Smigel began developing his comedic talent at The Players Workshop in Chicago, where he studied improvisation with Josephine Forsberg. He attended Cornell University, studying pre-dental, and graduated from New York University in 1983 with a degree in political science. He is Jewish and frequently went to Jewish summer camp. Smigel was born in New York City, to Lucia and Irwin Smigel, an aesthetic dentist, innovator and philanthropist. 6 Recurring characters on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
