Ellie Kemper

Birth Date:

May 2, 1980

Birth Name:

Elizabeth Claire Kemper

Birth Place:

Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Nick Name:

Ellie

Film Debut:

Mystery Team 2009

Breakthrough Film:

Bridesmaids 2011

Biography

Ellie Kemper, born Elizabeth Claire Kemper on May 2, 1980, is an American actress, comedian, and writer. She was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in St. Louis. Known by her nickname Ellie, she developed an interest in performing at an early age. She attended John Burroughs School, where actor Jon Hamm was her drama teacher. Kemper later studied English at Princeton University, graduating in 2002. During her college years, she participated in improv comedy and musical theater, which helped her develop her acting and comedic skills. She also studied at the University of Oxford before pursuing a career in entertainment.

Kemper began her career performing comedy sketches and appearing in television segments. Her early screen appearances included sketches on Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Colbert Report. Her film debut came with a small role in Mystery Team, released in 2009. She gained wider recognition in 2009 when she joined the cast of the popular American television sitcom The Office, playing Erin Hannon, a cheerful and sometimes naive receptionist. Her performance made her a familiar face to television audiences. In 2011, she achieved her breakout film role as Becca in the comedy Bridesmaids, starring alongside Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, and Melissa McCarthy. The film’s success helped expand her career in Hollywood.

Following her growing success, Kemper appeared in several films, including 21 Jump Street (2012), Laggies (2014), and Sex Tape (2014). In 2015, she took on the leading role of Kimmy Schmidt in the Netflix comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Her portrayal of a woman rebuilding her life after years of captivity earned her two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Beyond acting, Kemper has explored writing and published her memoir, My Squirrel Days, in 2018. She has also lent her voice to animated productions, including The Secret Life of Pets and The LEGO Batman Movie. Through her work in television, film, comedy, and writing, Kemper has established a diverse career in entertainment.

Movie Portfolio