Robert Scott Adsit (born November 26, 1965) is an American actor, comedian and writer best known for playing Pete Hornberger, the genial but weary producer on the Emmy-winning NBC sitcom 30 Rock, and for voicing the inflatable healthcare robot Baymax in Disney’s Big Hero 6. He was born and raised in Northbrook, Illinois, and built his early career in Chicago's improvisational and sketch-comedy community.
Career overview
Adsit's work spans television, film, stage and voice acting. He rose to broad recognition in the 2000s through his long-running role on 30 Rock, where his deadpan timing and understated delivery provided a steady comic contrast to the show's more eccentric characters. In animation, his warm, tender performance as Baymax brought him acclaim from family audiences worldwide. He has also written for and performed in sketch and improv productions and taken numerous guest turns on television comedies and dramas.
Background and influences
Early in his career Adsit was active in Chicago's improv circuit and worked with established companies that have trained many contemporary American comedians. That background in improvisation informs his approach to character work: collaborative, responsive and grounded in moments of plainspoken truth. He has discussed how long-form improv and sketch writing shaped his sense of timing and character development.
Notable roles and projects
- Pete Hornberger — executive producer on 30 Rock, the role that made him a familiar face in network comedy.
- Baymax — voice actor for the titular robot in Big Hero 6, a major family animated feature.
- Stage and improv work — early and ongoing contributions to the Chicago comedy scene; appearances in sketch and theatrical productions (see credits).
- Television and film guest appearances — a range of supporting roles that showcase his versatility (selected filmography).
Adsit's career illustrates a common trajectory for many American comedians of his generation: training in regional improv and sketch theaters, moving into television writing and acting, and branching into animation and film voice work. For further information and credits, see his professional listings and interviews (more).