Comedian Dave Rispoli has cultivated a distinct comedic persona in the form of John Goblikon, a green goblin character who leads a metal band, sells life insurance by day, and performs comedy at night. Originally created as a fictional figure for a music video, Goblikon has since evolved into a fully realized character with his own podcast, digital series, and live performances.
The character first appeared in the 2017 music video “No One Survives” by the goblin metal band Nekrogoblikon. Directed by Brandon Dermer, the video features Goblikon attending a bar to woo a princess, only to kill Prince Charming after witnessing a fight between the couple. Rispoli was cast in the role of Goblikon due to his ability to physically transform for sketch comedy and dramatic acting, according to Dermer.
Since then, Goblikon has emerged as an independent comedic presence, hosting the podcast “Right Now With John Goblikon,” which he claims is the top-ranked show in its category. The character has also headlined events such as “Gobliween” at Zanies in Nashville and recently brought this variety show format to the Starlight Cabaret in Studio City, California. Additionally, Goblikon stars in a four-episode digital spin-off continuing the story from the original music video.
Despite the character’s growth, Rispoli remains Goblikon’s ghostwriter and creative force behind the scenes, a dynamic Goblikon openly critiques. The goblin describes their relationship as fraught and expresses a desire for independence from his “mediocre” human counterpart, whom he portrays as an unremarkable 5-foot-6 man. Nevertheless, they continue working together, with Rispoli writing material, managing podcast research, and attending performances.
Rispoli has said that his alter ego created challenges in his professional career, as industry professionals were uncertain how to place a comedian who performed in goblin makeup. Maintaining separate identities allowed him to navigate the entertainment industry while building the Goblikon persona. He now sees a shift in the Los Angeles comedy landscape, with character-driven performances gaining mainstream traction through shows on platforms such as Netflix, bolstering Goblikon’s relevance.
The visual design of Goblikon was crafted by creature artist Mark Villalobos, contributing to the character’s distinctive appearance. Rispoli also embodies Goblikon’s personality through a unique voice and mannerisms, aiming to depict an everyman amplified in insecurity, anxiety, empathy, and moral struggle.
Despite Goblikon’s success and public presence, the character laments the effort required to maintain the act, contrasting his onstage energy to the behind-the-scenes labor of Rispoli. Though the goblin toyingly suggests removing the ghostwriter is complicated, Rispoli remains committed to the creative partnership. He describes the collaboration as personally fulfilling and views it as the ideal outlet for his comedic work.