who is paula pell
Paula Pell is an American comedy writer, producer, and actress best known for her long run as a writer on “Saturday Night Live” and for scene-stealing roles in TV comedies like “30 Rock,” “A.P. Bio,” and “Girls5eva.”
Who Is Paula Pell?
Paula Pell (born April 15, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois) is a veteran comedy creative who has spent more than 25 years shaping modern American sketch and TV comedy. She built her reputation in writers’ rooms, then moved increasingly into on‑screen roles where her sharply observed, often oddball characters stand out.
Quick facts
- American comedy writer, producer, and actress.
- Born in Joliet, Illinois; studied visual arts before moving fully into comedy.
- Openly queer and married to comedian Janine Brito.
- Active in TV and film from the early 1990s through the 2020s, with new voice and acting projects still rolling out.
Career Highlights
“Saturday Night Live” powerhouse
- Pell joined Saturday Night Live as a writer in 1995 and worked there until 2013, also serving as a writing supervisor.
- She contributed to iconic recurring bits and characters (like Debbie Downer and the Spartan Cheerleaders), helping define the show’s late‑90s and 2000s tone.
- Her SNL work earned her a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and multiple Writers Guild of America Awards.
TV acting and producing
- She had a recurring role as Paula Hornberger on 30 Rock and later wrote/produced on the series as well.
- She became a main cast member on A.P. Bio as Helen Henry DeMarcus and starred in the parody mystery series Mapleworth Murders , which she also co‑created and executive produced.
- From 2021 to 2024 she played Gloria in Girls5eva , a former girl‑group member navigating middle age, a role that brought her broader mainstream recognition.
Film and voice work
- Pell appears in comedies such as Sisters (which she also wrote), Wine Country , and Other People.
- As a voice actor, she plays Mom’s Anger in Pixar’s Inside Out and Inside Out 2 , and has done recurring voice work on animated shows including Big Mouth and Harley Quinn.
Selected Credits (TV & Film)
| Year(s) | Title | Role / Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1995–2013 | Saturday Night Live | Writer, writing supervisor | Over 300 episodes, major sketches and specials | [1][3]
| 2007–2013 | 30 Rock | Paula Hornberger; writer/producer | Recurring character, also behind the scenes | [3]
| 2015 | Sisters | Screenwriter; actor (Dana) | Feature film with Tina Fey & Amy Poehler | [3]
| 2018–2021 | A.P. Bio | Helen Henry DeMarcus | Fan‑favorite role; promoted to series regular | [8][3]
| 2019 | Wine Country | Val | Netflix ensemble comedy, also writer/producer circle peers | [3]
| 2020 | Mapleworth Murders | Abigail Mapleworth; co‑creator, EP | Murder‑mystery parody series | [3]
| 2021–2024 | Girls5eva | Gloria McManus | Main cast; streaming comedy about a reunited girl group | [3]
| 2015, 2024 | Inside Out, Inside Out 2 | Voice of Mom’s Anger / Dream Director | Pixar animated films | [3]
Recognition and Impact
- Pell has received a Primetime Emmy and multiple WGA Awards, plus the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence in 2019, recognizing her influence in comedy writing.
- She is often cited by fellow comedians as a behind‑the‑scenes force whose punch‑ups and character ideas elevate projects.
- In the 2020s she’s also become a visible example of late‑career, queer, female comedic stardom, showing that character actors and writers can move into the spotlight at any age.
Tiny “Latest News” Snapshot (as of mid‑2020s)
- Pell continues to voice characters in animated series such as Big Mouth , Harley Quinn , and other streaming projects.
- She remains active in guest roles on TV comedies and in streaming films, often collaborating with long‑time SNL and NBC colleagues.
TL;DR: Paula Pell is a highly respected comedy writer turned on‑screen favorite, best known for her years writing SNL and for memorable roles in 30 Rock , A.P. Bio , and Girls5eva.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.