Kevin Patrick Smith is an American screenwriter, actor, film producer, and director, as well as a popular
comic book writer, author, comedian/raconteur, and
internet radio personality best recognized by viewers as
Silent Bob. Although primarily known for the
View Askew film series, Smith also wrote, directed and produced films such as the
buddy cop action comedy Cop Out, as well as the horror film
Red State. His first several films were mostly set in his home state of New Jersey, and while not strictly sequential, they frequently feature crossover plot elements, character references, and a shared
canon in what is known by fans as the "
View Askewniverse", named after his production company
View Askew Productions, which he co-founded with
Scott Mosier.