Photo Credit: GigaShane
writer/ director/ actor/editor
Aren't bio's weird? I wrote my own.
I grew up outside Washington D.C. area . It makes sense that I eventually dreamed of joining the military of aspiring comedians at Upright Citizens Brigade. This was after a childhood obsessed with Muppets, Pee Wee Herman, Jim Carrey, and television in general. I spent my teen years making videos with my friends and doing impressions around school. After attending UCF for Television Production and Music, I moved to New York City in 2006 to study improv and sketch classes at The Upright Citizens Brigade. At UCB I studied Improv and sketch for 5 years under the funniest performers and writers, performing improv in countless groups.
Photo: Jammi York
In 2010 I began directing and editing videos with the hilarious and inspirational duo known as Broad City. By the end of season 1 of the web series we had launched the series to notoriety in NYC. I had edited 15 episodes, directed 11, and co-wrote 8 episodes.
Ilana Glazer, Rob Michael Hugel, Abbi Jacobson Credit: Katie Osgood
In 2011 I became a member of the sketch comedy group Onassis, originally performing monthly at Maude Night at UCB New York and currently performing in LA and at sketch comedy festivals across the USA.
My first web series I Hate Being Single premiered in 2011 at NYTVF, winning the Audience Choice award. Season 2 was a Tribeca 2014 Official selection. The series originally premiered on the front page of Blip.tv. and collectively has over a million views. It has been recognized by USA Today, Complex, Washington Post, Splitsider, Huffington Post, and Gothamist to name a few. It's been screened at International Film Festival Rotterdam, Apple store Soho, Paley Center for Media, Whartons School of Business, and more.
Around NYC I co-hosted a slew of stand up comedy shows with comedy partner and IHBS co-star Shannon Coffey. Eventually performing stand up at Playlist Live Festival in Florida to a ballroom of 250 people.
As a freelancer I have directed, written, and edited for projects with Awesomeness TV, Dreamworks TV, College Humor, and Nick Mom, Gameplay HD, and the Ford Fiesta Movement.
As an actor, I've appeared on The Knick, Late Night/Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon, SXSW Grand Jury winner Fort Tilden, College Humor, Fine Brothers Sketch Series, and the Sundance 2016 selected short film Affections.
Onassis Backstage at UCB NY. Left to right: Jason Saenz, Frank Hejl, Dawn Luebbe, Jocelyn DeBoer, Mike Scollins, Lauren Adams, Paul Briganti, Josh Ruben, Kassia Miller, Rob Michael Hugel, Emily Altman.
“I Hate Being Single’s Rob Michael Hugel Is Your New Favorite Hipster”
Awards and Recognition
One of the 50 Funniest People in Brooklyn by BK mag.
Official Selection Tribeca N.O.W creator
Selected "Next Big Thing" panelist at Paley Center for Media.
Co-star in Sundance selected short Affections.
NYTVF Bing Audience Choice Award for I Hate Being Single.
Best Male Performer at Channy Awards.
USA Today's Best web series 2012.
Complex Magazine 50 best web series to watch.