Akiva Schaffer (born December 1, 1977) is a current writer for Saturday Night Live, Emmy-winning songwriter and a member of The Lonely Island, a sketch comedy group originating on the Internet that includes SNL featured player Andy Samberg and SNL writer Jorma Taccone. He majored in film at UCSC.
Akiva directs, co-writes, and edits the majority of SNL Digital Shorts. He was the director for Lazy Sunday, "The Natalie Portman Rap", "Dick in a Box", "Peyton Manning For The United Way", "Iran So Far" and many others. He also directed the feature length film, Hot Rod, starring Samberg and Taccone.
On the internet, Schaffer directed The Lonely Island's The 'Bu, the group's record-breaking contribution to Channel 101. The 'Bu, a parody of The OC, also starred Sarah Chalke (Roseanne, Scrubs) as Melissa as well as Samberg and Taccone. Schaffer has also contributed to several other Channel 101 productions as part of The Lonely Island.
Schaffer has directed three music videos for the band We Are Scientists and one for Eagles of Death Metal. Schaffer also directed the film Hot Rod, which was produced by Lorne Michaels. In 2007, Schaffer won an Emmy for his participation in the production of "Dick in a Box."
One-third of the Lonely Island comedy team with Andy Samberg and Jorma Taccone.
