Comedian, writer, and actor Patton Oswalt, shielding his eyes from the horror of it all. Photo by Ryan Russell / Courtesy Sub Pop.

Patton Oswalt’s career as a writer and actor has been on an ascending curve over the last couple of years, most notably since he provided the voice (and inspired much of the character) of Remy, the rat who dreams of becoming a gourmet chef, in Brad Bird’s terrific 2007 PIXAR film, Ratatouille. He plays his first on-camera leading role in Big Fan, written and directed by Robert D. Siegel — the former editor of The Onion, and the writer of last year’s critically adored The Wrestler — which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival last month.

But Oswalt remains best known for his eccentric, literate, deeply personal stand-up comedy. Oswalt has had specials on Comedy Central and HBO, and released two albums of stand-up, 2004’s 222 (also released in an abridged version as Feelin’ Kinda Patton; get 222 instead) and 2007’s Werewolves and Lollipops. The son of a Marine — he’s named, no shit, for Gen. George S. “Old Blood and Guts” Patton — Oswalt grew up in Sterling, Virginia, 30 miles west of the District. Last summer, he returned to Broad Run High School, his alma matter (Class of ’87), as commencement speaker. (Read the speech; it can only improve your life.)

This Saturday, Oswalt will perform two sets of all-new stand-up at GW’s Lisner Auditiorium; the shows will form the basis of a new Sub Pop album and Comedy Central special. Oswalt spoke with DCist by phone from New York City earlier this week, weighing in about hecklers and stalkers and fatherhood and the writer’s burden.