Jenny Slate, yeah, that name really started turning heads after her quick but unforgettable time on Saturday Night Live. I mean, it was brief—sure—but definitely memorable. Born in 1982 in Milton, Massachusetts, Jenny Slate wasn’t just another aspiring comedian; she was already making waves back in college. While studying Literature at Columbia University, she co-founded an improv group called Fruit Paunch and began a long-running creative partnership with Gabe Liedman. That early spark? It set the stage for everything to come.
Before landing on SNL, Jenny Slate made a few appearances here and there—talking head gigs, you know the kind—and even had a recurring role as an NBC page on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon. Then came the big break: joining the 35th season of Saturday Night Live, a true comedy institution. During her time there, she impersonated stars like Lady Gaga and Kristen Stewart and even created the quirky character Tina Tina Cheneuse, a pitchwoman from an infomercial sketch. But, well… things took a turn. In her very first episode, she accidentally dropped an F-bomb live on air. Ouch. That moment haunted her run, and despite her talent, she left the show after just one season.
But hey, life goes on—and for Jenny Slate, it really took off. She played Jason Schwartzman’s love interest Stella on HBO’s Bored to Death, and then teamed up with Dean Fleischer-Camp—her future husband—to write the beloved animated short Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (2010). That project showed off her unique voice and charm, literally and figuratively. Around the same time, she landed her first major film role as Zoe, an island castaway, in Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked (2011), and played Reese Witherspoon’s assistant in the rom-com This Means War (2012).
From there, Jenny Slate became a go-to voice in animation. She voiced Ted’s Mom in The Lorax (2012), created and starred in the web series Catherine (2013), and guest-starred as actress Amelia Gordon in Hello Ladies (HBO, 2013–14). Her comedic timing shined across multiple shows: she played Mona-Lisa, Jean-Ralphio’s hilariously awful twin sister, on Parks and Recreation; appeared in nine episodes of House of Lies as Doug’s wife; and brought Tammy, the chaotic frenemy, to life on Bob’s Burgers. Oh, and let’s not forget Liz G.—that delightfully incompetent agent on Kroll Show—and Jess, the free-spirited character she originated in Married (FX, 2014–15).
Then came Obvious Child (2014), a real turning point. Jenny Slate delivered a nuanced, heartfelt performance as a stand-up comic navigating an unplanned pregnancy and choosing abortion. The role earned her critical acclaim and put her firmly on the indie film map. After that, she kept busy with roles in relationship-driven dramedies like The Longest Week (2014), Joshy (2016), and My Blind Brother (2016)—each showcasing her range and emotional depth.
And honestly, her voiceover work just exploded. She voiced Pony Head, the sassy princess in Star vs. The Forces of Evil (Disney Channel, 2015–19); Bellwether, the sheep assistant mayor in Zootopia (2016); Gidget the Pomeranian in The Secret Life of Pets (2016); Harley Quinn in The Lego Batman Movie (2017); and Valerie Da Vinci, director of the Anti-Villain League, in Despicable Me 3 (2017). Each role highlighted how versatile and expressive Jenny Slate’s voice truly is.
On screen, she kept building momentum. She had supporting roles in Brain on Fire (2016) and The Polka King (2017), starred opposite Chris Evans as teacher Bonnie Stevenson in Gifted (2017), and led strong ensembles in Landline (2017) and Aardvark (2017). These performances proved she wasn’t just a voice or a side character—she could carry a film.
Her streak didn’t slow down. She voiced Jane, the assistant U.S. ambassador, in the satirical Comrade Detective (Amazon Video, 2017); Missy Foreman-Greenwald, the sweet yet nerdy girl, in Big Mouth (Netflix, 2017–); Miss Nanny in the Muppet Babies reboot (Disney Channel, 2018–); and Mitzy the ostrich in The Ark and the Aardvark (2020).
Meanwhile, on camera, Jenny Slate took on diverse roles: an injured cop in Hotel Artemis (2018), Dr. Dora Skirth in Venom (2018), and a painter forming an unexpected bond in the Arctic-set The Sunlit Night (2018). She also released her stand-up special Stage Fright on Netflix in 2019, blending humor and vulnerability in a way only she could. And rounding out her impressive run, she played Vanessa in Sofia Coppola’s On the Rocks (2020), further cementing her status as a multi-talented force in both comedy and drama.
So yeah—Jenny Slate? She’s everywhere. And honestly, we’re glad she is.
When it comes to Jenny Slate’s career highlights, one standout moment definitely comes in the form of Jenny Slate: Stage Fright (2019), which is widely regarded as her highest-rated project to date. Critics and fans alike have praised the special for its raw honesty, sharp humor, and deeply personal storytelling—really showcasing what makes Jenny Slate such a unique voice in comedy. On the other end of the spectrum, The Longest Week (2014) tends to be viewed as her lowest-rated work so far. While it featured a solid ensemble cast, the film didn’t quite resonate with audiences or critics, landing well below the bar set by Jenny Slate’s other performances. Overall, Jenny Slate continues to build an impressive body of work, with projects like Stage Fright highlighting her strengths and reminding us why Jenny Slate remains such a compelling talent.