Larry David Teams up With Barack Obama for a New HBO Comedy 'Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness'
Premiering this June, the limited series features an entirely improvised take on American history—and a surprise on-screen appearance by the former President.
Summary
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Larry David is returning to HBO with a brand-new historical sketch comedy miniseries titled Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America
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Premiering on June 27, 2026, the series features David alongside a stacked cast including Bill Hader, Kathryn Hahn, J.B. Smoove, and Susie Essman (who will notably play Susan B. Anthony)
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In a massive surprise, former President Barack Obama—whose Higher Ground production company is producing the show—will also make an on-screen appearance in a sketch opposite David
If you thought Larry David was stepping away from television after wrapping Curb Your Enthusiasm, you were delightfully mistaken. The legendary comedian is officially returning to HBO this summer, and he is bringing a former Commander-in-Chief along for the ride. Teaming up with Barack Obama, David is set to release Life, Larry and the Pursuit of Unhappiness: An Almost History of America. Described by longtime collaborator Jeff Schaffer as simply “‘Curb’ in costume,” the upcoming sketch comedy miniseries promises to apply David’s uniquely neurotic, socially awkward sensibilities to the founding and shaping of the United States.
While historical sketch comedy has been done before, nobody does it quite like Larry David. Staying true to the beloved Curb Your Enthusiasm formula, the new miniseries will not be traditionally scripted. Instead, the incredible ensemble cast will be given detailed scene outlines and allowed to improvise the vast majority of the dialogue, guaranteeing the authentic, cringe-inducing brilliance that fans have come to expect from David’s projects over the last few decades.
To bring this distorted vision of American history to life, HBO has assembled a massive roster of comedic heavyweights. The cast includes Curb veterans J.B. Smoove and Susie Essman (who is already confirmed to be playing women’s rights activist Susan B. Anthony), alongside comedy powerhouses Bill Hader and Kathryn Hahn. However, the most jaw-dropping name on the call sheet is none other than former President Barack Obama. Obama’s Higher Ground banner is serving as a producer on the series, and he is slated to actually step in front of the camera to appear opposite David in what is sure to be an unforgettable sketch.
By blending his trademark improvisational genius with the absurdity of American history, Larry David is gearing up to deliver what could be one of the funniest, most unpredictable television events of the year. Fans won’t have to wait long to see this brilliant historical revisionism unfold when the six-episode series makes its highly anticipated debut on HBO on June 26.
