David Andrew Samberg (born August 18, 1978) is an American actor, comedian, rapper and writer best known as a member of the comedy group The Lonely Island and as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. On Saturday Night Live, he and The Lonely Island have been credited with popularizing the Emmy-winning SNL Digital Shorts, the comical short films and music videos starring Samberg and other members of the SNL cast. As a film actor, Samberg has appeared in Hot Rod, Space Chimps, Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, I Love You, Man and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. Samberg was born to Margi (née Marrow), an elementary school teacher who taught at Old Mill School, and Joe Samberg, a photographer. He grew up in a Jewish household and his maternal grandfather, Alfred J. Marrow, served as the executive chair of the American Jewish Congress, although Samberg describes himself as "not particularly religious". He was "weaned" on Jewish comedy as a child, in particular, Mel Brooks. As a child, Samberg discovered Saturday Night Live while sneaking past his parents to watch professional wrestling on television. He became "obsessed" with the show, and his devotion to comedy became frustrating to teachers who felt he was unfocused on his schoolwork.