Paul Dinello (born
November 28,
1962) is an
American actor, comedian, writer, director, and an
alumnus of
Chicago-based
The Second City,
Improv Institute, and
Annoyance Theatre. He is best known for his role on
Comedy Central's
Strangers with Candy as Geoffrey Jellineck, the
closeted gay art teacher at
Flatpoint High, who carries on a not-so-secret relationship with his colleague Chuck Noblet (
Stephen Colbert). Dinello dated the show's star
Amy Sedaris for eight years after they met at Second City.
In 2003 Dinello co-authored the novel
Wigfield with Sedaris and Colbert, which they promoted by creating a traveling play.
Most recently, Dinello has made guest appearances on Colbert's show
The Colbert Report as Tad, the building manager. The character is often berated by Colbert, who forces him to do dangerous things. Dinello has made at least five appearances on
The Colbert Report, including a
tumbling act with Colbert and their
Strangers costar Sedaris in July 2006.