Maya_Rudolph

Maya Rudolph

Maya Rudolph

American actress and comedian (born 1972)

Maya Rudolph (born July 27, 1972) is an American actress and comedian. Born in Gainesville, Florida, and raised in Los Angeles, she is the daughter of singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph. In 2000, Rudolph became a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL). During her tenure on the show, she played supporting roles in the films 50 First Dates (2004), A Prairie Home Companion (2006), and Idiocracy (2006).

Quick Facts Born, Education ...

After leaving SNL in 2007, Rudolph appeared in more films, including Grown Ups (2010) and its 2013 sequel, Bridesmaids (2011), Inherent Vice (2014), Sisters (2015), Life of the Party (2018), and Disenchanted (2022). As a voice actress, her credits include the animated films Shrek the Third (2007), Big Hero 6 (2014), The Angry Birds Movie (2016), The Emoji Movie (2017), and Luca (2021).

Rudolph starred in the NBC sitcom Up All Night (2011–2012) and co-hosted the variety show Maya & Marty (2016). Since 2017, she has voiced various characters for the animated sitcom Big Mouth, including Connie the Hormone Monstress, which won her three Primetime Emmy Awards. For her portrayal of politician Kamala Harris on SNL, Rudolph won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She received three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for playing the Judge in the comedy series The Good Place (2018–2020). In 2022, Rudolph began executive producing and starring in the comedy series Loot.

Early life

Rudolph was born on July 27, 1972, in Gainesville, Florida,[2] to singer Minnie Riperton and composer Richard Rudolph.[3][4] Her mother was African-American and her father is Jewish. Her paternal grandfather was Sidney Rudolph, a philanthropist who once owned all of the Wendy's and Rudy's restaurants in Miami-Dade County, Florida.[5] Her great-grandfather was born in Vilnius, Lithuania, changed his surname from "Rudashevsky" to "Rudolph", and was one of the founding members of Congregation Beth Shalom, a Conservative Jewish synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[6] Rudolph's godmother was R&B singer Teena Marie.[7] On an episode of PBS's Finding Your Roots, Rudolph discovered that her maternal great-great-great-grandfather was James Grigsby, who was born a slave in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Grigsby was denied financial compensation and freedom granted by the last will and testament of his owner, John Warren Grigsby, and challenged the owner's grandson in court in the 1830s.[8][9]

Rudolph's parents moved to Los Angeles, California, when her brother Marc and she were very young, and they grew up primarily in the Westwood neighborhood.[10] Near the end of the song "Lovin' You", Riperton repeats "Maya". She incorporated this into her performance on The Midnight Special.[11] Her mother died of breast cancer on July 12, 1979, at age 31, two weeks before Maya's seventh birthday.[10] In 1990, Rudolph graduated from Crossroads School in Santa Monica, California, where she befriended schoolmates Gwyneth Paltrow and Jack Black.[12] She attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, living in Porter College. She graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in photography.[13]

Career

Television and film

Rudolph was in the improv troupe the Groundlings, where she met future Saturday Night Live cast member Will Forte. She joined the cast of Saturday Night Live as a featured player for the final three episodes of the 1999–2000 season through 2007.[10][14][15] She has made several cameo appearances over the years. Since the 45th-season premiere, she has occasionally portrayed Vice President Kamala Harris, a performance acknowledged by Harris.[16]

She has appeared in many other television shows, including the CBS medical drama series City of Angels and Chicago Hope. She had small parts in Gattaca (1997), As Good as It Gets (1997), Chuck & Buck (2000), Duets (2000), Duplex (2003), and 50 First Dates (2004); she was also a music supervisor for Duets. Her first prominent film role came in 2006 with A Prairie Home Companion. Earlier, she had costarred with Luke Wilson in the 2005 Mike Judge sci-fi comedy Idiocracy, although that film was shelved until September 2006 and then only given a limited release. She also guest-starred as Rapunzel in the DreamWorks animated film Shrek the Third. She guest-starred as Julia in The Simpsons episode "The Homer of Seville". Rudolph guest-starred as character Athena Scooberman in NBC's Kath & Kim, and starred in the film Away We Go with The Office star John Krasinski.

In 2010, she appeared in Grown Ups starring Adam Sandler, where she played the wife of Chris Rock's character, and returned for the 2013 sequel, Grown Ups 2. In 2011, she appeared in Bridesmaids with Saturday Night Live colleague Kristen Wiig, and in 2013 she played a supporting role in The Way, Way Back as the girlfriend of Sam Rockwell's character. From 2011 to 2012, she co-starred in the NBC sitcom Up All Night, with Christina Applegate and Will Arnett. In 2013, she voiced Burn in the DreamWorks Animation film Turbo. Rudolph's self-titled variety show television pilot aired on May 19, 2014,[17] but the show did not go beyond that. Also in 2014, she voiced Precious in the animated film The Nut Job, as well as in the 2017 sequel The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, and voiced Aunt Cass in the Disney animated film Big Hero 6.

It was later announced that she would star in an NBC variety series Maya & Marty with Martin Short,[18] which debuted on May 31, 2016. Her next series, Forever, premiered on September 14, 2018, on Amazon Video.[19] As a voice actress, she voiced Matilda in The Angry Birds Movie (2016) and The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019), voiced Smiler in the animated The Emoji Movie (2017), and had various roles in the Netflix animated series Big Mouth, premiering in 2017.

In 2018, she performed in advertisements for Ruby Tuesday and Seventh Generation. In 2019 she appeared as the mother in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. In 2021 she voiced Linda Mitchell, mother of two, in Sony Pictures' The Mitchells vs. the Machines, and Daniela Paguro in the Pixar film Luca.[20] In July 2022 she appeared as the star of Loot, an Apple TV+ series. In 2022, Rudolph portrayed Malvina Monroe, the main antagonist of Disenchanted, the sequel to the 2007 Disney film Enchanted.[21]

Rudolph has a production company called Animal Pictures with Natasha Lyonne which has produced Russian Doll, Poker Face, Loot and the upcoming animated series The Hospital.[22] As of October 3, 2023, Rudolph reportedly separated amicably from Animal Pictures to produce independently.[23]

In January 2023, it was announced that Rudolph would be the spokesperson for M&M's after owner Mars Incorporated supposedly pulled its "Spokescandies" in light of criticism for its depictions of gender,[24] though a few days later Mars confirmed that their Spokescandies would return in their Super Bowl commercial.

Music

Prior to joining Saturday Night Live, Rudolph was a backing singer (1995–1999)[25] and briefly a keyboardist in the band the Rentals, with whom she toured.[10] She appears in music videos for the songs "Waiting" and "Please Let That Be You". She sang backing vocals for "Barcelona" and "My Head Is in the Sun", both from the album Seven More Minutes. In 2004, she recorded a track with the Rentals frontman Matt Sharp, including a cover of Tegan and Sara's "Not Tonight". She performed "Together in Pooping" and "Little Roundworm" with Triumph the Insult Comic Dog (Robert Smigel) on his album Come Poop With Me. She is in a Prince cover band called Princess with her friend Gretchen Lieberum.[26]

Personal life

Rudolph has been in a relationship with filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson since 2001.[1][27] They live in the San Fernando Valley with their four children.[28][29][30][31]

Filmography

Film

More information Year, Title ...

Television

More information Year, Title ...

Video games

More information Year, Title ...

Music videos

More information Year, Title ...

Awards and nominations

More information Year, Association ...

Notes

  1. Rudolph refers to Anderson as her husband, although they are not formally married.[1]

References

  1. [1]
    Marine, Brooke (September 14, 2018). "Maya Rudolph Reveals Why She Calls Paul Thomas Anderson Her "Husband" Even Though They Are Not Married". W. Condé Nast. Archived from the original on September 14, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
  2. [2]
    McCann, Bob (2009). Encyclopedia of African American Actresses in Film and Television. McFarland. p. 299. ISBN 978-0-7864-5804-2. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  3. [3]
    "Hollywood Now: Interfaith Celebs Maya Rudolph, Lea Michele & Big Brain Theory Winner". January 12, 2009. Archived from the original on October 30, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  4. [4]
    "The Essence of Lucinda". Ocala Star-Banner. June 6, 2001. Retrieved November 11, 2013.[permanent dead link]
  5. [5]
    "Sidney J. Rudolph, Philanthropist and Restaurant Owner". Miami Herald. December 23, 1992. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  6. [6]
    Stated by Henry Louis Gates on the Finding Your Roots episode "In Search of Freedom", January 19, 2016, PBS
  7. [7]
    "Top 10 little known facts about Teena Marie". CNN Entertainment. December 28, 2010. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved May 13, 2011.
  8. [8]
    "Maya Rudolph". PBS. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  9. [9]
    "Maya Rudolph breaks down over shocking discovery about slave ancestors on 'Finding Your Roots'". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 25, 2023. Retrieved May 7, 2023.
  10. [10]
    Itzkoff, Dave (September 9, 2011). "Juggling a Comedy Series About Juggling Life's Tasks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2017. Retrieved September 10, 2011.
  11. [11]
    Minnie Riperton (1975). Minnie Riperton – Lovin' You (Live 1975). The Midnight Special (TV series). Event occurs at 03:07. Archived from the original on October 30, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2011. Maya, Maya, Maya
  12. [12]
    Morris, Alex (May 8, 2014). "The New Carol Burnett: Maya Rudolph on Fulfilling Her Variety-Show Dream". Vulture. Archived from the original on August 18, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  13. [13]
    "Maya Rudolph Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on May 16, 2011. Retrieved May 15, 2011.
  14. [14]
    McGlynn, Katla (May 8, 2011). "'SNL': Pregnant Tina Fey & Maya Rudolph Sing Duet About Doin' It". HuffPost. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  15. [15]
    Adams, Char (December 20, 2015). "Amy Poehler Reunites with Maya Rudolph to Bring 'Bronx Beat' Back to SNL – and They Aren't Fans of Star Wars". People. Archived from the original on June 22, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  16. [16]
    DeSantis, Rachel (September 30, 2019). "Kamala Harris Responds After Maya Rudolph Hilariously Spoofs Her on Saturday Night Live". People. Archived from the original on March 28, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
  17. [17]
    Collins, Scott (May 19, 2014). "Maya Rudolph looks to spice up NBC with a variety show". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on May 19, 2014. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
  18. [18]
    Littleton, Cynthia (February 12, 2016). "NBC Greenlights Maya Rudolph-Martin Short Variety Show, Targets May Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on June 4, 2023. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  19. [19]
    Pederson, Erik (August 2, 2018). "'Forever' Trailer: Maya Rudolph, Fred Armisen, A Ski Trip & A Changed Life In Amazon Comedy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 2, 2018. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  20. [20]
    Romano, Nick (February 25, 2021). "Pixar's Luca teaser trailer gives Jacob Tremblay a sun-soaked Italian summer with sea monsters". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
  21. [21]
    Reyes, Mike (May 7, 2021). "Enchanted 2: Maya Rudolph Breaks Silence On Villainous Disney+ Role". CinemaBlend. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  22. [22]
    Rose, Lacey (June 16, 2022). "Maya Rudolph and Natasha Lyonne's Production Company Has "Interests Outside of Female-Forward Comedy"". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 26, 2023. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  23. [23]
    Grobar, Matt (October 3, 2023). "Animal Pictures Partners Maya Rudolph & Natasha Lyonne Part Ways; Lyonne To Continue Under Same Banner". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  24. [24]
    Calfas, Jennifer (January 23, 2023). "M&M's Ditches 'Spokescandies' for Maya Rudolph After Backlash Over New Look". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  25. [25]
    "Maya Rudolph" (fee, via Fairfax County Public Library). The Complete Marquis Who's Who. Marquis Who's Who. 2010. Gale Document Number: GALE K2014901123. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved September 24, 2011. Gale Biography In Context.
  26. [26]
    "D'Angelo Performs Prince Tribute with Maya Rudolph and Gretchen Lieberum on Tonight Show". People. April 27, 2016. Archived from the original on February 6, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  27. [27]
    Stanhope, Kate (July 19, 2011). "It's a Boy for Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson". TV Guide. Archived from the original on September 23, 2013. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  28. [28]
    D'Zurilla, Christie (March 21, 2011). "Maya Rudolph expecting baby No. 3 with Paul Thomas Anderson". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 20, 2012. Retrieved December 26, 2011.
  29. [29]
    "Maya Rudolph Expecting Second Child". People.com. October 23, 2005. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  30. [30]
    Michaud, Sarah (December 4, 2009). "Maya Rudolph Welcomes a Girl". People.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  31. [31]
    "Maya Rudolph Welcomes Son Jack". People.com. July 19, 2011. Archived from the original on April 6, 2021. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  32. [32]
    Sneider, Jeff (April 28, 2014). "Disney's 'Big Hero 6' Adds Maya Rudolph to Top-Secret Voice Cast (Exclusive)". The Wrap. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  33. [33]
    "Cast Announcement: Six Reasons We Can't Wait to See Big Hero 6". Oh My Disney. July 13, 2014. Archived from the original on February 14, 2015. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  34. [34]
    D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 26, 2021). "Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown & Jayma Mays Joining Disney+'s 'Enchanted' Sequel 'Disenchanted'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 8, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  35. [35]
    "Seth Rogen Unveils 'Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' Movie Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. March 5, 2023. Archived from the original on March 5, 2023. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  36. [36]
    Porter, Rick (December 3, 2019). "Lorne Michaels' Quibi Murder Mystery Lines Up All-Star Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 20, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2022.
  37. [37]
    "Eater x hulu present Eater's Guide To The World". Eater. November 11, 2020. Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  38. [38]
    Smith-Spark, Laura (March 19, 2020). "Gal Gadot enlists celebrity help for coronavirus 'Imagine' video". CNN. Archived from the original on March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  39. [39]
    "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2018. Archived from the original on November 17, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  40. [40]
    "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2019. Archived from the original on December 17, 2020. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  41. [41]
    "Nominees/Winners". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. 2020. Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved July 29, 2020.
  42. [42]
    Hammond, Pete (November 19, 2020). "'Palm Springs', 'Lovecraft Country' Top Movie And Series Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards; Netflix Lands 35 Nods". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
  43. [43]
    Mitovich, Matt (July 13, 2021). "Emmys 2021: 'Mandalorian', 'The Crown' and 'WandaVision' Lead Nominations, 'Ted Lasso' Tops the Comedy Pack". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 13, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Maya Rudolph.
Share this article:

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article Maya_Rudolph, and is written by contributors. Text is available under a CC BY-SA 4.0 International License; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.