Paula Pell (born April 15, 1963)[1] is an American comedy writer, producer, and actress. She is best known for her work as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2020.[2][3][4] For her work on SNL and 30 Rock, she has been recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and six Writers Guild of America Awards.[5] In 2019, Pell was honored with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence.[6]
Paula Pell | |
|---|---|
 Pell interviewed on Employee of the Month in 2014 | |
| Born | April 15, 1963 Joliet, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Comedy writer, producer, actress |
| Education | Seminole State College University of Tennessee (BA) |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Spouse | |
Pell has produced, written, and performed in numerous TV series, including 30 Rock, A.P. Bio, Love, and Mapleworth Murders, and has worked as a writer for awards ceremonies like the Academy Awards, the Golden Globes and the MTV Video Music Awards. As a voiceover artist, she has voiced characters in Inside Out, Big Mouth, and Bless the Harts. Pell has also appeared in several films and TV series, including Sisters, Other People, and Wine Country. Since 2021, Pell has been a main cast member on the Peacock original series Girls5eva.
Early life
editBorn in Joliet, Illinois, Pell wanted to be an actress from an early age. She studied acting and visual art at Orlando's Seminole Community College and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.[7] She took a job at Walt Disney World, working in the nightclubs of the resort's adults-only Pleasure Island section.[8]
Career
editPell was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2013. She is credited with creating some of its memorable characters, such as Debbie Downer, the Culps, Justin Timberlake's Omeletteville mascot, and the Spartan Cheerleaders, among others.[9] She also was a producer and writer for the sitcom 30 Rock, and is credited with writing the episodes "Argus" and "Floyd". In 2006, a pilot she wrote, Thick and Thin, was picked up by NBC for 13 episodes, with Pell as executive producer, but it never aired in the United States.[2] Pell has worked with Judd Apatow providing additional writing for the films Bridesmaids and This is 40.[10]
As an actress, Pell appeared in several episodes of 30 Rock as the wife of Pete Hornberger and played the mother of Ron Swanson in a 2011 episode of Parks and Recreation.[3] She has also appeared as an extra or in bit parts in dozens of SNL sketches. She voices Gadget Gal in the Hulu original series The Awesomes.[11]
She has a small cameo in the 2013 comedy film Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues. She co-created the web series Hudson Valley Ballers with fellow SNL writer and long-time friend James Anderson with whom she also co-stars.[12] Tina Fey produced and starred in Pell's first feature screenplay, Sisters (2015).[13] Pell also played the dream producer and Mom's Anger in the 2015 Pixar film Inside Out. From 2016–2018, she guest-starred in the TV series Love as Erika. She also played a character based on Elaine Stritch in the mockumentary musical episode "Co-op" on Documentary Now![9] She appeared in one episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in 2017, season 3 episode 10. She plays Helen Henry DeMarcus on the show, A.P. Bio. She also plays Aunt Mo in the Showtime series SMILF.[14]
Pell co-starred alongside several other Saturday Night Live alumnae in the 2019 Netflix original comedy Wine Country.[15]
On August 10, 2020, the comedy-mystery Mapleworth Murders, which she also co-wrote and executive produced, aired on Quibi.[16] Pell was nominated at the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her performance.[17] Between 2020 and 2021, Pell voiced several characters in the animated series Bless the Harts.[18]
In 2021, she began starring as Gloria McManus in the Peacock comedy series Girls5eva.[19]
Personal life
editPell is openly gay.[20] She was married for 17 years before getting divorced.[21] She later married Janine Brito on November 13, 2020.[22][23]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Lilly | Lilli | Short film |
| 2013 | Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues | Crowd Member | Directed by Adam McKay |
| 2014 | Birdman | Lady in Bar | Directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu |
| 2015 | Inside Out | Dream Director / Mom's Anger | Voice[24] |
| Riley's First Date? | Mom's Anger | Voice[24] | |
| The Parker Tribe | Dot Parker | Short film | |
| Sisters | Dana | Directed by Jason Moore | |
| 2016 | Other People | Aunt Patti | Directed by Chris Kelly |
| Brother Nature | Woman in Suit | Directed by Oz Rodriguez | |
| 2019 | Wine Country | Val | Main role, directed by Amy Poehler |
| 2024 | Inside Out 2 | Mom's Anger | Voice |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Super Force | Mrs. BIloxi | Episode: "A Hundred Share" |
| 1992–1993 | Welcome Freshmen | Mrs. Gillman / Hillbilly Teacher | 2 episodes |
| 2002 | The Colin Quinn Show | Various characters | 3 episodes |
| 2007–2013 | 30 Rock | Paula Hornberger | 6 episodes, recurring role |
| 2011 | Funny or Die Presents | Lady Refs | 3 episodes |
| Parks and Recreation | Tamara Swanson | Episode: "Ron and Tammys" | |
| 2012 | The Front Desk | Herself | Episode: "Turn Down" |
| 2013–2015 | The Awesomes | Gadget Gal | Voice, 30 episodes[24] |
| 2013 | Hudson Valley Ballers | Paula | Main role, 14 episodes |
| 2014 | Monkey Love | Ariana | Episode: "Girls Night Ou" |
| 2015 | Above Average Presents | Mom 1 | 2 episodes |
| The Mindy Project | Evelyn | Episode: "Road Trip" | |
| 2015–2019 | Documentary Now! | Patty / Patti Skrowaczeski | 3 episodes |
| 2017 | SMILF | Aunt Mo | Episode: "Run, Bridgette, Run or Forty-Eight Burnt Cupcakes & Graveyard Rum" |
| Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Bev | Episode: "Kimmy Pulls Off a Heist!" | |
| 2017–present | Big Mouth | Barbara Glouberman / Lola's Couch Pillow / Bubbe | Voice, 30 episodes |
| 2017–2018 | Love | Erika | 7 episodes, recurring role |
| 2018–2021 | A.P. Bio | Helen Henry Demarcus | Main role (seasons 2–4), Recurring (season 1) |
| 2019 | No Activity | Daisy / Trucker | Voice, 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Mapleworth Murders | Abigail Mapleworth | Main role |
| 2020–2021 | Bless the Harts | Ruth / Lenore | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2021–present | Girls5eva | Gloria McManus | Main role, 22 episodes |
| 2022 | Duncanville | Voice, episode: "The Sharent Trap" | |
| 2023 | Not Dead Yet | Marlena Quintro | Episode: "Not Friends Yet" |
| Die Hart | Cynthia | 4 episodes | |
| The Slumber Party | Principal Petersen | Disney Channel Original Movie[25] | |
| Monsters at Work | Sunny | Voice, 4 episodes | |
| 2024 | Dream Productions | Dream Director | Main role[26][27] |
Producer and screenwriter
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2020 | Saturday Night Live | Screenwriter / writing supervisor | 311 episodes |
| 1999 | Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special | Screenwriter | Television special |
| 2002 | NBC 75th Anniversary Special | ||
| MTV Video Music Awards | Awards ceremony | ||
| 2003 | Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Halftime Special | Television special | |
| 2004 | Macy's 4th of July Spectacular | ||
| Saturday Night Live: The Best of Cheri Oteri | Television documentary | ||
| 2006 | Thick and Thin | Executive producer | 3 episodes, Television series |
| 2007 | Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation | Screenwriter | Television special |
| 2008 | Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday | 3 episodes | |
| 2009–2010 | 30 Rock | Producer / screenwriter | 22 episodes, television series |
| 2010 | The Women of SNL | Screenwriter | Television movie |
| 2011 | 83rd Academy Awards | Awards ceremony | |
| 2012 | This Is 40 | Executive producer | Film |
| 2013–2015 | Hudson Valley Ballers | Screenwriter | 14 episodes, television series |
| 2014 | The Re-Gift | Short film | |
| 86th Academy Awards | Awards ceremony | ||
| 2015 | Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special | Television special | |
| 87th Academy Awards | Awards ceremony | ||
| Sisters | Film | ||
| 2017 | 74th Golden Globe Awards | Award ceremony | |
| 2018 | 75th Golden Globe Awards | Award ceremony | |
| Camping | Executive producer / screenwriter | 3 episodes, television series | |
| 2019 | A.P. Bio | Screenwriter | Episode:"Handcuffed" |
| 2020 | Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine | Television special | |
| Mapleworth Murders | Executive producer / screenwriter | 12 episodes, television series |
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards | 2021 | Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, Comedy | Girls5eva | Nominated | [28] |
| Writers Guild of America Awards | 2001 | Best Comedy/Variety – Talk Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | [29] |
| Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – Specials | Saturday Night Live 25 | Won | |||
| 2002 | Best Comedy/Variety – Talk Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | [29] | |
| 2003 | Nominated | ||||
| Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – Specials | NBC 75th Anniversary Special | Nominated | |||
| 2007 | Best Comedy/Variety – Talk Series | Saturday Night Live | Won | ||
| 2008 | Nominated | ||||
| 2009 | Won | ||||
| 2010 | Won | ||||
| Best Comedy Series | 30 Rock | Won | |||
| 2011 | Nominated | ||||
| Best Comedy/Variety – Talk Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Nominated | ||||
| 2013 | Nominated | ||||
| 2014 | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | Nominated | ||||
| 2016 | Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – Specials | Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special | Nominated | ||
| 2017 | Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series | Saturday Night Live | Won | ||
| Primetime Emmy Awards | 2001 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | [30] |
| 2002 | Won | ||||
| 2003 | Nominated | ||||
| 2008 | Nominated | ||||
| 2009 | Nominated | ||||
| 2010 | Nominated | ||||
| 2011 | Nominated | ||||
| Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special | The Women of SNL | Nominated | |||
| 2012 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series | Saturday Night Live | Nominated | ||
| 2015 | Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special | Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special | Nominated | ||
| 2021 | Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series | Mapleworth Murders | Nominated | [17] | |
| 2023 | Die Hart 2: Die Harter | Nominated | [31] |
References
edit- ^ Bendix, Trish (October 24, 2013). "Paula Pell on being out in the "SNL" writers' room and her new web series - AfterEllen.com". AfterEllen.com. Retrieved June 22, 2014.
- ^ a b "Paula Pell". Here's The Thing. NPR. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ a b Longwell, Todd (December 2, 2011). "Pell: 'SNL' scribe plays for bigscreen laughs". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ Evans, Bradford (January 8, 2013). "Talking to Paula Pell About Working at 'SNL' for 17 Years, Writing with Apatow, and Other Stuff". Splitsider. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ "Paula Pell". Television Academy. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ "WGA Awards to Honor Comedy Writers Merrill Markoe and Paula Pell". The Hollywood Reporter. December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
- ^ "Paula Pell, queen of comedy: On her "SNL" years, making "Wine Country" with Amy Poehler and more". Salon. May 13, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Harris-McCray, Chandra (May 14, 2013). "Funny Lady". Tennessee Alumnus. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ a b Erbland, Kate (May 17, 2019). "You Might Not Know Paula Pell's Name, But You've Loved Her Comedy for Decades". IndieWire. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Erbland, Kate (May 17, 2019). "You Might Not Know Paula Pell's Name, But You've Loved Her Comedy for Decades". IndieWire.com.
- ^ Walker, Allison (September 23, 2014). "SNL's Paula Pell 'waiting for the action figure'". News 13. Archived from the original on January 12, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2015.
- ^ Hartsell, Carol (December 17, 2013). "10 Reasons You Should Watch 'Hudson Valley Ballers' Right Now". The Huffington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2015.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 4, 2013). "'Pitch Perfect' Helmer Jason Moore In Tune With Tina Fey For Uni Comedy 'The Nest'". Deadline. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
- ^ Schulman, Michael (June 18, 2021). "Paula Pell's Hot Streak". The New Yorker. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Wine Country (2019)". IMDB.com.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 3, 2019). "Lorne Michaels' Quibi Murder Mystery Lines Up All-Star Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ a b Alyssa, Ray (July 13, 2021). "2021 Emmy Nominations: All the Shocking Snubs and Surprises". E! Online. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Cobb, Kayla (October 2, 2019). "From 'King of the Hill' to 'Bless the Harts' Emily Spivey Is an Expert at Making Fun of the South". Decider. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Chapman, Wilson (May 19, 2022). "'Girls5eva' Star Paula Pell on the Mystery of Ashley's Death and Her Love of 'Joyful Losers'". Variety. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ Crittenton, Anya (May 10, 2019). "Gay comedian Paula Pell on getting her first on-screen love interest at 56". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ Leishman, Rachel (May 10, 2019). "I Got to Geek out with Paula Pell over Wine Country". The Mary Sue. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
- ^ Crittenton, Anya (May 3, 2019). "Comedian Paula Pell says it's lonely dating as an older LGBTI person". Gay Star News. Archived from the original on May 24, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Paula Pell [@paulapell] (November 17, 2020). "On Friday the 13th I had the extreme luck of marrying my beloved @janinebrito on a sparkling day in front of our old pal and our dogs. We wore hastily purchased Target duds and cried so many joy tears. We can't wait to have a celebration w our friends and family when it's safe" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Paula Pell (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 22, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ Denise Petski (September 27, 2022). "'The Slumber Party' Coming-Of-Age Comedy Movie Based On 'The Sleepover' Teen Novel Ordered By Disney Branded Television". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
- ^ "Pixar Animation Studios". Pixar Animation Studios. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "D23: Disney Reveals Inside Out Spinoff Dream Productions". TV Shows. August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (July 8, 2021). "HCA TV Awards Nominations: 'Ted Lasso' Leads Programs For Inaugural Honors; NBC, HBO & Netflix Lead Nets". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
- ^ a b "Writers Guild Awards Winners". WGA. 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ "Paula Pell".
- ^ "Paula Pell".
External links
edit- Paula Pell at IMDb