Bio
Billy Gardell currently stars in the CBS series Bob Hearts Abishola, from award-winning creator, executive producer and writer Chuck Lorre. Bob Hearts Abishola is a love story about a middle-aged compression sock businessman from Detroit who unexpectedly falls for his cardiac nurse, a Nigerian immigrant, while recovering from a heart attack and sets his sights on winning her over. Undaunted by Abishola’s lack of initial interest or the vast differences in their backgrounds, Bob is determined to win Abishola’s heart, in this comedic examination of immigrant life in America.
Prior to BHA, Billy Gardell starred in the CBS hit television series, Mike & Molly as Officer Mike Biggs from 2010-2016. Mike & Molly continues to air in syndication to this day. In addition, he starred as Col. Tom Parker in the CMT series, Sun Records and has had a recurring role on another CBS hit series, Young Sheldon.
In 2016 he received a daytime Emmy nomination as best gameshow host for Monopoly Millionaires Club.
Before Mike & Molly, Gardell co-starred in the critically acclaimed television series Lucky. His other television credits include Yes Dear and Judging Amy, on the Network, My Name is Earl, The Practice, Monk and Gary the Rat.
He made his major motion picture debut alongside Anthony Quinn and Sylvester Stallone in Avenging Angelo, and had a memorable scene with Billy Bob Thornton in the Cohen Brother’s film Bad Santa. He also appeared in You, Me & Dupree.
As a standup, Gardell took the long road to Hollywood, stopping at every small town lounge, military base and comedy club along the way. His comedy act took him to Los Angeles where his dedication to acting, along with touring as a stand-up comedian, allowed him to grow consistently in both arenas. His stand-up show is a powerhouse. His grounded, down-to-earth point of view strikes a strong chord with American audiences. Stories about his rough childhood, wild adolescence and new family life are executed with the skill of a master craftsman.
His comedy specials, Billy Gardell: Halftime, premiered on Comedy Central and Billy Gardell Presents Road Dogspremiered on Showtime.
A native of Pittsburgh who currently lives in Los Angeles, Gardell loves Steeler football, stand-up comedy and his wife Patty, and son Will.
News
Billy Gardell Gives an Update on His 150-Pound Weight Loss and Reveals How Much He Weighs Today (Exclusive)
By Sophie Schillaci • April 17, 2023
ET was on the set of ‘Bob Hearts Abishola’ for the show’s May 22 season finale.
Billy Gardell is healthier than ever.
Since speaking with ET last September, the Bob Hearts Abishola star has stayed the course on his weight-loss journey, dropping more than 150 pounds since the start of the pandemic.
“I float between 205 [pounds] and 210 [pounds],” Gardell told ET’s Kevin Frazier during a recent chat on the set of his hit CBS sitcom. “Self-care is important, and I think I finally got there.”
In 2022, Gardell was encouraged to undergo bariatric weight loss in an effort to minimize his COVID risk, and has since worked on adopting a healthier relationship with food. The 53-year-old actor weighed over 370 pounds nearly a decade ago.
“I think you got to find peace with yourself and at some point, look in the mirror and go, ‘You know, it’s probably time to take care of you.’ And I didn’t get that note early on,” he said. “But I’m a big believer that when you get it, you get it. It doesn’t matter what it is, as long as you get it.”
Gardell said his resting heart rate has dropped from 113 to 68 since reaching his current weight, and that he no longer suffers from Type 2 diabetes.
“Walking around pretty healthy these days,” he said. “Of course, there’s always people online that, you know, when I was heavy, they were like ‘You’re too heavy!’ And now it’s like, ‘Are you sick?’ Can I just walk the earth, please?!”
Actor Billy Gardell shares how he lost 150 pounds in 3 years: ‘Self-care is important’
Chrissy Callahan • April 18, 2023
The “Bob Hearts Abishola” star is focused on maintaining a healthy lifestyle after his impressive weight loss.
Billy Gardell has lost 150 pounds since the beginning of the pandemic, and he’s ready to open up about what motivated his health transformation.
The actor, best known for his roles in the sitcoms “Mike & Molly” and “Bob Hearts Abishola,” recently told “Entertainment Tonight” that he hovers between 205 and 210 pounds these days after once weighing over 370 pounds almost 10 years ago.
The 53-year-old has begun to reap the health rewards of his weight loss and said his resting heart rate has also dropped from 113 to 68. He also no longer has Type 2 diabetes.
“(I’m) walking around pretty healthy these days,” he told ET.
Gardell underwent bariatric weight loss surgery almost two years ago at the recommendation of his medical team to reduce his risk for severe COVID-19. He said he’s also been working to improve his relationship to food.
“Self-care is important, and I think I finally got there,” he said.
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