76-536: Kristen Carroll Wiig ( / w ɪ ɡ / ; born August 22, 1973) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. First breaking through as a performer with the Los Angeles comedy troupe The Groundlings , Wiig achieved stardom during her seven-season tenure on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2005 to 2012. During her stint at Saturday Night Live , she received four nominations for
152-777: A roller derby competitor in Whip It ( Drew Barrymore 's directorial debut) and appeared as the wife of a flavoring-extracts company owner in Mike Judge 's Extract . She had a brief role in Andrew Jarecki 's 2010 drama All Good Things , starred opposite Will Forte and Ryan Phillippe in MacGruber , and voiced two big-budget animated films, Despicable Me and How to Train Your Dragon , that kicked off two highly profitable film franchises. Wiig's career had
228-668: A cameo appearance as Bear Trainer Girl in the 2008 comedy Semi-Pro , reuniting with SNL alum Will Ferrell. She played a yoga instructor in Forgetting Sarah Marshall and a self-involved surgeon in David Koepp 's Ghost Town . Wiig co-starred in Greg Mottola 's 2009 coming-of-age dramedy Adventureland , voiced a beaver mom in the animated adventure film Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs , played
304-426: A core group of performers began to showcase their material at various venues around Hollywood. In January 1974, Austin announced that he wanted to create a theatre company. There were fifty founding members of the company (membership at that time required payment of $ 25 to attend workshops). They developed material in the workshops and performed the best pieces in the weekend shows. The group produced its first show in
380-651: A full cast member at the beginning of season 32 in 2006. She was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on SNL (2009 to 2012). Wiig headlined the 2009 Christmas special SNL Presents: A Very Gilly Christmas , featuring new sketches with her character Gilly and highlights of older SNL clips. She was featured in Entertainment Weekly 's list of 15 Great Performances for her various impersonations on SNL (December 2008) and in EW ' s list of
456-585: A funny, pretty woman, but she's also a comedian, and she's wonderfully confident about playing not nice ... Ms. Wiig, a longtime cast member of Saturday Night Live , and Ms. Mumolo, a veteran of the Los Angeles comedy troupe the Groundlings, know what female moviegoers want: honest laughs with, and not solely about, women". For her work in the film, Wiig was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical and
532-666: A hot dog bun in the animated comedy Sausage Party , and played a woman planning a robbery in Masterminds . In 2017, Wiig provided her voice for Despicable Me 3 and appeared in the film Downsizing , reuniting with Damon. She was scheduled to star in and executive produce an Apple comedy series with Reese Witherspoon , but later withdrew from the project. In 2020, she played the villain Cheetah in Wonder Woman 1984 . Wiig and Annie Mumolo co-wrote and co-starred in
608-508: A maximum of three six-month periods.) Sunday Company members are eligible to be voted into Main Company (or "The Groundlings") at the end of each six-month term of Sunday Company. Many Groundlings performers appeared in movies and television, including several who have become cast members and writers on Saturday Night Live , MADtv , Reno 911! , and the G4 network while also being active on
684-562: A mixed overall response. In 2014, she also reprised her role in How to Train Your Dragon 2 , and starred with Bill Hader in Craig Johnson 's dramedy The Skeleton Twins , as estranged twins reuniting with the possibility of mending their relationship. The Skeleton Twins was an arthouse success, with the Globe and Mail remarking: "Johnson's unfussy direction serves as a fine showcase for
760-417: A multi-millionaire with borderline personality disorder who uses her newfound wealth to write and star in an autobiographical talk show. Rotten Tomatoes' consensus was: "A transfixing central performance by Kristen Wiig holds Welcome to Me together and compensates for its uneven stretches." In her next film, another dramedy titled The Diary of a Teenage Girl , Wiig starred as a woman whose boyfriend starts
836-474: A sexual relationship with her daughter. Like Welcome to Me , the film received a limited theatrical release and was favorably received by critics. In 2015, she also played the director of media relations for NASA in the successful sci-fi drama The Martian , opposite Matt Damon , and starred as a family practitioner who is more interested in having a baby than having a boyfriend in the black comedy Nasty Baby , directed by Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Silva. In
SECTION 10
#1732793419726912-752: A three-month outdoor-living program. She had no performing ambitions at the time. She then attended the University of Arizona , majoring in art. When she took an acting class to fulfill a course requirement, the teacher suggested she continue to act. She was hired by a plastic surgery clinic to draw postsurgery bodies, but the day before the job began, in a bookstore she spoke with a psychic who said she should be acting and writing in Los Angeles, so she decided to move to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Wiig relocated to Los Angeles to act while working odd jobs to support herself. She performed with Empty Stage Comedy Theatre and The Groundlings . She felt improvisation
988-631: A turning point in 2011. The comedy Bridesmaids , which she wrote with fellow Groundlings performer Annie Mumolo , was released that spring by Universal Pictures to critical acclaim, making US$ 167 million in North America and US$ 280 million worldwide. In her top-billed role, she played a single woman suffering a series of misfortunes after being asked to be her best friend's maid of honor. The New York Times wrote: "A lanky-limbed blonde who evokes Meg Ryan stretched along Olive Oyl lines, Ms. Wiig keeps her features jumping and sometimes bunching. She's
1064-510: Is based on the students writing and performing Groundlings style sketch shows. The program can take several years to complete. Students may be asked to repeat Basic and Intermediate classes multiple times. Upon completion of Advanced Writing Lab, students may be voted into the Sunday Company, where they may remain for no more than 18 months. (Sunday Company members are cast for six months at a time, and can be voted into Sunday Company for
1140-683: Is now the longest running improv show in Los Angeles. It was followed in 2001 by the long-form improv Crazy Uncle Joe Show , which runs every Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. Beginning in 1981, the company added alternative format shows to the theatre's regular line-up. The first one was The Pee-wee Herman Show , created and co-written by Paul Reubens as a showcase for his Pee-wee Herman character, which he created in Groundlings workshops and revues. Pee-wee and his friends (played by and co-written by other Groundlings including Phil Hartman , Lynne Marie Stewart , John Paragon , Edie McClurg , and John Moody) started performing Saturdays at midnight, after
1216-683: Is now the longest running improv show in Los Angeles. It was followed in 2001 by the long-form improv Crazy Uncle Joe Show , which runs every Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m. Beginning in 1981, the company added alternative format shows to the theatre's regular line-up. The first one was The Pee-wee Herman Show , created and co-written by Paul Reubens as a showcase for his Pee-wee Herman character, which he created in Groundlings workshops and revues. Pee-wee and his friends (played by and co-written by other Groundlings including Phil Hartman , Lynne Marie Stewart , John Paragon , Edie McClurg , and John Moody) started performing Saturdays at midnight, after
1292-465: The 100 most influential people in the world in 2012. Her other film credits include The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013), The Skeleton Twins (2014), The Diary of a Teenage Girl (2015), The Martian (2015), Ghostbusters (2016), Downsizing (2017), Mother! (2017), and Wonder Woman 1984 (2020). She has also lent her voice to the animated franchises How to Train Your Dragon (2010–2019) and Despicable Me (2010–2024). She
1368-615: The Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay . Her last 2011 film was the romantic comedy Friends with Kids , where she played one half of a sex-obsessed couple, opposite Bridemaids collaborator Maya Rudolph . It received positive reviews, who deemed it "sharp, shrewd, and funny", and was a success in limited release . In the 2010s, Wiig was a prominent figure in Hollywood , acting in leading and supporting roles. The little-seen dramedy Revenge for Jolly! , which premiered at
1444-428: The G4 network while also being active on the internet, mainly YouTube . In 1972, Gary Austin (a veteran of San Francisco's The Committee ) assembled a group of performers in Los Angeles to work on their craft. They would improvise, perform monologues, scenes, characters, songs, dances, and classic plays. After about a year, they started doing performances and inviting friends to come and watch. Word got out about
1520-522: The Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series . Wiig also took on supporting roles in comedy films such as Knocked Up (2007) and Paul (2011). She co-wrote and starred in the comedy film Bridesmaids (2011), which was critically and commercially successful. It earned her nominations for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress and the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay . Time named her one of
1596-527: The Stephen Sondheim Theatre on November 11, 2010. The production was filmed for another HBO Special. Groundlings cast on Saturday Night Live and Mad TV have often adapted their sketches and characters developed at the Groundlings into TV audience favorites. Former members of the Groundlings have further developed such materials into shows and films, such as Pee-wee's Big Adventure , Pee-wee's Playhouse , Elvira, Mistress of
SECTION 20
#17327934197261672-451: The Stephen Sondheim Theatre on November 11, 2010. The production was filmed for another HBO Special. Groundlings cast on Saturday Night Live and Mad TV have often adapted their sketches and characters developed at the Groundlings into TV audience favorites. Former members of the Groundlings have further developed such materials into shows and films, such as Pee-wee's Big Adventure , Pee-wee's Playhouse , Elvira, Mistress of
1748-494: The Tribeca Film Festival , was her first 2012 release. In the comedy Girl Most Likely , she headlined opposite Annette Bening as a playwright who stages a suicide in an attempt to win back her ex, only to wind up in the custody of her gambling-addict mother. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 20% rating based on 85 reviews, with the site's consensus: "Largely witless and disappointingly dull, Girl Most Likely strands
1824-583: The 2021 comedy Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar , which received positive reviews. Also in 2021, she played Aunt Carlotta in the Netflix film A Boy Called Christmas . In 2024, she produced and starred in Palm Royale . Wiig was married to actor Hayes Hargrove from 2005 to 2009, and dated The Strokes drummer Fabrizio Moretti from 2011 to 2013. In 2019, after three years of dating, she became engaged to actor Avi Rothman. In January 2020, they became
1900-429: The 21st century, it has an annual enrollment of more than 4200 students. The Sunday Company was formed by Suzanne Kent in 1982 to further develop the talent coming through the school. In 1975 the company acquired what became The Groundlings Theatre at 7307 Melrose Avenue (the building was previously used as an interior decorator 's studio, a furniture showroom, a gay bar, and a massage parlor). Through equity and with
1976-429: The 21st century, it has an annual enrollment of more than 4200 students. The Sunday Company was formed by Suzanne Kent in 1982 to further develop the talent coming through the school. In 1975 the company acquired what became The Groundlings Theatre at 7307 Melrose Avenue (the building was previously used as an interior decorator 's studio, a furniture showroom, a gay bar, and a massage parlor). Through equity and with
2052-690: The 25 Funniest Women in Hollywood (April 2009). She voiced Lola Bunny in the series The Looney Tunes Show from 2011 to 2014. Wiig made her film debut in the 2006 Christmas movie Unaccompanied Minors , and appeared in Judd Apatow 's 2007 comedy Knocked Up as a passive-aggressive assistant. She also performed in Jake Kasdan 's Walk Hard , another Apatow-produced film. Between 2008 and 2010, she had supporting roles in several studio comedies which had various degrees of success. She made
2128-591: The 30-seat basement of 1089 North Oxford Avenue, (earlier, the Oxford Theatre , then The MET , later the Eastwood Performing Arts Center ) near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue. Los Angeles Times theatre critic Sylvie Drake was in the audience the first weekend, and wrote a rave review. As the buzz about the new company increased, the entertainment industry started taking notice. Comedian Lily Tomlin
2204-562: The Advanced Lab level, a student may be voted into the Sunday Company, which performs every Sunday at 7:30pm. During this time, students write, rehearse and perform new material every week. After six months of performing in the Sunday Company, students are either voted to remain in the company for another six months, voted to be dismissed from the school, or voted into the Main Company, also known as The Groundlings. No one can stay in
2280-440: The Advanced Lab level, a student may be voted into the Sunday Company, which performs every Sunday at 7:30pm. During this time, students write, rehearse and perform new material every week. After six months of performing in the Sunday Company, students are either voted to remain in the company for another six months, voted to be dismissed from the school, or voted into the Main Company, also known as The Groundlings. No one can stay in
2356-653: The Dark , A Night at the Roxbury , and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion . In 1998, the Groundlings were given an improv television program on the F/X network called Instant Comedy with The Groundlings . In September 2008, the Groundlings began producing short-form sketch episodes for Crackle . On September 12, 2011, the Groundlings featured a sketch titled " Resting Bitch Face " (written by Patric Cagle, co-starring Nate Clark, and directed by Mitch Silpa ). The sketch
Kristen Wiig - Misplaced Pages Continue
2432-498: The Dark , A Night at the Roxbury , and Romy and Michele's High School Reunion . In 1998, the Groundlings were given an improv television program on the F/X network called Instant Comedy with The Groundlings . In September 2008, the Groundlings began producing short-form sketch episodes for Crackle . On September 12, 2011, the Groundlings featured a sketch titled " Resting Bitch Face " (written by Patric Cagle, co-starring Nate Clark, and directed by Mitch Silpa ). The sketch
2508-487: The Groundlings paid tribute to passing of their founder, Gary Austin, by gathering at the theatre and laying flowers at his plaque. Students must pass an audition to get into the Basic class. If a student passes the audition, their results are valid for one year. If a student does not pass the audition, they are allowed to audition again in four months. Students are allowed to audition a total of three times. After completing
2584-435: The Groundlings paid tribute to passing of their founder, Gary Austin, by gathering at the theatre and laying flowers at his plaque. Students must pass an audition to get into the Basic class. If a student passes the audition, their results are valid for one year. If a student does not pass the audition, they are allowed to audition again in four months. Students are allowed to audition a total of three times. After completing
2660-667: The Second City , located in Chicago and later St. Louis . They used these techniques to produce sketches and improvised scenes. Its name is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet , Act III, Scene II: "...to split the ears of the groundlings, who for the most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumbshows and noise." In 1975 the troupe purchased and moved into its location on Melrose Avenue . The Groundlings School holds sessions every six weeks with over 300 students per session, with more than 2,000 students per year going through
2736-435: The Sunday Company for longer than 18 months nor less than six months. All members of the Main Company are selected from members of the Sunday Company. All of the Main Company members can remain in the company for as long as they desire. Usually members do not stay for longer than a decade; most of the Groundlings retire sooner from the company. The Main Company (capped at no more than 30 members at any time) collectively acts as
2812-435: The Sunday Company for longer than 18 months nor less than six months. All members of the Main Company are selected from members of the Sunday Company. All of the Main Company members can remain in the company for as long as they desire. Usually members do not stay for longer than a decade; most of the Groundlings retire sooner from the company. The Main Company (capped at no more than 30 members at any time) collectively acts as
2888-532: The Sunday Company, where they may remain for no more than 18 months. (Sunday Company members are cast for six months at a time, and can be voted into Sunday Company for a maximum of three six-month periods.) Sunday Company members are eligible to be voted into Main Company (or "The Groundlings") at the end of each six-month term of Sunday Company. Many Groundlings performers appeared in movies and television, including several who have become cast members and writers on Saturday Night Live , MADtv , Reno 911! , and
2964-621: The White House. Finally in April 1979, the revitalized 99-seat theater opened its doors to audiences. In November 1979, Gary Austin stepped down from his position as artistic director. Tom Maxwell was elected as his successor, and he served for the next ten years. In 1989, the Groundlings began the enduring tradition of having Groundlings or Groundlings alumni direct each new revue. The Main Company of no more than 30 members, collectively makes artistic, business and creative decisions. In April 2017
3040-509: The White House. Finally in April 1979, the revitalized 99-seat theater opened its doors to audiences. In November 1979, Gary Austin stepped down from his position as artistic director. Tom Maxwell was elected as his successor, and he served for the next ten years. In 1989, the Groundlings began the enduring tradition of having Groundlings or Groundlings alumni direct each new revue. The Main Company of no more than 30 members, collectively makes artistic, business and creative decisions. In April 2017
3116-401: The age of three, and attended Nitrauer Elementary School and Manheim Township Middle School until eighth grade. When she was 13, she and her family returned to Rochester where she attended Allendale Columbia School for ninth and tenth grades and graduated from Brighton High School . Wiig attended Roanoke College , but soon returned to Rochester. She attended community college and embarked on
Kristen Wiig - Misplaced Pages Continue
3192-703: The area of Vik in Sogn og Fjordane in Norway. Kristen's paternal grandfather, Gunnar Ove Wiig, emigrated from Norway to the United States as a child and grew up in Rochester, New York , where he was an accomplished broadcaster for the Rochester Red Wings baseball team, and later became an executive at WHEC radio , WHEC-TV , and WROC-TV . Wiig moved with her family to Lancaster, Pennsylvania at
3268-461: The comedy Zoolander 2 (2016), Wiig took on the role of a villain and the "Queen of Haute Couture ", alongside Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson , and Will Ferrell. Zoolander 2 was a critical and commercial flop. The controversial all-female reboot Ghostbusters (also 2016) featured Wiig as an author who bands with other paranormal enthusiasts to stop an otherworldly threat; budgeted at over US$ 140 million, it made US$ 229 million. In 2016, she also voiced
3344-457: The first audition. He was accepted, but due to competition, he had to wait more than a year before starting to perform in shows. With such a large company, workshops seven days a week, and sold-out shows going up three nights a weekend, the Groundlings needed a place to call their own. The Groundlings School of improvisation began in 1978 with 17 students and staff members Gary Austin, Tom Maxwell, Phyllis Katz, Laraine Newman, and Tracy Newman . In
3420-451: The first three levels. For Writing Lab and Advanced Writing Lab, students are voted on by then-current members of the Main Company as to whether they will move on. This vote is based on the students writing and performing Groundlings style sketch shows. The program can take several years to complete. Students may be asked to repeat Basic and Intermediate classes multiple times. Upon completion of Advanced Writing Lab, students may be voted into
3496-467: The gifted Kristen Wiig in a blandly hollow foray into scattershot sitcom territory." Her final performance as a cast member on Saturday Night Live was season 37 , episode 22, which aired on May 19, 2012 and was hosted by Mick Jagger . The closing celebration of her time on the show included SNL alumni Amy Poehler , Chris Kattan , Chris Parnell , Will Forte , and Rachel Dratch , as well as Steve Martin and Jon Hamm . She has since returned to host
3572-430: The internet, mainly YouTube . In 1972, Gary Austin (a veteran of San Francisco's The Committee ) assembled a group of performers in Los Angeles to work on their craft. They would improvise, perform monologues, scenes, characters, songs, dances, and classic plays. After about a year, they started doing performances and inviting friends to come and watch. Word got out about the workshop, more people started coming, and
3648-545: The most part are capable of nothing but inexplicable dumbshows and noise." In 1975 the troupe purchased and moved into its location on Melrose Avenue . The Groundlings School holds sessions every six weeks with over 300 students per session, with more than 2,000 students per year going through the program. The competitive program, with admission by audition, consists of five levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Improv, Writing Lab, and Advanced Writing Lab). Participants must satisfy instructors' requirements in order to advance from
3724-458: The new company increased, the entertainment industry started taking notice. Comedian Lily Tomlin was a regular in the audience, and she hired several Groundlings to perform on her The Lily Tomlin Show . Later that year Lorne Michaels , who produced Tomlin's TV special, asked Groundling Laraine Newman to be a cast member for Saturday Night Live . Membership in the company grew to 90. To keep
3800-483: The organization's artistic director, democratically making business and creative decisions as a group. The Groundlings Revues (now commonly referred to as the Main Shows) were the first shows performed by the company and they established the Groundlings improv, character, and sketch comedy style. In 1981, the revue was given a title, "L.A. 200, Groundlings 3". Since that time every revue has had its own name, and has
3876-424: The organization's artistic director, democratically making business and creative decisions as a group. The Groundlings Revues (now commonly referred to as the Main Shows) were the first shows performed by the company and they established the Groundlings improv, character, and sketch comedy style. In 1981, the revue was given a title, "L.A. 200, Groundlings 3". Since that time every revue has had its own name, and has
SECTION 50
#17327934197263952-615: The parents of twins, a son and daughter, via surrogacy . In February 2021, Wiig confirmed that she and Rothman had married. The family lives in Pasadena, California . The Groundlings The Groundlings is an American improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and school based in Los Angeles , California. The troupe was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin , whose improv techniques were taught by Del Close and other members of
4028-423: The program several times. Wiig again provided her voice for Despicable Me 2 , released on June 5, 2013, and for the character of Sexy Kitten in the critically acclaimed sci-fi romantic drama Her (2013). She portrayed the love interest and co-worker of the titular character in the adventure dramedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (also 2013), alongside Ben Stiller and Sean Penn ; it polarized critics and
4104-420: The program. The competitive program, with admission by audition, consists of five levels (Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Improv, Writing Lab, and Advanced Writing Lab). Participants must satisfy instructors' requirements in order to advance from the first three levels. For Writing Lab and Advanced Writing Lab, students are voted on by then-current members of the Main Company as to whether they will move on. This vote
4180-521: The regular revues. Quickly the show became a huge LA hit; it moved to The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Blvd and was filmed for an HBO special. In the following years, Pee-wee became a pop culture icon; films, toys, and a children's television show were created about the character. An updated revival of the original stage show (with many of the Groundlings reprising their roles) had a successful run in Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre and in New York on Broadway at
4256-465: The regular revues. Quickly the show became a huge LA hit; it moved to The Roxy Theatre on Sunset Blvd and was filmed for an HBO special. In the following years, Pee-wee became a pop culture icon; films, toys, and a children's television show were created about the character. An updated revival of the original stage show (with many of the Groundlings reprising their roles) had a successful run in Los Angeles' Nokia Theatre and in New York on Broadway at
4332-593: The same year, Groundlings Jim Rash and Nat Faxon won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Descendants . In 2006, the Groundlings recorded a skit called David Blaine Street Magic performed in the alleyway behind the theater. After being uploaded to YouTube , it became one of the most popular videos on the website. As of October 2014, the video has had more than 38 million views and 60,000 comments since October 12, 2006. The skit stars Mitch Silpa parodying David Blaine in both
4408-510: The same year, Groundlings Jim Rash and Nat Faxon won the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for The Descendants . In 2006, the Groundlings recorded a skit called David Blaine Street Magic performed in the alleyway behind the theater. After being uploaded to YouTube , it became one of the most popular videos on the website. As of October 2014, the video has had more than 38 million views and 60,000 comments since October 12, 2006. The skit stars Mitch Silpa parodying David Blaine in both
4484-520: The six-episode miniseries The Spoils of Babylon (2014), and its fellow-up The Spoils Before Dying (2015) as well as the Lifetime television movie A Deadly Adoption (2015). Wiig was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for her role in The Spoils of Babylon . Hateship, Loveship (2014), her next theatrically released production,
4560-576: The size of the company down, it required selection by audition. Phil Hartman , then a graphic designer, tried out in the first audition. He was accepted, but due to competition, he had to wait more than a year before starting to perform in shows. With such a large company, workshops seven days a week, and sold-out shows going up three nights a weekend, the Groundlings needed a place to call their own. The Groundlings School of improvisation began in 1978 with 17 students and staff members Gary Austin, Tom Maxwell, Phyllis Katz, Laraine Newman, and Tracy Newman . In
4636-448: The topics of Blaine's performances and his mannerisms. The skit is written by Michael Naughton and Mikey Day who play the two innocent bystanders in the video. 34°05′01″N 118°20′56″W / 34.083694°N 118.349001°W / 34.083694; -118.349001 The Groundlings The Groundlings is an American improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and school based in Los Angeles , California. The troupe
SECTION 60
#17327934197264712-401: The two SNL veterans to demonstrate how their comic shorthand plays equally well in a slightly darker register". For singer-songwriter Sia 's performance of her 2014 single " Chandelier " at the 2015 Grammy Awards , Wiig danced alongside child dancer Maddie Ziegler . In 2015, the dramedy Welcome to Me was released in selected theaters to a positive critical response. In it, Wiig played
4788-406: The use of their own funds, company members set out to modernize the building and convert it into a performance space. They battled through four years of red tape, building codes, and parking restrictions before producing any shows on the stage. During that time the Groundlings performed their revues at a handful of theaters all over town, including The Improv , The Matrix, The Hollywood Canteen , and
4864-406: The use of their own funds, company members set out to modernize the building and convert it into a performance space. They battled through four years of red tape, building codes, and parking restrictions before producing any shows on the stage. During that time the Groundlings performed their revues at a handful of theaters all over town, including The Improv , The Matrix, The Hollywood Canteen , and
4940-399: The weekend shows. The group produced its first show in the 30-seat basement of 1089 North Oxford Avenue, (earlier, the Oxford Theatre , then The MET , later the Eastwood Performing Arts Center ) near the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Western Avenue. Los Angeles Times theatre critic Sylvie Drake was in the audience the first weekend, and wrote a rave review. As the buzz about
5016-733: The word "Groundling" in the title. Initially one or two revues were performed in a year, increasing to three by the 1990s, and four in 2007, in addition to a special holiday show in December. Main Shows are performed every Friday at 8:00 p.m. and every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. In 1992, Melanie Graham created Cookin With Gas , a weekly short form improv show performed by Groundlings, Groundlings Alumni, Sunday Company members, and special celebrity guests. The show continues to be performed every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m., and
5092-569: The word "Groundling" in the title. Initially one or two revues were performed in a year, increasing to three by the 1990s, and four in 2007, in addition to a special holiday show in December. Main Shows are performed every Friday at 8:00 p.m. and every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. In 1992, Melanie Graham created Cookin With Gas , a weekly short form improv show performed by Groundlings, Groundlings Alumni, Sunday Company members, and special celebrity guests. The show continues to be performed every Thursday night at 8:00 p.m., and
5168-416: The workshop, more people started coming, and a core group of performers began to showcase their material at various venues around Hollywood. In January 1974, Austin announced that he wanted to create a theatre company. There were fifty founding members of the company (membership at that time required payment of $ 25 to attend workshops). They developed material in the workshops and performed the best pieces in
5244-666: Was a better fit than acting, and being a part of the comedy group improved her skills. In 2003, she appeared in Spike TV 's The Joe Schmo Show , a spoof of reality television, in which she portrayed Dr. Pat, a quack marriage counselor. She auditioned for Mad TV . While at The Groundlings, Wiig's manager encouraged her to submit an audition tape to Saturday Night Live . She played the Target Lady on part of her audition tape. She debuted on SNL shortly into season 31 , on November 12, 2005. She survived an SNL budget cut and became
5320-459: Was a moderate success. The New York Daily News praised Stiller and Wiig's "sweet, mellow chemistry", and Peter Travers of Rolling Stone found her to be "lovely, low-key" in the film, which he described as "uniquely funny and unexpectedly tender". Her other 2013 film was the comedy sequel Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues , in which she teamed with frequent collaborators Will Ferrell and Steve Carell . With Ferrell, she subsequently starred in
5396-426: Was a regular in the audience, and she hired several Groundlings to perform on her The Lily Tomlin Show . Later that year Lorne Michaels , who produced Tomlin's TV special, asked Groundling Laraine Newman to be a cast member for Saturday Night Live . Membership in the company grew to 90. To keep the size of the company down, it required selection by audition. Phil Hartman , then a graphic designer, tried out in
5472-425: Was based on the 2001 short story " Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage " by Alice Munro . In it, she played a woman who must move to a new town to begin work as a housekeeper for an elderly man who needs help keeping house. Critics asserted that Wiig's "vibrant performance is almost worth the price of admission—and it has to be, because Hateship Loveship doesn't have much else going for it", as part of
5548-420: Was formed by Gary Austin in 1974 and uses an improv format influenced by Viola Spolin , whose improv techniques were taught by Del Close and other members of the Second City , located in Chicago and later St. Louis . They used these techniques to produce sketches and improvised scenes. Its name is taken from Shakespeare's Hamlet , Act III, Scene II: "...to split the ears of the groundlings, who for
5624-779: Was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her role in the comedy miniseries The Spoils of Babylon (2014) and for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in the comedy-drama series Palm Royale (2024). Kristin Wiig was born in Canandaigua, New York , the daughter of Jon Arne Joseph Wiig, who ran a lake marina in Western New York , and Laurie Day (née Johnston), an artist. She has an older brother Erik. Her father has Norwegian and Irish ancestry, and her mother, English and Scottish. The name Wiig comes from
5700-436: Was uploaded to YouTube on October 11 and performed repeatedly during fall of the same year. The film Bridesmaids was written by Groundlings alum Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo and featured a cast consisting heavily of members of the Groundlings, including Melissa McCarthy , Maya Rudolph , Wendi McLendon-Covey , and others in supporting roles. The movie was a box office success and nominated for two Academy Awards . In
5776-436: Was uploaded to YouTube on October 11 and performed repeatedly during fall of the same year. The film Bridesmaids was written by Groundlings alum Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo and featured a cast consisting heavily of members of the Groundlings, including Melissa McCarthy , Maya Rudolph , Wendi McLendon-Covey , and others in supporting roles. The movie was a box office success and nominated for two Academy Awards . In
#725274