Louis Székely (born September 12, 1967), known professionally as Louis C.K. is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, director and editor. He is the creator, star, writer, director, executive producer and primary editor of the acclaimed FXcomedy-drama series Louie.
After writing for several comedy shows in the 1990s and early 2000s for comedians like David Letterman, Conan O'Brien, and Chris Rock (with whom he co-wrote the film Down to Earth), he starred in the short-lived HBO television sitcom Lucky Louie in 2006. He then released the comedy album Chewed Up in 2008, before starring in the first season of Louie. He has had supporting acting roles in films such as The Invention of Lying, American Hustle, and Blue Jasmine. C.K. is also noted for being among the first performers to offer direct-to-fan sales of tickets to his stand-up shows, as well as DRM-free video concert downloads, via his website.
C.K. has won a 2012 Peabody Award and five Emmy awards, as well as numerous awards for The Chris Rock Show and Louie, as well as his stand-up specials Live at the Beacon Theater (2011) and Oh My God (2013). Rolling Stone ranked C.K.'s stand-up special Shameless number two on their "Divine Comedy: 25 Best Stand-Up Specials and Movies of All Time."
C.K.'s stage name is an approximate English pronunciation of his Hungarian surname, Székely (Hungarian pronunciation: [ˈseːkej]).
