Al Madrigal broke out of the stand-up comedy scene with a sharp wit and an even sharper sense of timing. Talents that would take him from stand-up stages to television screens and writers’ rooms. His recent work, including a guest role on the acclaimed NBC mockumentary St. Denis Medical, highlights the breadth of his acting talent. His continued advocacy work demonstrates his commitment to expanding opportunities for underrepresented voices.
In a recent interview, he emphasized that his excitement for the role stemmed largely from the opportunity to work alongside the show’s established and impressive cast.
From Stand-Up Star to Television
Madrigal won a Jury Award for Best Stand-Up Comedian at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival, a victory that led to multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Conan O’Brien. In 2011, he began a five-season stint on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as the Senior Latino Correspondent, a role he recently revisited following the inauguration of Donald Trump in January 2025.
As an actor, Madrigal boasts a diverse IMDb page, with roles in shows like Lopez vs. Lopez, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Bob’s Burgers, and films such as Air and The Way Back with Ben Affleck. His latest turn saw him join the chaos of St. Denis Medical as a guest star. Madrigal appeared as Michael, a building inspector called in to review the hospital’s new birthing unit.
Madrigal expressed his excitement to be a part of the show, citing his deep admiration for co-star David Alan Grier (DAG), whom he called one of the funniest people he has encountered. He also praised Wendi McLendon-Coveey and noted the episode featured other comedic heavyweights like David Hornsby and his friend Paul Scheer.
On playing the character, Madrigal employed a classic straight-man approach. He envisioned Michael as a diligent civil servant who just wants to do their job and leave. He observed that building inspectors often receive nervous, overly nice treatment, noting that somewhere, right now, “a building inspector is having someone nervously approach them and offer them a donut”. This grounded, real-world perspective was key to his performance, which he describes as simply a different version of yourself.
Advocating for Authentic Character Portrayals
Madrigal’s commitment to thoughtful representation extends beyond his own roles. He has lent his voice to a range of television projects, including Jim Carrey’s I’m Dying Up Here and Broke with Jaime Camil. Additionally, he is developing an extensive slate of TV projects under his current deal at CBS Studios.
He was appointed to the board of the National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) where he provides industry access and helps amplify underrepresented voices to champion stories rooted in cultural authenticity. Madrigal believes that the goal should be for all shows to reflect more of the American population.
Madrigal emphasized that true progress in diversity comes from writing fully realized, three-dimensional characters, regardless of their background. He cited the NBC comedy Brooklyn Nine-Nine as genius because the Latina characters, played by Stephanie Beatriz and Melissa Fumero, were portrayed as distinct individuals, a tough cop, and an anal love interest. Whose defining traits were their personalities, not their ethnicity.
For Madrigal, authentic casting simply means finding the best talent. “You want to just find the best actor for the part”. Ans St. Denis Medical has also mastered that with its diverse casting and funny storytelling.
St. Denis Medical airs Mondays on NBC at 8/7c and is available to stream the next day on Peacock. Al Madrigal’s episode of St. Denis Medical is available to stream now, having streamed on December 4th.
