Paula Pell
Biography
Paula Pell is an American writer, actress, comedian, and producer who was born on April 15, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois. She is best known for her work as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2020. For her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, she has been recognized with a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and six Writers Guild of America Awards. In 2019, Pell was honored with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence. Her career includes fifty-nine known credits in the acting category according to database records.
Career overview
Paula Pell is an American writer, actress, comedian, and producer who was born on April 15, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois. She is best known for her work as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live, where she wrote from 1995 to 2020.
Throughout her career, Pell has received significant recognition for her writing contributions to both Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock. Her accolades include a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music or Comedy Program and six Writers Guild of America Awards. Additionally, she was honored with the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence in 2019.
In addition to her writing achievements, Pell has built an extensive career in entertainment, accumulating fifty-nine known credits across movies and television shows. Her work spans various creative roles, establishing her as a prominent figure in American comedy.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
110 titles- Lorne (2026) as Self
- The 'Burbs (2026) as Dana Richards
- The Cat in the Hat (2026) as (voice)
- The Four Seasons (2025) as Dana
- Everybody's Live with John Mulaney (2025) as Jean Dumb
- Dying for Sex (2025) as Nurse Amy
- SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night (2025) as Self
- Good Hang with Amy Poehler (2025)
- Summer of 69 (2025) as Betty Spaghetti
- Inside Out 2 (2024) as Mom's Anger (voice)
- Dream Productions (2024) as Paula Persimmon (voice)
- Will & Harper (2024) as Self
- Not Dead Yet (2023) as Marlena
- The Slumber Party (2023) as Principal Petersen
- The Jennifer Hudson Show (2022) as Self
- Loot (2022) as Paula
- Loot (2022) Consulting Producer
- Monsters at Work (2021) as Sunny (voice)
- Girls5eva (2021) as Gloria
- Amidst the Chaos – Live (Again) from the Hollywood Bowl (2021) as Self
- Die Hart (2020) as Cynthia
- Mapleworth Murders (2020) as Abigail Mapleworth
- Mapleworth Murders (2020) Writer
- Mapleworth Murders (2020) Executive Producer
- Mapleworth Murders (2020) Creator
- 30 Rock: A One-Time Special (2020) as Paula Hornberger
- Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (2020) Writer
- Sarah Cooper: Everything's Fine (2020) Executive Producer
- Harley Quinn (2019) as G.A.I.L (voice)
- Wine Country (2019) as Val
- Wyrm (2019) as Tanya
- A.P. Bio (2018) as Helen Henry Demarcus
- A.P. Bio (2018) Writer
- Camping (2018) Writer
- Camping (2018) Co-Executive Producer
- Big Mouth (2017) as Barbara Glouberman / Bubbe (voice)
- Big Mouth (2017) as Barbara Glouberman (voice)
- Big Mouth (2017) as (voice)
- Big Mouth (2017) as Barbara Glouberman / Lola's Couch Pillow (voice)
- Big Mouth (2017)
- Carpool Karaoke: The Series (2017) as Self
- No Activity (2017) as Daisy
- No Activity (2017) as Trucker
- Other People (2016) as Aunt Patti
- Brother Nature (2016) as Woman in Suit
- Inside Out (2015) as Dream Director / Mom's Anger (voice)
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015) as Bev
- Documentary Now! (2015) as Patty
- Sisters (2015) as Dana
- Sisters (2015) Screenplay
- Riley's First Date? (2015) as Mom's Anger (voice)
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Guest
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Trisha Bumrock
- Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014) as Self - Guest
- Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014) as Lady in Bar
- Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues (2013) as Crowd Member at Ice Rink
- The Awesomes (2013) as Gadget Gal (voice)
- The Mindy Project (2012) as Evelyn
- This Is 40 (2012) Executive Producer
- The Women of SNL (2010) Writer
- Saturday Night Live in the 2000s: Time and Again (2010) as Self
- Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (2009) as Self - Guest
- Parks and Recreation (2009) as Tammy Zero
- Saturday Night Live in the '90s: Pop Culture Nation (2007) as Self
- 30 Rock (2006) as Paula Hornberger
- 30 Rock (2006) Writer
- Made in Hollywood (2005) as Self
- NBC 75th Anniversary Special (2002) Writer
- The Colin Quinn Show (2002)
- Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (1999) Writer
- Super Force (1990) as Mrs. BIloxi
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Robin Walker Fan (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Paula (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Mother (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Church Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Karen Coolidge (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self / Taddli Audience Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Audience Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Caller (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Betty Michaels (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Betty Ford (voice)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Laughing Writer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Sarah (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Helen (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Operator (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Friend (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Assistant (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as China Delegate Translator (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as P. J. Dougherty (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Terrell's Wife (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as New Canaan Woman (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Judge on The Swan / Announcer (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Linda Grabel (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Ashley (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Announcer (voice)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Lesbian (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Trio Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Judine (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Valentine Commercial Announcer (voice) (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Staff Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) Writer
- The Fifth Wheel Producer
- The Fifth Wheel Screenplay
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Paula Pell best known for?
Paula Pell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Lorne (2026), The Cat in the Hat (2026), The Four Seasons (2025), Everybody's Live with John Mulaney (2025).
When and where was Paula Pell born?
Paula Pell was born on April 15, 1963 in Joliet, Illinois, USA.
How many credits does Paula Pell have?
Paula Pell has accumulated over 110 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1975 to 2026.
What is Paula Pell's background in cinema and television?
Paula Pell is an American writer, actress, comedian, and producer who was born on April 15, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois. She is best known for her work as a writer for the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 1995 to 2020. For her work on Saturday Night Live and 30 Rock, she has been recognized with a Primet...