Kirby Howell-Baptiste, a talented actress and comedian, made a remarkable journey from the vibrant theater scene in her hometown of North London to carving out a successful career in American television and film. Encouraged by her mother at just 12 years old, Kirby Howell-Baptiste began her acting path by joining the Young Actors Theatre—an early step that would set the tone for her future. As she grew, so did her passion, leading her to perform on stages across London during her teenage years. One of the highlights of this period was her work with the renowned Talawa Theatre Company, where Kirby Howell-Baptiste gained valuable experience and exposure.
Eager to expand her skills, Kirby Howell-Baptiste eventually moved to Los Angeles, enrolling at the prestigious Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. It wasn’t long before she became deeply involved in the city’s thriving improv community. She took the stage with the Upright Citizens Brigade and lent her comedic flair to countless digital shorts for popular platforms like Comedy Bang! Bang!, College Humor, and Funny Or Die—each project helping to sharpen her unique voice.
Her television debut came in 2015 with an appearance on Showtime’s “House of Lies,” a moment that marked the beginning of her rise in the industry. By the next year, Kirby Howell-Baptiste landed a major opportunity: a series regular role on the ABC sitcom “Downward Dog” (2017–), which followed the humorous musings of a dog observing human behavior. Around the same time, she joined the cast of Netflix’s “Love” (2016–), a Judd Apatow-produced comedy that further showcased her range. On the big screen, Kirby Howell-Baptiste appeared in Lasse Hallström’s heartfelt “A Dog’s Purpose” (2017) and later in “Find Me” (2018), proving her versatility across genres. Through dedication and talent, Kirby Howell-Baptiste has steadily built a dynamic and compelling presence in Hollywood.
So, when it comes to Kirby’s movie ratings, things get pretty interesting. If you look at the numbers, Kirby’s highest rated movie turns out to be Find Me from 2018 — that one really stands out in terms of acclaim. On the flip side, Kirby’s lowest rated film is A Dog’s Purpose, which came out in 2017 and didn’t quite resonate as well. Yeah, Kirby has had some ups and downs, but overall, the contrast between those two years really shows the range in Kirby’s film journey. Definitely makes you curious about what Kirby might do next, right?