Paul Shaffer

Acting • 115 Credits

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.

✍️ Written & Story Credits (2)

Screenplay, Novel & Story
Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special

Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special

1999 ⭐ 3.5
Writer
Gilda Live

Gilda Live

1980 ⭐ 3.0
Writer

🎭 Acting Roles (30)

Ranked by Prestige & Popularity
Hercules

Hercules

1997 ⭐ 3.7
as Hermes (voice)
How I Met Your Mother

How I Met Your Mother

2005 ⭐ 4.1
as Paul Shaffer
Man on the Moon

Man on the Moon

1999 ⭐ 3.6
as Letterman Band (uncredited)
Scrooged

Scrooged

1988 ⭐ 3.4
as Street Musician
This Is Spinal Tap

This Is Spinal Tap

1984 ⭐ 3.7
as Artie Fufkin
Look Who's Talking Too

Look Who's Talking Too

1990 ⭐ 2.8
as Taxi Businessman
Blues Brothers 2000

Blues Brothers 2000

1998 ⭐ 2.6
as Marco
Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live

1975 ⭐ 3.4
as Self - Various Characters
A Very Murray Christmas

A Very Murray Christmas

2015 ⭐ 2.6
as Paul Schaffer
Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens

Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens

2016 ⭐ 2.2
as Paul Shaffer
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon

2014 ⭐ 2.9
as Self - Musical Guest
Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2001 ⭐ 3.8
as Paul Shaffer
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

2015 ⭐ 3.1
as Self - Musical Guest
Hercules

Hercules

1998 ⭐ 3.5
as Hermes (voice)
Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

2003 ⭐ 2.6
as Self
Late Show with David Letterman

Late Show with David Letterman

1993 ⭐ 3.2
as Self - Musical Director
Jeopardy!

Jeopardy!

1984 ⭐ 3.5
as Self
The Masked Singer

The Masked Singer

2019 ⭐ 3.8
as Self
The View

The View

1997 ⭐ 2.2
as Self
Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

Spinal Tap II: The End Continues

2025 ⭐ 3.0
as Artie Fufkin
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962 ⭐ 3.8
as Self
The Kelly Clarkson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

2019 ⭐ 3.1
as Self
Ed

Ed

2000 ⭐ 3.9
as Irv Nadler
Hercules: Zero to Hero

Hercules: Zero to Hero

1999 ⭐ 3.2
as Hermes (voice) (archive sound)
Love, Gilda

Love, Gilda

2018 ⭐ 3.6
as Self
Hope & Faith

Hope & Faith

2003 ⭐ 2.7
as Himself
Running Wilde

Running Wilde

2010 ⭐ 3.1
as Self
Being Canadian

Being Canadian

2015 ⭐ 2.8
as Self
Marty, Life Is Short

Marty, Life Is Short

2026 ⭐ 4.0
as Self
Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice

Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice

2019 ⭐ 3.8
as Self (archive footage)