Maya Rudolph is an American actress, screenwriter, singer and producer. She is best known for participating in the popular sketch show Saturday Night Live. Also appeared in the successful films “Hen Night in Vegas”, “On the Road” and “The Road, The Way Home”. She voiced the characters of many cartoons and animated series. Often appears on popular TV shows as a guest star.
Childhood and youth
Maya Rudolph was born July 27, 1972 in Gainesville, Florida. Mother - African-American, famous singer Minnie Riperton. Father - composer Richard Rudolph, a Jew from Eastern Europe. As a child, Maya moved to Los Angeles with her family. At the age of seven, she lost her mother, who died of breast cancer.
Rudolph attended school with future Hollywood stars Jack Black and Gwyneth Paltrow. She graduated from the University of Santa Cruz, received a bachelor's degree in photography.
Saturday night live
In the late nineties, Maya Rudolph began to appear in small roles in Hollywood films. She played in the films “It Can't Be Better”, “Gattack” and “Chuck and Buck”. In the television season 1999-2000, she appeared in three episodes of the legendary Saturday Night Live show, after which she joined the main cast of the program.
For seven years, she actively participated in the creation of the show, parodyed many stars, and also created several original characters. A distinctive feature of Maya Rudolph was her musical talent and powerful vocal abilities. At various times, she parodied Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Diane Ross and many others. Left the show in 2007.
Other jobs
While working on Saturday Night Live, the actress also appeared in several feature films. Maya Rudolph can be seen in supporting roles in the comedies Idiocracy and 50 First Dates. In 2009, she received a central role in the tragicomedy of Oscar-winning director Sam Mandes “On the Road”.
In subsequent years, she continued to work actively in films, appeared in the comedies Supermakgruber, Odnoklassniki and Bachelorette Party in Vegas. The last of these films was a hit movie rental and received excellent reviews from critics. In 2011, Maya Rudolph joined the main cast of the sitcom All Night Long, which was closed after the second season due to low ratings.
In subsequent years, the actress continued to work actively. Among the films of Maya Rudolph of this period, the comedies Maggie Plan and Sisters, as well as the detective Paul Thomas Anderson's Birth Defect, can be noted. Also, the actress often works in voice acting, participated in the creation of the animated films “Shrek 3”, “Emoji movie”, “City of Heroes” and “Real Squirrel”. Appeared as a guest star in the popular TV series Good Place, Brooklyn 9-9, Unbending Kimmy Schmidt, and many others.
In addition, Maya tries herself as a TV presenter. In 2014, she released a project called The Maya Rudolph Show, which was a mixture of a music show, a stand-up concert, and an entertainment program. Later, along with the legendary comedian, she led the show "Maya and Marty", which was closed after six episodes due to low ratings.
In the fall of 2018, the premiere of the series Forever took place, starring Maya Rudolph and her former colleague on Saturday Night Live, Fred Armisen. Both actors also act as producers of the series. The project received positive reviews from critics. In the same year, the actress starred in the comedies "The Soul of the Company" and "Toys for Adults." At the moment, several more animation and game projects with the participation of Maya Rudolph are under development.
Personal life
The actress does not hide her personal life from the media as carefully as many of her colleagues. She is in a civil marriage with the famous director Paul Thomas Anderson, the creator of the films “Boogie Nights”, “Magnolia” and “Oil”. The couple has been in a relationship since 2001, they have four children, but they do not plan to officially formally marry. According to Maya's close friend, actress Amy Poehler, Rudolph's two children were born at home, not in the hospital.
She is friends with Gwyneth Paltrow and actress Kristen Bell. He maintains close relations with many colleagues on the show "Saturday Night Live", often appears in projects with their participation. In his free time he is engaged in music, is a member of a band performing covers of Prince's songs.