Kyle Newacheck: Biography, Age, Career, Movies and TV Shows

Kyle Newacheck built a career by never staying in one lane. He started out editing footage for other people’s productions, wound up co-creating and starring in a hit Comedy Central sitcom, and then quietly became one of the most reliable comedy directors working in film and television today. If you’ve watched “Workaholics”, “What We Do in the Shadows”, or the 2025 Netflix hit “Happy Gilmore 2,” you’ve already seen his work even if his name wasn’t the first thing you noticed.

Newacheck’s path is unusual for Hollywood. He didn’t come up through film-school connections to major studios or a famous family. He came up through public-access-style web series, a sketch comedy troupe called Mail Order Comedy, and years of teaching editing software to other students. That grounding shows in his work: his projects tend to favour character rhythm and timing over flashy visuals. Today, he’s Adam Sandler’s go-to director at Happy Madison Productions, a key creative force behind FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows”, and perhaps surprisingly a competitive pickleball player.

Kyle Newacheck Quick Biography Summary

Kyle Newacheck is an American director, producer, writer, and actor whose career spans sketch comedy, cable sitcoms, streaming films, and prestige TV comedy. He is a co-creator of “Workaholics,” a longtime director and producer on “What We Do in the Shadows,” and the director of Adam Sandler’s “Murder Mystery” and “Happy Gilmore 2.” As of 2026, he’s directing the Netflix sequel “Grown Ups 3” and directing episodes of the HBO Max series “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”

Quick Facts Table

Who Is Kyle Newacheck?

Kyle Newacheck is an American television and film director, producer, writer, and occasional actor. He first reached a national audience as co-creator and co-star of Comedy Central’s “Workaholics,” then transitioned into directing single-camera comedy for networks and streamers. His two biggest calling cards today are FX’s cult favorite “What We Do in the Shadows,” where he served for years as director and co-executive producer, and his ongoing collaboration with Adam Sandler, which now includes “Murder Mystery,” “Happy Gilmore 2,” and the upcoming “Grown Ups 3.

Kyle Newacheck Biography

Newacheck was born in Walnut Creek, California, and grew up in nearby Concord — a detail multiple regional outlets have highlighted since he and “Workaholics” co-star Blake Anderson are both Concord natives. He didn’t pursue an acting conservatory path; instead, he enrolled at The Los Angeles Film School to study editing, a decision that would shape how he approaches comedy years later. Editors think about rhythm and pacing first, and that sensibility carried over once Newacheck moved behind the camera as a director.

His early career wasn’t glamorous. He worked as an apprentice editor and spent time in the electrical department on independent film sets before returning to the Los Angeles Film School as an instructor, teaching Avid editing software to students not much younger than himself. That teaching job put him in the same orbit as future collaborators, and by 2006 he had teamed up with three classmates — Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm — to form the sketch group Mail Order Comedy.

Kyle Newacheck’s Age, Birth Date and Birthplace

Kyle Newacheck was born on January 23, 1984, making him 42 years old as of September 2026. His birthplace is consistently listed as Walnut Creek, California. It’s worth separating that from Concord, California, which is frequently — and sometimes inaccurately — cited as his birthplace; Concord is where he grew up, not where he was born.

Kyle Newacheck Early Life

Documented details about Newacheck’s childhood are limited, which is typical for someone who built a career behind the camera rather than in front of it from a young age. What is well documented is that he developed an early interest in filmmaking and editing, which led him directly to film school rather than a traditional four-year college. His Concord upbringing put him in the same social and creative circles as Blake Anderson, a connection that would prove foundational once both entered the entertainment industry.

Kyle Newacheck Education

Newacheck graduated from The Los Angeles Film School in 2004 with a focus on editing. According to the school’s own alumni materials, he became one of the youngest instructors in the school’s history, teaching Avid editing at around age 22 before his on-camera career took off. That technical foundation — understanding footage, pacing, and structure from the editing bay rather than the director’s chair — is something industry profiles frequently point to when explaining his comedic timing as a director.

How Did Kyle Newacheck Start Their Career?

Newacheck’s earliest professional credits come from low-budget web series rather than studio productions. Alongside Mail Order Comedy partners Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm, he wrote, directed, and edited short-form comedy for MySpace, most notably a web series called “Crossbows and Moustaches.” The group also produced other short-lived web and cable projects, including “Preppy Hippies,” “Online Nation” segments, and a TV movie called “Mail Order Comedy.” None of these were hits in the conventional sense, but they gave the four collaborators a shared comedic voice and a reel of work that eventually caught the attention of Comedy Central.

Kyle Newacheck Career

Newacheck’s career breaks cleanly into stages. The Mail Order Comedy years (2006–2010) were about finding a voice and building a portfolio on almost no budget. The “Workaholics” years (2011–2017) turned that voice into a hit show and established Newacheck as both a performer and a prolific in-house director — he directed 41 of the show’s episodes and wrote three. That directing volume is what opened doors elsewhere: networks including NBC and ABC brought him in to direct single episodes of “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” and “Happy Endings” while “Workaholics” was still airing.

After “Workaholics” ended, Newacheck moved into features, directing “Game Over, Man!” (2018) for Netflix with his old Mail Order Comedy partners, then “Murder Mystery” (2019) starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston as his first film without his original comedy troupe as the leads.

That project marked the start of an ongoing relationship with Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions. At the same time, Newacheck built a second major credit as director and co executive producer on FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” a mockumentary vampire comedy that became one of the most critically praised sitcoms of its era.

By 2025, he had become Sandler’s most trusted current collaborator, directing the massively watched “Happy Gilmore 2,” and by 2026 he had two major follow ups in motion: “Grown Ups 3” for Netflix and “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe” for HBO Max.

Kyle Newacheck Career Timeline Table

Kyle Newacheck Movies

Newacheck’s film work is smaller in volume than his TV résumé but has grown significantly in scale since 2018. His first feature, “Game Over, Man!,” reunited him with his Mail Order Comedy partners as both director and story writer. “Murder Mystery” put him in charge of A-list talent for the first time. “Happy Gilmore 2” — a sequel to one of Adam Sandler’s most beloved films — became his biggest project to date and one of the most-streamed movies on Netflix in its release window. He’s also credited as an executive producer on “Murder Mystery 2” and as a producer on smaller independent films like “I’m Totally Fine” and “Stranger in the Woods.”

Kyle Newacheck Movies Table

Kyle Newacheck TV Shows

Television is where Newacheck has spent most of his career, both as a performer and, increasingly, as a director-for-hire on other people’s shows. He co-created and directed “Workaholics,” co-created and directed “Adam DeVine’s House Party,” and directed single episodes of established sitcoms including “Community,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Happy Endings,” “Idiotsitter,” “Ghosted,” and “Bookie.” His most sustained television relationship outside “Workaholics” has been with FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows,” where he directed dozens of episodes across multiple seasons and served as co-executive producer. In 2026, he began directing for “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” an HBO Max spin-off of “The Big Bang Theory.”

Kyle Newacheck TV Shows Table

What Is Kyle Newacheck Best Known For?

Newacheck is best known for two very different achievements: co-creating and co-starring in “Workaholics,” and directing “What We Do in the Shadows” and Adam Sandler’s recent Netflix comedies. Among younger comedy fans, he’s often recognized first as Karl, the “Workaholics” drug dealer. Among industry watchers, he’s increasingly known as one of the most in-demand directors working in mainstream studio comedy.

Kyle Newacheck and Workaholics

“Workaholics” is the project that made Newacheck a name rather than just a credit. Co-created with Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm, the Comedy Central series ran for seven seasons and followed three underachieving telemarketers and their live-in drug dealer, played by Newacheck under the character name Karl Hevacheck. Beyond acting, Newacheck directed roughly half the show’s total episode count — a workload that effectively trained him as a television comedy director in real time.

Kyle Newacheck and Murder Mystery

“Murder Mystery” (2019) is arguably the project that repositioned Newacheck’s career. Directing Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston in a Netflix original was a significant jump in scale from his earlier work with his own comedy troupe. The film’s success on Netflix helped establish him as someone Happy Madison Productions could trust with A-list talent, setting up his later work on “Murder Mystery 2” (as executive producer) and eventually “Happy Gilmore 2.”

Kyle Newacheck and What We Do in the Shadows

“What We Do in the Shadows,” the FX mockumentary about a household of vampire roommates on Staten Island, is widely considered one of the best-reviewed comedies of its decade. Newacheck joined the series during its second season as a director and rose to co-executive producer, directing episodes across multiple seasons through its 2024 series finale. The show earned multiple Primetime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series during his tenure, including in the 2022 awards cycle, and Newacheck shared in those nominations as part of the credited production team.

Kyle Newacheck and Happy Gilmore 2

“Happy Gilmore 2” is Newacheck’s biggest project by star power and audience reach to date. Directing a sequel to a beloved 1996 comedy classic — nearly three decades later, with Adam Sandler reprising his signature role alongside a sprawling cast that includes Julie Bowen, Bad Bunny, Ben Stiller, and dozens of professional golfers in cameo roles — was a considerable step up in scale from his prior work. The film became one of Netflix’s most-watched releases in its debut window, and reviewers noted that Newacheck brought a visually distinct, contemporary energy to the material rather than simply imitating the original film’s style.

Kyle Newacheck as an Actor

Acting has always been a smaller part of Newacheck’s résumé than directing, but it’s how many audiences first encountered him. His most prominent role remains Karl Hevacheck on “Workaholics,” the group’s live-in drug dealer and comic foil. He’s had brief appearances elsewhere, including a small role in the 2014 film “Neighbors,” a role in the independent film “I’m Totally Fine,” and a one-episode appearance as a paramedic on “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” in 2015. He also occasionally appeared as himself on “Adam DeVine’s House Party.”

Kyle Newacheck as a Director

Directing is the throughline of Newacheck’s career. He built his craft directing dozens of “Workaholics” episodes, expanded into other network sitcoms, then moved into features with “Game Over, Man!” and “Murder Mystery.” His work on “What We Do in the Shadows” demonstrated range beyond broad comedy, requiring him to balance mockumentary structure, horror-comedy tone, and an ensemble cast. His recent films for Happy Madison Productions — “Happy Gilmore 2” and the upcoming “Grown Ups 3” — show a director now trusted with major studio comedy franchises and sizable budgets.

Kyle Newacheck as a Producer

Newacheck’s producing credits have expanded alongside his directing work. He was credited as an executive producer and story contributor on “Game Over, Man!,” an executive producer on “Murder Mystery” and “Murder Mystery 2,” a producer on smaller independent films like “I’m Totally Fine” and “Stranger in the Woods,” and a co-executive producer on “What We Do in the Shadows.” On “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” he holds an executive producer credit alongside creators Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady, reflecting his growing standing as a producing partner rather than just a director-for-hire.

Kyle Newacheck as a Writer

Writing is the least prominent of Newacheck’s four professional roles, but it’s present at key points in his career. He wrote three episodes of “Workaholics” and is credited with the original story for “Game Over, Man!” His earliest writing credits go back to the Mail Order Comedy web series era, when he wrote, directed, and edited most of the group’s short-form content himself.

Kyle Newacheck Professional Network and Collaborations

Newacheck’s most important professional relationships trace back to his Los Angeles Film School years. Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm, his Mail Order Comedy co founders, remained his closest creative partners through “Workaholics” and “Game Over, Man!”

His brother, Adam Newacheck, has also worked with him as a co director on at least one music video project. Since 2019, his most consequential industry relationship has been with Adam Sandler and longtime Sandler writing partner Tim Herlihy, whose Happy Madison Productions has become Newacheck’s primary home for feature directing work.

On the television side, his ongoing relationship with “What We Do in the Shadows” creator Jemaine Clement and the show’s executive producing team, and more recently with “Big Bang Theory” veterans Chuck Lorre, Zak Penn, and Bill Prady on “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe,” round out his current professional network.

Kyle Newacheck Professional Network Table

Kyle Newacheck Lifestyle and Interests

Outside film and television, Newacheck is known for his interest in pickleball. He is part of Selkirk Sport’s Emerging Pros roster and competes at a high level, with a DUPR rating of 5.0 or higher.

Kyle Newacheck Personal Life

Newacheck keeps his personal life private. Multiple sources report that he is married, with his wife commonly identified as Marisa. Wikipedia also lists him as having two children, although detailed family information isn’t widely documented.

Kyle Newacheck Net Worth

Celebrity websites estimate Newacheck’s net worth at around $6 million to $8 million, but these figures aren’t independently verified. They should therefore be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.

Kyle Newacheck Awards and Nominations

Awards and Recognition

Newacheck has not personally won a major competitive industry award. His main recognition comes through shared production team nominations for What We Do in the Shadows, including Outstanding Comedy Series at the Primetime Emmys.

Kyle Newacheck Major Career Achievements

Newacheck’s biggest achievements include co creating Workaholics, directing What We Do in the Shadows, and earning Adam Sandler and Happy Madison’s trust on Murder Mystery, Happy Gilmore 2, and Grown Ups 3. His move from comedy television to major film franchises reflects nearly two decades of career growth.

Kyle Newacheck Latest Projects and Current Career

As of September 2026, Newacheck is directing Grown Ups 3 for Netflix and working on Stuart Fails to Save the Universe for HBO Max. Grown Ups 3 began filming in New Jersey in August 2026, while Stuart Fails to Save the Universe premiered in July 2026 and was renewed for a second season.

Common Misconceptions About Kyle Newacheck

Newacheck grew up in Concord, California, but was born in Walnut Creek. He is also more than an Adam Sandler comedy director, with major credits including Workaholics, Community, Parks and Recreation, and What We Do in the Shadows.

Interesting Facts About Kyle Newacheck

• He taught Avid editing at The Los Angeles Film School around age 22.
• His Workaholics character is Karl Hevacheck.
• He co directed Childish Gambino’s “The Worst Guys” with his brother, Adam Newacheck.
• He is part of Selkirk Sport’s Emerging Pros pickleball team.
• He directed roughly half of Workaholics episodes.
• Happy Gilmore 2 and Grown Ups 3 are both major legacy comedy sequels in his directing career.

FAQ

Who is Kyle Newacheck?

Kyle Newacheck is an American director, producer, writer, and actor best known for co-creating “Workaholics” and directing FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” and Adam Sandler’s “Happy Gilmore 2.”

How old is Kyle Newacheck?

He was born on January 23, 1984, making him 42 years old as of September 2026.

What is Kyle Newacheck best known for?

He’s best known for co-creating and co-starring in “Workaholics,” and for directing “What We Do in the Shadows” and recent Adam Sandler films.

Did Kyle Newacheck direct Murder Mystery?

Yes. He directed and executive produced “Murder Mystery” (2019), starring Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

Did Kyle Newacheck direct Happy Gilmore 2?

Yes. He directed the 2025 Netflix sequel “Happy Gilmore 2,” starring Adam Sandler.

Was Kyle Newacheck in Workaholics?

Yes. He played Karl Hevacheck, the group’s live-in drug dealer, as a series regular for all seven seasons.

Did Kyle Newacheck work on What We Do in the Shadows?

Yes. He directed numerous episodes and served as co-executive producer from the show’s second season through its 2024 finale.

Is Kyle Newacheck a professional pickleball player?

He’s a signed member of Selkirk Sport’s Emerging Pros pickleball roster, a program for competitive players with high DUPR ratings.

Where did Kyle Newacheck study?

He studied editing at The Los Angeles Film School, graduating in 2004.

Who are Kyle Newacheck’s main collaborators?

His longtime creative partners are Blake Anderson, Adam DeVine, and Anders Holm from Mail Order Comedy and “Workaholics.” His main current collaborator is Adam Sandler and Happy Madison Productions.

Is Kyle Newacheck a director or actor?

Both, but directing is the larger and more consistent part of his career; acting has been a smaller, occasional part of his résumé.

What is Kyle Newacheck’s next project?

As of September 2026, he is directing Netflix’s “Grown Ups 3,” currently in production, and directing/executive producing Season 2 of HBO Max’s “Stuart Fails to Save the Universe.”

Has Kyle Newacheck won an Emmy?

Not individually, based on available records. He shared in Outstanding Comedy Series nominations as part of the “What We Do in the Shadows” production team.

What is Kyle Newacheck’s net worth?

Various celebrity websites estimate figures between $6 million and $8 million, but none of these are independently verified or sourced.

Is Kyle Newacheck married?

Multiple sources report that he is married, with his wife commonly named as Marisa, though detailed personal-life information beyond that is not extensively documented by reliable sources.