Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Talent Biographies
(As of 10/27/10)
Fred Armisen
Fred Armisen is in his ninth season on "Saturday Night Live."
In his first year, Armisen scored with his character "Fericito." The Venezuelan comedian
coached Senator John McCain through his opening monologue and brought big laughs to
"Weekend Update" along with the recurring sketch "Showbiz Grande Explosion" with his Latin
style and catchphrase "I'm just keeeeeeding."
Armisen recently took on the role of then Democratic Presidential nominee and now U.S.
President Barack Obama. His impression of New York Governor Patterson has also garnered its
fair share of controversy. Other characters include the distracted court stenographer “Elinda
Nade," the political comedian “Nicholas Fehn,” “Mr. Vogelcheck” in the ‘too close for comfort’
kissing family, and the Native American comic “Billy Smith.” Armisen has also contributed
memorable impressions of Larry King, Apple CEO Steve Jobs, Iranian President Mahmoud
Amadinejad in the popular Digital Short "Iran So Far Away," and Prince, the often-silent host of
the musician's talk show "The Prince Show."
Armisen has landed on Rolling Stone's "Hot List" as well as several times on Entertainment
Weekly's "Must List" (for his performance as a politically incorrect deaf comedian and his witty
iTunes playlist). He recently appeared in the feature films “Cop Out” alongside Bruce Willis and
Tracy Morgan, "Confessions of a Shopaholic" opposite Isla Fisher, "The Rocker" opposite Rainn
Wilson and "The Promotion" with John C. Reilly. He has also appeared in the films "Tenacious
D: The Pick of Destiny" (with Jack Black), "The Ex" (with Zach Braff and Jason Bateman), as
well as "Eurotrip," and Will Ferrell and Adam McKay's "Anchorman: The Legend of Ron
Burgundy." Armisen can next be found lending his voice to the animated features “The Smurfs”
and “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.”
Armisen began his career as a musician in the Chicago-based post-punk band Trenchmouth as
well as playing with Blue Man Group. His transition to comedy came with the 1998
underground short film "Fred Armisen's Guide to Music and SXSW" which followed him
through the Austin, Texas "South By Southwest Music Festival" posing as a music journalist. In
2006, he tried his hand at actual musical journalism, profiling the indie darling Cat Power for the
influential music website Pitchfork.com.
He married music and comedy, becoming drummer Jens Hannemann and releasing an
instructional DVD "Complicated Drumming Technique" in 2007.
He has made guest appearances on NBC's "30 Rock," the cable comedy shows "The Sarah
Silverman Show," "Human Giant" and "Tim & Eric, Awesome Show, Great Job," the smash kids
show, "Yo Gabba Gabba," and NBC’s "Parks and Recreation."
Armisen lives in New York City. His birthday is December 4.
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Steve Carrell
Steve Carell has emerged as one of the most sought-after comedic actors in Hollywood. First
gaining recognition for his contributions as a correspondent on Comedy Central’s Emmy Awardwinning The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Carell has successfully segued into primetime
television and above-the-title status in the film world with equal aplomb.
Carell opened his first lead feature, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, which he co-wrote with director
Judd Apatow, at #1, a spot it remained in for two straight weekends. The surprise hit of 2005
went on to gross more than $175 million worldwide and had #1 openings in 12 countries. The
success of the film has continued, as it has also generated over $100 million in DVD sales in
North America alone. On an award level, the film was honored with an AFI Award named one
of 10 Most Outstanding Motion Pictures of the Year and took home Best Comedy Movie at the
11th annual Critics’ Choice Awards. The film also earned Carell and Apatow a co-nomination for
Best Original Screenplay by the Writers Guild Association.
Carell starred as “Maxwell Smart” in Get Smart, opposite Anne Hathaway and Alan Arkin. The
film grossed over $230 million worldwide since its opening in June. Due to the success, Warner
Brothers recently announced they will release a sequel in 2011. He also lent his voice as The
Mayor of Whoville in 20th Century-Fox’s animated film Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who! based
on the children’s book written by Dr. Seuss. Directed by Jimmy Hayward (Finding Nemo,
Monsters, Inc.), Carell played opposite of Jim Carrey, and helped launch the film as an
international success earning over $295 million worldwide. In 2006, as part of an ensemble, he
starred in Little Miss Sunshine, which earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture
and won the SAG Award® for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture. The
black comedy, also starring Greg Kinnear and Toni Collette, was released last summer.
Previous film credits include Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Bruce Almighty,
Bewitched and Dan in Real Life. Carell currently stars in the Americanized adaptation of Ricky
Gervais’ acclaimed British television series The Office. In its fifth season, the show continues to
flourish in ratings and has earned Carell three Emmy Award nomination for Best Actor in a
Comedy. In 2006, Carell earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a
Television Series—Musical or Comedy, followed by two more nominations, for his portrayal of
“Michael Scott”, the pompous and deluded boss of a Pennsylvania paper company. In last two
years, the show has won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an
Ensemble in a Comedy Series. Carell recently announced the start of his new production
company, Carousel Productions. Carell’s endeavors and successes in acting, writing and
producing were an organic segue in the creation of Carousel Productions. Born in Massachusetts,
Carell now resides in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Nancy Walls (NBC’s Saturday Night
Live), whom he met while at the Second City Theater Group in Chicago, where both were
members. He is the proud father of a daughter and a son.
Jimmy Fallon
Jimmy Fallon began his TV career with Saturday Night Live in 1998, where he quickly became
an audience favorite with his spot-on impressions of Jerry Seinfeld, John Travolta, and Adam
Sandler. He also scored in sketches like the Boston Teens (with fellow cast member Rachel
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Dratch), "Jarret's Room" (with cast-mate Horatio Sanz) and "Barry Gibb Talk Show" (with guest
host Justin Timberlake). In 2000, Fallon and Tina Fey re-launched SNL's "Weekend Update" and
brought the long-running segment new energy and made it a fan-favorite.
During his 6-year stint on SNL, Fallon ventured outside NBC with great success. Small parts in
Cameron Crowe’s “Almost Famous” and Tom Hanks’ and Steven Spielberg’s “Band of
Brothers” lead to starring roles in “Taxi” with Queen Latifah and “Fever Pitch” with Drew
Barrymore.
In March of 2009, Fallon took over the Late Night legacy begun by David Letterman and Conan
O’Brien and premiered “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”. The show immediately garnered
attention for viral videos, audience games, A-list guests, and Fallon’s choice of critically
acclaimed house-band, The Roots. The hip-hop legends were quickly embraced by fans and
critics, and their latest album “Wake Up!” (a collaborative effort with John Legend) debuted in
the top ten on the Billboard charts.
In addition to dominating in ratings, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” has been praised by critics.
In the May 28, 2010 issue, Entertainment Weekly named “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon”
number one on their “Must List”.
In less than two years on the air, “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” has already begun collecting
awards. In 2009, the show’s website, latenightwithjimmyfallon.com, won both an Emmy Award
and a Webby Award. The same year, Jimmy himself received the “Webby Person of the Year”
Award. In 2010, the show won its second consecutive Emmy for its website, as well as an
Emmy for Short-Form Editing for the “Glee” parody “6-Bee.”
This August, Fallon received rave reviews for his first-ever stint as the host of the 2010
Primetime Emmy Awards. Most notably, he opened the show with a star-studded performance of
Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run,” parodying the show “Glee” with members of its cast and
other celebrities including Tina Fey, Jon Hamm and Betty White. No stranger to hosting award
shows, he also emceed the MTV Movie Awards twice. In 2001 he co-hosted with Kirsten Dunst,
and Fallon hosted solo in 2005. His hosting of the MTV Video Music Awards in September of
2002 was acclaimed for a musical opening where he parodied the year’s best videos by Eminem,
Avril Lavigne, The White Stripes, Dave Matthews, Nelly, and Enrique Iglesias.
Fallon resides in New York City with his wife Nancy.
Tina Fey
Tina Fey is Executive Producer, head writer and star of NBC's three-time (2007, 2008, 2009)
Emmy Award-winning comedy series "30 Rock," a workplace comedy where the workplace
exists behind-the-scenes of a live variety show. Her performance as 'Liz Lemon' has earned Fey
an Emmy, two Golden Globes, four SAG Awards and a People's Choice Award. This past year,
"30 Rock" was nominated for a record 22 Emmy Awards, the most ever of any comedy series on
television.
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Prior to creating "30 Rock," Fey completed nine seasons as head writer, cast member and coanchor of the "Weekend Update" segment on NBC's "Saturday Night Live." Fey is an Emmy
winner and three-time Writers Guild Award winner for her writing on "Saturday Night Live" and
won an Emmy last year for Guest Appearance by an Actress in a Comedy Series for her
portrayal of Sarah Palin on the 2008-2009 season of SNL.
Since her transition to being in front of the camera, she has won much acclaim, including being
named The Associated Press' Entertainer of the Year in 2008, one of Entertainment Weekly's
Entertainers of the Year on numerous occasions, one of People Magazine's "Most Beautiful
People" (four times), and one of Time magazine's "Prestigious Time 100" (two times). "30 Rock"
has earned her three Emmy Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series, a Golden Globe for
Outstanding Comedy Series, a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a
Comedy Series, two Writers Guild Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series and two Producers
Guild Awards. She has also won two Gracie Awards and a Made in New York Award.
Fey expanded to feature films in Spring 2004 as both a screenwriter and an actress in the hit
comedy "Mean Girls," which earned her a nomination for a Writers Guild Award for Best
Adapted Screenplay. On the big screen, Fey most recently starred in the 20th Century FOX film,
"Date Night" opposite Steve Carell. Fey also had a cameo appearance in the Ricky Gervais
comedy "The Invention of Lying" and was a featured voice in the Disney animated film
"Ponyo," released last Summer. In 2008, Fey starred alongside "Saturday Night Live's" Amy
Poehler in the film "Baby Mama" for Universal Pictures, which exceeded the $50 million dollar
mark at the U.S. box office. Fey will next be a featured voice in the Dreamworks animated film
"Megamind" out on November 5, 2010. Fey is also in the process of writing her first book for
publisher Little, Brown and Company.
Fey lives in New York with her husband, Jeff Richmond, and their daughter.
Jon Hamm
Jon Hamm’s nuanced portrayal of the high-powered, philandering advertising executive Don
Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series “Mad Men” has firmly established him as one of
Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors, and earned him numerous accolades, including
the 2008 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama.
Additionally, Hamm has been nominated for an Emmy Award for Lead Actor in a Drama Series
(2008, 2009, 2010) and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male
Actor in a Drama Series (2008, 2009, 2010). In 2009 and 2010 he joined with the entire cast to
win the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series.
On the big screen, Hamm can currently be seen opposite Ben Affleck and Rebecca Hall in THE
TOWN, which Affleck also directed, and in the indie feature HOWL, about poet Allen Ginsberg,
opposite James Franco, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeff Daniels, and David Strathairn. Additional
upcoming films include roles in Zack Snyder’s fantasy-thriller SUCKER PUNCH and the
Kristen Wiig comedy BRIDESMAIDS. His previous film credits include SHREK FOREVER
AFTER, in which he voiced the character ‘Brogan,’ THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL,
IRA & ABBY, KISSING JESSICA STEIN and WE WERE SOLDIERS.
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Hamm first came to audience’s attention in the NBC series “Providence.” Signed for a cameo
role, he impressed the producers so much that he ended up with an 18-episode run on the series.
Additional television credits include the popular Lifetime television series "The Division,” as
well as "What About Brian," "The Unit," "Numb3rs" and "CSI Miami," among others. Hamm
has also appeared on the Emmy-winning comedy, “30 Rock,” for which he has received two
Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, and has hosted “Saturday
Night Live” twice to critical-acclaim.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Hamm received his Bachelor of Arts in English at the University
of Missouri-Columbia and currently resides in Los Angeles.
Jennifer Hudson
An Academy Award-winning actress and a GRAMMY Award-winning recording artist, Hudson
is an extraordinary talent in our time. In 2007, Hudson won an Oscar for her role in Dreamgirls;
her performance also garnered a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a BAFTA
and an NAACP Image Award. Hudson’s self-titled album won a GRAMMY Award for “Best R
& B Album” and three awards at the 2009 NAACP Image Awards. Her next film project is
“Winnie”, based on the story of Winnie Mandela, former wife of South Africa’s first black
president, Nelson Mandela.
Jane Krakowski
Tony Award winner and two-time Emmy nominee Jane Krakowski currently stars as “Jenna
Maroney” in NBC’s Emmy Award-winning 30 Rock. Jane, along with the 30 Rock cast, won the
2008 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy
Series. In 2010 and 2009, she received Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress
in a Comedy Series.
This summer, Jane released her solo debut album, “The Laziest Gal in Town,” a CD recording
captured during her cabaret nightclub debut at the Park Avenue hotspot Feinstein’s at Lowes
Regency.
She earned her first Tony nomination for her work in the production of Grand Hotel. Other
Broadway credits include Company, Once Upon a Mattress, Tartuffe and Starlight Express. In
the summer of 2008, she starred in the Encores revival of Damn Yankees opposite Sean Hayes.
During her five-year stint on the Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild award-winning
series Ally McBeal, Jane received a Golden Globe nomination for her portrayal of “Elaine
Vassal.”
Making her film debut as “Cousin Vickie” in National Lampoon’s Vacation (with Chevy Chase),
Jane has also starred alongside Jude Law in Alfie (the remake of the famous 1966 film), Pretty
Persuasion (with Evan Rachel Wood and James Woods), and co-starred, opposite Abigail
Breslin in the family film Kit Kittredge: All American Girl. Most recently, she appeared in the
Universal feature The Vampire Diaries: Cirque du Freak (directed by Paul Weitz).
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
Steve Martin
Steve Martin, one of the most diversified performers in the motion picture industry today—actor,
comedian, author, playwright, producer, musician – has been successful as a writer of and
performer in some of the most popular movies of recent film history.
Since becoming involved in the modern bluegrass scene, Martin has been impressed with the
overall level of musicianship that exists in the world of the professional and semi-professional
player. As such, in 2010, Martin established The Steve Martin Prize for Excellence in Banjo and
Bluegrass, an annual award which brings recognition to an individual or group for outstanding
accomplishment in the field of five-string banjo or bluegrass music. In its inaugural year, the
award was presented to Noam Pikelny.
Martin published his second children’s book on September 8th 2010. Narrated with wit and
charm getting to school has never been quite this difficult--or hilarious. Steve Martin and
illustrator C. F. Payne teamed up to tell a story of the adventure, danger, and laughs of the
journey to school. Enclosed with the book is a CD of Martin on banjo and vocals, singing the
book's story with a bluegrass twist.
For his adult audience, Martin’s latest novel “An Object of Beauty” will be released on
November 23rd 2010. Sharing his knowledge of the 1990’s New York arts scene, Martin tells the
story of Lacey Yeager, a young, captivating, and ambitious young woman who takes the NYC
art world by storm.
Earlier this year, Martin completed production on “The Big Year” directed by David Frankel and
costarring Owen Wilson and Jack Black. The comedy is set to be released by 20th Century Fox in
2011, and sees Martin as a member of a group of avid bird watchers competeteing to spot the
rarest birds in North America at an annual esteemed event.
In March of 2010, Martin, along with Alec Baldwin, co-hosted the 82nd Annual Academy
Awards – his third time serving as host of the prestigious award show. He received an Emmy
nomination in the category of Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Special for
his participation.
On January 31st, 2010, Steve Martin's banjo album, The Crow / New Songs For The Five-String
Banjo, won a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
Christmas 2009 saw Martin share the screen with Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin in Universal’s
“It’s Complicated.” The comedy, directed by Nancy Meyers, tells the story of a divorced couple
(Streep and Baldwin) who discover that their feelings for one another might not have completely
disappeared. Martin plays Adam, the soft-spoken and sweet architect who also vies for Street’s
characters’ affection.
In 2008, Martin had two books published: In October, Doubleday released a children’s book
titled The Alphabet from A to Y with Bonus Letter Z!, co-written with fellow The New Yorker
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illustrator Roz Chast. In December, Martin’s autobiography, Born Standing Up, was published
by Scribner.
Additionally, in December of 2007, Martin was the recipient of the prestigious Kennedy Center
Honor.
In February 2006, Martin was seen in “The Pink Panther” playing the role of Inspector Clouseau,
originally made famous by Peter Sellers. The film, which reunites Martin with director Shawn
Levy, costarred Beyonce Knowles and Kevin Kline. In 2009, Mr. Martin will revived his role of
Inspector Clouseau in “The Pink Panther 2.”
In 2005, Martin received critical praise for the Touchstone Pictures film “Shopgirl,” costarring
Claire Danes and Jason Schwartzman. The screenplay was written by Martin and adapted from
his best-selling novella of the same name. “Shopgirl” follows the complexities of a romance
between a young girl, who works at a Los Angeles Saks Fifth Avenue glove counter while
nurturing dreams of being an artist, and a wealthy older man, who is still learning about the
consequences that come with any romantic relationship.
Christmas 2003, Martin starred in the highest grossing film of his career, “Cheaper by the
Dozen,” directed by Shawn Levy for 20th Century Fox. The family comedy, co-starring Bonnie
Hunt and Hillary Duff, has grossed over $135 million domestically. Christmas 2005 saw the
much anticipated sequel “Cheaper by the Dozen 2” staring the original cast and adding in a rival
family, headed by Eugene Levy. In February of 2003, Martin starred with Queen Latifah in the
blockbuster comedy, “Bringing Down the House” for Touchstone Pictures which gross $132.7
million.
Mr. Martin hosted the 75th Annual Academy Awards in 2003, his second time handling those
duties, the first being the 73rd Oscars. The 75th Annual Academy Awards was nominated for
seven Emmy Awards, including a nomination for “Outstanding Individual Performance In a
Variety or Music Program”.
Born in Waco, Texas and raised in Southern California, Mr. Martin became a television writer in
the late 1960’s, winning an Emmy Award for his work on the hit series “The Smothers Brothers
Comedy Hour.” By the end of the decade he was performing his own material in clubs and on
television.
Launched by frequent appearances on Johnny Carson’s “Tonight Show,” Mr. Martin went on to
host several shows in the innovative “Saturday Night Live” series and to star in and co-write four
highly rated television specials. When performing on national concert tours, he drew standingroom-only audiences in some of the largest venues in the country. He won Grammy Awards for
his two comedy albums, “Let’s Get Small” and “A Wild and Crazy Guy,” and had a gold record
with his single “King Tut.” In 2003, Martin also won a Grammy® Award for Best country
instrumentalist for his playing on Earl Scruggs 75th Anniversary album.
Mr. Martin’s first film project, “The Absent-Minded Waiter,” a short he wrote and starred in,
was nominated for a 1977 Academy Award. In 1979, he moved into feature films, co-writing
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and starring in “The Jerk,” directed by Carl Reiner. In 1981, he starred opposite Bernadette
Peters in Herbert Ross’ bittersweet musical comedy, “Pennies From Heaven.”
The actor then co-wrote and starred in the 1982 send-up of detective thrillers, “Dead Men Don’t
Wear Plaid” and the science fiction comedy “The Man With Two Brains,” both directed by Carl
Reiner. In 1984, Mr. Martin received a Best Actor Award from both the New York Film Critics
Association and the National Board of Review for his performance opposite Lily Tomlin in “All
of Me,” his forth collaboration with writer/director Carl Reiner.
In 1987, his motion picture hit, “Roxanne,” a modern adaptation of the Cyrano de Bergerac
legend, garnered Martin not only warm audience response, but also a Best Actor Award from the
Los Angeles Film Critics Association and Best Screenplay Award from the Writer Guild of
America. Mr. Martin was also the executive producer on the film.
In 1988, he costarred with Michael Caine in the hit comedy film “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels,” his
second feature collaboration with director Frank Oz (the first being “Little Shop of Horrors”). In
1989, he starred with Mary Steenburgen and Diane Wiest in Ron Howard’s affectionate family
comedy, “Parenthood” for Universal Pictures.
In 1991, Mr. Martin wrote, starred in and co-executive produced the critically acclaimed
comedy, “L.A. Story,” a motion picture about a love story set in Los Angeles. That same year he
made a cameo appearance in Lawrence Kasdan’s critically lauded “Grand Canyon” and starred
with Diane Keaton in the hit Disney film “Father Of The Bride,” receiving the People’s Choice
Award for Favorite Actor in a Comedy Motion Picture for the latter. In 1992, he starred in the
Universal comedy feature “Housesitter,” opposite Goldie Hawn, winning the People’s Choice
Award for Favorite Actor in a Comedy, for the second year in a row.
In 1996, he starred again with Diane Keaton in the hit sequel to “Father of the Bride,” and was
nominated for a Golden Globe Award. In 1997, he received universal critical acclaim for his
riveting performance in director David Mamet’s thriller, “The Spanish Prisoner.”
Mr. Martin wrote and starred in the hilarious 1999 feature comedy, “Bowfinger,” opposite Eddie
Murphy for Director Frank Oz. The film was showcased at the Deauville International Film
Festival.
Mr. Martin’s other films include classic comedies like Frank Oz’s “Little Shop of Horrors,” in
which he played a demented dentist; John Hughes’ “Planes, Trains and Automobiles,” costarring John Candy and the comic Western send-up “The Three Amigos” co-staring Marin Short
and Chevy .
In the fall of 1993, Mr. Martin’s first original play, the comedy-drama “Picasso at the Lapin
Agile,” was presented by Chicago’s prestigious Steppenwolf Theatre. Following rave reviews
and an extended run in Chicago, the play was presented successfully in Boston and Los Angeles,
and then Off-Broadway in New York at the Promenade Theatre, to nationwide critical and
audience acclaim. It has since been, and continues to be, mounted in productions worldwide.
“WASP” a one act play that Martin wrote, was first performed at the Public Theatre in NY in
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1995. “The Underpants,” a dark comedy Mr. Martin adapted from the 1911 play by Carl
Sterneim, premiered Off-Broadway at the Classic Stage Company on April 4, 2002.
In 1996, Mr. Martin was honored with a retrospective of his work, by the American Film
Institute’s Third Decade Council at the U.S. Comedy Arts Festival. He was also presented with
the Lifetime Achievement Award at the ceremony. In 2004 Martin was honored for his film
work by the American Cinematheque.
A selection of paintings from his extensive, private, modern art collection was given a special
exhibition at the Bellagio Hotel gallery in Las Vegas in 2000, with catalog notes written for the
show my Mr. Martin.
After the success of his first novella Shopgirl Mr. Martin’s second novella, “The Pleasure of My
Company,” published by Hyperion, once again was ranked on best seller lists around the country
including the New York Times. He has written a best selling collection of comic pieces, Pure
Drivel, and his work frequently appears in The New Yorker and the New York Times.
He lives in New York City and Los Angeles.
Seth Meyers
Seth Meyers returns for his tenth season on "Saturday Night Live," his fifth season as head
writer, and his fifth season as anchor of "Weekend Update."
Before focusing his attention solely on “Update,” Meyers was a regular player in sketches,
performing numerous characters and impressions, most notably, an uncanny portrayal of Senator
John Kerry for the show's satire of the 2004 Presidential election.
A graduate of Northwestern University, he studied and performed at ImprovOlympic (where
many SNL cast members and writers got their start) before moving on to the Boom Chicago
Theater in Amsterdam, Holland. His acclaimed show "Pick-ups and Hiccups" with partner Jill
Benjamin toured Europe and eventually caught the eye of "SNL."
Most recently, Meyers hosted the 2010 ESPY Awards on ESPN.
Tracy Morgan
Currently starring on NBC’s Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning “30 Rock,” Morgan
appears opposite Tina Fey and Alec Baldwin as “Tracy Jordan,” the unpredictable star of
Lemon’s (Fey) hit variety show, “TGS with Tracy Jordan.” Last year Morgan received his first
Emmy Nomination for this role, in the Supporting Actor category; he has in three past years also
been nominated for a Supporting Actor NAACP Image Award. The “30 Rock” cast won in 2009
the Screen Actors Guild Award for “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy
Series.”
This year has been another busy one for Morgan. First up was Kevin Smith’s COP OUT. In the
feature, he starred with Bruce Willis as two cops given the grim tasks of locating a stolen
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baseball card to pay for a wedding, rescuing a kidnapped woman, and combating gangsters
whose main goals are laundering money and elevating the death count in Brooklyn. In April,
Morgan starred in the comedy DEATH AT A FUNERAL for Screen Gems. The film, a remake
of the 2007 British movie of the same name, also featured Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Zoe
Saldana, and Danny Glover. The independent romantic comedy feature NAILED (from David O.
Russell) in which Morgan also appears, alongside Jessica Biel and Jake Gyllenhaal, will be
released later in 2010. Next up, Morgan tackles the drama THE SON OF NO ONE with Al
Pacino and Juliette Binoche. Currently in production, the film is due out in 2011.
Last summer Morgan made his animation debut lending his voice for Jerry Bruckheimer’s GFORCE, a combination live-action/CG film. Morgan starred as “Blaster,” one of the highly
trained secret agent guinea pigs dispatched to save the world. The film opened number one in US
box offices and was celebrated by audiences worldwide.
Another milestone for Morgan was reached in 2009 with the release of his first book, a
compilation of studied anecdotes and some of the more serious moments that shaped him and his
career entitled I Am The New Black. He also headlined the famed “New York Comedy Festival”
which featured acclaimed comedians including Bill Maher, Andy Samberg, and Patton Oswalt,
among others. Lastly, this fall Morgan will round out his list of great comedic achievements with
the premiere of his first HBO Special, “Black & Blue” which will air in November.
As a stand-up comic who has headlined across the country, Morgan was first introduced to
television audiences in his role as “Hustleman” on the hit comedy series “Martin.” He went on to
join “Saturday Night Live” in 1996 where he appeared for seven seasons and created such
memorable characters as “Astronaut Jones” and “Brian Fellows.” After leaving SNL, Morgan
went on to star in his own comedy series “The Tracy Morgan Show” and voiced “Spoonie Luv”
on Comedy Central’s “Crank Yankers.” Additional film credits include: Dimension Films’
SUPERHERO MOVIE, FIRST SUNDAY opposite Ice Cube and Katt Williams, THE
LONGEST YARD opposite Adam Sandler, the Wayan’s brothers LITTLE MAN, JAY AND
SILENT BOB STRIKE BACK AND HEAD OF STATE.
Morgan currently resides in New York City.
Betty White
Betty White, born on January 17 in Oak Park, Illinois, moved to Los Angeles with her parents
when she was two years old. She graduated from Beverly Hills High School.
She played small parts on radio which led into television at its very inception on the west coast
(1949). Her first big break was joining Al Jarvis on a local TV show which broadcast five and a
half hours a day, six days a week – live. After two years Betty inherited the show for an
additional two years.
In partnership with producer Don Fedderson and writer George Tibbles, she formed her own
production company and produced her first comedy series, LIFE WITH ELIZABETH, for
which she received her first Emmy in 1952; THE BETTY WHITE SHOW, a daily NBC
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network talk/variety show; and a network situation comedy, A DATE WITH THE ANGELS.
She appeared frequently on major variety and game shows, and was a recurring regular with Jack
Paar (over 70 appearances), Merv Griffin, and Johnny Carson, (including many Mighty Carson
Art Players). She also subbed as host on all three shows. Was a regular with Vicki Lawrence on
MAMA’S FAMILY, as sister Ellen, a role she created with the rest of the company on THE
CAROL BURNETT SHOW.
Betty’s first appearance on THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW in the show’s fourth season
led to her becoming a recurring cast member. Her portrayal of Sue Ann Nivens, the Happy
Homemaker, brought two Emmys for Best Supporting Actress in 1974-75 and 1975-76.
Betty narrated the New Year’s Day Tournament of Roses Parade on network television for 20
years, and Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade for 10 years.
In 1970-71 she created, wrote and hosted her syndicated TV animal series, THE PET SET. In
1976 she was awarded the Pacific Pioneers in Broadcasting ‘Golden Ike’ award, and the Genii
Award from American Women in Radio and Television. Betty received her fourth Emmy for
Best Daytime Game Show Host for JUST MEN. Nominated 7 times for Best Actress in a
Comedy Series for THE GOLDEN GIRLS, she won the Emmy the first season in 1985. She
then appeared in the spin-off THE GOLDEN PALACE for one season. Best Guest Actress in a
Comedy Series on THE JOHN LARROQUETTE SHOW in 1996 brought another Emmy. In
1997 she was nominated as guest actress for SUDDENLY SUSAN. The American Comedy
Awards gave her the Funniest Female Award in 1987, and the Lifetime Achievement Award in
1990. In 1995 she was inducted into the Television Academy’s Hall of Fame. Also in 2000 she
received the American Comedy Award for the Funniest Female Guest Appearance in a
Television Series for ALLY MCBEAL. In 2002 she made recurring appearances on THAT 70’S
SHOW.
In 2007 she received an honorary doctorate from Western University Veterinary School as
‘Doctor of Humane Veterinary Sciences.’ The Television Critics Association honored Betty with
the Career Achievement Award in August, 2009. The Disney Legend Award was given to Betty
in September, 2009. In October 2009 Betty was honored by the Jane Goodall Institute with the
Lifetime Achievement Award. Betty charmed sports fans with her role in the top-rated Snickers
2010 Super Bowl commercial. Betty received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
in January, 2010. In April, 2010 the American Women in Radio and Television honored Betty
with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Acting. The British Academy of Film and Television
Arts (BAFTA) is honoring Betty with the Charlie Chaplin Award for Excellence in Comedy.
Betty will also be inducted into the California Hall of Fame in December.
She also had a recurring role on BOSTON LEGAL as Catherine Piper, and Ann Douglas on the
daytime drama THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL. Betty plays ‘Elka,’ the snarky but
lovable caretaker along with Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick, in the wellreceived TV Land series HOT IN CLEVELAND, which has been ordered for a second season.
Betty hosted SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on May 8, 2010 and the episode was one of the
highest-rated in the show’s history, which won her the Emmy for Guest Actress in a Comedy
Series, bringing Betty’s Emmy total to 7. Betty guest starred on the season finale of THE
Tina Fey: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize
MIDDLE and will also be appearing on the upcoming season premiere of the NBC series
COMMUNITY.
Betty serves as the President Emeritus of Morris Animal Foundation and has been a trustee since
1971. She received the American Veterinary Medical Association’s Humane Award in 1987. She
has recently been named Chairwoman of the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association, has served
on the board since 1974, and as a Zoo Commissioner for 8 years. In February, 2006 Betty was
honored by the City of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Zoo as ‘Ambassador to the Animals’ for
her life-long work for animal welfare. A bronze plaque is placed next to the Zoo’s Gorilla
Exhibit.
Betty has appeared in several movies for television: starring with Leslie Nielsen in CHANCE
OF A LIFETIME, THE RETRIEVERS for Animal Planet, STEALING CHRISTMAS with
Tony Danza and ANNIE’s POINT for the Hallmark Channel. Betty will star in the upcoming
CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, THE LOST VALENTINE, which will air around
Valentine’s Day, 2011.
Her endeavors on the big screen included HARD RAIN with Morgan Freeman and Christian
Slater, DENNIS THE MENACE STRIKES AGAIN playing Mrs. Wilson opposite Don
Rickles, LAKE PLACID (a film by David E. Kelley), the Rob Reiner film THE STORY OF
US, BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE with Steve Martin and Queen Latifah, and THE
PROPOSAL with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Disney’s YOU AGAIN, starring Jamie
Lee Curtis and Sigourney Weaver will be released this September.
She is the author of six books: BETTY WHITE’S PET LOVE, BETTY WHITE IN PERSON,
THE LEADING LADY: DINAH’S STORY, co-authored with Tom Sullivan, HERE WE GO
AGAIN: MY LIFE IN TELEVISION and TOGEHER, also co-authored with Tom Sullivan.
This October, HERE WE GO AGAIN: MY LIFE IN TELEVISION will be reissued, and Betty
has two upcoming novels in the works.
Betty was married for eighteen years to Allen Ludden, host of television’s PASSWORD, until
his death in 1981. She lives in Brentwood, CA with her golden retriever, Pontiac.