Tina Fey Biography

(Actress & Comedian Best Known for Her Work in Comedy Sketch Series 'Saturday Night Live')

Birthday: May 18, 1970 (Taurus)

Born In: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania, United States

Elizabeth Stamatina Fey, better known by her nickname Tina Fey, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer. She is best known for her work in Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Even as a college student, Tina was interested in pursuing a career in comedy. She got her major breakthrough in 1997 when she was hired as a writer for Saturday Night Live, a late-night live TV comedy show. After just two seasons, she was promoted to the post of head writer, the first female to become the head writer in the show’s history. She then went on to create the TV comedy series 30 Rock, loosely based on her experiences as a writer for Saturday Night Live. The show was a huge critical success and won several awards. She has also made several film appearances, notably in films like Martin & Orloff, Mean Girls, and Baby Mama. Even after leaving Saturday Night Live, Tina Fey has made frequent guest appearances on the show. During her guest appearances, she performed a series of parodies of American politician Sarah Palin. Her performance was much loved and won her numerous accolades. She also authored a book, a comic autobiography titled Bossypants in 2011 which topped The New York Times best-seller list. In addition, she also takes an active interest in several charities.

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Quick Facts

Also Known As: Elizabeth Stamatina Fey

Age: 53 Years, 53 Year Old Females

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Jeff Richmond

father: Donald Fey

mother: Zenobia Jeanne

siblings: Peter, Peter Fey

children: Alice Zenobia Richmond, Penelope Athena Richmond

Born Country: United States

Quotes By Tina Fey Actresses

Height: 5'5" (165 cm), 5'5" Females

Ancestry: British American, Irish American, Greek American, German American

U.S. State: Pennsylvania

More Facts

education: University Of Virginia

Childhood & Early Life

Tina Fey was born on May 18, 1970, in Pennsylvania, USA, to Zenobia Xenakes, a brokerage employee, and Donald Fey, a university grant-proposal writer. She is of mixed ancestry and has one brother.

Her interest in comedy developed at a young age as her family often watched comedy shows on TV, sometimes staying up late in the night to watch their favorite shows.

She attended ‘Beverly Hills Middle School’ before going to ‘Upper Darby High School’ where she was co-editor of the school newspaper. She anonymously wrote a satirical column for the paper.

She enrolled at the University of Virginia to study playwriting and acting and graduated in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in drama.

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Career

Tina Fey’s writing and acting career began in 1997 when she was selected as a writer for NBC’s variety show Saturday Night Live. In 1999, she became the show’s first female head writer.

She began performing sketches in 2000. Along with Jimmy Fallon, she became the co-anchor of Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update. In 2004, Fallon was replaced by Amy Poehler. For the first time, Weekend Update was anchored by two women. The pair got a positive response from the public.

She wrote the screenplay for the 2004 teen comedy film Mean Girls in which she also portrayed a role. The film depicts the effects of high school social cliques on teenage girls.

In 2006, she created the TV comedy series 30 Rock, based loosely on her experiences as the head writer in Saturday Night Live. The show was broadcast on NBC from October 11, 2006, to January 31, 2013.

She co-starred with her former colleague Amy Poehler in the comedy film Baby Mama which was released in 2008. The same year, she voiced Lisa’ in Ponyo, a Japanese animated fantasy film.

In 2010, she acted in the action-comedy film Date Night with Steve Carell. The same year, she voiced Roxanne Ritchi in Megamind, a 3D computer-animated action-comedy film.

In 2013, she was seen in the romantic comedy film Admission. In 2014, she starred in the movie This Is Where I Leave You and Muppets Most Wanted.

In 2015, she was seen in a comedy film titled Sisters alongside Amy Poehler. The following year, she was seen in a biographical war comedy-drama film titled Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

From 2017 to 2018, she portrayed ‘Diana St. Tropez’ on NBC's ‘Great News.’ In 2019, Tina Fey was seen in the Netflix movie Wine Country and the Amazon anthology series Modern Love. She co-created the Netflix series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, which ran from 2015 to 2019.

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In 2020, she portrayed the role of Lemon for 30 Rock: A One-Time Special and voice acted in the Pixar animated film Soul.

In 2021, she became a part of the mystery comedy-drama television series ‘Only Murders in the Building’ created by John Hoffman and Steve Martin. She played the role of ‘Cinda Canning’ and remained on the show until 2022. Also in 2021, she came together with Robert Carlock and launched the sitcom series ‘Mr. Mayor.’ The show ran for 2 seasons and aired its final episode in May 2022.

She has also appeared in television shows and films such as ‘Free Guy,’ ‘Girls5eva,’ and ‘Bob's Burgers.’

Along with Amy Poehler, Tina Fey co-hosted the Golden Globe ceremonies in 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2021.

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Major Works

Tina Fey's work as a writer and actress on Saturday Night Live is one that made her popular among fans. She joined the show as a writer and soon became a performer as well. She was promoted to the position of the head writer within two years of her joining. She had a very successful stint with Saturday Night Live before leaving the show in 2006.

She is the creator of 30 Rock, the highly successful TV comedy series that ran on NBC for six years. Tina used her experience as the head writer at Saturday Night Live to develop the comedy show. The series garnered critical appreciation and won many awards.

Awards & Achievements

She was presented with the ‘Producers Guild of America Award’ for ‘Outstanding Comedy Series’ for her show 30 Rock in 2008. This award is given to honor the visionaries who produce and execute motion pictures and television products.

In 2010, she won ‘The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor,’ awarded by the ‘John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.’ It is America’s foremost award for humor.

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As of 2020, she is the recipient of nine ‘Emmy Awards,’ five ‘Screen Actors Guild Awards,’ seven ‘Writers Guild of America Awards,’ and three ‘Golden Globe Awards.’

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Personal Life & Legacy

In 2001, Tina Fey married Jeff Richmond, an actor, director, and composer. They have two daughters.

She is actively involved with charities like ‘Autism Speaks’ and ‘Mercy Corps.’ She also supports the U.S. organization ‘Love Our Children’ which fights violence against children.

Trivia

Tina Fey is a big fan of the Star Wars movie series and often refers to them in her performance and writing.

She is the youngest recipient of the ‘Mark Twain Prize,’ which she received when she was 30 years old.

When she was a young girl, a stranger slashed her face with a knife, scarring her permanently.

She is the author of the bestselling book Bossypants (2011).

Tina Fey Movies

1. Mean Girls (2004)

  (Comedy)

2. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (2016)

  (Drama, War, Biography, Comedy)

3. This Is Where I Leave You (2014)

  (Comedy, Drama)

4. The Invention of Lying (2009)

  (Comedy, Fantasy, Romance)

5. Muppets Most Wanted (2014)

  (Crime, Musical, Family, Comedy, Mystery, Adventure)

6. Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013)

  (Comedy)

7. Date Night (2010)

  (Comedy, Crime, Romance, Thriller)

8. Man of the Year (2006)

  (Comedy, Thriller, Drama, Romance)

9. Baby Mama (2008)

  (Comedy, Romance)

10. Sisters (2015)

  (Comedy)

Awards

Golden Globe Awards
2009 Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical 30 Rock (2006)
2008 Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical 30 Rock (2006)
Primetime Emmy Awards
2016 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Saturday Night Live (1975)
2013 Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2009 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series Saturday Night Live (1975)
2009 Outstanding Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2008 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2008 Outstanding Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2008 Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2007 Outstanding Comedy Series 30 Rock (2006)
2002 Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program Saturday Night Live (1975)
People's Choice Awards
2009 Favorite Funny Female Star Winner

See the events in life of Tina Fey in Chronological Order

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Article Title
- Tina Fey Biography
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Website
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URL
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/tina-fey-3322.php

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