
Fun fact: Dax has lived in Highland, Milford, Walled Lake, Dearborn and Downtown Detroit (before moving to LA at 20-years-old).
DIONA REAsONOVER
Unable to attend in person but supporting from afar.
Actor, Comedian
Diona Reasonover is a born and raised Detroiter. She can be seen starring as quirky and intelligent Kasie Hines on the CBS crime drama NCIS. Her series acting credits include 2 Broke Girls, Grace and Frankie, Superstore, Girl Meets World, Comedy Bang! Bang! and Clipped. On the film front, Reasonover can be seen starring opposite Rachael Leigh Cook, Will Sasso, and Sara Rue in the indie comedy Film Fest. A seasoned writer, Reasonover’s credits include the Emmy-nominated I Love You, America, and the 32nd Film Independent Spirit Awards. She's a grad of The Second City (Hollywood) and Upright Citizen’s Brigade.
Recently seen in: NCIS, 2 Broke Girls, Comedy Bang! Bang!, Grace and Frankie…
Fun fact: She used to skate at Northland Roller Rink. And when it comes to Better Made, she used to love Red Hot but now Original hits the best.
MARC EVAN JACKSON
Actor/Comedian
As The Coney Mastermind, Marc Evan Jackson’s heart is firmly in Detroit (even though he was born in Buffalo—shhhhh). In 2001, after joining Second City Detroit, he moved to their Los Angeles chapter. He is the founder of the Detroit Creativity Project, which teaches Detroit youth improvisational skills. Today he continues to perform in the improv group The 313, an homage to Detroit, with other Second City alums. Marc has become best known for his work on The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and as Sparks Nevada in the live stage show The Thrilling Adventure Hour.
Recently seen in: Kong: Skull Island, Red One, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, 22 Jumpstreet…
Fun fact: During summers, Jackson worked as a deck hand on a steamboat. He is immune to sea sickness.
AND THEIR FRIENDS…
Actor/Comedian
One of the most recognizable faces and voices in family entertainment, Dave Coulier played the eternally-memorable character, Joey Gladstone, on the hit series Full House—and its Netflix sequel Fuller House. He has an expansive list of voice-acting credits including Scooby-Doo, American Dad, Robot Chicken, and so (so) much more. Dave lives in his home state of Michigan with his wife, Melissa, and their dogs, Ziggy and Cooper.
DAVE COULIER
ANDREA BARBER
Actor
Veteran entertainer, podcaster, marathon runner, and mother of two, Andrea Barber broke into America’s heart with her portrayal of Kimmy Gibbler—the wonderfully offbeat next-door neighbor on Full House (and Fuller House). She currently hosts the popular iHeart podcast How Rude, Tanneritos with former Full House co-star, Jodie Sweetin.
Actor
Michigan native, and prolific actor of screens both big and small, Toni Trucks is best known as Lieutenant Lisa Davis from the hit CBS/Paramount Plus series SEAL Team (currently streaming on Netflix). Twilight Saga fans know her as Mary, a nomadic vampire born in 1890. (She looks amazing for her age.) Today, Trucks serves on the board for California’s Death Penalty Focus and is an honorary board member for T.A.P.S. in Washington D.C.
TONI TRUCKS
Professional Skateboarder, Entrepreneur
Easily the most recognized action sports figure in the world, Tony Hawk started early. By age 14 he went pro. By 16 he was widely considered the best skateboarder in the world. He was world champion 12 years in a row and is a 16-time X Games medalist. He teamed up with Activision to launch Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, now a billion dollar video game franchise. His namesake brand includes Birdhouse Skateboards, Hawk Clothing, and the Tony Hawk Signature Series sporting goods and toys.
He has deep personal, philanthropic, and business ties to Detroit. His nonprofit, The Skatepark Project, helped fund, design, and build multiple public skateparks across the Motor City.
TONY HAWK
Actor, Comedian
Originally from Beverly Hills, MI, Anna Garcia is best known for her roles in the AppleTV+ rom-com Fly Me to the Moon and in the newly-released Netflix comedy, 72 Hours. Additionally, she has guested on shows including Hacks (HBO), It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (FX), Superstore (NBC), Party Down (Starz Reboot) and was a regular on Roku’s Die Hart with Kevin Hart. Anna is a performer and graduate of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre and performs weekly at the well-known comedy venue.
ANNA GARCIA
Writer, Performer
Amber Ruffin is an Emmy, Tony and WGA Award nominated writer and performer for NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers and Have I Got News For You. She has written and performed on TV shows including The Amber Ruffin Show, Detroiters, A Black Lady Sketch Show and Drunk History. Ruffin has written for the Emmys, Golden Globes and Tonys. Along with her sister, Lacey Lamar, Ruffin has authored two New York Times bestselling books. In 2023, she co-wrote the Tony-nominated musical Some Like it Hot, and in 2024 wrote the Broadway revival of The Wiz. Her latest project is the off-broadway musical, BIGFOOT!
AMBER RUFFIN
Actor, Author
Originally from Grosse Pointe, Amy Phillips worked and trained in New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles (where she lives now). She’s the host of Drama, Darling: A Real Housewives Comedy Recap Podcast. And when you’re not listening to her podcast, you can hear her as the narrator of the audio book “Not All Diamonds and Rosé,” a New York Times Best Seller. She recently co-authored the book “Cook It, Spill It, Throw It: The Not-So-Real Housewives Parody Cookbook.” Amy’s live stage show is “CabarAMY,” an evening of comedy and parody songs inspired by the Real Housewives.
If you haven’t caught on yet, Amy’s Real Housewives (and other celeb) imitations are hilarious. You can catch them on Bravo TV’s Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.
AMY Phillips
Professional Athlete, Advisor
Shane Battier is an All-American scholar-athlete, two-time NBA champion, and respected business leader known as the New York Times’ “No-Stat All-Star.” He built his legacy by doing the unseen work that lifts teams up—from championship locker rooms to corporate boardrooms. He is a former Vice President with the Miami Heat and trusted advisor to organizations like Palmetto, Garnett Station Partners, and Duke’s Center On Leadership and Ethics. Off the court, Shane runs the Battier Take Charge Foundation, expanding educational access for underserved youth, and speaks globally on leadership, culture, and team dynamics.
SHANE Battier
Actor
Larry Joe Campbell has appeared in over 80 film and television productions including According to Jim, Wedding Crashers, Hall Pass, The Orville, Euphoria, Friends, and Detroiters. Most recently you’ve probably seen him on 9-1-1: Lone Star, NCIS, and Matlock. Or perhaps his recurring role as Carl on Fox’s Animal Control. Larry is also an author. His debut novel “Remember That One Time?” set in Greenville, Michigan was published in 2025. He also wrote a children’s book entitled “The Castle Messengers.”
Larry enjoys spending time with his family, walking, and making his wife and adult children roll their eyes.
Larry JOE campbell
Actor, Activist
Jodie Sweetin is an actress, producer, host, author, and activist best known for her beloved role as Stephanie Tanner on ABC’s Full House and Netflix’s Fuller House. She co-hosts the rewatch podcast How Rude, Tanneritos! with longtime friend and co-star Andrea Barber and has starred in and executive produced numerous films for Hallmark and Lifetime, including The Jane Mysteries: Inheritance Lost. Sweetin has also appeared on Beyond the Edge and Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition, performs stand-up comedy throughout Los Angeles, and hosts a monthly show at The Comedy Store. A mother of two and author of the memoir UnSweetined, she is an outspoken advocate for social, political, and environmental causes.
Jodie Sweetin
Comedian, Writer
You know and love Andy Richter from his years alongside Conan O’Brien on Late Night, The Tonight Show and Conan. The actor, comedian and writer now hosts The Three Questions podcast and SiriusXM’s The Andy Richter Call-In Show. He also won over fans (not surprising!) as a breakout star on Season 34 of Dancing with the Stars. Andy’s many screen credits include Elf, Madagascar, Arrested Development and the recent box-office hit Obsession. His new book Elf Unwrapped: Behind the Scenes of a Modern Christmas Classic will be available November 3rd.
Fun fact: Andy is originally from Grand Rapids!
ANDY RICHTER
Comedian, Director
Native Detroiter Mike Young is a stand-up comedian, writer and director known for his sharp everyman perspective. Mike’s latest special, Bittersweet, is available on YouTube, following the critically acclaimed Who the F Is Mike Young and his 25-city Rock Comedy Tour. Young has written and directed four independently produced feature films, including My Man Is a Loser, A Stand Up Guy and Stealing Jokes, and has sold television projects to HBO, ABC, Netflix and Warner Bros. His collaborators have included Tobey Maguire, Eminem, Sebastian Maniscalco, and Scott Stuber.
MIKE YOUNG
Actor, Writer, Director
Diarra Kilpatrick is an Emmy-nominated writer, director, producer, and actor whose acclaimed series Diarra From Detroit premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. Created, produced by, and starring Kilpatrick, the series has earned nominations from the NAACP Image Awards, Film Independent Spirit Awards, and GLAAD Media Awards. She previously co-created, directed, and starred in the Viola Davis–produced American Koko, earning a Primetime Emmy nomination. Her credits also include The Last O.G., I’m Dying Up Here, HBO’s Perry Mason, and Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone. An accomplished theater artist, Kilpatrick has received NAACP Theatre and LA Weekly Awards for her writing and performances.
Diarra kilpatrick
Announcer, Radio Host
John Mason is the legendary voice of the Detroit Pistons and the man behind the iconic “Deeeeee-troit Basketball!” chant. A longtime fixture of Detroit radio as host of Mason in the Morning on WJLB, Mason has brought his unmistakable energy to sporting events around the world, including the NBA All-Star Game. A true Detroit original, his voice is synonymous with basketball in the Motor City.
JOHN MASON
Actor, Comedian
Eugene Cordero is an actor and comedian currently starring opposite Ted Danson in Netflix’s A Man on the Inside and will next lead Jim Issa’s Bolio: Spirit of a Mustang. His credits span both film and television, playing (all your favorite) characters in Loki, Easter Sunday, The Mandalorian, Kong: Skull Island, and The Kings of Summer. He was a series regular on Tacoma FD and memorably recurred as Pillboi on The Good Place. And that’s not all! He’s appeared on Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and Key & Peele. His voice work includes Star Trek: Lower Decks and Central Park. Cordero is also a veteran performer at Upright Citizens Brigade.
Eugene cordero
Actor, Director
Jessy Hodges is a Los Angeles–based actor and filmmaker (but born in Michigan, as all the good ones are). She earned a SAG Award nomination for HBO’s Emmy-winning series Barry. Her credits also include PEN15, Indebted and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and she currently stars alongside Tatiana Maslany and Jake Johnson in Apple TV’s Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed. She co-wrote and starred in the Sundance-premiering short Sundowners and made her directorial debut with Every Part of You. She will next appear in HBO’s I Love LA and Apple TV’s Shrinking.
JESSY HODGES
Actor, Director
Gregory Jbara made his feature film directorial debut with Original Sound, now streaming on Apple TV and Prime Video. As an actor, he spent 15 seasons as DCPI Garrett Moore on CBS’s Blue Bloods and appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. Jbara won the 2009 Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for his performance in Billy Elliot the Musical. His Broadway credits also include Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Victor/Victoria, Damn Yankees! and Chicago. He is a University of Michigan alumnus and graduate of The Juilliard School.
GREGORY JBARA
Local Host Committee
Our Local Host Committee is an awesome assembly of dedicated community leaders, philanthropists, artists, musicians and voices. They’re volunteering their time, expertise, and networks, to ensure the success of The Coney—and to make an impact for kids of Detroit.
Andrea Brimmer
Erica and Ralph Gerson
Lorron James
Anita Masters Penta
Bob Shaye, Four Friends Foundation
Alexandar David Burnstein, The Alexandar David Burnstein Memorial Fund for Musical Performance
Amy Fencyk, Carhartt
Angelique Power, The Skillman Foundation
