Paula Pell

Last updated

Paula Pell
Paula Pell on Employee of the Month.jpg
Pell interviewed on Employee of the Month in 2014
Born (1963-04-15) April 15, 1963 (age 61)
Joliet, Illinois, U.S.
OccupationComedy writer, producer, actress
Education Seminole State College
University of Tennessee (BA)
GenreTelevision, film, comedy
Years active1991–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2020)​

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 2013. [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]

Contents

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

Born in Joliet, Illinois, Pell wanted to be an actress from an early age. She studied acting and visual art at Orlando's Seminole State College of Florida 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

Pell was a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2013, where she is the longest-tenured female writer in the history of the show. 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 Director 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

Pell 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

Film

Paula Pell film work
YearTitleRoleNotes
2012LillyLilli Short film
2013 Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues Crowd MemberDirected by Adam McKay
2014 Birdman Lady in BarDirected by Alejandro G. Iñárritu
2015 Inside Out Dream Director / Mom's AngerVoice [24]
Riley's First Date? Mom's AngerVoice [24]
The Parker TribeDot ParkerShort film
Sisters DanaDirected by Jason Moore
2016 Other People Aunt PattiDirected by Chris Kelly
Brother Nature Woman in SuitDirected by Oz Rodriguez
2019 Wine Country ValMain role, directed by Amy Poehler
2024 Inside Out 2 Mom's AngerVoice

Television

Paula Pell television work
YearTitleRoleNotes
1991 Super Force Mrs. BIloxiEpisode: "A Hundred Share"
1992–1993 Welcome Freshmen Mrs. Gillman / Hillbilly Teacher2 episodes
2002 The Colin Quinn Show Various characters3 episodes
2007–2013 30 Rock Paula Hornberger6 episodes, recurring role
2011 Funny or Die Presents Lady Refs3 episodes
Parks and Recreation Tamara SwansonEpisode: "Ron and Tammys"
2012The Front DeskHerselfEpisode: "Turn Down"
2013–2015 The Awesomes Gadget GalVoice, 30 episodes [24]
2013 Hudson Valley Ballers PaulaMain role, 14 episodes
2014Monkey LoveArianaEpisode: "Girls Night Ou"
2015Above Average PresentsMom 12 episodes
The Mindy Project EvelynEpisode: "Road Trip"
2015–2019 Documentary Now! Patty / Patti Skrowaczeski3 episodes
2017 SMILF Aunt MoEpisode: "Run, Bridgette, Run or Forty-Eight Burnt Cupcakes & Graveyard Rum"
Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt BevEpisode: "Kimmy Pulls Off a Heist!"
2017–present Big Mouth Barbara Glouberman / Lola's Couch Pillow / BubbeVoice, 30 episodes
2017–2018 Love Erika7 episodes, recurring role
2018–2021 A.P. Bio Helen Henry DemarcusMain role (seasons 2–4), Recurring (season 1)
2019 No Activity Daisy / TruckerVoice, 2 episodes
2020 Mapleworth Murders Abigail MapleworthMain role
2020–2021 Bless the Harts Ruth / LenoreVoice, 3 episodes
2021–2024 Girls5eva Gloria McManusMain role, 22 episodes
2022 Duncanville Voice, episode: "The Sharent Trap"
2023 Not Dead Yet Marlena QuintroEpisode: "Not Friends Yet"
Die Hart Cynthia4 episodes
The Slumber Party Principal Petersen Disney Channel Original Movie [25]
Monsters at Work SunnyVoice, 4 episodes
2024 Dream Productions Paula PersimmonVoice, main role [26] [27]

Producer and screenwriter

Paula Pell production and screenwriting work
YearTitleRoleNotes
1995–2013 Saturday Night Live Screenwriter / writing supervisor311 episodes
1999 Saturday Night Live 25th Anniversary Special Screenwriter Television special
2002NBC 75th Anniversary Special
MTV Video Music Awards Awards ceremony
2003Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Halftime Special Television special
2004Macy's 4th of July Spectacular
Saturday Night Live: The Best of Cheri Oteri Television documentary
2006Thick and ThinExecutive producer3 episodes, Television series
2007Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture NationScreenwriterTelevision special
2008 Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday 3 episodes
2009–2010 30 Rock Producer / screenwriter22 episodes, television series
2010The Women of SNLScreenwriter Television movie
2011 83rd Academy Awards Awards ceremony
2012 This Is 40 Executive producerFilm
2013–2015Hudson Valley BallersScreenwriter14 episodes, television series
2014The 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 / screenwriter3 episodes, television series
2019 A.P. Bio ScreenwriterEpisode:"Handcuffed"
2020 Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine Television special
Mapleworth Murders Executive producer / screenwriter12 episodes, television series

Awards and nominations

Awards and nominations for Paula Pell
AwardYearCategoryWorkResultRef.
Annie Awards 2025 Best Voice Acting – TV/Media Dream ProductionsWon [28]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards 2021Best Supporting Actress in a Streaming Series, ComedyGirls5evaNominated [29]
Primetime Emmy Awards 2001 Outstanding Writing for a Variety Series Saturday Night LiveNominated [30]
2002Won
2003Nominated
2008Nominated
2009Nominated
2010Nominated
2011Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special The Women of SNLNominated
2012Outstanding Writing for a Variety SeriesSaturday Night LiveNominated
2015Outstanding Writing for a Variety SpecialSaturday Night Live 40th Anniversary SpecialNominated
2021 Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series Mapleworth MurdersNominated [17]
2023Die Hart 2: Die HarterNominated [31]
Writers Guild of America Awards 2001 Best Comedy/Variety – Talk Series Saturday Night Live Nominated [32]
Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – Specials Saturday Night Live 25Won
2002Best Comedy/Variety – Talk SeriesSaturday Night Live Nominated [32]
2003Nominated
Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – SpecialsNBC 75th Anniversary SpecialNominated
2007Best Comedy/Variety – Talk SeriesSaturday Night LiveWon
2008Nominated
2009Won
2010Won
Best Comedy Series 30 RockWon
2011Nominated
Best Comedy/Variety – Talk SeriesSaturday Night LiveNominated
2012Nominated
2013Nominated
2014Nominated
2015Nominated
2016Best Comedy/Variety (Music, Awards, Tributes) – SpecialsSaturday Night Live 40th Anniversary SpecialNominated
2017 Best Comedy/Variety – Sketch Series Saturday Night LiveWon

References

  1. ↑ 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.
  2. 1 2 "Paula Pell". Here's The Thing . NPR. November 26, 2012. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  3. 1 2 Longwell, Todd (December 2, 2011). "Pell: 'SNL' scribe plays for bigscreen laughs". Variety. Retrieved July 10, 2013.
  4. ↑ 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.
  5. ↑ "Paula Pell". Television Academy . Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  6. ↑ "WGA Awards to Honor Comedy Writers Merrill Markoe and Paula Pell". The Hollywood Reporter . December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  7. ↑ "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.
  8. ↑ Harris-McCray, Chandra (May 14, 2013). "Funny Lady". Tennessee Alumnus. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  9. 1 2 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.
  10. ↑ Erbland, Kate (May 17, 2019). "You Might Not Know Paula Pell's Name, But You've Loved Her Comedy for Decades". IndieWire.com.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ Hartsell, Carol (December 17, 2013). "10 Reasons You Should Watch 'Hudson Valley Ballers' Right Now". HuffPost . Retrieved July 12, 2015.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. ↑ Schulman, Michael (June 18, 2021). "Paula Pell's Hot Streak". The New Yorker . Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Wine Country (2019)". IMDB.com.
  16. ↑ Porter, Rick (December 3, 2019). "Lorne Michaels' Quibi Murder Mystery Lines Up All-Star Cast". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved July 7, 2020.
  17. 1 2 Alyssa, Ray (July 13, 2021). "2021 Emmy Nominations: All the Shocking Snubs and Surprises". E! Online. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ Leishman, Rachel (May 10, 2019). "I Got to Geek out with Paula Pell over Wine Country". The Mary Sue. Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. 1 2 3 "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.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "Pixar Animation Studios". Pixar Animation Studios. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  27. ↑ "D23: Disney Reveals Inside Out Spinoff Dream Productions". TV Shows. August 10, 2024. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  28. ↑ Pedersen, Erik (February 8, 2025). "Annie Awards: 'The Wild Robot' Wins Best Feature & 7 Others; 'Arcane' Goes 7-For-7; 'Flow' Wins Indie Film Prize: Full List". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "Paula Pell".
  31. ↑ "Paula Pell".
  32. 1 2 "Writers Guild Awards Winners". WGA. 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.