Aidy Bryant’s journey into comedy began at a young age in her hometown of Phoenix, AZ, where she first discovered her passion for improv during a teen theater camp. Drawn by Chicago’s legendary comedy scene and its deep roots in improvisational theater, Aidy made the move to Illinois to pursue her dreams. She enrolled as a theater major at Columbia College, and in 2008, further honed her craft through a semester in the Comedy Studies program at the renowned Second City—a pivotal moment in Aidy Bryant’s early career. Around the same time, she also completed the intensive iO training program, immersing herself fully in the world of improv.
By 2011, Aidy Bryant had earned a spot in The Second City’s E.T.C. resident company, where she helped earn a local comedy award nomination for “Best Ensemble” with the show Sky’s the Limit, Weather Permitting. Not only did she perform, but Aidy also co-wrote and starred in another revue titled We’re All in This Room Together, showcasing her growing talent behind the scenes. Alongside her work at Second City, Aidy Bryant stayed active in the Chicago comedy circuit, performing sketch and improv shows with both iO Chicago and the Annoyance Theater—many of which she shared online, gradually building a following.
One of her standout early roles came in Ted Tremper’s improvised web series Shrink, which won the New York Television Festival Award for “Best Comedy Pilot” in 2012—an achievement that certainly put Aidy on the map. That same year, she landed a small but memorable role in the second season of the quirky sketch series Comedy Bang! Bang! on IFC. But it was later in 2012 when everything changed: Aidy Bryant joined the iconic cast of Saturday Night Live on NBC, bringing her unique, offbeat humor to the long-running late-night favorite. Her time on SNL not only solidified her status in comedy but also opened doors to other opportunities.
While still starring on SNL, Aidy Bryant took on a recurring role in HBO’s Girls and made guest appearances on popular comedy series like Broad City and Documentary Now!. Between hectic SNL seasons, she expanded into film, appearing in supporting roles in well-received movies such as The Big Sick (2017) and I Feel Pretty (2018). Then, in August 2018, news broke that Aidy Bryant would take on a leading role in Shrill, a Hulu series based on Lindy West’s memoir. The show, which premiered in 2019, allowed Aidy to shine as both a performer and a producer, further proving her range and depth as a comedic force. Through every step, Aidy Bryant has continued to evolve, leaving an undeniable mark on modern comedy.
When it comes to Aidy Bryant’s film career, one standout performance definitely shines through — her highest rated movie is The Big Sick from 2017. Fans and critics alike have praised the film, and Aidy Bryant’s role in it certainly contributed to its success. On the other hand, looking at her filmography, I Feel Pretty (2018) tends to be viewed as her lowest rated project so far. While opinions can vary, the general consensus places The Big Sick at the top when ranking Aidy Bryant’s work. It’s interesting to see how different roles impact a performer’s trajectory, and for Aidy Bryant, that contrast between 2017 and 2018 really highlights the ups and downs of Hollywood. Still, Aidy Bryant continues to be a beloved figure in comedy and film.