Andy Samberg biography

They're the first ones in and last to leave. I think they're really original.'" Michaels offered all three of them an audition and decided to cast Samberg while bringing Taccone and Schaffer on as writers.

Since their 2005 debut, the Lonely Island's Digital Shorts, such as "Iran So Far Away," "Laser Cats" and "Lazy Sunday,

" have become a widely beloved feature on SNL. Samberg shot to nationwide fame in 2007 when he teamed up with Justin Timberlake to film the lewd but hilarious spoof music video, "D*** in a Box," which garnered a shocking Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics. "That's about as surprising as it gets," Samberg said before the awards show. "I can't tell if the process was more exciting -- or the idea that someone's gonna have to do that engraving if we win."

Samberg continued to achieve an astonishing level of mainstream success with his absurdist and sometimes vulgar brand of humor. He has been nominated for two further Emmy Awards (in 2009 for "Mother Lover" featuring Justin Timberlake and in 2010 for "Shy Ronnie" featuring Rihanna), and in 2010 Samberg's collaboration with R&B singer T-Pain, "I'm on a Boat," received an unlikely Grammy nomination for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration.

In addition to his work on SNL, Samberg also boasts blossoming film and music careers. In 2007, he starred in the movie Hot Rod, which co-starred Taccone and was directed by Schaffer, and in 2009, he starred opposite Paul Rudd in the popular comedy I Love You, Man. Also in 2009, The Lonely Island released its first album, Incredibad, which became the first comedy album ever to reach the No. 1 spot on iTunes.

Career After 'SNL'

In June 2012, Samberg announced he was leaving Saturday Night Live. The talented comedian seems to have set his sights on the big screen. He starred with Adam Sandler in the comedy That's My Boy released that summer. Also around this time, Samberg co-starred with Rashida Jones in Celeste and Jesse Forever. This dramatic comedy followed the efforts of a couple going through a divorce while trying maintain their friendship.

That fall, Samberg lent his voice to the animated film Hotel Transylvania. He is also slated to return to small screen, albeit in Britain, in the comedy Cuckoo with Greg Davies.

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.

© 2013 A+E Networks. All rights reserved.