Erik was born in Manchester, England, to American parents. His father is Dann Passoja, a physicist and artist. His mother is Dr. Margaret Lewin, an aeronautical engineer-turned-oncologist. He grew up in New York City, where he attended the Buckley School. He went on to graduate from Exeter in New Hampshire as well as from Yale University. Erik often plays scary bad guys, but his stand-up act reveals a lighter side.