Jupiter's 'kid comic' is all grown up and making moves in Hollywood with first big show

Chadd Gindin was only 12 years old when he began performing stand-up comedy at the since-shuttered Comedy Corner in West Palm Beach. He got his start after his mother spotted his natural talent for telling jokes at a North Palm Beach Elementary School talent show.

The Palm Beach Post, in a 1990 story about Gindin, pegged him as a "kid comic."

“That was the thing that made me realize I could maybe do something in entertainment. If the newspaper says something about me, I must be on the right path," said Gindin, who's now 46 and has made a name for himself in Hollywood.

He's been a writer and producer for some previous shows, including "Santa Clarita Diet" (2017).

But his big break comes at 8 p.m., Sunday after the NFL games on Fox when a sneak preview of the animated series "Grimsburg" airs. Gindin is the show's executive producer and showrunner, a person who has overall creative authority, ultimately making all the final decisions for the show.

The sneak preview also will be streamed Monday on Hulu. A 13-episode first season officially debuts Sunday, Feb. 18. A 13-episode second season has already been greenlit by the network.

The series takes place in the fictional town of Grimsburg, and features Detective Marvin Flute, whose voice is that of actor Jon Hamm, the smooth-talking Mad Men alum. "Grimsburg" is a murder-mystery workplace comedy that touches on the dynamics of a divorced family, the emotions of a complicated father/son relationship, and mental health, all while characters investigate and solve crimes.

Hamm helped executive produce the show alongside Gindin.

“It’s the kind of show that I want to watch. It’s got weirdness and sweetness," Gindin said. "Grimsburg is certainly not set in Florida, but the weirdness reminds me of Florida. Grimsburg is a weird town where weird things happen, so we realized this is a great place if you didn’t want anyone to find you.”

Fox has been the leader in animated television, beginning with "The Simpsons" (1989-present) and other hit shows like "King of the Hill" (1997-2010), "Family Guy" (1999-present) and "Bob's Burgers" (2011-present).

Chadd Gindin spent his teens at Jupiter High and at open mic nights

Gindin’s family moved around a lot, living in Texas and Oklahoma before settling in Florida when Gindin was 10. Finding himself in a new city and new school, he turned to comedy and impressions to break the ice and make friends. He shared a bedroom with his older brother, and they’d watch the late-night talk shows together, so he’d get inspiration for material from the likes of David Letterman. Gindin even called into the local radio station 98.7 The Gator to do impressions on-air.

Gindin spent his teens moonlighting at open mic nights, all while juggling school at Jupiter High School, where he served as class president from his sophomore to senior year. He also was on the debate team, played football, and read the morning announcements. After graduating in 1995 and earning a Palm Beach Post Pathfinder scholarship, he studied acting and writing at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he was part of a sketch comedy group.

He also faxed jokes to Saturday Night Live that were used during the iconic show's Weekend Update segment.

“That was my first paid gig, even though it was $100 a week. I’d spend like 70 hours to make $100. It was the best $100 you could ever make in your life,” he said. “I was able to use that to meet agents. It helped get me in the door.”

Gindin has built an impressive resume in Los Angeles, working in the writers’ room for such shows as “Family Guy” spinoff “The Cleveland Show” and “Santa Clarita Diet,” which starred Drew Barrymore.

Why the Sunday primetime spot after Fox's NFL football games is so key for Grimsburg

Gindin is now a first-time executive producer and showrunner for "Grimsburg," which is next in line for Fox’s Animation Domination primetime block on Sunday nights.

“One of the best places to be is Fox and to be behind a football game is amazing for us," Gindin said. "[It’s] a sign they have a lot of faith in the show. That’s a really key spot especially last week of the (NFL regular) season. A lot of playoff positions will be decided by that. The football audience has always been there for the other shows. People who watch football are also into adult animation. I hope we attract a nice-size audience.”

The series will reunite Hamm with Mad Men co-star Christina Hendricks, who guest stars on one episode as the voice of a murder suspect. The show also features SNL alum Rachel Dratch.

Pay close attention and you'll catch some of Chadd Gindin's impressions

Viewers will even hear some of Gindin’s impressions from time to time.

“In an episode we made a joke [about] a guy named Tim Putty and he’s clearly Tom Petty after faking his death and moving there so he could get away from it all,” Gindin said. “I did that voice and I was like, I guess I can do a Tom Petty impression now! I did an Andrew Cuomo impression on the show. It’s the one thing that’s fulfilled my acting ambitions.”

Gindin also works with illustrators to design characters, their outfits, the backgrounds, and all the fine details down to what the burrito they eat looks like. He also makes casting decisions, directs the actors during recording sessions, collaborates with a music composer, provides input on sound effects, and has a say in the editing process.

Even though Gindin now calls Los Angeles home with wife Natasha and their 10-year-old son Oliver, he returns to Florida to visit his mom and sister who live in Palm Beach Gardens.

While in town, he enjoys showing his son his old stomping grounds, seeing how the area has grown, and going boogie boarding.

"The water is so much better for boogie boarding [in Florida]," he said in comparison to California. "It’s much warmer and the beaches are so much better. It’s crazier how much nicer they are there."

How to watch Grimsburg

• Sneak peek: 8 p.m., Sunday on Fox-TV and streaming on Hulu the next day

• Premiere: Sunday, Feb. 18

• Series: 13 weeks with a second 13-week season already set.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Chadd Gindin is the executive producer of the Fox TV show Grimsburg