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Aidy Bryant

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Aidy Bryant
Bryant in 2015
Born
Aidan Mackenzy Bryant

(1987-05-07) May 7, 1987 (age 37)
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
EducationColumbia College Chicago (BA)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • comedian
  • producer
  • writer
Years active2011–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2018)​

Aidan Mackenzy Bryant (born May 7, 1987) is an American actress and comedian. Bryant is most notable for being a cast member on the NBC late-night sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live for ten seasons, joining the show for its 38th season in 2012,[1] and leaving at the end of its 47th season in 2022.[2] For her work on the series she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[3]

Her other work includes a voice role in the animated series Danger & Eggs (2017), and the Netflix adult animated series Human Resources. She played a starring role in the sitcom Shrill (2019–2021). She also served as writer and executive producer and was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.

Early life

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Bryant was born on May 7, 1987, in Phoenix, Arizona,[4] as the daughter of Georganne (née Vinall) and Tom Bryant.[5] Her mother owns a boutique, Frances, in Phoenix.[6] Bryant is of English, Irish, and German descent.[7] She has one brother.[8] She graduated from Xavier College Preparatory in 2005.[6] Her parents took her to improv workshops at the now-defunct Arizona Jewish Theatre Company.[9]

She graduated from Columbia College in Chicago with a BA in 2009.[10][11] At Columbia College, she participated in the college's comedy studies program, developed by the Theatre Department and The Second City.[11]

Career

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Bryant and Mike Birbiglia

After Bryant graduated from Columbia College, she toured with the musical improv group Baby Wants Candy and was approached by The Second City.[9] She has performed with iO Chicago, The Second City[12] and the Annoyance Theatre. She was a writer and ensemble member for both "Sky's the Limit, Weather Permitting" and "We're All In This Room Together" on the Second City Stage.[10]

Bryant made her debut as a featured player on Saturday Night Live on September 15, 2012.[10][13][14] She was promoted to a repertory player during her second season on the show.

In 2013, Bryant landed a recurring role in the second season of IFC's Comedy Bang! Bang!, playing the show's segment producer.[15] Bryant also made an uncredited cameo appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man 2.[16] She has made guest appearances on programs such as Broad City, Documentary Now!, The Awesomes, and Girls.

In 2014, Bryant, Eli Bruggemann, Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider, and Kate McKinnon were nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for the "Home for the Holiday (Twin Bed)." The music video sketch aired on December 21, 2013.[17] She won the award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series at the 2015 EWwy awards which honor performances that were snubbed by the Emmys.[18]

In 2016, Bryant had a recurring role as Alice in the Louis C.K. series, Horace and Pete. In 2017, Bryant provided the voice of main character D.D. Danger on the animated series Danger & Eggs.[19] In 2018, Bryant received a nomination at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.[20]

In 2019, Bryant starred in the Hulu series Shrill. After Bryant became involved with Shrill, as a co-writer, co-executive producer and as the main character, there was a question of whether she would return for the 2019–20 season of Saturday Night Live, although Lorne Michaels encouraged her to work on both shows.[21][22][23] Bryant stated that she would work 12-hour days on Shrill and then at SNL afterwards, accounting for 22-hour days.[23] Shrill would run for three seasons ending in May 2021, and Bryant was told that its third season would be the last one after it was shot.[24][23] Bryant planned to exit SNL after its 45th season, however, the COVID-19 pandemic caused her to reconsider leaving after 'one last normal year' that concluded with the 2021-2022 47th season.[23][2]

In 2021, Bryant had signed an overall deal with Universal Television.[25] She voiced Emmy on the adult animated series Human Resources, a spin-off of Big Mouth, which premiered on March 18, 2022.[26]

In October 2022, Bryant directed a music video for the song "Hurricane" by country music duo Plains (Katie Crutchfield and Jess Williamson).[27]

In February 2024, Bryant hosted the 2024 edition of the Independent Spirit Awards, an awards show dedicated to independent films. Her performance as host was praised, with British Vogue writer Emma Specter noting that she was "able to roll with the live-performance element of the gig without radiating the nervous and clammy energy of a less-experienced performer".[28][29]

Recurring characters on SNL

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  • One of the students in the "Shallon" (Nasim Pedrad) sketches
  • Morgan, co-host of Girlfriends Talk Show, who always gets shunned or ignored by her friend Kyra (Cecily Strong) in favor of a cooler guest[6]
  • Tonker Bell, Tinker Bell's rude-mannered half-sister, whose dad is a housefly[30]
  • One of the actors in a dramatic High School Theater production, who awkwardly attempt to make broad points about society's issues
  • Li'l Baby Aidy, a characterization of herself in the show's all-female music videos (so called because she was the youngest [the "baby"] of the current female cast)[31]
  • Melanie, a flirtatious young teen with a romantic spark for mature gentlemen – said gentlemen being her friends' fathers[32]
  • An unnamed girl who appears in porno movie scenarios and is oblivious to their sexual nature – in Hot for Teacher 8, she tried to ask her teacher, Miss Dayworth (Amy Schumer), for help on the unspecified assignment; in The Doctor Is In... My Butt 4, she thinks Dr. Rockhard (Adam Driver) is a real doctor; and in Skank Babysitter 17, she thinks her babysitter Miss Jasmine (Heidi Gardner) invited a pizza delivery man (Chance the Rapper) over for dinner.[33][34]
  • Sarah Huckabee Sanders, former White House Press Secretary[35]
  • Carrie Krum, 7th grade travel expert[30][32]
  • Ted Cruz, U.S. Senator[36][37]

Personal life

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Throughout her adolescence, Bryant dealt with self-esteem issues related to her weight.[21] Acting and performing improv allowed her to become more confident as a person and as an actress.[21]

On April 28, 2018, Bryant married comedian Conner O'Malley, who was a writer on Late Night with Seth Meyers.[38] They met in 2008 as performers at the Annoyance Theatre in Chicago, and became engaged in 2016.[39]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2014 The Amazing Spider-Man 2 Statue of Liberty Lady
2014 Kids Sarah Short film
2015 Prom Queen Teacher #1 Short film
2016 Brother Nature Dana Curlman
2016 Darby Forever Darby Short film; also writer and producer
2017 The Big Sick Mary
2017 The Star Ruth (voice)
2018 I Feel Pretty Vivian

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2012–2014 Shrink Kendra Harnz 3 episodes; also writer of 2 episodes
2012–2022 Saturday Night Live Herself / Various characters 206 episodes
2012 Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday Judge / Patron / Woman 2 episodes
2013 Comedy Bang! Bang! Segment Producer 2 episodes
2014 The Greatest Event in Television History Amy Episode: "Bosom Buddies"
2015 Broad City Allie Episode: "St. Marks"
2015 Documentary Now! Anne Severino Episode: "A Town, a Gangster, a Festival"
2015 The Awesomes Unknown character (voice) 2 episodes
2015–2017 Girls Abigail 4 episodes
2016 Horace and Pete Alice Wittel 4 episodes
2017 Danger & Eggs D.D. Danger (voice) 13 episodes
2017 At Home with Amy Sedaris Mulaak Episode: "Out of This World"
2018 Portlandia Patient Episode: "Shared Workspace"
2018 Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Tabby Bobatti Episode: "Party Monster: Scratching the Surface"
2019 The Other Two Herself Episode: "Chase Shoots a Music Video"
2019–2021 Shrill Annie Easton 22 episodes; also creator, writer and executive producer
2021 Teenage Euthanasia (voice) Episode: "Suddenly Susan"
2021 Big Mouth Emmy (voice) Episode: "Lovebugs"
2021 Santa Inc. Co-Worker / Petunia (voice) Episode: "Spring Awakening"
2022–2023 Human Resources Emmy Fairfax (voice) Main cast
2022 The Kardashians Herself Episode: "Live from New York"
2024 39th Independent Spirit Awards Herself (host) Television special
2024 Fantasmas Denise Episode: "Toilets"

Webseries

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Year Title Role Notes
2011 Enterprenerds Kathy Kielty Episode: "Short Squeeze"

Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Work Result Ref.
2014 Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Saturday Night Live Nominated [40]
2018 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
2021 Nominated
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Shrill Nominated

References

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  1. ^ Metz, Nina (September 10, 2012). "Aidy Bryant, Tim Robinson, Cecily Strong join cast of 'SNL'". Chicago Tribune.
  2. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie; White, Peter (May 20, 2022). "'SNL': Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant & Kyle Mooney To Exit Alongside Pete Davidson As Major Cast Shake-Up Set For Season Finale". Deadline. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "Aidy Bryant - Awards - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  4. ^ Bryant, Tom. "About Us". Tom Bryant. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  5. ^ "Kenneth A. Vinall". Legacy.com. September 21, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Bartkowski, Becky (August 22, 2013). "Saturday Night Live's Aidy Bryant on Real Housewives Addiction and How Kristen Wiig's The Best". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  7. ^ Caldwell-Gilbert, Tamás Flinn (July 28, 2016). "Aidy Bryant". Geni.com. Archived from the original on February 7, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  8. ^ "Georganne Bryant: Commit to a family day". Arizona Business & Money. Arizona Republic. Gannett. January 28, 2010. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  9. ^ a b Lawton, Claire (October 2, 2014). "Aidy Bryant's Made It Big on Saturday Night Live, But Phoenix Still Feels Like Home". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c "Cast Bios: Aidy Bryant". Saturday Night Live. NBC. Archived from the original on September 14, 2012. Retrieved September 12, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Alumna Aidy Bryant Joins SNL Cast". Columbia College Chicago. Archived from the original on November 3, 2014. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  12. ^ Fallon, Kevin (October 31, 2014). "How Aidy Bryant Stealthily Became Your Favorite 'Saturday Night Live' Star". The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 3, 2014.
  13. ^ Levin, Gary (September 10, 2012). "'Saturday Night Live' adds three new cast members". USA Today.
  14. ^ "'Saturday Night Live' adds 3 performers for upcoming season after departures of Wiig, Samberg". The Washington Post. Associated Press. September 10, 2012. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019.
  15. ^ Sims, David (August 24, 2013). "Comedy Bang! Bang!: "Andy Richter Wears A Suit Jacket And A Baby Blue Button Down Shirt"". avclub.com.
  16. ^ @snltrivia (April 24, 2014). "Aidy Bryant's cameo in "The Amazing Spider-Man 2." @aidybryant #snltrivia" (Tweet). Archived from the original on January 2, 2022 – via Twitter.
  17. ^ "Aidy Bryant". Television Academy. Retrieved October 6, 2014.
  18. ^ "EWwy Awards 2015: Meet Your Winners". Entertainment Weekly.
  19. ^ Brumbaugh, Jocelyn (July 23, 2017). "Johnstown Native Brings Egg-Citement to Kids' Video". The (Johnstown) Tribune-Democrat. U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press.
  20. ^ "Nominees/Winners | Television Academy". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
  21. ^ a b c Metz, Nina (March 25, 2019). "'Shrill,' 'SNL' star Aidy Bryant on finding her confidence on stage in Chicago". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  22. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (February 11, 2019). "Aidy Bryant Hopeful About Another Season On 'SNL'". Deadline. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
  23. ^ a b c d "Aidy Bryant's 'SNL' Exit Interview: 'I Was Worried I Was Going to be Fully Crying'". June 21, 2022.
  24. ^ Framke, Caroline (May 9, 2021). "The Series Finale of 'Shrill' Leaves Us Wanting More: TV Review". Variety. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  25. ^ White, Peter (October 14, 2021). "Aidy Bryant Strikes Overall Deal With Universal Television". Deadline Hollywood.
  26. ^ Lang, Jamie (June 14, 2021). "'Big Mouth' Spinoff 'Human Resources' Adds Randall Park, Keke Palmer, Aidy Bryant (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  27. ^ "Watch Plains' "Hurricane" video, directed by SNL's Aidy Bryant". The FADER. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  28. ^ "Renowned Comedian and Actress Aidy Bryant to Host 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards". Film Independent. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  29. ^ Specter, Emma (February 27, 2024). "Why Can't Every Award Show Host Be Aidy Bryant?". British Vogue. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  30. ^ a b Pinney, Dustin (May 30, 2022). "Aidy Bryant's Most Memorable SNL Moments". Looper. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  31. ^ Fox, Jesse David (July 7, 2020). "Aidy Bryant Has Fallen in Love With SNL All Over Again". Vulture. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  32. ^ a b McHugh, Jennifer (May 22, 2022). "11 Best Aidy Bryant 'SNL' Sketches, From The Sexual Woman to Henrietta & The Fugitive". Collider. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  33. ^ Roberts, Andrew (January 17, 2016). "Adam Driver Is The Best Porn Doctor In The Business On 'SNL'". UPROXX. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  34. ^ McGee, Ryan (October 11, 2015). "Amy Schumer on 'SNL': 3 Sketches You Have to See". Rolling Stone. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  35. ^ Love, Matthew (June 14, 2019). "SNL's Aidy Bryant Is the Only Sarah Huckabee Sanders We'll Miss". Vulture. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  36. ^ Sinha, Charu (February 21, 2021). "Aidy Bryant's Ted Cruz Has Vacation Braids, No Shame in SNL Cold Open". Vulture. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  37. ^ Romero, Dennis (November 14, 2021). "'SNL' mocks Sen. Ted Cruz for picking fight with Big Bird". NBC News. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
  38. ^ Rackl, Lori (January 14, 2014). "'Late Night' heir Seth Meyers: 'I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for Chicago' (VIDEO) – Voices". Chicago Sun-Times. Sun-Times Media Group. Archived from the original on July 27, 2014. Retrieved June 16, 2014.
  39. ^ Johnson, Zach (April 30, 2018). "SNL's Aidy Bryant Marries Conner O'Malley". E!. E! Entertainment Television. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  40. ^ "Aidy Bryant". Emmys.com. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
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