
EXCLUSIVE: The always in-demand Kyle Bornheimer is set to co-star in Peter Tolan’s comedy pilot for Fox Council of Dads. Inspired by Bruce Feiler’s non-fiction book, the pilot, which is being directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, tells the story of Michael who, just before he dies, enlists five of his guy friends from all aspects of his life to become a “council of dads” to his two young children. Bornheimer will play the “fun dad” on the council, a childhood friend of Michael’s who is loud and larger than life, funny though sometimes inappropriate. On the Sony TV-produced pilot, Bornheimer joins previously cast Diane Farr, Patrick Breen and Ken Howard.
Bornheimer fielded several pilot offers before choosing to go with Council. For him, the Fox pilot is in second position to NBC’s softly-rated midseason series Perfect Couples, on which he co-stars. This is the second consecutive year, in which Bornheimer has booked a pilot in second position to a midseason series. Last year, he was heavily pursued for 4 pilots before the delayed launch of his midseason ABC comedy Romantically Challenged. He eventually settled on the lead role in the Bays/Thomas CBS comedy pilot. When that pilot didn’t go to series, Bornheimer was quickly cast in a lead role on NBC’s newly picked-up comedy Perfect Couples, replacing Kyle Howard, who had to pull out because of his obligation to TBS’ My Boys. Bornheimer, repped by CAA and Flutie Entertainment, got his big break when he was cast as the male lead in the 2008 CBS comedy Worst Week.
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Love him.
good for kyle! that guy is hilarious and always elevates the material in the projects he’s in. I worked with him on an indie film a couple years ago and he couldn’t be a nicer or more hardworking good guy. glad to see him continuing to get work. congratulations kyle!
I hope he finds something that sticks because he’s a really funny straight man.
Dear Hollywood, Stop trying to make Kyle Bornheimer happen.
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
How does this guy keep working?
He’s already happend dude…don’t be bitter because you haven’t.
Kyle’s got a LOT of dead pilots/series (one each at ABC, NBC, CBS in the last four seasons) behind him. Yes development execs get very fired up to cast him, but America has already decided they don’t want him as a comedy lead.
His management should have steered him to hourlongs where he might stand out more as “the funny guy.”
Yeah, because it’s his fault that the shows don’t get ratings. AMERICA blames Kyle for bad writing or a not so great idea or a horrible time spot etc. Quit talking out your arse.
Agree. Huge pass for me. This dude is not funny. Also looks cross-eyed in the pic.
Hogans!
As a story for those out there who feel there is no hope. Cut to 1999, Kyle is working as second assistant to a person who shall remain nameless — but is a powerful Hollywood Icon btw — and through a series of mishaps he gets fired. Kyle was not an asshole, not rich, not connected. Just wanted to do his thing like the countless people out in LA every year. The funny thing is that in the confines of the office, he was very quiet. Did not act like the multitude of “Actor” types.
So keep at it all you unconnected, non-trust-fund, non-vapid model types out there.
Outsiders can and do make it. Even the quiet ones who come to life on camera when working.
Thank you for this comment. B/c literally the first thing I thought when I read the article (no offense to Kyle) was: “wow I really suck. he’s managed all of THIS since 2004?” I know you cant compare actor to actor, not to mention I’m female and ‘non-white’ (wink) but damn this guy has been making moves, regardless of if they stick or not, look at George Clooney’s history of pilots.
point is, knowing that little tid bit about kyle gives me hope.
Grateful,
It is completely, ABSOLUTELY, true. If I gave away any more detail I would be outing myself completely.
Not saying it is not a total lottery,as it is, but, he went from below zero — he knew NO ONE AT ALL — in 1999 to 2004, so it took him a SOLID 6 years of going at it. And he was by then way in his 30′s. Kind of like Hamm from MAD MEN, in that they both made it in their very late 30′s.
Sure it helped that he was white, they disproportionately cast white here in LA, but, that’s the game one plays in.
My advice to you is do it all while you are trying — write, audition, shoot shorts, throw the kitchen sink in.
You have to try at least else you will never know.
Demon
Am I the only one who thinks this is an odd choice for an actor who was the true lead of his own show three pilot seasons ago, and has been the lead since, to sign on to be one of six or seven supporting roles in a just-okay ensemble? I have faith that Tolan and the Russos will eventually find gold, they’re too funny not to, especially collectively, but I read this script and thought…really? The first scene is ten pages of introductions and the back 20 pages are about building a soap box race car. Not a lot of laughs. Good, strong heart – but this is a comedy.
Just an outsider’s opinion but maybe Kyle should be more patient and not jump at the first thing he’s offered. When you’re as talented as he is getting work is easy, but getting on a good show THAT works is hard. IMHO he needs a better team.
Council of Dads? Didn’t Hillary Clinton cover this premise in “It Takes A Village”??
In 2011 our President is black and our TV Neworks are white.
This guy is comedic brilliance. He has been the stand-out actor in every one of his movies, shows, and even commercials. I hope that the writing on this pilot can rise to the level of his talent.
hopefully this time.
I think his big break came from that T-mobile commercial where he awkwardly yet endearingly kept trying to re-record a witty message for his girlfriend. That commercial really put him on the map.
How many shows does this guy have to kill before he stops booking gigs?
1. Worst Week – CBS – 2008-2009
2. Romantically Challenged – ABC – 2009-2010
3. Perfect Couples – NBC – 2010-2011
(Oh, now I get it – he has to ruin a Fox show next! Duh!)
I’m somewhat bummed perfect Couples is not better. The show tries too hard. It’s funny in spots and the rest of the time it’s just boring. The cast is likable. But the overall show is weak. I’m not bowled-over by Kyle Bornheimer; I’d say he’s just okay.
Good for him that he’s making money but who here on this blog doesn’t know five pudgy dudes from the midwest that look exactly like this guy who are maybe even genuinely funny/talented but whom you’d probably have a hard time telling apart in dim lighting?
I mean Clooney had a lot of failed pilots too so maybe he just hasn’t found the right project but everything about him screams: average white male. That’s fine for a Verizon commercial but who wants to watch that for 22 minutes? Team Sheen.
The problem with Perfect Couples is the writing. It’s horrible and they tried to make it edgy and failed. They also did a disservice to the show when they tried to make Olivia Munn happen. Most of these people will get pilots except for her. Nobody will hire her to do a show.
Funny, very talented, and looks great nekkid!
Kyle is HILARIOUS! So glad to see him doing so well. He deserves it.
Totally agree. Bornheimer is hilarious. Just as good if not better than Jack black or Seth rogen or Paul rudd. Completely relatable with his own unique spin in every role he takes. The guy deserves all the succsess he’s had. He’s awesome
Love him! Funny, funny guy.