Orf was born in St. Louis and participated in theater and comedy shows throughout his childhood and high school years. He attended college at Southern Methodist University, where he majored in science but received minors in music composition and studio art. After attending graduate school for inorganic chemistry at Oregon State University, he switched career directions and moved to New York City in 1993 to pursue comedy acting and writing. There he was became an associate of the improv-comedy theater group Chicago City Limits for several years, where he gained his first significant exposure to the comedy and entertainment business. In 2005 he moved to Austin, Texas where he continues working in improv comedy and film while establishing the Orf Brewing Company.