Trivia

Two years after the untimely death of his first wife, Michelle McNamara, her nonfiction crime book "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" debuted at No. 1 on the New York Times Bestseller List (2018). The introduction and afterword were contributed by author Gillian Flynn and Oswalt respectively.

Is a huge movie buff, especially of classic and noir films. During a period from the mid to late 1990s, he grew addicted to watching films and would go to the theater almost daily. This is chronicled in his book "Silver Screen Fiend".

Has one daughter with Michelle McNamara: Alice Rigney Oswalt (born April 15, 2009).

Attended and graduated from Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia. (1987)

Has been an outspoken critic of U.S. President Donald Trump. In January 2019, following an intense Twitter feud with one of Trump's supporters, he donated $2,000 to the man's GoFundMe fund created to help cover his medical expenses.

Was named after World War II hero General George S. Patton.

Nominated for the 2018 Emmy Award in the Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series category for Patton Oswalt: Annihilation (2017), but lost out to John Mulaney for John Mulaney: Kid Gorgeous at Radio City (2018).

Recently discovered he's allergic to gluten. He has been diagnosed with clinical depression, which he has engaged through his adult life. He has incorporated these experiences into his comedy routines.

His comedy special Patton Oswalt: Talking for Clapping (2016) was released on Netflix. (April 2016)

Older brother of Matt Oswalt, creator of the Puddin' web series.

His father's ancestry is English, German, Scottish and Irish. His maternal grandfather, Peter Nicholas Runfola, was of Italian/Sicilian ancestry, and his maternal grandmother, Mary Cecilia Brennan, was of Irish ancestry.

Received his Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia (1991). He later received an honorary degree (Doctor of Arts) from the College of William & Mary (May 2023). Is a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.

Confirmed his engagement to actress Meredith Salenger. (July 2017)

Oswald's comedic influences include Jonathan Winters, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Sam Kinison, Emo Philips, Bobcat Goldthwait, Blaine Capatch, Jim Goad, Bill Hicks and Louis C.K..

Like Frank Conniff, who played his onscreen father in Mystery Science Theater 3000 (2017), he is a staunch Democrat. He endorsed Barack Obama for his re-election as president (2012), and Joe Biden for his presidential campaign (2020).

Is a self-confessed huge fan of Star Trek and has referenced the franchise as Spencer Olchin on his famous sitcom The King of Queens (1998). He has done voice-over work on Star Trek: Picard (2020), and has appeared on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds (2022).

His favorite movie is the comedy drama Six Pack (1982).