Celebrity Jobber Podcast with Jeff Zito

Episode: Steve Lemme (Broken Lizard, Super Troopers)

Date: February 20, 2026

Episode Overview

In this engaging episode, Jeff Zito sits down with Steve Lemme, best known as a member of the Broken Lizard comedy troupe and his role as MacIntyre 'Mac' Womack in the cult classic Super Troopers. The conversation delves into Lemme's early jobs, his path to comedy stardom, family influences, and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. The discussion is peppered with funny reflections, behind-the-scenes anecdotes, and honest moments about struggle, family, and luck.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current Projects & The Florida Man Games

• Florida Man Games Side Gig:
  Steve is appearing as a sideline reporter at the quirky Florida Man Games event in Bradenton, FL, and is shooting it as a potential TV pilot. He’s also bringing fellow Super Trooper Kevin Heffernan.

  • Steve Lemme: "I'm gonna be a sideline reporter. I'm bringing another one of the Super Troopers down. My friend Kevin Heffernan, Farva, officer." (04:20)

• Super Troopers 3 Update:
  The much-anticipated third installment is finished and slated for an August 8th theatrical release. Steve discusses recent test screenings and audience feedback.

  • Steve Lemme: "We had an informal test screening last night... it went very well... we have a few more months to finish it, and then August is when it comes out, I believe. August 8th." (08:57)

2. First Jobs: From Pizza Boy to Breakdancer

• First 'Real' Job:
  At 13, Lemme was a pizza delivery boy in New York City, traveling on foot due to the short delivery radius.

  • Steve Lemme: "I was a pizza delivery boy in New York city at age 13." (06:12)

• First Showbiz Break:
  He was a street breakdancer, caught the attention of a talent scout, and landed a TV commercial for "Bobby Brooks" clothing—aired exclusively in Colombia, complete with a fake mustache to look older.

  • Steve Lemme: "I was doing it on the street, and I was approached, and somebody asked if I wanted to do it for a TV commercial. And so I auditioned and I got the part. ...I was, you know, 14 years old. And so they put a fake mustache on [me]." (06:29)

  • Commercial Details:
    The commercial featured Steve being "arrested" by two lady cops impressed by his outfit, who then frisked him while he breakdanced his way free.

    • Steve Lemme: "It's me in the clothes breakdancing. And these two foxy lady cops come along and they bust me. ...while they're frisking me, they're like, ooh, look at these clothes. And then I spin around and I break dance my way out of [it]." (07:33)

  • Personal Keepsake:
    Lemme still has the footage on his phone and enjoys showing it to friends.

    • Steve Lemme: "I've got it on my phone in my favorites, because I like to tell everybody this story and show it to them." (08:11)

3. Early Life, Education, and the Path to Comedy

• Trouble in High School:
  Lemme was nearly expelled from an elite New York City private school for buying a plagiarized term paper, but got a second chance via a headmaster who arranged his transfer to a Colorado boarding school.

  • Steve Lemme: "I got busted for plagiarism... they were going to kick me out and turns out the headmaster of the school really liked me. ...he said, 'My advice to you is withdraw so you don't get an expulsion on your transcript. And I'm on the board of trustees at this great boarding school in Colorado Springs, the Fountain Valley School. And I can just get you in there.'" (10:08)

• Back & Forth:
  After achieving the required GPA at Fountain Valley, he returned to graduate in New York for his senior year. (11:32)

• Meeting the Broken Lizard Crew:
  At Colgate University, Lemme joined a fraternity, met Jay Chandrasekar and Kevin Heffernan, and successfully auditioned for their sketch group (often cast as the "sleazy guy with a mustache"). The group's first NYC gigs were in a gay cabaret bar where their crowds drank the place dry, leading to a two-year performance contract.

  • Steve Lemme: "They determined that I could play, like, the sleazy guy." (12:19)
  • Steve Lemme: "The only place that would take us was a gay cabaret club down in the Village... they extended us for the summer... [then] they gave us a two year contract... That's how we kind of learned the way the industry works. You bring in the butts and the seat and you get more gigs." (13:03, 13:47)

4. Family Expectations & The Immigrant Experience

• Fine Arts Major & Dropout:
  Lemme majored in fine arts, specializing in painting, idolizing Salvador Dali—and even visited the Dali Museum in St. Petersburg. His parents were initially displeased when he shifted to comedy, especially his father (a self-made Argentine immigrant and accomplished chemical engineer with two master's degrees).

  • Steve Lemme: "I was a fine arts major. I was a painter. ...My favorite artist was Salvador Dali." (14:27)
  • Steve Lemme: "My father was an immigrant... a chemical engineer in Argentina. ...At 30, he came to this country, didn't speak any English. ...He did both of those things. And then he wound up getting two masters..." (14:30, 15:26)

• Turning Point with Dad:
  Lemme’s relationship with his father changed after his dad saw him perform live with Broken Lizard in NYC. The ultimate moment came at the Super Troopers premiere, where his father was moved to tears.

  • Steve Lemme: "When they saw the first show... he realized I was pursuing something and everything changed again. He stopped being mad at me." (15:46)
  • Steve Lemme: "I sat next to him at the premiere of Super Troopers, and when the 20th Century Fox fanfare plays at the beginning... I looked over at him and he had tears... streaming down his cheek. That was sort of American dream." (15:51, 16:07)

• Concerns About an Uncertain Future:
  Before Super Troopers hit, Lemme worried about his lack of a degree and an unclear career path.

  • Steve Lemme: "There were times where I was like 26, 27 thinking about the fact that I didn't have a degree... and what was I going to do with my life? ...Then we made Super Troopers and things began to look a little bit more promising." (16:29)

5. Reflections on the 'Jobber' Question

• Lemme acknowledges uncertainty about what he would have become with a fine arts degree — possibly a painter, though he jokes that most painters only become famous posthumously.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "I was a pizza delivery boy in New York city at age 13." – Steve Lemme (06:12)
• "I was a breakdancer... I was approached... for a TV commercial. I auditioned and I got the part. ...Ironically, they wanted me to look like I was in my 20s. I was, you know, 14 years old. And so they put a fake mustache on." – Steve Lemme (06:29)
• "The only place that would take us [Broken Lizard] was a gay cabaret club down in the Village... our crowd drank them out of beer." – Steve Lemme (13:03)
• "He realized I was pursuing something and everything changed again. He stopped being mad at me." – Steve Lemme, on his father's acceptance (15:46)
• "I sat next to him at the premiere of Super Troopers... I looked over at him and he had tears... streaming down his cheek. That was sort of American dream." – Steve Lemme (15:51)
• "I have no idea [what I would have done]." – Steve Lemme, on what he would do with an arts degree if comedy hadn't worked out (16:29)

Important Timestamps

• 03:17: Steve discusses the Florida Man Games and the upcoming TV pilot.
• 06:12: Steve describes his first job as a pizza delivery boy.
• 06:29 - 07:33: Steve recounts his breakdancing commercial story.
• 08:57: Super Troopers 3 update and release plans.
• 10:08: The high school plagiarism incident and transfer to Colorado.
• 11:48: How Steve met and joined Broken Lizard in college.
• 13:03: The first gigs at a gay cabaret club and early lessons in show business.
• 14:27: College major and parental expectations.
• 15:51: The emotional Super Troopers premiere with his father.
• 16:29: Reflecting on his fallback career options (or lack thereof).
• 17:48: Social media plugs and Florida Man Games tickets.

Tone & Style

The conversation is casual, humorous, and candid—with Jeff acting as the enthusiastic fan and skilled interviewer, while Steve is reflective, self-deprecating, and generous with personal anecdotes. Both share a fond, nostalgic tone, especially regarding formative moments and youthful indiscretions.

Resources & Links

• Steve Lemme Instagram: @Steve_Lemme
• Florida Man Games Tickets: thefloridamangames.com
• Super Troopers 3: In theaters August 8, 2026
• Podcast Website: celebrityjobber.com

Summary prepared for listeners who want the heart of Steve Lemme’s journey — his working-class roots, creative risks, comic breakthroughs, and the quiet family moments that made his celebrity possible.